10 Tips for Getting Your Pool Ready for Summer

It might feel a little early to be opening your pool for summer, but now is the time to start thinking about getting your pool ready for its busy season. In this post, our experts will share their 10 best tips for you to get your pool in shape for summer:

1. Remove your cover — Hopefully, you’ve winterized your pool appropriately before the cold weather hit and covered your pool to keep out debris, bacteria and algae. This means your first step to getting your pool ready for swimmers is to take off the cover.
2. Fill your pool back to its normal level — It’s normal for pools to lose some water to evaporation over the winter, so add enough water to get it back to a normal level. Ideally, your pool will be filled to where the top of the water sits between the one-third to one-half mark on your pool skim filter.
3. Check your equipment — Make sure your pump, skimmer and filter are all in working condition before the season starts. If they’re not, either work on repairing them or replace them before you let swimmers into your pool.
4. Get your water tested — It can be difficult to know what’s hiding in your pool water by just looking, so be sure to buy an easy-to-use pool water testing kit. At The Pool Guy Store, we offer a huge variety of testing kits so you can find the best one for you.
5. Adjust your pool’s levels — Based on the results of your test, adjust the total alkalinity, pH, calcium and sanitizer levels into balance. While you’re making these adjustments, take a look at your chemical supply and make sure you have enough to get you through the summer. If you’re running low, take a look at our pool chemical selection and stock up.
6. Brush and vacuum your pool — This is the time to clean up all the gunk that’s been growing in your pool for the last few months. Be meticulous here so your pool can start the season as clean as possible.
7. Shock the pool — Get your water safe by super chlorinating your pool before the season starts.
8. Begin routine maintenance — Your break from maintaining your pool is over. Follow a routine of cleaning your pool often and check your equipment regularly to ensure your pool stays in shape all season.
9. Have your water tested regularly — Make sure your levels stay in check by testing your water on a regular basis. This will help you know which chemicals to add to keep your pool safe all season long.
10. Enjoy your pool — Now that you’ve done all of the hard work of getting your pool ready for summer, you’re free to enjoy relaxing in your pool. Invite some friends over, pull out a pool float or start swimming — whatever sounds best to you!

5 Most Common Replacement Pool Parts

In this post, our pool experts will take a look at five of the most commonly replaced pool parts. In order to keep your swimming pool in top shape, it's important to have a regular maintenance schedule. However, some pool parts may need to be replaced sooner rather than later. These pool products include:

1. Pump Motors & Seals
2. Lights & Bulbs
3. Pool Chlorinator Parts
4. Multiport Gaskets
5. Skimmers & Pump Baskets

1. Pump Motors and Seals

The pool pump is the heart of every swimming pool. When the pump's motor isn't up to par, your water isn't going to circulate properly. This can lead to a lot more problems like algae build up, dirty pool water and unhealthy swimming conditions. All of which can completely ruin the experience of swimming in your pool.

2. Light Bulbs

Like the light bulbs in your house, swimming pool lights do not last forever. They have a fairly predictable lifespan and since there are a number of them you can expect to replace your light bulbs on a regular basis. These are also easy ways to switch up the look of your pool, which is why some owners decide to replace the lights even if they aren't burned out.                     

3. Chlorinator Parts

Keeping the pool water clean and free of bacteria, algae and viruses is not an easy task. Chlorine is often the solution to maintaining clear pool water. Pool chlorinators regulate chlorine, continuously monitor the water levels and disperse chlorine as needed. Because it is a constant job, chlorinator parts succumb to wear and tear quicker than other pieces of pool equipment.

4. Multiport gaskets

Multiport gaskets, also known as spider gaskets, are a part of the filtration system. This system is constantly working to keep the pool water clean, so it’s understandable that from time to time the pool products within this system will need replacement. Multiport gaskets are one such product, but fortunately they aren't too difficult to replace.

5. Skimmer and Pump Baskets

Catching all the debris in a pool is no easy task. Over the years a lot of junk needs to be filtered out. Skimmers are part of the pool drain system that handles this process. Water flows through the skimmers at the waterline of the pool and into the filtering system.

If you look underneath the skimmer lid you’ll find the skimmer basket. These parts are subjected to a lot of gunk and need to be replaced if they become worn. This area of the pool should be replaced regularly to avoid costly repairs. 

Need to find pool parts to get your personal watering hole up and running? Give The Pool Guy Store a call and we'll help you find the necessary replacement pool parts!

Pentair MasterTemp Product Review

Warm up Your Water with the Pentair MasterTemp Heater

Taking advantage of your pool year round is easy if you can warm up the water when it’s cold out. One of the most efficient ways of getting your pool to the perfect temperature is with the Pentair MasterTemp pool heater. 

When you make the investment to increase the value and use of your pool with a heater there is a lot to consider. Today, there are many options available and it can be hard to determine which heater offers the best performance at the best price. The MasterTemp heater is one piece of equipment that pool owners have come to rely on and trust that it will keep the water temperature where it needs to be even in the middle of winter.

Economical and Efficient – The Pentair MasterTemp is designed to be efficient with its energy usage to lower the long-term costs of heating your pool. It heats up quickly and is certified for low nitrogen oxide emission.

Convenient – The MasterTemp pool heater is easy to install, use and maintain. Its compact design makes it easy to incorporate and the quiet motor makes it easy to relax while you soak away the worries of the day.

Durable – When a piece of equipment is out in the harsh elements it has to be solidly built. The Pentair MasterTemp 400 parts include a rust-proof exterior that can handle all kinds of climates.

If you are in the market for a pool heater the Pentair Mastertemp won’t disappoint. Using the latest technology and solid design it offers superior energy efficiency and performance.

10 Cost Effective Pool Products for Easy Maintenance

On those warm spring and hot summer days there’s nothing more beautiful and enjoyable than a sparkling pool. Getting it to that pristine condition might be another story. The one reason most people say they wouldn’t want a pool is because of the time and cost involved in maintaining it.

But with the right pool products maintaining your personal watering hole is a lot easier and affordable. Here are our top picks for pool products that make maintenance easy.

The Top 10 Affordable Pool Maintenance Products:

1.    Pentair Test Kit 77DPD – Keeping your water balanced is the first step in maintaining your pool. This affordable Chlorine/Bromine test kit comes with a handled carrying case that holds 6 kinds of tablets and solutions for testing your water.

2.    POOLIFE Granular Chlorinator and Shock-and-Swim  – To control algae and contaminates treat your water with this patented POOLIFE product. All you have to do is add granules to circulating water in the afternoon or evening for the best results.

3.    POOLIFE Clean Shock – It’s multi-purpose and it’s a one-step solution that only needs to be done once a week to keep your pool clean and swimmer-friendly for seven days. There’s no need to pre-dissolve POOLIFE Clean Shock making it less of a hassle compared to other products.

4.    Pentair IntelliChem Chemical Controller – The IntelliChem is designed to make storing your muriatic acid as easy as possible with auto setup, a programmable chemical feed and built-in Langelier Saturation Index calculator.

5.    Artic Blue Winter Kits – Preventative care and maintenance is a must to get your pool ready for the winter. The Artic Blue Winter Kit has everything you need to quickly prep your pool so it stays clean throughout the cold months.

6.    POOLIFE Active Cleaning Caplets – Using the same active ingredient as the granules, but a unique design the caplets can keep your pool perfectly chlorinated for days.

7.    Jack in a Box All in One Pool Kit – Used along with your chlorine or bromine system the kit includes seven different products that keep your pool scum, stain and algae-free.

8.    Spa Magic – This spa cleaning kit from Jack’s Magic provides chemicals that only need to be used once and month and tablets that are added just once a week to keep the spa portion of your pool looking good for 30 days.

9.    Natural Chemistry Hassle Free Fall Shut - down and Spring Start-up Kit – The name says it all. End and begin your pool seasons with ease using the two simple products included in the kit.

10.     Stain ID Kit – Another amazingly easy-to-use pool maintenance product from Jack’s Magic. Use the Stain ID Kit to determine the best and easiest way to remove a stain by testing it first.

These 10 pool maintenance products are designed to make the management of your oasis as easy and quick as possible. Take a look at them today and start enjoying a clean, hassle-free pool.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport Product Review

Polaris is well aware that a pool vacuum is one of the most important pieces of equipment you’ll buy. The new design of the Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport cleaner exemplifies the style and performance that can be expected from the company. This automatic pool vacuum was created using 40 years of experience and cutting edge technology.

Features of the Automatic Pool Vacuum from Polaris

The durable stainless steel and plastic materials as well as the innovative design make the Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport easy to maintain and poised to last much longer than other pool vacuum products. Here are highlights that were found during our pool vacuum reviews.

•    Cleans the walls and floor of all types of in-ground pools
•    Sleek stylish design makes the Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport as attractive as it is powerful
•    WideTrax® Tires allow the vacuum to climb all the way up the sides of your pool
•    3 jets circulate more than 40 gallons of water per minute and is more powerful than any vacuum of its kind
•    Uses the all-wheel drive PosiDrive System that produces 50% more torque than average    vacuums
•    The new Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport is capable of covering more ground in less time
•    The 5-liter bag of the Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport is 40% larger than most other bags and    requires less emptying
•    Hits all the hard to reach places with the Polaris sweep hose no matter what shape your    pool is

Like the 280 and 380 models, the Polaris Vac-Sweep 3900 Sport is poised to become one of the most popular pool vacuums among commercial and home pool owners. The Pool Guy Store provides this and many other pool products at discount prices.

Loop-Loc's Spa Cover Protector Cap Protects Spa Covers from the Elements

Hot tub covers protect your spa, but what’s protecting your expensive Jacuzzi spa cover from the elements? The newest release of our spa cover reviews actually looks at an ingenious product that offers an added layer of protection.

How the Loop-Loc's Spa Cover Protector Cap Protects Hot Tubs?

After spending hundreds of dollars on a Jacuzzi spa cover you notice it’s quickly taking a beating from the elements. Sun, rain, snow, debris – they all cause wear and tear on spa covers until eventually they have to be replaced. But there’s a product that can help you protect your investment and eliminate the need for finding a replacement.

Loop-Loc's Spa Cover Protector Cap was designed to fit over hot tub covers while they’re in or out of use. It features an elasticized fitting so it goes on snug and has a 12” apron to cover long edges. The Loop-Loc Spa Cover Protector Cap also allows users to create a perfect fit that stays in place by weaving closure straps through the polypro loops that are sewn into the cap.

The Loop-Loc Spa Cover Protector Cap’s high quality polypropylene material can withstand the brunt of Mother Nature’s punishment and keep your spa cover looking like new no matter what environment you live in. Have questions about the Loop-Loc Spa Cover Protector Cap? Call 1-800-517-5384 to speak with a pool specialist today!

How to Close Your Pool for the Winter

The thought of closing a pool for winter is never a joyous one. It reminds us that, for several months at least, there will be no more swimming, diving and relaxing poolside. But anyone who has had to get a pool back up and running come springtime will tell you that proper winterization makes it a whole lot easier and protects pool equipment from costly damage.

The Pool Guy has put together a list of the best pool tips for winter. The step-by-step guide will help you close your pool for the winter whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pool owner.

Winter Swimming Pool To-Dos and Must-Haves

Step 1: Balance the Water

Once your water gets down to 65° F it’s time to start the closing process. Balancing your water is a crucial first step that should happen several days before you close it up. An expert can analyze a water sample if you need help figuring out the exact pH, alkaline and calcium hardness levels.

Step 2: Clean the Pool

Once your water is balanced the next step is to thoroughly clean the pool. This involves vacuuming, brushing and skimming to get out all the debris. Next scrub around the waterline and clean the skimmer to remove dirt that can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Step 3: Clean the Filter

You must chemically clean the filter to keep it in good working condition over the winter. This is a preventative maintenance step that will also ensure the filter is running strong when you fire it back up in the spring.

Step 4: Treat the Water

Now it’s time to add shock to the water as well as an algae protector. The Bioguard Artic Blue Winter Kits contain both products, which works together to keep the water clean throughout the winter. First add the shock then follow up with the Algae Protector. BioGuard Winter Algicide 40 is another good option for keeping water algae-free. Once the shock and an algae protectant are added run the pump for 24-48 hours.

Step 5: Remove and Winterize Other Equipment

While the pump is running start removing nonessential equipment like ladders, skimmers and wall fittings. Use the manufacturer’s suggestions for each to properly winterize your equipment.

Step 6: Drain Pumps, Filters and Other Pool Equipment

After running the pump for 24-48 hours it’s best to drain it as well as other pool equipment to prevent possible damage from freezing. Again, refer to the manufacturer’s suggestions on the best way to drain equipment.

Step 7: Cover Your Pool

The final step is to cover your clean, treated pool to keep out all the debris, bacteria and algae. If you have a white plaster pool and want to provide continuous chlorination throughout the winter put a BioGuard Winter Floater in the water before covering.

That’s it. Seven simple steps to closing your pool for winter.