Economy Pool Blog

Summertime is here. That means there will be plenty of days spent lounging poolside. Whether your pool is saltwater or chlorine (or perhaps a hybrid), proper maintenance allows you to rest assured that your pool is free of contaminants. Economy Pool of Florida wants to help you keep up with the proper maintenance and cleaning of your pool.  Saltwater Pools Many people love saltwater pools for their low chemical content. The salt produces enough chlorine that there does not need to be any additional chemicals.  Saltwater pools also tend to be gentler on the skin and eyes. They also tend to cause less fading on swimwear than chlorine pools.  Typically, saltwater pools also require less continuous maintenance than chlorine pools do.  The salt cells require looking at every two months. At the very minimum, there should be thorough cleaning every 6 months. Although, that can also occur more often if need...

Injuries and accidents dull the most crystal-clear pool water. Take some time to make sure you are optimizing for safety as you open your pool. Assess Pool Accessories  Check your pool accessories like your slide, step rails, diving board and pool ladder to see if anything needs replacement. Look for rust buildup, cracks, sharp edges as you reattach them. Lubricate your diving board hinges and bolts so everything moves properly. Take Care of Your Filter and Pump Turn on your pool pump. Once water is flowing through your pump, check your filter. Decide whether it needs to be replaced or simply washed. Proper filtration systems keep your water clean and safe. Shock Your Pool Shocking your pool with high amounts of chlorine kills bacteria and algae and keeps your pool sparkly clean. Wear goggles, safety gloves and clothes you don’t care about because the chlorine could be dangerous to you and...

There is nothing more refreshing than relaxing by your pool during hot summer days. Don’t let this joy be taken away with murky water or floating debris. Learn the best ways to keep your pool clean this summer. Keep Your Pool Chemistry in Check Without the proper chemical balance, your pool will quickly lose its luster and appeal. Check the pool chemistry a couple of times a week during peak season and between two to four times per month in less active times.  Use a pool chemistry testing kit to assess its chemical levels easily. Maintain a pH level between 7.2 and 7.8. The ideal level of 7.4 will keep your pool the safest and most comfortable for your family and guests. Make a Daily Sweep of the Pool Establish a daily routine of sweeping your pool with a net or vacuum to remove anything that can clog the drains or...

Spring in Florida is just around the corner, which means pool season. Sometimes pool owners become overwhelmed with the thought of getting everything ready. However, there are five practical steps that pool owners can take to more effectively welcome in the spring. Uncover the Pool It is a great idea to use a pool cover during the off-season. However, when temperatures rise, it can become a Petri dish for algae. By uncovering the pool earlier, the scum buildup decreases, making cleanup more convenient and cost-effective. Pool Maintenance Pool maintenance should begin immediately upon uncovering the pool. After removing the plugs from both the returns and the skimmers, replace the skimmer basket. Also, make sure to insert the plugs back into the pump and filter system. Turn On the Pump and Brush Because of algae growth, the pool water will appear green. It is now time to turn on the pump and...

Longer, warmer days will soon be upon us. The sparkling waters of your backyard pool will beckon to you for times of fun and relaxation. But what if you notice those waters start to drain away? Learn about the most common causes of leaks in an inground pool and how to stop them. Faulty Construction Sometimes the problems start at the very beginning. Carefully inspect your pool right after installation. Closely monitor the water levels, and call the installers right away if you notice a drop in the water level. The cause may be improper installation or faulty, substandard materials. Communicate that you want the problem addressed immediately. Aging Equipment If your pool begins leaking after years of service, it may be that aging equipment is to blame. The pool system has many parts and pieces that are joined together by fittings. These fittings are susceptible to deterioration, especially around the...

With all of the unrest and uncertainty in the world, creating a respite within your home is a must. The waters of a sparkling pool provide the perfect get-away from the cares of the world. Owning a pool should be a source of stress-relief instead of adding more to your plate. Consider three main reasons why hiring a pool service is the right decision for you. Extend the Life of Your Pool No one is born knowing how to care for a pool. The following is a list of basic maintenance tasks: Testing of chemical levels. Adding and balancing chemicals. Testing all pool equipment. Inspecting pumps. Cleaning out filters. Making circulation adjustments. Taking care of routine repairs. Vacuuming. Inevitably, you will forget aspects of pool maintenance. This oversight will lead to long-term neglect and deterioration. Turning the supervision of your pool over to a professional will extend the life of your...

One of the more common questions we receive here at Economy Pool of Florida involves pool covers. While they do a terrific job of protecting your pool, Some covers do have a tendency of falling in due to wear and tear, weight, holes and more. While this doesn’t signal the end of the world, there are still a number of things you will need to check for. Read on for some important advice on what to do if your pool cover falls into the pool. Grab a Rake First, remove any debris that is floating on the pool cover. Do this while the cover is in the pool. One handy tool to use is a leaf rake. This type of pool rake has a deep, built-in net that lets you grab most debris with ease. Take a Good Hard Look Once you have skimmed away as much dirt and gunk as...

Even in Florida, it is not pool weather all the time. You may not think about your pool very often when it is not in use, but proper winter pool maintenance is essential to protecting your investment. Keeping your pool clean, your pool equipment well-maintained and your water chemistry balanced saves you time and money when temperatures begin to rise and you open your pool back up.  Keep Your Pool Clean Keeping your pool clean is a vital part of pool maintenance. Checking and emptying any skimmer baskets and cleaning bags will help you keep your pool clean and in good working order. It is also helpful to brush or vacuum pool surfaces on a near-weekly basis to prevent unsightly algae growth. It is much easier to prevent issues than it is to fix them once they have occurred. Maintain Your Equipment Pool equipment requires maintenance even when it is not...

Tips for Maintaining Your Pool Heater Taking a dip in the swimming pool brings relaxation after long working hours. Having a heating system in your pool gives you more pleasure and makes your investment more useful. There are many pool heater options you will encounter when you go to the market.  If you get stranded about how to go about the selection, you should contact Economy Pool of Florida to get experienced pool care professionals to help you narrow down to the best choice for your needs. After installation, you will learn about DIY pool heater maintenance tips to observe. Some of them include the following:  Tip #1: Sealing Up the Crevices in Your Heater A pool heater serves as a perfect breeding and hibernating site for critters and rodents. Rodents can squeeze into the smallest cracks and crevices. They are likely to make nests using plastic pieces, leaves, and fabrics.  Such...

Keeping a well-maintained swimming pool benefits your entire family, providing hours of outdoor recreation for the kids and relaxation for the parents. One of the most critical aspects of pool maintenance that many undervalue is closing your pool properly for the season.  It’s easy to close down your pool when it feels convenient. But if the conditions are not appropriate, you may be costing yourself time and money come springtime. Here at Economy Pool, we put together the key factors that determine how and when you should close your pool. The Effects of Weather and Temperature Balancing the chemicals in your pool is a critical step when shutting down the pool for the year. They subdue algae growth and keep your pool sanitary until you can open it next season. Proper application of chemicals is of no use if your pool closing is improperly timed. Warm weather promotes algae growth, and...

It’s hard not to associate a fun day at the pool with summer. As you head out for a day full of splashes, remember some important pool safety tips. Walk, Don't Run This rule is perhaps the oldest ones in the book. Many people have memories of their parents or a lifeguard yelling at them to walk around the pool instead of running. Adults remind kids of this rule, as it is crucial for them to remember, yet easy to ignore. But, both kids and adults alike need to follow this safety rule at all times. Do Not Swim Alone Swimming alone is a recipe for disaster. An accident can easily happen in the blink of an eye. Having someone with you is the perfect safety measure for even the best swimmers. Your swimming partner can either jump in to help call 911 and get you the help you need. Don't...

  Owning a backyard or indoor swimming pool is a luxury these days. However, regular maintenance check-ins and pool cleanings are a necessary service in order to extend your pool's life and ultimately prevent costly pool repairs down the line. For these reasons, many pool owners hire a company to come in once a week or however you see fit in order to keep their pool water safe and clean, and all the pumps and filters doing what they should be doing.   The average cost for a pool cleaning is $90 a month for weekly service or about $1,032 per year on average. You should expect to spend somewhere between $150 to $300 for a one-time-only pool cleaning service, $100 to winterize your pool, and somewhere in the ballpark of $70 to inspect it for any kind of problems or issues. How much money you will end up paying in...

Getting your pool ready for summer isn’t hard, but you will need the proper tools and chemicals to get the job done. Here are some treatments you can use to get your pool ready for summer. A Pool Water Test Kit This test kit is essential to ensure that your pool water chemistry is balanced appropriately. Maintaining the proper chemical balance is vital to keeping a healthy pool all season long. There are several types of pool test kits you can purchase, such as test strips, liquid kits, and digital testers. All of these are very useful and can get the job done. Chlorine Treatment Chlorine is the most popular treatment for pools because it eliminates germs and keeps everything very clean. Every pool requires a different chlorine level depending on its size, so keep that in mind when putting this chemical into your pool. Ozone Treatment You can purchase an...

Every pool loses water naturally from evaporation, over-excited splashing or any number of reasons. So, you have to add more water from time to time. But a red flag should be raised if you find yourself constantly refilling multiple inches of water each day. This means you have a leak in your pool. Leaks can occur both outside and inside of the pool and can sometimes be difficult to spot. However, there are methods you can use to find the source of the leak. Tape Marking One way you can tell if your pool is losing too much water via leakage is the tape method. It’s fairly easy. Simply place a strip of tape on the inner wall of your pool along the top of the water. Leave it for about 24 hours, then come back and check. If the water is down more than a quarter-inch from where it was...

Pool leaks can happen almost anywhere in your pool. Leaks may be found in the fittings or accessories, as well as other parts in the pool. If you suspect that your pool has a leak, then contact a professional to look at it. A one-inch leak can equate to 500 gallons of water lost. You may notice the water levels in your pool are declining, more than evaporation can explain. With in-ground pools, a leak can also happen by underground piping. Types of Pool Leaks If your pool is leaking with the equipment on, then it can mean there is a pressure-side return leak. However, a leak with the pipes off indicates a suction side leak. Determining the type of leak you have is an important step in treating it. Figure out if the pool leaks all of the time. What kind of pool do you have? The first step in...

Everybody loves bright, clear water in their pool. A beautiful pool is a universal symbol of luxury and accomplishment. However, far too many people wake up day after day to filthy, green water, and no matter what they do, it seems they can never get their pool to that glistening brilliance they want. If you’re a pool owner who struggles with perpetually green water, don’t worry. Getting your pool pristine takes work, but it can definitely be done. Here is why pool water turns green and how to fix it quickly.   What Makes Pool Water Green?   A dark green color in a pool can make it look like a sci-fi, radioactive river from an alien planet; however, the green color that appears in pools is simply the result of algae that grows in the water. Although it won’t make you grow a third leg or arm, it’s still unpleasant...

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...