illinois swimming pools

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

VGB Laws and Residential Fiberglass Pools: Is Your Pool Safe?

SignaturePools · Aug 10, 2010 ·

Lately I have noticed several articles printed in local newspapers and in online sources that talk about the Virginia Graeme Baker act of 2008 and how it relates to swimming pool safety. The law is intended to protect swimmers at a public pool from entrapment due to equipment suction. For details of this law and its requirements please visit HERE.

Many customers have asked about this law and how it relates to the RESIDENTIAL swimming pool industry. Here are are few things to keep in mind when considering the safety of your backyard pool.

The Virginia Graeme Baker act (VGB) does not currently apply to residential swimming pools at the national level. only public swimming pools are required to comply. However, some local municipalities may enforce portions of the law for backyard pools as well.

Is your swimming pool builder knowledgeable and up to speed on the requirements of the law, and can he provide your residential pool with the same safety systems now required for public pools? Signature Pools and Spas uses several ‘layers’ of protection to ensure a safe swimming environment for our clients. Dual wall drains have replaced single floor drains, approved safety covers are used on all of our suction outlets, atmospheric vacuum release systems and SVRS pumps are available on all of our pool equipment systems.

Here at Signature Pools we strive to educate our clients on all facets of their swimming pool project and industry developments as a whole. If you have questions about the safety of your fiberglass swimming pool or equipment, please feel free to contact us. Even if we haven’t built your pool we’d like to help. Call us today at 630.845.1145 to find out more or to schedule a consultation for your very own Signature Pool and Spa.

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.

Five important steps to take after your fiberglass pool is opened for the summer…

SignaturePools · May 17, 2010 ·

So your swimming pool is open for the summer! It’s time to grab those patio cushions out of the garage, put on your suit, and get the blender workin’ hard for the parties to come….

Not so fast!! Before you jump in the water for the first time this season, there are a few things to check with the swimming pool equipment and water chemistry. Here are some good tips to remember to ensure your swimming season is relaxing, enjoyable, and low maintenance.

1. Clean Your Filters- when the pool is first started up for the season, there is plenty of debris in the water that is now being circulated through the pool equipment and cartridge filter. By giving the filters a good washing at the beginning of the season, you will have clearer water more quickly, and allow for proper filtration of the water.

2. Test Your Chemicals- this is an important step to remember. Your pool was most likely ‘shocked’ with chlorine the day it was opened and started up. This water treatment will sanitize the swimming pool for a short period of time, but you will need to make sure chlorine levels are maintained throughout the season. Also make sure to check the pH, alkaline, and stabilizer levels of your pool water. If you have a chlorine generator (salt system) make sure the salt levels in your pool water are at the proper levels.

3. Vacuum Your Pool- this one might be a no-brainer, but keep in mind that debris in the water has settled to the bottom of the pool over the winter and needs to be vacuumed out. Make sure to clean out the pump after every vacuuming to clear any larger materials that are caught in the basket.

4. Clean Your Auto-Cover- use a garden hose to spray out the tracks and guides of your auto-cover. This will help keep the cover operating smoothly. You can also use a pool brush and water to lightly scrub off the vinyl cover material of any dirt or debris that has collected over the winter.

5. Maintain Proper Water Level- this is an ongoing maintenance check throughout the swimming season, but it’s good to get in the habit of checking your water level right away. Keep the water line about half way up the skimmer box on the pool. If the water level is too low, you may be sucking air into the pump and could damage the equipment. Turn off the skimmer and fill the pool to the correct level before turning it back on.

Hopefully these 5 tips will help you enjoy your swimming pool this season. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about pool or equipment service this season – the team at Signature Pools is here to help! You can stay up to date with Signature Pools and the swimming pool industry by subscribing to the RSS feed in the upper right hand corner of this page or by joining our Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/SignaturePools.

Fiberglass Pool Owner in Elmhurst, IL recommends Signature Pools

Todd Emmerson · Apr 20, 2010 ·

Spring of 2010

After spending an afternoon with Todd Emmerson (Sales & Design Manager) and going over all the many questions and options it was a very easy choice to move forward with Signature Pools. That was 4 years ago.

When I initially started to look at company options I was not going to be fooled by fancy marketing or a big name company. I was diligent in my approach and decision making. Not only did we want a specific plan/layout for our backyard but also specific color and design of acid washed concrete. I also wanted a company that cared about customer service and I have received that in spades from Tom McNelis (owner), Todd Emmerson, and the rest of the staff at Signature Pools.

Our swimming pool has been so low maintenance and has turned out to be something both fun and valuable for our whole family. Truthfully, Signature Pools has gone out of their way and continues to this day to make sure that we have a positive experience.

If you would like more information about my experiences please feel free to contact me at the numbers listed below.

Kevin Mann

Elmhurst, IL
Leisure Pools – Roman 23

Out of respect for our clients privacy we chose not to list phone numbers on this blog, but if you are currently researching for a swimming pool company to build your backyard dream our sales staff will gladly provide you with our reference list which includes Kevin’s contact information as well as hundreds of other clients who have made the decision to have Signature Pools build their pool. You can also read more testimonials on this blog under News and Updates or Customers as well as on our website. You can stay up to date with Signature Pools by subscribing to the RSS feed in the upper right hand corner of this page or by joining our Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/SignaturePools.