Friday, October 30, 2020

PSS Pool Service Software Routing and Invoicing Software for your Pool Route

 PSS or Pool Service Software is the newest pool routing and invoicing software to hit the market. It is designed by two pool guys and a programmer to fit the specific needs of pool service businesses. This is one software/app that is designed with the pool service pro in mind.




 It does a ton of things for you to help you stay organized and to help with streamlining your invoicing. The best part is that you can basically try it for free for an unlimited time with 10 accounts or fewer. Here are some of the great features below. To learn more visit their website and sign up at https://www.poolservice.software/

Get 25% off the 1st 3-months with code: SPL25

SIMPLE & EFFECTIVE ROUTES MANAGEMENT: Quickly manage and track your routes from a web browser or the mobile app. 

CONFIGURABLE VISIT TASKS: Configure which readings, checklists, and dosages are shown and required for your techs to complete

PHOTOS/VIDEOS: Techs can take photos and/or videos during service visits and classify them as Before, After or Internal. The photos/videos marked as Internal are only seen by your company’s management team.

SEND INVOICES & RECEIVE ONLINE PAYMENTS: No need to purchase additional software for invoicing! Manage all your invoices on the web or from your mobile device, record payments, send electronic invoices to clients, and receive online payments for your hard work!

GPS NAVIGATION & GEO-LOCATION: Verify tech's check-in location through our Geolocation feature

ROLES & PERMISSIONS: Assign one or more roles to each team member to control system access. Also, make specific privilege assignments to techs, e.g. show/hide client phone numbers, enable/disable Master Tech privileges to see all company routes, etc.

OFFLINE SUPPORT: Techs can complete service visits without internet access along with all the readings, checklists, dosages, photos, videos, notes, etc. for the service visit.

VISIT HISTORY LIST: Easily access your company’s past service route and job visits including all the visit data such as service dates, readings, readings history, checklists, dosages, dosages history, photos, videos, notes, etc.

CLIENT PORTAL: Send invitations to join the client portal. Your clients will be able to see all their invoices and pay online

CHEMICAL READINGS AND DOSAGES HISTORY: Easily access the chemical readings history for a property while performing service visits straight from your mobile device to help your techs make better servicing decisions.

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

Monday, October 26, 2020

Pool eXact® EZ Master Kit (Part No. 486201-KM)Photometer Tester - Includes 10 Test Factors!

 Photometer testers are a great way to get a spot on readings of your pool’s test factors and the Pool eXact® EZ Master Kit (Part No. 486201-KM) is a great starter kit. It does everything you need for your pool and more and is very easy and simple to use.


Here is more about it from their website:

The NSF/ANSI 50 L1 Certified Pool eXact® EZ photometer delivers 10 pool water parameters with lab-quality results! Most tests with the Pool eXact® EZ photometer use our patented eXact® Strips, a quick and easy reagent system for analysis. Simply dip an eXact® Strip Micro into the water sample for 20 seconds using a simple back and forth motion, discard the strip, and read the results instantaneously!

Detects:

 

Total Alkalinity 10 - 200ppmCopper 0.00 - 9.0ppmCalcium Hardness 20 - 700ppmCyanuric Acid 1 - 110ppmChloride (as salt) 80 - 6700ppmpH 6.4 - 8.4Free Chlorine 0.00 - 12ppmPhosphate 0.2 - 3.0ppmTotal Chlorine 0.00 - 12.0ppmCombined Chlorine 0.00 - 12.0ppm

Details:

Large black plastic carrying case w/ Foam includes:

Mini-dilution kit

Pool eXact® EZ Photometer

Cleaning brush

Instruction manual

25 tests of each:

Total Alkalinity, pH, Free Chlorine (DPD-1), Combined/Total Chlorine (DPD-3), Calcium Hardness, Phosphate, Copper, Chloride (Salt) and Cyanuric Acid

Detects:

Total Alkalinity 10 - 200ppm

Copper 0.00 - 9.0ppm

Calcium Hardness 20 - 700ppm

Cyanuric Acid 1 - 110ppm

Chloride (as salt) 80 - 6700ppm

pH 6.4 - 8.4

Free Chlorine 0.00 - 12ppm

Phosphate 0.2 - 3.0ppm

Total Chlorine 0.00 - 12.0ppm

Combined Chlorine 0.00 - 12.0ppm

If you are doing pool service or taking care of your own backyard pool this would be a great photometer tester to get since it is simple and easy to use. Nothing fancy, just runs the test and get your results fast. The unique eXact Strips are a unique way to introduce the reagents into your pool and they are designed to have the exact amount of reagent ot give you an accurate reading every time.

The photometer itself has been factory calibrated and is pretty much guaranteed to stay accurate for a very long duration. You are purchasing a very high quality finished product that is both accurate and durable.

To purchase:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DR87SGY/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=swimmingpooll-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=58953edc459afe32444e9d19980d9e4b&creativeASIN=B07DR87SGY

 

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

Friday, October 23, 2020

SweepEase Pool Brush: The Best Brush on the Market for your Swimming Pool!

I have been using the SweepEase now for several years and it is my go-to brush for sure. The manufacturer plays up the one-handed brushing of the pool which is a nice feature. I think the best feature is the amount of force that is created with the unique design of this brush. The brush is well made and finished well. I like the overall shape as it makes brushing in the corners easy.




Both brushes use Polypropylene which is superior to Nylon in many ways. Polypropylene is chemical and UV resistant has more flexibility and is more durable than nylon.

They make two models, one for plaster and Pebble Tec pool surfaces with wire bristles inserted among the Poly bristles:

SweepEase 654367706282-SS/Combo-18 Stingray SS/PolyPool Brush, 18" x 2.5" x 6.6", Bright Green/Royal Blue

For a Fiberglass and Vinyl pool they make a complete Poly Bristle brush:

SweepEase 654367706299-100% POLY-18 Brush Small Green

 An excellent choice for a pool brush for both the homeowner and a pool service tech.

Well balanced, durable and the extra force it creates is a definite plus. I've been using it on my pool route now for three weeks and just love the brush. I like how it gets into tight corners and the extra power it produced to push debris off of the walls and floors. And the shape allows for easy carrying and use.

 I've dropped it several times and banged it against pool steps and it is holding up just fine. If you are looking for a durable and highly effective pool brush this one is it.

 This brush should be available online, in stores, and at your pool wholesaler later this month. For more information on it now like pricing and where to purchase you can go to the SweepEase website and email the owner: http://sweepease.com/

 They also, make a 10” Stainless Steel Algae-Zilla Brush for stubborn algae in a pool. This cannot be used in a vinyl or fiberglass pool because of the SS bristles.

 This thing will take stubborn algae right off of the pool wall with very little effort. The compact 10” design and the Aquadynamic engineering gives this brush so much power. Yellow Algae that would not brush off with a regular algae brush comes off easily. Overall an excellent designed brush.

 

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.


Monday, October 19, 2020

Waterway Champion 1 HP Pump

 

Waterway has for years been a very underrated manufacturer probably because the Big 3 has such a huge market share when it comes to pool equipment. With that in mind, this smaller California-based company has been quietly making premium quality pumps and filters for years now. Under the radar maybe but not poor quality or lacking in quality to the other larger manufacturers. The Waterway Champion Single-Speed pump is a great example of this.


About this pump:

“The innovative and compact design of the Waterway CHAMPE-110 Champion 56 Frame Single Speed Pool Pump, 1 HP makes it ideal for new installations and as a replacement pump.

Quiet operation.

Self Priming.

Easy to Service.

60 Hz rating.

Large trap basket with cam-lock lid.

Single Speed High Performance, Full Rated, Dual Voltage Pool Pump.

Compatible with all cleaning systems, various filters, and jet action spas.

 Model Number: CHAMPE-110

Details

This high performance, full rated pool pump is compatible with all cleaning systems, various filters, and jet action spas.

The 56-frame motor of the Waterway CHAMPE-110 Champion 56 Frame Single Speed Pool Pump, 1 HP runs cooler longer and prolongs the life of your filtration system.

Highlights

Adjustable Base and Swivel Unions

Achieve precise alignment and plumbing versatility for adding a booster pump or chlorine generator with this included adjustable base and union assemblies.”

About Waterway

“Since 1973, customers have trusted Waterway Plastics to design, engineer, and produce quality pool and spa products. Proudly made in the USA, Waterway prides itself on using only premium NSF approved materials in all of their products.”

I have been using the Waterway pumps for years now and I couldn’t tell you that it is any different from a Pentair Single-Speed pump in performance or reliability. The quality of the pump is excellent and I really like the extra-large pump basket. It is not overly large but bigger than most other pump baskets in the class. I also find the lid very easy to open which is a definite plus. It is truly a quality product all around.

To purchase: https://lesliespool.com/waterway-champe-110-champion-56-frame-single-speed-pool-pump-1-hp/388043.html/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=spll&utm_campaign=spll

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

Friday, October 16, 2020

Using Aluminum Sulphate to Lower a Pool's CYA Level

Rudy Stankowitz besides being a CPO instructor and a Pool Industry Insider is known as a myth buster in the industry. If you listen to the other podcasts in this series he will speak on if you can lower the pH in your pool without lowering the alkalinity, “Chlorine Lock” and is a Salt Water Pool a Chlorine Pool? In this article, I will focus on the talk we had about lowering the pool’s CYA level with Alum/Floc (Aluminum Sulphate).



To listen to the other parts in this Series:

Part 1 Lowering Your Pool’s CYA Level with Aluminum Sulphate Interview with Rudy Stankowitz:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/5751997

Part 2 Truth or Myth: "Can you Lower your pH without Lowering Total Alkalinity" with Rudy Stankowitz:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/5752189

Part 3 Using Borates in your Pool & Acceptable Chemical Levels with Rudy Stankowitz: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/5752291

Part 4 Truth or Myth: "Chlorine Lock" with Rudy Stankowitz: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/5752342

Part 5 Truth Or Myth: "A Salt Water Pool is Not a Chlorine Pool" with Rudy Stankowitz: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/5752378

To learn more about the courses Rudy offers: https://cpoclass.com/

The most common way to lower your CYA level in your pool is by partially or completely draining your pool. You can also try products like Bio-Active but the cost of each bag may be more expensive than actually draining your pool. Rudy has come up with a novel way to lower your pool’s CYA level by half and that is with the use of Aluminum Sulphate (Alum).

The typical use for Alum is when you Floc a pool to turn around a green pool. This clumps everything together and drops it to the bottom of the pool after a 24-48 period. Then you would vacuum out in “Waste” mode if you have a sand filter or D.E. filter with a Multi-Port Valve. If your service account or pool does not have a “Waste” mode you will have to vacuum out the pool bottom with a portable pump. I have a video on my channel that shows how to build one.

How to build a portable clean-up pump: https://youtu.be/bU8No8Jfjrw

This step is crucial if you want to lower the CYA down using Alum. You do not want to vacuum everything back up into the D.E., Sand or Cartridge filter. Instead, you want everything that has fallen to the bottom to be vacuumed out to a drain or into the sewer and not back into your pool’s filtration system. No one knows quite why the Alum drops the CYA level in a pool but results using this formula have dropped CYA in half in many cases.

 8 lbs. of Alum seems to be the magic number to reduce CYA by 50%.

This is all still a theory, but the results have been documented and are real. So, it appears to work although it hasn’t been verified in a lab or under lab type conditions. But out in the field pool professional have been reporting the effectiveness of this treatment.

If you have never used Alum to Floc a pool the method is very simple. Add the 8 lbs of Alum, run the pool in “Recirculate” mode if possible for 1 hour (you need a Multi-Port Valve for this). If not just add the Alum and go to the next step which is to turn the pool off for 24-48 hours. Everything should fall out and drop to the bottom. Then you would simply vacuum everything off the bottom with the Multi-Port on “Waste” mode or with a portable cleanup pump. If your CYA was at 100 ppm you can check it and it should be around 50 ppm after this process.

Draining is still the most effective way to lower your CYA but this method opens the door up for reducing the CYA in a situation where draining is not an option.

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Pool Start-Up Methods

 In this series, I discuss various aspects of Swimming Pool Start-Ups with a panel of experts. Part one consists of learning about the different Start-Up Methods and some problems that can arise. To get a full picture of pool start-ups I recommend listening to all four podcasts. But from part one, you can get a general idea of what it means to start-up a new swimming pool.




David Penton is a local pool builder in Southern California and the owner and operator of Fluid Dynamics. He is also the host of the Ask The Masters Podcast https://www.askthemasters.org/podcast-1

David Rockwell is a pool Start-Up expert and the owner of Liquid Paradise. He is also the Co-Host of the Pool Pro Podcast 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pool-pro-podcast/id1502306522

Chip Blough of Cal Plastering Co, Inc. a member of the National Plasterers Council:
https://www.npconline.org/

Other Parts in the series
Part 1
Pool Start-Up Panel Part 1 of 4: Start-Up Methods with David Penton, David Rockwell & Chip Blough (This YouTube Video): https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/5641609

Part 2 Pool Start-Up Panel Part 2 of 4: Start-Up Methods & Issues with David Penton, David Rockwell & Chip Blough: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/5641690

Part 3 Pool Start-Up Panel Part 3 of 4: Warranty Issues with David Penton, David Rockwell & Chip Blough: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/5641738

Part 4 Pool Start-Up Panel Part 4 of 4: What a Good Pool Finish Looks Like with David Penton, David Rockwell & Chip Blough: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/5641804 

There have been two commonly practiced Start-Up Methods over the years, the Traditional Start-Up and the “Hot Start-Up” and recently over the past 3-4 years a newer method, the Barrel Start-Up. So which method is right for your pool? According to the panel that depends on the pool surface as well as your experience as a Pool Start-Up Specialist. It does take quite a bit of knowledge to do a Start-Up correctly and doing no Start-Up of course has its’ own set of consequences.

While the pool surface is curing it is basically wet cement and like a driveway that has been recently poured anything that touches it from a leaf falling to a lizard crawling across it will leave a mark. The same goes for your pool. If you step in it or your dog decides to walk across the steps like putting your handprint in wet cement, these footprints will be immortalized in your pool surface. When you vacuum the pool too soon using a manual vacuum head with wheels, turn off the water before the pool is filled or let anything fall into the pool and all of these will leave permanent marks on the pool surface (with the exception of a Pebble Surface).

All of these aspects are covered in the above recording and much more with the panel of experts.

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Bulkpoolbgs.com: Clear Pool Bag Vacuum System Bags in Bulk at Discounted Pricing

 One of the things about owning a Vacuum System is that the replacement bag cost can add up over the course of the year. If you purchase only OEM bags you are looking at anywhere from $35-$40 per bag. But what if you could purchase enough bags for one year or for your whole crew at a discount of over 50% off the OEM price? With the Clear Pool Bag available at Bulkpoolbags.com you can.




You are not sacrificing quality or microns over price when you switch to the Clear Pool Bag. These bags are handmade in Mexico and if you have been in the industry since early 2000 you know that Mexico was once the hub of great pool products. The quality of these bags is excellent and they are available in micron sizes of 90, 200, and 400. They also have a mesh Green Pool Bag available for those big clean-up projects.

 Here are the pricing and if you purchase 10 or more you can mix and match the bags.

 5 bags for $100

10 bags for $175

20 bags for $300

 

Buy in bulk to save money on one of the only major expenses of owning a vacuum system.

These bags feature a universal design utilizing a bungee cord that can be sized for each vacuum system currently on the market. They will easily fit your Power Vac, Hammer-Head, Riptide, and Bottom Feeder. Simply fit the bag over your vacuum system and adjust the bungee cord to size and then zip tie it down. The bungee cord makes it easy to put the bag on and take it off and if it was sized correctly these bags will not blow off the top of the cleaner.

 

Use the 90 microns for sand and silt, leaves, and some dirt. The 200 micron is great for sand and silt, large leaf debris, rocks, and glass. The 400 micron is their heavy-duty bag and is great for everything, although it won’t pick up the finer sand and dirt. But the 400-micron bag is very long-lasting and great for those heavy debris pools.

 To order:

http://bulkpoolbags.com/

 From their site:

“Brand new way to buy power vacuum bags for your pool cleaner.

We sell bulk bags in packages of 5 (chica), 10 (mediana) or 20 (gigante).  You can mix and match too (in increments of 5 bags)”

 If you are looking to purchase a single vacuum system bag, my friend Reggie at Mako Power Vacuum Bags sells great aftermarket bags as well.

http://makobag.com/index.html

 

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.


Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Mako Vacuum System After Market Bags

I have been using the Mako Vacuum System Bags for a few years now and these are very good quality aftermarket vacuum systems bags at affordable pricing. There has been a recent shift in the bag micron rating and the owner Reggie is now going with two higher micron bags the MX-120 and the MX-140. There are a number of reasons for this shift and mainly it is to make the bags more durable and longer-lasting.


So you will sacrifice some fine dust clean up when you use these bags but overall you will gain a longer-lasting bag. If you are currently using a 100-micron bag you will not notice much difference going to the 120-micron bag (MX-120). If you are using a 200-micron bag, I would suggest trying the MX-140 which is 140 microns and will give you the same durability plus a better micron rating. Coming from a 75-micron bag you will, of course, notice a drop off in the ability of the bag to pick up dirt but for the price of these bags, it is worth a try. For some, the sweet spot is a higher micron bag because of the longer lifespan and the fact that there is not a lot of fine dust that even a 120-micron bag leaves behind. Truthfully you wouldn’t really see the difference from a 100 micron to a 120-micron bag.

These bags feature a convenient drawstring lock that is a universal fit to all of the vacuum systems. The bags will work on the Riptide, Bottom Feeder, Hammer-Head, and Power Vac as well as any Leaf Baggers and Leaf Master. The universal fit is great if you own more than one vacuum system as you can easily interchange the bags between the systems. At one point Mako bags were making the bags for the Bottom Feeder Vacuum before Unicel started to make the bags. So you know you are getting a manufacturer level product in these bags.

Reggie the owner makes the bags here in Florida and is well known in the pool industry. His bags have always been top-notch and if you have any issues with them he is happy to help you. You can order directly from their site at:

http://makobag.com/index.html

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.


Monday, October 12, 2020

Polaris PB4SQ Pressure Side Cleaner Booster Pump

The Polaris PB4SQ Booster Pump has a lot of great features and if you have a Pressure Side cleaner of any type this would be a great upgrade for your pool. Off of the top, some of the great features of this booster pump is that it is a TEFC motor which means it is completely weather sealed. Since it has a completely sealed fan it also runs much quieter than your traditional booster pumps.




Here is more on the PB4SQ from Polaris:

The PB4SQ is an energy-efficient, multistage booster pump that operates quietly and is easy to install and service. It has been designed to provide optimum power to Polaris pressure cleaners.

Available for sale only at your local pool store. This product cannot be purchased online.

Features

Energy-Efficient - High-performance multistage pump reduces energy use.

Quieter Operation - Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled (TEFC) motor and innovative fan are designed for quieter operation.

Easy Installation - Includes Quick Connect fittings and easy access to wiring.

Optimum Performance - Specifically designed to operate pressure cleaners at optimum efficiency.

Technical Details

Compact, rugged design perfect for new or existing installations

Works with low-flow and variable-speed pumps

Factory wired for 230V; can be easily rewired for 115V

Multiple conduit locations for convenient connections

Lay-in style bonding lug

Specifications

Model Number PB4SQ

Voltage 230/115

Amps 4.5/9.3

Weight 28 lbs

Length 16 2/16”

Inlet/Outlet size ¾”

The fact that it is a TEFC motor means that this booster pump should be long lasting. Being completely weather-sealed will ensure that the motor will not be ruined by heavy rain or the heat of a hot summer day. The front has also been beefed up with very thick plastic unlike the older models with the very skinny front end which tends to crack and warp. If you were using car analogies this would be the Hummer of booster pumps.

I really like having the wires on top. It can be a struggle to reach the wires on the back of many of these booster pumps, especially if they are installed right against a wall. Having the wires on top makes for very easy installation and the wire configuration is very simple. You can wire either a 230V or 115V breaker so this booster pump will work with any pool set up. Because it is a ¾ hp pump the amps are very low but the power of course is sufficient to power any Pressure Side cleaner.

This booster pump will not only work with all of the Polaris Pressure Cleaners but it will also work with the Pentair and Hayward Pressure Cleaners. So no matter the brand you can easily install the PB4SQ to power your cleaner.

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

Monday, October 5, 2020

Ash Clean-Up and Your Swimming Pool

I have been through about 5 major fires now with one in 2012 that burned right up to my service accounts in Glendora California. The others are what I would call perimeter fires that burned in the 10-mile radius of my service accounts and which dropped ash everywhere. A fire clean up can be challenging and time-consuming as well as frustrating, but it can be done with the right equipment.


Once you are able to get back into the backyard to assess the pool, don’t be surprised to find a dark black mess where your pool was once located. All of the ash and debris will make your pool look unrecognizable. The first step is to get the system up and running and that means removing all of the leaf debris on the surface so that you can get the pool pump up and running. The next step is getting all of the ash out of the pool and cleaning the pool filter. If you do pool service this may be a three-week process.

Here is some of the cleanup equipment that is featured in the video along with the Fire Pump for using your pool to put out a fire.

Portable Fire Pump Cart (Gas Powered): Use your Pool Water as a First Line of Defense in a Fire!:https://youtu.be/Bphr6ip0d0w

Riptide SL Vacuum System: New Plug & Switch, Steering Knuckle, New Bags and More!:https://youtu.be/7G0WBEmc6fs

The Bottom Feeder: Professional Grade Cordless Vacuum System Overview and Use Video:https://youtu.be/XmX24Ggszv4

PORTAVAC: Portable Filtration System by Advantage Manufacturing – Overview: https://youtu.be/uhGYALoLdWs

How to make a Portable Clean-Up Pump to Vacuum out a Pool: https://youtu.be/bU8No8Jfjrw

How to Easily Prime A Portable Clean-Up Pump: Installing a Check Valve: https://youtu.be/raZH8QmJses

To order the 57 Micron Bag for your Vacuum System seen in this video: https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/collections/debris-bags-filter-media

Week one, you want to focus on getting the surface cleared. I set a 25 minute limit per pool so in some cases just doing the surface will eat up the entire 25 minutes. In week two you will want to remove all of the debris on the bottom of the pool. If you have a Vacuum System like the Riptide or Bottom Feeder this will come in really handy. Don’t worry about the ash as it will pass right through the vacuum system bag and you will need to manually vacuum that up. After the first week, the gardener should have had a chance to blow the deck or wash it down so all the ash that is in the pool should be the total from the complete yard. Otherwise, if you vacuum out the ash and the gardener comes after you, don’t be surprised to find the pool full of ash again. So it is a good idea to wait until all the ash is cleaned up on the deck before you vacuum the pool out.

Week three is the time you will clean up the ah from the pool. This could happen in week two if you were able to remove all of the debris from the pool in week one. But give yourself three weeks for this type of clean up process. I highly suggest you use a portable filtration system or a cleanup pump versus the customer’s filtration system. The only time I would use a customer’s filter would be if it is a sand filter or a D.E. filter and it was a “waste” setting on the multi-port valve. Otherwise, the ash is sure to clog up the filter and overload it.

Building a cleanup pump is very easy and affordable and if you do pool service I highly recommend you make one. The cost of all the parts including the pump is under $300 and it is a worthy investment. With the Portable Clean Up Pump, you can manually vacuum just as you would be connected to the customer's skimmer, but you will be connected to the Portable Pump. On top of the pump, you will have another pool hose and all of the ash will go out this line into a drain, the grass, or a sewer line. You will lose some water in the pool but you will avoid using the customer’s filter and keeping it from damage or getting overloaded with the ash.

After the pool is entirely cleaned up you will have to take the filter apart and clean it. Sometimes you will need to replace the filter elements, new cartridges, or new DE grids. If it is a sand filter you may need to change the sand out if you notice poor filter efficiency.

You may also notice chemistry issues with the pool after you have it all cleaned up. You may see more algae blooms and the chlorine may have a hard time holding at a good constant level. This is due to all of the nitrates, phosphates, and impurities that entered the water with the ah from the fire. It may take a lot of effort to get the chemistry back in order and you may need to shock the pool several times before it starts to hold chlorine again.

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

Blogger: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/


Friday, October 2, 2020

the HASA LIquidator Chlorine Feeder and Liquid Chlorine vs 3" Tri-Chlor Tablets

 If you are looking for an alternative to 3” Tri-Chlor Tablets the Hasa Pool Liquidator C201 Chlorinator 8 Gallon capacity may be right up your alley. This will replace your need for 3” tablets and work much like an off-line 3” tablet feeder.




Here is more on the Liquidator:

Economical Method to Make Liquid Pool Chlorine Your Primary Sanitizer

No Cyanuric Acid or Calcium Added to the Water

Requires no Electricity, Easy Installation

THE LIQUIDATOR® is a chlorine feeder that is safer and cleaner than, and just as convenient as, floating tablet feeders. By attaching to and running off of your pool’s pump, The Liquidator® saves you the trouble of having to worry about putting the right amount of chlorine into your pool every single day!

2 Year Warranty

Here is more about Liquid Chlorine vs 3” Tri-Chlor Tablets:

Liquid Chlorine or Bleach is the tried and true standard chemical of choice for most pool service professionals. It is easy to use and relatively inexpensive and it has the least side effects of any of the chlorine you can choose from. It is usually sold in 12.5% active chlorine per gallon with Bleach coming in at about half that strength at 6.5%. It will raise the pH slightly, but it does not contain any Stabilizer or Conditioner making it ideal for all pool types. This means that when you add a gallon of liquid chlorine and your Conditioner level (CYA) is 50 ppm it will stay at 50 ppm even if you add 20 gallons of liquid chlorine.

Pros:

Fastest acting of all chlorine types

Will not raise your CYA level

Safe for all pool types

Easy to use

Cons:

Breaks down by the Sun’s UV Rays so your pool needs a CYA level of 30-50 ppm

Short shelf life so rotate stock or buy fresh chlorine when needed

The gallons can be heavy compared to a bag of shock

Is seen as weaker than shock based on the low percentage of chlorine but is stronger

Tri-Chlor or Trichloroisocyanuric Acid comes in three forms. The familiar 3” tablets that slowly dissolve in your pool, a very fine powder shock, and a granular form. About 50% of the Tri-Chlor by weight is Conditioner. So, a 50 lbs. bucket of tablets is about 25 lbs. of Conditioner. If you overuse tablets your pool’s CYA level can go up rapidly. Trichlor tablets are usually 95% to 99% active chlorine. Tri-Chlor tablets have a very low pH of 2-3 so they will lower the pH in your pool. The tablets contain acid in the form of Cyanuric Acid so if one falls into the pool it is likely to stain the surface by burning it.

The powder form of Tri-Chlor shock is a good mix of both power and less Conditioner per pound. It is fast-acting but has a strong chemical smell so use caution when using it. It is less pure than the tablet form and is usually 65%-70% active chlorine.  I use it on my route and find it to be effective in shocking a pool.

Tri-Chlor granular is a very powerful stuff. It is basically the Tri-Chlor Tablet grounded up in granular form and is 99% active chlorine. Use with extreme caution as the Conditioner in the granular can stain the plaster. The CYA in the tablet is basically acid and if you let it pile up on the pool surface it will stain the plaster as if you dropped a 3” Tablet into the pool. Never add this to the skimmer and if you do use it for Black or Mustard algae make sure it is evenly dispersed on the pool surface. Not for use in Vinyl, Fiberglass, or color plaster pools.

Pros:

Very strong and slow dissolving in tablet form so it releases chlorine all week long

Easy to use and affordable

Cons:

Can stain the pool surface

Contains 50% CYA by weight

Terry Arko has more than 40 years’ experience in the recreational water industry, working in service, repair, retail sales, chemical manufacturing, technical service, commercial sales, and product development. He has written over 100 published articles on water chemistry and has been an instructor of technical courses for over 25 years. Terry is a voting member on the board of the Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC) and serves as a board member for California Pool and Spa Association (CPSA).  He is also a Certified Pool Operator instructor with the Pool Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA).

To reach Terry Arko

terryarko@hasapool.com

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