I am a Pool Geek.
I am a Pool Geek.
There. I’ve said it.
And it’s true! When I see a pool, or a water sample, I immerse myself in the world of that pool! I want to know its history, the set-up, I want to explore all the individual properties of that water and discover why it’s so beautifully clear…or why it is NOT.
When you can look at a pool of water and see it not as an object, but as a living environment, because it really is! Your water changes with the weather, with heat and cold, rain and dry-spells. Every change that happens NEAR your water can affect the water itself! Do you use fertilizers or pesticides in your yard? Undoubtedly–those end up in your water. If it’s been very hot, or more people have been swimming than usual, or it has rained a lot, or any number of other things…your normal routine may need adjusted!
During this hot year we’ve been having, a lot of the pools I have been taking care of have needed shocked twice a week to keep them happy. It’s not what would normally be needed, but I’ve been watching and reading the water, and I know that if I shock it twice a week, our chlorine levels stay steady and our water stays safe and happy. If I shock it only once, we may get haziness pretty quickly, or even slip into a demand situation.
I’ve also got to mention, with this heat, that algae has been though the ROOF from what I’ve seen! Optimizer has been my pal this year–it’s really helped to keep the algae growth at a minimum, and it’s keeping the water softer, prettier, and more stable, too. If you’ve been battling algae, whether it be green or mustard or any other variety, BioGuard’s Optimizer may really help your situation. I’ve also used an extra dose of algaecide every now and again, deciding when to do so by just keeping an eye on the water.
One good thing to keep in mind–if what you’re doing isn’t working…try something different! Sometimes we’ve got to think outside the box and try some new things. Using Optimizer is new for me this year, though others have been using it for a long time. Another new thing I’ve been working with is Natural Result, which is an enzyme based solution–I LOVE it! Cuts down on scum lines, gets rid of a lot of the organic waste in your water that normally eats up your chlorine, and just feels good to use.
So, yeah….I’m Jen, and I’m a Pool Geek. A lot of us are. If you’re having an issue with your pool water, feel free to bring some in and ask us to geek out on it for you. Feel free to EMAIL me any direct questions, or set up a time when I can be in the store to talk with you about your water. Feel free to bring photos and water samples and whatever you think may help us understand your pool the best. Also–please tell us what you normally do to take care of your pool–it helps us a lot to know those things!
So…I CHALLENGE you! Email me some questions! I’ll reward you if you do! You won’t regret it. Thanks for reading, check out the links below, and I look forward to your emails!
Jen Allen
Central Iowa Pool & Spa
jen@soakandswim.com <—- USE IT!
515-263-6900
Check out these links!
How Do I Clear Up my Pool Water?
How, Why, and When to Clean your Pool Filter!
How Do I Get Balance, Safe, Clear Pool Water?
BioGuard Water Care: Pool Chemicals
Hi Jen
I have a question for you. I’ve noticed some sand in my pool lately. How would sand from my sand pump get into the pool? I think it happens when I turn my pump on at nite before I go to bed. I run it for 8hrs during the nite. Any ideas??? I’m stund on the subject.
Thanx
Nathan Glotfelty
Hello, Nathan!
How MUCH sand are you getting in the pool? When you backwash your filter, do you always go from “backwash” to “rinse” and THEN to “Filter?” It *may* be a broken lateral inside your filter. That is often the case. I would suggest, aside from that, either running you filter 24 hours a day or running it during the daytime and NOT at night, if you don’t want to run it all the time. That would be a lot better for your water. It is during the day, with the sun and heat, that pools need the most circulation to stay algae-free and would probably cut down on your required chemical usage.
I hope that helps a bit!
Hi Jen
Thanx for responding back.
I’m getting maybe a couple of table spoons of sand in the pool.When I backwash,I go backwash,rinse and then waste. That’s the way I’ve always done it!
My Ph is always good and I keep the cover on it unless we’re going to swim.My wife
works from home during the day hours, so she has all the lites on in the basement(hair salon,tanning) and the central air always on.I just try to even it out. I know how much work a broken lateral wood be to fix.(Empty)!!
Thank you for your help and suggestions!
Nathan Glotfelty
Hi Jen, would you recommend opening your pool before your water temp goes above 50degrees to lower chemical costs before Algiers sets in? Or would it be more expensive to run your pump instead of the chemicals?
Thanks
Hi Kyle, it would be better to open the pool while the water is cold. In these temps algae is mostly dormant. You will spend less on chemicals and you don’t have to run the pump continuously. Maybe 6-8 hrs a day. That should save on electricity.
Thanks for the question.
Mario