Green swimming pool

Spring is here and many people in Florida are starting to use their pools.  If people don't have a pool service company, their pool can catch them by surprise.  Why is that?  Most have not been doing the much needed consistent service they should have on a weekly basis.  In the Orlando, Florida area there is no such thing as winterizing a pool.  It's more cost effective and makes only sense to keep the pool running and maintain it.  It is generally in the 70's and occasionally 80's in the winter months here in the winter.  There are only probably 2 weeks where the temps may drop low enough to where water temps get cold enough.   So if you save a couple dollars and risk spending hundreds more, it's hard to justify.  Not to mention the wear and tear on your pool and equipment.

So now that your reading this and realize it's too late.  Lesson learned and won't do that next year.  What do I need to do to get my messy pool back in shape.  Well first make sure your equipment is in good order.  Especially your filter. Weather it may be a DE filter or cartridge filter, it may be time to consider servicing your DE filter or replacing your cartridge.  Sometime best to start with the old one first and replace during the process.  

Biggest tip is to use LOTS of chlorine if your pool is nasty green.  Depending on the severity, more is usually better if you can't see the bottom at all. Then you can back off after pool is clearing up.  First goal is to get the water clear.  Then, the next step is to get the pool swimmable.  Lot of filter cleaning and vacuuming is needed.  Brushing after first dose of chlorine and then running the pool extra time.  Doing this every couple of days is key to getting the pool cleaned up.  

Sounds like a lot of work and the wife and kids anxiously waiting for the pool to use.  It's time to call in the professionals. We can general clear up a pool in 10-14 days or less.  If not it may be time to drain it and start over again.  That's why it pays to have a professional that knows the best plan of attack.  Saves you the aggravation and waste of costly chemicals.  Draining a pool should never be done by a novice.  The risk of popping a pool is way to high in Florida.  The water table is high and posses a great risk.  I have seen pools with water table only 3-4ft deep and had greater slopes on both sides.   Springs or natural water sources can defy logic at times.  We carry insurance to cover these risks.  I have never seen a pool pop.  However I have seen the aftermath of someone else's work before.  I have been told that a costly mistake could entail $50,000 to remove the old pool and to build a new one.  We also service pools that have cost even more that that to just build.

Swimming Pool Phosphates

Phosphates can increase the likelihood growth of algae in swimming pool water and can enter the water from such sources as:  decaying plant matter, fertilizers, mineral treatment chemicals, contaminated well water, acid rain, contamination with soil, ground water runoff, bird droppings, bather wastes, urine and sweat.  Phosphate is a vital plant nutrient and the presence in swimming pool water, even at low concentrations, can cause accelerated algae growth in poorly maintained pools.  Pools, that are properly maintained, usually do not have unexpected difficulty controlling algae, even in the presence of phosphates.  Higher levels of phosphates can make algae control more difficult and increase the amount of sanitizer required to maintain satisfactory control of algae.  It is possible to remove modest levels of phosphates, by treating the pool water with a phosphate precipitating product.   Very high levels may require so much of the precipitating compound, as to render this approach impractical, unless there is no option of water replacement.   In order for phosphate reducing products to work the concentration of phosphates must be reduced to extremely low levels:  parts per billion.  The benefits of such product use is adding another layer of protection against algae growth.  Proper pool water maintenance is always the first line of defense.  Testing for phosphates is not universal, but in those cases where algae control is proving difficult, despite apparently ideal pool water conditions, testing for phosphates and nitrates might be advantageous. 

If your frustrated with your algae problem that continues to have you back at the pool store, it may be time to call a professional to help. We have the experience of servicing pools thousands of times and many different scenarios.

www.seabreezepool.net 

How to eliminate Green ALgae in your Swimming Pool

Before Clean Up

Green algae is a common swimming pool problem, which may appear as a greenish growth on the floor and walls of a swimming pool, a green tint to the pool water, or greenish material suspended in the pool water. The only way  that to kill an algae growth is super chlorinating swimming pool  or commonly  called "shocking" the pool. Shocking can be done with  granular form of highly concentrated chlorine or using several jugs of liquid chlorine.  This can quickly raises the chlorine level of the swimming pool water. The elevated chlorine level makes the pool water conditions unlivable for anything organic, and algae quickly dies.
In many cases where we have found green algae present the pool has been left unmaintained for a period of time or something more serious can be the root of the problem.  Here is a photo of a swimming pool below as hard as it is to believe that had current pool service and was being cleaned by a pool company. The owner had the service company called back several times.  However lack of experience and expertise can lead to a more serious pool problem not being identified.  We came in and saved this one without draining the pool.  There was some issues with the pool having a leak which we were able to repair after the initial clean up.  Trust the experts when you have a persistent problem, it can save you time, money, and aggravation in the long run.

After Clean UP

Before Clean UP

After Clean up

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Swimming Pool Freeze Tips

The following are some tips for swimming pools located in warmer temperatures like central Florida.  When winter months only have an occasional freeze that briefly takes place (doesn't last longer than several hours in the night) like central Florida winterizing a pool isn't necessary. As a matter of fact it is more cost effective to simply maintain your pool.  The other benefit is that if you have a pool spa combo, you may still use your spa in the cooler months.  Many of our customers enjoy the use of their spa especially over the holidays like Christmas and New Years.

The best practices with a threat of frost are to let your pool run through the night.  You can adjust your timer if you like to run at night instead of daytime.  Many automated controls have a freeze alert setting so that they will come on when the temperature drops to a certain temperature close to freezing.  Keep in mind it is highly unlikely that you would have any threat of a freeze damaging any equipment if the freeze doesn't last.  The only thing that could be possible would be if you have a solar heating system that had water remaining in panels.  These systems are designed to drain when the equipment is shut down.
 
Any questions on freeze tips for warm climates feel free to contact us with any questions.  Check out our web page and on contacts tab you can email us

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Surf na Tsunami

Pool Tips

Some helpful pool tips now that we are in the peak season.  Number of things to keep your pool looking clear through the summer.  Clean your filter regularly. We clean our pool filters on a documented schedule. Cartridge filters clean every 2 weeks.  De filters backwash every 4 weeks.  Regularly cleaning filter keeps water flow at optimal, also any algae that does enter your pool can be filtered out and removed.  It is easier to prevent algae than removing it.  There a several products on the market that can be added regularly.  Also keep your skimmer and pump basket free from debris. Regularly vacuuming pool if there is visible debris as well.  Weekly brushing your entire pool.

We provide weekly pool service and document services that are done each week as well as chemical readings and chemicals that are added.  As a homeowner if you take time to do these as well if you decide you want to care for your own pool we would recommend keeping a log book as well. Keep in mind if you want your pool and equipment to last as long as possible avoiding unnecessary equipment failure your pool chemistry is vitally important. Trust the experts to help you protect your investment. Visit us at seabreezepool.net

How does a salt system work?

The Salt chlorinator is installed close to the filter and pump location. There is a "cell" installed in the pool plumbing in the area by the pump and filter equipment. A power box is  installed on the wall of the home. When the pool or spa pump is running, pool water is sent through an inline cell and the salt in the pool water is converted into sodium hypo chloride. (chlorine or sanitizer) The sanitizer flows back to the body of the pool and the process continues over and over again. The power box or power supply is electrically connected to the inline cell and controls the amount of time and output of the pool sanitizer.Visit us at seabreezepool.net