www.rickrobinsonhomes.com

So you are thinking about buying a home that has a pool? What should you do?

I hear these questions often and here are some of my suggestions:

First thing you need to do is get a professional to do a complete pool inspection that includes a pressure test of all the plumbing lines. When they do a pressure test they will fill all the lines with water and get the pressure in the lines up to 10-15 lbs and they will watch to see if the pressure starts to drop this could indicate a leak in one of the plumbing lines.

An inspection will also give you an experts opinion on the condition of the pool equipment it's possible age and if there is any repairs they feel should be made right away, the biggest issues I have found is an older heater that leaks and or does not fire up. Repairs can be costly if you need to replace equipment. If you have a concrete pool then you may need to have the pool re plastered or tile and coping repairs these can be a costly repair that you should not have to be responsible for. Re plaster jobs could be in excess of $5000.00 tile and coping could be the same.

A vinyl liner pool is different as long as the vinyl liner is in tact and not leaking you should be OK a liner can fade, but this will not change the integrity of the pool itself. A new liner can run from $2000-$3000 for the liner and then another $1000 for the installation.

Once you determine that the pool is sound and you have a good report from the inspector you can go to the homeowner and ask for credit for any pool repairs needed before you close on the house.

Once you own the home take a water sample from the pool to your local pool supply center and have the water tested. They will tell you what you need to add to the water to keep it clean and safe for swimming, they can also guide you on proper maintenance and operation. A pool is a great feature to have in the backyard, it can be fun for the whole family and give your kids some great summer fun.

With a little knowledge and patience, a pool can be a great STAYCATION at home and save you a great deal of money on those costly trips to the beach.

So go ahead and buy that house and go swimming.....

Until Next Time....

So you are thinking about buying a home that has a pool? What should you do?

www.rickrobinsonhomes.com

So you are thinking about buying a home that has a pool? What should you do?

I hear these questions often and here are some of my suggestions:

First thing you need to do is get a professional to do a complete pool inspection that includes a pressure test of all the plumbing lines. When they do a pressure test they will fill all the lines with water and get the pressure in the lines up to 10-15 lbs and they will watch to see if the pressure starts to drop this could indicate a leak in one of the plumbing lines.

An inspection will also give you an experts opinion on the condition of the pool equipment it's possible age and if there is any repairs they feel should be made right away, the biggest issues I have found is an older heater that leaks and or does not fire up. Repairs can be costly if you need to replace equipment. If you have a concrete pool then you may need to have the pool re plastered or tile and coping repairs these can be a costly repair that you should not have to be responsible for. Re plaster jobs could be in excess of $5000.00 tile and coping could be the same.

A vinyl liner pool is different as long as the vinyl liner is in tact and not leaking you should be OK a liner can fade, but this will not change the integrity of the pool itself. A new liner can run from $2000-$3000 for the liner and then another $1000 for the installation.

Once you determine that the pool is sound and you have a good report from the inspector you can go to the homeowner and ask for credit for any pool repairs needed before you close on the house.

Once you own the home take a water sample from the pool to your local pool supply center and have the water tested. They will tell you what you need to add to the water to keep it clean and safe for swimming, they can also guide you on proper maintenance and operation. A pool is a great feature to have in the backyard, it can be fun for the whole family and give your kids some great summer fun.

With a little knowledge and patience, a pool can be a great STAYCATION at home and save you a great deal of money on those costly trips to the beach.

So go ahead and buy that house and go swimming.....

Until Next Time....

Pool Chemicals are no joke.They can hurt you.




www.rickrobinsonhomes.com

 

Pool Chemicals can hurt you.

It has come to my attention lately that people are not taking proper care in storing and handling pool chemicals.

Chlorine being the biggest concern I will discuss a little bit about proper storage and handling.

There are several different types of Chlorine.

1. Sodium Hypochlorite- This is also know as Liquid Chlorine and is the most popular. This has a 15% available chlorine level and a high PH factor of 13 so this will most likely raise the PH levels in your pool but it hits hard and fast.
2. Calcium Hypochlorite- This is a granular form of chlorine mostly used in concrete pools
3. Lithium Hypochlorite- This is a granular chlorine designed for vinyl liner pools as it dissolves better than the Calcium version so as to not bleach or stain the liner. It is 35% available chlorine, it takes almost 3 lbs of lithium to equal one lb of tri-chlor. Its has a pH factor of 11 which means you will have to add acid to adjust the pool water to within proper PH range. 
4. Tri-Chlor- This is a tablet form of chlorine usually put in a floater or chlorine dispenser it has cyanuric acid pressed into the tablets. This has 90% available chlorine, but has a PH factor of 3 so it will draw the ph level in your pool water down.
5.  Di-chlor another from of Granular chlorine is made in roughly the same manner as tri-chlor;The pH is a factor of 7 so it is closer to the neutral range as far as acid content and it dissolves quickly. Di-chlor has 62% available chlorine

So the above is just the basics of Chlorine we can get a little deeper into it on a later blog.

As for storage of these chemicals keep this in mind....

Chlorine in any form is a corrosive and it WILL rust anything you keep near it that is metal, those of you that keep it in your shed with your lawnmower know exactly what I mean.

Chlorine gas that is emitted from its container when opened can knock you out and in larger doses can be lethal. Rule of thumb is to wear protective gloves, eye protection and a mask when handling chlorine.

NEVER EVER MIX CHEMICALS TOGETHER ESPECIALLY CHLORINE THIS CAN PRODUCE AN EXPLOSION OF GREAT FORCE. ALWAYS ADD CHEMICAL TO WATER NEVER WATER TO CHEMICAL.

Just to give you something to think about I have enclosed a link to a story of a Chlorine leak at a commercial pool complex.

Read this and listen to my warnings.

Until Next Time...

www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2013/07/15_hospitalized_after_being_exposed_to_chlorine_at_washington_township_swimming_pool.html

What is the best type of filter for my in-ground pool?

www.rickrobinsonhomes.com

What is the best type of filter for my in-ground pool?

That's a loaded question, first let me say that every pool pro will give you a different answer based on their experience and customer base.

Climate also plays a role in which filter type is best for your area.

In the warm states Diatomaceous Earth filters (D.E.) is mined and is the fossilized exoskeletons of tiny diatoms, are probably the best since high humidity and high temperatures can easily turn a pool green and the DE filters will keep these pools the cleanest, you have a grid system within the tank itself and you add DE powder through the skimmer and this DE powder coats the grids and the dirt and debris get stuck to the DE and the clean water passes through the grid and goes back to the pool as clean water.

Next in line is the Cartridge filters these have a greater surface area than sand allowing for fewer clogs and easier maintenance. They run at lower pressure than sand which puts less backpressure on the pump, providing more flow and turnover. Cartridge filters should be cleaned once or twice a season by simply hosing the cartridge element off. These filters have a pleated paper filter inside the tank that the water passes through to trap the dirt in the pleats, the clean water goes back to the pool through the center of the pleated filter.

The last filter grade is Sand filters, these use a sand base and finger laterals on the bottom of the sand the water enters on the top of the sand bed and as the water flows down through the sand debris get trapped in the sand bed and clean water enterers the laterals on the bottom of the tank and then get pushed back to the pool as clean water.

All filters clean the water via a media ( D.E., Sand, Cartridge) the grading of the media is determined by how small a micron of debris the media will capture. Sand filters will capture as little as 20 microns, cartridge filters will capture as small as 10-15 microns and D.E. filters will capture as small as 2-5 microns. The smaller the number of microns captured the cleaner the water will be so as you can see D.E. filters are the best ones out there today.

Unlike Cartridge filters that you can hose off to remove the debris, DE and Sand filters must be backwashed, this is where you run water backwards through the filter to blow off the debris and allow it to exit the filter via the backwash line. Both of these filter types have a Multi-Port valve on them to allow you to backwash the tank.

So I guess the answer to the original question is this...Which ever filter will work better than the one you are struggling with now, LOL my vote is for the D.E. filters.

Until Next Time...

Do you know that with temps above 45 degrees, your pool water could be growing algae and turning that nice clean clear water GREEN?

Rick the Spa Guy

The northeast is having a heat wave this winter and I bet you are not thinking about your closed pool are you? 


 Do you know that with temps above 45 degrees, your pool water could be growing algae and turning that nice clean clear water GREEN?

 So those of us in the North East should be popping the corners of our covers open and adding some algecide and maybe even some liquid chlorine to keep the water clear.


Spring is right around the corner (OK I wish) but it will be here soon enough and do you really want to open that cover and see a black pool or pond green water and spend 2 weeks trying to clean it up?


Do this; go to your local pool center and pick up one or two bottles of winter algecide like you did to close the pool and add them around the pool. The worst that can happen is you put in chemical that you may not have needed at that time, but if you do need it you will save yourself the aggravation of a nasty cleanup in the spring and be VERY happy you did.


This goes for all the above ground pools out there as well (if not more important). The above ground pool walls heat up from the sun on these warmer days and can also heat up the water. Remember the old saying...An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.


This is just an FYI message, I hope you heed my warnings and go check on your pool.


Until Next Time...

"Pay It Forward" Help others to have a great holiday season.

Rick the Spa Guy

"Pay it Forward" to me means to go out of my way to help someone I may or may not know to have a better day, week, holiday or what ever I can do for them.

Being in the service industry I get to meet and talk to a lot of people everyday. Most of us today are in the same boat, working to survive and trying to give our family a great holiday season. I love this time of year, don't you?

The best in people comes out. This time of year I am the politest, and happy person I wish I was all year long. I decided 2 years ago to "Pay It Forward", during the holiday season I met a woman who's husband had recently passed away and she was having to deal with the household chores and the pool herself and did not know who to trust. My heart went out to her. She called me to close her pool since her regular guy would not call her back, this is when I found out the details about the husband,(she volunteered the info).

Well once you hear that kind of thing you just have to help out don't you? So, I offered to close the pool for cost and told her to call me in the spring and I would help her out with the vinyl liner replacement that she needed.

She called me the next April and we discussed the upcoming job and what would be involved, it was then I decided to "Pay It Forward" I replaced the liner at a my cost and closed her pool for free. This made me feel great knowing I helped her out and did something that was not just for me, I saw the way her kids loved the pool and I wanted to make thing great for them and make it so she knew she could trust me and I would do it right for her.

She has since referred me to several of her friends even though they did not need my services, this is how she Payed it Forward for me. To this day I still take care of her pool and we are good friends. I hope all of you that read my blogs will find a way to "pay it Forward" for someone this holiday season, you will not believe how good you will feel. Kindness is the best medicine for all that ails you.

I am trying to write about things that are close to my heart during the winter months when most of my industry is trying to figure out how to survive another year. I love to blog and my only wish is that I can help some people out there by giving them some info that they needed to do it themselves and save some time and money, and if they tell people about me all the better, if not I am still doing what I love so all is good.

If there is a topic that you would like me to write about, send me a comment and I will do my best. I also have a face book page that I do get comments on so you can always visit me there as well. Rick the spa guy is my new handle, what do you think? LOL

I again want to wish you a Happy and Healthy holiday season, and I hope we can help each other out in the future. Tell your friends....

Until Next Time...

Top Tips For Keeping Rodents out of Your Spa and Swimming Pool

After investing in a new spa or swimming pool, the last thing you will want is rodents getting into the system and wreaking havoc – we have all heard stories about broken heaters which are inspected only to find a rat and its family living inside. Unfortunately for spa and swimming pool owners it is an ideal environment for rodents, especially during the cold winter months as it is warm, cosy and concealed so they are at no danger. Rats not only carry diseases but can also cause a significant amount of damage chewing through wires and building their nests in unwanted places. Luckily there are some ways of preventing them from entering and if the worst comes to worst, a pest control company will always be able to solve your problem.


The first step to take is to make sure that there is no way in for the rodents, blocking up holes with expandable foam is a good idea but be sure to check that this would not affect the workings of the system. Rats only need a gap about the same size as a 20 pence (Quarter Size) piece and mice a 5 pence (Dime Size) piece – they really are nature’s contortionist. 


Steel wool also works well because rodents hate the texture and will not try to bury through. Cover up ventilators with fine mesh to allow for air flow but to stop any pests squeezing through the slats.


It is during the winter months that your spa and swimming pool are particularly favoured by rodents because it is cold and you are less likely to be using them on a regular basis. Therefore switching on your heater regularly during these months also will dissuade pests from finding a new home.


Another tip is to line the heater box with hardware cloth. This is essentially a screen type cloth made from metal. The benefit being that it will not harm your system and rodents cannot chew through it.
There are some substances that rodents do not like the smell of and will keep them at bay. You can either use mothballs or most pest control companies stock rodent repellent – placing mothballs under your spa or in the system and spraying rodent repellent around should keep rodents away. Peppermint is another scent rodents dislike so spraying this around the spa is another good tip.


Hopefully by using these tips you will be able to keep your spa and swimming pool rodent free. Most importantly make sure you are continually checking for signs of pests so you can act as soon as trouble arises! Remember that if you are unsure about how to tackle a problem or feel that it is too large; contacting a pest control company can save stress and money in the long term.


Author Bio:
This article has been written on behalf of Abate Pest Management Ltd – a pest control company covering the whole of East Anglia.

Pool Closing Instructions

Rick the Spa Guy

Time for that dreaded pool closing... So you want to close the pool yourself... Here are a few tips to get you going...

ABOVE GROUND POOL CLOSING: Drain out the pool water to just below the skimmer faceplate. Plug the pool return and dissconnect all hoses going to pool, drain out filter and pump of any water. Open filter and clean completly. Inflate air pillow and center pillow in pool and tie off each end to sides of pool so air pillow will stay in place, drape cover over pillow and leave about 1 foot of cover over edge of pool and use wire tie looping through each eyelet and fasten with winch.

INGROUND POOL CLOSING: This is tricky... you need to lower the water in pool to below skimmer in vinyl pool and/or 6" below tile line in concrete pool. Drain out filter system of any water, take filter apart and clean throughly, you will need a blower or shop vac to blow out the plumbing lines. Blow out the suction lines first, and be sure to put in an empty bottle or compensator in each skimmer in case of and water getting in and ice forming. Blow out the return lines with the blower and start to plug each return line starting with the return closest to the equipment and working your way to the furthest one, once this is complete you will need to blow out the pool equipment, again starting with the piece of equipment that is the furthest from the pump, ie; filter then chlorinator, and finally the pump plugs. Now you can put in the closing chemicals and antifreeze in the skimmer lines, and cover the pool, be sure if you hjave the solid water bag type cover that you get a cover pump and keep the water from getting to high on top of the cover as this can then freeze and cause damage to the cover and or pool.

Well these are the basics and of course not every pool is the same so you may need to adjust some things, just remember it is all common sense, take your time and you will be fine.

Until Next Time....

October Pool Closings

Rick the Spa Guy

October is the month that we all realize that summer is over and the pools need to close. I find this month depressing as I love the summer and being outdoors and the sun shining. Living in the north east I get to look forward to the grey cold winter days and frigid nights, but I will say that I do like the fire pit and sitting around a roaring fire and enjoy some family time.

Well getting back to the pools, it's time to get those pools closed so make sure to shock the pool at least a day before you close as the chlorine can fade your liner or pool surface if you super shock and then put a cover right on the pool and trap that high chlorine level under the cover. Make sure the PH and Alkalinity is balanced as well. The better the pool looks at closing the easier the opening will be and you will be glad come spring that you took the extra time now.

Those of you with spas, you should be draining and cleaning your spa for the end of summer. If you drain it now then you should be good till March of 2012 and not have to worry about the cold months and having to drain it out, make sure to clean those filters good or replace them if it has been a year.

I will be posting from my new e-commerce site soon, so keep an eye out for it. www.fixmypoolandspa.com I will have all your pool and spa parts and accessories that you need as well as some very nice backyard heater and fire pits etc.

Well that about it for now I will right again soon, hope all is well with you my loyal readers and I thank you for following my blogs I hope I can help someone with each and every blog I write.

Until Next Time...