Posted on: August 15, 2013
Combined Chlorine (chloramines)
Combined chlorine occurs when free available chlorine combines with ammonia or other nitrogen containing contaminants present in the pool water. Combined chlorine (or chloramine) is not an effective sanitizer for pool water applications. Combined chlorine can contribute to cloudy water, chlorine odor and eye irritation. They only way to test for combined chlorine is to test for total chlorine and free chlorine, then subtract free chlorine from total chlorine to
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Posted on: June 19, 2013
Combined Chlorine ( Chloramines )
Combined chlorine occurs when free available chlorine combines with ammonia or other nitrogen containing contaminants present in pool water. Combined chlorine, or chloramine, is not an effective sanitizer for pool water applications. Combined chlorine can contribute to cloudy water, chlorine odor and eye irritation.
The only way to test for combined chlorine is to test for total chlorine and free chlorine, then subtract free chlorine from total chlorine to
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Posted on: May 24, 2013
Here is some helpful advice for getting your pool ready for the swim season from our friends at S. R. Smith. We hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend.
In the pool business, we know Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff to pool season! In addition to getting the water in ship shape, it’s a good time to inspect your deck equipment and ensure it is safe and ready for use:
Check the undersides of diving boards for wear, look for any cracks or damage, and tighten any loose hardware. Dama
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Posted on: April 17, 2013
Algae growth is a common problem & some experts have suggested an effective solution is to remove phosphates from the water. The belief is that this action takes away a food source, reducing algae problems or even killing it (by starvation). It is important to note that phosphate-removing products are NOT EPA approved or registered as algae killers (algaecides) or algae inhibitors (algaestats).
Recent studies performed on algae growth related to phosphates have actually shown that an alga
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Posted on: April 10, 2013
Some simple tips to help make things easy around your pool equipment:
Always stand clear of the pool filter when you start your system up. Pump pressure can cause the tank to expand and if the clamp(s) are loose there is a potential for the lid to come off.
Keep records of your pressure readings on the pressure gauges. This will help tell you when the pool filter needs cleaning and will help your technician diagnose problems with the system.
Check your system for leaks – catching l
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Posted on: April 8, 2013
As the weather warms up and you are getting your pool ready for Summer – here are some reminders about your pool chemicals:
Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on all packaging. Be familiar with emergency procedures.
Keep chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.
Store your pool chemicals in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight and in an area that is well ventilated.
Containers should always be kept closed when not in use and chemicals should be k
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Posted on: March 20, 2013
Congratulations to Donny Overcast for his new position as Pool Repair Technician. Donny has been training for the last couple of months and has now joined our Repair Technician crew. Great job Donny! For pool maintenance tips, health and wellness tips and poolside recipes, please subscribe to our blog or find us on Facebook. The Pool Man Inc., is a Houston Pool Builder serving the Tomball, Cypress, Magnolia and Houston areas since 1981. We are a BBB (Better Business Bureau) accredited member, r
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Posted on: March 19, 2013
Spring is almost here! Get your pool ready for swimming season with help from The Pool Man. Give our Pool Service Manager a call to schedule an equipment check-up to make sure you are ready for the upcoming swim season. Don’t forget to add a filter clean also. For more pool maintenance tips, please subscribe to our blog or find us on Facebook. The Pool Man Inc., is a Houston Pool Builder serving the Tomball, Cypress, Magnolia and Houston areas since 1981. We are a BBB (Better Business Bureau) a
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Posted on: February 22, 2013
Testing Pool Water Pool chemistry is affected by many different factors including bathers, chemical additions and environmental influences. Because conditions in a pool change constantly, testing is vital to ensure proper water balance and sanitizer levels. Testing Tips : 1.) The water sample for testing should be taken approximately 18” below the water’s surface. 2.) The sample should be taken from an area of the pool that is away from the skimmers and return inlets AND should be taken from the
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Posted on: February 13, 2013
Salt Cell Service – Pools that use salt and an electronic chlorine generator (salt cell) need service that is unique to that product. The cell itself will gradually accumulate “scale” on the fins inside the housing that has to be cleaned off. This is a natural byproduct of the process of converting salt to chlorine, so be sure to clean your cell every couple of months. All salt cells have a built in sensor the reads the salinity of the water, if your system thinks the salt is always too high or
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Posted on: February 11, 2013
With the rain we are currently having, make sure your check your pool water for proper chemical balance. The rain can bring debris, unwanted chemicals such as fertilizer, leaves and grass clippings all into your pool. These items will affect the chemical balance of your pool water. Be sure to test your water after the rain and adjust your chemicals to bring the water back to proper balance and avoid issues down the road. For more pool maintenance tips, please subscribe to our blog or find us on
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Posted on: January 29, 2013
Leaks on pool equipment or plumbing should be a cause for concern – it’s not going to get better on its own. Many leaks can rapidly get worse and can cause other issues with your plumbing and pool equipment. Your pump can run dry or hot causing damage to the pump itself and the surrounding plumbing. A leak on a salt water pool can cause any exposed metal to corrode if left unchecked. If you see constant wet areas on your equipment pad give our Service Department a call – we would be happy to com
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Posted on: January 25, 2013
You should always make note of the expiration date of your pool chemicals. Pool chemicals will degrade over time. Those of us in Houston, Tomball and Cypress know that our weather can be troublesome for pool chemicals. To keep your pool chemicals at optimum performance, we recommend storing your chemicals in a cool, dry location as exposure to heat, water or direct sunlight will cause problems. We suggest using a backyard shed and plastic containers to keep chemicals separate. As always, if
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Posted on: December 31, 2012
Landscaping around the pool is an easy way to enhance the beauty of your backyard, but there are some precautions you should take to make sure it doesn’t negatively affect the pool. Trim back any bushes or trees that touch the water surface or come close – the less dropping in your pool the better. This can cause staining, improper chemical balance and more work cleaning the pool. Make sure there is no run-off into the pool from dirt or mulch as this will also cause staining and more work to cle
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Posted on: December 28, 2012
Cloudy Water: Cloudy water can be attributed to either chemical or physical causes. Common chemical causes include the following:
High PH
High total alkalinity
High calcium hardness
Low (or No) free chlorine residual
High levels of combined chlorine
Improper product addition
If the water is in proper balance, and chemicals have been added properly, then you should look to physical contributions to cloudy water. These include:
Inadequate circulation
Poor fi
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Posted on: November 21, 2012
The Importance of Proper Water Balance Water balance is important for the following reasons: 1.) prevent disease 2.) protect equipment 3.) provide the expected environment. Sanitizers are more effective in water that is properly balanced. Balanced water is more comfortable for swimmers because it reduces unpleasant odor, burning eyes and itchy skin. Balanced water will also help prevent equipment corrosion and / or scale build up. Improperly balanced water can become cloudy and unappealing for s
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Posted on: November 9, 2012
Give your automatic cleaner a check-up! With the Fall season, your pool’s automatic cleaner is about to earn it’s stripes and save you tons of time and sweat in clearing leaves from your pool. Whether you have an In-Floor cleaning system or one of the variety of robotic cleaners, now is the time to give it a check-up and repair/replace anything that isn’t working quite right! For more information, please contact our pool service department. For more pool maintenance tips, please subscribe to our
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Posted on: November 5, 2012
An important tip to remember about your pool heater is that it is best to run it occasionally, even if you don’t plan on using it. Sometimes, especially in the warmer months, we can forget about our heaters for quite a while and let them sit idle. Like an automobile or any other fueled machine, it is wise to run it once in a while to shake all the cobwebs off. We mean that last part literally… over time bugs, lizards, mice and other unwelcome guests like to make homes inside pool heaters. By tur
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Posted on: September 12, 2012
Pool Chemistry is affected by many different factors including bathers, chemical additions and environmental influences. Because conditions in a pool change constantly, testing is vital to ensure proper water balance and sanitizer levels. Testing Tips:
The water sample for testing should be taken approximately 18 inches below the water’s surface.
The sample should be taken from an area of the pool that is away from skimmers and returns and should be taken from the same location every ti
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Posted on: July 13, 2012
Handling Pool Chemicals can be very hazardous if not done properly. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts when handling Pool Chemicals:
Do not mix chemicals together
Do not store chemicals where average daily temperature exceeds 95 degrees
Do not allow Children to handle pool and spa chemicals
Do not dispose of spilled material without complying with safety instructions on the label
Do read and follow the dosage instructions on the container
Do keep your chemical storage ar
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Posted on: June 27, 2012
Pool chemistry is affected by many different factors including bathers, chemical additions and environmental influences. These conditions can change constantly so testing your pool water is vital to ensure proper water balance and sanitizer levels. Here are some testing tips to help you:
· Obtain an appropriate water sample. The water sample should be taken in a clean, plastic container approximately 18 inches below the water’s surface.
· The sample should be taken from an area away fro
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Posted on: June 14, 2012
Pool Maintenance Tip #4 – the last in our Pool Algae Series – Yellow/Mustard Algae Yellow or Mustard algae is very similar to green algae, but it is much slower growing and does not have the green pigment (chlorophyll) which accounts for its yellow color. Because Yellow algae is slow growing, it is very difficult to destroy. By the time you see it in your pool, it has probably been growing for several days or even weeks. Also, since it is low in chlorophyll which likes light, it can grow in dark
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Posted on: June 11, 2012
Is your pool pump running dry or hard to prime? With the warmer weather already here, we are experiencing many pool service calls due to pool pumps running dry. Dry running pool pumps cause heat which in turn damages equipment and pipes. Here are a few quick checks you can make to ensure your pool pump is running properly. 1. Check to make sure your pool filter is clean – poor flow can cause many problems with your pool equipment. 2. Make sure the water level in your pool is at least h
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Posted on: May 31, 2012
How long should I run my Pool Filter Pump? As the weather here in Houston heats up, you should be running your pool filter pump accordingly. We suggest running the pool filter pump 8 – 12 hours per day depending on the size of your pool, amount of landscaping around the pool and the level of usage during the summer months. With warmer weather, the water needs to be circulated and filtered longer due to higher swimmer usage (kids on Summer break) and to prevent algae blooms. Now is also the time
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Posted on: May 15, 2012
Pool Maintenance Tip #3 in our Pool Algae Series – Black Algae When dealing with algae, the worst of the bunch is Black algae. Black algae tends to form in cracks/crevices in the pool surface, starting as black or blue/green spots about the size of a pencil eraser. It has strong roots and a protective shell which makes it highly resistant to chlorine. The key word for eliminating black algae is persistence. You need to brush the spots firmly, with a wire brush if available, and then apply chemic
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Posted on: May 10, 2012
Pool Maintenance Tip #2 in our Pool Algae Series – Phosphates and Algae Growth It has been suggested the an effective way to eliminate algae is to remove the phosphates from the water. The belief is that this action takes away a food source and thus reduces algae by starvation. Phosphorous is the base element phosphates are derived from and it is not a “new” addition to pool water, though some marketing efforts want you to think the presence of phosphates is a new phenomenon. Phosphates make the
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Posted on: April 26, 2012
ALGAE SEASON!!! – With the warmer weather upon us, Mother Nature has also returned to us every pool owner’s nemesis….algae. This year, algae blooms are expected to be more prevalent, as well as to contain more aggressive strains than in previous years, as algae from dried up rivers, lakes, etc. has found its way into the air…and it is a much heartier type than your blooms in years’ past have been. Not to worry though, as there is a cure for all types. We will do these in a series over the c
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