Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
by Michael, July 18, 2008
In the Fall of 2007, POOLCENTER.com contributed to helping the Chapin Family realize their dreams. Having been a fan of the award winning television series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," since its inception, everyone here at POOLCENTER.com headquarters considers it an honor to be mentioned as having helped such a loving and caring family like the Chapin's. The thank you card from them warmed all of our hearts and brightened an already great Summer. Thank you, Chapin Family, for being such a great asset to your community.
Read a brief day-to-day story about how the Chapin's Dream actually became a reality: Page one | Page two
"...Ty and designers Michael Moloney, Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis and John Littlefield watch the submission video of Connie Chapin and her kids, Molly, Rachel, Anna and Daniel, who are active in several community charities, their church and local awareness groups. Connie is a hard working single mother and avid swimmer who turned her backyard swimming pool into a much needed community resource, Angelfish Swimming, teaching over 200 kids, some who suffer from various disabilities like autism and cerebral palsy, how to swim, a life saving skill Connie believes that all children should have..."
POOLCENTER.com's feels that working with the community is a vital part of a continuing to build a healthy relationship with the people we serve. We continue to reach out to those in need by donating to local charities, sponsoring little league teams, and donating our time to organizations throughout our local / regional area. Way to go Extreme Makeover: Home Edition! You continue to impress and influence others to share their fortune with people who are trying to make a difference.
How's Your Filter? The Trio - Part I by Rob, June 19, 2008
The Trio for Clean and Clear Pool Water – Remember the Trio necessary for clean and clear pool water: Filtration, Circulation and Sanitation.
I always like to use the analogy that - if you had a filter as “big as a house” you wouldn’t need worry about circulation and sanitation. Or – if you dumped in 5 gallons of bleach every few days, you wouldn’t need to filter or circulate much either. Or – imagine circulating your pool water so fast, like a rushing river – turning it over at a rate of 1,000 GPM (gallons per minute) that Sanitation (chlorine) and Filtration becomes unnecessary for clean and clear pool water.
In practice and in fact however - there needs to be a balance between all three elements, to ensure clean and clear pool water. So, we use a little bit of sanitation, a measure of filtration, with a healthy dose of circulation - in the correct proportions that work for your pool.
In many cases, many pools that have problems with clean and clear pool water – or the lack thereof – are suffering in only one of the three areas. Do you have problems with cloudy pool water? How about swimming pool algae? Do you backwash monthly – or weekly? How much chlorine do you need to use to keep the water clear? Today we are looking at one element of the Trio FILTRATION. So, I ask you?
Whether you have a DE, Sand or Cartridge filter on your swimming pool - some filters run better than others. Make sure your filter is not too small for your pool. Bigger is Better when it comes to pool filters. Secondly, you should know that a DE filter is a much better filter than a sand or cartridge in that it is capable of filtering the water down to a ridiculously low level of 2-3 microns. Sand or Cartridge pool filters can filter down to 20 microns – all else being equal. But as filter media ages, cartridge material breaks down with each cleaning, allowing more small particles to pass through, unfiltered. Pool sand beds can develop worn channels or paths of water flow. Sand also gets “tired” after a while and the edges get rounded. Add a pump that is maybe too large, pushing way too much water through the sand or cartridge and you can have really poor filtering. So then – a sand or cartridge filter can filter down to 20 microns, or it can be as high as 50. (Our eyes start to see particles in the 30-40 micron range).
Hint – if you have a larger filter, you can realize savings in how long of time you need to run the pump and also in how much chorine you need to use to keep the water clear.
Hint – Change your filter sand every 5-7 years, or when it seems as though your backwashing twice as often as you used to….the sand over time loses it’s sharp edges and this makes it filter less effectively. Changing pool filter sand is easy. You can usually find Pool Filter Sand in home stores, or at Stone & Gravel places (look in the phone book).Make sure that the bag reads “Pool Filter Sand”. It should be cleaned and graded, 45-55 mm in size, also known as #20 Silica Sand.
Hint - Change filter cartridges every 2-3 years, more or less – depending on how much work you have demanded of them. Like filter sand, the determinant is the length of time required between cleanings. When you have to backwash your sand filter or clean your cartridges every week, it’s time for new pool filter media.
Hint - Change DE filter grids when they develop holes in them. You should remove the DE grid assembly every 4-6 mos – from the tank to spray it completely clean. Using Filter Cleaner is a good idea every 12-24 mos to remove oils and mineral deposits from the porous fabric. As you hose DE filter grids clean, inspect them for holes or tears in the fabric. Hint - Use the pressure gauge as your guide. Backwash or clean the filter when the pressure gauge rises 8-10 lbs above the clean, “after backwash” pressure.
Bonus Hint: Pressure gauges are cheap instruments – Don’t bet your life on them. Sometimes they lie. Sometimes they stick – give them a flick of your fingernail when you check them – to make sure they are responsive.
Give your filter a check – maybe it’s time this year to change the sand or cartridge or de filter grids. Or maybe things are going well. A good sized filter should be able to keep your water clean and clear with only 12 hours or so per day of operation. But that depends on Circulation, doesn’t it? That’s what we’ll look at next time in our look at the Trio ~ Filtration, Circulation and Sanitation. Until then, enjoy your pool! Discuss | Pool Blog Home
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Pool Safety ~ Give Your Pool A Safety Scan! by Rob, June 03, 2008
Now that you've got your swimming pool opened, water restored to a blue hue, pump and filter doing their job on schedule...it's time to take a look at safety. Whenever opening a pool, it's a good idea to give a Safety Scan. This is not one of those trademarked terms, btw, just a phrase I use to describe looking at the entire pool area and adjoining areas, for possible, maybe probable, Safety Issues. There is a term that is trademarked, I think - called "Layers of Protection". It would be helpful to the discussion of a Pool Safety Scan if I start by talking about the layers of protection surrounding a swimming pool.
Let me summarize this first by starting at the pool itself. A pool alarm can be a good final defense, or last layer of protection. At this point, you are protecting the actual water with a device that detects surface or sub-surface water disruption. Another layer of protection surrounding the body of water may be a safety cover or an automatic pool cover. If you have a mesh safety cover, consider using it during the week, or during vacations to keep the pool clean and safe. If you have an automatic pool cover, keep it closed also - for the same reasons. In fact, safety and auto pool covers are one of the strongest layers of protection around your pool.
Moving a bit further away from the actual water, other physical barriers, such as hedges, retaining walls, landscaping or outbuildings can serve as useful layers of protection. Be careful that such features around your pool don’t block two way vision, even while blocking physical access. Finally, fencing - the grand daddy of them all when it comes to protective layers around the pool. It should have just one gate, if possible. This gate is a powerful layer of protection. Other layers of protection around a pool could be cameras, safety turtle wristbands, vicious dogs, maybe?
A good Safety Scan of the pool would also include Trip and Fall hazards and Slip and Fall hazards. Try to imagine someone running through the area or navigating the area in the dark. Are there chairs, or low lying deck equipment that could cause someone to trip and fall? Standing water can be a slip hazard. Look for low areas in the deck that collect water or don't drain effectively.
Gates should be inspected regularly. A proper gate should be Self-Closing and Self-Latching. Make adjustments to the latching mechanisms or fence posts to make sure that gates close by themselves. A Magna-Tek style latch, on top of the fence post is quite secure. Additional gates - that may not be used regularly, should be padlocked to prevent access to the pool area. Remember that Drowning is Silent! Should an accident occur, you likely will not hear someone splashing and screaming in the pool. (or if you did, you may think they were having fun!). There is no substitute for proper supervision of the pool and it's use. So, keep an eye on things, and enjoy your summer!
How To Throw The Best Pool Party Ever! by Admin Andy 5/12/2008 6:36:26 PM
OK, It’s party time. Lets have a pool party. The most fun you could ever have around your pool, is when you have guests and are entertaining. It is the perfect time to show off your pool and yard. The key here is preparation. Invitations, menus, helpers, pool, and yard will all need to be taken care of in advance. The more you do ahead of time, the more time you will have to enjoy the party. Start about a month before the party. Make a list of who you want to come. We can’t give any advice here. But too many people would not only be unsafe, but we want enough room for eating, swimming, and just laying around.
So, here are a few tips for the pool party, and believe me, we’ve been to hundreds.
1)Invites. Get something fun. Hand made invitations are cool, and personal. Another option is pre printed “Pool Party Invitations” And, now many people use Evite. A free and easy way to way to send an email invitation to anyone on your email list, with many themes available. Remind everyone to bring a towel and swimming suite.
2)Recruit. Get some help. The best parties were planned with several people. Get Some helpers. Johnny does the food, Karyn gets the liquor, Steve gets the ice. And be sure to get a name or two for clean up. The end of the night is always the hardest to recruit help, so ask for clean up help before the party. You don’t need to clean the whole yard, but you will need to secure the trash, leftover food and such.
3)Food. Decisions, decisions. You could go all out, roast a pig, Boston Butt, smoked chicken. Or, keep it simple. Finger sandwiches, fruit bowl or just burgers and dogs. The more “self serve food” you offer, the more time you have for fun. But, remember, the first thing people usually remember about a party, is the food. Give your guests something to talk about and remember. It’s not too hard to do!
4)Drinks You can’t have a good pool party without good beverages. But, an open bar can mean a disaster. If everyone is allowed to mix their own beverages, there is always someone who can ruin it for the rest of the guests. If alcohol is served, serve responsible. Make our favorite St. Croix Rum Punch, or serve beer and wine in moderation. Remember, Alcohol use is involved in about 35% to 50% of adolescent and adult deaths associated with water recreation. And please don’t let guests who drink, drive. Call your local cab company in advance and set up an account for the evening.
5)Safety. This one is easy. Call your local swimming pool management company, and hire a lifeguard or two for the event. It’s not expensive, and well worth it. Now, see above. If someone has had too much to drink, keep them away from the pool. Things we all take for granted like diving boards, slides and just jumping off the side of the pool, can pose a threat to those impaired, and everyone else trying to have a good time. Keep safety equipment handy, and ALWAYS keep a working phone dry, and near the pool.
6)The Pool. A week or so before the party, test everything pool related. The lights, the heater, the fountains. Make sure any electrical outlets that will be used are grounded. Trip hazards, excess patio and lawn furniture should be stored, or moved away from the pool deck, to allow easy access to the pool. Add a clarifier to the pool several days before the party. Small unfiltered particles are very easy to see at night with the pool light on, so take that extra step to get your pool as clear as possible. And make sure the pH and chlorine are adjusted. A chlorine residual of 3.0 is perfect. The morning of the party, brush the pool, then vacuum an hour later. Remove your automatic pool cleaner and store it away for the party. Polaris parts are not cheap! Except here.
7)The Party!The moment we’ve all been waiting for...Party time! Got enough Tiki torch fuel? Ice? Soda? Make that last minute run to the store and you should be set. With proper preparation, all of the chores are done, and it’s time to party. So, fire up the grill, and ice down the punch. It’s your turn to relax.
Enersol Solar Heating by "Admin Andy" May 06, 2008
Why solar pool heat? Because it’s free heat. Period. And very easy for the do it yourselfer. For less than the cost of a conventional pool heater, consider that being your only expense for years, while extending your swimming season by months. 85 degree pool in October? No problem. For free! With all this talk about the whole green movement, and the use and depletion of our natural resources, it makes sense to not only consider, but utilize solar heat for swimming pools.
And Enersol makes it so easy. With a trip to Home Depot, and The Enersol Solar in a Box Kit, you can have free heat in a matter of hours. For years to come. Even if you already have a gas heating system, or heat pump, connecting a solar pool heating system will not only save you hundreds of dollars per season, it is also silent, effective and free. So, let there be no doubt, solar pool heating is the wave of the future.
ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE SOLAR POOL HEATING.
WILL NOT CRACK, ROT, RUST, CORRODE, CHIP, BECOME BRITTLE OR DISINTEGRATE.
WITHSTANDS STEAM, BLEACH, ULTRAVIOLET, OZONE, FLEXION AND ABRASION.
Yikes! My Pool Water is Green! by "Admin Andy" May 06, 2008
The green pool. Not very pleasant. Pools turn green from green algae. There is only one sure way to knock the green from a pool. Chlorine. And make sure it’s enough chlorine. Many times we hear, “But I put four bags of shock in the pool, and it’s still green” Well, four bags of shock should kill algae in a pool under 20,000 gallons, If they are added at once, not a bag at a time. The key to getting rid of algae, is “super chlorination.”
You must add enough chlorine to attack the “flower” of the algae. Usually twice the normal dosage. If there is algae on the walls and floor, that algae must be brushed as soon as the pool is shocked. Brushing will open the pores of the bloom and allow the chlorine to penetrate and kill the organism. After the pool has been shocked and brushed, let the dead algae settle for a day, then vacuum the pool to waste. Get rid of it, and keep your chlorine residual between 1ppm and 3ppm, to keep it gone. Wiki answers is also very helpful!
Tips on Opening Your Swimming Pool
by "Admin Andy" May 06, 2008
Here’s a few things we can do to make the pool opening a little easier in the spring. Around the beginning of March, as the weather get a little warmer, peel a corner of the cover back and add some liquid chlorine to the water, circulate it with the pool brush, or a submersible pump and leave that corner of the pool open for an hour or so, this will allow the chlorine, and by products to gas off.
If you have a mesh cover, then secure the cover immediately. This step will give the pool a head start, and prevent algae growth when the weather starts to warm. Also, if you have a solid cover, keep all leaves, debris and water off of the cover while in use. Not only is a full, dirty cover a safety hazard, a clean cover will ensure an easy cover removal at start up.
