Here’s a simple fix to water loss issues…

A simple fix if you’re pool is losing water… 

If your pool is losing more than about 5/8″ of water in any 24 hour period, there’s likely water loss taking place…somewhere.

Keep in mind that during summer months, it’s not uncommon for a pool to lose 1/2″ a day due to evaporation.  Don’t be alarmed – it’s likely nothing abnormal.

The first step is to confirm there is a leak taking place.

Take a piece of electrical tape (or any type of colored tape that will stick to tile, pebble or your pool surface) and place it directly above the water line in your pool.

Go check the water line 24 hours later – if there’s more than 5/8″ water loss, we need to put on our “detective hat” and get to work.

Start with the most likely source of the leak. Turn the equipment on and check the backwash hose for any water coming out.  It’s extremely common to break/tear a backwash o-ring (due to normal wear/tear) – this will cause water to get discharged out of the backwash valve.

Even though it may be a slow leak, it’s constantly taking place while the equipment’s turned on.

If it is the backwash o-ring that’s causing the water loss, head down to your local retailer and grab a new o-ring set (they’re typically around $10.00 for the set).  When replacing the o-rings don’t just replace the faulty one…replace the entire set (there will be 2 or 3 o-rings depending on the make/manufacturer).

If you have a multi-port assembly, there will be 1 spider gasket at the very top of the backwash port.

If the loss isn't taking place at the backwash port/valve, it’s time to dive in a bit deeper.  

Check for any cracks at/in the skimmer as well as any water spots throughout the yard.  Although return side plumbing leaks are pretty rare – they do happen and the repair isn't fun.

Steps to Winterizing

Pool Anti-Freeze: There is one thing that all pools have in common from Intex pools to elaborate custom in-ground pools: After you blow the water out of your pool’s plumbing it is always better to be safe than sorry and protect the lines with Non-Toxic Pool Anti-freeze. Pour it into the skimmer, or use a funnel and hose to drain it into return lines or pool cleaner lines. Do Not use in pumps, filters, heaters or chlorinators – pipes only.

Winterizing Plugs: In many sizes, threaded plugs and rubber expansion plugs all serve the same purpose and that is to plug the skimmers, returns and cleaner lines. Winter plugs keep water Out of your pool’s plumbing and to keep the anti-freeze In the pipe. One of the smallest, least costly accessories for closing your pool is also one of the most important. Without pool plugs, your pool cannot be considered really “closed”.

Chlorine-Free Pool Shock: Another versatile universal pool closing go-to is our oxidizing non-chlorine shock. It’s safe for any pool surface, and helps your chlorine by burning-off dead chlorine cells to create more free chlorine in your water. It will not affect your pools pH level or add calcium, binders or cyanuric acid to the water. One of the best reasons to close a pool with non-chlorine shock is that it won’t break down winter algaecide, like chlorine shock will if both are added at the same time.

Aqua Pill’s Winter Pill: Unlike the indie rock band band from Massachusetts Winter pills, the Winter Pill is a winter pool chemical that combines enzymes, clarifier, stain fighters, and scale treatment into one set-it-and-forget-it pill.  All you have to do is poke a hole in the the pill with the provided pin and drop it in the water. It does the rest of the work and slowly releases the solution throughout the winter. For both above and in-ground pools.

Pool Magic Spring and Fall + Phos-Free: Another popular winter pool treatment combines two of Natural Chemistry’s products, Pool Magic and Phos-Free. Pool Magic has enzymes specially designed to work best in cold water, and with a  tremendous appetite for dirt, oil and grime. With the phosphate remover Phos-Free, algae will not have the nutrients it needs to grow in your pool as the water warms-up in Spring. Great for any pool owner, but especially useful for pools with mesh safety covers that allow fine particles and sunlight to sift through.

Ultimate Winterizing Pool Kit: Save money with an In the Swim Winterizing Pool Kit. Dr. Pool’s closing kits are chlorine free, so they’re safe for all pools and all pool surfaces.  The Ultimate kit has a bottle of Metal Free and also Pool Magic+Phosfree, 3 lbs of Non-Chlorine Shock, and a slow-release floater with 4 lbs of winter oxidizer (chlorine free). Also available is the less expensive Winter Kit which features the same products as the Ultimate Kit but with Winter Algaecide and Stain Away instead of the Natural Chemistry Products.

Water Tubes: For in-ground pools without a safety cover, the humble water bag, or water tubes. It’s the pool product that everyone hates to buy, but every year you need to buy at least a six-pack of water tubes to replace those that pop holes. Double tubes are best, because they are still usable if one side gets a hole. Instead of water tubes, try Aqua Blocks, 3 ft long plastic water tubs with a snap-on lid. Don’t use bricks, blocks or lumber. Besides looking bad, it could damage your pool cover.

Cover Pumps: Solid winter covers have the added benefit of not allowing sunlight through, which can lead to an algae bloom, and they are not mesh so they prevent dirt, pollen and other unwanted debris from passing through as well. However, they also do not allow rain water or snow melt through either. Automatic cover pumps are activated when a small amount of water collects turning on to pump off the water, through an attached garden hose. Large cover pumps like the Aqua Pro 1/3 hp can also be used for lowering pool water level, draining hot tubs, boats or flooded basements.

A Wet/Dry Vac: Perhaps a Shop Vac isn't the first thing that pool owners think of when they think of pool supply necessities. No pool can be safely closed with water still in the lines, and no one wants to run the risk of burst or cracked plumbing due to water freezing. A large shop vac (5 HP) can be used to blow out skimmer and return lines. To blow out pool pipes best, and to force water out of main drain lines, use something like the Cyclone Vac to get enough air volume and pressure.

Covers, covers, and covers: For in-ground pools with solar cover reels, the Solar Reel Cover protects your solar blanket from sun and snow. It’s a cover for your cover! And using a Pool Heater Cover protects your heater from moisture, debris and critters. Cover the surface of diving boards to add years to its lifespan. Nobody wants to jump off a cracked and peeling board and a simple Diving Board Cover can keep that from happening.

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Winterizing your pool like a professional is not so hard when you have the right stuff! Sometimes the smallest accessories can make the biggest impact and prevent a spring surprise. 

How to get rid of pool algae

How to get rid of pool algae

If your swimming pool is cleaned, maintained and serviced by the pool service professionals from The Blue Lagoons Pool Dallas, Texas, chances are you will never walk into your backyard and notice a green swimming pool. When we’re talking “green pool” here, we are not talking about an environmentally friendly or eco-friendly pool structure — what we are talking about is that dread time when your pool is taken over by algae.

Algae is a green, blue or black slippery substance that can coat your pool walls, floor and pool cover and when it strikes it can be difficult to remove. Algae abatement typically requires the services of an experienced pool contractor and will likely mean your pool will need to be super-chlorinated aka shocked, maybe more than once, and it may leave the pool out of commission for a period of time.

Beginning signs of algae

If you notice your swimming pool has taken on a greenish hue… that is a cause for concern and should lead you to pick up the telephone and call your pool contractor for help. That green you’re seeing is the beginning of algae.

What is algae?

It is a one-celled plant that is typically green but can also turn the pool water myriad unpleasant colors and leave a slimy, slick residue. Once you notice it, – and it’s most prevalent in plaster swimming pools because the rough surface of that building material provides a place for the one-celled plants to cling to. This doesn't mean that only plaster pools can be plagued by this slimy monster!

Working with the swimming pool service providers from Swim Pure Pools helps assure the pool water will not be taken over by algae. Even in the most well maintained pool can become home to algae. The spores that lead to algae can be carried in on the winds or by those who swim in the pool.

A shallow-end in the pool may be more prone to algae bloom because the water heats up more quickly. Your pool contractor will be diligent in checking these areas as well as the areas around and behind your pool steps and ladders.

Algae can take a lot of work to remove once it’s taken hold because it not only requires a thorough cleaning of the pool itself, but the filters and other equipment and will likely involve your pool being super-chlorinated aka shocked to kill off any remaining spores.

Polaris Pool Cleaner Retrofit

The Polaris pressure cleaner revolutionized automatic pool cleaning when it was introduced in the early 70’s.

Before then, pool cleaners were really just ‘stirrer-uppers’; they didn't actually vacuum the pool. Polaris took the booster pump design advanced by Arneson, and attached a pool cleaner with a venturi vacuum.

The nation’s largest pool builders began offering a choice of a vacuum cleaner line, or the newer, pressure cleaner line. Anthony Pools installed thousands of “Antho-Sweep” cleaners, a private labeled Polaris 180.

Today’s post is about installing a Polaris pressure cleaner on an in ground pool – where none has existed before. In a nutshell, installing a Polaris cleaner involves 3 Steps:

1. Install or Convert a dedicated cleaner pipe
2. Wire up the booster pump to a Time clock
3. Cut the Polaris hoses to proper length

DEDICATED POLARIS CLEANER LINE

Dedicated simply means that the pipe is used only for one purpose, to connect the pool cleaner. You need a pipe (or hose) that carries water from the booster pump to the cleaner.

Converting a Suction Cleaner Line: Older pools, or pools in a suction cleaner market (Hi, Florida!), may have a dedicated suction cleaner line that brings water into the filter pump. By cutting and capping the pipe that goes into the pump, and redirecting the pipe to connect with the Polaris booster pump, you can convert the suction line into a pressure line.

Converting a Jandy Ray-Vac Line: Sylvan pools and others often installed a low-pressure pool cleaner line, after the pump but before the filter, with a 3-way valve to divert water through the Energy filter and to the Jandy Ray-Vac pool cleaner. Cut out the Energy filter and cap the pipe after the 3-way valve. Install a Tee fitting in the pool return pipe, after all other equipment, and after any spa jet line, to supply the booster pump with water.

Installing a New Dedicated Cleaner Line:  The first thing to do is to call 811, and have a guy come out to mark the property for underground utilities, so you don’t hit any power or gas lines.

Dig a Trench: After underground utilities are marked, trench from where the booster pump will be located on the equipment pad, to a point midway along the longest wall of the pool. From the edge of the deck to the pool, you can either go under the deck and through the pool wall, or over the deck hose installation.

Thru the Wall:  For this method, you continue the trench underneath the pool deck, digging a tunnel beneath until you reach the wall. Then use a rotary hammer drill with a 7/8” bit to drill through the pool wall to the other side. Slide a ¾ inch PVC pipe through the wall with a ¾” threaded female fitting on the wall side. Chip out the wall on both sides so that you can make a thick, rounded patch around the pipe on both ends. Inject an epoxy sealant around the pipe on both sides of the wall, and then pack it  at least 1” deep and 4” wide with hydraulic cement. Finish around the pipe with pool plaster mix on the pool side.

Over the Deck: For this method, stub the pipe up out of the ground next to the pool deck, and use a 90° fitting just above the height of the pool deck. Using quick connect garden hose fittings, attach a short length of 3/4″ HD garden hose, to run across the deck. On the pool side end of the hose, a garden hose adapter and Polaris G-9 adapter is used to connect the Polaris cleaner.

WIRE BOOSTER PUMP TO TIME CLOCK

For the Polaris pressure pool cleaner to be fully automatic, one of it’s best features, you wire it to its own time clock, which is powered by its own 15 or 20 amp breaker. If you have a 100 amp sub-panel (small Grey breaker box) at the equipment pad, you probably have enough juice to add a new breaker.

From the booster pump breaker, wires connect to the time clock, and from the time clock, wires connect to the booster pump. Wires must be encased in conduit with proper connection fittings, and the booster pump must be connected to the bare copper bonding wire. An electrician should perform the work, or at least certify that your work meets local codes. See the Polaris booster pump owner’s manual for specific wiring specs.

The booster pump time clock should be programmed or set to turn on the pump, only within the time that the filter pump is operating. In other words, the filter pump should always be running, when the cleaner booster pump is running. Most Polaris pool cleaner timers are set to run about 2 hours per day.

SIZE THE POLARIS TO YOUR POOL

Polaris cleaners come with 32′ of hose, which is more than is needed for most pools. To prevent tangling and improve performance, excess hose is cut-off or trimmed.

The first step is to cut the 10′ section of hose that attaches to the pool cleaner, to the depth of your deepest part of the pool. You can measure your pool depth with a Tele-Pole, and then cut off any excess. In other words, cut the clear hose to match the depth of your pool.

With the hose connected to the wall and the cleaner, stretch out the hose to the furthest point of the pool, and mark the point on the hose. Remove equal amounts of excess hose from the second and third 10′ sections to total the amount of extra hose. Slide the hose floats down and reconnect hose swivels, with arrows in direction of water flow.

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It’s a bit of work to install a Polaris pressure pool cleaner where none has existed before, but not impossible! If you want the best performing pool cleaner, you have to work for it, I suppose.

Halloween Swimming Pool Party

Just as you’re beginning to think that the year is starting to wind down and that all the swimming pool fun is over since the summer has ended, you remember something that gets your heart racing. Halloween is right around the corner!

Every year you and your neighbor take turns out-doing each others decorations, but it’s finally time you stepped up and knocked this Halloween out of the ballpark! “How do I do this?” you may ask yourself. Three words: Haunted Pool Party. Follow this guide to make your Halloween pool party safe, fun and unforgettable!

Halloween Pool Party Ingredients

• In-ground or above-ground swimming pool
• Decorations – spider webs, mummies/zombies, skeletons, etc.
• Jack-O-Lanterns and other fun accent lighting
• Halloween Costumes or Spooky Swimsuits
• Red or Green Pool Light bulbs or Lens Covers
• Lighted floating pool fountain
• Pool Party Red Pool Dye
• Fog machine or strobe light
• Halloween Music & creepy sound effects
• Fun snacks, creepy treats & candy
• Sense of fun and adventure
• Jealous neighbors

How to Make your Halloween pool party SAFE

First things first – before we start having fun, you have to make sure you've covered the basics.  Many times when someone plans a spooky pool party, they tend to forget to take care of the most important element – their pool.  Make sure that your pool is clean and has balanced water.  Move any tripping hazards to a safe location away from the pool. Designate a lifeguard for the party, to keep a big eye on things.

Make sure that all inflatable pool floats are in good condition.  One pool party tip is to inflate them a few days in advance to make sure that your pool float air pump can indeed fill everything and also to check that there aren't any leaks in your pool rafts.  If you are expecting younger swimmers at your haunted pool party, have some fun pool toys and games ready for action!

How to Make your Halloween pool party FUN

Halloween is all about the treats!  No Halloween pool party is complete without a bowl of candy and creepy munchies. There are many fun recipes to be found (like these cute mummy hot dogs) that can make your Halloween pool party fun for young and old. Don’t forget to brew up a cauldron of witches’ brew punch, complete with dry ice for a spooky fog!

When one thinks of a Halloween party, the first thing that comes to mind is what they will wear for the occasion. Dressing up in fun costumes is one of the most exciting parts of Halloween. For those in areas that can still enjoy swimming at this time of year, try to find a fun pool-friendly Halloween costume / Swim Suit.  Aquatic-themed costumes are a blast! Ariel, Neptune, Michael Phelps. Add some ghoulish makeup or props, and you got it!

What’s a Halloween without a pumpkin carving contest?  Make sure to provide a variety of unique pumpkins and all the carving and scooping tools so each guest can create an original Jack O’Lantern. Use small pumpkins that your younger guests can paint up – funny or scary. Including this tradition in your Halloween pool party adds a great activity, becomes a great decoration for the pool party, and finally coupled with a bag of candy – is a great Halloween pool party favor for your guests to take home.

How to Make your Halloween pool party UNFORGETTABLE

Now it’s time to sprinkle in the Halloween magic!  This is where your creativity will take your Halloween pool party to the next level.  On top of traditional Halloween decorations, you now also have an entire new angle to spin – a creepy haunted swimming pool!

First, decorate your backyard and the area around your pool with spider webs & fake spiders, pumpkin leaf bags, ghosts, bats and anything else your heart desires.  A great spooky pool party tip is to lay a stuffed scarecrow/zombie/mummy on a floating chaise lounge which slowly moves around the pool.  Playing some eerie music and sound effects tracks helps create a spine-tingling ambiance.

Second, install a red or green color pool light bulb or lens cover and a lighted tiered fountain in your pool to give it that spooky hue when the sun goes down.  For those that want to go the extra mile, adding some light rolling fog over the pool will give the illuminated water the illusion that it’s alive!  Black Lights can also be used in different areas around the pool.

Finally, during the party, take those freshly-carved Jack O’Lanterns and arrange them around your pool for an even spookier evening glow. Gather your guests around the pool [or in the pool] for one of the most incredible group photos!

The complete Halloween experience

So, as you can see, your swimming pool is not just for summer fun; and can provide a great backdrop to a fun and spooky Halloween party.  Add your own special flair to our starter ideas and create a truly unforgettable pool party, one that will have your whole neighborhood talking for years to come!

Dogs on Pool Floats

Dogs on Pool Floats

Dogs have always loved the water, and for some dogs there is nothing better than a comfortable pool float on a hot day.

Here’s a fun look at some water dogs that are enjoying the dog days of summer while floating in the swimming pool.

GETTING YOUR DOG IN THE POOL

When shark dogs attack! Haha, many dogs aren’t comfortable when wet or are intimidated by the size of the pool.                       

For small dogs, start slow by carrying them into the pool, cradled in your arms. Larger dogs can be led into the steps. Although you can lead a dog to water, you can’t make them swim.

If they are comfortable and not resisting the water, encourage them to swim, and reward their efforts.

Practice swimming to the safety of the pool steps, until they know where all the exits are located.

BEST FLOATS FOR POOL DOGS

It may seem obvious, but your run of the mill inflatable pool rafts and mattresses could be punctured. Dogs also need enough support to lounge like this one shown here.

Closed foam pool floats are durable, but most dogs prefer the larger pool floats filled with eps foam beads and covered in a sturdy mesh fabric, like the Aqua Cloud pool float.

Larger dogs, or more than one can stretch out on the 5’x6′ Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville NeoSoff Mattress. Neoprene covered PVC bladder is tough and comfy.

Get your dog in the pool, but remember to watch dogs closely while in the pool, to lend a hand if needed

Halloween Pool Party

Halloween Pool Party

For you folks in the sunny south, from Virginia Beach to Miami on the east and Fresno to San Diego on the west - a Halloween Pool Party is doable. 

Swim season may be past for most pool owners, except in deepest Florida and Texas, but your pool can still play host to a spooky pool party.

All you need for a Halloween Pool Party is some themed decorations and lighting to go around the pool, some scary snacks and fun party music mix, with some spooky favorites.

Here's some ideas for all 3 - Halloween pool party decorations, snacks and music mix ideas.

Halloween Pool Party Decorations

Silhouette your Pool Floor. As shown in our feature image above, you can cut out jack-o-lantern, witch or ghost shapes from heavy vinyl or plastic and lay them on the pool floor (be careful with vinyl pools!).

Float something Scary. Like these carvable funkins, made from low density foam. Cut some scary faces and float them in the pool with a tea candle or small battery light.

Another idea could be floating plastic witches hats, or a skeleton relaxing on one of your pool floats. 

Die the Pool Red. Party Pool is a non-toxic dye that you add to the pool for a deep blood red color. It filters out in just a few days and won't stain your pool (use as directed).

To add more fear factor, drop in some Halloween store props, like severed heads, skeletons or large plastic spiders.

Light up the Pool. Colored LED pool lights put out a deep rich hue, and you can stop it on one color, red or purple perhaps. You can also purchase black light CFL bulbs, and swap out the pool light bulbs for the party.

Fog Machine - now there's an idea. Set one up to create a cool effect across the surface of the pool.

Halloween Pool Party Snacks

Shrunken Head Punch. Make any type of punch you like, and add these 'shrunken heads', which are actually apples that have been soaked in lemon juice, carved and then baked for a few minutes to shrivel them up. Scary!

Another way to make any punch scary is to add a cube of dry ice so that it fogs up and spills over onto the table. Or, add a ring of regular ice, frozen in a bundt pan, with gummy worms in the ice. 

Mummies in a Blanket. You already know how to make these, a great party food for all ages.

Use cocktail wienies or full size dogs cut in half. Cut crescent roll dough into strips and wrap the dogs up in a criss cross fashion.

Bake according to package directions. Allow to cool, then dot on some eyes with mustard or ketchup.

Candy Corn Jello Shots. Fun and Festive! To make these you need about 10 oranges, orange Jello, coconut milk, sugar and whipped cream vodka. Mmmm. Sounds good!

10 oranges will yield about 80 of these, cut into quarters, each with only about 1/5 of an ounce of vodka. Of course, you can make them stronger if you wish, or skip the vodka all together and serve them family style.