(928) 453-5819 - EverClear Pool Services Blog - Lake Havasu City Arizona

Educational Pool Games for Back to School

9/21/2020

Now that the kids have been back to school for a little while we thought we would share some fun pool games you can play with them to help them become stronger in some of the skills they are learning in school.

Here are some fun educational games to play in the pool.

Word Hunt

Buy a couple of packs of sponges and write random letters on each one with a large permanent marker. To be able to create more letters you can cut the sponges down to smaller sizes if you wish. Have your kid(s) grab a specific number of sponges after you say go. You can play a second way by having them grab as many sponges as they can in a certain time period. When they have all of their sponges, see how many words they can create.

Pool Noodle Counting

This can be a fun math game for younger kids. Purchase a pool noodle and cut it into ten equal rings. Write the numbers from one through ten on each ring, you can buy more noodles and write more numbers if you wish. Throw the rings in the pool and have your kids collect and put numbers in order, count by twos, by threes, find two numbers that add up to a number you call out, etc.

Treasure Hunt

Grab a handful or two of spare change and throw it in the pool. Tell your kids they can keep all of the money they find if they add it up themselves and get the right amount. Change is a great way to count by fives, tens, twenty-fives, and of course ones.

Whirlpool/Wavepool

This is a game best played with several people. Kids love how they can generate enough power to change the flow of the water in the pool. Smaller pools are easier to accomplish the task.

-Whirlpool: have everyone circle around the outside edge of the pool in the same direction for at least three or four minutes. With enough people this will cause a current that creates a water tornado in the middle and sort of carries everyone along with the current.
-Wavepool: this works really well with boogie boards, but can also be accomplished by just moving your arms back and forth just under the water’s surface without breaking the surface tension.

Boat Race

Have each kid create their own boat that floats and line them up in the pool. Give every boat builder a straw and see who can sail their boat from end of the pool to the other by blowing through the straw to push the boat. It’s a fun science lesson.

For more great pool tricks and care information please browse our website. For professional pool maintenance in Lake Havasu City please contact us anytime.

What Type of Pool is Best for My Home

8/17/2020

Many people right now are interested in investing in a backyard swimming pool to have their own private oasis to cool down on hot days. Installing an inground pool in your yard is a large expense so you want to be sure you are making the best decision with your hard-earned money.

To help decide what type of pool would be best for your home, let’s take a look at the most common types of inground pools.

Vinyl Liner Pools

Pros: This inground pool is one of the least expensive options. The material cost is lower than other options and can save around $5,000 to $10,000 compared to a fiberglass pool. A vinyl liner also allows you to pick almost any shape and size of pool you can imagine. Today’s vinyl liner options allow you to make the pool as deep, curvy, or large as you would like.

Cons: The biggest disadvantage of a vinyl liner inground pool has got to be its lifespan. The liner material is a polymer that will break down over time and need replacement. The liner is easier to tear and it can come undone at the top seems causing it to sink into the water. The average expected lifespan of a vinyl inground pool liner is 7 to 12 years and the average cost of liner replacement can be anywhere from $3,000 to 7,000 depending on how large the pool is and how uniquely it is shaped.

Concrete Pools

Pros: Concrete pools, also known as gunite pools, are probably the most common type you see. One of the best features of installing a concrete pool is the ability to design and customize it specifically how you want including size, depth, and shape. Concrete pools are very nice to look at and elevate the luxe of your backyard, because of this they can bring a lot of added value to a home.

Cons: Concrete pools are sometimes considered high-maintenance. These type of pools need more chemicals and brushing to keep them clean and every 8-15 years the concrete will need a resurface. In addition to more upkeep some say that concrete pools can be rough on the feet when you are in the pool for several hours. If you decide on a saltwater pool this will cause the concrete to need resurfacing much sooner.

Fiberglass Pools

Pros: Fiberglass pools are much lower maintenance than other types of inground pools. Their smooth and non-porous finish makes it hard for things like algae to grow on the surfaces. Fiberglass pools require a much shorter construction period and some can be installed in as little as five days. Some of the newest fiberglass pools offer a 35 year lifespan.

Cons: One of the major disadvantages of a fiberglass pool is the liner needs to be constructed off site and transported in one massive piece from the factory to your home. This puts a limit on the size of the pool. If you want a swimming pool larger than 40 feet by 16 feet, a concrete pool would be a better option for you. Another disadvantage is that you will have to pick from pre-designed shapes made by the pool company. This is not the best pool if you are hoping for a custom shape.

For more great information on pools and pool care please check out our site. For professional pool maintenance in Lake Havasu City please contact us any time.

Using a Swimming Pool Chiller to Keep Cool

5/15/2020

An over-heated pool is more than just a bummer when you are trying to cool down on a hot summer day. Pool water that is too warm is a maintenance nightmare and is a favored home of bacteria and algae. One way pool owners keep their pool cool is with a pool water chiller.

Here is a closer look at what pool chillers are and how they can be beneficial to your pool during the summer.

What is a Swimming Pool Chiller?
A pool water chiller helps to cool down the temperature of the pool water by pulling the excess heat out. Pool chillers come as stand alone units and also come included in some heat pump units. Heat pumps with chillers will have a reverse switch or optional chilling feature. There are many different options in a variety of sizes and prices.

Why A Chiller is a Good Idea
The biggest reason to purchase a chiller, of course, is for the comfort of swimmers using the pool. Nobody wants to swim in a hot pool.

Other great reasons and benefits of investing in a pool chiller include:

The efficiency of your chlorine: Chlorine is not as helpful to your pool water at higher water temperatures. The warmer the water is the more chemicals you will need to use in your pool.
Less Algae: Algae loves warm water. Lowering the pool temperature will greatly help to slow algae growth.
Less evaporation: Pool water is always going to evaporate, but colder water evaporates much more slowly.

Do You NEED a Pool Chiller?
If you are constantly battling high water temperatures in your pool, have heat-related maintenance issues like constant recurring algae blooms, live in an area prone to extreme heat, or the pool is in direct sunlight all day a pool chiller is definitely worth considering. Is it needed? There might be others ways to fix these issues, but a chiller requires the least amount of labor.

How Much Do Pool Chillers Cost?
This will depend on a few factors of your pool including the size, as well as if you choose a stand-alone model or combo heat pump and chiller. The best way to ensure you are purchasing the right pool chiller within your budget is to talk to a pool maintenance professional.

Other Ways to Beat the Heat in Your Pool
If you are not quite sure about investing in a pool chiller some other options to help cool down your pool include:

Water Features: waterfalls and fountains are pretty and fun, but they aren’t just for decoration. They help to keep the water moving which in turn keeps the pool temperature down a bit.
Air Flow: Let the air flow around the surface of the pool. Take down anything that could be blocking a nice summer breeze from reaching the water. Keep in mind though, this will up the evaporation rate.

Pull the Cover- covers are awesome at keeping gunk out of the pool and reducing evaporation, but they also trap in heat.

For more pool maintenance care and tips feel free to check out our website. For pool care in Lake Havasu City contact us anytime.

Ways to Make a Pool More Energy Efficient

4/28/2020

Going energy efficient with your pool is highly beneficial for many reasons. Read on and find out why it is a good idea to have an energy efficient pool and how you can make your pool more energy efficient.

Good Reasons for Energy Efficiency

Reduces Costs
Energy efficiency is simply reducing energy consumption. When you use less energy to power your pool this saves you money, because your energy bill is dependent upon how much energy you consume. Installing energy efficient pool equipment that uses less energy will cost more up front, but it pays for itself in reduced bills and then continues to save money over the life of the machine.
Save Water and the Need for More Chemicals
With the right equipment you can keep more water in your pool instead of it evaporating out. About 95% of a pool’s heat loss is due to water evaporation. By using energy efficient measures to keep the water in the pool, you are reducing the need to fill the pool, heat the pool, and even add more chemicals to the pool. All of these things have many benefits and the big one comes back around to point one, it all saves money.
Tax Incentives and Rebates
Some states offer tax incentives and rebates to homeowners that use energy saving appliances. Do a search for your specific state and even county and town to find out the incentives and rebates of using environmentally friendly equipment in your home.

Steps to Create an Energy Efficient Pool

Prevent Evaporation- When asked what you would guess would be the largest use of energy in owning a pool your answer probably wouldn’t be water evaporation. Evaporation is in fact the largest cause of energy use in a pool. The U.S. Department of Energy has found that water evaporation accounts for 70% of total energy loss in both outdoor and indoor pools. As the water evaporates so does the heat . Every gallon of water that evaporates from the pool takes 8,500 BTUs with it. The average pool loses about 1 to 1 ½ inches of water every week.

Get an Efficient Pump, Heater, and Filter- Installing a variable speed pool pump is a significant way to make your pool energy efficient. This type of pump will slow down the speed of the pump motor making your pump more eco-friendly and also quieter. Installing an efficient heater to regulate BTUS and a big enough filter to ensure the pump isn’t working overtime all go hand in hand with the variable speed pump to keep things working in harmony and doing the energy saving job you want them to do.

Install Windbreaks- If you have an outdoor pool, it is a good idea to check into how windbreaks may benefit your particular set up. Even mild winds that seem to be barley there can affect your evaporation rates. Just a 7mph wind can increase consumption a whopping 300%. If you install windbreaks they should be tall enough and close enough to limit air movement at the water’s surface. Walls, screens, solid fencing, and fencing with plant cover are all great forms of windbreaks.
Solar Technology- A great way to save on energy is to get some for free straight from the sun. Solar powered heaters and covers absorb energy from the sun to help heat the pool. Solar heaters can help during the day while solar covers do the work when the pool is covered at night.

Other Ways to Make Your Pool Energy Efficient

Use a Darker Finish: darker colored pool finishes absorb sun rays and help to heat the pool.
Lower the Thermostat: If you only use your pool a few days a week, for example: only on the weekends, reduce the thermostat settings by 8-10 degrees when not in use.
Turn off the Heater or Heat Pump While Gone: if you are going on a trip for a significant amount of time and the pool is going to sit unused, turn off the heater or heat pump to save energy.

Reduce Pump Speed: A slower pump reduces power usage.
Run the Filtration in Non-Peak Hours: running your pump when energy demand (amount of energy being used by everyone in an area) is lower will cost less. The hours between 8pm and 10am are generally the best.
Keep Intake Grates Clean: Clogged and dirty drains require the pump to work harder.
Pool Timers: The timer itself will not save money, but the timer helping you to manage pump and filter usage will.

For more information on pool care and maintenance please browse our site. For pool maintenance in Lake Havasu City please call us anytime to make an appointment.

Best Way to Use Pool Conditioner

1/23/2020

There are many components that go into caring for a pool to keep it healthy and ready for swimming. Part of this is putting in the right chemicals in the right amounts to have balanced water. Let’s look at one of these important chemicals, pool conditioner.

What is Pool Conditioner?
Also referred to Cyanuric Acid and Pool Stabilizer, Pool Conditioner is a chemical compound known as triazine. It contains three nitrogen atoms and three carbon atoms. This chemical compound stabilizes the pool and helps keep the water clean longer.

How Does Pool Conditioner Work?
Chlorine in your pool water burns off with time while working to sanitize it. Chlorine can also dissipate in the UV rays of the sun. Pool Conditioner helps to protect the chlorine from burn off due to sun exposure. Without pool conditioner chlorine can burn off completely from your pool water in as little as two hours!

How to Add Conditioner to a Pool
The process of adding pool conditioner to pool water is not a super difficult one, but it is one that requires careful attention and exact following of instructions. Pool conditioner takes days, not minutes or a few hours to dissolve like many other pool chemicals do. Pool conditioner will also expand a little once it enters the pool water and this causes it to require a little bit different application process.

Here are the steps to adding pool conditioner to your pool water:

First determine exactly how much pool conditioner you need to put in the pool. Your target is to be between 30 and 50 parts per million or between 80 and 100 parts per million. The conditioner levels can be tested with a home test kit purchased at a pool supply store.
Shut the filtration system off
Remove the skimmer and filter basket from the pool filtration system. The basket will slow the flow of conditioner to the filter

Replace any lids you needed to remove to get the baskets out of the filtration system
Turn the filtration system back on
Grab a bucket and fill it with your pool water
Add the necessary amount of pool conditioner to the bucket of pool water and mix it into a slurry
Add the slurry pool conditioner mixture into the skimmer just a little at a time. You can add more in small amounts when the conditioner you just added has disappeared into the water. Continue this slow adding in small increments until the entire bucket of conditioner mixture has been added into the pool. This slow and methodic way of adding in the conditioner allows for it to get stuck in the filter where it will safely dissolve into the main pool water and keep from staining the pool.

Run the pool pump for one hour after adding the conditioner
Replace the baskets in the filtration system
Run your filtration system for at least 8 hours the first night to ensure the conditioner is completely dissolved
Refrain from backwashing and cleaning the filter for at least 48 hours after adding conditioner, you don’t want to remove any conditioner before it has a chance to dissolve
Test your water 7 days after adding conditioner to make sure it is in the correct range.

For more information and help with at home pool care and maintenance in Lake Havasu City please browse our website and/or contact us anytime.

Time to burn those holidays calories in the pool!

Calculating Pool Pump Run Time

12/20/2019

Every pool has a pool pump, the big question is: How long should I run my pool pump? The pump can be one of the largest energy consumers in your home, especially in peak season. So you don’t want to run your pump longer than you need to. Let’s look at why the pool pump is important and then how to calculate how long to run the pump for your particular pool.

What the Pool Pump Does
Understanding what the pool pump does for your pool and how it is important will help you to understand why/how long you need to run the pump. A pool pump is akin to a heart, it circulates water out of and back into the pool. As it circulates or pumps the water it distributes water balancing chemicals and filters the water. It is recommended that the pool water is completely turned over (all of the water is fully circulated) at least once throughout the course of the day. Full circulation helps to ensure that your pool water stays clean and clear as the chemicals get evenly distributed. Not having a full circulation is high risk for unbalanced water and algae growth leading to unsafe swimming conditions and pool surface damage.

Calculating Pool Pump Run Time
To get to the calculation of how long to run your pool pump you must find the volume of your pool and the turnover rate of your pump first.

Finding the Volume of Your Pool

You need to know how many gallons of water are in the pool to help determine your pump run time. To find the volume of your pool:
For Square and Rectangle Single-Depth Pools: Multiply the length, width, and depth by 7.5 (length x width x depth x 7.5= volume)
For Square and Rectangle Pools with Varied Depths: First determine the average depth then multiply the length, width, and average depth by 7.5 (length x width x average depth x 7.5= volume)
For Round Pools: Multiply 3.14, the radius of the pool squared (radius x radius), and the average depth by 7.5 (3.14 x radius squared x average depth x 7.5= volume)

Finding the Turnover Rate

Once you know your pool’s volume, you can then find the turnover rate. To do this you want to find the gallons per minute (GPM). Here is how you calculate it.

First divide the total pool volume by 8 to get the gallons per hour
Next take the gallons per hour and divide it by 60 to get the gallons per minute

Finding the Pool Pump Run Time

Now that you have the volume and gallons per minute (turnover rate) you can find out how long you should be running your pool pump every day.

First you can either take the turnover rate (GPM) and multiply it by 60 to get the GPH or if you remember the GPH from earlier calculations you can just plug it into step two

Next divide the total volume of the pool by the GPH to get the total run time of your pool pump.

Example: 20,000 gallon pool with a 40 GPM turnover
40 x 60= 24000 gallons per hour (GPH)
20,000/ 24,000= 8.3 hours or the hours per day the pump should be run

Now you are all set to run your pool pump for the proper amount of time to help keep your pool water balanced. For more pool care help and tips please browse our website or contact us anytime.

Burn Off Those Holiday Calories in Your Swimming Pool

11/21/2019

The Holiday season is here and so are all of those delicious treats and rich decadent celebratory foods we love to eat this time of year. Why not help burn off some of those extra calories and have fun doing it by getting out in your swimming pool?

There are many reasons why using your pool is a great way to stay in shape. Here are just a few:

Swimming is a Low Impact Exercise

Unlike other popular forms of exercise, such as running, swimming is very easy on your joints. Swimming is an ideal form of exercise for anyone with joint issues like arthritis, inflammation, or recovering from an injury.

Swimming is a Great Whole-Body Workout

It may not seem like it, but when you swim you are working the entire body both upper and lower as well as core. For a nice whole-body challenge to help speed up getting into shape try starting with a warm up like a lap or two of easy slow paced swimming then work up to a lap of faster swimming with a more difficult stroke, rest for 30 seconds then do another few laps of higher energy strokes like butterfly and finish off with a few slower cool down laps.

Swimming Burns a lot of Calories

The actual calories you burn in a workout is dependent upon your personal factors of weight, gender, body type, age, metabolism, and other things. The actual amount of calories burned during swimming will also change with the length of time you swim and how hard the stroke you do is, along with the speed you swim. All that being said you can burn a lot of calories by swimming. For example the average 155 pound person can burn 233 calories an hour at a normal pace, 372 calories an hour at a vigorous pace, and 409 calories an hour doing the breast stroke.

Swimming is Both Cardio and Strength Training

Swimming is of course great cardio work that strengthens the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system, but it is also great resistance work that strengthens a number of muscles. Though water doesn’t seem super tough to move through, it is 780 times denser than air, so swimming is like running but with weight constantly pulling at you.

Water is a Mood Booster

All types of exercise have the ability to boost our mood, but in addition to the mood boosting adrenaline swimming can boost mental health as well. Since the time of Hippocrates, hydrotherapy has been recommended to sooth stress and anxiety. You will be surprised at how rejuvenating even a quick swim in your own backyard pool can be. We can all use a little less stress during the holidays.

You can do More than Just Swim in the Pool to Burn Calories

Maybe you are not in the mood to do laps today, that’s okay there are many other water activities you can do that are fun and will have you forget you are even exercising. Some of these activities include sports like volleyball and water polo, you can work in some water aerobics, or even get out he paddleboard and do some pool yoga.

If you plan to spend more time burning off those holiday calories and enjoying your pool, you will want to make sure the water is balanced and clean. Spend more time enjoying your pool and less time cleaning it by hiring a pool maintenance professional. For pool care in Lake Havasu City contact the team at EverClear Pool.

Burn Off Those Holiday Calories in Your Swimming Pool

That Strong Chlorine Smell Might be a Red Flag

10/22/2019

Generally, when we are around a pool and we smell chlorine thick in the air, we don’t think anything of it. We think that pools use large amounts of chlorine to keep the water clean and free of germs and that the stronger chlorine smell is a sure sign that the water is in fact clean.

A strong chlorine smell is actually an indicator that there is something off with the chemical balance and/or cleanliness of the pool. A pool should actually not carry a chlorine smell at all. This odor is actually not caused by chlorine, but by chloramines.

A chloramine is formed with an over-abundance of ammonia containing things in the pool including perspiration, body oils, and urine from swimmers. These chloramines are formed when ammonia from bodily fluids reacts with hypochlorous acid in the water and reduces the amount of free available chlorine in the water. This reduces the effectiveness of chlorine to kill germs in the pool.

How to Reduce Chloramines in the Pool
The best way to keep the pool water from getting out of balance and taking in that chlorine smell is to shower before entering the pool. A quick rinse in the locker room, at the showers next to a pool, or in your bathroom at home will do wonders to reduce the amount of body oils that enter the pool. Additionally, if you have little ones in the pool have them use the restroom frequently.

How to Determine if a Pool is Truly Clean for Swimming

The easiest way to do a quick test of the cleanliness of pool water without a testing strip is to use the “SENSE-ABLE” Swimming Check List.

Sight: Is the pool water a bright blue and clear enough to see to the bottom? You should be able to see the drain in the deepest part of the pool with no problem when you are standing on the pool deck. If you can’t don’t go swimming.
Touch: Take a quick feel of the pool wall just below the water line. If the wall feels at all slimy at the water line the water is dirty, do not go in.

Smell: If there is a strong chemical smell of any kind, the pool water is in need of treatment and you do not want to swim in it.
Listen: If you can hear the pool filter working that is a good sign.

Treating a Pool with a Strong Chlorine Smell
A pool with a strong chlorine smell is lacking in free available chlorines and therefore needs to be super-chlorinated or given a shock treatment. This is the practice of adding extra chlorine to the water to destroy the ammonia and other organic compounds causing the odor. If you need help doing this in your pool it is a good idea to call in a pool care professional.

For pool maintenance in Lake Havasu City contact the team at My Everclear Pool.

Why is the Pool Water Cloudy?

9/20/2019

There are few things more beautiful than a crystal clear pool on a very hot day, and according to pool industry standards, your pool should be just that, crystal clear. If your water does not carry the same clarity as drinking water, there is probably something wrong.

Why is Cloudy Pool Water an Issue?
Not only is cloudy water in the pool unsightly, it is a safety issue, and sign of dirty water. If you cannot see clearly through to the bottom of the pool you will not be able to notice if all swimmers are safe at all times in your water. The CDC ( Center for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that you are able to see the drain at the bottom of the deep end of the pool when you are standing on the pool deck.

Why is the Pool Water Cloudy?
Though it seems like cloudy water may be the result of unbalanced chemicals in the water, it is actually a physical problem not a chemical one. Cloudiness can be caused by a few different things including particles in the water that entered from the air such as dust and pollen. It can also be caused by things that bathers bring in with them for example, deodorant or even hair, skin can even be a culprit.

To Fix Cloudiness, First Check the Filter

There are three main types of pool filters: sand, cartridge, and Diatomaceous Earth (DE). Sand filters can become clogged and trapped with debris or may need additional sand to continue working at the capacity in which it needs. Periodically, a sand filter will need to be backwashed to remove a buildup of trapped particles. This is done by reversing the flow of the water through the filter. DE filters can become overly dirty by, or slow down with, scale. Additionally the holding grid could be torn or broken. A cartridge filter can get dirty, worn, calcified, or scaled. A cartridge filter can be fixed by pulling the cartridge and cleaning it according to the manufacturers recommended instructions.

It is also good to check on the pump after checking the filter. Make sure that the pump has proper flow rate sizing and check the pump impellers to make sure they are in good working condition.

What if Checking the Filter Doesn’t Fix the Cloudiness?
If your cloudiness is possibly the result of a large party or influx of use, you may need to use a chemical remedy. Swimmers contribute a number of different contaminants to a pool such as sweat, deodorant, makeup, hair, shampoos, soaps, and other things. Animals can also contribute; one swimming dog is the equivalent of 50 human swimmers.

In the case of a large amount of particle contaminants where a filter cleaning does not do the trick to clear up the cloudiness, a super chlorination or non-chlorine shock oxidation can help to break down excess particles. This process is called super chlorination, it not only kills germs and breaks down particles it also destroys combined chlorine. This is a clump of chlorine compounds, or disinfectant, and nitrogen from swimmers. Combined chlorine forms in the water and gives off a harsh odor that smells like the pool has too much chlorine.

To super chlorinate the pool, 10 times the amount of the combined chlorine that has been measured should be added to the water. No swimmers should be allowed in the water after super chlorinating until the free chlorine level drops between 1 and 4 parts per million.

What if the Water is STILL Cloudy?
Cloudy pool water that is still around after filter cleaning and super chlorination is probably due to particles in the water that are too small to be held in the filter. To fix this a clarifier can be added to the water. A clarifier will attract the tiny particles and stick to them creating larger ones that will then get trapped inside the filter.

If you need help getting your pool water crystal clear again it is a good idea to call in a pool care specialist. For professional pool care in Lake Havasu City contact Everclear Pool Service today.

More Great Tips for Pool Owners:

How do you know if your pool filter is working?
Why you need a cover on your pool or hot tub
The best way to care for your pool in hot weather

Signs a Swimming Pool Isn't Safe

8/23/2019

Swimming has been one of the most popular ways to cool down in the summer heat for many, many years. When summer is on the horizon some of us dream of the bright blue waters of the swimming pool, but not every pool provides a safe place to cool down and have some fun. Some pools can be very unsafe and may end up in a trip to the hospital or even worse. So before you put on your suit, grab your goggles and pool toys, and hop in the pool; look for these warning signs to keep you and your loved ones safe.

The pool staff never test the water

Safe and swimmable water requires just the right balance of chemicals and to ensure those chemicals are staying in balance the water needs to be tested frequently. The more a pool is used the more it needs to be monitored. So if you are at a public pool for a long period of time and have not seen the staff test the chemical levels, especially the chlorine, in the water you might want to find cleaner waters. Ideally a public pool should be checked about twice a day. Pools without the right balance can be a harbor for nasty germs and viruses.

The Water is Cloudy or Looks Dirty

If pool water is anything but crystal clear this is a loud and resounding red flag to not get in. This is an obvious sign that the pool is not well taken care of, and poor visibility is a big swimming safety hazard.

Broken or Missing Drain Covers

Drain covers are partly there to reduce entrapment from the suction of the water circulation system. Uncovered drains or broken drain covers have caused swimmers to become trapped underwater.

Algae

Poorly sanitized pools grow blue-green algae. Algae produces toxic cyanobacteria. Look for a smelly and slimy green film on the water’s surface. If the water smells funny like anything other than chlorine don’t jump in and don’t let the dog do it either.

A Large Number of Infants in the Pool

Babies are no doubt adorable, especially when they are splashing and enjoying the water, but un-potty trained kids do not make the best swimming pals. Swim diapers do nothing to keep germs from entering the water. Even trace amounts of fecal matter can harbor the parasite Giardia lamblia, if you accidentally ingest some of the water you can end up with miserable consequences including serious diarrhea and vomiting. So if the pool has a large number of diaper wearing swimmers, you may want to think twice.

The Pool is Crowded

If the pool seems way too crowded it probably is, listen to the warning signs of the small voice in your head and don’t get in. More people means less ability of the lifeguard to have eyes on everyone, more chances for accidents, and more germs with more bodies.

There are No Safety Fences

Every pool should have proper fencing for the safety of young swimmers. Public pools with no safety measures to ensure small children cannot access the pool without an adult are big red flags. The suggested height of pool fences is no shorter than four feet high and should surround the pool on all sides. These fences should also not be easily climbable.

For professional pool care in Lake Havasu City call My Ever Clear Pool.