SnowFall

Friday, January 30, 2009

10 steps to maintain your swimming pool

Just like your car, house, or pet Bengal tiger routine care/maintenance can save you time and money on swimming pool. Here are 10 steps to make pool care easy.

1. Start off by brushing your pool walls and tiles. This should be done weekly to prevent dirt and algae build up.

2. Skim the surface to clear any floating debris.

3. Empty your skimmer baskets, pump basket and pool cleaner bag if you have one. Do this weekly or more if needed. Full baskets can cause strain on your pump potentially damaging your pool equipment.

4. Vacuum any debris weekly. (Even if you have a automatic pool cleaner) Certain pool cleaners will not catch the fine sediment.

5. Test the chemical balance for chlorine and PH at least once every other day. Check Alkalinity once a week. Take a water sample to a swimming pool professional at least once a month for a full test.

6. Adjust your chemicals as needed.

7. Maintain your water level. This is important for two reasons. If water level is to low your pump may run dry causing damage. If water level is to high your skimmers will not work properly.

8. Check your filter pressure. Backwash or clean your filter as needed or at least once per month.

9. Check for leaks. Weather water on the ground under your pool equipment or air bubbles coming out of the jets in the pool either can be bad new and should be checked out quickly.

10. This last step is the MOST important. Enjoy your Swimming Pool!!!
www.swimcleartx.com

Friday, January 16, 2009

Swimming pools and Freezing temperatures

Winter has hit North Texas and temperatures are dropping below the freezing point is there anything I need to do? This is a common question and whether you are a do it your self pool owner or use a maintenance company there are a few thing you should know and check when the temperature is about to fall. My recommendation is.

The most important step to take when we are about to hit freezing temperatures is to ensure your pool equipment is running properly with out any air or water leaks. Leaks either air or water leaks typically only get worst and are what causes a system to loose circulation. Lack of water circulation whether caused by a leak or maybe the pump is just turned off is when freeze damage can occur.

Step two would be to ensure your pool equipment is running when temps are below freezing. Many pools are equipped with a "freeze guard" which automatically turns on your pool equipment when the temperatures fall below a set point giving a home owner a sense of security. If you do not have one just make sure your pool equipment is running when the temp is below 32. Can these freeze guards be added to an existing pool? Absolutely, e-mail me and I will tell you how, after all, it is only when you leave for out of town that a cold front comes through and your not protected. Remember, even though you have a freeze guard on your system it should be check prior to the first cold snap.

Step three is to relax. Temperatures in DFW do not drop low enough to cause any harm as long as your pool equipment is turned on an running appropriately while freezing.

Remember these are just recomendations to hep answer some of those swimming pool questions. For any service needs in the North Dallas area or product needs please go to http://www.swimcleartx.com/. Hope this helps you.