It is no surprise that physical fitness and getting healthy are one of the top New Year’s resolutions every January. If you have a pool in your home or yard you have all the equipment you need to start a fabulous workout routine to help you accomplish those New Year’s goals.


What Makes the Pool Such a Great Gym?

1. Pool Fitness is Versatile
Exercise in a pool is not just limited to swimming laps anymore. There are many many many different exercise routines you can perform in a pool. For example: water aerobics, water sports such as water polo, synchronized swimming, weight lifting, diving, and even yoga on a paddle board.


2. Pool Fitness is Great for Most People
Not only is there a vast array of fun workouts you can do in a pool it is also great for a variety of body and fitness types/levels. Working out in the water takes pressure off of joints making it great for those that need lower impact exercise. The great thing about working out in a pool is you don’t sacrifice the effectiveness of a high intensity workout.


3. Pool Fitness is Highly Effective
In just a half hour session of water aerobics you can burn between 145 and 380 calories depending upon your weight and level of intensity. The water provides a built in resistance offering a higher intensity to exercise without being harsh on your body. Any exercise is also automatically turned into a full body exercise when you are immersed under water.


4. Get Fit and Reduce Stress at the Same Time
Very few of us could say that we couldn’t stand to benefit from some more stress relieving activities. Swimming is one of the best stress relieving activities out there. There is something about a pool that immediately melts away worries and takes you to another place; the blue color therapy of the water, the methodic rhythm of swimming, and the increased blood flow all throughout your body all contribute to a reduction in stress levels.


5. Pool Fitness is Fun
The best way to stick with a fitness routine is to truly love what you are doing. An activity that has you wanting to come back and do it again is much easier to commit to that one that you feel is beneficial and should be disciplined into you. If you like the water you will be able to find a pool workout that best fits your style to fall in love with and keep you interested and wanting to exercise.

Make Sure to Keep Your Pool in Top Shape
When you fall in love with working out in your pool and the results you begin to see from one of the best workouts you can do; you will no doubt be in the pool more often than before. Make sure you are keeping up with your pool cleaning and maintenance so that you can continue to enjoy your pool workouts. The team at  EverClear Pool can keep your pool functioning in peak condition to keep you in peak condition.

If you are like a lot of people, you've probably dealt with the cloudy water from time to time in your swimming pool or hot tub. How do you get rid of it and how do you prevent it?

This is actually a very common issue and a little bit of maintenance can go a long way. Become cloudy because free chlorine has become depleted after heavy usage. If you've noticed cloudy water after you've had a pool party a lot of people in your hot tub, that can definitely be the cause. Cloudy pool water also happens after heavy rain falls which dilutes the chlorine. You might also see cloudy pools on a hot day due to UV light eating up free chlorine. Agree, it's because you have a free chlorine levels and you probably need to just shock your pool. But, if you're not sure why your pool is cloudy and it's not one of these reasons that you might need to look to other solutions. There could be a faulty filter, poor water circulation, imbalanced chemicals or environmental factors and debris.

Check that your pool chemicals are correctly balanced. Improper pH and chlorine levels are usually to blame. PH is not directly related to cloudiness but it consumes and renders free chlorine ineffective when it's not in balance. You must test out and check for pH balance and chlorine levels. You may also need to monitor the total alkalinity of the pool. This can also throw off the pH and cause cloudy pool water.

If you have a chlorine imbalance you'll need to use a pool calculator to adjust the exact amount of chemical to add to your pool. The recommend chlorine level should be around 3 ppm. This should also be the same as the total chlorine is close to mine is at 0 ppm. For outdoor pools, use a chlorine stabilizer to prevent chlorine depletion as a result of UV direct light. If the combined chlorine reads about 0.5 ppm, the water could turn cloudy and actually be unsafe for swimming. At this point, you'll need to shock the pool.

To monitor the pH and total alkalinity, which affects all the letters chemical functions, you need to look for a pH level between 7.4 and 7.8. 7.6 is the ideal level to shoot for. To the pH you made a pH reducer such as muriatic acid or sulfuric acid. Anything lower than 7.0 is too low and this can also bring harmful bacteria and algae along with the cloudy water. Make sure that the total alkalinity is within the required range of 80 ppm and 120 ppm.

If you've tried all the chemicals in the pool water is still cloudy you probably have foreign particles in your swimming pool. The water clarifier can be used to collect all the fine particles that cannot be picked up by the filter. You can use a pool vacuum a manual pump.

If you tried all these things including shocking and the pool is still cloudy milky white, give it some time. It will usually cling wrap in a day or two. Does the pool still cloudy, it could be the quality of chlorine shock used. If you've tried everything and you're just frustrated give us a call. With to answer your questions and help you feel that the best way to make your pool clear, clean, and safe again.

Keeping your pool free of leaves and debris is just basic maintenance but it is also prevention as well. A pool cover keeps leaves, pine needles and other debris out of your pool and it also keeps it healthier. It makes you and your family feel more comfortable when swimming and enjoying your pool and there's less dirt and bacteria mixing in with your pool water.

But, even if the pool is covered, some debris collecting on top of the pool can make your pool less inviting and if too much builds up, it can put undue weight on the cover pushing it down causing the debris to contaminate the water, completely making the cover useless. It can also block the sun from heating the pool the way you want it to.

So, how do you get the debris off of the pool cover? You don't want to push it into the water because that will make a bigger mess than the one you are trying to clean up but there are some ways to keep your pool cover clean.

Hose it off.

One of the easiest ways is to carefully pull off the cover of the pool not letting any of the dirt fall into the water. Spread out on the lawn or patio and use your garden hose to spray it until it is completely clear. If the pool is taught with the top of the pool cover you might be able to simply hose off the debris without removing it from the pool, but unless it is completely sealed all the way around, that will probably just push more of the debris and dirt into the water.
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Sweep it off.

You made an awfully long room to collect as much of the debris as possible sweeping it to the side of the pool. This can help you remove the pool cover without dumping everything into the water.

Skim it off.

Some debris and leaves do get into the water use your skimmer after you've pulled back the cover to collect anything that has ended up in the pool. Replace the cover when complete.

There's more to simply maintaining the pool. You have to use a little bit of preventative care and the proper tools to keep it clean and the pool cover clean as well. If you have more questions or need answers to any of your pool cleaning and repair questions give us a call today.

​Image By SMC at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

It's just more water, right? It can't be bad. I mean, the pool is already filled with water, right, so what's a little more? You think there's nothing to having a little rainfall in your pool but it can actually change the pH level. You see, rain is acidic, and its pH level is lower than that of your pool. Pools should be around 7.5, not surprisingly the same pH level of your eye. This protects your eye from burning and if the pH level is low, it could cause that burning feeling in your eyes when swimming.

​Because rain is acidic and has a lower pH, it can actually change the pH level in your pool.

So what can you do if it rains?

It's a good idea to check the pH level of your pool frequently. You may have to raise the level depending on the chemistry of your pool and how much it has rained. If it's only a light rain, it might not have affected that much. But, if the pH level goes down to some degree, it may or may not correct itself.If the chemicals are well-balanced, there shouldn't be any issue with a small bit of rain, but, if it rains continuously for a day or two, and if your water level goes up more than an inch, you might need to drain the pool of it and check the pH level. Chlorine will get diluted after a rainfall in your pH will rise again with the lower concentration of water.

Can rainwater be good for your pool?

On the flipside of this argument, rain can actually be good for your pool in some cases. Chemicals like calcium and stabilizers will lower your pool if there diluted. If these chemicals are too high in the water, a good rainfall can fix that imbalance. Stabilizers can build up over time and cause more issues so it's important to be very cautious with that type of chemical.

Bottom line, check your pH level after every rainfall just to be sure. You want to keep it at a good balance that's healthy for both you and your family.

Need help testing your pool or just need a good cleaning and maintenance? Give us a call anytime!

We want our kids to stay safe but also our pets by the pool. It might not be something you think about but dogs, cats and even rare animals can fall victim to falling in the pool accidentally. So what can you do to keep your pets safe?

First of all remember that not all dogs love the water. They are also not all natural swimmers. Some may love it, others will be scared of its you need to be aware of the personality of your pet before just assuming they're going to jump in and have fun with you.

I know it might sound crazy and a little bit silly, but it's not a bad idea to even put a lifejacket on your dog when you're out in the open water, especially if your dog gets tired from swimming too often. Lifejacket for pets are very common and especially for  really small pets. It's also important that your dog knows where to get into the water and get out. There are little lamps called Scamper Ramps, a handy attachment for your dog to get in and out of the pool easily.

Keep your pets hydrated. Even though they are in the water, they may not realize that they're getting overheated and exhausted, especially in the Arizona sun. It's important to have water for the pet at all times thereby.

What if you get a pet for a different kind of animal stuck in the pool? What if a squirrel, chipmunk, bird or other wild animal makes its way into your pool? Having a ramp is a good way to give the animal a fighting chance but having a cover can also help. However, if that cover is soft, the animal is likely to fall right through and suffocate in the plastic. Sometimes you just can't help wild animals from getting into your pool but you can protected from your four-legged friends and your kids. Regular maintenance, monitoring, a safety gate, a proper cover, and a ramp can all prevent accidents.
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Of course, these things do cost money, but safety is priceless.

Having a pool is considered a great joy amongst other things, especially when it is running and operating correctly and smoothly. The key to a perfect pool, of course, is making sure to keep it maintained. Luckily there are professionals available to do all the hard work for you so you are left lounging on the sidelines. While your pool may be in tiptop shape, one thing that can easily get over looked is the actual pool deck itself. With sunscreen, pool cleaners, as well as the elements (if your pool is outdoors) your pool deck can easily start to get little stains that will grow and spread before you know it. Contrary to common belief, you don’t need to rent a pressure washer or spend hundreds of dollars on expensive cleaners to give your pool deck a face-lift. By using these few common household items you will be ready to get a squeaky-clean pool deck to match your sparkling manicured pool.

The first step in cleaning your pool deck is to make your cleaner. Start by gathering all of the materials you will need: a garden hose with a sprayer, scrub broom, warm water, large bucket, bleach, teaspoon, mop and finally soap with a non greasing agent. To make your in-home concrete deck cleaner, combine the warm water and bleach inside your clean bucket; we recommend using roughly a capful. If you want a more eco friendly option to replace the bleach, try using warm water mixed with a degreasing soap; 1 part soap to 10 parts water. Once you have chosen your cleanser, soak your mop in the cleaning agent for 10 minutes to ensure the mop is fully saturated. After the mop has completed its soak, begin to spread the cleanser across your pool, applying extra cleanser to any and all stained areas.

Once you have saturated the full deck, retrieve your scrub broom and start scrubbing the concrete. While the majority of your pool deck may only need a light scrub, other areas where mildew or stains may have built up could require a little more elbow grease. Continue scrubbing your deck (in some cases you may have to put a second layer of cleanser down and repeat the scrubbing process) until you are satisfied with the outcome. Once your scrubbing has been completed, grab the hose with a sprayer attachment (if you have one and would like to get a harder rinse, feel free to use a pressure washer) and spray the pool deck with clean water to rinse away any bleach remnants as well as debris that has been loosened from scrubbing. Once you’ve completed spraying, your deck should be left clean and completely free of any and all debris.

If you want to avoid a day of cleaning in the future, try purchasing a concrete sealer to help minimize the amount of scrubbing that will be needed during your next cleaning adventure. There are many different brands as well as types of concrete sealer, so look into the type of sealer that applies to your needs as well as your pool.

By taking a day every few months to scrub your pool deck you could save thousands on expensive cleaning agents and even extend the life of your pool deck by nearly a decade. While the cleaning of your deck may be easily completed from home, even on a budget, ensuring your pool is cleaned and maintained is what allows your pool area to truly sparkle.
 

Repairs are something we all try to avoid, whether they are accidental breaks, or have slowly led to repair over time, often repairs are a stressful experience. This doesn’t have to be the case. While we may be a go-getter with an I can fix anything attitude, some repairs call for the professionals. This is exceptionally true when it comes to pool repairs.  With these repairs we may be left wondering, how can these repairs be avoided in the future, what caused the problem(s), or even how can it be fixed? Luckily there are answers. Here are a few common repairs when it comes to owning and maintaining a pool.
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·         Clogged Pool Cleaner-often something can get stuck in the pool cleaner itself which can cause it to either stop moving completely or, the pool cleaner can drag around the debris causing it to spread into all parts of the pool. Leaves, small branches and sometimes even small toys, can all get stuck in the cleaner. While sometimes this “repair” can be as easy as removing an item that is causing the clog, other times it requires you to disassemble the cleaner completely to reach the debris. Keeping a cover on your pool when it’s not in use and cleaning any and all toys from the pool when you’re done with your swim can all help to avoid this from happening again in the future.

·          No Heat-while this problem can be caused from multiple different things, it is most commonly caused due to a dirty filter. When you have a dirty filter your flow is reduced causing just enough pressure for the heating switch to be unable to turn on. Depending on how current your heating components are, some more modern versions will be able to indicate where exactly the problem lies, while older models will take a little more digging to find the problem, this is when a professional might come in handy. Make sure your filters as well as fuses, pilots, valves and transformers are checked often to help avoid any heating issues.

·         Pump Fittings-of course, ensuring that your pump fittings are in fact fitting correctly is of high importance. If the threads on the PVC fitting have been heated up to the point they have consequently shrunken down, tape won’t do the job and in order to repair the fitting you will need to cut out the portion of piping and replace it. The most common cause to this problem is if your pump has been running for hours without water running through it. To avoid this repair in the future try purchasing and installing a fitting made of stronger material such as CPVC.

·         Leaking-a leak in a pool may be the easiest repair to notice because your pool levels will slowly fall. The main culprit is more than likely the skimmer. When in a vinyl pool the faceplate of a skimmer can cause leaks when not gasketed properly, where as in a concrete pool, this can be a common area of separation, which can then lead to the leak. Cracks in the siding of the pool can also lead to leaks, to find these cracks inspect your pool for any visible cracks, or to pin point smaller cracks, try to find small areas of debris stuck to the walls. This debris will likely be hiding the crack.
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There are hundreds of different repairs that can arise with pool care. The easiest way to avoid any un-necessary repairs is to have your pool cleaned and inspected regularly by a team of pool cleaning and repair specialists. Keep your eyes open and try to stay one step ahead of the repairs by noting any and all signs of potential damage.

​Uncharted Waters when it comes to owning a swimming pool or spa
 
It is obvious that owning a pool comes with many responsibilities. I remember as a child I would do everything in my power to plead with my parents for a puppy promising them until I was blue in the face that I would love him, feed him, water him, take him outside, you know the drill. Realistically, we all know that wasn’t quite the case. The same can go for pools. Often when we either purchase, inherit, or re furbish a pool we promise ourselves that we will do all we can do maintain and care for our new “pet” but we nearly always seem to fall short. One huge item that is over looked by many pool owners is the need for a pool cover.
 
As kids we had to learn about many things in life. While suffering through our science classes, one of the things we studied was the process of evaporation. I remember being so disgusted that all the snow I caught on my tongue could have been evaporated dinosaur spit from ages ago; of course, I might have been slightly over reacting. To put this into context, our pool water is being evaporated daily, seemingly un-noticed. Keeping your pool not only filled, but ensuring your water is chemically balanced is no easy task and the last thing you want to do is sit around and willingly let that precious crystal blue water be snatched from right under your nose. Save time and money by covering your pool when it isn’t in use and hang onto the extra H2O and chemicals that the clouds are so selfishly stealing.
 
To stay on track of our childhood, let’s talk about swimming in dark uncharted waters. It’s dark outside, the water is black and you have no idea what is lurking below the surface. Then it happens. You feel something brush against your leg. Obviously it is a man-eating monster ready to consume you whole. Or…a leaf. Ok, I know, we might be taking this a little far but just hang in there. While your pool hopefully isn’t uncharted water, the fear of dark water is extremely common. Whether you’re in a lake, river, ocean or even a pool, there isn’t a single person who wants to feel something unexpected touch them during their swim. You might have guessed it; get a pool cover.
 
A pool cover is a simple way to help keep debris out of your pool and away from swimmers. Uncovered pools are almost guaranteed to have some sort of debris floating through the water and will require an immense amount of cleaning to ensure your water is crystal clear and ready to go. Instead of spending hours with a pool vacuum or net, simply cover your pool at night or when your pool isn’t in use and help to keep some of those “monsters” out of your water and where they belong.
 
All in all, a cover can be beneficial in hundreds of different ways. While I won’t bore you with all of the different irrational fears or promises a child may have, one thing I can be sure to tell you with confidence, is that a pool cover will make your life tremendously easier.  If you’re ready to take the step and get your pool ready for use, make sure finding the perfect pool cover is on your list of to do’s.
 

Why You Need a Hand to Keep Your Pool Clean

There is nothing like owning a pool for those perfect relaxing days soaking up the sunshine poolside. Catching some UV rays and taking a dip in the crystal clear water is something that many can only dream of. What many don’t realize, is that there are many responsibilities when you own a pool and if you don’t maintain the pool properly you could end up spending thousands of dollars to fix it. The biggest mistake many pool owners make is not having a regular cleaning service. While there will be a weekly or monthly bill, it will keep your pool crystal clear and ready for your next swim without the need to worry of a potential hefty repair bill down the road.

There are many facts regarding pool care, one that I find the most taunting: if you don’t maintain your pool properly and have a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule you could be unknowingly cutting the lifespan of your pool in half. For the rare few of us who don’t maintain our pool at all this could drop drastically down do a quarter of the lifespan the pool was meant to have. When cared for properly pools can be an incredible asset to own, be sure to extend the lifespan of yours by continually having a cleaning and maintenance schedule in place.

It doesn’t take long for a pool to go from fab to drab. Sometimes only 2-3 weeks is all it takes for your pool to begin turning green. If there are heavy rains your pool will need extra care as the rain can cause the chemical balance in your pool to change quite rapidly, changing your crystal clear waters green in only 24-48 hours. This green algae can sometimes contain E. coli and other bacteria, another reason why a regular cleaning service is beneficial! If you know a storm is coming in and you don’t have a cover for your pool (we recommend you have a cover if you are in a stormy area) give your local cleaning company a call and see if you can schedule and extra visit to ensure your pool is clean and properly cared for so your next swim is just as enjoyable as the last.

On the flip side, while we all enjoy a good swim in the sunshine, your pool doesn’t. The Chlorine in your pool can dissipate in direct sunlight. There are many different options to help your pools chlorine stay in the correct levels including slower dissolving chlorine tablets and cuanuric acid to help diffuse the UV rays the sun is beaming into your pool. Testing your pool water 1-2 times weekly to check the levels of your pool is a must and will help your pool stay clean and clear.

The biggest key to owning a pool is to keep is clean and maintained. Ever Clear Pool Services LLC. is knowledgeable and ready to take on the task at hand. Whether you are looking for that weekly check up, in need of a major or small repair, or simply just needing someone to come out and check the levels to ensure your pool is still where it should be, you can count on Ever Clear.
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Owning and maintaining a pool is no easy task. With companies like Ever Clear around to help keep your pool clean, maintained and ready for your pool guests, all you have to do is sit back, relax and find fun ways to make your next pool party one for the books. With so many tips and tricks out there it can be hard to keep up on what the “best” poolside hacks are. Here are 5 pool hacks you will be sure to fall in love with and use time and time again.

• Floating Cooler

We all love having our favorite beverage poolside, but what we don’t love is constantly needing to get out of the pool to retrieve a sip of our drink. Luckily, there is a solution to this common problem! To create a floating pool cooler simply take a plastic storage container and a pool noodle from the Dollar store. Cut the pool noodle down to where you have four pieces to fit each side of the container. Tape the noodles to each side; toss some ice in the container, and viola! Floating cooler complete!

• Oily Pool?

We all know that to protect your skin you lather on the SPF. What we don’t know is that by doing so, you leave an oily trace of where you’ve been, including in the pool. More often than not, the oils in sunscreen break down and leave an oily residue on a pools surface. This oily residue can also be built up with hair products, lotions and sweat. The last thing you want is for your guests to see “oil” floating around the surface of your pool. This easy hack is a cheap and easy fix to this common problem. Grab a few tennis balls and toss them on in. The fabric that is used to wrap a tennis ball is highly absorbent and will soak up all the excess oils that are left swimming in your pool. For best results, leave the tennis balls in your pool overnight and wake up to a squeaky-clean pool ready for your next swim.

• Sunburn

Unfortunately we’ve all been there. We forgot to put sunscreen on or simply didn’t re-apply in time and are left with painfully burnt skin. We all know Aloe is an easy soothing relief, but what we don’t know is this simple hack that takes that soothing power to the max; throw your Aloe in the refrigerator! Next time you get a burn while swimming or sitting poolside, run on it to the kitchen and grab some cooled Aloe do double the relief.

• Pool Shoes

We all have that pair of flip-flops that are our “pool shoes.” Generally a cheap pair of plastic flip-flops that are easy to slide on and off and don’t soak up water making for a squishy wet departure. Then it happens, the toe of your sandal pulls through the sole and you are left shoeless. Not to fear, there is an easy cost effective fix! Run on inside and find a bread clip, adjust it on the bottom of your shoe and it will hold your straps in place again! Whether you wear your newly fixed shoe for months or just to get to the store to get replacement shoes, this neat trick is a lifesaver.

• Time for a new look

Do you want an extra little glow? Luckily we have an easy fix for that as well! Instead of spending hours at a salon and hundreds of dollars on a foil, try this fun tip for natural highlights. Next time you want to lay poolside, spray some lemon juice in your hair and let the sun do the rest! A combination of the lemon juice and UV rays will not only lighten your hair, but give you a much cheaper way to get that coveted salon look!
 
We hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks and can use them to make your next pool experience even better than the last!