CAMT Pool and Spa Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of backwashing a sand or DE pool filter?
- To add more filter media
- To remove trapped debris and restore flow rate (Correct answer)
- To increase water temperature
- To lower the pool's pH
Correct answer: To remove trapped debris and restore flow rate
Backwashing reverses water flow through the filter to flush out accumulated dirt and debris, restoring its filtration capacity.
Question 2: What is the recommended total alkalinity range for residential pool water?
- 10–30 ppm
- 80–120 ppm (Correct answer)
- 200–250 ppm
- 300–400 ppm
Correct answer: 80–120 ppm
Total alkalinity of 80–120 ppm acts as a pH buffer, preventing rapid pH swings in pool water.
Question 3: Which chemical is used to raise the pH of pool water?
- Muriatic acid
- Sodium bisulfate
- Sodium carbonate (soda ash) (Correct answer)
- Sodium hypochlorite
Correct answer: Sodium carbonate (soda ash)
Sodium carbonate (soda ash) is the standard chemical added to pool water to increase pH when it falls below the ideal range.
Question 4: How should pool chemicals be stored in an apartment maintenance facility?
- Together in one locked cabinet for convenience
- In a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, separated by chemical type (Correct answer)
- In the pool equipment room adjacent to the pump
- Under direct sunlight to prevent moisture buildup
Correct answer: In a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, separated by chemical type
Pool chemicals must be stored separately by type in a cool, dry, ventilated space to prevent dangerous reactions between incompatible chemicals.
Question 5: What does a pool's 'turnover rate' refer to?
- How often the pool is drained and refilled
- The time it takes to circulate the entire pool volume through the filter (Correct answer)
- The frequency of chemical additions
- How quickly evaporation reduces water level
Correct answer: The time it takes to circulate the entire pool volume through the filter
Turnover rate is the time required for the pump and filter to circulate and filter the entire volume of pool water once.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a pool skimmer?
- To add chemicals evenly to pool water
- To remove surface debris before it sinks and becomes harder to clean (Correct answer)
- To measure water temperature
- To regulate pool water level
Correct answer: To remove surface debris before it sinks and becomes harder to clean
A pool skimmer continuously draws in surface water to capture floating leaves, insects, and debris before they sink and decompose.
CAMT Pool and Spa Maintenance 2
What is the purpose of backwashing a sand or DE pool filter?