Basic Pool Maintenance

Rob and Jane give great tips on what pool maintenance can easily be done by pool owners and how to do it safely.

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How To Do a Backwash Service on a Pool Filter.

Rob takes us through a detailed step-by-step process of how the professionals perform a backwash on a DE Pool Filter and why this service is necessary.

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Variable Speed Pool Pump Motor Recall – Due to Electrical Shock Risk

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a voluntary recall for the Nidec Motor Corporation – Variable Speed Pool Pump Motor. According to the variable speed pool pump recall issued on October 11th, 2011, the product called Ecotech EZ Variable Speed Pool Motors has a high risk of electrical shock because it is not grounded or covered properly.

Please be advised that it is illegal to attempt to resell this product and all consumers should cease use of this product immediately. For further product information, consumers should contact Nidec Motor Corporation directly at toll free (866) 278-6920. Due to the inherent safety risks involved with electrical home appliances, always make sure that the pool products you buy are certified through a reliable source such as U.L. Listed products for product quality assurance.

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How To Clean a Pool Salt Cell

Learn how to clean a pool salt cell with this helpful step-by-step video with Sean from Reliable Pool Solutions.

Servicing a DE Pool Filter

Follow Sean in this step by step servicing of a DE Pool Filter and discover what exactly the professionals look for when they are determining the need of service and how they go about doing it.

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10 People in the U.S. Drown Everyday – and What You Can Do About It!

Pool Safety Basics;

10 People everyday die from drowning related injuries in the U.S. and it’s the 2nd leading cause of deaths among children 1 to 14 years old.  However these causalities are 100% preventable when everyone takes an active role to better understand prevention and share the basics of pool safety with friends and family this summer.  Please take note, so the next time your kids go to a next door neighbor’s house to swim or are swimming in your own pool; the chances of downing  can be greatly reduced.

Here are a few tips ReliablePoolSolutions.com put together:

HAVE A PLAN:

• ALWAYS Designate a (Responsible) adult & ensure they can swim!
• PLAN your pool breaks (children too).
• NEVER leave swimmers unattended – Not Even For (1) Second!
• NEVER rely on flotation devices.

PREPARE THE POOL AREA:

• Have barriers in place when pool is not being used (i.e. fences)
• Multiple layers of pool safety (pool gates/fence alarms, safety covers, motion detectors)
• Remove objects from around the area that children may use to climb pool barriers.

DROWNING PREVENTION:

• Swim lessons are the best way to Prevent Drowning (Classes can start as early as 6 months)
• Remind kids and their guest of the rules around the pool (no diving, no running, no horse play)

Together we can prevent future water tragities. Please share our message with others and make this another great summer to remember!

Have any suggestions for a topic you’d like us to cover, let us know? Please feel free to post a comment below!

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Backyard BBQ tips and ideas for Father’s Day Weekend

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Summer Solutions for a Crystal Clear Swimming Pool

One of our Facebook Fans had a great question on prepping the swimming pool this summer for a long enjoyable season! We decided to post a blog that includes an emphasis on 2 key items for ensuring a crystal clear swimming pool.

# 1 – Professionally service your pool filter

• Why professionally??? Because we are entering into the hottest time of the year. If there is any chance of a clogged filter or a poorly maintenced filter, you will run a HUGE risk of dirty/cloudy water.

#2 – ALGAE FREE POOLS are 95% about properly balanced CHLORINE (SANITATION) LEVELS

Why you ask?…Chlorine is an anti-bacterial chemical that KILLS bacterial (Algae) growth and is what’s used to sanitize our domestic drinking water. But there is a little more you should know about chlorine levels before you go blasting your swimming pool with 4 gallons of liquid chlorine:

• Warm weather breeds algae, so whether you have a salt water pool or you are using traditional chlorine (liquid or dry tablet form) KEEP YOUR CHLORINE LEVELS on the HIGHER SIDE (3.0/ppm) this SUMMER.

• The down side of higher chlorine levels are this: Eye irritation, bleached swim suits, undesired odors, and it can be harsh on your pool plaster or equipment. By keeping your pH also balanced (7.4/ppm) each week this will help to minimized the chlorine consumption. However, you should also know that pH levels that are too low can cause the same effects with eye irritation and be harsh on pool equipment. It is all a subtle balance with a stronger emphasis on Chlorine levels. Check out some SECRET TIPS for a simplistic approach to GREAT water chemistry!

• SECRET TIP (Semi-Annual TEST): SALT WATER POOLS; check the sodium level (2700 – 3400/ppm) NO More, NO Less!

• SECRET TIP (Semi-Annual TEST): **FOR ALL POOLS; Check you CONDITIONER LEVEL (80/ppm) NO More, NO Less! So many people forget this step and it is equally important as chlorine is to a pool. Conditioner is what will retain the chlorine levels within your pool. Without it, 2 gallons of chlorine will become dissipated in 2 days on a hot summer day ~ trust me, the green algae monster will rear its ugly head if you don’t!

• SECRET TIP: Consider purchasing a Pool Rx Natural Mineral Purifier to add to your pool this summer. This product you can purchase at a pool supply store or online. What it does is help aid in minimizing the need to over chlorinate your pool to fight off the GREEN MONSTER. This device can be placed inside the pool pump basket or the skimmer basket and can treat up to 20,000 gallon pools. This will usually will last for 1 to 2 seasons before it needs to be replaced. Many pool pros use these to dazzle their customers with the crystal clear effect it has on their pool water and it is totally safe to use!

Invest a little up front this summer and a little GREEN MONSTER prevention in the beginning of the summer season will go a long ways! Not to mention it will leave you feeling totally stress free when it comes to your swimming pool maintenance. Happy swimming! Any comments or questions about this article, post them on Reliable Pool Solutions – Facebook! We will follow up with our best response and hopefully help others out as well.

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Jandy SHP, JEP & SWF Pumps Body & Locking Ring Update

A feature upgrade has been announced by Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. to improve their already highly sophisticated pool pumps. The feature upgrade has been updated for the following Jandy pool pumps:

Models affected:

1. Jandy SHP pool pump
2. Jandy JEP pool pump
3. Jandy SWF pool pump

Update Issued:

• 2/15/2011

Why the Update:

Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. has a truly vested interest in their customers and offering the high quality pool products found on the market today. Responding rapidly to these issues are listed below.

Reason for Update:

A small amount of isolated reports have determined there is a slight chance the Locking Rings backing off when these pool pumps are under high vacuum situations. When the pool pump is running, the lid under normal operations will suck down creating a good tight seal. However is some instances, the vibrations could cause the locking ring to vibrate loose and could cause the locking ring to back away from its seal on the pump lid. When the pump is shut off, this would cause the pump lid to loose a tight seal which could cause leaking within this area.

Updated Solution:

Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. has recognize this as a concern for their customers and has responded by offering a newer upgraded solutions. They have added what they call an “engagement bump” to both their pump body and locking ring.

Replacement Parts:

• Pump Body; SHP, JEP, SWF (part #: R0445601)
• Locking Ring, Lid, Seal (part #: R0445800)

Diagrams:

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Can I use a Fire Hydrant to refill my swimming pool?!

One option you may consider is utilizing a fire hydrant that is located close to your house. But before you do, know this! When hooking up that fire hydrant and running a hose to your back yard, there are a few things you must know. First and for most, utilizing the local water districts fire hydrant is illegal. There are ways around this. The water that is supplied to the hydrant is typically city owned water.

First check with the pool service company to see if this will damage your new plaster. Second, contact you water district before taking action on filling up your pool. A lot of water districts will send someone out to hook up a meter onto the fire hydrant. This give the water district the ability to monitor water usage so they can bill you later. This will save time if time is of concern to you. The quicker the pool is filled the quicker you can start up your pool equipment.

As previously state, when you are using a fire hydrant to fill your pool, always check with your pool service company first. Pool plaster usually takes a least 24 hours to begin a solid cure. The plaster starts setting immediately, however the total curing process takes about a week. If you blast your brand new pool plaster with 125 gpm (gallons per minute) your plaster could be damaged. Make sure you get some guidance from your pool plaster company to ensure a smooth filling operation.