Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

Here is a common scenario you may run into if multiple issues cause the cloudy water. Say there was a pool party over the weekend, and the pool was very cloudy on Monday. It could be a combination of the heavy bather load plus the pool running out of chlorine, combined with the organics in the water creating Combined Chlorine, or the filter being dirty due to the suntan lotion and organics in the water. You can see how all of this comes together and how each can contribute to the cloudy water. So, it is more complex than the causes and solutions below. It may take longer to correct if it is a combination of things, or you may need to do more steps. For example, in the above combination, you can backwash the pool filter or clean it apart. Run the pool pump for 24 hours and add chlorine to a shock level of 10 ppm. If you said chlorine but did not clean the filter or run the pool for 24 hours, the cloudy water issue may not disappear. Or if you cleaned the filter and ran the pool for 24 h...

There are four categories for automatic swimming pool cleaners. Suction Side, Pressure Side, Robotic pool cleaners, and Surface Cleaners.  Suction Side Cleaners: This is the most familiar type of cleaner to most consumers and the most popular type. A suction cleaner works off your pool's existing pump and is attached to the skimmer or a side/ vacuum port in your pool. Depending on the pool and type of debris, this can be the most cost-effective cleaner for you. Most suction-side cleaners retail for $500 or less. The suction side cleaner is the most popular on my pool route as it is affordable and effective, and there are a lot of different models to choose from. In most cases, I suggest an excellent suction side cleaner since they are also easy to set up and easy to repair when something breaks. Pressure Side and Return Side Cleaners: Pressure-side cleaners are highly effective. They have a large debris opening and a large bag on top of the debris. They can clean a large pool in 2-...

Cordless vs. Corded Robotic Swimming Pool Cleaners: A Comprehensive Comparison With so many cordless models on the market, choosing between corded or cordless is getting more complex. Choosing between these types requires a nuanced understanding of their features, performance, and suitability for various pool environments. Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaners Cordless robotic pool cleaners represent the convenience of modern technology. Their primary advantage lies in their ease of use. Without the constraint of a power cord, these cleaners can move freely throughout the pool, unhindered by tangling or needing to stay within a specific range of a power outlet. This mobility simplifies the cleaning process and ensures that every corner of the pool is accessible, even those farthest from the edges. Of course, in theory, the cleaner should be able to clean a larger area, but cordless cleaners are only for medium to small pools because of the limited battery life. Users can place the cleaner in ...

R0997900 Suction Cleaner Factory Tune-Up Kit  Polaris Genuine Parts are made with high-quality materials and built to exact specifications for long product life and exceptional performance. The Polaris Suction Cleaner Factory Tune-Up Kit Includes:  (2) Drive Shaft Assembly - R0915700,  Engine Assembly - R0915600 Direction Control Device, V2, Side A - R0916100,  Direction Control Device V2 Side B - R0916200 (2) Tracks V2 - R0916500,  Gear Housing Covers Side A and Side B - R0915500 You can purchase the parts individually, but a complete rebuild is the easiest. Tracks V2 Track # R0526100: This is the first thing I look at when I notice the cleaner is not moving or turning well in a pool. The teeth on these tracks wear down over time, and they are the teeth that grab the Directional Device and move the cleaner. The ATLAS XT and MAXX cannot move if the teeth are worn down. Direction Control Device V2, Side A - R0916100: If the ATLAS XT or MAXX faces you from the fro...

There are many misconceptions about swimming pools, and many are still believed today. I cover a few to separate fact from fiction in this podcast recording. Many still believe their Salt Water Generator (SWG) is a chlorine-free pool. The process is quite complex, but the SWG will convert the salt into chlorine. A saltwater generator produces chlorine through a process called electrolysis. In this system, pool water containing dissolved salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) passes through an electrolysis cell, which applies a low-voltage electrical current. This current causes the chloride ions in the salt to split, forming chlorine gas (Cl2). The chlorine gas then dissolves back into the water, forming hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ion (OCl-), active sanitizing agents that keep the pool water clean and free of harmful microorganisms. This process continuously regenerates chlorine, maintaining proper disinfection levels without the need for traditional chlorine additives.  All c...

 Rising pH can be frustrating for many pool owners and pool pros. You can add Acid, and the pH will be restored next week. You may be trying to lower it, but nothing is happening.  It is also important to note that you may think your pH is high in your pool when it is perfectly fine at 7.8. Based on the LSI, the ideal ranges may not be suitable for your pool. If you haven't studied or used the LSI in pool balancing, there is no more excellent resource than Orenda. Not only can you use their free LSI calculator, but they also offer three free courses that will teach you how pH at a higher level can benefit your pool.  Orenda: https://www.orendatech.com/ Many things can cause the pH to rise in your pool. A Saltwater generator produces a byproduct that causes the pH to increase rapidly. Any spa spillway or water feature will cause the pH to rise through aeration. The pool surface in itself can cause the pH to rise. High Alkalinity in the pool can cause the pH to stay high. p...

The Polaris FREEDOM Plus cordless robotic cleaner provides premium cleaning capabilities with four modes to clean everything from the Floor to the waterline in 2.5 hours or less. The name plays on the fact that this cleaner is entirely cordless. The FREEDOM Plus also comes with a remote control so that you can manually control the cleaner, and it has a very nice transport and storage caddy. The cord has forever been a big issue with any pool cleaner, and having a cleaner that can leave a pool spotless every week without hoses or a cord has been the goal of everyone, from homeowners to manufacturers. The FREEDOM Plus offers cordless cleaning, but you also get some of the features of a corded cleaner, like the transport and storage caddy. The caddy also doubles as the charging station, as the charging base is on the bottom.  Quick to Charge. Quick to Clean. - Cleans for up to 2.5 hours. Recharges in 4 hours. Unmatched Maneuverability: Dual traction motor enables brushes to rotate ind...

Cleaning 50, 60, 70, and 80 pool filters every four to six months is a lot of work. It can be a daunting and discouraging task for sure. Through the years, I have devised many ways to speed up the filter cleaning on my route. You'll find these methods effective, and of course, some tools will also make your filter cleaning job much easier and faster. Let's start with some simple tools that you can add that will enhance your filter cleaning and make the job much faster. I like the Multi-Tork socket set, and these are a great way to get through your day and speed up getting the clamp on and off of the filter. It's amazing how two or three extra minutes make a difference, and it makes a difference in the fact that you're using less energy to get the filter clamps on and off. You can learn more about the Multi-Tork socket set from their website. https://multi-tork.com/ They have sockets for every filter clamp, one way to speed up your day. I recommend getting a set of Multi...

Rising pH can be frustrating for many pool owners and pool pros. You can add Acid, and the pH will be restored next week. You may be trying to lower it, but nothing is happening.  Video Outline: Controlling pH, specifically rising pH, can be a real challenge. Water features add to aeration, which raises the pH. SWG adds to rising pH during their manufacturing process of making chlorine. pH tends to increase in plaster and PebbleTec Pools. New pool plaster has a very high acid demand, and you will find pH rising in a new plaster pool rapidly for the first six months.  More stable in Fiberglass and Vinyl Pools. Control the speed of rising pH by using these three buffers: Lower ALK around 70-80 ppm CYA level of 50-80 ppm Borates at 50 ppm Think of it like this: Vegetation buffers reduce overland runoff. New football helmets buffer hits from other players and act as shock absorbers, reducing concussions by at least 75 percent. In the same way, low ALK, a proper CYA level, and bora...