Maintenance and Service

Pool Startup Tips: Opening your Swimming Pool for the 2011 Season

SignaturePools · Apr 1, 2011 ·

Moroccan 38 inground fiberglass pool

Every year around this time customers all over the Midwest prepare to have their swimming pools opened for the season. And, inevitably, every year we receive calls from customers asking questions on how to successfully prepare their pool for the coming summer. From proper water level to auto-cover and chemical questions, people sometime need a ‘refresher’ on the in’s and out’s of opening and maintaining a beautiful swimming pool from year to year. Here are a few pointers to get you started on the right foot:

1. Remove all standing water and debris from your pool cover. As obvious as this might sound, we can’t count the number of times a customer has asked us to open their pool….and the cover is FILLED with standing water and leaves from the fall and winter months. Before a pool cover can be removed (or retracted, in the case of auto-covers) it is imperative that all water and debris is first removed. Our winter covers come with a permeable mesh that allows rainwater and melted snow and ice to drain through. Leaves and branched need to be cleared before removing the cover. Auto-covers do not have a permeable membrane. These covers need to be pumped clear of all water before the cover will operate. Leaves and branches must also be removed before the cover is operated. If not, this debris will collect in the cover box and can damage the cover system.

2. Bring the water level in the pool half way up the skimmer. This is not a critical step but something to keep in mind, especially if you have an auto-cover. The cover is designed to be supported by the pool water underneth it. By having the water at the appropriate level, the cover can operate smoothly and easily as the pool is being started up for the season.

3. Even under perfect conditions there will be some sort of dirt or debris in the bottom of your pool. If you have a winter cover, the snow and ice that collected over the winter has now melted into the pool, bringing with it a fair amount of dirt. If you have an auto-cover with your pool, a few leaves may have blown into the pool through a small gap between the cover and pool wall. In either case be prepared to spend a little time removing or vacuuming this debris once the water is circulating.

4. Initial chemical balancing for the season is not a particularly difficult process, especially with a fiberglass pool. When your pool is first started up for the season you will most likely need to ‘shock’ the water in order to kill off any algae that has collected over the winter. Once the first round of shock wears off, test your pool chemicals to see where everything is starting at for the year. If you have specific questions about chemicals feel free to contact us or take a sample of water to a local pool store for analysis.

5. If you have a salt water chlorine generator on your pool make sure to heat the water to 77 degrees before testing the salt level of the water. The ideal level is 3500ppm (parts per million). The sensor in your pool equipment is calibrated to read the salt level most accurately while at this water temperature. A lower temperature will produce a false low reading and a higher water temperature will produce an inaccurately high reading. For every 5 degree change from the 77 degree point, the salt level will read 200ppm different from actual levels.

For those fiberglass pool owners in the Illinois and greater Chicago land area, you can download a copy of the Signature Pools 2011 opening letter directly on our website at http://www.signaturepoolschicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Letter-for-openings-2011-Computer-Version.pdf

Top 10 Reasons a Fiberglass Swimming Pool is the Right Choice for You

SignaturePools · Nov 2, 2010 ·

It’s easy for a swimming pool builder to say that their product or type of pool is the best in the market, but rare to hear definitive and concrete reasons why. We at Signature Pools strive to back up our statements with facts and the below list represents just a few of the great reasons a fiberglass swimming pool is the right choice for you, your family and your backyard. Take a look at some of the reasons our customers choose to install a fiberglass pool over any other type of swimming pool for their backyard.

1. Latest Technology- The fiberglass swimming pool industry has an established and competitive manufacturing base that strives to bring the best materials and manufacturing techniques to customers. This competitive environment pushes manufacturers to be the most innovative and bring the highest quality to the swimming pool market. With over a dozen fiberglass pool manufacturers in the United States, the best products and manufacturers naturally rise to the top.

2. Innovative Designs- With hundreds of shapes, sizes and colors to choose from, fiberglass pools offer an astounding array of stylish designs for homeowners at many price points. Whether you are looking for a simple place to cool off in the summer, a backyard oasis or a family fun pool, there is a fiberglass pool for you.

3. Warranty- Fiberglass pool manufacturers offer some of the best structural warranties in the industry. As we all know by now, the liner of a vinyl pool needs to be replaced over time and concrete pools have to be re-plastered and will eventually crack. In ground fiberglass pool manufacturers can offer such a great warranty because they know their product never needs resurfacing or replacing.

4. Low Maintenance- The last thing a pool owner wants to do is spend their weekends cleaning and balancing the water chemistry of their new pool. Spend more time enjoying your in ground pool when you choose a fiberglass swimming pool. The non-porous surface of the pool does not allow algae to stick to the walls and floor, and chemical balancing is a breeze with an inert surface that does not affect water chemistry.

5. Faster Installation- Fiberglass pools are a fantastic choice if you are concerned about construction time in your backyard. Because the pool shell is pre-manufactured in an environmentally controlled setting, you not only get a quality product but spend less time looking at a construction mess and more time enjoying your beautiful backyard. Typical fiberglass pool installation takes between 2-4 weeks compared to vinyl and concrete pool construction that can last months!

6. Pool Surface- No more skinned knees, torn or stained bathing suits when you choose a fiberglass pool. The surface of the pool is smooth to the touch and won’t scuff your feet or hands as you swim. Additionally, you will never have to deal with a wrinkled pool liner.

7. Beautiful Finishes– Not only is the pool surface smooth, but the color finishes are fantastic! Gone are the days of plain white pool finishes. With a fiberglass pool finish you can choose a color that fits the overall design of your yard. From a refreshing bright blue to a deep, calming aqua color, there is a pool finish for you.

8. Lowest Maintenance Cost– As we have mentioned, maintaining a fiberglass pool is the easiest option available today, and chemical costs are significantly less than a vinyl or concrete pool. But the most significant savings is the long-term renovation costs associated with replacing a vinyl liner, or re-plastering a concrete pool surface. Choosing a fiberglass pool eliminates the need for any of this work and gives you the best cost savings over time.

9. Water Features- Fiberglass pools are compatible with a countless number of water features including slides, jets, fountains, and waterfalls. These options can be added to almost any fiberglass pool, allowing you to truly customize the look, design and feel of your backyard.

10. Longevity- Since fiberglass pools don’t need to be re-surfaced, you can be assured that the finish of your pool will look the same in 5, 10, or 20 years as it does today. The finish of the pool is stain and fade resistant from the sun and will look beautiful for years to come. Vinyl and concrete pools are susceptible to staining, fading, wrinkles in vinyl and etching in concrete. These materials will fade over time and start to deteriorate as right away. Fiberglass pools have a proven record of maintaining their look and feel for years.

Pool Closing Letters Have Been Sent Out

SignaturePools · Sep 16, 2010 ·

Signature Pools has mailed out the 2010 Pool Closing Letter to our existing and previous clients. You will be receiving your letter within a few days, and can schedule a pool closing on the form provided.

To be sure that your pool is closed correctly, and in a timely manner, please follow these pool closing guidelines:

1) Have all water pumped off of your pool cover
2) Have power turned on to your pool equipment
3) Have water temperature of pool set at a minimum of 65 degrees
4) Have winter cover on your pool deck or nearby so our technicians have it available for installation (only applicable if you have a winter cover)
5) Please unlock gates to pool area for easy access of our technicians

Many customer ask us: “When should I close my pool?”

Our answer depends on two things:

1. The weather- if we experience a mild weather pattern for the fall, many customers don’t mind keeping their pool open until the middle of October. In this case it is important to keep your pool water circulating during the evening hours in the event that it happens to fall below freezing overnight. If it becomes unseasonably cold in the early fall, many customers are likely to have their pool closed right after the Labor Day holiday weekend.

2. Energy Savings- Obviously, the cooler it gets outside the more you have to run your pool heater. Some customers don’t mind paying the extra cost to extend their swimming season into the late fall months. Also keep in mind that you will have to run your pool pump longer to ensure water is constantly circulating through the pool and equipment.

**Keeping you pool or spa open all winter is not recommended. We have seen customers try and keep their equipment running throughout the winter months and the risk is usually too great. Any sort of power failure or tripped circuit breaker will shut down the electric to the equipment- and it only takes a few minutes for water to freeze when exposed to the harshest of Midwest winters.**

Whether you have your pool closed down right after Labor Day or choose to keep swimming until the first signs of snow, the decision is ultimately up to you. Signature Pools is able to accommodate for your swimming season and we are available to close your pool whenever you would like. If you have questions about getting your pool closed for the winter or would like further information, please feel free to Contact Signature Pools or give us a call at 630.845.1145

How to vacuum a swimming pool: 5 quick tips

SignaturePools · Sep 2, 2010 ·

Keeping up with maintenance on your swimming pool involves several things, including chemical balancing, equipment checks and cleaning of your pool. By far the most common way to remove dirt and debris from a swimming pool is to vacuum the steps, benches and floor of the pool. Here are a few reminders to consider the next time you vacuum your pool.

1. Turn off the heater: Most pool heaters require a high volume of water to be running through them in order to operate properly. Using a manual vacuum can restrict water flow and cause damage to your heater. Make sure the filter pump is primed and in high speed before turning the heater back on.

2. Fill vacuum hose with water: After assembling the vac head and hose to the pole, submerge the entire hose in the pool to fill it completely with water. Another easy way to do this is to hold the other end of the vac hose up to a return jet in the pool. Once the vacuum head stops bubbling air it will rest on the bottom of the pool. Now you can insert the hose into the skimmer line without sucking air through the pump.

3. Adjust equipment valves for better suction: On a typical equipment setup there is a valve on the filter pump that controls the amount of suction on both the skimmer line and floor/wall drains of the pool. Once you have hooked up the manual vacuum to your skimmer line you can adjust the amount of suction on the vacuum by adjusting the valve at the equipment. Make sure you don’t turn off the wall/floor drain completely. The vacuum will restrict water flow through the equipment and the pump will eventually cavitate if this happens. Only close off the wall/floor drain valve until your hear the pump start to hesitate, then back off just a little bit.

4. Work the vacuum aross the width of the pool: This may just be a personal preference, but I find that starting in the shallow end of the pool and vacuuming a section of the width of the pool rather than going the length is much easier. This way you can make sure you don’t miss any spots in the middle.

5. Remove the vac hose from the skimmer first: This is an important step that prevents sucking air through the skimmer and filter pump. Make sure to always keep the vacuum submerged in the water and never pull it out before first disconnecting from the skimmer first.

By following these 5 steps you will be able to vacuum your pool safely and efficiently every time! If you have questions about this or any other pool maintenance service, feel free to contact Signature Pools at 630.845.1145 or send us an email service@sigpoolschicago.mysites.io

Do I need to hire a pool service company?

SignaturePools · Jul 23, 2010 ·

Very often customers will ask me if I think it’s necessary for them to hire a pool service company to maintain their fiberglass swimming pool and equipment. As with most things in life, the answer is not always short and easy. Your lifestyle, available free time and how you use your pool are all factors to take into account. Here are a few things to consider before making the decision.

1. How much time are you willing/able to put into your pool?

Some people think that as long as the water is clear, everything is working perfect in their fiberglass swimming pool. Daily chemical checks can get neglected if a homeowner is not aware of the necessary water chemistry balance needed. This process can take just a few minutes a day to test and adjust the chemicals in your pool water.

2. How often do you use your pool?

Are there always family gatherings and parties in your backyard and pool? If so, keeping up with routine maintenance is crucial. As more people get in the pool, so does the demand for sanitation and circulation of your pool water to stay clean and healthy. Conversely, if you are a homeowner who rarely uses their pool, or are not home very often, pool maintenance may be overlooked or ignored. Not only chemical balancing, but vacuuming and filter cleanings need to take place at regular intervals to keep your pool and equipment in perfect running order.

3. Do you have a salt water system?

If you are using a chlorine generation system, it is crucial that the cell be cleaned on a regular basis. Mineral deposits will build up on the cell over time and will eventually prevent the system from producing the chlorine necessary to sanitize your pool water. Manufacturers recommend acid-washing the cell every 3 months. Also, using a chlorine generator tends to make the pH of pool water drift higher, causing calcium buildup on the floor and walls of your pool. It is important to keep the pH within an acceptable range to ensure your equipment runs efficiently and lasts a long time. Check out this article for more information on adjusting the pH of your pool water.

How you answer these questions will determine if you really do need to hire a pool service company. For many customers it’s a matter of time and convenience. Signature Pools and Spas can help get you on the track to a worry free swimming season. We offer weekly, bi-weekly, and one-time ‘check up’ services. Rates vary by location and scope of services performed. Contact Signature Pools if you have any questions about pool service, maintenance, or have questions about caring for your pool.