Hurricanes are an unfortunate fact of life in Orlando. The hurricane season begins June 1st and runs through November 30th. You know how to protect yourself from a storm, but what about your swimming pool? These are 17 ways you can minimize the damage to your swimming pool that might be caused by a tropical storm or hurricane.

1. Pool Covers – If you have a cover that is held on by water tubes or some other type of weights, do not put it on. These types of covers will be easily blown off into the yard or into the pool by high winds.

2. Attached Safety Pool Cover – If you have a safety cover (this cover is attached to anchors in the deck around the pool), put it on. These covers are designed to hold even in the winds of a hurricane. Make sure that your straps are taut but not so tight that the spring (if you have this type) is completely compressed. It is also a good idea to put some padding between the cover and the edge of the pool. This will prevent the cover from being abrased by the edge of the pool as it moves with the wind. You can use old towels, water tubes, etc. for this.

3. Remove your skimmer lids (these make good frisbees) and any other loose items.

4. Super-chlorinate your pool (Shock it). This will help prevent the pool water from becoming contaminated. Add a “shock” dose of liquid or granular chlorine.

5. Turn off your filter system before the storm hits, but do not drain the system. This will prevent the motor from burning up if the system becomes clogged or the line voltage drops. By leaving the water in the filter system, the extra weight will help hold down the equipment.

6. Do NOT drain your pool. A pool shell can float like a boat. They can literally “pop out” of the ground if emptied. This is caused by hydrostatic pressure. Basically, the pressure of all the water in the pool keeps it in the ground because on the other side of the shell is water that saturates the ground around it. The pressure of the water surrounding the pool shell squeezes the pool until it pops up. Therefore, keep the water level at a higher level than normal.

7. Turn the pump and any other power supply off. If you can remove the pump do so and store it in a dry place. If you can not remove it, wrap the pump motor, time clock, light transformers and electric heaters with a waterproof plastic membrane and tie it securely in place to prevent sand and driving water from entering.

8. Do NOT store pool furniture in your pool, but DO remove and store all pool furniture. Storing the furniture in your pool can damage the pool and the pool chemicals can in turn damage the furniture. Only do this if you have no other place to store them.

9. Protect the Screen Enclosure. Some damage to the frame of the screen structure may be prevented if you provide a “vent” for wind to flow through. Consider removing screen panels on opposite sides of the enclosure by pulling out the vinyl spline that retain the panels.

After the Storm

10. It may be tempting if your pool is a disastrous mess, but, again, do NOT drain it.

11. If you covered your pool, remove the pool cover and replace the pool furniture.

12. Remove Debris From Pool First. Remove large objects by hand and use a “pool rake” or “skimmer net” to remove smaller debris from the pool. Do not attempt to use the pool’s vacuum system for debris that is likely to plug the plumbing.

13. Let the motor dry for at least 24 hours. If you couldn’t remove your equipment before the storm and it was underwater, get it checked out. When electricity has returned, call a licensed, insured pool repair company to thoroughly inspect your pool and equipment.

14. Clean the filter and run the system 24 hours a day. When the water has attained proper clarity then reset the time clock for a normal daily cycle.

15. Balance water pH, superchlorinate or shock your pool, and run the filter until the water becomes clear.

16. Lower the water level to the middle of the skimmer and test the water and make any necessary chemical adjustments.

17. Monitor the Pool Operation: It is important to monitor the overall operation of the entire system for several days after the storm to be sure everything is operating properly.

Please call us after the storm and tell us your situation, we will do our best to get to you and help you get your pool up and running.

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There are certain factors that can keep you pool water clean and clear. You can sanitize your pool water with the proper mix of chemicals. A properly sized pump and cartridge pool filter will keep it free from visible particles such as dirt and debris. Cleaning your cartridge pool filter can be taxing and time consuming. However, it is well worth the effort knowing that you, your family and friends are enjoying your swimming pool with clean and safe water.

Your filter works hard to keep your pool clear of dirt and debris. Once is filter is dirty, its ability to clear the swimming pool water is impaired and can become less effective. Fortunately, cleaning your cartridge filter usually doesn’t take much time or effort. The key is to do it regularly.

We clean filters the first week of every month, and if you’re servicing your own pool, we recommend doing the same.

Cleaning a cartridge filter is as simple as pulling the cartridge out, spraying on a good degreaser (optional), and hosing out all of the dirt and debris that has collected in it.

Once you have thoroughly cleaned the cartridge, you reinstall it in its housing, start the pump, and release the air-pressure built up from allowing air into the system.

Sounds easy, right? It is. Now here’s why it’s even being mentioned here. Most people DON’T clean their filter on a monthly basis. They look at the filter pressure gauge and say, “still ok…I’ll get it next month.” Before you know it, a few months have passed, and the pool goes green. When the filter is clogged, it reduces the flow rate. Once your flow rate has dropped, you’re basically dealing with stagnant water, and stagnant water is a lot harder to keep clean than filtered water. I promise that once the pool goes green, the clean up will take a lot more time than actually cleaning the filter would have taken you.

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While you are swimming outside, you need to protect your skin from the sun’s rays – both UVA and UVB. There are a multitude of sunscreen and sun block products that can do this; how well they work, and how well you like them is going to take some trial and error on your part.

The first thing to consider is SPF (Sun Protection Factor). This gives a numeric value to compare one product to another. The SPF tells how much longer you can stay out before burning than when you are not using a sun protection product. This does not mean that you should stay in the sun longer, just that you are getting more protection from a higher SPF compared to a lower SPF.

Continue Reading

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Cloudy water in your pools; what are the causes of this unsightly problem or why do I have it in my pool? There are many known factors or reasons for cloudiness in your swimming pool or spa. The fact of the matter is that; there is no single cause for this swimming pool water problem. When we go to a water facility, we want to enjoy a clear, sparkling pool or spa.

However a swimming pool or spa looses its beauty, when the water is cloudy. This is very uninviting to swimmers like you and I; simply because of the dull, hazy, and cloudy water look of the pool.

Causes of cloudy water in pools and spas

The most common causes of cloudiness in swimming pools and spas include:

• Improper or poor water filtration. Pool filters not functioning to their full capacity.
• Insufficient or poor water circulation. In other words, poor water flow and turn over rate.
• Poor pool water chemistry. Your pool chemicals are not properly balanced.
• The early stages of algae growth which is caused by poor sanitation and oxidation levels, is also a swimming pool water problem; which leads to cloudy water in your facility.

Why is my pool water cloudy?

Cloudy pool water is a very wide open ended issue that many pool/spa operators experience worldwide. Still it has to be addressed if we are going to avoid green, milky, and hazy looking pool water. The cloudiness that we experienced in our pools and spas, is the results of the presence of small or fine suspended particles that are in the water. I know you may be asking the question “why don’t my pool filters filter out these particles?”

Well, the truth of the matter is that these particles are so minuscule that they cannot be filtered. This means that they pass right through our pool filters and right back out to the pool/spa. Because these particle are too small to be filtered, they are also very difficult to be removed from our swimming pool water by oxidation.

Causes of cloudy water in swimming pools

As I stated above, the cloudiness in swimming pools and spas is caused by the presence of fine suspended particles in the water, which are too small to be filtered out. One major set back with this swimming pool water problem, is that environmental factors such as the wind, rain, and the surrounding vegetation, are contributing elements that are responsible for these small particles in our pools.

We’re unable to control the environment, but there are other contributing factors that cause pool cloudiness that we CAN control. The other causes of cloudy water swimming pools and spas are:

• Algae growth (green pool water) – This water problem is caused by low or inadequate pool sanitation/oxidation.
• Poor pool water filtration – This is the results of a pool filter system being too small for the job or a system that is not functioning properly.
• Insufficient time for filter turn over rate to be achieved.
• Backwashing too frequently – It is very important that we allow our pool filters sufficient time to collect or filter out the water. Filters work better when they get dirty; however, we don’t want them to get too dirty; because our pressures on the filters will increase and our water flow will be reduced.
• Poor pool water circulation – This is usually the results of a swimming pool pump being too small or not working at all.
• Heavy bather or swimmers loads – This problem depletes your pool sanitation or disinfectant capabilities; thus, contaminating your pool water with residues of human skin, bacteria, suntan lotion, and cosmetics.
• Pool heaters – If the heating system/s for your swimming pools and spas are inadequately treated chemically, you will have a build-up of bio-films and algae; which will lead to cloudy water eventually.
• Bio-films build-up in your pool filters – Other than your pool filters, you can also have a build-up of bio-films in your swimming pool pumps and plumbing lines.
• Insufficient sunlight in your pool or spa – Fact of the matter is that, we need the UV rays because they are a great source of natural oxidizers.
• The pH of you pool water is too high – This causes your pool chlorine to work more slowly or not at all. Therefore cloudy pool water is the result of algae growth.
• The alkalinity level of your pool water is too high.
• The stabilizer (cyanuric acid) level in your pool or spa is too high.
• Your pool chlorine level is too low.
• The calcium hardness level of your swimming pool water is too high.
• Your TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level is too high.
• You have high levels of metals in you water. This gives you a discolored pool water appearance.

How to clear up cloudy water in your swimming pool

Usually the first step in correcting a cloudy water situation, is by checking your swimming pool filtration system. You need to clean your pool filters as needed and re-establish proper water flow rates. There are certain products that are available which can aid in cleaning your filtration system.

These cleaning agents are designed specifically for cleaning different types of filter media. So once you know the type of filter media your pool/spa filter carries, you can purchase the correct filter cleaning aid. Now, once you have cleaned and corrected any filtration problems, you must obtain proper water balance.

This will help in getting rid of the cloudy water in your facility. If your swimming pool water remains cloudy after correcting your filtration, flow rate, and pool water chemistry; then the most likely cause for your cloudy pool water now is suspended microscopic particles. Your next course of action at this point, is obtaining a good quality pool water clarifier.

Using this product in your pool water will allow the suspended particles to clump together. At this stage, the fine suspended particles are now large enough that they can be properly filtered out. Also by testing and correcting the other problems and causes of cloudiness in your pool, you will correct your problem with cloudy water.

Have you had to deal with cloudy water? Have a tip that worked for you? Tell us about it in the comments.

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The weather in Lake Nona is finally warming up and you want to improve your swimming ability or swim competitively, but aren’t sure about the next step – or you have taken time off and want to “get back in the swim?” How should you start, and once you do, what’s next? Here are eight things to keep in mind as you splash through the pool

1. Establish a few swimming goals.
Set realistic, challenging steps to help you meet your objectives. What do you want to accomplish? Improved fitness? Racing ability? Alternate workout opportunities for cross training? A faster (or easier) first leg for your triathlon? Set goals for each workout; what do you want to get done today?

2. If possible, find a local team.
It may be a USA Swimming, United States Masters, YMCA, or other type of team. Finding one that works for you can be a big plus for getting into the swimming routine. Besides the help that a little peer pressure provides, it can give you other sources of input as you develop and some social interaction to avoid monotony.

3. If you don’t find a team that fits your needs, at least find a pool.
You can easily succeed on your own – stay focused on your goals and pack your workout gear the night before – this really helps the “I forgot it” self excuse. If you have a choice, find both an indoor and outdoor pool to prevent interruptions in your routine due to inclement weather.

4. Determine a weekly training schedule.
You will need to plan three to five 30 to 60 minute workouts each week (not including the time you spend changing into your suit or talking with the lifeguards). Do you want to work out at the same time each day, or vary your schedule? You might schedule longer workouts as you improve or if required by your goals.

5. Gather the tools of the trade.
You will want comfortable goggles, several competitive style suits (baggy trunks are good for the beach, but are like wearing hiking boots for a run), a waterproof wristwatch, and a swim cap (to keep your hair off of your face or to keep warm). Often, workout gear, such as kick boards, pull buoys, flippers, and hand paddles are available at the pool. Eventually, you may want to purchase these items for yourself, after you try several different styles to find what “suits” you best!

6. Write a workout.
If you are on a team, this may be done for you by your coach). You can design your own workout or borrow ideas from someone else. You will usually accomplish more if you write down a specific workout and follow it. You may even make a season or yearly plan, and base your daily workouts on those guidelines. Your first workouts should be easy, as you build base mileage and work on your technique through the use of stroke drills. Include at least an adequate warm-up, main work set, and cool down. There will always be days when you want to get in and “just swim a few laps.” This is fine – just be sure to get in the pool regularly.

7. Get started
Remember, as with any exercise routine, make sure that you are in an adequate state of health to take part. If in doubt, check with your physician. As you progress, keep track of your accomplishments in a training diary. Also remember to follow some simple rules of etiquette – swim counterclockwise in your lane, stay off of the person’s feet in front of you, and if you need to spit, use the gutter!

8. Now that you are in shape, you may want to compete.
There are many possibilities. A few are Masters, Age Group, Park and Recreation, Open water, and Postal competitions. Find meets and choose races based on the goals you have set. They should present a slight challenge at first. As you gain experience and confidence, move up to increasingly more challenging events. This will keep you moving forward as you develop your swimming fitness.

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Swimming pool water problems can become one of the biggest challenges that we, who are pool operators and owners can come across. In fact, operating or owning a pool or spa is a challenge within itself. But we get a great feeling of accomplishment whenever we come across a pool related problems and solve them. This is a great confidence booster for many of our egos.

We are more confident when it comes to purchasing the pool chemicals that we need as well as the pool equipment necessary to correct any pool problems. As owners and operators of swimming pools and spas, we have to realize that most of these aquatic facilities operate or are apart of an open system. This means that our facilities are widely exposed to elements such as:

• The environment.
• The open air or wind.
• A vast amount of pollution that are around us.
• The sun.
• Other by-products such as lawn fertilizers and weed killers.

Regardless of having the latest models in water quality monitoring equipment for swimming pools and spas, there will be occasions when your pool water does not meet industry standards. In fact, it can be very difficult on occasions to accurately diagnose a particular problem with your pool water. Through my experience, most swimming pool water problems are the result of poor or inadequate pool sanitation.

In other words, failure to maintain good pool or spa water chemistry. Now a days the majority of the pools and spas around today are monitored automatically. Unfortunately, there will be times when these automatic monitoring devices will fail or give false readings. This causes a serious problem; especially, if you fail to visually inspect your pool yourself.

Automatic monitoring equipment are a great addition to the pool/spa industry; however, they can not replace a good human eye that has being trained to recognize potential pool water problems. If you do rely on your automatic pool monitoring devices, make sure that you carry out the recommended routine inspection and maintenance of the device/s.

Pool water problems and there solution

Problems with your swimming pool or spa water can escalate…especially if actions are not taken immediately. Some of these water problems can become very costly over time. Some of the biggest and most commonly encountered swimming pool water problems or challenges are:

Swimming pool algae – Algae will not develop in a properly chlorinated pool; hence, if your pool is poorly sanitized you will get algae growth. This means that your chlorine or bromine level dropped to zero at some point.
This drop in pool disinfection will make your sanitation levels inadequate and ineffective. If by any chance, your pool chlorine or bromine levels were at zero for two days or more, you stand the chance of developing the dreaded black algae plague. This is a nightmare to many pool and spa owners and operators. Why? Because once you get it in your pool, it is had to get it out.

Algae is a rudimentary green marine plant which is apart of a large botanical family. Roughly two thousand strong. Algae growing in your pool or spa does not cause any disease but it does in fact make your water look cloudy. Algae also causes your pool water to appear green which results in foul odors and taste.

Black algae like I mentioned earlier, is by far more difficult to treat and control. It can cause staining of your swimming pool wall surfaces. When you discover algae growth in your pool/spa, you have to take harsh measures to get rid of it. This usually involves a heavy pool shock treatment.

For this type pool treatment, we use a strong chlorine (superchlorination) or a non-chlorine pool shock as well as a recommended algaecide. Fortunately for us that own and operate pools and spas, most algae can be destroyed by this method.

Swimming pool chlorine smell – There will be times when you physically inspect your pool, and the water may not look all that great. In fact your pool water may appear dull and hazy looking, but there is a strong pool chlorine smell. Now you may ask yourself, How can my swimming pool water look so dull and hazy if the smell of chlorine is so high?.
This strong pool chlorine smell…often cause pool operators and owners to believe that their pool disinfection levels are spot on. The truth of the matter is this! Even though you may have a strong chlorine smell coming from around your pool or spa, there is not enough free chlorine in your water to provide an adequate amount of disinfection.

The strong pool chlorine smell that you are experiencing is the results of too much combined chlorine. This pool chemical problem is more commonly known name as Chloramines. To effectively treat and eliminate chloramines, you have to carry out a pool shock treatment. In other words you have to super-chlorinate your water facility. You can use either a chlorine base or a non-chlorine base pool sanitizer.

Cloudy water in swimming pool- Cloudy water in pools and spas is not only uninviting to your pool bathers, but it is also an indication of poor pool water chemistry. This is one of the swimming pool water problems that can affect the health of your pool swimmers. There are several causes of cloudy pool water. One of which is a total alkalinity level that is too high.

Staining – Stains on the surfaces of your pool walls and bottom are usually a sign that minerals are present. Minerals will cause discoloration of your pool or spa surfaces rather quickly. The most common forms of minerals that you will have are iron, copper, and manganese.
There may be times when you may experience light violet staining. This is normally due to a complex mix of copper and cyanuric (chlorine stabilizer) acid. As luck would have it, staining of your pool surfaces do not affect your swimmers health; however, the look of your water can change their minds from actually entering the pool or spa.

Staining of your pool occurs as a result of several factors. One of which is a low calcium hardness level.

Burning eyes and nose – Your pool chlorine may be at the industry recommended level, but you may still have swimmers who may complain about burning eyes and nose. You may have some swimmers that are sensitive to chlorine but at the same time…there can be a problem with your pool water chemistry.

Scale formation – Scale in your swimming pool usually appears as a white crusty like deposit. This white deposit can cause the wall surfaces of your water attractions to become very rough. This is a swimming pool water problem that can reduce your circulation flow and cause calcification of your swimming pool filter media.

Scale formation on the surfaces of your pool can cause injuries or bodily harm to your swimmers as well. Pool water problems like these are usually caused by poor water balance and a calcium hardness level that is too high.

Your health, the health of your pool bathers, and the health of your swimming pool and spa are all at risk. Therefore, you have to ensure that you monitor the water chemistry of your facility at all times. It is through proper pool/spa management that you will be able to control and limit any swimming pool water problems.

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Whenever you get pool supplies, the instructions say x ounces per 1,000 gallons or something similar. When you start new pool cleaning service, the company asks how many gallons of water your pool has. So how many gallons of water does your swimming pool hold?

The internet is full of instructions for calculating pool volume, and there are a ton of calculators, but one of the easiest we’ve found is the Pool Wizard calculator.

It’s as easy as measuring your pool, and putting the numbers into the calculator. We’ve tested it and it consistently gives decent results to the nearest 100 gallons. You don’t need an exact number (volume) when it comes to swimming pool volume and chemical dosing, so the results will work just fine.

If you’re already one of our clients, you can just call us for your pool volume, but if you’re going it alone, this should come in handy.

Have you found a better pool water volume calculator? Tell us about it in the comments.

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This is one of those posts that will make zero difference in your life, but this morning I realized that the word “Swims,” is the same word if you look at it upside down. See….I told you it was pointless. Hopefully someone else will be as blown away by this realization as I was.

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With the vision of the Lake nona Medical Center on the horizon, the area has seen continued growth and home construction, while other areas aren’t as fortunate. More homes being built means more pools being built, and we always find it interesting to study new trends in the pool industry.

Over the past few years, we have noticed a trend moving to smaller swimming pools being built with a focus on safety, versatility, and “green” benefits being demanded by the homeowner.

Drowning and accidental injuries taking place in pools has become a common topic in the news, and homeowners are actively looking for ways to reduce or eliminate this risk. We’re seeing automated pool covers and various fencing options to address this concern, but very few products offer the aesthetics that some homes require.

“Green” is the new black. Homeowners are embracing ways to be conscientious consumers when it comes to our planet’s limited resources. They are looking at ways to reduce water, chemical, and energy usage and of course save money at the same time. More and more, consumers are demanding real green solutions, especially when it comes to their swimming pools. There are many changes coming to address these concerns, and it will change the way people view the purchase of a residential swimming pool [more info on this in the VERY near future].

Lastly, due to the long term trend of new homes being built on small lots, homeowners are looking to get the most versatility from their backyard investments. They are looking to create as much versatility as possible with the limited space that they might have, as well as trying to create long term value when they are ready to sell their home in the future.

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