May 8th, 2012
You have thought long and hard about adding a pool to create a backyard oasis so once you have reached the decision to proceed, where you start can put you on smooth track to getting the project completed in a professional, timely manner and most importantly within your budget with a professional swimming pool contractor.
The best way to find a contractor is through a referral or friend who has used the business and is happy with their services. Outside of that, contact a few reputable businesses that have been established, can give you references on the spot, and offer follow through services such as a retail store for all your pool needs, water analysis, and a service department that is familiar with the products you will have on your pool.
Make sure first and foremost they are licensed and insured. In Connecticut, that means a Home Contractors and SP1 for the owner and an SP2 license for their employees indicating the level of training provided. Those unlicensed and uninsured may give you a better price on the job but you leave yourself unprotected should the job be incomplete or worse. You may want to ask how long their employees have been with them signaling they are a good employer to work for and the crew is experienced not just seasonal.
Most companies will go out to your home and give free estimates as to the cost of the project. If you get more than one estimate than compare apples to apples what you are getting with each, i.e. filter system, style of plumbing, number of return lines etc there is top of the line and cheaper equipment so do your homework. Ask if excavation is included and up to what level or amount of hours. One company may list something as an option while another may include it in the package. A good estimate includes the total package which will give you an idea of not only what the pool itself will cost but also what you will need in your budget for the electrician, water, fencing and decking and offers referrals so should you not know anyone in those fields the process is streamlined and it all gets done.
The bottom line is that the cheapest estimate may not be your first choice. After considering hard facts you will also follow your gut such as you heard good things about this guy, or you liked the way this one envisioned what your yard would like when completed or one was more of a salesman, the other seemed more honest about the whole process etc. Remember, this is a big ticket purchase and hopefully a relationship where you deal with the company for years to come and in the end you have to be able to feel good that you are dealing with someone you can trust.
Questions and comments always welcome. Check us out at
www.prospectpoolsllc.com or visit our blog at www.prospectpoolsllc.com/blog
Posted in Above Ground Swimming Pool Closing Tips, Caveats on Swimming Pool Purchasing, Child Fencing for Pool Safety, Choosing Swimming Pool Contractors, Frequently Asked Pool Care Questions, How to Buy a Swimming Pool, How to Close An In Ground Pool, How to Open Pool, How to Purchase A Swimming Pool, National Water Safety Month, Pool Care, Pool Filter and Pump Troubleshooting, Pool Heater Care, Pool Heater Maintainance, Pool Opening Troubleshooting, Pool Openings, Pool Safety, Pool Safety at Pool Openings, Pool Upgrades for Safety, Preparing Swimming Pool for Hurricane, Steps to Open Pool, Swimming Pool Care, Swimming Pool Care in Winter, Swimming Pool Gates & Alarms for Safety, Swimming Pool Maintainance, Swimming Pool Openings, Swimming Pool Party Help, Swimming Pool Safety, Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines, Swimming Pool Salt System Tips, Swimming Pool Water Chemical Safety, Swimming Pool Water Chemistry, Uncategorized | No Comments »
April 19th, 2012
Let’s begin the season with a quick test on swimming pool water chemistry. When you understand the basics of pool water chemistry your season will be more successful and you will save valuable time and money. A pool should not be all consuming, testing your pool water regularly and adding only what is needed can make your swimming season safe and easy. Let’s begin:
True or False
1. The pool looks clean, and the water is clear, so it must be safe for swimming.
FALSE-Clear water does not necessarily mean clean water. Clear pool water has been oxidized (organic contaminants have been broken down and destroyed). However, to ensure healthy swimming conditions, pool water must also be sanitized so it is free of bacteria and algae. The only way to determine if water is properly sanitized is to test it using a reliable test kit. Acidity in the pool for those only using chlorine can be corrosive to your pool equipment but also irritate a swimmers skin especially young swimmers.
2. A strong chlorine odor indicates that there is too much chlorine in your pool.
FALSE-A strong chlorine odor indicates that you should test your pool water as it is lower in chlorine. Odors occur when nitrogen containing contaminants, such as perspiration, suntan oils and hair products react chemically with chlorine and produce chloramines. You may see a total chlorine reading but your free chlorine (available chlorine available to sanitize may be 0).
3. Never add water to pool chemicals.
TRUE-This is true. Add pool chemicals according to the labeling instructions. Adding water to pool chemicals can create a dangerous reaction or explosion. The cardinal rule is always add chemicals to water; never add water to chemicals. Another tip is never mix chemicals in metal containers as this also may create a chemical reaction. Use a plastic pale and wooden stirring stick. Do not stir with your bare hands.
4. Pool chemicals should be stored in a closed area.
FALSE-All pool chemicals should be kept in a cool, dry and well ventilated area. Keep them away from children and pets. Lids should be placed firmly on containers and chemicals should never be placed in another container other than how it was sold. Also when storing chemicals, keep each chemical seperate from the other. Do not stack for example an algaecide on top of chlorine tabs. The best thought is to have the minimum amount of chemical that you will need and to not store an over abundant amount that you may lose track of.
5. Shock treatments are meant to “cure” pool water problems
FALSE-while shock treatments do correct some common pool problems, experts recommend weekly shock treatments as an important part of preventive pool maintenance. Some instances where shocking is advised is after a rainstorm, heavy pool use or if water appears dull or hazy. Remember to test PH and Alkalinity as these levels change as well.
6. If you don’t get a chlorine reading on your test kit, there is no chlorine in the pool water.
FALSE-Chlorine is a bleaching agent: excessive levels of chlorine can bleach our the test kit reagents resulting in false readings. Reagents have a short shelf life so replace your OTO and PHENOL reagents yearly. If you are using test strips and the chlorine pads appear white yet you feel there is chlorine in the pool there may be too much chlorine and the pads are bleached so try a different testing method.
Your pool should be tested a minimum of two times a week, more if it has rained or other events such as parties and heavy bather loads have occurred. Simple solutions and proper testing can preclude any problems from getting out of hand such as algae blooms, cloudiness, and slimey walls and bottoms. Only add the proper amount of chemicals according to your professional pool dealer and the product labels. As it may be tempting to pour the whole bottle of clarifier in the pool because you have a party in a couple hours you could just be adding to the problem not solving it and wouldn’t you want your dollars going to the best remedy?
Remember safety is forefront so if you have a doubt about what a chemical does get more information prior to use. Make sure spills are cleaned up to avoid exposure to kids and pets.
For further pool start up information please visit our archives on how to open a pool and pool water safety listed on our blog www.prospectpoolsllc.com/blog
Or visit our website at www.prospectpoolsllc.com
Posted in Above Ground Swimming Pool Closing Tips, Caveats on Swimming Pool Purchasing, Child Fencing for Pool Safety, Choosing Swimming Pool Contractors, Frequently Asked Pool Care Questions, How to Purchase A Swimming Pool, National Water Safety Month, Pool Care, Pool Filter and Pump Troubleshooting, Pool Heater Care, Pool Heater Maintainance, Pool Opening Troubleshooting, Pool Openings, Pool Safety, Pool Safety at Pool Openings, Pool Upgrades for Safety, Preparing Swimming Pool for Hurricane, Safety Vacuum Release Systems for Pool Safety, Steps to Open Pool, Swimming Pool Care, Swimming Pool Care in Winter, Swimming Pool Gates & Alarms for Safety, Swimming Pool Maintainance, Swimming Pool Openings, Swimming Pool Salt System Tips, Swimming Pool Water Chemical Safety, Swimming Pool Water Chemistry, Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 26th, 2011
Well the Northeast is preparing for Hurricane Irene. As I write this traffic and grocery stores are busy, filled with people stocking up on food, water and batteries; but what about your swimming pool? How do you prepare your pool for such an event as a hurricane in the Northeast? Depending upon your available time you may wish to close down the pool before the storm arrives, for some as school is beginning next week this may be appealing. By closing the pool and covering it you will avoid the windblown debris such as leaves, sticks etc. from going into the pool. Most of us however, look forward to that last hurrah on Labor Day weekend and prefer to leave the pool open. For these pool owners I will suggest a few things of which not all will be pertinent to your situation, so use your commen sense first and foremost. I am going to suggest shutting your pool pump and filter off for the duration of the storm. Many times as the pools’ skimmers fill with debris the pump will not function correctly and may lose its’ prime causing possible damage to your pump system. By no means go out in the middle of a hurricane to check on the pool skimmers or pump, so turn it off, remove timer pins or just flick the circuit breaker and leave it off for a day. Same goes for your pool heater, turn gas off or shut the electrical. This will also be helpful if you use a generator after losing power. Far better to keep your food cold than your pool going. Some generators will not be able to run the entire household so run the necessities.
Another idea is to put a solar cover over the pool water which may help keep the debris limited to the top of the pool, again I would leave the pool pump off till the hurricane is over, this also may not work so well considering the amount of rain that will fall. A customer shared with me this morning that down south many people submerse their patio furniture in the pool. This could work if the pool is concrete or gunite, however a liner pool? Not a good idea. I will tell you the wind will pick up things you never thought would fly so take the time to move your patio furniture, poles, vacuum equipment, floats etc. and put them in a safe secure place, preferably inside.
Once the storm is over, and I mean after both sides of the eye are done and gone you can assess what if any damage occurred because of the storm. Watch out for downed power lines, hanging tree limbs and other oddities that may have been dropped in your yard. Nothing is worth risking your life for especially a swimming pool. If there is damage please call your reputable, licensed pool contractor for a proper assessment of your situation. Many times home owners insurance will cover some portion of damages if they occur. In the meantime, if you see debris and damage in your yard it would be a good idea to walk around and assess before letting the kids and pets outside.
Stay safe everyone, be smart and use common sense. Have patience with eachother and help your neighbors if need arises.
Tags: Preparing Swimming Pool for Hurricane
Posted in Above Ground Swimming Pool Closing Tips, Caveats on Swimming Pool Purchasing, Child Fencing for Pool Safety, Choosing Swimming Pool Contractors, Frequently Asked Pool Care Questions, How to Buy a Swimming Pool, How to Close An In Ground Pool, How to Open Pool, How to Purchase A Swimming Pool, National Water Safety Month, Pool Care, Pool Filter and Pump Troubleshooting, Pool Heater Care, Pool Heater Maintainance, Pool Opening Troubleshooting, Pool Openings, Pool Safety, Pool Safety at Pool Openings, Pool Upgrades for Safety, Preparing Swimming Pool for Hurricane, Safety Vacuum Release Systems for Pool Safety, Steps to Open Pool, Swimming Pool Care, Swimming Pool Care in Winter, Swimming Pool Gates & Alarms for Safety, Swimming Pool Maintainance, Swimming Pool Openings, Swimming Pool Party Help, Swimming Pool Safety, Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines, Swimming Pool Salt System Tips, Swimming Pool Water Chemical Safety, Swimming Pool Water Chemistry, Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 26th, 2011
Many times we are contacted toward the end of the swimming season as to when the best time is to change a swimming pool liner or begin a new in the ground pool project. The fall is an excellent time to take a look and plan for what you want to have in place for the next summer season. Other advantages to fall pool construction is the temperature has cooled and you are not dealing with the rainy spring season which can not only delay construction because of the rain but also delay your project because of higher water tables leaving your yard inaccessible for days to weeks. Other advantages include pricing, the ease of landscaping in the fall, (great time for growing your lawn), and less stress as you are not under the gun to have the pool up and running right away.
If you are thinking of renovating your pool or have put off well needed repairs the fall is a great time to consider undertaking the project. Since you are not swimming there is no down time while your pool is being repaired where as if you repair in the spring you may be delayed and have some time where your pool is not usable. With the economy the way it has been many have put off their projects but with swimming recreation consumers should weigh how long these repairs can be put off especially if there are safety considerations. Keeping safety in mind, consider using a Safety Cover for your winter pool closing. Always keep an eye out for children and pets around the pool area no matter what season. If you empty your pool it does not mean the pool is safe.
We particularly love the fall season and would be happy to help anyone with their decision to renovate or start a new pool project. Visit us at www.prospectpoolsllc.com for more information or call us at Prospect Pools LLC 203-758-0524.
Tags: Fall swimming pool projects, Swimming Pool Renovations
Posted in Choosing Swimming Pool Contractors, Frequently Asked Pool Care Questions, How to Buy a Swimming Pool, How to Close An In Ground Pool, How to Purchase A Swimming Pool, Pool Care, Pool Safety, Pool Upgrades for Safety, Swimming Pool Care, Swimming Pool Care in Winter, Swimming Pool Maintainance, Swimming Pool Safety, Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines | No Comments »
May 9th, 2011
Well, I am just going to write a brief one here on what appears to be a bad opening season for some because of the severity of the past winter. Many have called asking what can be done when your pool cover has fallen in the pool and unfortunately the answer is not much but to dump the water and start cleaning. It is difficult as you will see to try to lift an already submerged cover out of the pool without dumping the water and everything else on top into the pool. If you need to dump the contents of the cover get your selves some tools such as a leaf rake or what they call a “leaf eater” to gather up as much of the mess from the bottom of your pool. Once your bottom is as clean of debris as possible then vacuum to waste if possible which will bypass the filter leaving you less backwashing to do.
When your cover has not been submerged you will need to pump off the winter cover before taking it off your pool. Beware, if you have the slightest hole in your cover, you could end up pumping the water out of your pool so keep an eye on your pool while in this process. We had a lot of these calls with pool owners thinking they had a leak in the pool when they actually pumped the water out.
Lastly, Above the Ground pools seem to have taken the brunt of most of the winter snow damage. I am hearing about a good many with crinkled walls, holes etc., we advise careful scrutiny of the structural integrity of the pool when a wall has been compromised. It is never worth the injury and safety of others to just bend it back and pray for the best. If the pool is newer your home owners insurance may or may not provide some pro-rated type of coverage due to natural causes, we suggest you call to see what your coverage may be for replacement of the pool.
That’s all for now folks. Looking forward to seeing some warmer weather from here on out. The sun is shining finally and temps are slowly rising and we are looking forward to a great and safe swimming season.
Posted in Frequently Asked Pool Care Questions, How to Open Pool, National Water Safety Month, Pool Care, Pool Opening Troubleshooting, Pool Openings, Pool Safety, Pool Safety at Pool Openings, Steps to Open Pool, Swimming Pool Care, Swimming Pool Maintainance, Swimming Pool Openings, Swimming Pool Safety, Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines, Uncategorized | No Comments »
April 30th, 2011
As we approach the beginning of the swimming pool season I have been contemplating on what I should wright about this year in the blog that was not already covered. Dare I repeat myself? Well, safety from injury or worse is always worth more than one mention in my mind so I will give a few pointers as May is National Water Safety Month.
Perhaps you have not even begun to think about the swimming pool yet as the Northeast weather has been rather cold and rainy in April but as a Yankee surely you know weather in New England and the east in general can turn on a dime and we could have a heat wave upon us before we know it. Rather than waiting till the last minute to check your swimming pool for what preparations you may need to complete before the opening let’s go over a few items that can increase your safety and reduce cost and aggravation in the long run.
I have already received many phone calls on winter damage to swimming pools in our area; some for in the ground pools but the majority seem to come from the above ground pool owners who have had damage caused by the harsh winter of 2011. This brings me to talk about the structural integrity of the pool itself. If your pool has sustained damage to the wall of the pool itself such as kinks, crinkles and yes even holes caused by the weight of the winter snow you want to hire a professional to look at the pool to see if it is salvageable. I had a customer send pictures where his skimmer was torn off the pool wall not only leaving a hole from the skimmer but a good amount of the wall itself surrounding the area was gone as well. I was asked if we could weld or somehow put a piece of metal to cover the hole and then recut the skimmer hole. I advised him I did not think that this was a structurally sound fix and thought it to be dangerous and that he increases his liability by doing this. The reason is if the pool wall is now weakened that could increase the chance of the pool collapsing and no one wants this to happen when there are swimmers in the pool where injuries can occur.
Another safety check prior to your pool opening is your heater. Now is a good time to make sure there are no gas leaks, valves that may need to be changed or electrical issues. Heaters are one thing I tell our customers that are not a do it yourself project. Most states require licensing to work on gas lines and valves and most manufacturers require a service technician to make repairs to the heater itself. For your safety and others remember if you smell gas remove yourself from the area and call your gas company immediately. When working with electricity, I will advise you use a licensed electrician, it only takes a small amount of power to kill you and when working on outside equipment by a body of water the risks to your safety increase considerably. Also make sure that your outside outlets are GFCI (Ground Fault Protected) so if there is a surge the power supply is cut off. I cannot tell you how many people I have spoken to who have purchased those blow up pools and just plugged the pump into an extension cord or unprotected receptacle leaving your swimmers vulnerable to electrocution.
When you do open the pool make sure your safety grates on your main drains are compliant with the new safety laws and that low suction lines also have a compliant safety grate on them. Your skimmers should have covers and in some states a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS) should be installed. This system shuts off the pump immediately should any suction line become blocked releasing the blockage immediately. Of course proper fencing, pool alarms, self-locking gates and properly working equipment increase your feeling of a safe, fun environment for you and your family. These layers of protection are just a few things to be diligent about when you are a swimming pool owner. In addition to the previous mentioned I would like to stress that pool safety should be a subject discussed with your children before each season and during. Discussing the “rules around the pool”, what to do should an emergency arise, and having a family member know CPR helps everyone to remain confident that they can have a fun safe swimming season.
Of course these are just a few of the things we can do to keep our safety at the forefront of the summer season. There are many more and these can be found at the ASPI website found below.
Lastly, let’s try to remember to always supervise our children when they are swimming, just because they can touch the bottom does not mean they will be ok if an emergency arises. Keep your attention on your swimmers; it only takes a few seconds of distraction on the phone or elsewhere for a young child to get into trouble. This is true whether you own a swimming pool, swim in the ocean or lake or go to a water park. This also means that lifeguards are not your personal babysitters, so please do not just drop off or leave your child unattended.
My purpose here was to bring to the forefront some issues to attend to before the summer busy season begins. By doing some preparation work ahead of time you will be ready to have months of summer fun knowing you have done your safety checks and are aware of what issues need continued diligence to keep your swimmers safe. Please go check out the ASPI website for more safety tips at http://www.apsp.org/Public/Programs-Events/WaterSafetyMonth/index.cfm For more information on safety equipment visit our website at www.prospectpoolsllc.com, or visit our store. Your comments are always welcome.
Tags: Pool Care, Pool Openings, Pool Safety, Pool Safety at Pool Openings, Swimming Pool Maintainance, Swimming Pool Safety Plans, Swimming Pools Child Safety Fence, Updating Your Swimming Pool for Safety
Posted in Above Ground Swimming Pool Closing Tips, Caveats on Swimming Pool Purchasing, Child Fencing for Pool Safety, Choosing Swimming Pool Contractors, Frequently Asked Pool Care Questions, How to Buy a Swimming Pool, How to Open Pool, How to Purchase A Swimming Pool, National Water Safety Month, Pool Heater Care, Pool Heater Maintainance, Pool Opening Troubleshooting, Pool Openings, Pool Safety, Pool Safety at Pool Openings, Pool Upgrades for Safety, Safety Vacuum Release Systems for Pool Safety, Steps to Open Pool, Swimming Pool Care, Swimming Pool Gates & Alarms for Safety, Swimming Pool Safety, Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines, Swimming Pool Water Chemical Safety | No Comments »
February 14th, 2011
If you are from the east coast particularly the North East you only need to look out your window to view how severe a winter we have had. Most of us can not even get access to our back yards but as our weather begins to warm and ice and snow begins to thaw many of you will begin to observe any visible damage to your pool.
First, I express concern that caution be used when inspecting your back yard and pool as landscape changes as well as structural changes may have occurred, covers may no longer be secure on your pool and you should be careful doing any inspection.
Some problems which I am hearing about are above ground pool collapses, covers falling in and when checking water levels an empty pool. As the spring thaw continues floating liners will be an issue. I will tell you to take a deep breath and realize it is Mother Nature who bestowed this upon you and at some point during this harsh winter she won. There are options should you have this severe of damage, one of which includes calling your Home Owners Insurance Agent. You may have coverage for certain damages, so be sure to document and take pictures of the damages and receive an estimate to replace or repair from a reputable, licensed Pool Professional.
www.prospectpoolsllc.com
I think I am having some Spring fever today because with a thaw comes hope eternal that sun and warmth can not be that far behind. It is early still but I want to give everyone a heads up so those unfortunate enough to have damages do not to wait till the last minute should your backyard oasis need some repair and polish. Planting seeds! I will be back shortly with more answers to spring time prep for your swimming pool season.
Looking forward to a long safe, swimming season! Happy Valentines Day to all!
Tags: Winter Damage to your Swimming Pool, Winter Swimming Pool Blues
Posted in Above Ground Swimming Pool Closing Tips, Caveats on Swimming Pool Purchasing, Child Fencing for Pool Safety, Choosing Swimming Pool Contractors, Frequently Asked Pool Care Questions, How to Buy a Swimming Pool, How to Close An In Ground Pool, How to Open Pool, How to Purchase A Swimming Pool, National Water Safety Month, Pool Care, Pool Filter and Pump Troubleshooting, Pool Heater Care, Pool Heater Maintainance, Pool Opening Troubleshooting, Pool Openings, Pool Safety, Pool Safety at Pool Openings, Pool Upgrades for Safety, Safety Vacuum Release Systems for Pool Safety, Steps to Open Pool, Swimming Pool Care, Swimming Pool Care in Winter, Swimming Pool Gates & Alarms for Safety, Swimming Pool Maintainance, Swimming Pool Openings, Swimming Pool Salt System Tips, Swimming Pool Water Chemical Safety, Swimming Pool Water Chemistry, Uncategorized | No Comments »
June 30th, 2010
Yes, here we are again at what is usually a big 4th of July party at poolside. Time is running short to prepare your pool for a successful, safe party. It is time to look at your pool water and do some testing to make sure all your chemistry levels are where they should be and that your filter is running clean. I always try to advise that it takes a couple days to clear up a cloudy pool depending on type of filter etc so don’t wait till the last minute because on Sat or Sun whichever day your party is there is no magic pill that will clear it up in an hour.
A good party planner always thinks ahead so make sure you have a some games and toys for the kids. Go over who is going to be the designated supervisor of the pool while children are swimming and what the pool rules are such as no running, pushing, diving etc. this usually makes for a more pleasant day for all. Have your safety equipment in an available area not stuffed in the shed somewhere. Keep in mind adults after imbibing can be unruly in the pool area as well so a responsible adult (s) should keeping an eye on activities to prevent any unforeseen mishap.
Parties can be hectic for the hosts so as good guests prepare to keep an eye on your children and others and that kids aren’t running around areas where dangers can lurk; such as hot grills, open bars, mechanical machines etc. Never trust a child to swim alone even though they have flotation devices on these are a level of safety but should not be relied upon on their own always have adult supervision.
The weather here is supposed to be fantastic for your party so try to remember to have fun, take a breather and enjoy your company. If you take the proper precautions ahead of time a safe holiday can be had by all.
Please remember to take a moment to remember why we celebrate the holiday in the first place as we thank our service men and women who help protect this country of ours so we have the freedoms we so enjoy.
Tags: Green Pool having a Party, Pool Care, Pool Party Help, Pool water chemical safety and chemistry, Swimming Pool Care, Swimming Pool Safety, Swimming Pool Safety Plans
Posted in National Water Safety Month, Pool Care, Pool Filter and Pump Troubleshooting, Pool Safety, Swimming Pool Care, Swimming Pool Maintainance, Swimming Pool Party Help, Swimming Pool Safety, Swimming Pool Water Chemistry, Uncategorized | No Comments »
June 26th, 2010
Phosphates and nitrates in pool water has become a more common issue than in the past and can wreak havoc with your pool water chemistry if not addressed. Their presence in your pool can increase algae growth, as algae feeds off phosphates. The inability to keep your chlorine levels at a safe sanitizing level of between 1-3ppm can be a sign there may be a phosphate issue. Some stores still do not test for phosphates; however an alarm should go off if you have been trying to get your chlorine level to register and no matter how much chlorine and shock you add, the pool still shows no chlorine, a clue that maybe phosphates may be the culprit. Ask for the test at your local pool supply store.
I always get asked how phosphates get in the pool in the first place and years ago my original answer may have been from fertilizers but phosphates can actually appear from decaying plants, fertilizers, and mineral/metal treatment chemicals, contaminated well water, acid rain, soil runoff etc can drop phosphates into your water. Even bird droppings (nitrates as well) and believe it not human sweat and urine can contribute. If you fill your pool with city water, municipalities sometimes use phosphates in the water treatment pipes which then in turn go into your pool.
When phosphates are present you will have difficulty controlling algae because your chlorine levels will be used exorbitantly. You can treat the pool water when high levels of phosphates are discovered with various Phosphate removal chemicals, however these are not cheap and once you are in a higher concentration over 1500-2500 ppm where you will need quite a bit of phosphate removal chemicals, you should consider the cost of the chemical versus the option of water replacement in the pool. This morning I had a call whereby a store told the customer they needed to add 5 64L bottles of a Phosphate remover after they already put in one with no change in their readings in this instance I advised to retest and think about water replacement.
Tags: Can;t get chlorine levels up, Phosphates in Pool water
Posted in Frequently Asked Pool Care Questions, Pool Care, Pool Opening Troubleshooting, Swimming Pool Care, Swimming Pool Maintainance, Swimming Pool Water Chemical Safety, Swimming Pool Water Chemistry, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
June 4th, 2010
A common problem when you first open the pool in the Spring is balancing your pool water chemistry. Every year I see some issue that will ring as a common theme. Last year for example lots of green pools with low PH and Alkaline levels which correlates with the wet, rainy Spring and Summer season we had. This year promises to be much improved where we may actually go swimming for a change, but I am testing a lot of pools with higher levels of PH and Alkaline at opening time “hmmm” unusual in my experience but we are dealing with it by using PH down when appropriate.
I am also getting a lot of people in the store with no chlorine reading at all, first I will test with the computer using my strips but sometimes there may be chlorine there but it is bleaching the pads on the test strip so I will then do a drop test, most times there will be some chlorine when I do this test. However, when there seems to be a chlorine lock, that is when there is no free chlorine showing there is something amiss in the water chemistry we need to address either by super chlorinating, or testing for other issues such as nitrates or most common in my particular area phosphates. Now, I was always told that phosphates appeared if you had recently fertilized your lawn, so for years we never tested for phosphates on a regular basis, but there are several ways your pool can become contaminated, fertilizers just being one. Municipalities also use phosphates to clean the water pipes your city water goes through and in our town we have a water tower for one neighborhood which can also be cleaned with phosphate containing materials. Even some chemicals used to take metals out of our pools can contain some phosphates so all these factors add to the list of why your chlorine is being digested too quickly to do its true job of sanitizing your pool. If phosphates are tested for and you have a high level then the fix can be an easy one usually with a treatment of a chemical that removes the phosphates from the pool and you need to follow the instructions of the label to a tee.
As an aside to this, some will say well you can dump half the pool and refill and dilute the phosphates out but let’s think this through first. If you think you ended up with the problem because the phosphates are in your water source this will not be the best idea as you will only be repeating the cycle, if you have well water, again, you will need to treat with a sequestering chemical to get the metals out so that’s not a good idea either so most times the Phosphate chemical treatment will be the route to take.
As a refresher, free available chlorine is that portion of chlorine that is capable of oxidizing contaminants where as total chlorine residual is the combination of free chlorine and any combined chloramines. Chloramines are weak cleaners because the chlorine is locked with ammonia and is not available to kill bacteria (chlorine lock). The ammonia comes from human sweat, urine and when there is insufficient chlorine present to combine with all the available ammonia and to oxidize bacteria. One active swimmer in your pool for an hour produces one quart of sweat per hour. So you may have a test reading total chlorine with no free chlorine and therefore available chlorine is locked.
A myth is that you have plenty of chlorine or high chlorine levels if you smell the odor or have irritated eyes but these are actually signs of chloramines not too much chlorine. In order to neutralize chloramines super chlorination is suggested and there are various methods used with some suggesting up to 8 gallons of liquid chlorine for 20K gallons of pool water circulating the water until the levels read normal. I would suggest no swimming at this treatment time till levels come down.
Lastly, a quick note on chemical storage and safety. Keep your chemicals in a cool dry place with containers labeled. Don’t stack one type of chemical on top of the other in case of a spill and never consolidate a chemical into another container not specifically meant for that chemical. My personal advice is to purchase what you need when you need it, as an example, liquid shock comes packaged with vapor caps and can lose its concentration quite quickly so storing it is wasting your valuable dollars.
We are looking good for a long hot summer season folks so stay safe, think before you act, watch those kids always and Don’t Drink and Dive.
Visit our website at www.prospectpoolsllc.com
Tags: Swimming Pool Chlorine Tips
Posted in Frequently Asked Pool Care Questions, How to Buy a Swimming Pool, How to Open Pool, Pool Care, Pool Opening Troubleshooting, Pool Openings, Pool Safety, Pool Safety at Pool Openings, Steps to Open Pool, Swimming Pool Care, Swimming Pool Maintainance, Swimming Pool Openings, Swimming Pool Safety, Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines, Swimming Pool Water Chemical Safety, Swimming Pool Water Chemistry, Uncategorized | No Comments »
