Reviving a Troublesome Heater

Reviving a Troublesome Heater

Crystal clear, perfectly heated water has an appeal all its own. Lounging by a tepid, community pool offers bathers a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. However, it is very unpleasant to anticipate this relaxation only to dip a toe in and find the water is frigid. This unpleasantness can easily spiral into frustration when maintenance … Read More

Digital Documentation: Moving Record-Keeping to the Cloud

Pool service techs or people who handle facility operations and maintenance—or a combination of both—can perform these checks using a web-based documentation tool.

How many managers know when was the last time he/she reviewed the facility’s day-to-day operational records? For some, it may be at the start of the season, while for others it could even be last year. In many cases, these records may not have been looked at since they were initially created. In fact, it is quite possible they are … Read More

A Case for Borates: Maintaining Water Chemistry in Pools Using Salt Chlorine Generators

One of the primary reasons borates have gained popularity is its ability to control corrosion in a saltwater pool environment.

Electrolytic chlorine generators (ECGs) or salt chlorine generators became extremely popular about 15 years ago and have continued to grow throughout the U.S., simply because pool owners love them. However, as most in the industry know, some pool owners believe that after installing a salt chlorine generator nothing else is required in terms of water maintenance. In the short term, … Read More

A Microscopic Look at How the Pool Environment Affects Cartridge Filters

Under normal conditions, cleaning a cartridge filter using a simple garden hose is sufficient to remove a large portion of the filter cake.

A child drinks 44 mL (1.4 oz) of water every hour they play in a pool; therefore, it is crucial to ensure the water is clean. One major component to the cleanliness of pool and/or hot tub water is the filter. Today, one of the most popular media used to cleanse water are filter cartridges, which are typically made with … Read More

Combining Education and Experience to Address Combined Chlorine

Experience and education concur on the practice that total and free chlorine can be tested and that chloramines are irritants and ineffective disinfectants.

Effective education incorporates the elements of sound data and practical application. While neither is effective in isolation, when combined, data and experience create solutions with dynamic impact. The advantage of employing education and experience in tandem is illustrated by one of the most commonly taught pool and spa water chemistry topics: combined chlorine and breakpoint chlorination. Field experience has proven … Read More

Water Care Basics to Prevent Biofilm Formation

The organic matter introduced into the water by two bathers during a 20-minute soak can eliminate almost all traces of available sanitizer.

After many years working in the water chemistry field, this author still gets the same question: What is the most important aspect of hot tub water care? In speaking to hot tub customers, service technicians, water care sales teams, retailers, and store owners from all over the world, the answer remains the same: The best way to enjoy the hot … Read More

Slatted Pool Covers Eliminate the Confines of Symmetrical Designs

Manufacturing and market demand for slatted covers in North America increased in the early 2000s, as they were recognized as a viable option for the pool and spa/hot tub industry.

While still considered a niche component of the pool, automatic covers are gaining popularity thanks to their ability to reduce the operating costs of a pool and/or spa with the rising costs of energy, and water consumption in arid climates. In fact, for many builders, the automatic cover is as an important piece of equipment as the pump and filter, … Read More