Economy Pool Blog

The end of warm weather during the year usually signifies the end of the swimming pool season. After another fun season of splashing around in the pool, the time comes to cover it up until the next season rolls around. Covering your pool is essential for maintaining your prized possession for a long time and saving yourself the future hassle. Of course, this begs the question “when should I cover my swimming pool”? Let’s take a look at the best times to shut down your pool before the cold weather hits. Maybe Never! Shutting down your pool and covering it may not always be necessary! If you are fortunate enough to live in a climate where the weather is nice and warm all-year-round, you are set. Places like Florida, Arizona, and spots along the west coast stay warm enough for the year to where pool season never comes to an end....

With winter upon us, the days of splashing around in the pool are behind us until next summer comes around. As a pool owner, you’ve no doubt prepared your pool for the winter, but you may be wondering if there is any other maintenance needed during the cold season. Keep reading for facts on what colder temperatures do to your pool. Colder Air, Colder Water As the air is cooling down, the temperature of the water will cool as well. This usually means that you will not need to worry about algae growth, however, if there is heavy rain followed by a day of sun, algae will start to grow. Colder water temperatures also means there is a possibility of frozen equipment. In order to prevent frozen equipment or from experiencing a power outage, it is suggested that you keep your pumps running at all times. You should also remove winterizing...

Whether installing a pool, winterizing one or getting summer-ready, you need a few supplies on hand. These top 10 pool supplies make pool ownership easier, giving you more time to jump in the water. Top 10 Pool Supplies You Need 1. Water Test Strips Weekly water testing gives you the intel needed to keep pool water crystal blue. Test strips make it quick and easy. Dip a strip under the surface and compare it to the scale provided. 2. Water Balancing Chemicals Test strips or a professional water sample test show needed adjustments. Look for pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness levels. Add the right dose of balancing chemicals for a healthy swim. 3. Cleaning Tools Water clarity and health increase when you keep the liner and water clean. Quality tools, like a vacuum head and hose, skimmer, leaf rake and brush, and pool pole, make the job easy. 4. Surface Cleaners...

The holiday season is approaching. If you have a pool in Florida, closing your pool for winter is usually optional. Whatever you choose, having a pool brings much pleasure but also requires responsible upkeep and maintenance. If you know a pool owner, consider a unique holiday gift of pool services, accessories or equipment. Most pool owners would welcome such a thoughtful or helpful present. Need help deciding? Here are some suggestions for your favorite pool owner! Pool Service Pool service plans can be monthly, bi-weekly or weekly, depending on your gift-buying budget. All service plans include filter cleaning, emptying the skimmer and pump baskets and checking water chemical levels. Other items, such as vacuuming or brushing the pool walls, are available based on the service plan. Pool Accessories From toys to pool fountains, accessories can enhance pool ownership. Practical gifts include tools, cleaners, solar covers, ladders and lights. Items like leaf...

Many people think having a pool in Florida means they have a pool ready for year-round use due to the warm temperatures. That is not the case. Spring, fall and winter get cool enough at night to drop your water to an uncomfortable temperature. Fret not! A pool heater is the perfect solution to help you maximize your investment and enjoy your swimming pool year-round. Here are some of the benefits that come with installing a pool heater. Swimming All Year The obvious benefit to having a pool heater is you get to utilize your pool all 12 months. Despite being known for its warm winters, Florida temperatures can drop into the 50s and even 40s at night. These cool temperatures are low enough to make water temperatures too cold for comfort. A pool heater means the pool’s water will remain a comfortable temperature year-round. Swimming in the Dark Even during...

As fall approaches, Florida pools are still in use. You may not use the pool as often as the summer months, but there is no stopping you from taking a dip. During the spring and summer months, you are more conscious of the pool maintenance. But when the usage decreases, you may forget the routine maintenance. If it is not in use, you might feel like you do not need to take the time. Cooler Weather Approaching As the cooler weather starts rolling in, you want to continue your routine cleaning of your pool. Make sure you clean and vacuum your pool daily. As you clean your pool, do not overlook cleaning the filter. The cleaner your pool is during the cooler month’s means when the peak pool season arrives, there is not as much work to do. Checking the Chemicals Even with the cooler weather, it is important to keep...

Many of our customers ask about pool maintenance as summer winds down and fall begins. Should you get your pool ready for fall in Florida? Well, the answer depends on you and whether you wish to use it year-round. October tends to be a transitional month in Florida, and homeowners continue to enjoy the use of their pools during the early part of the month. With the approach of November — and usually cooler temperatures — most homeowners stop using their pools and get them ready for the remainder of fall and for the winter season. As the weather shifts, pool owners often welcome the break from the upkeep and chores associated with operating them. In the northern states, it’s usually necessary to drain the pool as part of the winter preparation. Florida pool owners must take some different steps to “winterize” their pools. If you choose to close your pool,...

The entire purpose of a pool pump is to move water to/through the filter(s), and often, a heater. “Turnover” is the moving of all of the water through one cycle, which is suggested to be once for every 12 hours. What is it that should be considered to help make sure that the pump you get serves you great? Pool Pump Considerations: Strength and Energy Consumption Strength To get the strength that you need, you first need to determine how much water needs to be circulated in the right amount of time. With the desired turnover to be 12 hours, you will need to divide your pool’s total volume volume in gallons by 12, to get the gallons-per-hour, then again by 60 to get the gallons-per-minute. For example, a pool with a 10,000 gallon capacity would need to pump 833.33 gallons per hour to have a 12-hour turnover (10,000 gallons/12 hours)....

With Summer fast approaching, it’s time to get prepared to open the pool. We all know that pool safety must be a priority, but what do you need to do to keep your family safe? Let's look at some ways that you can keep your pool fun instead of dangerous. Check Your Fence Having a fence around your pool may seem like a nuisance, but it is an absolute necessity. A fence will help protect your own family as well as your neighbors and pets. Inspect your fence to make sure that everything is ship-shape. Check for weak points and broken sections. If you do not have a secure fence already, there are a variety of fencing options available to you. Inspect Floating Devices If you have little ones swimming in the pool, you probably already have a variety of flotation devices and toys. Now is a good time to check...

With warm weather practically year-round, a swimming pool is one of the greatest ways to take advantage of the Florida sun. They provide great exercise, a low-cost way to entertain friends and family and, on the days that they’re not being used, are great additions to your landscaping. A pool cleaning service in Pinellas County can protect your pool for years to come. Take a look at the four main reasons why. It Saves Time As life gets hectic, it’s often difficult to fit in those weekly tasks that come with home maintenance. When you finally have downtime, the last thing you want is to deal with the upkeep of your pool rather than enjoying your pool. The team at Economy Pools of Florida is trained and experienced to help our customers get the most out of their pool systems. With regular pool maintenance, you have the convenience of a pool...

With so many myths and misinformation floating around the internet about saltwater vs. chlorine pools, we felt it was time to set the record straight for anyone considering installing a new in-ground or above ground pool. Here’s the straight story on the difference between saltwater pools and chlorine pools: Saltwater Pools The most surprising fact about saltwater pools is they do NOT contain zero chlorine simply because they use sea water. Moreover. saltwater pools have nowhere near the salinity of seawater, nor are they completely chlorine-free. The term saltwater pool actually derives from the electrolysis process used by these pools to keep the water minimally chlorinated while eliminating unwanted contaminants. Saltwater Pool Pros Less chlorine means less harsh effects on eyes and skin. If you or your family like to live in the pool during the summer, this is a major selling point. Saltwater pools have just enough chlorine to keep...

Choosing the right heater unit for your pool is an important decision; making the correct choice could save you thousands of dollars over the long term life of your pool. The two main factors to consider are the type and size of pool heater you need. Deciding what type of heater you prefer should be your first choice, as the different units require different sizing criteria. There are three main types of pool heaters, and each has its pros and cons. Gas Pool Heaters This is the cheapest up-front option, with most being tied directly into natural gas through the utility company. In areas where natural gas isn’t an option, propane and oil models are available. The best feature of gas pool heaters is they can maintain even water temperature even in extreme weather fluctuations. The downside is they will use quite a lot of fuel to do so, but newer...

As anyone who owns one knows: pools are a great way to relax and cool down during the dog days of summer, but they come with a lot of work. Thankfully, technology makes it so that some of the work can be done for you. Filters, for example, take much of the burden for cleaning the pool off of the owner. While this makes it easier to own a pool, from time to time the filter does need to be replaced. When this happens, it’s important to be able to recognize the signs so you can replace the filter as soon as possible. Here are some signs that your pool filter needs to be replaced: Dirty Pool Water This one seems kind of obvious, but it still should be mentioned at the top of any list. When your pool water starts to look dirty or murky, the chances are that it’s...

At Economy Pool, we’ve made it our mission to keep pools in our service areas in Jacksonville, Englewood, Oldsmar and Deland, Fl sparkling, healthy and ready to use. We understand, however, that homeowners like to be proactive in their pool maintenance. It’s understandable. A pool isn’t just hours of enjoyment with your family. It’s an investment in the value of your home and property. You want to keep it maintained to the best of your abilities. While homeowners definitely need the benefit of routine, professional maintenance, there are a few things that you can do on your own to ensure your pool is always ready to use. Our technicians can test your pool water, treat it with safe and effective chemicals that are environmentally sound, and work with you to keep your prized pool ready for your enjoyment. Routine Maintenance To help prevent algae, bacteria and other contaminants from growing in...

Not everyone thinks about whether a pool is healthy or not before jumping in and splashing around. In a 2016 study, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that eighty percent of the inspections of public pools were reported for violating health and safety rules. Out of these pools, every one-out-of-eight inspections forced pools to close down due to serious violations that were a significant threat to the health of swimmers. So, it is incumbent on anyone who decides to swim in a pool to determine if it is a safe one in which to do so. Here is some information on how to do exactly that. Take A Look in the Deep End To determine if a pool is healthy enough to swim in, check out the deep end first. If the drain is visible, there is a good chance it is well-maintained. If the drain is...

If you own a pool or are considering having one installed, Economy Pool wants to help dispel some myths about pool ownership before they end up costing you a lot of money in repair services. Serving Tampa, Florida and the surrounding regions, we’ve heard a lot of misinformation from our customers about what they were taught regarding pool maintenance. The following are the top five myths we’ve encountered: If your pool smells like chlorine, you’ve added too much This is a widely-held belief, and it’s false. If you can smell the chlorine, you actually don’t have enough. It may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s true. Chlorine in your pool reacts with bacteria and creates chloramines. If you then shock your pool, these chloramines convert to oxygen and then escape into the air, which creates the smell. You’re not smelling the chlorine, you’re smelling the side-effect of your pool being disinfected, which means...

If you have a pool and want to keep the water in great shape, knowing how to use pool chemicals is important. Standing bodies of water are the perfect place for pathogens and other harmful substances to spread. Unless you maintain the right chemical levels in your pool, you could put your swimmers at risk for a variety of diseases. This guide covers the most common chemicals in pool maintenance and how you can use them to keep your water clear and clean. Chlorine Chlorine is the fundamental pool chemical that kills diseases and other pathogens that get into the water. Pools that have the right amount of chlorine keep swimmers safe from a range of health concerns, so make sure you know how to use it. Read your pool's manual to discover how many gallons of water it holds, and you can then decide how much chlorine you should add....

More and more people are starting to reap the benefits of a saltwater pool. In comparison traditional pools, saltwater pools tend to have much lower chlorine levels. This means your family is far less at risk of experiencing skin and eye irritation. However, regular maintenance remains just as critical. Here are some of the most important aspects of maintaining a saltwater pool. Check pH Levels Weekly Be sure to check your saltwater pool’s pH levels on a weekly basis. Ideally, the pH level of the water should remain at 7.4 to 7.6. If the pH is too high, it’ll be harder for the chlorine to effectively clean the water. Meanwhile, a low pH can cause corrosion. In order to maintain the proper level, chemical treatments may need to be added. Clean and Inspect the Pool Components Don’t forget to inspect and clean your pool components. This is especially true for the...