Swimming Pool Questions and Answers

Lets answer that with another question: Why pay a professional to manually vacuum your pool once a week for $90 to $100 per month when your pool can be vacuumed each day with an automatic pool cleaner for $47 to $67 per month? With full service, your pool is relatively clean only one day out of the week. With an automatic pool cleaner, your pool stays clean every day! We provide a low-cost solution to maintaining your pool. Our clients save money on service by purchasing an automatic pool cleaner, and then have us maintain the chemical balance in the pool. Other services can be added to fit your pool's weekly needs as described in "Weekly Pool Service Plans" however, we simply don't offer weekly vacuuming of pools. Call us for an evaluation of your pool and your needs, we just might be a good fit for you both!

We are a weekly service that will test and add chemicals on the same day and usually within the same 2 hour time frame each week.

At the start of service, we will provide a time card that will be placed inside your pool equipment's timer control box. Each week of service, the service technician will write the date and time of service. It is imperative that this card remain in the box and not exposed to the elements. Another way of knowing is that your pool is always balanced and algae free!

We apply only the highest quality chemicals to your swimming pool. We use liquid chlorine, muriatic acid, and cyanuric acid (conditioner/stabilizer), along with various types of algaecide and shock treatments when needed. Most chemicals we use are included in our monthly service rate, but sometimes other specialty chemicals are needed to specifically treat your pool for various conditions that may arise.

Conditioner (stabilizer/cyanuric acid) is a chemical added to swimming pools to slow down the decomposition of chlorine from the sun's ultraviolet rays (UV). It basically "holds" chlorine in the water long enough to sanitize and kill bacteria in the pool. It is a necessary chemical for each pool. At the start of service, our service technician will test the level and add conditioner at a charge of $3.00 per pound needed to bring up the level to 100 ppm (parts per million). Once a year in the spring, we have an annual conditioner charge of $45.00 that will cover the needs of the pool for the year. Please note: pools that leak water or are in excess of 40,000 gallons will be charged extra throughout the year as the pool requires. Conditioner levels drop through water loss of any kind.

With our service, you will probably notice a marked improvement in water clarity as well as a more comfortable pool in which to swim. You might also notice that we are extremely efficient and will perform all of our duties at your pool quickly. Our service technicians have been trained to keep your pool chemically balanced at industry and health agency accepted levels. For your convenience, we place time card sheets in the timer control box for the service technician to write the date and time of service so that you know exactly when the pool was serviced. Remember, there should be no swimmers in the pool for one hour after servicing (This should be the case when any chemical is added to the water).

We perform our service every week with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's weeks. Our service technicians will add sufficient chemicals prior to these holidays to ensure that your pool remains fully chlorinated and balanced. Memorial Day, Labor Day and Independence Day are regular service days unless you advise us to skip any of those days due to swim parties or the like. If you do plan a large swim party, call our office the week before and we will add extra chemicals at no extra charge.

Our office hours are on a Monday through Friday schedule. Our service and repair technicians only work on those days as well. In the event of some emergency with your pool, we suggest shutting the equipment down if it is an equipment problem.

Unfortunately, the routes we have are predetermined for service areas and cities, so we do not offer a choice in your service day.

FILTRATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Aside from keeping the pool chemically balanced, filtration is the second most important component of a algae-free, clear and safe pool. The water in your pool needs to be "turned over" a least once per day. There are many factors that determine how long it will take to "turn over" all the water in your pool. We can determine that for your pool, or you can use the guide below. Your filter should be cleaned when the filter's pressure gauge indicates a 6-8 pound increase in pressure above the clean pressure. The diatomaceous earth filter should be serviced semi-annually, replacing any worn parts and thoroughly cleaning the filter grids. The filter element(s) in the cartridge filter need to be replaced every 3 or 4 years or sooner if indicated. Our recommendation for the amount of time that your filter should be in operation daily is:

• Diatomaceous Earth Filter: 8 hours
• Cartridge Filter: 10 hours
• Sand Filter: 12 Hours

(Hours listed above are for summer months. Winter hours can be half the time)

If your pool pump is running and there is no water movement or suction that is noticeable, we suggest shutting off the pool pump and disengaging the timer mechanism so that it will not run until our repair technician can troubleshoot the problem. It is better not to risk damaging the motor or pump.

We bill in advance, and payment is due by the 15th of each service month. For instance, we will send out bills at the end of June for July service, and that payment is due by July 15th.

If you use a solar cover of any type, you should expose the surface of your pool water to the air 50% of the time. Your cover should be pulled back on service days. If it is not, we will pull the cover back three or four feet and we will purposely leave it pulled back so that the water can be exposed to the air for several hours. Leaving the pool cover on for long periods of time affects the chemistry of the water and promotes algae blooms.

If you have a solar system in operation, be aware that 50% or more can reduce the flow of water through the filter. Increase filtration time accordingly to achieve the turnover required to keep the pool clear & algae free.

This condition is a result of insufficient filtration or an indication of a problem with your filtration system. It may also be an indication of a lack of chlorine or sanitizer–especially after a heavy bather load. If the pool was swum in, and your pool is painted, it could also be an indication that paint is chalking off.

Because some strains of algae are more resistant than others, please allow us a reasonable period of time to completely eradicate it. The more resistant black algae will turn gray as it starts to die and will eventually disappear. Keeping your pool clean will aid in the treatment of algae.

Solutions to Eye Irritation

1. Keep your pool clean
2. Take necessary precautions to keep urine out of the pool
3. Swimmers who have been perspiring heavily should shower before entering pool
4. Do not add fresh water before you swim
5. Follow our recommendations for daily filtering
6. Keep your filter in good repair
7. Follow our instructions on pool covers

Please provide easy access for our personnel. To keep your gate locked, please provide us with a key. Unfriendly dogs or pets should be kept locked up on service days. Because our competitive service rate is based on promptness and efficiency, we do not consistently ring doorbells to gain access. Please be certain that your young children are not in the pool area while your pool or equipment is being serviced.

Yes! Should you need a pool cover, automatic pool cleaner, or any other type of equipment for your pool, please don't hesitate to call us for a price. We have very competitive prices and will also deliver it to your home on your service day at no additional cost.

First, determine the average depth of your pool by taking the depth of the deepest end of your pool and adding the depth of the shallowest end (in feet). Divide this number by 2. This number is the average depth. Continue below based on the shape of your pool.

*Square or Rectangular*
Total Gallons = length x width x average depth x 7.5 (in feet)

*Circular*
Total Gallons = diameter x diameter x average depth x 5.9 (in feet)

*Oval*
Total Gallons = Long Diameter (in feet) x Short Diameter (in feet) x Average Depth x 5.9

Depending on the pools normal evaporation. It is about 1" to 2-1/2" per week. When the days are warm and the nights cool evaporation is at it's highest. Using the ordinary plastic bucket you can perform this simple test to determine if your pool is leaking.

1. Bring pool water to normal level. (middle of skimmer)
2. Place bucket on 1st or 2nd step of pool.
3. Fill bucket with pool water to same level as pool.
4. Mark water level on inside of bucket.
5. Shut off pump and mark pool water level on outside of bucket.
6. Resume normal pump operation.
7. After 24 to 48 hours, compare the 2 water levels.

• If the pool water (outside mark) goes down more than inside water level, there is probably a leak.
• In case of rain repeat the test. (Be sure if your pool is equipped with an auto fill to shut off water supply.)
• Test is invalid after 48 hours.

To retard chlorine evaporation, maximize water clarity and prevent algae your pool filter should run during the hottest part of the day. We also suggest running your pool filter during heavy bather loads.

This is dependent upon several factors, (the size of your pool, size of your pool filter, the type of pool filter you have, bather and contaminant loads). Most manufactures recommend a minimum of twice a year complete filter tear down and cleaning.

There are several types of filters and each is outlined below with a short description. For more information on what might be right for your application please give us a call. Bacteria and algae particle size are measured in microns. The smaller the micron the finer it is to detect with the human eye.

• D.E. - (Diatomaceous Earth) This is the only filter we recommend and provides the best water quality, however, it is the most difficult filter to use and requires a lot of attention. (D.E. FILTERS CAN FILTER UP TO 2 MICRONS–MAKING IT THE MOST EFFICIENT)
• CARTRIDGE - This is the most user-friendly filter and provides water clarity similar to that of a D.E. filter, however the replacement cartridges for the filter are expensive, wear out, and can tear easily. (CARTRIDGE FILTERS CAN FILTER UP TO 30-50 MICRONS - ADEQUATE BUT MOST ALGAE AND BACTERIA WILL PASS THROUGH A CARTRIDGE FILTER)
• SAND - This is the least common filter and it's very easy to use, however frequent backwashing, which is necessary to clean the sand in the filter, uses a lot of chlorinated water, which essentially wastes the chlorine and water. (SAND FILTERS CAN PICK UP 50 TO 100 MICRONS--THE LEAST EFFICIENT OF THE FILTER TYPES)

Pools should be disinfected continuously by a chemical which imparts a residual effect. Chlorine is a type of "disinfectant", also called a "sanitizer". Disinfectants or sanitizers destroy living microorganisms and bacteria - preventing the transmission of disease. There are several types of disinfectants, such as chlorine, bromine, salt chlorination, ozone, and UV light. Pools need a disinfectant with a measurable residual.

Yes we do. Check out the services we offer and if you're interested in switching to a salt system, give us a call for a free evaluation or estimate!

When your TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) are in excess of 2,500 PPM. Approximately every 3 to 5 years.

The sum total of all the dissolved material in the water is called "total dissolved solids" or TDS. Sources of TDS in the water include disinfectants, balance chemicals, calcium hardness, source water, bather waste, algaecides, total alkalinity, wind blown dust and dirt, phosphates, nitrates, and sulfates.

TDS buildup is inevitable. Every time you add chemicals to the water, the TDS increases. Even adding makeup water to the pool increases TDS. When water evaporates, only the pure water leaves the pool and all material that was dissolved in the water remains behind. This builds up over time, increasing the TDS. The ideal range of TDS is from 500 to 2500 PPM, and the maximum level is 2500 PPM to 3000 PPM. There is no way to reduce TDS chemically. You must drain or partially drain the pool and replace with fresh water.

Only if you have a submersible pump and are familiar with adding start up chemicals (Cyanuric Acid, Stain Out, Chlorine, Acid). Draining a pool using the pool filtering pump usually will not work once the water level drops below the skimmer and is a lot of strain on your filter grids. We do offer a draining service with balancing of chemicals once refilled.

No. Exposure to metals dissolved in the water, particularly copper, iron, and manganese causes your hair to turn green. When metals attach to the hair shaft and are oxidized by the chlorine, they can leave behind a green residue. To remove the metals from your hair use a swimmer's shampoo that can remove the metals from your hair.

Dogs love to swim in the swimming pools. However, chlorinated water is not good for dogs. The chlorine can remove the natural oils from the dog's body and cause dry, itchy skin. Also, too high of a sanitizer level can irritate the dog's esophagus if they drink the pool water. The dog can also add phosphates to your water which can promote algae growth.

Ducks will avoid your pool if the majority of the water is somehow obscured or if the pool seems to be in use.

Try these first: Fill up as much of the open water surface as possible when the pool is not in use. Throw two large multicolored beach balls in the pool. Add two or more large alligator floats. A few safety pool ropes stretched tightly across the pool will also give the illusion the water is full, and the ducks will should find another place to stay.

We do not recommend swimming with your pool lights on unless you have a GFI (GFCI- Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) and check it monthly by pressing the "test" then reset button. If the button does not depress when pushing "test" then "reset" your GFI might be bad and is not safe to swim.

CONVENIENCE: Many of us simply can not afford the time it takes to maintain a pool on a regular schedule. We do the work and take the time to inspect the pool and the equipment for proper operation. If small parts are needed, they are obtained and installed on the next service date, saving you an inconvenient trip to the pool store. No need to lug home gallons of acid and chlorine and find a place to store them safely when not in use.

COMPETENCE: We are experts, because we maintain pools for a living. Knowing what it takes to obtain the proper water chemistry is what we do daily. We know what to do if we spot an algae bloom. As with most things, consistency is critically important and that is why we come on the same day every week. We notice changes in the water balance and adjust accordingly.

COST EFFECTIVE: It will cost you a little more for us to maintain your pool, but probably not that much. You will probably spend an average of $30.00 to $40.00 per month for the necessary chemicals, including chlorine tablets, muriatic acid, shock treatments and chemical test kits. For only a few dollars a week more, we will come to your house and do it all for you.

Generally NO,

1. It is an insurance liability for us to add water.
2. Time: we are not at your home long enough to make any difference to the water level if we add any.
3. If the pool service technician forgets to shut the water off you're probably not going to be happy with us! We want happy customers.

NO! A pool should not be drained for more than a couple of days. Without water your plaster will crack and in very rare instances where water tables are high pools have actually risen or popped out of the ground.

No more than if you have only grass or cement in your back yard. Most backyards are equipped with a drainage system so there is nothing to worry about. Once the pool water level crests it is the same as having a cement yard. If you are concerned about this still, we can install a hose bib that allows you to drain water from the pool while the pump is running.