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 Athletic Patient Hoist

Each day you should thoroughly rinse all external athletic patient hoist components with fresh water.

On a weekly basis, wash all external athletic patient hoist components with warm fresh water containing mild soap. Use a soft cloth along with the cleaning solution to wipe down all hoist 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 athletic patient hoist with fresh water. A quality automotive wax may be applied to help maintain the finish of the hoist between scheduled cleanings. Metal hoist 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 athletic patient hoist components and promote further corrosion.

Battery and Controller Care

Keeping your battery charged is critical to maintaining function of the athletic patient hoist. 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 athletic patient hoists that have rotational movement in addition to lifting movement (PAL, Splash! and aXs2 hoists), 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 athletic patient hoist should be inspected daily for loose or missing hardware, proper function and battery charge status. Monthly inspection of the hoist should be done to ensure that there is no excessive corrosion occurring on the hoist which could compromise the hoist’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.

For detailed information regarding the diagnosis and resolution of issues that may occur with your S.R.Smith athletic patient hoist, please contact customercare@srsmith.com.

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.