accounts@swimrightpools.com

480-600-8583

Follow Us

Get A Free Quote

Tag: chemical balancing

Categories
Scottsdale Swimming pool service SwimRight | Scottsdale Pool Service

What goes into swimming pool service?

Scottsdale, Arizona swimming pool service pros explain pool service aspects 

The swimming pool service contractors from Swimright Pool Service & Repair know that homeowners in Arizona love their swimming pools and who can blame them? When the temperatures in Scottsdale are in the triple digits, there is nothing better than diving into the cooling depths of your own backyard swimming pool, right? If you’ve never owned a swimming pool before you may be wondering what’s involved in pool upkeep and maintenance. Let’s just say, up front, that pools require hours of maintenance and that it is constant — that’s the reason most pool owners work with a pool service company — they want to enjoy the pool without all of the hours of cleaning.

If you decide to work with a swimming pool service contractor so he can do the pool maintenance and you can just have the pool fun, what will he do? Here are a few of the many tasks that a pool contractor performs and these are performed on a weekly basis, if not more:

  1. The pool’s chemical levels will be checked
  2. The water quality will be checked and monitored
  3. He will inspect the pool equipment to assure it’s in good working conditionalgae swimming pool
  4. The pool will get scrubbed, vacuumed and cleaned
  5. He will let you know if there are any issues that need to be addressed and he will help assure that algae doesn’t take hold

A novice pool owner who doesn’t keep up with the maintenance necessary can soon find their pool has taken on a sickening shade of green because of algae bloom. If this happens, you are looking at a major cleaning, expense and a super-chlorination of the water during which time the pool will be rendered useless. You could be looking at your pool being out of commission for more than a week — depending on how long it has gone unaddressed and uncleaned. Even though you may have a pool contractor come once or twice a week, he is doing a major task to keep your pool water free of bacteria and your pool equipment operational.

What should you look for in a pool contractor? Here are a few items:

  1. Look for someone who is highly experienced
  2. Look for a contractor who is easy to communicate with and easy to work with
  3. Look for someone dependable
  4. Look for someone who can fix broken equipment
  5. Look for someone who offers a great service at a great price

It’s difficult to put a price tag on what you will pay for a pool service, but you could be looking at anywhere between $150 to $400 per month, depending on the frequency, the size of your pool and how much upkeep you do between service visits. Don’t rush into signing a contract with the first pool service provider you meet with, interview more than one, compare the quotes they provide and find a contractor who meets your unique needs.

Categories
Swimming pool service contractor SwimRight | Scottsdale Pool Service

What does pool maintenance cost?

SwimRight Pool service contractors, serving Scottsdale, Arizona explain pool maintenance costs 

One of the biggest questions the swimming pool service contractors from SwimRight Pools field is, “what does pool maintenance cost?” It’s not a one size fits all answer because there are so many variables.

Why do pool maintenance costs vary? SwimRight Pool service contractors explain these are a few of the reasons:

  1. The amount of use your particular pool sees
  2. The size of the pool
  3. The depth of the poolpool cleaning
  4. The accessories you have in your swimming pool
  5. The construction material of the pool
  6. The age of the pool
  7. Whether you use a cover

Once you have worked with a swimming pool service professional and he has assessed your unique pool he can give you an estimate on the ongoing upkeep and maintenance costs of the pool. Some of the items that go into the cost of maintaining the pool include:

  • The chemicals that are used
  • The addition of water due to splashing out or evaporation
  • The age and condition of your equipment which will impact the utilities you pay to run the pool
  • The amount of wear and tear on the pool, the structure and the equipment used to run it
  • The time you want to put into keeping the pool updated on your own. Many pool owners can put a “price” on their time and how much time it will take them to clean the pool and when they do that, they may decide that hiring a professional is more than worth the cost

Before you sign any contracts for your swimming pool maintenance, gather more than one estimate and compare the services and the prices before making a decision.

Categories
Swimming pool service contractor

Is it time to hire a commercial pool contractor

The heat is relentless and if you’re the manager or owner of a commercial swimming pool in Scottsdale, Arizona you may be wondering, is it time to hire a commercial pool contractor? The swimming pool service contractors from SwimRight Pool Service & Repair have tips on what a commercial contractor can do, and why it matters and offer insights on how to hire a professional you can trust.

Managing and maintaining a commercial swimming pool like one at a condo, apartment complex, hotel or school is a bonus for those who use it, but it can be a headache and a source of worry for the person managing it to keep it clean and safe for all who use it.

Who’s going to clean your commercial pool may be a question you’re asking when you jump into the new role.

Keeping up with commercial swimming pool maintenance can be a daunting task. Even if you’re great at caring for your home pool, a commercial pool is a different animal indeed. Caring for your own pool is infinitely easier because you’re not contending with hundreds of people using it.

Is it time to hire a commercial pool contractor

Caring for a commercial swimming pool requires extreme skill and that can be brought to your community pool by hiring one of the reliable, experienced commercial swimming pool and spa service contractors from SwimRight Pools.

A commercial pool contractor will perform the following tasks:

  • Clean the water, balance the chemicals, vacuum
  • Leak detection
  • Equipment repair and replacement
  • Inspection of accessories such as diving boards and slides
  • Inspection of the deck for any trip or fall hazards

Ask this when requesting an estimate from a commercial contractor:

  1. What is included in the contract price and does it include the cost of chemicals
  2. How many times a week he will visit
  3. Are there emergency after hour calls. What is the fee or is it included? How long will it take for a contractor to get there
  4. It’s as important to know what’s included as to what’s excluded in the contract. Don’t get blindsided by add ons you didn’t anticipate.
  5. In-depth cleaning of the filters
  6. Backwashing the pool when needed — is it included, how often will it be done, how long will the pool be out of commission.
  7. Add chemicals to bring water to safe levels
  8. Perform thorough cleaning and vacuuming of the pool and cleaning the filters
  9. Can show you how to test the water chemistry between service visits in case there is a drastic change and you can call for an additional service visit (if you do this, is there an extra cost?)

Some commercial contractors provide free inspections and some even offer a free cleaning so you can gauge the quality of their work. Give us a call if you’re looking to negotiate your contract with your current commercial pool contractor or if you’re taking on a new role and it includes a pool on-premises.

Categories
Scottsdale Swimming pool chemicals Swimming pool service SwimRight | Scottsdale Pool Service

Keep your swimming pool summer ready

SwimRight Pool service contractors, serving Scottsdale, AZ, offer 5 pool ready tips

Summer is in full swing, and Arizona has already experienced some triple digit days. The pool service contractors from SwimRight Pools understand that you and your family are likely in the water as often as possible — day and night. If you’ve been swimming and have had your pool serviced already, you are already in summer-pool-ready mode, but here are a few things to keep in mind throughout the summer.

These are items you will want to discuss with your pool contractor if you’re uncertain whether any of these pool

Keep your swimming pool summer ready

 

issues are an issue at your home:

  1. Keep the deck clean. A swimming pool deck that isn’t cleaned regularly will be full of dust, dirt and debris and when the monsoon winds and rain kick in all of that debris can be blown into the pool. Make time to clean the deck at least monthly.
  2. Keep the pool cover clean. The cover should ideally be cleaned at least weekly. Take time to hose it off and clean it with a swimming pool safe pool cleaner.
  3. Keep the pool viable. Your pool contractor will inspect your swimming pool for any leaks in the structure or the plumbing when he pays a service visit, but you will want to keep an eye on the pool area for any suspicious puddles around the pool or on the pad or deck.
  4. Keep the pool water clean and the chemicals balanced. If you’re working with a swimming pool service professional your pool is already being maintained and the chemicals balanced, but if you’re doing it on your own, keep in mind that the chemical levels should be checked at least three times a week; ask your pool contractor to be certain. Even if you work with a pool contractor, he will advise that you check the chemical balances between service visits. You will also want to skim off any debris before it falls to the pool floor or gets into the filter. Diligent use of the pool cover will help
  5. Plan to refill the water semi-regularly. While you don’t want or need to drain and refill your swimming pool with any regularity, there will come a time when you will simply want fresh water.

The next time your pool contractor visits, you will want to spend a few minutes talking with him so you understand the “state of your pool.”

Categories
Swimming pool chemicals Swimming pool service

Quick pool cleaning tips for AZ pool owners

Pool maintenance is part and parcel of owning a swimming pool. Pools require ongoing and constant maintenance. We don’t want to talk you out of owning a pool, but if you’re going to DIY maintenance and upkeep you need to know what you’re in for. We have some quick pool cleaning tips for AZ pool owners.

You can do these between service visits from a pool maintenance professional at SwimRight Pool Service & Repair in Scottsdale, Arizona to help keep the pool water cleaner, longer. When having a pool installed, you need to consider the long-term needs to keep it clean and swim-friendly.

Thankfully there are many automated tools you can invest in to keep the water clean of debris and leaves, but a pool requires more than scooping up leaves and cleaning the skimmer basket. It’s for that reason that swimming pool owners hire a “pool guy” to come in and do deep cleaning then all you need to do is come home and enjoy the pool, worry-free.

Quick pool cleaning tips for AZ pool owners

  1. Keep water clean- This is very important so that people who are swimming don’t contract any diseases. If the water isn’t pure, your swimmers can be bothered by burning eyes and noses. Using water filters and pumps, the dirty water is removed and fresh water is infused into the pool. Ensure the correct mix of chlorine and bromine are added to the water to keep it free of germs and bacteria.
  2. Chlorine is necessary to sanitize the water because it neutralizes urine and saliva and other bacteria and organic materials people bring into the water. But if chlorine content in the water leaves a smell and irritates the eyes, the level needs to be adjusted.
  3. A green pool is another issue that can plague a pool owner. Cleaning the sides and bottom of the pool regularly ensures that algae and moss don’t grow in it. Bromine is effective for spas and chlorine is used for swimming pools. Disinfection and sanitization are the two most important methods to keep the pool clean.
  4. Water pump usage- This is essential for circulating the water in the swimming pool. A variable-speed pump is one of the best investments you can make in pool equipment.
  5. Adding Chemicals- try to add chemicals after sunset when everyone has had their fill of swimming for the day. Keeping the water clean and drainage effective will ensure that your pool is clean always and ready for use.

If you want to DIY your pool maintenance, ask us for a pool cleaning 101 lessons or two and you can keep the water clean between service visits.

Categories
swimming pool remodel

Is your swimming pool mobility-impaired-friendly?

Swimming pools are fun for everyone. That is even more true if the pool is able to be used by everyone in the family. Is your swimming pool mobility-impaired-friendly? This could mean someone who has difficulty walking or with mobility or for an older adult who can no longer or no longer wants to climb up and down the ladder to get into the pool.

There are many assistive devices to help people into and out of the pool and the swimming pool contractors from SwimRight Pool Service & Repair can work with you to have them installed. Swimming pools offer therapeutic and exercise benefits and are a great place for entertainment and family time.

When you have a pool it is a low-impact way to strengthen muscles or to just relax. Swimming, water aerobics and water walking are ideal exercises for people with physical disabilities or those recovering from injuries. If you’re looking to make your pool accessible to everyone, there are methods to consider.

Is your swimming pool mobility-impaired-friendly

  • If you already have a pool and are remodeling it and installing a permanent ramp isn’t feasible, you can purchase portable ramps that make getting into and out of the water easier. The ramps work well for those who use an aquatic wheelchair.
  • With in-ground pools, you can install a ramp that descends on a slow inclined slope from the deck to the bottom of the pool. It is best to build the ramp at the same time you build the pool, but it can be installed after the fact. Also, remember to install a handrail as an additional support mechanism.
  • An above-ground pool simply might not offer a way to install a ramp so you might need to consider an electronic lift as an alternative. With a lift, you sit in the seat, and it lifts you up and over the wall and lowers you into the pool.
  • A beach entry with handrails is a construction method to consider as part of the project because that is an easy way for people to get into and out of the water.
  • Ladders can be more accessible if you purchase one with a ladder, more closely spaced rungs and a wider step.

Give us a call if you’re looking for ways to make your pool accessible for everyone.

Categories
Swimming pool chemicals

How To Maintain Proper Pool Chemistry

If your pool is clean you should be able to smell the chlorine, right? Does that mean it’s doing its job? No. If you can smell chlorine that is a sign that the water chemistry is out of balance. Many pool owners in Scottsdale, Arizona work with our team at SwimRight Pool Service & Repair on how to maintain proper pool chemistry.

How do you know if there is too much — or too little — chlorine? It’s a delicate balancing act that we are experienced with but if you are a DIYer, we have guidelines and answer some questions:

  1. How much is too much chlorine in my pool? 
  2. What is the minimum amount of chlorine that I need for the water to be safe to swim in? 
  3. Is chlorine just a liquid? No. It’s liquid, gas, solid tablet or granular forms. 
  4. If I use a salt system does that mean there’s no chlorine in the pool? No. These generators produce their own chlorine. 
  5. Why does chlorine matter? It is important to maintain sufficient levels of chlorine in your pool to kill microorganisms that cause disease, some of which can be deadly. The effectiveness of chlorine can be affected by temperature, pH levels, and different forms of contamination. I recommend maintaining the proper pH level at 7.2 to 7.8 per my previous blog in order for the sanitizer to be the most effective.

How To Maintain Proper Pool Chemistry

There are three terms in regard to chlorine that every pool owner needs to know:

  1. Free chlorine is the chlorine that is available at any given time to disinfect the water. The free chlorine level should be maintained at between 2.0 and 4.0 ppm (parts per million). The minimum should not drop below 1.0 ppm and the maximum should not exceed 5.0 ppm.
  2. Combined chlorine
  3. Total chlorine.  

When you smell chlorine, it’s not what you might think. A test of the water chemistry might show very little chlorine. It doesn’t mean that there is too much chlorine but is caused by a reaction of free chlorine with ammonia or organic compounds from sweat, urine or other sources from nature. This is called combined chlorine or chloramines. 

So how do you get rid of it? The way to get rid of that strong smell is to achieve what is called Breakpoint Chlorination. This is done by shocking or super-chlorinating the water. That is done by adding free chlorine at ten times the amount of combined chlorine. If the chloramines are organic, they cannot be removed by breakpoint chlorination.

Other methods must be used such as clarifiers added to the water, ozone treatment, or replacing the pool water with fresh water. The ideal amount of combined chlorine is zero. The max reading should be no more than .2 to .5 ppm.

Total chlorine is simply the free chlorine and combined chlorine added together.

Something else that is concerning about chlorine is that it is a very unstable material and is especially affected by sunlight. Let’s face it, that is in full supply in our area of the country! In Arizona, a chlorine stabilizer (cyanuric acid) needs to be added to act as a sunblock to maintain balanced chlorine levels. The ideal amount of cyanuric acid should be 30-50 ppm.

If you have any questions or concerns about chlorine and pool water chemistry, please give us a call!

Categories
Swimming pool service

Reasons To Add A Pool Gazebo

Swimming pool owners in Scottsdale, Arizona from SwimRight Pool Service & Repair know that spending time around a swimming pool in the triple-digit weather in Arizona can be uncomfortable. They give reasons to add a pool gazebo and that is a great way to get out of the sun but stay outdoors and enjoy the weather — no matter how warm it gets.

Adding a pergola or an elegant gazebo poolside adds a level of ambiance to your backyard. The gazebo will enhance the view in your yard and could even increase the resale value of your home.

If the idea of climbing plants in the pool area is appealing, a gazebo is perfect for the climbing plants. You may also be able to nurture climbing vines and greenery as a way to add additional shade to the area.

Gazebos are used as a place to entertain and relax but to be in the midst of it all when it comes to the swimming pool. Gazebos can be constructed in many shapes – round, hexagonal, octagonal or square. They can be constructed in such a way as to create the illusion of seclusion or be used as a privacy “hedge.”

Reasons To Add A Pool Gazebo

  1. The gazebo can have a wooden floor or one paved with decorative tilers. The roof is typically not much higher than seven feet. They truly are beautiful additions to any backyard decor.
  2. Adding a gazebo to your yard, whether you boast a large backyard area or a small one, can add magnificence and elegance. This structure also offers an additional entertaining area for guests. Your gazebo will be a destination as wonderful as your swimming pool.
  3. If you love plants and the outdoors, then you’ll love a pergola. A pergola is – at its most basic – a series of horizontal timbers or wooden beams, supported by brick or stone pillars. They can also be built of timber over a paved floor or grass. A pergola is more than a self-contained structure and are great for climbing plants. The sides of pergolas are usually open although the climbing greenery can give it the appearance of being an enclosed space.

Add ornamental flower baskets or succulents to add greenery or intrigue to the gazebo. This is the best time of year for this type of project.

Categories
Scottsdale Swimming pool chemicals

How to clean mold off the pool cover

We always tell our pool and hot tub customers to be diligent in the use of a pool cover. There are so many benefits from trapping the heated water, slowing the rate of evaporation, and keeping dirt and debris out, among others. We also know that mold can build up and here are tips on how to clean mold off the pool cover for Arizona pool owners.

The swimming pool contractors from SwimRight Pool Service & Repair understand that anytime you can take a swim or soak in the hot tub is one of the best times of the day. They do know that if you use a pool or a hot tub cover — which you should — there is the potential for mold growth.

It’s not the end of the world, but you certainly don’t want to use a cover that is dripping mold spores into your water.

How to clean mold off the pool cover

Her are tips to clean the pool or hot tub cover.

  1. Remove it
  2. Lay it in the yard in a space it won’t get walked on
  3. Prepare a bucket of a gallon of warm water, a teaspoon of mild detergent and a cup of bleach
  4. Wear gloves to protect your skin
  5. Buy a soft brush or a sponge. If you can find one with a long handle, your back will thank you
  6. Thoroughly clean off all the mold
  7. Rinse with clean water
  8. Let the cover dry thoroughly
  9. Use

If you’re new to pool ownership or if this is the year you decide to use your free time to swim or soak and not clean, give us a call!

Categories
Swimming pool chemicals Swimming pool service

Pool cleaning basics for DIY pool owners

There is so much to know when you’re having a swimming pool constructed. The swimming pool and service professionals from SwimRight Pool Service & Repair also know that Arizona pool owners need to know all about pool cleaning and who to hire for that task. We offer pool cleaning basics for DIY pool owners, but remain available for those pool owners who want to use their free time to swim — not clean!

Keeping the pool water clean and bacteria-free and ensuring the pool equipment is operating as it should, is a lot of work! This information is great even if you have a pool maintenance professional because you will want to take on some light pool maintenance between service visits. It’s always great to be an informed pool owner, too.

Pool cleaning basics for DIY pool owners

What goes into pool cleaning and maintenance?

  1. Raking and skimming off any floating debris before it falls to the bottom of the pool.
  2. Brushing the pool walls and floors should be part of the daily cleaning even if you have to spread the brushing over a couple of days, the pool should be brushed thoroughly and completely at least two times a week.
  3. A vacuuming of the pool after the brushing has been accomplished is part of pool cleaning basics. You can use a manual or an automatic vacuum — ask us to explain the differences.
  4. Testing the water chemistry regularly.

Ask us what pool supplies and equipment you should keep on hand and for a quick lesson on reading and understanding the water chemistry readings so you’re prepared to add the chemicals necessary to bring the chemistry back in balance.