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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

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 Swimming Pool Summer Maintenance

SignaturePools · Jul 20, 2009 ·

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It’s that time of the year for Illinois swimming pools!- Signature Pools and Spas is in full swing with new construction, and many of our existing customers are reminded to clean out their cartridge filters and inspect their salt generator cells on the equipment. Although fiberglass swimming pools are the easiest in ground pools to maintain, it’s important to perform these tasks to get the most enjoyment out of your swimming season and keep your equipment running smoothly.

Dirt, leaves, suntan lotion and other debris collects in the pool filter and needs to be cleaned out every so often. Take a look at the pressure gauge on top of your filter to see if the operating pressure has risen to the ‘dirty’ mark. Even if the gauge has not, it’s a good idea to clean the filters several times a year. Low return pressure, heater problems, and chlorine generation is all affected when filters get too dirty. You can also extend the life of the filters by keeping them as clean as possible. This will save money in the long run by not having to replace the cartridges as often.

Another important maintenance tip is to keep your chlorine/salt generator clean. As the system breaks the salt water in to sodium and chloride, (the chemical make-up of salt), mineral deposits can collect on the generator cell and diminish its capacity to generate chloride and sanitize the pool water. Most chlorine generator manufacturers recommend inspecting the cell every month to insure there is no mineral build-up on the component. Using a mild acid wash will eliminate any build-up and enhance the performance of your equipment. Refer to you specific manufacturer’s instructions for further information on cleaning the cell.

By keeping these components clean, you are able to extend the life of your inground pool equipment and ensure water chemistry balance through the remainder of this season.

If you have questions about your fiberglass swimming pool, water chemistry, or maintaining your pool equipment, feel free to contact Signature Pools and Spas at 630.845.1145 to ask a question or schedule a service call. You can always contact via the website at www.sigpoolschicago.mysites.io

Signature Pools & Spas will exhibit at the 29th Annual Rockford Home Show

SignaturePools · Feb 27, 2009 ·

Signature Pools Home Show Booth

We are excited to be a part of the 29th Annual Rockford Home Show! Stop by our booth (Booth # 750) to meet our staff and take a look at some of our exciting new products. The show hours are:

Friday, March 6, 2009: 4pm – 8pm
Saturday, March 7, 2009: 10am – 7pm
Sunday, March 8, 2009: 11am – 5pm

Indoor Sports Center/Expo located at:
8800 E. Riverside Blvd
Loves Park, IL 61111

For more information, contact us at 630.845-1145

We will be displaying some of the newest technology to hit the pool industry. We will also have various scaled models of our most popular fiberglass pool styles, shapes, and colors. Information on the incredible savings we are offering as part of our March Home Show Specials will also be available at the show. You will also have the opportunity to set up a time for your own in house pool consultation and estimate.

Signature Pools & Spas, Inc. specializes in fiberglass swimming pools, spas, custom water feature, and designer concrete patios. Signature Pools takes care of all aspects of your project from sales, design, permit acquisition, construction, final project walk-through, and continuing maintenance service. We have installed pools in over 70 communities throughout Illinois. Come check us out and see what Signature Pools and Spas, Inc can do for you!

For more information please visit www.sigpoolschicago.mysites.io

A Beautiful Backyard Transformation!

SignaturePools · Oct 7, 2008 ·

Take a look at this short photo series from Signature Pools and Spas of Illinois, building a beautiful backyard retreat- including an in ground fiberglass swimming pool!

The first picture is a pre-construction photo of the existing backyard. From there we are able to take measurments of the property and use the plat of survey to duplicate a 3D model of the house and yard. Then, elements such as the fiberglass pool, fire pit, even lawn chairs are added into the design. Working closely with the client, the design professional is able to achieve the exact look desired by the homeowner.

The second picture is a finalized computer rendering of the project. After many changes and tweeks to the original plan, this design is settled on before construction begins.

The end result is the final picture in the series. This is the actual finished product after construction and installation of the pool, along with all the landscape elements.

Contact Signature Pools and let’s dream the impossible into reality in your backyard too!