Cannonball Pool Service

Pool Service Maintenance & Repair

Your pH Guide

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The pH in your pool is significant. It plays a very important factor in maintaining the proper chemical balance. pH is the scale between acid and base. The scale goes from 0 -14, where a pH of 7 is neutral. When pH is above 7 the water is basic and pH below 7 the water is more acidic. The optimal pH of pool water is right around 7.4. Both too low of pH and too high of pH have implications. Therefore the pH in your pool needs to be monitored.

Too High pH

  • Improper chlorine disinfection – Leads to bacteria build up
  • Can cause skin rash and irritation
  • Lime precipitation
  • Cloudiness – Always check your pH if your water is cloudy

If the pH in your pool water exceeds 7.8 your pH is too high. A high pH means poor chlorine disinfection. Everything that enters your pool water effects your pH. You will need to decrease your pH with a quality product that will lower your chemical levels efficiently and effectively.

Too Low pH

  • Damages the mechanical equipment of the pool – Corrodes surfaces
  • Irritates eyes & mucous membranes
  • Can cause damage to the vinyl pool liner – may become brittle & crack easily

A low pH means your water is too acidic. It is bad for swimmers and your pool. Have you ever been swimming and have your eyes sting? That is because the pool water was too acidic. A low pH also corrodes metal surfaces (like pool ladders, lights, and pumps). Keep an eye out for concrete, plaster, & stone deterioration with too low of levels. Low pH levels are equal to bacteria and algae build up. This is because when your pool is too acidic, the amount of working chlorine is decreased.

It is important to maintain proper chemicals in your swimming pool and spa. Water that is not balanced can be harmful to swimmers, pool equipment, and surfaces. Cannonball Pool Service takes the hassle out of pool ownership with reliable pool maintenance, service, and repair.

Pool Maintenance Tips & Tricks

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Having a swimming pool in your back yard brings a ton of enjoyment, relaxation, and quality family time. Unfortunately, the fun comes at a price. One crucial element of pool ownership is maintenance. You cannot have fun without pool maintenance. Besides being unsightly, A dirty pool can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Below are 7 swimming pool maintenance tips to keep you happily swimming all year long.

POOL MAINTENANCE TIPS & TRICKS

  1. Check Pool Chemistry

    You should check your pool chemicals 2x a week. Testing your pool water is simple. Testing kits are readily available from your local pool store or online. Improperly balanced water looks murky, irritates skin & eyes, and can cause your pool to become a breeding ground for bacteria.
    pH should be between 7.2 – 7.6
    Alkalinity 100 -120 ppm
    Total Hardness 200 – 400 ppm
    Cyanuric Acid 30 – 50 ppm
    Free Chlorine 1.0 -1.5 ppm

  2. Skimming & Scrubbing

    Skim the top of the pool surface as well as rinse out the skimmer basket(s). Skimming should be done daily in order to keep unwanted debris out of the pool (leaves, grass, mulch, etc.). Along with skimming, you need to scrub. Scrub your pool tiles to prevent algae buildup.

  3. Clean Pool Filters

    Pool filters are the “kidneys” of your swimming pool. Clean your pool filters regularly or as needed. They should also be cleaned after a heavy storm.

  4. Keep An Eye On Your Water Level

    Your pool water level should not be too high or too low. Water levels will naturally fluctuate after a heavy rainstorm or an afternoon of kids doing cannonballs. Your pool water should be right at the center level of your pool skimmer for best results. If the water is too low it can run the pump dry and burn it up. If the water is too high your skimmer door will not work properly.

  5. Tennis Balls Are Great For Your Pool

    Use a tennis ball to absorb oils, sunscreens, hair product etc. Just simply toss a tennis ball into your pool and let it do the work. Tennis ball fibers help reduce that slick sheen on top of your pool water.

  6. Shock Your Pool

    Don’t be afraid to shock your pool if it looks like it needs it. Did you just have a pool party or did your dogs swim in your pool? Is your pool murky and clouded? That is bacteria that you will want to get rid of as soon as possible. Shocking drastically raises the chlorine levels for a short period of time to kill bacteria.

  7. Power Wash Your Pool Deck

    Pressure washing will help get rid of any rust or weather stains that occur over time. The area that surrounds your pool is as important as your pool itself. A dirty pool deck means a dirty pool. Dirty pool decks track dirt, algae spores, & bacteria right into the pool.

Water Safety Month

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Did you know that May is National water safety month? Hot Summer Sun means more outdoor fun. Below are 5 tips to keep you and your family swimming safely all season long.

  1. Never leave a child unattended in the water. – Always swim with a buddy.
  2. Teach children how to swim – The American Red Cross has a swim app that can help with teaching children how to swim.
  3. Make sure all children know to stay away from pool drains. – Children love to play around pool drains. Inform all children in and around your pool about the hazards of swimming pool drains.
  4. Install proper barriers, covers and alarms on and around your pool and spa. – Pools need to be enclosed properly by fences or safety pool covers.
  5. Know how to perform CPR on children and adults. – This is a valuable lifesaving skill.
  6. Keep your pool chemicals balanced & maintained. – A well balanced pool keeps harmful bacteria at bay.

Always remember that we need to keep safe swimming all year long not just during water safety month. Contact Cannonball Pool Service at 239.440.9888 for all of your pool service needs.

Chlorine And Covid

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Owning an at-home pool or hot tub can be fun for the whole family. However, it is important for people who own pools or hot tubs in their homes to know how to take care of them and keep themselves and their families healthy and safe. Everyone is wondering how protected are the swimming pools against Covid – 19 also known as the Coronavirus. According to the CDC, ” There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas.” In short, as long as your pool chemicals are balanced your pool water should be good. There is a specific way to kill germs in your pool.

The best way to kill germs is by properly maintaining the free chlorine concentration and pH. As a residential pool or hot tub/spa owner, it is your responsibility to regularly check the chlorine concentration and pH of the pool or hot tub/spa water to help protect yourself and your family and friends from recreational water illnesses. Free chlorine concentration and pH should be tested at least twice per day. Test more often when the pool or hot tub/spa is being frequently used. There are some things that can help with pool safety.

Simple things you can do to help ensure pool safety:
1. Maintain Proper Free Chlorine And pH Levels.
2. Regularly Check Pool Chemicals.
3. Maintain Pool Equipment.
4. Don’t Swim If Pool Chemicals Are Not In Balance.

It is always a good idea to get a quality pool service company to maintain, service, and repair your swimming pool. This ensures that your swimming pool chemicals are balanced and your pool equipment is functioning properly. Call (239.440.9888) Cannonball Pool Service For A Free Onsite Estimate.

 

*By using this website, you accept this disclaimer in full. If you disagree with any part of this disclaimer, please do not use Cannonballpoolservice.com. Cannonball Pool Service accepts no responsibility of any kind for any information provided in our posts. Cannonball Pool Service can’t guarantee the information in the blog is accurate or current. Use of the site is on an “as is basis” and we can’t say whether the material is accurate.
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