Heat Pumps—there is no downside!
I’ve been working at Eastgate Pools for a very long time and when I first started, there were two constants.
- Dinosaurs were present on the earth.
- When people wanted a pool heater, they purchased a gas-fired heater (natural gas or propane).
While dinosaurs are now extinct (are they really?), gas-fired heaters are approaching the same status. Heat pumps have become the rage and for good reason. Even though they cost more up front, they offer several advantages.
- They cost less to run. For example, if you had a 200,000 Btu propane heater, you would burn over two gallons of propane every hour it is on. At $2.75/gallon, that 200,000 Btu heater would cost you approximately $6.00 EVERY hour it is fired up. (1 gallon of propane generates approximately 91,500 Btu). A quality heat pump will operate for about 10-15% of that. Natural gas costs are not as high, but the estimated savings are still well over half.
- A gas-fired heater operating in a pool with low pH will quickly get damaged or destroyed by the acidic water, and the copper that etches out of the heater can stain your pool’s liner. Remember that big rainstorm that dropped your pool’s pH from 7.4 to 6.7 seemingly overnight? That’s a doubly-whammy! Hello heat pump! Low pH will not affect the heat pump in the same way. While we always recommend keeping your pool in balance, heat pumps are a lot more ‘forgiving’.
- Environmentally, the heat pump will have a less significant impact and is considered a ‘green’ product. Mother Earth will appreciate your consideration.
We are proud to sell Aqua Pro heat pumps. We’ll stack them up against any system on the market and our customers seem to agree as our sales on these double every year.
Now…about the dinosaurs. Yes…they still are around. They are called ‘birds’ and scientists generally agree that birds are indeed ‘living aviary dinosaurs’. As Casey Stengel said, “you can look it up.” Now there’s another old-timer. –Max
The Urge for the Immediate Pool Install
One thing that has always confused me is the tendency of our society to seek instant gratification even if that means making major compromises. As the economy appears to be turning a corner and business is picking up I have run into this very situation with some of my potential inground customers. Some of these customers have chosen an opposing company simply because that company can install the pool a few weeks sooner. In most of these situations the other companies have that luxury because they don’t have as many pool sales…and I’m willing to bet there are reasons for that. I never try to speak ill of our competition, but I encourage anyone looking for a pool to think long term. If you would have chosen company A over company B because of quality, service, and reputation why would you give all of that up for a few extra weeks? I can tell you with our pool you will have it for a lifetime and I hate to see anyone sacrifice what they want for the short-term effects of an earlier install. If you happen to be looking for a pool I hope you will consider the long-term advantages of a company like Eastgate Pools over “Bill’s Pools” just because he can start your pool tomorrow. The costs are certainly likely to outweigh the benefits.
Pool Filters and Their Relationship to Water Chemistry
There are two main things to keep in mind with pool season coming around the corner. Filtration and proper water chemistry. As a new season begins we are faced with algae, waste, calcium buildup and numerous metal inhabitants. The greatest thing pool-owners need to keep in mind is that without proper filtration, water’s chemistry can be improperly balanced. These two work hand in hand like the crank-shaft of a bicycle and its chain. If the chain is off, the gears can turn all day but will not get you anywhere. With pools we find that you can add all the eliminators, algicides and balancers you want but without an adequately functioning filter you will never see the desired results. Whether you are using a diatomaceous earth filter, sand filter or cartridge filter you must assure yourself that the system is functioning correctly.
Some ways to test your filters performance are:
- Check your pumps lid. If your pump lid is full of water yet has a small amount of air, this can be a cavitation problem. Cavitation is the presence of air in a liquid line. Air is a sign of pump cavitation and thereby is showing an air leak on the suction side of the system. If you find a leak contact us here at the store and we can offer you ideas on how to check and fix this leak.
- Look at the water flow returning into the pool. If the water flow is not returning with force there is some sort of obstruction in the line. Some possible obstructions are leaves or debris in the pump or skimmer basket. These things impede water flow.
- A dirty filtration system is another very common issue.
- With sand systems the filter can be backwashed.
- With diatomaceous earth systems you can “bump” the filter. Bumping is a process where you knock the diatomaceous earth off of the internal fingers or grids. This dirty diatomaceous earth falls to the bottom of the filter and the usable diatomaceous earth is recycled through the system. If too much of the diatomaceous earth is filthy with dirt and grime you will need to drain the entire system, clean it and introduce new diatomaceous earth to the system to regain proper flow.
- Cartridge systems can sometimes be cleaned as simply as removing the filter and spraying it with a water hose. From time to time a cartridge will need a chemical cleaning. For these chemical cleanings we suggest FC-5 cleaner which is a detergent and acid based chemical that will cleanse dirt and break down solidified materials in the cartridge.
*NOTE* Cartridges need to be replaced periodically.
Once you have diagnosed your filter you can begin to start balancing your pool’s water chemistry. As always, we can check your water in-store. This enables us the ability to enter you into our system or update your file to cater to your needs. We can then offer you suggestions for chemicals and proper application. Always keep in mind, a clean pool begins with the filter.
Did you know?
That the Cincinnati Recreation Commission has been providing public swimming for over 80 years?
There are over 10 million swimming pools in the USA, according to the National Swimming Pool Foundation
2 Piece swimsuits were introduced in 1943
In 1912, women’s swimming event were added to the Olympic Games
Michael Phelps owns the record for most Gold medals in an Olympic games, can you name the previous holder? Hint: Happened in 1972
Just some fun things I found and thought some of you might like it.
Tim
The Changing Face of Shopping
I started selling pools 17 years ago, after building them for 12 years. (Kind of gives away my age a little, doesn’t it?) In that time, I have seen a major shift in how people shop for the products we sell—hot tubs, pools, casual furniture…just about everything. It’s called the Internet. Hey—it’s where you are now so I must be onto something here. I’d like to invite you to check EVERYTHING out while you visit our site. We strive to provide you with enough information to make your search fruitful and we even link you to many of the manufacturer’s sites. But remember that pictures and words don’t replace putting your hands on the spa or pool table you are considering, and until you actually experience the high-flow motors we put on both our above ground and in-ground pools, pictures just aren’t adequate. Plus, our expert sales staff can answer any questions you might have while you are here.
So look over our web site, pick out some goodies, then come in and see them in person. –Max
H2O Detective: The Case of the Mistaken Diagnosis
It was a hot day at the beginning of August and the store was finally starting to slow down a little after a long summer of extremely heavy customer volume. Harold Osborne II, A.K.A. H2O detective, had just finished up a standard water test and the next customer came up to the test station and held over her bottle. She was a rather small lady of about 5′ tall and in her mid thirties. She was wearing squared eye glasses and had short brown hair. She had a rather smart look to her and for some reason Harold imagined her in a college library studying for an exam.
“I am at my wits end. I am hoping that you can help me out. I’ve been taking my water sample to a different pool store and I have dumped over $100 in Phosphate remover to try and get my pool to hold chlorine and get rid of the algae and nothing seems to work. The phosphates have come down some, but I can’t get completely rid of them. I have a friend that brings her water here and she says that you guys are the best.” She said with a tone of exasperation.
“Tell your friend thanks for speaking so highly of us. I hope we can live up to the hype.” Harold started filling the sample tubes with water then reagents. By the time the reagents were dissolved there really was no need to run it though the machine, because after testing thousands of waters he knew what the results were by color. The tests were always nonetheless run through the machine and recorded into the store data base for future reference. He proceeded to type the customers information into the computer and run the test.
“It does show that there is zero chlorine in your pool, your PH is fine and your phosphate are a little high at 1300 parts per billion. How much chlorine have you been putting in and how often?” asked Harold.
“That’s exactly what I am talking about. This has been going on for over two weeks. I’ve put three treatments of phosphate remover in and I’ve been putting about two gallons of chlorine in the pool nearly every day for the last week and about once every two days prior to that and the problem doesn’t go away. I just can’t seem to get the phosphates down low enough to have the chlorine stay in the water.” She responded, rather despondently.
“Well, in my opinion you are treating one of the potential causes rather then treating the problem itself. The phosphates are not eating the chlorine, it is actually the chlorine is spending itself oxidizing the algae. The problem is, you have 20,000 gallons of water in your pool. If everything is going great and you just need a weekly shock, two gallons is the perfect amount. You, however do not have a perfect situation. You have a mildly bad situation and you need to treat it as such. I would recommend that you put in 8 bags of shock and some Eliminator to completely wipe out the algae.” Suggested Harold.
“8 bags of shock? That sounds like a lot.” Exclaimed the customer. “Can I try less? What about the Phosphates? They are still high!”
“The problem is…” retorted Harold, “this is science, and if you do the math, less just isn’t going to give you a positive outcome. One molecule of chlorine will go and kill one algae cell, the problem is, if you don’t kill them all off, they multiple at and incredible rate. If you don’t kill them all off at one time, the money you’ve spent on half measures are a complete waste of time and money, because by the time you do your next application the algae has multiplied back to the same level you were at the day prior. It’s better to take care of the problem once and for all. As far as the phosphates go, reducing phosphates is a tool, not an end all solution to fixing a problem or preventing a new problem from occurring. There are other weapons we can use to prevent algae, rather then phosphate removers. The problem with phosphate removers are, phosphates are naturally reoccurring and you will be constantly chasing after that ‘White Whale’ with little success.”
With a look of surrender the customer agreed to take Harold’s advice. She bought her chemicals and promised to follow up with a report and another water test in three days. There is very little Harold hasn’t seen in his line of work and this was no exception. As expected he had to really sell the answer he was suggesting, because it was going against what the customer believed and was told at a different establishment. He was confident that his solution would work and she would be in a lot better frame of mind the next time he saw her.
New Item . . . EZ Drain Covers
New for us this year is the EZ Drain cover. This cover takes the aboveground pool cover to the next level. Traditionally aboveground pool covers take a beating when there is too much water on top of the cover. The opposite can be just as much of an issue when the wind whips the cover up and down. With the EZ Drain cover you have a mesh center that allows water to pass through a drain that is connected to your pool return fitting. The cover maintains just the right amount of water on the cover and saves you the unnecessary waste of dropping your pool water level for winter. In addition to these great features, the cover also boasts the highest thread count of any of our winter cover options at 15 strands by 15 strands per square inch. All of these features will help extend the life of the cover and save you the hassle of draining water from your cover during those cold and miserable days.
Craig
Clean Your Skimmer Basket And Save Yourself Some $!
It’s simple. Leaves drop from the trees and the wind carries them to your pool. The filter does its job and sucks the leaves into the skimmer basket. They build and build, and water flow is reduced. The pressure from the motor cracks the skimmer basket and the leaves travel on their merry way to the basket on the front of the motor. The pressure re-builds and that basket cracks, allowing the leaves to get pulled into the impeller housing where they clog it. Now no water is going through the system and the motor continues to run.
What are you out? At the minimum, a basket or two. Pretty minor expense, but if the motor is allowed to run with little or no water going through it, you may burn out the motor. Big problem and big expense!
The solution: When leaves begin to drop, check your basket every morning and every evening and empty it. It only takes a minute but it could save you hundreds of dollars. –Max
What’s A Pool Without The Toys?
Okay—so you have a pool. But what about the goodies that go inside? You know—TOYS! Eastgate Pools has a complete line of pool toys, floats, lounge chairs, and mats. But these are the ‘common’ things. How about pool golf? Got it! Underwater skateboard. Yep—we have that too. In fact, we have a really nice selection of uncommon things that go perfectly with pool fun. How about a remote-control Water Soaker or an inflatable pool slide? Maybe you are an aerial acrobat. So how about a small plane that does loop-d-loops—underwater!
These are just a few of the fun items that can keep the kids happy and entertained—and you too. –Max
Keeping Your Pool Algae Free
It is the time of year when some customers run into algae issues. There are several contributing causes:
1. Low pH water will oxidize chlorine much quicker than pool water properly balanced. The rate can be dramatic—twice as fast, or even more. With low pH, it’s hard to keep any chlorine in the water.
2. Low stabilizer. Hey—it’s hot out there and the sun is bright. Without proper stabilizer levels, you will burn through chlorine. Stabilizer, also know as conditioner, is intrinsic to having clear water as it helps ‘hold’ chlorine in the water. Without proper levels you are destined to have a green pool. Low stabilizer=No chlorine? Algae will bloom.
As the water temperature rises, your chlorine need will grow. For every 10 degrees of water temperature rise, beginning with water temperature of about 70 degrees, you will need about 25% more chlorine in the water. Quite simply, chlorine gasses off at high rates as the water heats up. Right now, most pools have water temperatures in the high 80’s or even into the low 90’s. Pools with a water temperature of 90 degrees will need 50% more chlorine than when the water was just getting comfortable back in late April or early May. Adjust accordingly.
Debunking An Aboveground Myth…#2
The vast majority of our customers that have shopped around for aboveground pools come in to the store looking for a resin pool because that is what they have heard is the best. Well, you won’t get that same endorsement here. The argument is always that resin won’t rust like steel. The question you should immediately ask at that point is why is the wall made of steel then? The reason…steel is stronger. The same applies for toprails and uprights. While it is true that resin doesn’t rust it does chalk, discolor, crack, and warp. If properly protected through hot dip galvanization, and other methods steel will provide you with a much more durable and long lasting pool than resin. Not all resin is bad, but gas assist injection molded resins are far more expensive to produce and that is not what you are going to get with pool “specials”. Our inground pool manufacturer uses the story of bridges to explain why steel is superior and I have to agree. You don’t often see bridges made of plastic. Consider the fact that we have installed over 3200 steel wall inground pools and never replaced a single panel in almost 32 years. If that isn’t validation, I don’t know what is.
It’s Not Too Late
It happens every year. A prospective pool buyer stops in to check out a pool for “next year”. They say it is too late to do get one this season because they’ll miss too much of this year’s swim season. A couple of points:
- Summer officially arrived on June 21 at 1:16 pm. That means there is a boat-load (or pool-load) of time left to swim.
- The hottest months are July and August. Anybody want to take bets on what month is the hottest? I’ll take July, with August close behind.
- School doesn’t start up until late August and a few places start in September. Do you want the kids hanging around the house watching TV and nagging you? C’mon—get them a pool and have some fun with them.
- Some people think they will be cheaper this fall or maybe even next year. Perhaps some people will find a season-ending deal, but we’ve already sold out of about 30% of our models and sizes. There may not be much selection left because the people that are swimming now got the pool they wanted and are using it NOW!
So, do you want to procrastinate for another year or do you want to cool off and have some fun? –Max
A Scientific Look At Algae And Carbon Dioxide
Most of us look at algae as a horrible, disgusting, pain-in-the-neck that can easily ruin a summer. While this is, at times, true, we also need to remember that it is just a plant. As a science teacher, I love to take moments like this to refresh our brains on some scientific processes. The one I’d like to focus on this time is Photosynthesis.
Water + Carbon Dioxide + Sunlight à Glucose (sugar = plant food) + Oxygen
Swimming pools have all three necessary ingredients readily available for plants to be able to create their own food, and therefore, live. Water? Check (duh). Carbon Dioxide? Check (thank anything that breathes for that). Sunlight? Check (hopefully!). Plants, like all forms of algae, use those things to create glucose, for their food, and produce oxygen as a wonderful and necessary byproduct. Now, if we remove one of the necessary elements needed for Photosynthesis to occur, algae cannot survive. A new product that we have on the scene will do just that. Our new Tri-Tech tabs, and other coordinating chemicals, contain Sodium Tetra-Borates. Basically, as you use these chemicals, the Borates will build up in your water, ridding it of carbon dioxide. Without the carbon dioxide, algae cannot thrive. What’s the best way to quickly build up your Borate level, you ask? Well, the best way to accomplish this is to use the Pro-Team Supreme! While the initial dosage of 2 lbs. per 1,000 gallons is a little overwhelming, once you add it to your pool water, it will only come out through dilution or splash out. Because Pro-Team Supreme is just straight-up Borates with no additional chemicals, it will immediately spike your level, leading to less of a need for chlorine and an algae-free summer! This stuff is so good, even Disney World uses it to keep all of their pools algae free (without having to use as much of that harsh chlorine). Stop into Eastgate Pools today to ask us more about this new product, and remember, science is all around you!
How Can You Not Love Cincinnati?
With things like Graeter’s Ice Cream, Skyline Chili, Hudy Beer, and did I mention the weather. Where else in the world can you get at least 3 if not all 4 of the seasons in one week? Alright so seriously, the ability of the weather to turn on a dime is one of the most maddening things about this city, along with the traffic on I-275 north in the morning. It is however weather changes like this that make the need for a solar cover that much greater in this area. The mid to upper 80′s mid week to the 50′s at the beginning of the next, by using the solar cover the warmth that was created by the sun is trapped in the pool by the solar cover instead of floating off into the atmosphere. For those of you with heaters you are even more familiar with the need for the solar cover, looking out your window on a cool morning and watching the heat that you paid for to put in the pool rising off as steam. Granted adding a solar cover is not going to raise the temperature 20 degrees in a day, but you could honestly expect 3-5 degrees on a warm sunny day. This is where the high need of a solar cover comes in. The warm water is less dense than the cold water and rises to the top, and as such is what evaporates at night. By putting the solar blanket on it will trap that heat in your pool water. I realize solar covers can be bulky and difficult to be removed or put on by one person, and that is where a cover reel would come in handy. The ability to simply turn a crank and wind the cover up is kind of a dream come true. The other option is a liquid solar blanket which creates a “skin” on the surface of the water that cannot be seen, felt, or tasted but does prevent the evaporation of the pool water. I invite you to stop in and speak to one of our sale associates about which heat retention system is right for you. Hope to see you soon.
What To Look For In An Aboveground Pool
It is a common question to hear a customer ask what they should look for in an aboveground pool. I always answer them with a question and ask what they want out of the pool. It may be tough to narrow down to a few items what you should look for but I’m going to give it a shot for you.
It is very important to have a large steel frame that will give you proper support and strength. Some pools come with a lot of plastic components and you want to try and avoid these because they get brittle and break. Watch out for those cheap pools you see that have the tiny toprails or those blow up rubber pools. The last thing to remember is you want to make sure that you buy your pool from Eastgate Pools & Spas and not from one of those fly by night guys down the street.
