Economy Pool Blog

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...