If you are a do-it-yourself kind of person, or are having a swimming pool party, or simply feel the need to vacuum your pool in-between service calls but do not know how to do it we want to help you out.
Check this video out and let us know if it was helpful.
Winter is here, which is not much to say for the valley weather, however, we occasionally will hit below 32 degrees and will need to prevent our swimming pool equipment from freezing.
Do a walk-through to make sure that everything is in working order to begin with.
Your swimming pool water is safe if the top layer freezes, but if the frozen layer is over 1″ thick, it might break some tiles.
To prevent this you can purchase air pillows which absorb freezing water’s pressure therefore protecting your walls.
As a cheaper alternative, you may use half empty milk cartons held together with a rope.
In order to protect your swimming pool equipment from freezing it is best to leave it running all night in question.
The cost of electricity will be cheaper than trying to repair a broken pump, filter, or heater.
In order to figure out if your equipment has frozen you will need to very observant and watch out for straining that you might hear in the pump or filter.
If you hear buzzing that does not sound normal it would be best to open the pump or filter to inspect it manually for frozen water.
You will need to have that frozen water thaw out before starting up the equipment again. You can either wait it out or try to speed it up the process by using an handheld blowdrier, space heater, or electric blanket if you have one.
Don’t leave any of these heating solutions unattended as they may start a fire or damage your o-rings if it’s too close that they melt.
Once all the frozen water has thawed turn on your equipment and closely inspect it for drips or cracks in the swimming pool equipment or pipelines.
If you would like to have a professional inspect your equipment feel free to contact us here at Pool Sharks and schedule a service call.
We are happy to help you in all your swimming pool needs.
Owning a swimming pool brings a family together and memories for a lifetime. However, it comes with the responsibility of regular swimming pool maintenance.
Some swimming pool chores have to be done daily, weekly and monthly to maintain a healthy swimming pool.
It is easier to keep up with regular swimming pool maintenance than to pay for repairs due to negligence. With a little organization and time each of the following duties will help save you money and keep a healthy swimming pool balance.
Daily:
The good news is that there is only one thing to do every day. Doing this will prevent your pump, filter and motor from working extra hard if there is too much buildup after a few days.
Weekly:
Keeping proper water balance is the foundation to extending the life of your swimming pool water. Do not make the mistake of solely relying on your swimming pool filter and pump equipment.
Monthly:
Doing these three things monthly will help maintain your swimming pool in tip top condition by operating correctly and keeping a sanitary environment.
Following these basic daily, weekly, and monthly duties will help make your swimming pool a more enjoyable asset. However, forgetting to do them will cause problems that could turn out to be costly.
If you feel that your life is too hectic make sure that you hire a professional to keep your pool properly cleaned and balanced.
Here at Pool Sharks, our professionals have the right training and years of experience that are sure to provide you with the service that you expect.
If you would like more information regarding our swimming pool maintenance contracts, please contact us by phone, email, or our contact page.
If you find yourself with an ongoing swimming pool algae problem, you are running your equipment the appropriate amount of time, have plenty of chlorine, and your pH and alkalinity levels are balanced your water should be tested for its level of phosphates in the water.
In the search for treatment of your recurring algae problem, you might find yourself wondering, “What are phosphates and how do they get in my pool?” Well they are compounds of the nonmetallic element phosphorous and are an essential nutrient for plant growth. Sound familiar? Well, according to the lake and pool industry, nitrates, phosphates and carbon are primary foods for algae growth. These phosphates enter your pool water in different ways but mainly through vegetation, rain or water run-off, tree bark and other organic matter.
In order to find out the concentration of phosphates in your swimming pool water you can use liquid tests, tabs, and test strips that will give you an accurate reading. If you find that you have above 5000ppb, parts per billion, in your swimming pool water you would need to drain and refill your pool. If your results are anywhere from 1000ppb to 5000ppb, your best option would be to give your swimming pool a phosphate treatment.
A phosphate treatment is the removal of phosphate nutrients in the pool water that algae likes to feed on. Phosphate treatments are based on lanthanum, a rare earth compound that reacts with the phosphates and precipitates them from solution. This drastically reduces the phosphate concentration in the water. Using a phosphate treatment in conjunction with your chlorine or other sanitizers will add another layer of algae control for your swimming pool.
Removal of phosphates from your swimming pool is important in maintaining a healthy water quality. Periodically, your swimming pool should be tested to make sure that the phosphate levels are depressed since swimmers and other sources are the source of new phosphates. Regular maintenance can reduce and aid in chlorine performance and efficiency, and best of all, no algae problems.
If you think you might have a phosphate problem, feel free to ask one of our qualified technicians to test your water and if a problem is found to treat it appropriately. Here are Pool Sharks we are happy to help all of our friends.
Backwashing a D.E. filter, or a Diatomaceous Earth filter, can be somewhat confusing for most people. Nevertheless, we are here to help.
The proper backwashing procedure is as follows:
One thing to remember when backwashing the D.E. filter system for the first time, always make note of the beginning filter pressure gauge reading. This will help you to remember what your normal setting of pressure will be for the next backwashing cycle.
We very highly recommend that the Diatomaceous Earth filter system be dismantled and cleaned a minimum of three (3) times a year. This recommendation is made to ensure that the elements inside the tank be preserved to endure their full estimated life.
For ninety percent of our customers, this procedure is normally done by our service department due to the detailed reassembly of the grid system. However, if attempted, feel free to call our office prior to dismantling the filter tank so we may advise you of the correct backwashing procedure.
Many people think that a D.E. and a sand filter can be backwashed the same way. This is a popular misconception since these are two completely different filters and each with a different process of backwashing. In order to have proper filtration, all filters need proper maintenance.
Follow these directions to enjoy a clean filter and a clean pool in no time courtesy of your friends here at Texas Pool Sharks:
1. Filter is ready for backwashing when the pressure on the filter tank gauge goes up 8-10 pounds above normal setting.
2. At this point, turn off all time clocks on all pumps.
3. Rotate Dial Valve to “Backwash Position”.
4. Extend the flexible 2″ backwash hose to wash out area, the grass, If no backwash hosing is supplied, water will then be back washed into pee trap.
5. Turn on the pool timer and allow water to run out backwash line.
6. Allow water to run until it comes out clear out of the tank. This will take approximately 3-5 minutes.
7. Turn off power at time clock, then rotate filter valve to Filter position and On power at time clock once more.
8. Allow filter to run approximately 4-6 minutes.
9. Repeat steps 2,3,5,6.
10. After final back wash, turn off power and rotate valve to rinse position. Turn on power and allow filter to rinse for ONE minute.
11. After final rinse, cut off filter at time clock. Rotate valve to Filter position and turn on filter power again. Roll up the flexible back wash hose to original position.
12. Back washing is complete. Make a mental note of the beginning pressure on the filter gauge.
Your sand filter should be back washed once a week, or more often if pressure raises above normal setting (10lbs. over). If you think that your sand filter will wear out from this process, think again. The sand does not lose its angular shape, it simply becomes polluted with skin oils, hair or sunscreen chemicals that will be removed once the filter has had its proper maintenance.
Usually spring and fall will cause the pressure to go up with all the blooms and shedding of trees and shrubs. After a normal backwash the pressure on your sand filter should drop down 8-10 pounds. The sand in your filter system should last approximately 5 to 7 years before needing to be changed out.
If you should have any more questions, or if you get stuck trying to backwash your filter feel free to contact us over the phone.
Have you ever come out of the pool and felt like a dry sponge? Maybe that feeling is a little too common in what’s supposed to be your backyard oasis. The reason for the uncomfortable residue, clothes discoloration, eye irritation, staining, cloudy water, and even scale buildup is that your water is off balance.
Get your water right on the scale by balancing your water. This simple procedure will lengthen the life of your water, pump, heater, filter, and other equipment. Balancing and testing your water will also make your pool care a breeze.
pH is the most important factor in water balance. The pH range is used to measure the relative acid or base of the water. This you probably learned in your basic chemistry class in high school.
Here are the exact fields in which you should see your water:
The range runs from 0 to 14, with a pH of 7 being a neutral. Readings between 7.2 and 7.6 are considered acceptable, or in the comfort zone, for swimming pool water. Balanced water must be held safely between two harmful extremes.
If your water comes on the low side of the scale, it becomes corrosive and starts to attack pool surfaces and equipment. We call this your corrosion zone. Ha! Now you know why your water heater is corroding.
