Algae Infested Pools And Chuck Norris
…Continuing my movie and actor related blogs…
It is the time of year where we get some customers that come in to get water tested. (It’s a free service here at Eastgate Pools & Spas!) Unfortunately, some of our customers have pools that have algae in them and want to know how to get rid of it. Well, if the pool was maintained by Chuck Norris, he’d simply walk up to the pool, scare the %#@* out of the algae, and it would go flying off to the neighbor’s pool, thankful to still be alive and free of the “Wrath of Chuck”. But chances are, Chuck Norris isn’t available for an algae exorcism on your pool. So…just bring us a sample of your pool’s water and let us run it through our state-of-the-art testing station. We are happy to get you back on the right path to clean clear, sparkling water. –Max
Spring Has Sprung
It is time to get the winter cover off and the pool ready for another fun summer of swimming.
Here are a couple of helpful tips to make things a little easier. First, when you are ready to start the old sand filter always start it up in the backwash position, after backwashing always rinse the filter before going to the filter position. Remember to stop the pump each time you change the position lever. Always start the season with a clean filter, be it Sand, Cartridge, or D.E.
Second, shock the pool with liquid chlorine before vacuuming the pool. It will make it easier to vacuum. When the water is this cold as it is in the spring use liquid chlorine, as the powder shock may not dissolve before hitting the bottom of the pool. This could leave bleach marks on the liner.
Third, after this is all done and the pool has run for at least 72 hours bring us a waster sample. This time gives the old water and the new water a change to get mixed together so we can get accurate readings to properly balance the pool for a carefree summer. This time frame is really important for those with mesh safety covers and salt pools. These pools generally need salt and stabilizer to get things running smoothly.
Hopefully these few tips will make your opening easier. If you have any questions, please call the store and we will be happy to help you.
Water Samples
I was just thinking of all the different ways people have brought me water samples over the last almost 30 years. Everything from pill bottles (not nearly enough water) to a very cool glow-in- the-dark skull head drinking cup, baby bottles-both blue and pink, and my all time favorite -Tupperware. I have one of the finest collections of free Tupperware of any man in Cincinnati!
POOLS THAT MAKE THEIR OWN CHLORINE!
To those that we built a pool for last year: If you have a chlorine generator on your pool, don’t be surprised if the water goes a little cloudy when you turn on the pool for the first time this spring. When the water is still cold, it is common for the chlorine generator to produce a ‘milky’ look. This is normal and it will clear on it’s own without any specialty chemicals. Save your bucks for the fun things, like floats and toys. If you do have questions call us. Not sure what a chlorine generator is? Definitely call us! -Max
Water Chemistry Expert
Greetings My name is Chet and I am Eastgate Pool’s resident water expert, the man who answers questions about your water’s chemistry. I started in the pool business in 1980 and have worked for Eastgate since 1997. I have worked in every phase of the pool business – from sales to service, but my one real love is solving water chemistry problems. Every pool is different and each has its own unique water qualities and potential problems. It is my job to analyze your water and find solutions to problems you may be facing. Even better, with regular testing, I’m sure I can prevent the problems from ever happening. If you are having a problem bring me a water sample. I’ll go to work and help you get back to water that looks so clear you want to drink it. Come on in and I’ll give you all the help you need. In a future blog I’ll explain how to bring me a proper water sample so we can get the best and most accurate results.