frequently asked questions 

Taking care of your pool yourself is always an option. Proper pool maintenance does however, require weekly supervision. All of the chemical levels such as; Chlorine, Alkalinity, Free Chlorine, P.H. and T.D.S must be consistently maintained to have a safe swimming environment.

In addition, pool professionals are trained to notice any changes in the performance of the pool. They can then immediately troubleshoot any problems and put into action a repair plan to bring your pool back up to 100%.

A professional pool service company can protect the valuable investment that is your pool or spa's surface through properly working equipment and water chemistry, as well as allowing you to enjoy your pool instead of chasing down chemicals, educating yourself and making time to try to care for it yourself. Once your pool is in trouble, it is probably already going to be necessary to call out a pool professional to solve the problem anyway. Avoiding algae and equipment problems is the reason to hire a professional in the first place.

Yes. Your pump should turn over the water through your filter in your pool at least once per day.

During the summertime, your pool system should be running no less than 6-8 hours per day. During the winter season, you can cut down your filtration time to 4-6 hours per day.

Depending on the filter you currently have, this time frame will vary. Cartridge filters should be cleaned every 2-3 months, whereas  DE (diatomaceous earth) filters should be cleaned every 4-6 months. These recommendations can and will vary. Outside elements, such as pool usage and foreign debris, entering the pool may call for one's filter to be cleaned sooner.

In order to prevent scaling or corrosive action and to achieve maximum swimmer comfort, pool water should be balanced to the following levels:

You want to be sure to provide a sanitary swimming environment, balance the water to protect the equipment and pool surfaces and provide inviting, sparkling water to swim in.

Evaporation is normal, but if you're constantly filling your pool back up with water, chances are you have a leak somewhere. If you notice larger than normal (more than 1/4 inch per day) decrease in pool water level, you have good reason to suspect a pool leak. If your pool has an automatic fill device, it might be harder to detect. Use these additional clues to help diagnose your pool leak likelihood:

• Increased chemical demands (to treat new water that is added to the pool)
  
• Increased water bills
  
• Cracks in the deck resulting from settling earth
  
• Unexplainable evidence of water outside the pool
  
• A common reason for minimal water loss occurs with natural evaporation.
  
• To best determine if your pool is experiencing evaporation or water loss due to a serious leak that needs immediate attention, you can perform the "Bucket Test". 
  

A common misconception, even among some pool and hot tub "technicians," is that the strong odor of chlorine means there is too much chlorine in the water. This is absolutely incorrect and in fact, the opposite is true. High levels of chloramines emit a strong chlorine smell, and chloramines form when chlorine interacts with introduced contaminants, like sweat and body oil. In this scenario, chlorine needs to be added to sanitize the water and get rid of the chloramines.

Brushing your pool will keep dirt from occupying the small pores and starting small organic farms. Steel bristled brushes, called algae brushes, are very effective. Remember to never use a steel brush on a vinyl lined pool. Done regularly, brushing can also reduce the time spent vacuuming. Brush from the shallow end towards the deep end in overlapping strokes. Circle the pool towards the main drain, and much of the dirt will be swept up into the filter in this manner.

Automatic cleaners increase the opportunity that your pool will always be "swim ready." Automatic cleaners today are sophisticated and reliable. There are many different types for all applications depending on the type of pool and your locality to suit your needs and existing equipment.

Since it is not possible for your pool professional to be in your yard every day to ensure all debris is cleared, this is an excellent option to ensure that algae does not have a good chance of getting hold of your pool's finish. The most common types of algae are caused botanical debris settling in your pool. Algae is unsightly, unhealthy for both swimmers and the longevity of your pool's finish (plaster). Automatic cleaners are a very good option in avoiding algae and staining of your pool's finish.

The answer is always NO. Paint causes a condition known as "chalking." Chalking causes cloudy water while swimming, particularly while in use by children, as they tend to agitate the water more than adults. Chalking causes spotting on swimwear, and can clog your filter. The biggest problem with chalking is that it will cause your pool to appear dirty. Painting is at best a temporary "fix."

A saline (saltwater) sanitization system provides on-site production of the sanitizer necessary to maintain water in a safe, healthy and algae-free condition. Sanitizer is produced automatically, within the water itself, and involves no handling, storage or adding of chemicals to the water. A saltwater system, properly sized for its application, will eliminate the need to purchase sanitizing chemicals such as – pool chlorine, algaecides and shock chemicals.

Installation on home pools and spas usually takes only an hour or two, and is often done by home owners themselves. Commercial installations are also very simple and can become slightly more complex due to equipment and pipe work layout, or access and space limitations – but if there is a pump and filter, the saltwater system can be installed.

Depending on the size of your pool, filtration equipment, and heating requirements, your energy driven equipment may operate up to 12 hours per day to properly circulate your water for effective filtration. A small increase in efficiency can yield larger savings later; therefore, the right pool equipment is essential to your power bill. Whether you're building a new pool or replacing existing equipment, your equipment selection can save you a significant amount of money in the long run.

• Invest in a pool controller or timer.
  
• Use a pool cover or thermal blanket on your pool when it's not in use. Evaporation accounts for 70% of heat loss from your pool.
  
• Add wind breaks to your pool. (A 7-mph wind at the surface of a pool can increase energy consumption 300%!)
  
• Set your pool water's temperature between 78° for most applications.
  
• Maintain top operating condition of your pump, filter, and heater.
  
• Maintain proper water chemistry
  

Depending upon utility rates, pool characteristics, and equipment selected, your savings can be significant. It is possible to recoup the premium cost of an upgrade from standard equipment to energy efficient equipment in the first year of operation. For example, a system featuring an energy efficient high performance pump, D.E. filtration, and an induced draft high efficient heater can deliver a savings of over $900 annually compared to a standard equipment setup.

The best time to run the pool’s filtration system is during off-peak hours when electricity demand is lower – typically between 6pm-10am.