​If you've had your swimming pool for a while and you're considering an upgrade, there are some things you might want to add to it that will not only extend the life and health of your swimming pool but be a benefit to you and your family as well. Here are five great upgrades to consider with your swimming pool.

1. Automation

Timers are in the digital age and whether you're simply activating your security system or turning on the heater in your pool, timing and automation can be a great upgrade to your swimming pool. Older units can be converted to incorporate digital timers so the pool equipment can operate when you wanted to saving you both time and money.

2. Automatic robotic cleaners.

Robotic cleaners are now available as stand-alone units so if you have an older one or maybe not want it all, these are a great upgrade and there's no need to run the pool pump is often. Many of these robotic cleaners have scheduled cleanings, are enabled with Bluetooth, and can be remote-controlled. You can simply plug it into a GFCI 110 outlet and to save on your electrical bill as well.

3. Chemical monitoring.

Did you know that you can remotely monitor your pool water's chemicals? By connecting the system to your home network you can drop the chemical monitoring system into the pool, download the app, and it will send you notifications when your water chemistry needs attention.

4. LED lights.

LED lights will brighten up the pool and save you money over the long run when it comes to your electrical costs. You can swap out any haulage and or incandescent lights to LED bulbs, which will make a significant upgrade to your swimming pool.

5. Chlorinator.

Tired of waiting for that tablet of chlorine to dissolve? An off-line chlorinator could be a great addition. By installing a chlorinator to the equipment pad, you can efficiently dose your pool with chlorine when it needs it without having to wait for that tablet to dissolve.

For more information on upgrading your pool, pool repair, service, automation, or integration of any of these items please give us a call.

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Things to Consider Before Putting in a Pool Slide

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How to know if your pool filter is working

A slide can up the fun factor of your pool, who doesn’t get excited when they see a pool slide? From the youngest adventure seekers to the youngest at heart.  ​

Before you get too excited and start dreaming about a new pool slide, there are some things to consider before adding a slide to your home pool. If you are considering a slide for your pool you may want to consider the follow things before you pick one out.  

Size of Your Pool 
To start your slide addition process you want to first consider the size and type of pool you have. A slide in a long and narrow lap pool for example would defeat the main purpose of the pool and may not pass building regulations. This is where the help of an experienced pool contractor can help immensely to determine if your pool is the right size/depth/style for the slide you wish to get.  

Good Questions to Ask About Your Pool’s Size 

• Is the pool deck large enough to accommodate the size of slide you want? 
  
• Is the type of slide within building restrictions/recommendations for you pool?  
  

• Will the slide look monstrous next to the pool even if it does work?  
  

Where is the Slide Going to Go 
Most slides take up an area about 8 feet by 15 feet and vary with the type. You want to put the slide in an area that has plenty of room so that you and anyone else using the slide has ample room to get around the slide and up the ladder. You also want to consider where the ladder is going to end up. You don’t want to stick it in the center of a patio that is typically used for seating and hanging out or next to a fence so people have to walk under it to get around.  

Safety Requirements for Pool Slides 
Safety codes can and do vary from area to area. These are the basic safety requirements for pool slides. Make sure to look up the local codes specific to your area.  

• The higher the slide, the deeper the pool needs to be.  
  
• Ladders, steps, ramps, or stairs need to have treads instead of rungs if they are at an angle of incline 15 degrees or larger.  
  
• A slider’s center of gravity must be fully balanced on each step or ladder rung during use. The angle of the steps or ladder must allow for this. 
  

• Slide steps need to meet dimension, tread, curvature, slip resistance, and performance requirements. This is a great one to check local regulations for.  
  
• Fasteners must be sturdy and not susceptible to cracking, coming loose, or breakage. 
  
• Minimum dimensions apply to ladder platforms with a slip-resistant surface at the top of the slide including the handrails. 
  
• Must have a load capacity of at least 300 pounds without sustaining damage.  
  
• Hand rails need to meet positioning, extension, height, design, and length requirements. 
  

• Bolts should be rust free. 
  
• Slides should be kept wet for safe sliding. 
  

Maintenance 
Periodically the slide should be tested by shaking to determine if there are any loose bolts or fasteners. With time a slide can discolor in the sun, use a glaze or polish kit to bring your slide back to life.  

The best way to enjoy your pool is to ensure it is safe and the water is properly balanced. For routine pool care in Lake Havasu City contact EverClear Pool Service.  

It's important to know if your swimming pool or hot tub filter is working because without knowing you could spend several tries clearing your pool water only to realize that the dirt is recirculating back into the pool. Not only could you waste a lot of time but you could spend endless amounts of money on chemicals and clarifiers to get the water back on track. So, how do you know if your pool filter is working correctly?

There are two main methods to figure this out. You could try adding some diatomaceous earth or a sand filter to test it. Just a scoop or two will do it into the skimmer. Immediately after adding it look at the pool jets and returns to see if you can physically detect cloudy water coming back in. If you can, then you probably have a filter issue and will need to address it in a different way. Make sure you don't add diatomaceous earth to a cartridge filter. A little bit of cellulose fiber-based filtration powder can work if you want to see if anything comes through but diatomaceous earth can pack into the cartridge fold and cause excessive strain on fabric elements so you want to use that with caution.

Another method is to test the filter by connecting a vacuum hose and skimmer suction port. You could see if the Jets or returns show any cloudy water coming back through. Of course, you actually have to have dirt on the floor of your pool to see if this method works.

The first method assumes you have a pressure base sweep that uses unfiltered water and if you have a backwash valve it's possible that the valve seal or diverter could be failing, which will allow dirty water to bypass the filter and recirculated back into the pool. However, it's more common for the filter to have an internal problem then a failed valve.

If the pool filter shows dirt coming back through it's important to clean the filter and backwash valve thoroughly. The filter cleaning should be a full disassembly and inspection of each internal part, which is something a professional pool service company can do for you. If you have a sand filter blowing dirt back into the pool, check to see if the sand is more than 3 to 4 inches old. If so, it could be ready for a sand change. Over time, water going through these particles tends to round them out and lose their sharp edges making the sand like small marbles.

Replacing the sand typically cost several hundred dollars and can put you at about 50% of the cost of a new filter. If your residential pool owner you may not need your filter running 24 hours a day and a cartridge filler can do the same job in half the time. There are different filters for different needs so it's important to talk to your pool specialist about the needs of your pool and the filter requirements.

While the rest of the country is feeling the full on effects from winter, we are warm and toasty here in Lake Havasu City. Okay, maybe not as toasty as it could be. But with the weather being in the midst to high 60s, it's pretty comfortable, albeit many of us are putting on that jacket as we head out. But, this is the perfect time to consider cleaning your swimming pool.

You may not be using it as much as you would in the summer, so it's a good time to service it, refresh it, make sure the chemicals are correct and balanced, and get it ready for the spring and summer when the real high temperatures hit.

Give us a call to find out about discounts, coupons, and specials we have going on for the month of December. Do yourself a favor and give yourself the gift of a pool cleaning this year.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO ABOVE FOR A FUN CHRISTMAS TIME IN THE SAND SONG! WE LOVE IT! 

When it comes to pool maintenance and weighing the costs, you may be debating on whether to go with a pro, or try to do it yourself. A pool can be the most difficult and expensive feature of your home and when it comes to deciding between pool care and using a professional what can you do and what can you leave to the pros.

Generally, professional pool maintenance can run a few hundred dollars a month depending on the size of your pool and needs. Pool care usually involves skimming the surface, vacuuming and brushing, emptying the skimmer baskets and automatic cleaner bags. The waters typically tested and balanced with chemicals if needed. Sanitizer levels are checked and water treatment chemicals applied. Equipment such as filters, pumps, heaters, and coordinators are also checked and cleaned if necessary. This is a lot of work to do monthly and it may be too time-consuming for the average homeowner.

What you can do is check the pressure gauge every few days. If it rises 5 pounds or more, the water flow rate may slow down making filtration in efficient. Filters should be cleaned anywhere from 3 to 7 weeks depending on their size but you want to wait until this pressure gauge has risen at least 5 to 10 pounds. When the pressure gauge is lower than normal it can mean that the pump basket or skimmers are full. To empty the pump basket you must first shut off the pump, remove the lid and pull out the basket. Other pool maintenance items could include annual lubrication of rings, replacement of the filters, and pump and heater replacements, which can be replaced every 5 to 10 years.

Basic pool cleaning and skimming can be a DIY project if you have the time. It can be extremely difficult after storms when palm fronds litter the backyards and the water. You'll first want to clean off the deck so that it is safe to walk around and attach a leaf rake to a pool pole and walked briskly around the entire edge of the pool with the leaf rake or net touching the edge of the pool. Pool vacuums can make this job a lot easier but they can be expensive.

Pool chemical management is also something that may or may not be in your wheelhouse. Pools require frequent chemical testing to verify their cleanliness and chemical balance. Altering the pH levels may consist of adding acid to lower it or a base to raise it. You should also check the hardness, alkalinity, and cyanuric acid levels on a regular basis. Your pool may benefit from chemicals to control the metal and minerals in the water, oils and organics or to control algae.

It's important to weigh all the factors as well as your time. Maintaining a pool is extremely time-consuming but the benefits of enjoying the pool far outweigh the cost of maintenance and time if you use it on a regular basis. If this seems like overkill or you just don't have the time, give Everclear Pool Service a call and schedule your pool service cleaning or maintenance today.