Fourth of July is just around the corner. Hosting a holiday party at your home takes a lot of preparation to ensure you provide a fun and comfortable environment for all of your guests and yourself to have a fun time celebrating the big day. From deciding what to serve and grocery shopping, to decorations, to getting plenty of ice and planning activities. There are many things to remember, but you don’t want to forget about prepping your pool for the party.
 
At a pool party the pool is the main event (pre-fireworks that is). You will want to make sure your pool is prepped and ready to receive your guests. Use these pool prepping steps for your Fourth of July pool party.

• Pull the Cover Off

If you live in a warm climate it is safe to remove the cover of your pool a day or two before your party. This is a good strategy to prevent the pool from being steaming hot when your guests are ready to dive in.

• Check the pH Levels

In warmer weather, the pH of a pool can easily become out of balance. It is best to check levels every day. Ideal pH balance is between 7.2 and 7.6 so that it is just slightly on the alkaline side.

• Balance the Chlorine

When the level of chlorine is not perfectly balanced you can easily have a pool that is a home for algae.  With a large number of swimmers in your pool, you want the chlorine level just right. Too much chlorine will burn eyes and too little will begin to bread yucky germs.

• Clean the Filter

A clean filter free of debris is very helpful with a gangle of swimmers. After checking out the filter make sure the pump is up and going.

• Have Toys Ready

Keep guests entertained in the pool with a variety of activities to do in the pool. Have some floaties on hand, pool basketball/volleyball/polo, diving rings and toys, etc.

• Provide a Stack of Fluffy Towels and Sunscreen

Up the welcoming and comfort factor of your party by making sure guests have everything that they need. Have some extra clean and fluffy pool towels available in case someone forgets theirs. Also provide plenty of sunscreen for guests who may not have thought to apply any or need to reapply and did not bring any with them. (Some soothing burn gel with aloe may come in handy if the weather is scorching.)

• Cover it Up Before the Fireworks Begin

After a full day in the pool you will want to cover the water back up as the fireworks begin and everyone is out of the pool ready to spectate the fireworks. This will help to keep the flying debris from fireworks out of your water, saving you the work of removing it from the water later.
 
Follow these easy steps and your pool will be ready for the best Fourth of July party on the block. Make preparations even easier with professional pool cleaning and care. If you are looking for professional pool care in Lake Havasu City contact Everclear Pool Service.

We often want to beautiful tropical paradise around our swimming pool but are there some plans that are either hazardous or just is not designed to be around a swimming pool? Here are some of the best and worst plants and trees to have around your pool or hot tub.

Choose plants that bring color, create privacy, and add texture. Lush plants can really transform the pool area and there are a variety of full sun perennials, perfect for our climate, that will provide color and greenery after they've bloomed.

Bamboo is a great plant or tree to use around a swimming pool but you do have to be careful because it can get out of control rapidly. Palm trees, hedges, and bamboo can create a natural fence for privacy and give you some shade when needed.

Consider creating different layers of sizes and styles combining grasses with leafy and flowering varieties.

Place taller plants towards the back for middle of the bed and tier them down from offense or from the center of the garden. Use at least three of each plant unless it's a large focal point like a large tree.

Use plans that are native to your zone and those that won't litter your pool with needles or leaves. Here in Arizona we are a 9B gardening zone so the Queen Palm is a good tree to start with. Red Justicia , Weeping Dalea, and Golden Euonymus are good shrubs to use. Octopus Agava and bird of paradise also were good in our zone for succulents and different accents.

For perennials, the Blackfoot Daisy, Midnight Blue Agapanthus, and the Fortnight Lily make great flowering and leafy plants. Ornamental grasses can be found in places like Home Depot or Lowe's and groundcovers such as Yellow Dot and Azure Bush Germander.

Related Post: Why should you keep plants away from the house?

Some plants you don't want to use are those that have two characteristics, they drop leaves, and they thrive in shade. These might include azaleas, Bougaiinvillea, honeysuckle, Evergreen Elms, Mesquite, Arborvitae. Not only will these shed some of their foliage, but many pools are installed in direct sunlight, so these plants should be designed for sunlight. Sometimes the air around the pool can almost act like a microclimate, so your plants should be able to handle it.

For more information on the types of plants that are most common around your pool in Havasu City, give us a call and I would love to talk with you about the right plants, what we've seen around here, and what drives.

How to get your pool ready for the summer

The weather is warming up and its time to get out and enjoy your pool on a regular basis again. The thought of grabbing your towel, some sunglasses, and maybe even a cold drink and jumping into the cool waters under the rays of the hot sun all in the convenience of your own back yard is exciting. That excitement can quickly turn into disappointment with a dirty pool.

Regular care and cleaning of your personal pool can seem overwhelming and discouraging when you just want to enjoy your yard and relax. Hiring a pro to handle the weekly service for you is well worth it and here’s why.


A Pro Knows Your Pool Needs
With weekly service your pool tech will test your pool water every week. Over time with consistent weekly care a pool tech gets to know your pool and its particular personality. (Yep, your pool has its own way of functioning unlike any other pool out there.) Once a tech has a feel for a particular pool and how chemicals respond when added on the same day every week they have a very good knowledge of what your pool needs to keep it running in top shape. It is very important to care for a pool weekly to avoid more costly and expensive fixes to get the water back in balance after long periods of no care.


Why Pool Water is Tested Continuously after Knowing a Pool’s Tendencies
A pool tech is like a doctor for a pool. If you visit a doctor with an ailment the first thing she does is ask your symptoms to get an idea of what is going on. Upon hearing and seeing what is going on they make a very accurate conclusion as to what is going on but may take some blood or do extra tests to get concrete evidence to correctly diagnose and treat you. In the same way a pool tech always tests your pool water to be 100% certain they are properly caring for your pool. If the water tests for some reason come up different than expected corrections can be made right away because there are many different factors that change the balance of a pool from crazy weather to a little one having an accident.




Pool Service is Easy BUT it Requires Consistency
Nearly every pool owner has what it takes to test their water and give their pool the care it needs to stay clean and balanced. Cleaning and caring for a pool can seem like a lot of work, but it mostly boils down to dedication and consistency. It is super important to care for your pool on the same day every week so you can learn how your pool functions and keep it in its best shape with regular and consistent care. If you can care for your pool the same day every week no matter what you don’t need a professional tech to do it for you. It does take some commitment to be that consistent and most people lead busy lives with varied schedules so to avoid costly fixes from inconsistency it is best to hire someone who can be there weekly on the same day without fail.


Pool Techs Don’t Need Much Time to Care for Your Pool
A common observation by many pool owners is that their pool tech doesn’t seem to take much time on their pool for weekly maintenance. This may seem like a sign that the tech is not doing much and have you wondering as a pool owner if your money is being well spent. A great pool tech that is doing their job knows each pool sort of like a parent knows each of their children, your kids are all part of your family and have similar family traits but each one of them is different and unique in their own way. When a pool tech knows a pool and its owners as mentioned in point one, they will already have a good idea of what attention your pool will need before they get out of the truck. A pool tech can empty baskets, test water, check equipment, and add necessary chemicals all in a matter of 5 to 7 minutes.


The Right Pool Care Company Makes all the Difference
Not all pool companies give the same level and excellence in service. A great pool technician will treat every pool they service as if it is their own. Hire someone who takes pride in every pool they service knowing they are giving it the best care possible every week. Don’t wait to call in a pro until your pool is in desperate need of repair. Not only will it cost you more, but you  may not get the level of dedication to get your pool back on track as a pool owner with a tech that consistently cares for the pool.


Ever Clear Pool Service is dedicated to keeping all of our customer’s pools in top shape so they can easily hop into their suit, walk out the door, and enjoy a swim. We are the best in Lake Havasu City pool care.

​How to Get Your Pool Ready for Spring and Summer
 
Winter is a time to stay inside and keep warm with blankets and hot chocolate, but spring is on the way and summer after that. Though before you grab your swim fins, googles and swimsuits, you need to prep your pool. Here are some of the steps you can take to make sure that when the weather warms up you can stay cool.

First step: Remove and clean the pool cover

Covering your pool is an important maintenance step during the fall and winter. If you don’t cover your pool the rain, snow, falling leaves and other debris will upset the chemical balance of the water. By putting the cover on you can prevent the worst of the debris, but as spring begins it is time to take off the cover. Before taking off the cover, try and remove as much of the collected water from the top of it. Once the water is removed, sweep or blow off any leaves from the cover; it is alright if you don’t get all of them just try and get as many as possible. When the cover is cleaned off you can remove it from the pool. After removing the cover, give it a final sweep, rinse and let it dry. This will prevent the cover from getting moldy when you store it for the season. When your cover is dry fold it up and put it in a dry location until you need it again
.
Second Step: Clean the Pool

One the cover is removed there are bound to be some leaves and debris within the water of the pool. So after removing it use a net or skimmer to get rid of any leftover debris.

Third Step: Refill and hook up

During the off-season your pool may have lost some of the water that was in it when it was covered up, to remedy this simply use a hose to fill the pool up to where the water line should be. When the pool is refilled it is time to reconnect all your equipment. Before reconnecting equipment, check all of it to make sure that there are no damages and that everything is clean. Then attach everything to the pool, remove any plugs and turn on. Run your system overnight to begin the circulation and filtration of the water.

Fourth Step:  Test your water

Testing the water is an important step as the water in your pool will have a different chemical makeup than when you got it ready for winter. Use a testing kit to find out the pH balance and alkalinity of the water before adding chemicals to your water. As soon as the test results are in, add the proper amount of chemicals and let them circulate through the pool overnight. The following morning test the water again to make sure that everything is in order.

Read More: GET FIT IN YOUR POOL IN THE NEW YEAR

Fifth Step: Pool Party

As soon as the chemicals are set-up it is time to put your pool to use. Make sure to continue to check the chemicals and equipment on a regular basis to keep your pool in working order.

Additional Info:

If you don’t have the time to set up your pool yourself the EverClear Pool Service is here to help. With weekly chemical tests, cleanings and repairs, they provide a great help with getting your pool ready for summer. Check out their website for quotes and more information about keeping your pool well-maintained.

Read More: WHAT DOES RAIN DO TO YOUR POOL?

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.
​
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.
​
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.