FOREIGN OBJECTS

Objects that are not wanted in the pool can’t help but sometimes find their way in there.  When accidents happen, check below for what to do.

1. Automobile Antifreeze - Automobile antifreeze is extremely toxic. Drain the pool completely.  Clean the filter with Strip Kwik or SoftSwim Filter Cleaner, depending on the sanitizer type.  Contact the local Health Department for instructions of draining he pool due to the water containing a toxic chemical.
2. Broken Thermometer (possible Mercury contamination) - Most pool thermometers manufactured recently do not contain mercury.  The newer thermometers, including the ones that BioGuard supplies, are alcohol thermometers. Verify that the temperature indicator was colored and not silver.  If the thermometer indicator was colored and not silver, it was colored alcohol and the only contamination that is of concern is broken glass or plastic from the thermometer itself.  If, however, the temperature indicator WAS silver, from an older thermometer it is possible that mercury is in the pool.  If there is a silver colored liquid in the pool, then it is probably mercury. Mercury is an extremely hazardous material.  If there is any threat of mercury being introduced in the pool, evacuate the pool immediately and shut down the pump and filter. Contact the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for more information.
3. Dead Animals - Unfortunately, this does happen occasionally, and the poor creatures contribute bacteria and other contaminants to the water. If a dead animal has been found in a pool, a serious threat exists.  Do not allow anyone to enter the pool until the water has been treated.  First, remove the animal and dispose of it properly.
• For Chlorinated or Brominated Pools:
• Shock the pool with 4-5 times the normal amount of Burn Out Extreme or Burn Out 35
• Clean the filter with Strip Kwik
• Watch the chlorine/bromine level and do not allow it to drop below 2 ppm for one week.  Shock as needed to maintain this level or higher. (Do not swim until the residual drops to 3.0 ppm or lower.)
• For SoftSwim Pools:
• Top up the SoftSwim B level to 50 ppm and shock with 3 gallons of SoftSwim C per 10,000 gallons.
• Clean the filter with SoftSwim Filter Cleaner
• Watch the SoftSwim C residual and do not allow it to drop below 20 ppm for one week.  Add SoftSwim C as needed to maintain this level or higher.  (Do not swim until the SoftSwim C level drops below 90 ppm.) If there is a rapid loss of SoftSwim C and/or the water is cloudy after applying the above dosage of SoftSwim C, it would be best to convert the pool to chlorinating products for a couple of weeks and then go back to SoftSwim.
4. Live Animals - Live animals enjoy pools as much as people, but do tend to bring more in with them.  If dogs, ducks or other creatures have gone for a dip, simply follow with a shock application for your sanitizer type.
5. Dry Ice - Dry ice can be used in pools safely.  For Chlorinated or Brominated pools, after using the dry ice, add 2 lbs. of Burn Out Extreme or Burn Out 35 per 6,000 gallons.  For SoftSwim Pools, add 1 gallon of SoftSwim C per 10,000 gallons. Check the pH, and adjust if needed.  (Dry ice tends to lower pH.)
6. Fecal Matter - Fecal matter can be a serious health hazard.  Cryptosporidium can be introduced to the pool and even in small amounts can cause illness in swimmers.
• Evacuated the pool and remove as much of the solid matter as is possible.
• Shock the pool with 4-5 times the normal amount of Burn Out Extreme or Burn Out 35 (SoftSwim pools - use SoftSwim C).
• Clean the filter with Strip Kwik.
• Watch the sanitizer residual and do not allow it to drop below 2 ppm for one week.  Shock as needed to maintain this level or higher. (Do not swim until the residual drops to 3.0 ppm or lower.)  SoftSwim user watch the SoftSwim C level and do not let it drop below 20 ppm for one week and top the SoftSwim B up to 50 ppm.
7. Fertilizer - CAUTION:  Check with with fertilizer manufacturer for toxicity. Some fertilizers contain toxic chemicals, and draining may be necessary.  If large amounts of fertilizer have entered the pool, check for Iron or Copper content.  Some fertilizers contain metals.  If metals are present, add Pool Magnet Plus (or SoftSwim Stain Control for SoftSwim systems) according to label instructions. For chlorinated pools, check for chlorine demand. Nitrates from the fertilizer can cause a very high demand and many require that the pool be drained.
8. Gasoline or Motor Oil - Gasoline and motor oil will float on top of the pool. Turn off the pump and soak up as much as possible the absorbent material such as rags, styrofoam, etc.  After soaking up as much as possible, turn the pump back on and shock with 2 lbs. of Burn Out Extreme or Burn Out 35 per 6,000 gallons or 2 gallons of SoftSwim C per 10,000 gallons for SoftSwim systems.  Chemically clean the filter to remove any oil that has entered the filter.
9. Laundry Detergent - In cases where a great deal of laundry detergent has been added to the pool, a drain may be necessary. In less extreme cases, Anti Foam can be used as often as needed to keep foaming to a minimum.  Shock the pool to help break the detergent down.  Use 1 lb. of Burn Out Extreme or Burn Out 35 per 6,000 gallons for chlorinated or brominated pools, or 2 gallons of SoftSwim C per 10,000 gallons for SoftSwim pools.
10. Lawn Mower - The main contamination when a lawn mower falls into the pool is from the gas and oil that are released into the water.  Remove the lawn mower, and proceed to treat as above for gasoline or motor oil.
11. Paint - Oil Based - CAUTION:  Check with the manufacturer for toxicity of the product. If the paint contains toxic chemicals, a drain will be necessary.  For small amounts of oil based paint, turn off the pump. Soak up as much as possible with absorbent materials. Then turn the pump back on and add 2 lbs. of Burn Out Extreme per 6,000 gallons for chlorinated or brominated pools or 2 gallons of SoftSwim C per 10,000 gallons for SoftSwim pools. Chemically clean the filter. For large amounts of paint, turn off the pump and soak up as much as possible, then drain the pool.
12. Paint - Water Based - Unfortunately, water based paint will dissolve in the pool water. It will be necessary to drain the pool.  After draining, be sure to chemically clean the filter.
13. Water Bugs - Water bugs enter water and pull a sac of air around themselves and use the water tension to skate around the water. They are not harmful, but they do bite.  To kill water bugs once they are in the pool, apply a maintenance dose of Back Up or SoftSwim A.  This reduces the water tension so that they drown.

This information is provided by BioLab and Austin Pools and is designed for use only with the BioGuard brand products named in this computerized printout, and is correct to the best of Biolab, Inc. and Austin Pool’s  knowledge.  BioLab and Austin Pools are not responsible for any use of the printout with products other than the BioGuard brand products named in this printout, and use of this printout with other products could result in improper or incorrect treatment of the pool or spa water.