Pools of Fun Owner Community » Pool & Spa Tips

Pool School in Session

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:02:24 +0000

Limited Seating Available -Sign Up Today!

This spring, getting a Ph.D. in pH, TA and TDS is easier than ever thanks to the upcoming Pools of Fun pool schools that run April 10-19 at select Pools of Fun Customer Care Centers.

Simply by registering for one of these free in-store seminars, pool care owners will learn why caring for their pool is simple when they know what products to use, seasonal problems to look for and quick tips for balancing their water and maintaining their equipment. A leader in pool care for more than 30 years, Pools of Fun takes the guesswork out with easy-to-use pool care systems. While there, attendees will get the latest information from the industry on salt, ozone, and UV sanitation systems.

Attendees will also learn how to guarantee an algae free summer. This is just one more way Pools of Fun is making the basics of pool care education more like extracurricular fun and less like homework!

To sign up for a free one-day pool school with certified Pools of Fun professionals and learn the ABCs and 123s of pool care, register online, visit or call your nearest Pools of Fun location.

Pools School Dates, Times, and locations:

April 10^th at 6:30pm Greenwood -2550S St. Rd. 135 click or Call 317-882-3943
April 11^th at 6:30pm Plainfield -3891 S Clarks Creek Road click or Call 317-839-3199
April 12^th at 6:30pm Brownsburg -475 E Northfield Drive click or Call 317-852-3944
April 18^th at 6:30pm Fishers -11640 Brooks School Road click or Call 317-915-7526
April 19^th at 6:30pm Carmel -1434 N. Keystone Way click or Call 317-843-0337.

When to OPEN the pool?

Pools of Fun — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:54:47 +0000

Are you wondering when to open your pool this spring?

Pool opening should begin when overnight temperatures remain above freezing and daytime temperatures remain above 60 degrees. When you are ready, Pools of Fun recommends these easy steps:

1 – Remove pool cover and drain any accumulated water away from pool. Be sure to rid your cover of water, leaves and debris first to limit the risk of all that nasty winter muck being dumped into your pool.

Pools of Fun is offering a cover cleaning service as an optional add-on to your pool opening. Call 1.888.7665832 or click here to schedule your opening and cover cleaning today.

2 - Fill your pool to the middle of the skimmer opening to allow for proper circulation.

3 - Check your pump, skimmer basket and filter.

4 - Circulate pool water 24 to 48 hours, and then take a water sample to your nearest Pools of Fun Customer Care Center for testing and analysis. Our computerized water analysis system by BioGuard provides accurate results almost instantly. You Customer Care Manager will provide you with detailed personalized instructions for starting the pool and getting your water chemistry on the right track to crystal clear water.

5 - Test sanitizer & pH routinely.

6 - Routine maintenance is the best way to keep your pool sparkling. And with one of BioGuard’s easy-to-use care systems, it’s as easy as1-2-3!

For more information, visit Pools of Fun. We can help you choose the right products that will get you and your family enjoying the pool in time for that first warm and sunny day.

Swimming Pool Winter Tips

Pools of Fun — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:14:08 +0000

Indiana swimming pool owners do not have the luxury of leaving pools open all year round. All our pools are now dormant and properly winterized for the season. (Getting a pool properly winterized prior to the first hard freeze is a must!) Unfortunately, with a pool a pool owner cannot ‘close it and forget it’. There is still maintenance that a every pool owner needs to keep in mind during the winter months.

1) Fight the urge to sneak a peak. Pool owners with auto-covers love to just keep checking on their pool water. Fight that urge. Opening an auto-cover when it is covered in snow and ice can cause premature aging, fabric tears, and track trouble . It is highly recommended that you do not open the cover unless the temperature is 50º or above. In addition, one should not open the cover while it has snow, ice, or water on it. (Doing so can void the warranty!)

2) Leave the Cover Pump On. Leave the cover pump on the cover at all times. Do not try to remove snow or ice off the cover. Wait for it to melt and the cover pump to kick on.

3) Add Water. Remember a cover rests on top of the pool water so it is very important to keep water at the proper level. Extra weight on the cover from heavy rains and/or snow can cause water to become displaced. Add water to the pool through the skimmer. If you notice the cover sagging more than normal, that is a good indication that the water level is too low.

6 Basics of Spa Care

Pools of Fun — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:31:23 +0000

‘Tis the season of Hot Tubs and Spas. The cooler weather always brings out our hot tub and spa owners. Pools of Fun carries a complete line of SpaGuard Chemicals and Supplies. Each location has a Certified Water Technician that can provide you with a free complimentary water analysis. In the meantime, here is BioGuard’s 6 Keys to Basic Spa Care that every owner should know.

6 Keys to Basic Spa Care

1. Circulation

Proper water circulation will help ensure even distribution of products as well as promote filtration. As the water circulates, it passes through the filter, trapping suspended particles. Properly circulating SpaGuard spa care products help keep the water inviting and ready for your soaking pleasure. Be sure to run your spa’s circulation system every day to ensure good working order.

2. Filtration

Many spa issues are caused by poor filtration-when the filter is dirty or clogged, debris stays in the water. A properly cared for filter captures hair, oils and cosmetics. (Most spas have a cartridge filter.) Because spa filters trap many contaminants, cleaning has two steps: spraying off loose debris, then using SpaGuard Filter Cleaner to remove oils and other contaminants embedded into the filter. You need to clean your filter every 4 to 6 weeks. Check your owner’s manual or ask your Pools of Fun sales associate for information on how to remove and clean your filter.

3. Cleaning

Contaminants such as dirt, oil and even bacteria can accumulate at the waterline, much like a bathtub ring. Regular cleaning preserves spa surfaces and prevents unwanted build-up. Off The Wall® Surface Cleaner and SpaGuard Cleaning Mitts are powerful, low-sudsing cleaners that work specifically with spa water chemistry. Use them to remove the ring of oil and dirt that serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and to prevent residue from building up around the waterline and inside skimmers.

4. Draining and Refilling

Regular draining and refilling is a normal part of spa maintenance. Over time, the water absorbs and dissolves minerals, chemicals and other soluble material. Pools of Fun’s Certified Water Technician can perform a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test to help determine if it’s time to replace your water. High TDS can make the water look dull, become foamy, and develop an odor. How often you drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it.

This simple formula can help:

Spa gallons ÷ Daily bathers ÷ 3 = Days between draining

Example: 300 gallons ÷ 2 daily bathers ÷ 3 = 50 days

Note: a bather is one person in the spa for 15-30 minutes.

5. Chemistry

There are two primary components that affect spa water quality: sanitizer (bromine or chlorine) residual and pH. When both are within their recommended ranges, your water is comfortable, protected and clear; sanitizers and “shock products” work efficiently; and spa surfaces and equipment are protected. Recommended bromine or chlorine residual levels are:

Bromine Residual using Brominating Tablets
- Residential = 2 – 4 ppm
- Commercial = 4 – 6 ppm
Bromine Residual using Brominating Concentrate: 3 – 6 ppm
Chlorine Residual using Chlorinating Concentrate: 3 – 5 ppm

Maintain pH between 7.4 – 7.6 (the ideal range; acceptable range is 7.2 – 7.6). By adding SpaGuard Spa Sentry, it holds the pH within its optimum range. Spa Sentry is formulated to “watch over” the pH and protect the water from pH changes.

	Brominating Tablets	Brominating Concentrate	Chlorinating Concentrate	Soft Soak^®**
pH	7.2 – 7.6	7.2 – 7.6	7.2 – 7.6	7.2 – 7.6
Total Alkalinity	125 – 150 ppm	125 – 150 ppm	125 – 150 ppm	80 – 120 ppm
Hardness*	100 – 200 ppm	100 – 200 ppm	100 – 200 ppm	200 – 300 ppm
Chlorine	n/a	n/a	3 – 5 ppm	n/a
Bromine	2 – 4 ppm	3 – 6 ppm	n/a	n/a
Biguanide	n/a	n/a	n/a	30 – 50 ppm
Peroxide	n/a	n/a	n/a	5 – 12 ppm

*Not Applicable for Spas using Spa Sentry.
**Spa Sentry not compatible with Soft Soak®.

6. Testing

The chemistry of your spa water needs to be checked regularly. Use SpaGuard products to maintain the correct levels, including: sanitizer residuals, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, metals, and total dissolved solids. BioGuard® 4-way Test Strips – and Soft Soak® 4-way Test Strips for Soft Soak spas – test pH, total alkalinity, and sanitizer levels with only one strip.

Maintaining proper levels will make the water clear and comfortable, kill bacteria that can multiply rapidly in a spa, protect spa surfaces from stains caused by metals, and protect spa equipment from scale.

There are 3 essential chemical areas to maintain.

Sanitization – kills bacteria to help prevent the transmission of disease.

Oxidation/shock – removes residues and restores clarity and comfort.

Water balance – ensures spa user comfort, water clarity, sanitizer efficiency, and longevity of spa surfaces and equipment.

Pool Winterizing Methods

Pools of Fun — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:27:16 +0000

Get the scoop on pool winterizing techniques. In these videos, Pools of Fun shares the scoop and explains both methods of winterizing your pool.

How To Vacuum

Pools of Fun — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:06:51 +0000

How To Vacuum Your Pool

1) Make sure your Multiport Valve is in the Filter or Waste Position. For normal maintenance vacuuming, use the Filter Position. If your pool is green and has algae and debris, it would be a good idea to place the valve in the Waste position. Vacuuming to Waste means you are by passing the filter media.

2) Turn Off Your Heater and any Water Features and Brush Walls and Steps Before Sweeping

3) Clean Out Skimmer Basket(s)

4) Gather your Vac Head, Telescopic Pole, Vacuum Hose and Skimmer Vac-Plate.

5) Attach the swivel end of the hose to the vac-head and the other to the skimmer vac-plate.

6) Place the vac-head and pole in the water near the simmer and slowly feed the remainder of the hose into the water – theidea being to fill the hose with water.

7) Once the hose is submerged and full of water, lift the vac-plate over the wall and place it on top of the skimmer basket. The vac-plate will be suctioned securely to the top of the skimmer.

8) Adjust all valves except for the skimmer that you are using. Pools with one skimmer and main drain should close the main drain 3/4ths of the way. Pools with two skimmers and a main drain should close one skimmer and close the main drain 3/4ths of the way

9) Now your ready to slowly move vac-head across pool floor. Be sure to keep the vac-head under the water at all times or you will lose suction.

10) Once complete, lean the pole against the wall in the shallow end. Open the main drain valve and totally close the skimmer that you used to vacuum. This will allow you to pull the skimmer vac-plate from the skimmer. You can now open all skimmer lines.

Should I change my sand?

Pools of Fun — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:39:13 +0000

On average, sand should be replaced every 3 years. This may be longer if the pool stays clear, or shorter, if the filter runs all the time. If the pool is chemically balanced, the system is running the proper length of time and the bather load is normal, but the water will not clear even when using a flocculent or clarifier, then that is a good indication the sand needs changing.

A Sand Change is a service offered by Pools of Fun. For details or to schedule a sand change, call 1-888-766-5832 or email us.

Caring for Your Auto-Cover

Pools of Fun — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:12:55 +0000

How to Properly Care for Your Automatic Safety Cover

You’ve invested in an Automatic Safety Cover, Now What? There are many things a homeowner can do to help extend the life of their auto-cover and prevent premature wear and tear.

Keep your cover pump on the cover when closed. This will ensure water on your cover remains pumped off at all times preventing extra strain. Never open your cover with water on it.
Cover Pump on Cover
After a heavy rain, it’s a good idea to check the water level in your pool. This can be easily done be lifting your skimmer Lid or visually look at the face of the skimmer. Water should remain ¾ of the way up your skimmer. The water underneath your cover is what supports your cover. Keep it at the proper level all year round.
During the swim season, open your auto-cover as often as possible to allow for the potential chemical gas build up to escape. We recommend opening your cover for several hours everyday. Always leave your cover open for at least two hours after adding chemicals.
Periodically inspect the screws that secure the track to the deck or pool coping, if they become loose, tighten the screws with a Phillips screwdriver.
At least twice a season, ideally Spring and Fall, spray water into the track channel to remove potential debris build-up.
Lastly, be sure to schedule an annual “tune-up” of the system. This can go a long way in extending the life of your cover and preventing unnecessary breakdowns and costly repairs. Pools of Fun has Certified Service Technicians ready to serve you. Schedule your tune-up by calling 1-888-766-5832 or email us.

Algae FREE Guarantee

Pools of Fun — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:35:51 +0000

Do you want a summer to remember? Pools of Fun can help. How about a summer with NO GREEN POOL! Pools of Fun offers an ALGAE FREE Guarantee. The basics of our Algae-FREE Guarantee are simple:

Algae should not grow if you properly care for your pool
Algae will not grow if use BioGuard products and follow one of our proven pool care systems
Algae can’t grow because you’ll get FREE product to kill it if it ever does

Sounds Easy Right? It is! If you think you might be interested in participating in our ALGAE FREE Guarantee. Take a water sample to your nearest Pools of Fun Customer Care Center and speak with one of our trained professionals. They will help get you started on the plan.

“I have been Algae Free for 4 years now! I swear the secret to the Algae Free guarantee is in BioGuard ‘s Optimizer Plus. I had not tried Optimizer before, but I am so glad I did. I have never had a bit of trouble. My sister is so jealous because her pool always goes green at least once a season. I can’t help but laugh because she is the particular one. I have finally convinced her to get on board” -A. Brock Coatesville, Indiana

Visit your nearest Pools of Fun store and get started on your Algae FREE Summer today!

Get the Pool “Party Ready”

Pools of Fun — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:32:11 +0000

Whether you are celebrating Memorial Day, The Indy 500, a graduation, or a birthday, May and June are popular months for pool parties. Regardless of what you are celebrating, Pools of Fun wants to help ensure your pool party is a success. Here are some great tips to make sure your pool is party ready:

Time Frame: Don’t start working on your pool the night before. If your pool isn’t clear by then, chances are it will not be. Start at least two weeks before by taking a water sample to your nearest Pools of Fun location. Follow our Certified Professional’s advice and stay on top of your chemical routine.

Clean Your Pool: Remember to brush pool walls, vacuum, and check skimmer baskets. If this is your first event of the season, it is a good idea to rinse off pool toys, floats, rafts, and lounges before adding them to the pool.

Safety First: Make sure your safety equipment such as a ring buoy with an attached line is out and readily visible. Make sure No-Diving signs are properly posted. It is also a good idea to keep a phone poolside during the party just in case of an emergency.