Swimming Pool Blog - Tips, Care, and Installation

You might think its crazy to get in a hot tub in the summer, after all, its already 95 degrees outside, why would you want to get in the hot tub?  Even at resorts in places like Hawaii and the Caribbean there are hot tubs everywhere.  And no matter how hot it is you will usually find someone in them!  Hot tubs are just so soothing and relaxing to the body that even in hot weather people are still inclined to get in them for a little while.  But a hot tub doesn’t have to be hot; it can cool you down too, providing a completely different relaxing and soothing sensation!

Hot tubs run on a heater and you have the ability to adjust the temperature to your liking.  Normal temperature ranges are from 80-104 degrees.  With your body temperature already at 98.6 degrees, anything less than that will feel good to your body.  Just like hot water in cooler weather, cool water in hot weather can be just as relaxing and refreshing!

There are a few ways to reduce the temperature of the water in your hot tub.  You can simply turn the heater down to your desired temperature or turn off the heater completely and by keeping the jets running, the temperature will drop even more.  Find the best temperature for you, it may be different depending on whether you get in your tub at night or during the day.

There’s no better way to cool off in the summer than to hop in some cool water and relax or to set the water to a comfortable temperature and enjoy a relaxing evening!  Why waste your expensive investment by just letting it sit there all summer because you think it is too hot to get in!

After a long winter, its nearly that time of year again! It’s time to open the pool. If you followed the proper procedure for winterizing & you have kept up with winter maintenance, you should have a smooth opening. Before you get started there are a couple of preliminary steps that need to be taken. The first thing you’ll want to do  is to drop a hose under the cover in order to bring the water level up high.Once the hose is under the cover you can begin to remove any debris that’s on top of the cover. I’ve found that the easiest way is to use your pool pole and an old nylon brush. Pull the debris toward you to the edge all the way down the length of the pool. Do NOT drag sharp objects!

For your next step you will need an extra set of hands. If you have a safety cover, remove the strap from the anchor. Go around and put all the anchors down first, as you dont want to leave them up and risk tearing your cover. Once all the anchors are screwed down and flush with the deck its time to remove the cover. If you Have a poly cover, empty the water bags.  Start on the end that you have the most space. With one person on ech side, pull the cover back the length of one panel if safety, about 2ft if poly. Move up to the next section and pull it backwards and even. You will be making a “fan fold”. Once you have done this with the entire cover you will have a stack the length and width of the first section pulled back. You can then start on one end and roll up the cover. If you want to clean the cover first, pull the entire cover back into the yard, then fan fold it after your finished.

Your ready to summerize your equipment. Install the plugs into your pump, filter, and plumbing (if flooded system). After the system is ready, remove the plugs from the returns and skimmers. Make sure your filter valve is in the filter position, fill the pump with water & start the system. Once your pump primes, check all around for any leaks.

Reinstall your ladder, handrails, baskets, & auto cleaner at this point. Once all of that is complete its time to vacuum and check the chemicals. You will want to adjust your ph first, then alkalinity, then chlorine. Remember that even tho you have a salt system, you still have to shock with granular chlorine or a non chlorine oxidizer. If you do have a salt system, turn the control box on and set to super chlorinate. You may need to add salt at this point also. Remember when you add salt to let the system circulate for 24-48 hrs before taking a reading. When you add shock to a vinyl liner pool, its best to dilute it with water as not to bleach your liner. Its also best to wait 3o min or so before swimming after shocking.

Hayward is a well known name in the pool business.  They manufacture a variety of products ranging from salt systems to pumps and filters to automatic pool cleaners.  They produce quality products with great warranties and offer exceptional customer service.  For the past several seasons, Hayward has offered rebates on many of their products.  This season from April 9^th to July 8^th, Hayward is doing it again.

Shown below are the products rebates are offered on and their respective rebate amounts.

To redeem the rebate after purchasing one of these products you need to mail Hayward a form we will include in any purchase, a copy of the sales receipt, and the original warranty registration form.  Within 6 to 8 weeks you would receive your rebate in the form of a VISA credit card.

Hayward’s most popular products would probably be the SuperPump and the AquaRite Salt System.  The SuperPump is a great in ground pool pump.  It offers easy access to its strainer basket, a heavy duty motor that is optimized for quite, cool, and efficient operation, and a design that makes it easy to service.  It comes in models ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 horsepower and comes in several dual speed models for better energy efficiency.  The AquaRite Salt System comes in a variety of models but each serves a basic purpose…To sanitize your pool.  The AquaRite can produce up to 1.45 pounds of chlorine per day which is enough to sanitize pools up to 40,000 gallons.  The beauty of salt chlorination is that you rarely have to add more salt.  If you don’t have a 40,000 gallon pool, don’t worry, AquaRite also comes in 25,000 and 15,000 gallon models to accommodate your specific needs.  AquaRite comes in a Plus model which adds a Control Center.  This Control Center can be used to control all of your pool’s functions including the pump, heater, automatic cleaner, solar panels, salt system, and lights.  It can also be expanded to automatically add chemicals to your pool when needed and can be remotely controlled by your computer or smartphone.  As with most timers, the Control Center offers freeze protection if you run your equipment in the winter and will turn your pump on to prevent freeze-ups and damaged equipment.

If you need to upgrade your salt system, pool cleaner or even any of the other products offered by Hayword, now would be a great time considering you can take advantage of the rebates Hayword is offering.

In the Spring and Summer months you might not think you need a pool cover.  The truth of the matter is, a pool cover does much more than just cover your pool in the winter.  A pool cover can keep heat in your pool, leaves out of the pool, and save your chemicals in addition to its safety benefits.  There are also different types of covers.  These would include solar blankets, automatic covers, and reel covers.

When a cover is used, heat stays trapped in the pool and the water temperature stays higher than if the pool was uncovered overnight.  This makes the water more comfortable to swim in during the day.  Even on a cloudy day, it would be more convenient to swim because of the heat trapped by a cover.  If the pool is covered overnight or even during the day when you aren’t swimming, leaves and other debris will stay out of your pool.  In turn, you won’t have to spend time getting the leaves out.  If you have a pool cleaner, it would reduce work for the cleaner and would reduce the frequency of backwashing or cleaning needed for your filter.  Since all these pool accessories would be working less, intervals between maintenance would increase.  With less debris in the pool, and less direct sunlight, chemical usage will be decreased.

A regular pool cover works well for trapping heat, but if you live in an area with a short pool season, a solar blanket may be a good option.  A solar blanket is a blanket filled with thermal bubbles that is made to cover your entire pool.  It heats and insulates your pool.  When sun hits the blanket and bubbles they heat up the pool water.  At night, the insulating characteristics of solar blankets keep heat in much better than a standard cover, resulting in higher water temperatures.  A solar blanket could add several weeks to your swim season!

There are also automatic cover and reel systems that reduce the work necessary to cover or uncover your pool.  Automatic covers come in several variations.  They can be installed under the coping, providing a seamless, attractive appearance, or on the deck, using a bench-like box and rails along the deck of your pool.  With a reel system, you would simply crank a handle to roll up your cover or blanket and pull the cover to the other side of the pool to cover it up.

Pool covers and solar blanket systems do require an investment, but the benefits can be very rewarding with the potential to save money, reduce pool maintenance, and make your pool more comfortable to swim in.

With a pump timer, you can take control of your pool’s operations and set them to run at certain times. With more advanced pump timers, you can even control the lights and sanitation with the use of remote controls or even your iPhone or computer.  There are two main types of pool timers and these are Digital and Mechanical.  Mechanical timers are typically used simply for a pump and heater whereas mechanical is used as an all purpose controller.  Having a pool pump timer can extend the life of your pool, pump, other equipment and reduce energy costs.

Perhaps the most popular brand of pump timer is Intermatic.  They offer both types of timers ranging from basic to advanced.  With a basic pump timer you set ‘pegs’ that specify the start and stop time as well as whether you want something to operate daily or weekly.  Probably the next most popular would be the control center system that comes with the Hayward Aqua Rite Plus Salt System.  This system in its most basic setup has the ability to control your pump, heater, automatic cleaner, solar panels, salt system, and lights. There are also additions to this system that allow you to add multiple remote controls, automatically dispense chemicals in your pool to balance levels and sanitize, and 3 way valve actuators/controls allowing you to remotely control water features.  A nice feature most pump timers offer is freeze protection.  This is a feature that causes the pump to turn on when the temperature gets too cold, keeping the pump from freezing and preventing damage.

There are many other brands of timers each operating just a little differently than the next but most will have features similar to those listed above.  It can be a huge inconvenience to go outside and turn your pump on and off every day or to go to a breaker box to flip on the lights for a night swim.  So what’s stopping you from installing a pump timer or full control system and saving yourself some money and hassle?

Ozone is a form of oxygen produced when a spark or UV light is passed through air or oxygen.  Naturally occurring ozone is commonly found after a thunderstorm or in the upper atmosphere and has an odd smell to it that is similar to that of weak chlorine.  An ozonator is a device used to produce ozone.

In pool applications ozone is ‘injected’ into the water and used for sanitation purposes to kill microorganisms, un-dissolved and dissolved pollutants.  The ozonators for pool use can take advantage of either method (spark or UV light) to produce ozone.  To produce ozone with a spark or electric charge, a tiny controlled lightning storm is formed within a chamber.  The lightning mixes with oxygen to create ozone which is then injected into the water.  UV ozonators work differently.  The chamber has a UV bulb in it which radiates air and transforms it into ozone.  The ozone is then pushed into the water.

Ozone is a great addition to a pool system because it can significantly reduce the amount of chlorine needed for your pool.  Unfortunately, the lifespan of ozone in pool applications is still very limited, although it is constantly being improved with new systems.  This short lifespan is one reason why ozone can’t be used as a standalone sanitation unit for your pool.  Another reason is because ozone has little to no effect on algae.  And perhaps the biggest reason is because ozonators only introduce ozone to water in the pipes (sanitizing/oxidizing the water as it moves through) so ozone never actually reaches your pool.  Water is supposed to turnover every 8-10 hours, but most people only run their pump 6-8 hours per day.  So it would take several days for every drop of water in the pool to go through the pipes.  If you do use an ozonator make sure you are using some other form of sanitation as well, otherwise you are going to have lingering pathogens in the water for several days; definitely not a good thing if you are swimming in your pool every day.  Several benefits to ozone are that it is a very healthy addition to sanitization systems because it leaves no chemical residue in the water, doesn’t burn eyes or irritate skin and won’t bleach hair or clothing.  In other words, it is a very safe sanitizer.

So what’s the bottom line?  Well, ozone is a great sanitizer but has its limits.  It would be a fantastic addition to a sanitization system but definitely shouldn’t be used as a standalone unit.  If used properly it will reduce the amount of chlorine necessary and give you a healthier pool.

There is no one best swimming pool to meet everyone’s needs or wants.  Each person needs something different.  But with so many options how do you choose?  The biggest question is whether you want to add an in ground or above ground pool.  There are pros and cons to each.  With an in ground pool, it is a permanent structure in your yard and adds immense value to your property.  There are also many more shapes, sizes, and options available with an in ground pool.  It is more aesthetically pleasing and can be used as a decorative or landscaping piece in your yard.  However an in ground pool is much more permanent so once its built, its there to stay.  An above ground pool is only semi-permanent, costs less, and requires less time to build.  The main drawback to an above ground pool for many people is that it is above the ground. This makes it less aesthetically pleasing due to it being such a large structure in your yard.  The option you choose must be right for you because there is nothing worse than having something you don’t like sitting in your yard.

If you choose an above ground pool, there are two main shapes, the circle and the oval.  The next task is to determine how big you want your pool.  Only you can decide this because everyone has a different size yard.  So it’s time to break out a tape measure! There are different things you can do that will affect the amount of space you will need for your pool.  These options will also add some flair to your pool.  A deck can be built around the pool or just for the entrance.  The pool could also be built partially into the ground, a popular choice because it reduces the visible height of the pool making it resemble an in ground pool.  Next, you should decide whether you are going to have a flat bottom pool or if you are going to have a deep end.  After you decide exactly what you’re going to do with your pool you can begin choosing what model and liner you want.

Choosing options for an in ground pool can be much more intense than it is for an above ground pool.  Again, the first step will be deciding how big you want the pool but there are many shapes available that allow you to get a larger size pool in a more compact area.   Most likely you will need more space for an in ground pool because you will want a solid deck around the pool.  There are also other options you can add to an in ground pool such as a spill over spa or a swim out.

Once you have chosen your pool and all your options it’s time to take the final step and get everything started!

You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by installing a solar pool heater. The cost of a solar heating system is very competitive with both gas and heat pump pool heaters, and they have very low annual operating costs. Actually, solar pool heating is the most cost-effective use of solar energy in many climates. A solar system consists of a pump, filter, flow control valve, and a solar collector (panels).  On some systems your existing filtration system will act as part of the solar system requiring no extra equipment.

Pool water is pumped through the filter and then through the panels, where it is heated before being returned to the pool. In hot climates, the panels can also be used to cool the pool.  Rather than sending the water through during the hottest part of the day, it will circulate at night.

Solar pool panels are made out of different materials. The type you’ll need depends on your climate and how you intend to use it. If you’ll only be using your pool when temperatures are above freezing, then you’ll probably only need an unglazed collector system. Unglazed collectors don’t include a glass covering. They are normally made of  rubber or plastic treated with an ultraviolet  light inhibitor. Because of their inexpensive parts and simple design, unglazed collectors are usually less expensive than glazed collectors. These type systems will also work for indoor pools in cold climates if the system is designed to drain back to the pool when not in use.

The proper installation of a solar pool heating system depends on many factors. These factors include your climate, local building code requirements, how much sun you get, and safety issues. Always refer to the manufacturers manual for installation and safety concerns.

A heater is a fantastic accessory to add to your pool. Depending on where you live, a heater can add a few months onto your swim season. Like everything else there are tons of options, so which one is right for you? The first thing you must determine is if you need a digital or millivolt  heater. A millivolt heater has a constant pilot, sitting just below a small generator. This generator uses the heat of the pilot flame to generate small amounts of power (milli-voltage, or thousands of a volt). This tiny bit of power is then used to operate the rest of the system.   A digital heater only generates a pilot when there is a call for heat. Keeping the sensors active requires electrical power, so power must be run to the unit. The internal transformer will accept either 120V or 240V power, and transforms it to 24V for use within the heater.

So, now we know the difference between the two types, but what are the advantages & disadvantages of each? The advantage of using millivolt ignition is that no electrical power needs to be supplied to the heater.   The heater can therefore be located in areas where no electrical service is readily at hand, or where it would be extremely expensive to provide. The disadvantages of using millivolt ignition are that you are always using a small amount of fuel, and millivolt current only travels a few feet down a wire, so it is impractical to use a millivolt heater with any kind of outside control system. A millivolt ignition is no longer allowed with natural gas in certain areas (such as California) because of concerns about fuel usage when the unit is not firing.

A digital system only generates a pilot when there is a call for heat. Keeping the sensors active requires electrical power, so power must be wired to the unit. The internal transformer will accept either 120V or 240V power, and transforms it to 24V for use within the heater. The advantages of using electronic ignition are you only use fuel when there is a call for heat, and if the pilot is extinguished during startup it will automatically relight. 24V power travels very well down the wires, allowing  this design to be used in conjunction with an external control system, such as the Aqua Rite Plus Salt System.

The disadvantages of using electronic ignition is that there is always a call for small amounts of power. This requires the heater to be wired by a licensed electrician.

Starting March 15, 2012, all public swimming pools in the U.S. must be equipped with assisted entry systems.   When this American Disability Association (ADA) compliance law takes effect, disabled Americans around the nation will be able to enjoy the health and leisure benefits of public pools. As part of the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design, regulations of the Accessible Design for Recreational Facilities will require all public pools and spas to be outfitted with an ADA compliant swimming pool lift or sloped entry.

Such pool lifts will be required for public pools (open to the public at any time or receiving funding or revenue from the government or membership dues) greater than 300 linear feet (91.4 m).  Pools greater than 300 feet will need two means of assisted entrance, while those less than 300 linear feet will only require one assisted entry system - either a swimming pool lift  or sloped entry.  For those pools requiring two assisted entries, a transfer wall, transfer system or stairs will be necessary in addition to a pool lift or sloped entrance.  Wading pools, wave pools, leisure rivers and spas will also need a lift, sloped entry, transfer wall or transfer system.

Here is the list of guidelines: