Almost Time To Open Your Pool!
I know you think I am crazy saying this with 4 to 8 inches of snow on the ground, but it’s right around the corner!! I am sure most of you are sick of looking at that winter cover and wish you could start enjoying you pool again. People always ask me when should we open the pool. Honestly, that is up to you!! We have opened pools as early as March 1st and as late as July 1st. It is never too early or late to get your pool up and running!! At Eastgate Pools and Spas, we are your pool opening experts. Call in today to get that date you are looking for. Dates fill up fast, so call Tim or Brian to schedule your appointment. Just as a reminder our service hours are M-F 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 12pm and Sunday we are off, but the store is open if you need assistance
Superbowl And Commercials Go Hand-in-hand
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As I was sitting with friends and family watching the Colts blow a 10 point lead and laughing at some (not all) of the commercials, I started to think about Eastgate Pools and Spas commercials. Did you know we advertise with Channel 12, WKRC?? We run anywhere from 30 second ads to 60 second ads. Keep your eye open the next time you watch a program on local 12 because you may want to take advantage of the great deals we have on Game Tables, Pool Tables, Bars and more. You might even be lucky to have Max (the guy on TV), wait on you!! Keeps your eyes and ears open and you might find a deal you can’t pass up.
Tim
Liner Rehangs
Never to early to start thinking about putting a new Inground Liner in. We are taking deposits for next year. Why not get a jump on everyone else and get that early install date you were looking for. Maybe you were putting it off because you were trying to get one more year out of the patched liner or it is faded so much that you do not recognize the color anymore. Let Eastgate Pools and Spas bring your pool back to life. You will love the NEW look it gives your pool. Stop in to see our great selection of liners and while you are looking we can give you a quote as well. We are you Liner Replacement experts!! – Service
Santa’s Helpers
Our Service Department is the perfect helpers for Santa. From Pool Tables to Spas, we are your installation experts. Not sure how to put that Bar together you purchased from us? Why not spend the extra install charge, for a professional installation by Santa’s Helper?? Stop in today to get the delivery date you want!!
We Offer Pool Table Recovering
I am sure you remember how good your table looked when it was done. The bed cloth was spotless and the balls rolled true. Over the years, the cloth has changed for a number of reasons. A big stain from someone spilling a pop, tear in the pockets, burn hole or just fading from the sun.
Well, we can fix that problem for you. We offer a recovering service to get that Pool Table looking new again. We have a great selection of cloth colors to choose from. So stop in today or call and talk to one of our sales associates.
Spa (Hot Tub) Winterization Tip
Don’t do it! Winter is a GREAT time for a spa. I love it when it snows and my already graying hair turns totally white. With that said, some will still close it up for the winter.
REAL IMPORTANT: If you are going to drain your spa for the winter, you must also get the ‘invisible’ water out of the tub. This is the water trapped in the plumbing lines. If you only drain the shell you will have major freeze damage to the lines and pump/motor. Call us—we can help. Don’t want to call? Then make sure you take the drain plugs out of the pump(s), disconnect all unions, and use a shop vac to suck the water from the jets AND the plumbing lines. Leave the cover on, lock it, and occasionally check and make sure water isn’t seeping into the shell. Then cross your fingers.
Stone Top Outdoor Furniture
As a reminder, most stone top tables should be sealed before winter arrives. And if it is a slate top table, make sure you have a sealer that is approved for slate. Give us a call if you have questions about your table. — Service
I Just Refilled My Spa And It Won’t Work!
There’s no water moving but the motors are running! Don’t worry, it’s not broken. You are experiencing one of the most common occurrences a spa owner has. You have a simple air lock and it’s pretty easy to get rid of. First, don’t let the motor keep running without water going through it. Shut it off at the breaker. First, try taking the filter(s) out and turning it back on. Give it a few seconds and see if it primes. If it doesn’t, shut it off again and find a large set of channel locks or a pipe wrench. Don’t panic – this is easy. Remove the spa’s side panel where the motor is located. Locate the union leading into the motor. Turn the power back on and, using the tool, slightly loosen the union. (DO NOT TAKE IT COMPLETELY APART!). Once you have loosened it a little – maybe a quarter to a half turn—the air lock is generally released and your spa should operate normally. Remember to re-tighten the unions. You may have to repeat the process on other pumps if you have more than one.
Pool Phosphates
Is algae waiting to feast on phosphates that are in your water? Probably. This means you are more susceptible to an algae bloom and a green pool. (A screaming lady once told me her pool was GREEN and I congratulated her on her pool having character! She didn’t see the humor. I digress). You can burn through extra chlorine or remove the phosphates-your choice. Personally, I’d attack the root problem-the phosphates. Most originate from fertilizers or yard treatment sprays. Phosphates are in the water supply and rain so it is an ongoing battle to keep them under control. If there is a good home test kit for phosphates, I haven’t found it but we can test for phosphates here at Eastgate Pools & Spas. This isn’t a test we normally make but if you ask for a phosphate test we will be happy to provide one at no cost. It does take a little longer than a standard test so give us a little extra time when you come. We can then show you how to control phosphates and make it almost impossible for algae to grow in your pool. –Service
Attention Goldline Users
Is your Goldline Aqua Rite going bad? Did you about fall over when the told you $800 for a new cell? Now is the time to start looking into a new unit backed by one of the best warranties in the industry. We can get you a Resilence Salt System made by American SPS installed for $1299 plus tax. The warranty is 5 years on the power center, 3 years full and pro rated for years 4 and 5. The cell carries a 5 year warranty, 1 year full and pro rated for years 2-5. Still not sure, stop in and see our display unit on our inground pool or call us and we can send some information out to you. – Tim
What’s The Difference Betrween A Service Coordinator & Service Manager
Hi. My name is Tim Albers and I am the Service Coordinator for Eastgate Pools & Spas. I have been at Eastgate Pools & Spas for nine years come this September. I spent the first five years in the field and the last four in-store handling phone calls, answering service questions, and helping customers that walk through the door. What makes us different is that we also have a Service Manager-Brian Hennessey-and he has been with us for twenty-six years. Brian spends most of the time in the field handling special issues and installing in-ground pool liners, automatic chlorine generator systems, and other hi-tech items. Our service department has four crews of well-trained technicians and they can handle just about any issue that arises in the field. We are also OPEN ALL YEAR!! We do not close for four months a year and open back up when the weather is good. If you have a pool issue or need spa service in the dead of the winter and the temperature is -10, we’ll be there for you. You can reach me at the store M-F 8am-5pm and Saturday from 10am-2pm. The service department is closed on Sunday. Feel free to call 513-528-4141 to make an appointment or for any questions you might have. I look forward to helping you. –Tim
Is Your Swimming Pool Bubbling?
We get lots of phone calls from people telling us their return lines are bubbling and there is lots of air going into their pool. In most cases, it is not a serious problem but it can be an annoyance. Here are the likely causes. One, your water level is too low and the skimmer is pulling air into the plumbing. Two, you may have a hose clamp that needs tightened. Three, if your vacuum hose is attached, you may have a small pinhole in the hose. Four, there is a union or ball valve that is loose or needs to have an o-ring replaced. Lastly, and most likely, it is a deteriorated or pinched o-ring on the wet end of the motor, where the plastic basket is located. Look there first and see if there is a lot of air visible beneath the clear plastic lid. If there is, the air HAS to be pulling in from the skimmer to that basket-no doubt. If your water level is okay, the basket o-ring is your most likely culprit. Turn off the system and check to see if it is deteriorated, pinched, or if there is dirt on it. If it’s bad, when you rub your fingers across the o-ring, it will almost disintegrate and your fingers will get blackened. If you need a new one, we should have it here at the store. –Service
Do I Have A Leak Or Is The Water Just Evaporating?
We get quite a few calls from people that think they have a leak in their in-ground pool. Remember that evaporation rates change during the year so if you experience a quicker loss of water than you believe is normal, it does not necessarily mean that you have a leak. There is a simple way you can test this yourself. First make sure that your pool level is normal. Take a 5-gallon bucket and fill it with your pool water. Then place the bucket on the 1st or 2nd step of the pool so that the bucket AND the water in the pool are at the same level. (If you have a vinyl liner step, make sure the bucket does not have a rim on the bottom that could leave a ring mark on the step. The bottom of the bucket needs to be smooth. You can always put something smooth under the bucket but make sure it will not disintegrate and that there is no print or ink on it that could stain the liner.) Twenty-four hours later, check the levels and see if there is a difference. If you can’t tell, check back again in another twenty-four hours. The pool and bucket will have the same rate of evaporation but if the pool’s level drops below the bucket’s level, you know you have a leak in the pool. –Service
Having Trouble Keeping Chlorine In Your Pool?
There are several reasons why pools tend to burn through chlorine and fortunately, most are easy to identify and correct. First, cyanuric acid (stabilizer) holds chlorine in the water. It’s easy to add, inexpensive, and it stays in the water well once added. Secondly, keep you pH in check. A low pH (acid condition) oxidizes chlorine much quicker than pH that is in proper parameters. In other words, if your pH and stabilizer levels are off, plan on using up to three times as much chlorine as needed. For further help go to our website: www.eastgatepools.com/chem/eastchem.htm.
–Drew
Inground Liner Rehangs
What is the number one reason people put a new liner in their in-ground pool? Believe it or not, it isn’t that it worn out. For pools we build the liner tends to have a life of 12-18 years and that’s a long time. Most people just want a new look. One of the beautiful things about a steel wall-vinyl liner pool is that you can completely change the look as often as you like. I’m not saying it is something you want to do every year or two, but do you remember how sweet it looked when the pool was brand new? Well, you can get that brand new look back very easily and there are DOZENS of looks you can change to. We have an enormous sample display here at the store so stop in any time and let us show you what is available. -Service Department