Turning The Corner To Spring
It seems like we may be turning the corner this winter. After not getting any warm days from between Thanksgiving and now it is nice to get a few degrees above normal. Then again as we all who have lived in the Cincinnati area for an extended period of time know this will be short lived. With this being said it is a great opportunity to get the water removed from the pool cover. The weight of the water and ice on the pool cover puts the cover under tremendous strain, and will if left untouched will cause the cover to prematurely fail. Just a friendly reminder to try to save you money and repair costs.
Spa Covers
With a fair amount of snow this season, we have had a couple of customers come in to get a new spa cover. Without thinking, they used their snow shovel to push the snow off. In both instances, there were little tiny rough spots on the shovel and they tore their covers. Don’t use shovels. A simple brooming of the cover will suffice. I do not recommend just lifting the cover and letting the snow slide off unless it is very light snow. Heavier snow mixed with ice can make the weight very heavy. When you lift it up the foam can crack from the stress or the handles can rip out. Either way, at this point it is new cover time. –Max
Where Did My Water Go?
It is inevitable this time of year. You look outside and realize the water level in your pool is lower than the level was when you winterized the pool, and the question is asked, “What happened?” This is a question that is asked to us every year through the winter. Depending on the pool type and how the pool was closed there are several answers that are possible. Independent of the pool type is there a possibility that there is a hole in the pool lining? Yes, this is possible and then the wondering begins, “How did I not notice this prior to closing the pool?” If you have a very small leak (i.e. 1″ per week) it is highly possible that you do not notice this due to normal evaporation and splash out. While the pool is closed however you are not refilling and in the 12 weeks the pool has been closed it has leaked at the same rate and you have lost 12″ of water. Just because you have lost some water does not necessarily mean you have a leak. Water on the pool cover will displace the water inside the pool and can cause the water to be pushed out. Another possibility is a slight breech in the pool cover, which is allowing water from under the cover to flow onto the surface. When this happens as you are trying to remove the water from the pool cover you are also pumping out the pool. Just a little food for thought, and reassurance that this is not a death sentence for the liner.
Pool Cue Tips
We have sold thousands of cues over the many years we’ve been in business at Eastgate Pools. From time to time the tips of these cues wear out and need replaced. This is a job that customers often look for help with. We have the items at our store that can help you with this project and here is some advice if you plan on undertaking this project.
- Essentially make sure the tip and cue surfaces are clean, maybe using a piece of sand paper.
- Use superglue (ideally gel based as water based superglue can be too brittle) or a cue tip cement to attach your tip.
Then place the tip on the cue and press down firmly with your finger. Leave the cue for as long as possible to form a good bond, ideally overnight at least. We recommend that you clamp the tip down to make a tight seal. (of course we sell this clamp or an entire cue tip repair kit)
Cold Weather
I have a few reminders now that the weather is turning colder. Your above ground pool will freeze at some point this winter, but it doesn’t mean that you can walk out on the frozen surface. I know it sounds like common sense but I know we have customers every year that put their life in danger for a cheap thrill. You always need to be careful around your pool no matter what season of the year it may be and as we encourage safe swimming practices we also encourage our customers to follow our advice in the winter.
Thomas
Coming To Our Store?
If you need directions just call us at 513-528-4141. Even easier, go to www.eastgatepools.com and scroll to the very bottom of the home page. Click ‘directions’ and then type in the address from which you are starting. Through the magic of modern technology (and Mapquest), complete directions will pop up on your screen in just a few seconds! Then again, if you are a man and like me, forgo the directions, drive until you run out of gas, ask the station attendant or tow truck driver (1) where you are and (2) where are we from there. In no time, you’ll be here. Then again, when no one is watching, get the directions off our web site, memorize then, then throw them away before anyone finds out you needed them. –Max
Winterizing Your Filter And Protecting Your Wallet
A couple of tips:
1. If you have a sand filter, the last act of the season should be to do a thorough backwash—2-3 minutes.
2. After you have shut down the system and disconnected pipes or hoses, remove the drain plug at the bottom of the tank.
3. Leave plugs OUT for the winter. Too many people drain the filter, then put the plugs back in so they won’t lose them. If you do this you’ll have a drain plug next year, but you’ll need a new filter. Water and condensation inside will drain to the bottom, freeze, and crack the filter.
4. If you live in areas with excessively high calcium, consider emptying all the sand out of the tank for the winter. Calcium accumulation can block the drain port and cause freeze up, even with the plugs removed.
5. Store drain plugs inside the hair and lint pot on the front of the motor.
Get in your hot tub and celebrate your accomplishment and enjoy the hot tub season. No hot tub? Hmmmmm…. –Max
If Your Pool Is Still Open . . .
Don’t put it to bed for the winter without cleaning it thoroughly. With leaves falling as fast as the temperature, there is a natural tendency to say “I’ll clean it up next spring!” Leaves bleed their juices and can leave an organic stain on a liner on the gunite surface. This can be difficult to remove in the spring. Just think of a big old catsup stain on a white dress shirt. It can be ugly and it may never totally lift.
A debris free pool at closing is a pristine looking liner in the spring. –Max
Winter Cover Pumps
Just a reminder to all that use an electronic cover pump to bring it in when we get our first freeze or snow of the year. Many people leave them out all year and forget to bring it in. Take the extra time and you could be saving yourself some money by storing it away until the weather breaks. Also, if you are in need of a cover pump, we have a great selection to choose from.
Keep Your Furniture Looking Great!
If you plan on keeping your furniture outside for the winter, cover it up. We have a great line of protective covers that will keep the furniture looking great for years to come. And remember, if you have tubular furniture and you hear water sloshing inside, it must be drained to avoid serious damage to the furniture. Tubular furniture has weep holes that are well hidden in low points. Make sure those holes are not blocked. –Max
Winter Cover Pumps
Just a reminder to all that use an electronic cover pump to bring it in when we get our first freeze or snow of the year. Many people leave them out all year and forget to bring it in. Take the extra time and you could be saving yourself some money by storing it away until the weather breaks. Also, if you are in need of a cover pump, we have a great selection to choose from.
A Riddle
Questions: What’s green, brown, and dirty all over?
Answer: Your pool water in the spring, if your pool isn’t properly winterized!
Some hints:
- Don’t use liquid chlorine (shock) to winterize. Chlorine is an oxidizer and it will eat away at your cover, weakening the seams and causing it to split out, dumping whatever is on top into the water.
- Don’t hang jugs from the grommets. The intense pressure will rip out the eyelets and fray the fabric. Same end result as in #1!
- Don’t drop your water so low that it puts excessive strain on the cover. Yep—same result. Gunk into the pool AND you potentially damage the rails of the pool. Use our step-by-step winterizing guide at eastgatepools.com.
- If you have an in-ground pool, don’t use block, logs, planters, or other items that can damage the pool if they get pulled into the pool. This causes torn covers and you guessed it—everything into the pool that you don’t want. They can also tear up your liner.
- Before covering the pool, vacuum it and get all the leaves out. If left in, they will rot and stain the liner.
- Consider a leaf cover that goes over the winter cover. It captures the leaves as they fall and when they are all down, just peel the leaf cover (and unwanted leaves) off the main cover, clean the leaf cover, and store it away for next year. It makes it easier to keep the gunk off the winter cover.
- Don’t listen to your neighbor or ‘Uncle so-and-so’, who knows a “better” way to close the pool. Use us and use our complete winterizing checklist. It’s free to anyone that wants one here at the store and it is also on our web site.
–Max
How Does Your Pool Look?
It’s the end of summer and the Labor Day fireworks blew us all away with amazing things they are now able to do. We have had a great season to enjoy our pools this year but now maybe your water looks a little dingy. It is most likely a build up of oils and lotions from all of the skin care products or sunscreens. A good way to combat this is with a SunSorb, which floats in the skimmer and absorbs the lotions. We also carry a product call Pool Pizzazz that breaks down those lotions and oils. Remember, whenever you have a question about your pool don’t be afraid to call in and ask. Trust me we have heard them all.
Back To School
I cannot believe it is already time for the children to go back to
school. I never did like it when my children were school age and now
that my daughter is a teacher I still dread this time of year. To me
it is an end of the time my daughter and I are off on the same days
and also the end her extra time with my granddaughter.
Now is also the time that many people with pools start to think about
closing their pools. For those with an aboveground pool it is not a
difficult task to tackle themselves. Our website has a "how to"
section under the "tips" heading. Many inground pool owners opt to
have their pool closed by a professional. It saves them time,
especially if they have a safety cover. It also assures the owner
that the job will be done correctly with no frozen pipes,pumps or
filters. This gives the owner a little extra peace of mind over the
next three seasons
