Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Winter Maintenance
Your pool is probably winterized for the season, the off season could be a good time to take of some housekeeping on your pool or equipment. The sand bed in your filter should be changed every 4 to 5 seasons, you can do that with the system winterized so that it is ready to go in the spring. You could also work on upgrades to your equipment like heaters or salt generators, both items that can be added over the winter and will make your spring season much more enjoyable. Swim Things offers off season rates on labor and materials if you would like someone to do the work for you.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Spa Accessories
More and more options for spa owners to help with the maintenance or the comfort of their spa are available in today's market. Now is the time to take advantage of these new items. The basics of spa accessories are steps and cover lifters. We carry a full line of Leisure Concepts products that focus on steps and cover lifters.www.leisureconcepts.com Many of the Leisure Concepts products we have in stock are on sale, either displays or products that have been updated and we need to move our inventory.
The Grit Gitter is a new hand held vacuum that helps clean your spa while you are in it. No hoses or attachments, it floats in spa and is ready to use whenever your in it. Plastic Playing cards, Spa pillows, Fragrances, and LED lights all can add to your spa experience.
Spa chemicals have come along way from the basic days of bromine and chlorine, we'll discuss those in our next post......
The Grit Gitter is a new hand held vacuum that helps clean your spa while you are in it. No hoses or attachments, it floats in spa and is ready to use whenever your in it. Plastic Playing cards, Spa pillows, Fragrances, and LED lights all can add to your spa experience.
Spa chemicals have come along way from the basic days of bromine and chlorine, we'll discuss those in our next post......
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Maintaining your Hot Tub through the winter season
If your like most spa owners, the fall and winter are prime soaking months. These months also can be treacherous for your spa and there are many pitfalls to watch out for. The number one concern for spa owners should be freezing temperatures. Outdoor spas are susceptible to power outages in winter storms, which could lead to freeze damage. Spa covers can typically handle a 300 lb. snow load, but if you get more it can damage the foam core of the cover.
A few tips for winter time maintenance for your spa- 1. Check the water temperature regularly during freezing temperatures. Your spa can maintain it's temperature for a few days if it is not heating, but during cold days, check your water temperature daily. 2. If you lose power to your house, do not lift the spa cover, so you can keep as much heat in the spa as possible, if you feel comfortable draining and winterizing your spa, do that immediately. If not, take off the access door to the equipment and run a service light or space heater in the equipment area. Be careful to not have the space heater too close to PVC or pumps as that could cause an overheat situation and melt the plastic. 3. If you get a large snow or ice storm, attempt to remove heavy snow from the spa cover. Do not use a shovel or metal object to remove the snow, that may cut the vinyl of the cover.
If you find yourself in a bind and can't get your spa winterized or can't add external heat to the equipment area, contact your spa service company (Swim Things) to ask for emergency service of your spa. You would be better off paying for a service call to winterize the spa than cleaning up from freeze damage to your spa plumbing.
A few tips for winter time maintenance for your spa- 1. Check the water temperature regularly during freezing temperatures. Your spa can maintain it's temperature for a few days if it is not heating, but during cold days, check your water temperature daily. 2. If you lose power to your house, do not lift the spa cover, so you can keep as much heat in the spa as possible, if you feel comfortable draining and winterizing your spa, do that immediately. If not, take off the access door to the equipment and run a service light or space heater in the equipment area. Be careful to not have the space heater too close to PVC or pumps as that could cause an overheat situation and melt the plastic. 3. If you get a large snow or ice storm, attempt to remove heavy snow from the spa cover. Do not use a shovel or metal object to remove the snow, that may cut the vinyl of the cover.
If you find yourself in a bind and can't get your spa winterized or can't add external heat to the equipment area, contact your spa service company (Swim Things) to ask for emergency service of your spa. You would be better off paying for a service call to winterize the spa than cleaning up from freeze damage to your spa plumbing.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Closing Chemicals
It's time to close your pool and one of the biggest concerns of pool owners should be, 'how is my pool water going to look when I open it?'
Although there are a number of factors that influence water quality through the winter, the most important factor is photosynthesis. If water is above 55 degrees and is exposed to sunlight, algae can grow. Most pools use some sort of mesh cover that lets sunlight through and most pools get closed when water temperatures are above 55. This means we need a way to prevent algae growth in the late fall and also during the early spring when the pool is still winterized. We recommend a product from Natural Chemistry called 'Pool Magic Spring and Fall'. It is an enzyme based product that lasts through the winter and helps to control the food that algae feed on. It makes the opening of the pool much easier and usually prevents algae growth completely.
Remember to check your water quality in the spring as temperatures warm up and treat for algae before it gets too bad. You can add algicide to the water without circulation to help control algae in the spring.
Although there are a number of factors that influence water quality through the winter, the most important factor is photosynthesis. If water is above 55 degrees and is exposed to sunlight, algae can grow. Most pools use some sort of mesh cover that lets sunlight through and most pools get closed when water temperatures are above 55. This means we need a way to prevent algae growth in the late fall and also during the early spring when the pool is still winterized. We recommend a product from Natural Chemistry called 'Pool Magic Spring and Fall'. It is an enzyme based product that lasts through the winter and helps to control the food that algae feed on. It makes the opening of the pool much easier and usually prevents algae growth completely.
Remember to check your water quality in the spring as temperatures warm up and treat for algae before it gets too bad. You can add algicide to the water without circulation to help control algae in the spring.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Choosing the right winter cover
Choosing the right winter cover can be difficult depending on the end result you are looking for. We will explain the choices and the pros and cons of each.
Poly tarp with UV inhibitor- This cover is the most basic and least expensive. It is installed on top of the pool and secured at the edge of the pool with water tubes. The purpose of the water tubes is to eliminate air gaps to avoid wind getting under the cover and blowing it off of the pool. It is important to line up the water bags end to end with no gaps so it has a tight seal. The positives to this cover are that it is inexpensive and keeps all debris and sunlight out of the pool. No sunlight usually means no algae in the spring. The negatives are that this cover can get unsightly with rancid water and leaves and debris on top of the cover through the winter and in the spring it could make for a big clean up job. Expect to spend between $100 and $200 for this type of cover.
Mesh Safety Cover- This cover is the most common style of cover, it is popular because of its clean appearance through the winter. It is installed with an anchor system that is drilled into the concrete deck with a stainless steel spring that is buckled to the cover. It pulls tight across the pool and looks similar to a trampoline. It is excellent at keeping debris out of the pool and since it is mesh, rain and melted snow and ice drain through it, keeping it clean all winter long. The negative to this style of cover is that sunlight can get through it, which can help the growth of algae and can make opening the pool more of chore. Another thing to consider when purchasing this cover is cost, it is custom fit to your pool and sell for $1000 to $2000 depending on the size and shape of the pool.
Motorized or Automatic Cover- This choice is permanently installed on a tracking system that reels the cover material onto a roller and is stored in a housing build into the concrete deck. This cover has many positives, it can be used as a winter cover as well as a solar cover and a safety cover. It keeps sunlight out as well as debris. It comes with an automatic pump to remove rain water and melted snow. It is easy to install and remove, simply turn a key to activate the reel motor. As long as the cover is cleaned opening the pool in the spring is as easy as turning the key. It is an expensive option with covers ranging from $7000 to $12000.
If you have questions about any of winter covers choices, please call us to discuss it.
Poly tarp with UV inhibitor- This cover is the most basic and least expensive. It is installed on top of the pool and secured at the edge of the pool with water tubes. The purpose of the water tubes is to eliminate air gaps to avoid wind getting under the cover and blowing it off of the pool. It is important to line up the water bags end to end with no gaps so it has a tight seal. The positives to this cover are that it is inexpensive and keeps all debris and sunlight out of the pool. No sunlight usually means no algae in the spring. The negatives are that this cover can get unsightly with rancid water and leaves and debris on top of the cover through the winter and in the spring it could make for a big clean up job. Expect to spend between $100 and $200 for this type of cover.
Mesh Safety Cover- This cover is the most common style of cover, it is popular because of its clean appearance through the winter. It is installed with an anchor system that is drilled into the concrete deck with a stainless steel spring that is buckled to the cover. It pulls tight across the pool and looks similar to a trampoline. It is excellent at keeping debris out of the pool and since it is mesh, rain and melted snow and ice drain through it, keeping it clean all winter long. The negative to this style of cover is that sunlight can get through it, which can help the growth of algae and can make opening the pool more of chore. Another thing to consider when purchasing this cover is cost, it is custom fit to your pool and sell for $1000 to $2000 depending on the size and shape of the pool.
Motorized or Automatic Cover- This choice is permanently installed on a tracking system that reels the cover material onto a roller and is stored in a housing build into the concrete deck. This cover has many positives, it can be used as a winter cover as well as a solar cover and a safety cover. It keeps sunlight out as well as debris. It comes with an automatic pump to remove rain water and melted snow. It is easy to install and remove, simply turn a key to activate the reel motor. As long as the cover is cleaned opening the pool in the spring is as easy as turning the key. It is an expensive option with covers ranging from $7000 to $12000.
If you have questions about any of winter covers choices, please call us to discuss it.
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