Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

At the 1973's National Swimming Pool Convention in Anaheim, Calif., a local company called Swimrite introduced a new Automatic pool Cleaner called the Polaris Vac-sweep. Polaris has come a long way since then and with the new parent company Fluidra, they will just get better and better. Let me highlight some of the cleaners that I like. Polaris 280: This pressure-side pool cleaner is designed for in-ground pools and offers powerful cleaning performance. It features a large intake throat to capture debris such as leaves, twigs, and pebbles, and a unique filter bag that removes debris before it reaches your pool's pump and filter system. It’s also a real workhorse and will run for decades really with proper part changes and maintenance.  Polaris 360 (TR36P): Also a pressure-side cleaner for in-ground pools. It operates without a separate booster pump and uses a unique drive mechanism that allows it to clean walls, steps, and other pool surfaces effectively. All you need to have i...

 The Polaris FREEDOM cordless robotic cleaner provides premium cleaning capabilities with four different cleaning modes to clean everything from the floor to the waterline in 2.5 hours or less. The name is a play on the fact that this cleaner is completely cordless.  The cord has forever been a big issue with any type of pool cleaner and to have a cleaner that can leave a pool spotless every week without having hoses or a cord has been the goal of everyone from the homeowner to the manufacturers.  But cordless technology is not simple and easy. Many of them tried before the FREEDOM and some have been somewhat successful. Here are the reasons why the FREEDOM has got it right and it was worth the wait. 2.5-hour run time. The runtime is important. Most small to medium pools can be cleaned in 1.5 hours but the larger pools with more dirt and debris take longer. Having 2.5 hours to work with is fantastic. 4.5-hour charge time. Being able to run the cleaner two times in one day...

 I sat down with Chris Brin the CEO of HASA and we went over a few pressing issues in the pool service industry today. Of course, the elephant under the rug is the recent acquisition of Orenda Technologies by HASA. I end the podcast with that question but I will start here with what it means for Orenda Technologies now that they are under HASA’s wing. According to Chris Brink, “Nothing will change with Orenda Technologies.” HASA will keep its online courses intact as well as its entire product line. They will just be the parent company in the background much like how KIK Consumer Products runs Comet, Natural Chemistry, BioGuard, SeaKlear, Prestone, and other companies.  Chris says that acquiring Orenda will change how HASA operates more than HASA changing how Orenda Technologies is run. The reps will stay intact, the distribution and product line will also stay the same. It’s not exactly a non-factor with HASA in the background because of the money HASA can pump into Orenda to...

Water ID WATER TESTER(USA) PoolLAB 2.0 (Europe) is a revolutionary photometer that can do 3-test factors at one time. This will speed up the testing and with 24 possible test parameters, this tester does a wide range of tests. Pre-order your unit today for $229.00 (shipping in mid-May): https://clearpoolproducts.com/water-tester?v=f24485ae434a The Water ID Water Tester is the perfect solution for water analysis of private and professional pools and spas. The fixed but exchangeable triple measurement cuvette allows quick sampling by dipping the IP68 waterproof Water ID Water Tester into the water.  9 keys give direct access to the ZERO operation (only required 1x per measurement batch) and to the 24 different pool water parameters. The Water ID Water Tester has both Bluetooth and WiFi built in to either actively connect to the free LabCom software and app or to automatically synchronize data with the LabCom Cloud via WiFi in the background. Test results are always assigned to the sa...

The PORT-A-VAC 2.0 by Advantage Manufacturing is their most advanced portable filtration system to date. It can be used for a great many swimming pool applications including green pool clean-ups, one-time clean-ups, dirt evacuation, portable pads for non-functioning equipment, and more. The best way to describe it to you is that the PORT-A-VAC 2.0  is like having your pool equipment on a dolly that you can move around. This means that you do not need to rely on the pool equipment at your house, resort, or on your pool route. Simply connect your manual vacuum hose and vacuum out a pool directly from the PORT-A-VAC 2.0. Here are some specs on the PORT-A-VAC 2.0 directly from the manufacturer: 1.5 HP self-priming pump with oversized trap 150 sq. Ft. cartridge filter 35' of 12 gauge insulated cord Raised Plastic Tires Rugged 0.090 wall steel Powder-coated safety blue finish On/Off switch with GFI The PORT-A-VAC 2.0 uses a 150 sq ft cartridge filter so it traps dirt and debris down to a...

So what is a normal discoloration and what is a defect in a plaster job? That is a tough one and what may look like a defect could be perfectly normal. Almost every builder makes a customer sign a form stating that color variations are normal and we call that Mottling in the industry.  I have seen several problems caused by the improper filling of a plaster pool. Unlike Pebble Tec, Fiberglass, and Vinyl pools, plaster pools pose some significant issues even when you are just filling a newly plastered pool. It is basically like wet cement in the first few days. One thing you should never do is turn off the water before it is above the tile line. If you do, there is a big chance that you will have a ring around the entire pool, right where the water was turned off at. This ring of discolored plaster will be permanent. You also do not want to use the autofill to fill the pool. That line will leave a streak down the side of the plaster at the autofill outlet into the pool. Last, you wa...

Several years ago I filmed the Excel filter cartridges and they keep getting better and better. Their latest version features improved materials, and you won’t find a better after-market cartridge than one of these. Made here in the USA and quality guaranteed.  CLEANGUARD ULTRA-EFFICIENT MEDIA Cleaner Water = Healthier Life Choosing the best filtration media makes all the difference in your water quality. Optimal Flow Dynamics to reduce energy consumption OPEN-FLOW ENGINEERED CORE Optimal Flow Dynamics to reduce energy consumption and improve debris removal Extreme Strength to prevent collapse during repeated use SECURE FIT BANDING Snug & secure to keep pleats open for the most effective filtration Extreme strength to prevent collapse over time There is a difference when you are shopping to replace your current cartridge filter media. I’ve tried them all and I must say that the Excel cartridges are a solid choice. The material is far superior to the Remay material used in other...

With record rainfall in California this year I think moving forward we will probably have more of these atmospheric rivers.  This means weeks of continuous rain which can lead to a number of issues with your pool and of course pool service interruptions. The number one call I get during periods of intense rain is that the pool looks like it will overflow into the yard and house. In most cases the worry is unfounded as the drains around the pool should be able to handle the runoff. However, there are times when draining is needed and it is a good idea to have it set up with the customer beforehand. Teach the customer how to drain their own pool down to save them a service trip. If there is a hose spigot on the equipment pad, usually above the pump, show them how to attach a garden hose to it and drain the pool. It is pretty easy. Just attach a garden hose, turn on the pool pump, and open up the hose spigot and the pool will drain while the pump is running. Plan B would be to have th...

I am slowly building a series for the pool pro which will be short 3-5 minute videos detailing an aspect of pool care. I can’t promise a consistent video schedule but I do plan on putting these into a course-type format at some time. With everything, I do there just is not a ton of time for me to dedicate myself to one project. With that said here is the first video in the series.  A book I read years ago helped me and it might help you also is called The Go-Getter: A Story That Tells You How to Be One by Peter B. Kyne. It was first published in 1921. This book will give you a good lesson on what it takes to be successful in any business. You can learn the trade by watching my YouTube videos and by taking courses in your local area if they are offered. A fantastic way to make sure you are qualified and ready is to get CPO-certified or Residential Certified through Bob Lowry’s course. People skills are essential because you are running a service business and are providing specific “...