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How Often Does a Pool Need to be Serviced?

10/6/2020

 
Answering “how often does a pool need to be serviced?” isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. This question is hard to answer since the job isn’t easy. Maintaining a pool requires different tasks you will have to do daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonally.

You can create a maintenance chart for your pool cleaning but, maintaining the pool will take more than just a chart since you have to be keen and discover issues before they come up. Even though it may be safe to swim in a green pool, you really want to remove the source of the green pool for your pool life span.
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Pool Maintenance

You have to learn how to keep your pool clean if you want to avoid repairing it too often. You will save a lot of money if you’re keen to clean up immediately after seeing some algae or floating leaves. If you notice any equipment that isn’t working correctly, you should fix it as soon as possible.
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Do shock treatments frequently if there are many pets and swimmers in the pool, hot weather, or a rainstorm. You will also need a maintenance plan for tile cleaning, vacuuming, and pump cleaning. It is easier to regularly clean a pool than it is to clean a pool that has been sitting for some time.

​Cleaning Skimmers and Pumps

To ensure your pool pumps are always clean, watch pressure levels frequently. Twice each season, open up the pumps and clean them thoroughly. Backwash them if the pressure is too high. You will have to do this task often, depending on how frequently the pool is in use.

When you come across the question, “how often does a pool need to be serviced?” you have to consider many variables. For instance, if your pool is near trees, clean the skimmers daily. Otherwise, once a week is sufficient.
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The best way to tell if your cleaning schedule is adequate is by evaluating how often you have to backwash the pumps and checking if the plumbing or skimmers get clogged with debris such as hair and leaves.

Here’s What You Should Expect To Do During Weekly Maintenance:

  • You will test the pH levels and ensure they’re between 7.4-7.6
  • Measure out your pool chemicals to ensure that they are the right levels
  • Test free available chlorine levels. The correct levels of PPM (parts per million) should be 1.0-3.0
  • Always skim your pool and look out for debris, insects, and leaves. Make sure the skimmer basket is always empty.
  • Brushing the pool walls
  • Giving a pool shock treatment often
  • Clean the pool tiles
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Remember To Vacuum

Ensure you vacuum once a week, or twice if it has been in regular use. When you vacuum frequently, it becomes easier to maintain the pH level. With the tasks listed above, it’s now easy to answer the question, “how long does it take to clean a pool.” The answer? It will depend on the number of tasks you need to do during each cleaning pool session.

Apart from the tasks we’ve mentioned above, you must collect water samples and send them to a professional pool service for pool chemical analysis. Try to close your pool for 2 or 3 days every two months.
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During this time, you should:
  • Remove built-up oil and grease using a degreaser per filter cleaner
  • Put in a metal remover or a flock then vacuum the pool after 2-3 days.

Avoid Windy or Rainy Days - For Your Safety

Learning how to clean an inground pool will help you avoid algae and ensure you have a safe pool that looks amazing. Clean dirt in your pool as soon as you see it. We hope that now you can easily see that the answer to the question “how often does a pool need to be serviced” is every day.
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The truth is, there are lots of tasks involved in pool cleaning, and the best way to avoid them piling up is by doing them as soon as you can. Leveraging pool cleaning software can also be a big help. Learning how to keep pool clean is a big job that’ll increase your pool’s usability and lifespan. You will need to have particular abilities and learn specific skills to do the job well. You can even reach out to a professional for help answering questions.

Is It Ok to Run Pool Pump Without Filter Cartridge - How often should I clean my pool filter cartridge?

1/27/2020

 
Is It Ok to Run Pool Pump Without Filter Cartridge
Is It Ok to Run Pool Pump Without Filter Cartridge?
The cartridge filter is growing in popularity as a filter of choice for many spas and smaller above ground pool owners. When necessary, you need to check the pressure gauge and if it’s 8-10lbs above its clean reading you need to clean the cartridge from the tank and use a garden hose to hose it thoroughly from top to bottom. When cleaning, you may have to run your pool pump without the filter cartridge. So, is it ok to run pool pump without filter cartridge?

Is It Ok to Run Pool Pump Without Filter Cartridge

Cleaning your pool is important to prevent it from turning green. In this post, we’ll discuss whether it’s safe to run your pool pump without the filter cartridge. We’ll also address other issues such as cartridge pool filter replacement, maintenance and frequency of cleaning.

Cartridge Pool Filter Maintenance

Cartridge pool filters are easy to maintain.  With very few parts besides the filter cartridge and without a filter valve, you’ll rarely go wrong. Simply keep the belly and O-ring clean and well lubricated and be sure to replace the filter cartridge after cleaning it about 10-15 times. There’s little maintenance needed besides replacing the damaged filter parts.

Cleaning Your Cartridge Filter

Cartridge filters don’t have a backwash valve because they’re not built for backward flow. Instead, you shut off the pump, open the air bleeder to drain the tank, remove the lid and remove the cartridge before hosing it thoroughly from top to bottom then replacing it. It can be a hassle but it’s often a once or twice per year job. You also need much less water to clean your cartridge filter than typically needed for backwashing.
You can improve your cleaning by soaking the cartridge in trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution before hosing it.  Alternatively, you can use any other pool filter cleaner as long as it states that it’s suitable for cartridge pool filters.

Drying the Cartridge After Cleaning

This is a critical part of the cartridge cleaning process. If possible, place the cartridge in a warm spot for 24 hours so it can dry completely after cleaning. This will also allow any germs and bacteria to dehydrate and die. Consider investing in a second set of filter cartridges so you can replace it as you wait for the one you’ve cleaned to dry. In most cases, you can operate the cartridge pool filter without the filter cartridge inside the tank just to maintain circulation as you wait for the cartridge to dry. However, doing so requires you to ensure you’ve removed all the internal parts and reassembled the tank tightly.

Bottom Line

So, is it ok to run pool pump without filter cartridge? The short answer is yes. However, you need to confirm that all internal parts are removed and that the tank has been reassembled tightly. However, there’s no harm in investing in a second filter cartridge so you can replace it as you wait for the other one to dry after cleaning. To save you from starting a company, if you want to know more about pool repairs or services, our expert Jason can help you today!

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How to Clean a Pool That Has Been Sitting

1/14/2019

 
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Unattended pools do not last long. Within a few weeks, it will turn green and within months, your pool will be a safe haven for mosquitoes and frogs. If you left it unattended for too long, then the surface will start to deteriorate. Therefore, it is always important to maintain your pool regularly to avoid such a possibility. If the condition is already worse, you should clean it immediately to avoid further deterioration. Here are a few tips on how to clean a pool that has been sitting.

How to Clean A Pool That Has Been Sitting

Is Draining the Right Option?
Draining will depend on the type of pools. You can drain a pool. However, you will have to avoid draining for fiberglass and vinyl pools. The old vinyl liners can shrink while draining and the fiberglass is lightweight. Water removal might affect the quality and longevity of the material.  If you avoid draining, you will have to spend hundreds of dollars on chemicals to recover the poor water. However, it will not serve the purpose completely. The recovered water can still contain certain bacteria.

When Draining Is an Option
When there is a lot of debris inside the pool, you can use a trash pump for cleaning. This device can clean your pool within an hour. The best thing is that it will soak up the twigs, leaves, and even solids of a golf ball size. If the condition is not that bad, you can use a smaller gas pump for cleaning.  You can go through the following to avoid floating the pool. ​

  • Do not drain soon after heavy rain
  • Once draining is done, refill your pool as soon as possible

After draining, it is always suggested to pressure or acid wash the pool for a better result.  If the material is fiberglass or vinyl, you can use a low-pressure washing and mild soap for cleaning.



When Draining Is Not an Option

  • You can use a leaf bagger and leaf nets to remove almost ninety-nine percent of the organic debris. Try until the net comes up clean.
  • Treat water to balance alkalinity, pH, and stabilizer.
  • Shock your pool until you find the water in blue-grey color.  It might demand more effort to get this result. You will have to be prepared to use 5-10 lbs pr 10,000 gallons of water.
  • You can also run a filter for 24/7 to clean the water. Use it until the water is fully purified.
  • Use flocculant to make the dust particles to drop on the bottom. You can also use clarifier to set suspended particles.
  • Fill your pool with water and then use your vacuum by setting the multi port filter valve.  It will help to lighten the stains.

Now you know how to clean a pool that has been sitting.  You can try the above steps to clean your unattended pools. But before trying these steps, it is important to understand the type of material and then you can plan the cleaning accordingly. Wrong cleaning methods might affect the durability and appearance of your pool. Jason the Pool Guy has licensed experienced professionals ready to repair any pool.




Benefits of a Saltwater Pool vs. Chlorine

11/8/2018

 
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Salt and chlorine are the most common types of materials used in outdoor swimming pools to kill bacteria and other organisms that would otherwise have made the pools unsafe. The way they work though has brought about a debate about which method is superior or better to suited for use for your type of pool. So, what are the benefits of a saltwater pool vs. chlorine? This article will go over how the two differ and will show you why salt water pools are a premier choice in comparison to chlorine pools.

Benefits of a Saltwater Pool vs. Chlorine

Chlorine Pools

The chlorine solution added to the pool breaks down into several chemicals such as hypochlorite ion and hypochlorous acid. These chemicals destroy the organisms by attacking the cell structure oxidizing them hence rendering them harmless.

Saltwater Pools

In saltwater pools, the process is the same, only that this time instead of purchasing commercially produced chlorines with all its chemicals, you get a chlorine generator that derives chlorine from salt similar in content to what you use at the table. Therefore the chlorine content is less concentrated and herein lies the basis of the benefits of saltwater pool vs. chlorine.


Because of the less concentration and its working mechanism, saltwater pools provide many benefits on several fronts that include, health-wise, cost wise, and even efficiency. These benefits include:
  • Less Chemicals in the Pool: First, the chlorine generator gets to measure the chlorine levels in the pool and automatically adds them as needed, so you do not need to keep on adding and guessing your chlorine levels. You also do not need to keep on getting stabilizers to prevent the depletion of the chlorine by the sunlight. Better still, the salt used is recycled so there is then no need to add more salt.
  • A Healthier Pool: The high concentration of chlorine in the traditional pools leads to excess exposure and its byproducts. In turn, this leads to numerous health problems from irritation of the eyes, respiratory system and skin, to long-term concerns like hair discoloration and cancers.
  • More Natural and Cost Effective: Instead of chlorine bleach, you have sodium chloride. The only cost you worry about is the initial cost of purchasing the pump and installing it. Once this is done, the recycling and low cost of sodium chloride means that there are less operational costs compared to chlorine pools. You also do not need to get other chemicals like stabilizers for your pool.

You may have a smaller increase in electrical costs, but in the long run, the savings on purchases bring the general monthly or annual running costs down. That is not even including on the health benefits that you’ll be getting from this type of pool.
  • More Comfortable to Swim In There is no strong chlorine smell, and the water is also soft on all body part and swimwear.
  • Less Maintenance It is much easier to maintain since you eliminate the presence of the algae and do not have to keep on running DTP tests. Further, the water is less cloudy as is the usual case with chlorine pools.

Conclusion
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The discussion on the benefits of saltwater pools vs. chlorine shows that there is a lot to be gained by installing saltwater pools instead of chlorine pools. You’ll have a healthier pool since you are using a natural solution and cut out the extra chemicals that come with commercial chlorine. You also have high savings in the long run and a more comfortable pool.


Is it Safe to Swim in a Green Pool?

8/22/2018

 
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Quick Swim in Green Pool, Will it Hurt?

Is it safe to swim in a green pool? Will it hurt? What are Cleaning suggestions?
These are questions you may be asking yourself after you notice your pool water has tuned green. Generally,
the green color in the pool water will not make the water unsafe for you to swim. A quick swim in the water is okay
but you need to be careful because if the water is dark green, the visibility may be too low which will prevent you
from seeing other things which may have entered the water. For instance, you will not be able to see if snakes have entered
your swimming pool or even debris which can injure you as you swim. There are several causes of the green color
​ in your pool water which you should identify before you proceed to clean the water.


What Causes Green Color in Pool Water?
Jason the Pool Guy says are three main causes of the green color in your pool water. They include the following:

Lack of Chlorine Leading to Growth of Algae
You should apply chlorine to the pool water so that you can prevent algae from growing. If you fail to apply chlorine
which is a pool cleaning agent on a regular basis, the water will start growing algae which will lead the water to turning green.
Water which has developed algae may be unsuitable to swim because it will attract mosquitoes and other insects which
can interfere with your peace as you swim. 


Pollen Deposits
If your pool is near flower fields, it may attract pollen which will make the water appear green or yellowing. The pollen
in water
 is not harmful but it will make the pool slippery which can lead to falls. 


Metal Build Up
Metals such as copper can build up in the pool water leading to the formation of green color. For instance,
when copper is oxidized, it will turn to green which will lead to turning the water green. 

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What are the Green Pool Water Cleaning Suggestions?
 
You can clean the pool water after you have identified the cause. If the cause was lack of chlorine, then application of chlorine will lead to turning the water into
their clear appearance which will make the pool suitable for you to swim. Here
are some of the methods you can apply to clean the pool water:
 
Treating Algae Affected Pool Water
 
If your pool water has been affected by algae, you can apply super chlorination as well as algaecides which will kill the algae so that the water can be clear. The chlorine can be applied after which the dead algae can be filtered out.
 
Removing Pollen from Water
 
Add flocculants to water then scoop the surface using a filter fitted with skimmer socks. The method is effective in removing the small particles of pollen.
 
Removing Metal Deposits
 
You need to apply sequestrant to the water after which you will filter the water to remove the metal deposits.
 
Is it Safe to Swim in a Green Pool? Will it hurt? It will not hurt but
it is necessary to remove the cause of the green color to make your pool water
safe for swimming. The above are among the methods you can apply.

Pump repair Tempe - full equipment installation

4/10/2018

 
The pump on this old Tempe pool had finally failed. I had to replace the pump with a two speed, or variable speed pump that has a digital controller. The way the equipment was originally installed, there was no clearance for a new, larger pump with a digital controller. The filter was also very old so the decision was made to replace the equipment. I decided to move the intake over 4', so I could position the new pump and the filter in a way that was easier to access for both function, and maintenance.  

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Gilbert pool repair - replumb return side bank

3/8/2018

 
My longtime customers are retiring and selling their house. After the home inspection was done, they had to fix some issues with the pool plumbing. The broken ball valve that controlled the in deck chlorinator and the seized ball valve that controlled the water feature needed to be replaced. I decided to replace the ball valves with Jandy Never-lube two port valves. These new valves will move effortlessly (unlike large ball valves). O rings can be replaced and the valve parts can be replaced, so the 2 port valves will perform like new for many years. I raised the whole return bank up higher, to save the in-floor cleaning system’s check valve, and to stagger the two port valves, so there were no clearance issues.

The previous plumber installed two, 2 port valves together at the same height, and as a result, the handles had to be cut short so the valve handles had free range of motion. The irony is, one of those two valves wasn’t even necessary, because the water feature already had a valve to control the flow of water.

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Pump repair - Ahwatukee - Replaced equipment pad and pump

2/25/2018

 
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After

I was recently called out to Ahwatukee to replace an equipment pad. The pad was cracked, and lower than the stone patio. This caused water to collect below the electric motor during storms.

I dug down about 18” and cut out all of the repair couplers of the past 20 years. I re-routed the return line and put in a new variable speed pump. Relocating the return line allowed me to change configuration of the return side plumbing, to make the salt cell easier for the home owner to access when cleaning is required. A tall pre-form pad raised the equipment 3” to keep it away from rain water, and I filled the area in front of the pad with all purpose sand, covered with pea gravel, to help water drain around the pad.



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Pump repair - Ahwatukee - Replumbed pump and filter

1/15/2018

 
I was called out to Ahwatukee, because this customers pump was losing prime due to a suction leak. I pulled out the equipment, put down a new equipment pad to replace the cracked pad that was there. I filled in the holes and leveled the ground in the equipment area. I raised the pad 3" to keep water from pooling up around the motor when it rained, or the filter is drained for cleaning. 

All the PVC pipe and valves were replaced, and the pipe painted to protect against UV damage.  


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Pump repair - Ahwatukee - replaced pump and sand filter (painted PVC with Hayward taupe color)

11/16/2017

 
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Used Hayward taupe paint on this install and love the way it looks!

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Filter repair - Mesa - replaced cartridge filter (replumbed return side and ran new flex line to Polaris cleaner booster pump)

9/27/2017

 
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The backwash valve assembly had cracked on this customers DE filter and I suggested replacing the DE filter with a cartridge. DE filters must be recharged with DE powder after each backwash and the DE powder residue left behind in the back yard is carcinogenic. Not only is it unsightly, it is not good to breath in either. I service pools in Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe and Chandler and they all have landscaped yards; there really is no good place to send waste water. With a cartridge filter, you simply take the cartridges to an appropriate place in the yard to clean them. Cartridge filters dont have a side mounted backwash valve, so the install was much cleaner. Cartridge filters have the flow rates that are able to handle the water movement from the new and powerful variable speed pumps. The cartridges can easily be removed and taken to an appropriate place in the yard for cleaning, unlike the DE filter that was leaving dirt and DE powder all over his stone patio on the side of the house when ever he needed to backwash the filter.

​With the additional space I gained from not having a backwash valve, I was able to rotate the filter 90 degrees. This made the drain plug more accessible for the customer when it is time to maintenance the filter, and changed how I could run the plumbing to the pool returns. This customer has a Polaris 380 pressure side cleaner, which is powered by a booster pump. The booster runs off the water flow going back to the pool and delivers a constant and correct flow of water to the cleaner. Polaris has a new flex line quick connect kit that I installed to get rid of the PVC and unions for a cleaner look.

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Sand filter media replacement (sand change)

8/22/2017

 
Dr. Dryden's Activate filter media is a wonderful product I like to use when installing a new sand filter as an alternative to silica sand. Dr. Dryden, a marine biologist, invented the glass media to improve the lives and life span of marine animals held in captivity. He proved that these marine animals were experiencing lung infections and dying sooner in captivity than the animals living in the wild. This was due to the animals breathing the chloramine gas above the surface of the water.  Chloramines come from the combination of the chlorine disinfectant (chlorine produced by a salt system, or chlorine tabs, or chlorine shock) and the perspiration, body oils and urine from swimmers. Chloramines then off gas into the air just above the water. I use products like Zeo sand that also traps ammonia particles that produce chloramines, but this product is even more effective. 

Activated glass media, or AGM, is 300x more effective than silica sand for pool filters. This media requires less backwashes and less water to clean the filter. It traps particles as small as DE filters, but does not need to be recharged with DE powder, a known carcinogen ​that is expelled into the yard when a backwash is done and turns to loose white dust once dry. 
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The media comes in two sizes, coarse and fine. The course media is put in first, which is larger and provides better water flow around the laterals of the filter (the arms inside the filter that allow clean water to flow back to the pool) and the fine, which goes on top. The glass is not sharp, and is treated to have a negative charge; it's actually electromagnetic. This keeps any dirt from sticking to the glass itself and reduces the amount of water required for doing a backwash. AGM prevents biofilm from forming inside the filter (a thin, slimy film of bacteria that adheres to a surface) thus reducing the chlorine demand and algae growth.

​Because of the electromagnetic charge,  dirt does not stick to the glass and clump up like silica sand, creating wormhole channels inside the filter that reduces the filters ability to function (and reduces water circulation). These benefits continue, because it never has to be replaced. Once added when the filter is installed, it will last as long as the filter and never needs to be replaced (ever). It is not an inexpensive media and one I dont use on old filters when changing sand. However when added  during a new filter installation, this media will save you money over the life of the filter. Savings in water, using less to backwash and having to backwash less frequently, and it eliminates the need for sand changes. Normal silica sand is effective up to 5 years. Never having to replace the media saves you money in labor costs and the cost of replacing sand. 

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Pool cleaner - Polaris pressure side cleaner with booster pump

6/21/2017

 
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The Polaris 280 pressure side cleaner and booster pump is what I like to install on old pools without dedicated cleaner ports, or an in ground cleaning system. There are products available ​that will allow you to run a cleaner using the skimmer at a low cost, but this often makes the pool more labor intensive. What do I mean by labor intensive? Products like the Zodiac Flow Keeper render the skimmer useless as the basket has to be removed to plug it into the suction hole.

With out a skimmer, nothing skims debris from the surface of the water leaving a less attractive pool and more netting for you. There is very little control over the cleaner with this kind of device. The Vac Mate is another product that allows you to run a cleaner. Its a step up from the flow keeper, because it has a basket and a tiny weir gate that retains the function of the skimmer. There is even a valve providing control between the cleaner suction and the amount it skims. However, these are press fit hose connections that wear out and come loose. The water level has to be kept higher to keep these press fit connections under water so they dont leak. The gasket stretches out frequently and needs to be replaced. Over time, the pressure cracks the body of the vac mate too. Any of the above stops the cleaner from working. It is a nice product and one I've sold many times, however both the flow keeper and Vac Mate restrict water flow, forcing the water to run thru the 3/4" hole at the cleaner and 30' of cleaner hose and can make the pool more difficult to care for.   

A better way is running a cleaner off the return side of the system with a booster pump. This increases water flow dramatically by using the pools drain and skimmer instead of the restricting water through a hose and a cleaner. The Polaris cleaner shoots water out of its tail, stirring up dirt so the pool drain and skimmer can take it out. The cleaner is very fast and it only takes 4 hours to do its job. Depending on the model, there are 2-3 jets of water shooting up inside the body of the cleaner. This creates a vortex that sucks up large debris into the collection bag. The Polaris cleaner does an incredible job of keeping the pool clean while allowing the system to draw from the skimmer and the drain, increasing water flow instead of restricting it. 

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The Booster pump runs off a 3/4" flex line that is fed from the return side plumbing after the pool filter. It can be tied into an existing 1.5" return line to the pool or the 3/4" aerator line. I prefer to use the aerator line because it is the easiest way to retrofit an old pool with out taking away a return jet. This pump is very small and very efficient. It only needs to run 4 hours a day and draws very little power. 

There are less expensive pressure side cleaners available, but they do not have a booster pump. The return eyes on the pool are important for water circulation in the pool and directing debris toward the skimmer. The cleaners that use a return eye are fine in some cases as long as there is still enough water movement left once a port is sacrificed. If the pool has 4 return eyes and after one is taken away there is still 3 remaining that's okay. Many old pools only have 2-3 return eyes and using a pressure cleaner that runs off one of those affects the water circulation in the pool enough I don't use them. The booster pump ensures the cleaner has enough water pressure to run at optimal performance with out effecting water flow in the pool on the suction side, or return side when the 3/4" aerator line is used. 
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The Polaris has a back up valve in between the wall and the cleaner. Every so often, the water will stop running to the cleaner and instead, shoot out from this valve. The cleaner is picked up, and pulled backward for about 10 seconds. This ensures the cleaner will never get stuck. 

This cleaning system is not inexpensive, but it is one of the best options for old pools with out automated cleaning systems. 

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Pump repair - Chandler - replaced pump and sand filter (replumbed return side and moved aerator next to pool return line)

12/8/2016

 
Recently, one of my customers pump motors shorted out and was tripping the breaker. I ran into a problem putting in the new pump, with the way the original equipment was plumbed in. The original installers placed both the filter and the pump on one pad, one in front of the other, leaving only a couple of inches clearance for the pool return pipe over the motor.

Since title 44 had passed, requiring all new motors/pumps to be two speed, or variable speed with digital controllers, there was no way to put the new pump on the pad. The new pumps digital controller would not fit with the way the return pipe was plumbed. Also, the aerator line was on one side of the pump and the return side on another. This is highly irregular. Usually, all the return lines are on a bank together.

To correct the clearance issues and the need to plumb the return lines to different locations, I used two small pads, one for each piece of equipment and re-routed the aerator line close to the pool return so they were together like they should be. I never cut corners and I take my time to make sure my lines are straight and I am doing the best job I can. I don't have an "in and out" mentality.

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Pump repair - Ahwatukee - replaced pump and sand filter

12/8/2016

 
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My customers equipment was getting very old and decided to replace everything with new. The old equipment was on a slope and the home owner did a fantastic job putting in treated wood as a base. I got rid of the old wagon wheel style valves, went with Jandy valves (which can be rebuilt) and replaced all of the pipe above ground. 

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Pool service - water chemistry - TDS and calcium hardness

10/30/2016

 
TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids. This is the measurement of everything that has ever dissolved in your pool water. Chemicals, algaecides, sweat, hairspray, deodorant, body oils, dead skin, hair, dirt, leaves etc. A swimming pool is a closed system and as the level of TDS rises over time, it can cause problems, reducing chlorine efficacy, giving water a dull appearance and increasing the odds that algae will bloom more easily. Also contained in high levels of TDS are often high levels of phosphates and/or nitrates, which can increase the chlorine demand and provide nutrients to algae.

The TDS level should be under 2000 ppm. When it gets higher than this it can cause skin and eye irritation and metal corrosion of your pool equipment like ladders or hand rails. Cloudy water and scaly deposits also occur more easily when the TDS levels are high. Just like TDS, Calcium hardness is another measurement I like to test once a year, to make sure it does not exceed 1000 ppm. In other states, calcium hardness is considered high at 400 ppm, but in Arizona, water is very hard out of the tap and can be over 300 on a newly filled pool. I personally let it go to 1000 here before I contact a customer about it. Like TDS, high calcium hardness can cause issues with your pool. Cloudy water, calcification of filter cartridges (calcium build up) reducing water flow, and scale build up on tile or metal parts like ladders or hand rails.

When one, or both of these measure high, it is time to change the pool water. It is ideal to swap out the pool water every 3-5 years, but I do test for TDS and calcium hardness every fall.


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Pool maintenance - protect your vacuum breaker during a hard freeze

1/17/2016

 
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Vacuum breakers like this one are what feeds the pools auto fill of the pool. It is a one way valve, that is designed to prevent water from being siphoned back into the public drinking water system. Without it, in the event the city's water pressure drops, the drinking water could become contaminated. The blue valve handle that controls water flow is open, allowing water to pass to the pool deck, when inline with the pipe. It cuts the water off to the pool deck when it's turned 90 degrees and not in line with the pipe. I usually see 3/4" PVC pipe coming off of a vacuum breaker, but in the image above, it is a copper pipe.  

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The water from the vacuum breaker valve goes to the pool deck, to a float valve like in the picture above. As the water level in the pool drops, so does the valve. This opens the valve, allowing water to pass and thats what fills the pool. This is necessary to stave off evaporation.

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Inside the vacuum breaker, there is moving parts. There's a spring, and the other parts are made of plastic and rubber. When the water in the valve body freezes, it damages those parts and the valve will leak. Rebuild kits are available at sprinkler supply stores, but often, the plastic cap cracks, and you will have to buy the whole valve complete to get the cap. In that case you use the guts of the new valve, to rebuild your existing valve. 

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Covering your vacuum breaker with towels can insulate it and help it from freezing. Rebuilding a valve can save you about $50-$70 for new parts, possibly as much as $140 to $160 if you pay someone to fix it for you. Its worth it if you know there's going to be freezing temperatures. 

Update 07.07.2017

The best way to prepare the vacuum break for a hard freeze, or if you live in a state that has a hard winter, is to cover all of the exposed pipe with Polyethylene pipe insulation. Shut off the water to the vacuum breaker. Next, loosen the screws on both test ports on the side of the breaker. Allow the water in the vacuum breaker to drain out. This will keep it from freezing, expanding and ruining the internal parts. 

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Pool cleaner - Poolvergnuegen and Hayward Aquanaut

1/16/2016

 
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The Poolvergnuegen [pronounced POOL-VERG-NEW-JEN] Pool Cleaners tend to run longer, with out needing internal parts than other cleaners I have worked with. Hayward has recently purchased Poolvergnuegen and sells the product as the Aquanaut and the Phoenix. Both cleaners are identical, except for the cosmetics, and are both available in 2 and 4 wheel models. The Aquanaut is sold through retail channels while the Poolvergnuegen is sold through service channels. Hayward has made some engineering advancements to the cleaner since acquiring the company, adding bearings to the wheels, a fixed shaft to stop the wheels from egging out from wear and increasing the warranty to two years, rather than the original one year. The The new cleaners with a two year warranty, will be labeled on the cleaner as 'New Generation' with plastic clips covering the wheel bearings/holding the wheel on. [Tires and skirts are not covered under the two year warranty]
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As good as these cleaners are, parts do wear out. Cleaners run under pressure, 6-10 hours a day, each and every day. They are work horses and parts will wear out over time. After 1 year on the older Poolvergnuegen cleaners, and two years on the new generation cleaners, expect to start needing to replace some of the parts. Parts are available if needed separately, however, Hayward now offers a lower propulsion kit in both the 2 wheel and 4 wheel versions for a fraction of the price of a new cleaner, or replacing the parts purchased separately. The lower propulsion kits come complete with everything except the skirts, tires, turbine cover and top body cover. In the picture above, you see a lower propulsion kit for a 4 wheel cleaner. I like these cleaners. 

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Tires are the most common part to be replaced on these cleaners with in the first two years. Tires must be replaced once they  reach the wear markers. The wear markers are raised bumps as shown above in the screen shot from the owners manual. The tires can wear faster in pools with a rougher surface like 3M Quartz and Pebble Tech, but will wear down to the markers with-in a year. Allowing the tires to wear down past the markers too far, will put extra stress on the internal parts and causes bearings, drive shafts and gears/teeth to wear out prematurely. I check the tires every 6 months. Excessive wear of internal parts with in the warranty period as a result of negligence [not replacing the tires] will void the warranty.
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Pool filter repair - Gilbert - replaced Pentair DE filter

4/3/2015

 
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This pool has an in-ground cleaning system with floor heads. I replaced a 48 square foot DE filter, because the tank cracked and it was leaking water under pressure. I believe this happened because the filter was undersized. A pool with a suction side cleaner runs a lower pressure, about 10-13 pounds usually. A pool with an in-ground cleaning system will run between 20-25 pounds of pressure. Its important to match the pool equipment to the system, not based on price. Depending on the size of the pool, the distance the equipment is away from the pool, whether it has a spa, a heater, the type of cleaning system it has, the diameter of the pipe, if there are water features etc, all determine what size pump is used, how much water the pump is supposed to move and what size filter is required to handle the flow rate.

This 60 square foot filter was installed to lower the pressure at the filter. The old, 48 square foot DE filter was running a high pressure, 30-35 pounds per square inch. The 60 square foot DE filter is running at 20-25 pounds per square inch. 10 pounds per square inch is a lot. This filter will last longer with proper maintenance than the last, because the lower pressure puts less stress on the collection manifold and grids...not to mention the tank. 

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Pump repair - Tempe - replaced pump and installed a DE filter

3/25/2015

 
Gilbert pool repair
The old pump failed, so it was a good time to update to something more energy efficient. Intakes on the variable speed pumps are lower than the old pumps, a design change that increases performance. Since the intake valve is located very close to the ground in this system, it became an issue with the new pump having an intake that was 2" lower than the last pump. This would have put the valve partially underground if I glued it on after cutting out the old valve. 

I raised the pad with paving stones 4.5". This was just enough to make up for the 3" I cut off when the old valve was removed and keep the valve above ground level. The old pump was plumbed in with out any straight pipe. There was no place to make a cut, making this install much more difficult. I like to add straight pipe in the event anything may need to be replaced in the future. With many places to cut, it is easy to add a union, or a coupler to make a repair if necessary. Unions on the pump, filter, return line and discharge pipe, also make it easy to remove sections of pipe. This allows easy access to the filter and pump when service is required. 



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Algae blooms

3/18/2015

 
I've run into a handful of pools recently with a small amount of mustard algae growing on the wall, or steps. Its called mustard algae, because of its greenish/yellow color. Unfortunately it's common to see algae growing in pools this time of year. With warmer temperatures and the fresh feeling of spring, it starts to get windy, or even breezy for days at a time. Flower pollen covers the surface of the water and the dying leaves are falling from the trees as summer approaches. All of these factors all contribute to algae growth. In pebble tech pools, black algae will start to grow on the wall, along the water line, where the pollen is clinging to the pebble tech. Or mustard algae on the wall where dirt had recently been blown into the pool.

Im often surprised to see that algae can survive in the winter, in chlorinated water with a good pH and alkalinity reading, even in temperatures below 55 degrees fahrenheit. Sometimes it's just necessary to add a phosphate remover, to kill off the algae's food source, then I add an algaecide to make the water even less hospitable to the organism. I like an ammonia based algaecide, because copper based products often stain plaster and cleaner hoses purple, requiring an acid wash by a good pool guy to remove the stains. If the algae growth keeps reoccurring, I have been using a mineral rod called Pool Rx. That goes in the pump basket and charges the water with minerals. Water flow thru the basket recharges the water for up to 6 months. I had good luck with that last year when algae kept coming back.

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Monsoons are just around the corner, have you thought about your landscaping yet?

2/27/2015

 
This past week has been breezy and that reminds me that the monsoons are right around the corner. This is a perfect time to trim the bushes back and clean up all the dead leaves, fallen bark and fruit. Debris around the yard easily makes its way into your pool when its windy. Keeping your yard clean will reduce the stress on your cleaning system, help to maintain your water quality and keep the pool looking good all week long. 

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Pump repair - Tempe - install variable speed pump (fixed poor past plumbing)

2/17/2015

 
Today, I installed a new Hayward, Tri-Star variable speed pump because this old Pentair Dura-glass had sprung a leak. This pumps intake lines were pushed out, away from the pump, to make room for it. I'm assuming the original pump was a small, brass impeller pump and when the Dura-glass pump was installed, it didn't quite fit the way the old one did. 
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What I didn't like about the way its plumbed, is that the pipe was hanging above the ground about 5 inches. A brick was used to prop up the pipe to support it, so it would not flex to far and snap. 
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To install the new pump properly, I wanted to fix this problem. I dug down about 8" and moved the pipe out under ground, to eliminate the flexing and the need for the brick. 
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Here is the new pump installed and plumbed properly. 
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Heat Pumps

2/4/2015

 
A heat pumps ability to heat pool water depends on the outside air temperature, pool size, the current water temperature, the desired water temperature, and use of a solar blanket. Air temperature is important, because heat pumps heat the surrounding air to warm the pool water. Heat pumps operate best in temperatures that exceed 50°F. In temperatures below an average of 50°F, heat pumps cannot efficiently heat the outside air and therefore require more time to warm the pool.

Heat pumps are great for extending the swim season in the spring and fall and are up to 70% more efficient than gas and propane heaters, making them much more affordable to run.


Swimming pool heaters are sized according to their British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour. One BTU raises one pound of water by 1°F. One gallon of water is equal to 8.34 pounds of water, so 8.34 BTUs raises one gallon of water by 1°F. I typically suggest 85,000-145,000 BTU heaters depending on the size of the pool, based on 10,000 gallons to 20,000 gallons, but the larger the heat pump, the faster the pool will warm up. The greater the difference is between your current and desired water temperature, the longer you will need to run your heat pump.

Solar blankets  reduce the required heating time. 75% of a swimming pool’s heat loss is because of evaporation. Adding a solar blanket will retain heat by minimizing evaporation. It acts as a barrier between the water and the air. It's easier to manage solar blankets when they are cut into 2'x2' squares, so they can be easily removed and stacked when not in use in a storage bin. 

Overall, a heat pump usually requires between 24 and 72 hours to heat a swimming pool by 20°F depending on the factors mentioned above. 
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Pump repair - Ahwatukee - installed new cartridge filter, variable speed pump and heater

2/1/2015

 
This was a complete installation of a Hayward 250,000 BTU propane heater, a C4030 cartridge filter and a Tri-Star Variable speed pump. I had a challenge routing the intake line to the pump over about 12" to make everything fit. The old pump and filter were literally touching each other and there was no room. Everything now is spaced nicely and with the unions, the pipe can be easily removed to access the filter for cleanings.  
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Jason the pool guy

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