Basics of Good Pool Maintenance in Phoenix

February 17, 2023 by

Good Pool Maintenance in Phoenix

Before you can properly enjoy your pool, you must know proper pool maintenance. Every pool owner should have a basic understanding of their pool’s components, pool care accessories, and pool chemistry.

pool maintenance guy

If you cannot keep up with your pool maintenance or don’t want to do it by yourself, you can schedule regular pool care services to keep your pool in good condition so your family and friends can enjoy it for years to come.

3 Components of Pool Maintenance

When it comes to pool care and maintenance, it is important to be knowledgeable about and monitor the 3 C’s – circulation, cleaning, and chemistry.

Water Circulation

When the pool’s pumps are functioning properly, pool water is flowing through the filter and disperses chemicals throughout the pool. This helps to prevent algae from growing and keeps your water clean. To achieve proper water circulation you should:

● Run the pool pump 8-12 hours per day

● Backwash or clean filter when pressure exceeds 10-15 psi

● Regularly clean the skimmer and pump basket

● Angle jets downward and away from the skimmer basket

Pool Cleaning

Regular cleaning keeps water looking crystal clear. It also prevents clogs in the filtration and pump system. Some tools you will need to clean your pool are a set skimmer, a pool brush, and a vacuum or automatic cleaner.

● Skim the surface daily

● Brush walls, steps, ladders, slides, and low circulation spots daily

● Vacuum debris and algae that have fallen to the bottom of the pool once a week or use an automatic cleaner

Chemical Balance

Test the pool water one to two times per week and adjust chemicals as necessary. Be sure to keep a test kit or test strips with your pool supplies to take measurements.

● Balance pH: Pool water should have a pH of around 7.5. Unbalanced pH can cause equipment corrosion and algae growth.

● Alkalinity: Aim for a total alkalinity of between 120 and 150 ppm. If the alkalinity is too high the water may become cloudy.

● Chlorine: A balance of between 1 and 3 ppm is necessary to keep your pool water sanitized and prevent harmful bacteria and algae growth.

● Calcium hardness: Ideal levels are between 200 and 400 ppm. If levels are too high, calcium deposits may form on pool walls.

● Shocking: Every 1-2 weeks shock the pool water to kill off bacteria, contaminants, and organic matter and keep the water safe and clean.

Full-Service Pool Cleaning

There is a lot involved in properly maintaining a pool. If your schedule doesn’t allow the time to properly care for your pool, or if you would prefer to spend your time enjoying the pool rather than cleaning it, hiring a pool cleaning service is an ideal solution.

Pink Dolphin Pool Care provides full-service pool cleaning that includes cleaning, maintenance, and balancing pool chemicals to keep your pool clean and looking great. We do the work, leaving you to enjoy the benefits of having a pristine pool to cool off from the Arizona heat.

Call us at (602) 688-7465 to schedule your regular pool care services.

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Importance of Chemical Pool Balance

November 23, 2022 by

Importance of Chemical Pool Balance

As a pool owner, there is a lot of work that goes into keeping your pool in good condition so you can enjoy the refreshing water on a hot day. Pool chemical balance is one of the most important aspects of pool maintenance, and unfortunately, it’s not as easy as just adding chlorine every now and then.

pool water chemical testing

Pool Water Elements to Balance

There are several different elements that must be balanced and kept within a specific range to have ideal pool water conditions:

● pH: between 7.4 and 7.6

● Alkalinity: between 80 and 120 ppm

● Calcium Hardness: between 180 and 200 ppm

● Stabilizer: between 30 and 50 ppm

● Chlorine: between 1 and 3 ppm

Each of these components plays an important role in the appearance, safety, and overall function of your pool.

What Happens When Pool Water is Unbalanced

It may not seem like a big deal if you go a while without testing and balancing your pool water. However, unbalanced pool water can cause problems like skin and eye irritation, corrosion, pool equipment damage, cloudy water, and algae growth.

pH levels under 7 mean the water is acidic and can turn corrosive. Levels over 7 indicate the water is basic and may turn cloudy and start to scale. High calcium levels can lead to calcium deposits and cloudy water. Very low levels of calcium can turn the water corrosive.

There are also important health reasons to keep your pool water balanced. High chlorine levels can cause skin, eye, and nose irritation, but if the chlorine is too low, it will allow bacteria to grow which can lead to ear, nose, and throat infections.

Tips for Balancing Pool Water

It is important to test your pool water regularly and make the necessary adjustments. You should test the water when you open the pool for the season, if you refill or add water to the pool, and on a weekly basis. You should have a test kit at home and know the size of your pool and its capacity for accurate balancing.

Chemical levels are also affected by elements such as rain and water temperature. Heavy rain can decrease your pool’s pH level. Chemicals are less active in lower temperatures, so you may need to add more to achieve the correct balance. The pool water may also need extra balancing if it is unused for a long period of time.

It’s a lot to keep track of. If it seems overwhelming, if you just don’t want to worry about it, or if you’re having trouble keeping the water balanced you can have your pool water tested and balanced weekly with professional pool maintenance services.

Pink Dolphin Pool Care offers weekly full-service pool cleaning that takes the hassle out of owning a swimming pool. This service includes testing and balancing pool water as well as backwashing the filter, emptying the skimmer, brushing and vacuuming, and more. We always leave a pool service slip detailing what pool chemicals were added to your pool.

If you need pool care services in Phoenix’s Northwest Valley, or the surrounding areas, call Pink Dolphin today at 602-688-7465!

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Pool Safety Tips

May 18, 2022 by

Pool Safety Tips

Pool safety tips can be a good reminder for all of us to take care of ourselves and our families and friends.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the second cause of unintentional death for children between ages one and four. And for every child that dies, eight others are injured.

Swimming Pool With Stair

Pools are fun and help relieve the Arizona heat. But before you dive in, make sure everyone will be safe.

Most Recommended Pool Safety Tips

1. Never leave children unattended in or near a pool. Please pay attention to them.

When children are in or near a pool, they must be supervised. Eliminate distractions like electronics, books, magazines, and loud music when watching your little ones. Accidents can happen quickly, so it’s important to always be alert.  Also keep an eye on your pet dog (pets) as unattended animals can also fall in and drown.

2. Teach everyone in the house how to swim. Educate your children about pool safety and drowning prevention.

Swimmers are less likely to drown than non-swimmers. Teach your children to swim and tell them why. Educate them about drowning and pool safety.

3. Put a fence around your pool at least five feet tall with self-closing gates and latches.

Many children die by falling into a pool when nobody’s looking. A fence around your pool cuts a child’s risk of drowning by 83%. Permanent and temporary fences are effective and look great.

4. Teach children not to swim or play around drains and openings.

Ensure your pool has VGB-compliant drains installed. Inspect drains for damage and replace damaged drains before using your pool.  Pool drains are powerful and can trap small children and even adults on some instances. Pool drains can pull in hair, jewelry, and a swimmer’s body and limbs. Modern drains are designed to prevent this, but drains should still be inspected for damage. Teach your children to avoid these dangers.

5. Avoid diving into shallow water.

Over 500 people suffer spinal cord injuries from diving each year. You could also hit your face and lose teeth or break facial bones. Only dive in water at least nine feet deep to reduce your risk of injury.

6. Don’t run around pools — Keep horseplay to a minimum

Running on a wet surface is a disaster waiting to happen. Most of these injuries are minor abrasions, but serious injuries can occur from falling on concrete, including head injuries. Injuries can happen when playing gets too rough or aggressive. Make sure everybody plays nice, follow the rules, and has fun. Friendly supervision by the pool owner is critical for the safety of all.

7. Maintain your pool to avoid health problems.

An  important safety tip is pool maintenance. Keeping your pool water clean and balanced makes your pool more enjoyable. Microbes like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa can grow in your dirty pool water. A properly maintained pool has a sparkling clean appearance with no strong or unpleasant odors.

Ensure your filtration system functions correctly and maintain the proper chlorine levels, pH and alkalinity amounts, and water hardness.

Have Questions? Pink Dolphin Pool Care has Answers

We hope this has given you some pool safety tips that you can use right away. If you have any questions about pool safety, pool maintenance, or would like to have us clean and maintain your pool for you, call us at 602-688-7465.

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Spring Cleaning Means Pool Cleaning Too

April 15, 2022 by

Spring Cleaning Means Pool Cleaning Too

It’s springtime and everyone is in the mood to clean! If you’re planning a big spring clean for the inside of your home, why not schedule a pool clean up too? Regular maintenance and cleaning are important for keeping your pool running smoothly, but sometimes these things fall by the wayside. If your pool has been sitting stagnant for months, it’s definitely time to call in the professionals for a cleanup!

Spring Cleaning Means Pool Cleanups Too

Why is it Important to Keep Your Pool Clean?

A very important part of being a pool owner is making sure your pool stays clean. Dirty pool water can cause many health hazards, including severe skin and eye irritation. A buildup of debris can also damage your pool filter.

Keeping your pool clean and well maintained will not only prevent bacterial growth and unnecessary repairs but also prolong the life of the pool itself!

Cleanups for Stagnant Pools

One of the biggest challenges in pool care is cleaning a pool that has been sitting for months or even years! Leaving a pool unattended for this long will create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mosquitos. Stagnant water may also cause structural damage to the pool’s surface over time.

When cleaning out a stagnant pool, there are really only two options: drain the pool or try to recover the water. Draining may be an easier way to clean your pool, but it doesn’t work for every pool surface. Gunite pools can easily be drained safely, while a vinyl pool liner may crack or shrink if it’s old.

Alternatively, you can try to recover the pool water, which can be pretty tricky. This is often a long and tedious process that needs to be done correctly. When in doubt, a professional cleaning will ensure that your pool water is safe enough to swim in.

Regular Pool Maintenance

The best way to avoid a major cleanup is to keep your pool on a regular cleaning/maintenance schedule. It’s generally recommended to have your pool cleaned once a week, to keep the water safe and free of debris.

During a full-service pool cleaning, your pool will be brushed, vacuumed, and cleared of floating debris (such as insects and leaves). Pool chemicals will also be tested and adjusted as necessary. Pool skimmers will be emptied, and filters may be backwash as needed. You will also receive a pool service slip detailing what services were provided.

Keep Your Pool Sparkling Clean with Pink Dolphin

Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule is a great way to keep your pool looking great and running smoothly all year long! However, if your pool has been sitting for a few months, you may need to schedule a more heavy-duty cleaning service.

At Pink Dolphin, we are proud to offer reliable weekly cleaning services at an affordable rate as well as special pool cleanups. Leave all the work to us and simply enjoy the benefits of a sparkling clean pool all year long!

Looking for weekly pool cleaning services? Give us a call at 602-688-7465!

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Sun City, AZ Swimming Pool Trends for 2021

January 13, 2021 by

Sun City, AZ Swimming Pool Trends for 2021

It’s not enough to just have a pool anymore. In 2021, swimming pool trends are all about bringing pools to the next, luxurious level.

Sun City, AZ Swimming Pool Trends for 2021

Customization

As with most industries, things advance to the point that you can have it any way you want it. This is true of pool design as well. Unique design elements in 2021 make it possible to give your pool the look you want.

Use clear, see-through acrylic walls to house your pool. This creates an amazing effect whether you are looking at the pool or swimming underwater. When placing an above ground pool in a narrow space, use one acrylic wall to make its space feel bigger.

Choose the colors of your tile as well. While you can almost never go wrong with the classic sky blue used in so many pools, don’t be afraid to mix it up. There are options with subtle, bright reds. Or get a marble look with white, gray, and brown swirls.

Mosaic edges around your pool lip are another space in which to express your unique take on this customizable trend. Whether you want something that looks like glass subway tiles or an artistic version of cresting waves, use this space to achieve it.

Fitness Pools

Not all pools are about recreation anymore. Many are using their pools as a fitness tool. In 2021, consider adding features that make your pool a fitness dream.

Choosing to install a lap pool is one great way to make this exercise-centric. If you don’t have the space for a lap pool, choose a pool model that generates a current to swim against.

You can also add fitness gear to your pool, such as underwater resistance bands anchored to the pool wall.

Spools

Everyone can have a pool now if they want with the evolution of small-space spools. Even if you have a strange or small area to place your swimming pool, spool technology makes it possible for you to achieve an outdoor oasis. Good for a quick dip or float if not lap swimming, small spools are gaining in popularity as people move to make the most out of their square footage.

Entertaining Options

As pools become more of a hang out space – especially with families spending more time at home – designs can be incorporated to make the pool more of luxurious space.

This may mean integrating more spots to sit or lay against in the pool. Adding a bar is also a great option if you are planning to host pool parties. On your ledges, build lounge spaces for yourself or guests to the sun.

Get Trendy with Pink Dolphin Pool Care

Embrace 2021 AZ swimming pool trends with Pink Dolphin Pool Care. Whether installing a new pool or upgrading an older one, there are great ways to make your space unique, up-to-date, and on-trend. Call today (602) 688-7465 to discuss your pool trend options.

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