Cannonball Pool Service

Pool Service Maintenance & Repair

Water Bugs? In Your Swimming Pool?

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Ewww…water bugs! In your pool!?!? Let’s face it, your swimming pool is not meant to be a home for water bugs or other creatures. To them, it looks like a perfect place to hang out, eat, and reproduce. This is less than ideal for the pool owner. Although, water bugs like water boatman and backswimmers are pretty harmless they can bite. There are some steps that pool owners can take to get rid of water bugs and keep them from returning.

  • The first thing to do is remove all the bugs from your pool. Use a skimmer to scoop them out of the water. Keep in mind that water boatman fly and may do so when you are trying to scoop them out.
  • Next, manually vacuum your swimming pool. Be sure to remove all the debris from the bottom of your pool.
  • Third, test your pool water. Be sure your chemicals are on point. These types of bugs like algae and most likely in your pool because you have algae growth. Adjust your pool chemicals to the appropriate levels. This your means pH and alkalinity too.
  • Shock your pool and then run your pool pump. You will need to use enough shock that will remove the algae in your pool. We recommend doubling the dosage of pool shock. Remember to shock your pool at night.
  • Keep them from coming back. You will need to eliminate their food source: algae. This means maintaining your pool and its chemicals. Be sure to scrub your pool tiles, keep proper chemical levels, and vacuum often.

Have control over bugs in your pool. Get A pool service to maintain your pool. This is an excellent idea to keep healthy pool water. Are you in the Southwest Florida area? Call Cannonball Pool Service 239.440.9888.

Gifting Pool Service

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I don’t know who needs to hear this, but dad wants more than socks this year. It’s that time of year where everyone is searching for the perfect gift. The Holiday Season is meant for giving something meaningful to loved ones. The gift of pool service is perfect for every pool owner. Families with children don’t want/can’t handle an extra item on their plate. Elderly people have the time but may not have the energy or strength to take care of their pool on their own. Gifting pool service is the gift that the recipient enjoys throughout the year. It’s not just another gift to fill a stocking or a trinket to place under the Christmas tree.

Gifting pool service is the gift that ALL swimming pool owners will enjoy. It makes pool ownership hassle free. The main reason pool owners get a pool is for enjoyment. Taking care of the pool, the maintenance, chemicals, cleaning, pool repairs, etc. is an unwanted “added perk” of swimming pool ownership. Anything that creates more time for added enjoyment is an added benefit.

So, don’t be predictable this year. Give the gift of pool service to someone who needs it, wants it, or could use it to make life a little easier. Call Cannonball Pool Service at 239.440.9888 or visit us at cannonballpoolservice.com to sign up today.

Make Your Pool Energy Efficient

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It’s no secret that swimming pools are huge energy consumers. The average swimming pool costs $80 to $150 per month or about $960 to $1,800 per year just for electricity (depending on the size of the pool, location, etc.). Most homeowners see a 30% to 50% increase in their electric bills every season. Believe it or not, you are not stuck with higher utility bills when you own a pool. There are ways to cut back on energy, thus saving money on your utility bills. Here is how to make your pool energy efficient.

Upgrade Your Pool:

  • Change Out Pool Lighting – Replace inefficient pool lights with LED lights. An LED light can save you roughly 87% on your energy usage compared to a comparable incandescent light. Although LED pool lights do cost more than an incandescent light, your cost savings will not start till you recoup the additional money that you spent on the LED lights. LED pool lights are the preferred technology due to their durability, reliable performance & efficiency.
  • Upgrade Your Pool Pump – Upgrade to a variable speed pool pump. Variable Speed Pool Pumps reduce electricity costs and create power to keep your pool equipment running strong. They are the most energy efficient pool pump, saving pool owners hundreds of dollars per year compared to single speed pumps. According to the EPA’s ENERGY STAR website, traditional single-speed pool pumps could be the home’s second largest energy user for homes with in-ground swimming pools. Variable-speed pool pumps can save on energy usage and reduce the carbon footprint of outdoor living spaces.
  • Automated Pool Controls – Pool automation can save you frustration and money every day, help you get even more return on your pool investment, & allow you to spend more time swimming and less time maintaining. By automating essential pool and spa functions, you can save up to 70% on your pool’s energy costs. They make your pool more efficient and make the most difference when you have complex or spread-out pool equipment.
  • Energy Efficient Pool Heaters – Improve your swimming pool’s heating and energy efficiency. Install an energy efficient pool heater to reduce heating costs. New gas swimming pool heaters have a standard test they go through to determine their energy efficiency based on their Btu output. Today, you’ll find some gas pool heaters with 89%–95% efficiency. Proper installation and maintenance of your gas pool heater can optimize its efficiency. It’s best to have a qualified pool professional install & maintain pool equipment.

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.

Phosphates And Your Pool

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Pool phosphates. What? Phosphates are non-metallic chemicals that pool owners should be knowledgeable about when it comes to their swimming pools. Phosphates are found in many things from sunscreen to yard mulch and soil. Lawn fertilizers, which may blow into the pool, have high phosphate content. For all of these reasons, swimming pools can quickly build up high phosphate levels.

Phosphates are plant food. Algae is a plant. Therefore, phosphates are a great food source for algae (insert excitement here). Eliminate phosphates and say goodbye to your pool’s algae problems.

When excess phosphates are present in a swimming pool, the symptoms often include the following:

  • Cloudy, Green Water
  • Slippery and Slimy Surfaces
  • Mustard & Green Colored Debris
  • Excessive Chemical Consumption
  • Poor Water Quality

But…how do you eliminate phosphates? Re-balancing just your chemicals won’t fix the algae and phosphate problem. Even performing a chlorine shock won’t solve the problem. A shock will only drop the ppb of phosphates, which will then bounce back to a higher level. Chlorine cannot remove phosphates, because they do not interact with each other directly. In order to reduce phosphate levels, you will need a special phosphate remover. Phosphates also need to be treated immediately.

Have you ever seen a pool with that bold shade of green? In Florida, phosphates are a common problem. Cannonball Pool Service will treat phosphates immediately when we notice that they are present in your swimming pool. We do our best to prevent algae growing and taking over your pool.

For expert pool service call us today @ 239.440.9888.

The Ultimate Pool Chemical Guide

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Whether it’s a salt pool or a chlorinated pool, your pool chemicals need to be in balance. Balancing pool chemicals mean keeping pool chemicals at the proper levels. Properly balanced pool water creates and optimal environment for the sanitizing processes. It also protects your pool and its components against corrosion and extends the life of expectancy of the pool equipment. Some of the factors that contribute to pool water balance are pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, temperature, and total dissolved solids.

Chlorine is popular because it handles the 3 main jobs in keeping a swimming pool clean: It sanitizes (kills bacteria and germs), oxidizes (controls organic debris from perspiration and body oils), and deters algae. The total free chlorine in your pool should range between 1.0 -1.5 ppm (parts per million). The chlorine in your pool needs to be continuously monitored and replenished.

The pH in your pool is just as important. It controls the acidity of the pool which helps minimize irritation and assists in protecting your pool equipment as well. The Alkalinity in your pool helps control your pH (which should be between 7.2 – 7.6).

Obtaining a quality and reliable pool service company is important to you and your pool’s over all health. A poorly managed pool can deteriorate your pool and its equipment as well as become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and algae.

Cannonball Pool Service custom service and maintenance programs keep your pool running at an optimal level all year round. Get your free pool service estimate today.

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