Care & Maintenance

Caring for Your Pool Rails and Ladders

Stainless Steel Pool Rails and Ladders

Stainless steels are iron-based alloys that contain chromium, which combines with oxygen to form an invisible protective film on the surface; however it is not entirely stainless. With proper care, your stainless steel pool rails and ladders will provide years of service.

1. Regularly inspect and thoroughly clean mounting hardware, replacing when needed. Corrosion is common in crevices, weld points, under gaskets, and bolt heads, where small amounts of liquid can collect and become stagnant.
2. Routine cleaning is the only way to maintain the protective film on your stainless steel pool rails and ladders and prevent rust.  Rust and corrosion occur when contaminants become trapped and embedded in the protective film.
3. Use warm water, a gentle soap or detergent and a soft cloth to briskly rub along the polish lines of the steel.  Always be sure to thoroughly rinse after cleaning.
4. So-called "stainless steel cleaners" may scratch the surface and contain bleach, which can dull the surface.

For stubborn spots: Allen Polish, Arcal 20, Bon Ami®, Cameo Stainless Steel Cleaner, Copper-Brite, Highlite, Lac-O-New, Liquid Nu Steel, Lumin Cleaner, O'Cedar Cream Polish, Penny-Brite, Revere Ware Cleaner®, Sta-Clean, Stainless Shine and Twinkle.

For extra-stubborn spots (these may scratch the surface): 3M® Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish, Ajax®, Allchem, Concentrated Cleaner, Comet®, Goddard's Stainless Steel Care, Old Dutch, Soft Scrub®, Zud Restoro.

Powder Coated Pool Rails & Ladders

Follow the above procedures for inspecting and maintaining stainless steel pool rails and ladders that are powder coated.  For stubborn spots, you may use Formula 409.

SealedSteel Pool Rails & Ladders

Follow the above procedures for inspecting and maintaining SealedSteel rails and ladders. To clean, you may use alcohol or other common household cleaners such as Formula 409, Lysol® or Pine-Sol®.

Click here to download a one-page ladder and rail maintenance summary.

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Caring for Your Swimming Pool Slide

S.R.Smith swimming pool slides will not fade and will provide years of fun for your family with the proper maintenance.

1. When hosing down your deck, rinse your slide free of any dust, dirt or other debris that may have accumulated.
2. Be sure all connections are secure, and tighten hardware if necessary.
3. "Intended Use" and "Warning" labels should be maintained.  If they become faded or unreadable, they should be replaced.  Additional labels are available from S.R.Smith upon request.
4. You may also use a non-abrasive soap and water when possible.  Always try a test spot of a product before applying to a larger area and read the label instructions on any cleaner carefully before applying it to the slide.

You may safely use: Windex with Ammonia®, Formula 409®, Fantastik®, Soft Scrub®, Scrubfree, Tackle®, Grass Plus®, Topjob®, Tilex®.

Do not use: Dow with Scrubbing Bubbles®, Lysol® Disinfectant, Ajax® Cleanser, Windex® with vinegar, White Cap®, Ajax® Liquid, Soft Scrub®.

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Caring for Your Powder Coated Products

With the proper maintenance, your powder coated products will look great and remain rust-free.

1. To clean, use non-abrasive soap and water. Avoid harsh chemicals and disinfectants. Always read the label instructions on any cleaner before applying it to a surface.
2. Periodically check the structure for scratching or chips and contact S.R.Smith to purchase a powder coat touch-up kit if damage is present.
3. If rust is present, clean the surface with a non-abrasive cleaner and contact S.R.Smith to purchase a powder coat touch-up kit.

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Caring for Your WetDek

• Water Testing: It is recommended that you test your WetDek water regularly with an accurate test kit or test strips. These are available from your local Pool & Spa Dealer. Also, be sure to follow chemical manufacturer's instructions for chemical use.
• pH Control: All water solutions have pH, which is a measure of the acid to base relationship. A pH reading of 7.0 is neutral, a lower reading is acidic and a higher reading is basic. The proper pH for WetDek water is between 7.4 and 7.6. High pH (above 7.6) can reduce sanitizer efficiency, could the water, promote scale formation on surfaces and equipment, and interfere with filter operations. When pH is too high, add a pH decreaser. Low pH (below 7.2) is equally damaging and can cause equipment corrosion, water that is irritating, and rapid sanitizer dissipation. Add pH increaser to bring the pH higher. It is important to use scale and stain inhibitor weekly to prevent calcium deposits from damaging your WetDek and equipment. If this happens, it could void the warranty. Refer to your chemical handbook for further information on water chemistry and troubleshooting.
• Draining the Water: Locate spigot between the chlorinator and valve manifold. Attach garden hose and open valve. The controller should be set to recirculation during draining. Any water that the pump does not remove should be sucked out with a wet/dry vacuum.
• Filter Maintenance: At least once every four weeks, (or more often based on environmental conditions) check and clean the skimmer basket of the pump to ensure proper flow. Remove leaves, foreign matter and debris when present. It is also important to maintain your WetDek filter cartridge clean and free of particles that can obstruct water flow. A clean filter will permit the system to function properly and also allows more efficient filtering. Depending on how frequently your WetDek is used, we recommend cleaning the WetDek filter cartridge every four to six weeks. If this is not done, the filter may clog and restrict water flow, which causes inadequate filtration and poor nozzle performance.
• Cleaning the Filter: Carefully pull up the filter cartridge and bring it out of the WetDek. Rinse cartridge using a garden hose. Rotate and separate filter pleats while spraying water to remove all debris possible. Let the filter dry and look for calcium deposits (scaling) or an oil film. If you find these, you will need to deep clean your filter cartridge with a "spa filter cleaning" solution to break down and remove mineral deposits and oils.
• Winterization: You must winterize the WetDek when freezing temperatures are expected or if prolonged periods without use are expected; this will help protect all components. Water should be drained from the reservoir in the stand along model, and water should be cleared from the pump, filter, chlorinator and all piping. The balls in the nozzles should be rotated and then tightened, so that no water can drain into them.

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Caring for Your Pool Lift

Each day you should thoroughly rinse all external lift components with fresh water.

On a weekly basis, wash all external lift components with warm fresh water containing mild soap. Use a soft cloth along with the cleaning solution to wipe down all lift component surfaces. In some cases, it may be necessary to use a soft nylon brush to remove rust or staining. It is recommended that the stainless steel actuator tube be cleaned when the actuator is in its fully extended position so that the entire length of the actuator tube is exposed.

After all surfaces have been wiped down with the cleaning solution, thoroughly rinse the entire lift with fresh water. A quality automotive wax may be applied to help maintain the finish of the lift between scheduled cleanings. Metal lift components that are not powder coated, including hardware, are more susceptible to corrosion and staining. It is recommended that particular attention be paid to these components when cleaning. Using a cleaner such as Bon Ami® to clean the non-powder coated surfaces will help to minimize corrosion and maintain the appearance of the parts.

Do not use: chloride containing cleaners on metal components, abrasive cleaners, or steel wool. All of these things can cause damage to the surface of the lift components and promote further corrosion.

Battery and Controller Care

Keeping your battery charged is critical to maintaining function of the lift. Allowing the battery to fully discharge will damage the battery. The battery should be charged when not in use, or when the pool is closed. It is also recommended to have a spare battery so that one can be charging while the other is in use, or in case that one battery fails. The batteries should be swapped daily with one battery always charging.

Temperature extremes will affect battery life and performance. In regions where temperature extremes are common, it is recommended that the batteries be kept in a temperature controlled environment when they are not in use or while they are charging.

It is also important to make sure that the battery and controller terminals are kept clean to ensure that they are making electrical contact. The battery and controller terminals should be checked weekly for any sign of dirt or corrosion build up. To clean the terminals, a small plastic bristled brush or nylon scouring pad can be used to gently remove any build up on the terminals. If your battery or controller terminals are showing any signs of corrosion, it is recommended that dielectric grease be applied to the terminals to inhibit further corrosion.

Gear Maintenance

For lifts that have rotational movement in addition to lifting movement (PAL, Splash! and aXs Lifts), it is important to check that the gears are in good working order and not showing signs of excessive corrosion. The gear assemblies should be inspected monthly to verify their condition. If necessary, use a plastic bristled brush to remove any buildup of rust or other material and use LPS® 3 corrosion inhibitor, or similar product to prevent further corrosion.

General

The lift should be inspected daily for loose or missing hardware, proper function and battery charge status. Monthly inspection of the lift should be done to ensure that there is no excessive corrosion occurring on the lift which could compromise the lift’s structural integrity. For units that have plastic covers, the covers should be removed or lifted so that the hidden parts of the structure can be inspected. If any components show excessive corrosion or wear, contact your authorized S.R.Smith dealer for replacement components.

Click here to download a one-page pool lift maintenance summary.

For detailed information regarding the diagnosis and resolution of issues that may occur with your ADA-compliant, S.R.Smith pool lift, please visit our Pool Lift Troubleshooting Video Library.

Caring for Your TrueTread™

To preserve the appearance and durability of your S.R.Smith Velocity Starting Blocks' TrueTread surface, follow these regular maintenance procedures, and always immediately after high use periods of time (i.e. swim meets).

Apply warm water and a gentle soap or detergent to the TrueTread surface and allow it to sit for a short period of time.  Follow by scrubbing with a soft brush to remove any debris and dirt that may have built up around the raised diamond pattern surface. Ensure the TrueTread is kept wet throughout the process. Never scrub in a dry condition. Once the surface is scrubbed clean, hose down with clear, warm water. Important note: Steam or high pressure equipment should not be used, nor should harsh detergents containing ingredients such as ammonia or bleach.