General Pool Related Questions

Does chlorine prevent all recreational water illnesses?
Chlorine in swimming pools kills the germs that may make people sick, but it takes time. Chlorine in properly disinfected pools kills most germs that cause RWIs within minutes. However, it takes longer to kill some germs such as Cryptosporidium that can survive for days in even a properly disinfected pool.

Also, many things can reduce chlorine levels in pool water. Some examples are sunlight, dirt, debris, and material from swimmer’s bodies. Healthy swimming behaviors and good hygiene are needed to protect you and your family from RWIs and will help stop germs from getting in the pool.

Is it necessary for my pool pump to run every day?
Yes. Your pump should turn over the water through your filter in your pool at least once per day.

How do I clean my stained plaster?
Dirt, rust and other minerals can stain the finish of your plastered pool. If the stain is organic; from leaves for example, a small amount of granular chlorine added at that location and allowed to settle on the stain will usually remove it instantly. Other non-organic stains will not be removed by chlorine.

Do not place chlorine tablets directly into the pool. They will stain and etch the pool plaster. If chlorine doesn’t work, acid usually will. Draining and acid washing will remove a thin layer of plaster (and stains), exposing fresh, new looking plaster beneath. Stains can also be sanded with pumice stones or wet/dry sandpaper.

How often should I drain and or acid-wash my pool?
This can vary greatly depending on usage, proper chemistry maintenance, and hard water. Generally, Acid-washing is required every 2-7 years. In some areas where water is very hard, it is recommended every year to drain your pool.

How long do I have to wait to use my swimming pool after chemical treatment?
Generally, it is safe to use your pool after chemicals have dispersed throughout the pool, usually 15 minutes to one hour. If shocking your pool, wait until the chlorine levels drops to recommended levels.

Is Chlorine safe for swimming pools?
Yes. Chlorine sanitizers are safe when used according to package directions approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Chlorine levels within the recommended range for swimming pool water do not pose any known health risks. Chlorine sanitizers have been used safely and successfully as pool and hot tub disinfectants for over a century. Most public and residential pools are sanitized with chlorine.

What causes Chlorine odor, red eyes and itchy skin?
These unpleasant conditions indicate that the pool water has not been properly treated. A common cause is high levels of chloramines, formed when chlorine combines with body oils, perspiration, urine and other contaminants brought into pools by swimmers.
Contrary to what most people think, a strong chemical smell is not an indication of too much chlorine in the pool. In fact, the pool may need additional chlorine treatment to get rid of chloramines and sanitize the water.

What does it mean if I smell a strong chlorine odor in my pool or hot tub or it burns my eyes?
A common misconception, even among some pool and hot tub “technicians,” is that the strong chlorine means there is too much chlorine in the water. This is incorrect and in fact, the opposite is true. There is not enough chlorine to neutralize the ammonia in the water. More chlorine-based product should be added to solve this issue.

When do I need to shock my pool?
Routine shock treatment is necessary to destroy water contaminates that reduce the efficiency of the disinfectant or sanitizer. Contaminates like hair spray, suntan oil, cosmetics and other organic materials react with chlorine and cause eye or skin irritations and an unpleasant chlorine odor. Most often pools are inaccurately accused of having too much chlorine when this problem is present.

Why is it important to be sure that my pool water’s chemistry is correct?
You want to be sure to provide a sanitary swimming environment, balance the water to protect the equipment and pool surfaces and provide inviting, sparkling water to swim in.

Why is my pool cloudy, and how can I clear it up?
Several causes of a cloudy pool could be the pH is not in proper range, high amounts of calcium or the filter needs to be cleaned. Make sure all levels are within proper range and then clean the filter. If you have a sand filter, this doesn’t necessarily mean to replace the sand but clean the filter with a filter cleanser.

How can I recognize a healthy pool?
While you can’t see germs that cause RWIs, you can use your senses to help recognize the difference between a healthy pool and a potentially risky one. Look for water that’s clean, clear, and blue – free from algae and unclouded. From the perimeter of the pool, you should be able to clearly see the drain or painted stripes on the pool floor. Also, look for drainage grills at the top of pool walls. Water should be constantly lapping over the grills to be filtered.

Check for tiles that feel smooth and clean. Sticky or slippery tiles are caused by algae and other unwanted organisms. Chlorine helps keep pools healthy and will not cause a strong chemical odor in a well-maintained pool. Strong chemical odors, as well as skin, eye or respiratory irritation, are caused by the high levels of chloramines, formed when chlorine combines with contaminants brought into pools by swimmers.

How do I measure water evaporation from my pool?
You can measure water evaporation in your pool by doing the bucket test. Place a five-gallon bucket on the second pool step and fill it to match the water level of the pool (probably have to put concrete block in bucket before you fill it with water to help keep in place). Over the course of 2-3 days the bucket will lose water from evaporation and gain water from rainfall at the same rate as your pool! If there is no splash-out or backwashing during that time, if the pool level drops more than the bucket level then you have a leak.

How much water evaporates from a pool?
The evaporation rate depends on the surface area of the pool, the temperature, and the relative humidity and the wind. “Splash-out” water is probably a much more significant source of water loss than evaporation. To calculate evaporation, mark the water level on the wall of the pool. After some time, mark the water level again. It should be lower than the original one. Measure the area of the pool and then multiply it by the difference of the two water levels. The result is the amount of water evaporated.
It is important to remember to turn off the pool’s auto fill for this process. You must make all measurements using the same units. If the pool is 10 feet by 20 feet then you would multiply 120 inches by 240 inches to get 28,800 square inches. Multiply this by the inches of water lost: for example, 28,800 x 0.5 inch lost to get 14,400 cubic inches of total water lost. Multiply this by 0.00433 to convert to U.S. Gallons. 14,400 cu. in. of water equals 62.352 Gallons (US liquid).

What is a salt pool?
Salt-water chlorination is a process that uses dissolved salt (2,500–6,000 ppm) as a store for the pool’s chlorination system. The chlorine generator (also known as a salt cell, salt generator, or salt chlorinator) uses electrolysis in the presence of dissolved salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), to produce hypochlorous acid (HCIO) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), which are the sanitizing agents already commonly used in swimming pools. As such, a saltwater pool is not actually chlorine-free; it simply utilizes a chlorine generator instead of direct addition of chlorine.

How often do I need to add salt to my saltwater pool?
Salt is added to the water at the time of installation. After that, only top-up salt is required to make up for salt lost through water splash-out, overflow due to rain, filter back-flushing, leaks in the pool etc. Evaporation does not reduce the salt level nor is the salt consumed in the saltwater system process.

How salty is the water in a saltwater pool?
In fresh-water applications (such as pools, spas, water-features, etc.) salt is added to the water to produce a salinity of approx. 3000 ppm (parts-per-million), which is 1/12th as salty as ocean water, or 1/3rd as salty as human tears. Pool-side plants and water-feature vegetation, in almost all cases, are unaffected by the low salinity water.

Will the salt in a saltwater pool corrode or damage my pool, or the pool equipment (pump, filter, etc.)?
No, the salinity is not sufficiently high to cause corrosion. The water salinity is like that of eye-wash solution (very mild).

What is the benefit of an automatic cleaner?
Automatic cleaners increase the opportunity that your pool will always be “swim ready.” Automatic cleaners today are sophisticated and reliable. There are many different types for all applications depending on the type of pool and your locality to suit your needs and existing equipment.
Since it is not possible for your pool professional to be in your yard every day to ensure all debris is cleared, this is an excellent option to ensure that algae does not have a good chance of getting hold of your pool’s finish. The most common types of algae are caused botanical debris settling in your pool. Algae is unsightly, unhealthy for both swimmers and the longevity of your pool’s finish (plaster). Automatic cleaners are a very good option in avoiding algae and staining of your pool’s finish.

What would my annual savings be if I select a variable speed pump?
Depending upon utility rates, pool characteristics, and equipment selected, your savings can be significant. It is possible to recoup the premium cost of an upgrade from standard equipment to energy efficient equipment in the first year of operation. For example, a system featuring an energy efficient high-performance pump, D.E. filtration, and an induced draft high efficient heater can deliver a savings of over $900 annually compared to a standard equipment setup.

What swimming pool safety issues should I consider?
A few safety rules to always remember:
1. Never leave your pool empty for an extended period.
2. Never leave pool gates open. Install self-closers on all gates leading into your yard.
3. If you see water in your pool or hot tub lighting, call a professional immediately.
4. Ensure that you have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) installed where appropriate.
5. Ensure that insulators are properly installed in timer boxes.
6. Never leave children unattended around swimming pools or spas.

Do you have to service the pool every week?
Weekly service is essential to maintain a great looking, healthy, sparkling pool. Consistency is vital to your pool’s overall health.

What are phosphates?
Phosphate is a major cause of algae in swimming pools. Phosphate and nutrients are required by all living organisms-including algae- to survive and flourish. Phosphate is introduced to pool water through rain, runoff from lawns, tap water, leaves, plant material etc. Phosphate remover is used to reduce the levels to as close to 0ppm as possible.

What are those stains in my pool?
Below are a few of the most common materials that lead to surface stains:
Iron (Fe)
1. Origins: Fill water, degraded pipes or equipment, impurities in salt.
2. Evidence: Green water; cloudy yellow, red, or brown water or surface stains.
3. Treatment: Sequestering or chelating agent; gentle brushing, or chlorine/acid wash for more severe stains.
Copper (Cu)
1. Origins: Fill water, degraded pipes or equipment, copper algaecides, impurities in salt.
2. Evidence: Green, blue-green, yellow, brown, gray, or black color in water or plaster.
3. Treatment: Sequestering or chelating agent; gentle brushing, or chlorine/acid wash for more severe stains.
Manganese (Mn)
1. Origins: Fill water, impurities in salt.
2. Evidence: Gray, black, lavender, or purple color in water or plaster.
3. Treatment:
a) Sequestering or chelating agent; gentle brushing, or chlorine/acid wash for more severe stains or gray deposits on plaster.
b) Gentle brushing, or acid wash for tougher deposits; balance pH and calcium hardness.
Fertilizer Stains
1. Origins: Fertilizer pellets that get into the water will drop to the floor of the pool. These pellets contain iron and other minerals, which then stain the pool.
2. Evidence: Brown spots.
3. Treatment: These stains will go away on their own if the pool water is balanced properly.
Leaf Stains
1. Origins: Leaves that have fallen into the pool and are not promptly removed.
2. Evidence: Brown stains where leaves have accumulated.
3. Treatment: These stains will go away on their own with elevated free chlorine in the water.

How long should I run my pool pump each day?
Most pool filtration systems are sized to circulate and filter the water twice in 8 hours. We recommend that you run your pool pump 6-8 hours in the winter and 10-12 hours in the summer.

Should I run my pool during the day or at night?
Because the sun draws chemicals from the pool it is best to run your pool pump during the hottest time of the day.

Is it safe for me to drain my pool?
NO! You should never drain your pool. This is a job for a licensed, experienced and insured professional. Concrete & fiberglass pools can float out of the ground like a huge boat. The liners in vinyl pools can shrink in a matter of a few hours.

SPECS Specific Questions

How soon can I get a cleaning service or repair estimate and what’s the earliest you can begin our service?
We are usually able to meet you within 24-48 hours. We almost never have a delay of more than 2 business days before we can get started on any type of job you may have.

What is your mailing address?
1335 Bennett Drive Suite 131 Longwood, Fl 32750

Do you charge more when there are 5 weeks in a month?
Your monthly service rate is the same regardless of whether there are 4 or 5 weeks in the month.

What happens during inclement weather?
We will provide a scaled back service during inclement weather. We will never service a pool during thunder and/or lightning. The safety and the well-being of our team is our first priority and responsibility.

What happens if I keep my gate or enclosure locked?
Please let the office know if your gate/doors are kept locked and you require notice of a change in your service day. We make every effort to service your pool on the same day each week.

What if my service day falls on a holiday?
We are closed on major holidays. Should your service day fall on a holiday, we make every effort to service your pool prior to the holiday; however, sometimes it will be the day after.

You are closed during the week of Christmas can you explain further?

Each year we are closed from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. Prior to our vacation, we make certain the pools are properly sanitized. Please note that we do not reduce the rate for the month of December as we do not charge extra for those months with five weeks rather than four.

How do I know if my pool was cleaned today?
We leave door hangers after every service. The tech dates and fills out services performed, leaves notes regarding any concerns, and enters time of service. Also, we have GPS in our company trucks. We know how long the techs are at your home, whether the truck is running or turned off, etc. If you have a question give us a call so that we may look into it.

How do I pay an invoice?
You can mail a check, pay by credit card via our website, or pay by credit card or ACH through the links provided in all emailed invoices. You may also setup recurring credit card payments as well as call the office to make a credit card payment over the phone.