POOL TIPS:
1) One of the most important things you can ever know about your swimming pool is its gallonage. All water treatment recommendations are based on the amount of water in your pool. To calculate the gallonage of your pool:
a. Rectangle or Square pool: multiply Length x Width x Average Depth x 7.5
b. Round pool: Diameter x Diameter x Average Depth x 5.9
c. Oval pool: Full Length x Full Width x Average Depth x 6.7
d. Kidney: Average Width x Overall Length x Average Depth x 7.0
2) 80% of pool water clarity is filtration. If your pool is not circulating and filtering long enough each day, no amount of chemicals will clear the pool. Pool World recommends that you run your pool filter no less than 12 hours per day, the optimum is 24 hours per day.
3) Testing your pool water is critical. There are a whole host of home testing options available for you to use from test strips which you just dip and compare the color change to liquid reagent test kits similar to those used in professional pool stores. Remember to test your pool water at least 1 - 2 times each week to make sure that your pH and Sanitizer are at their correct levels. Pool World recommends having your pool water checked by a professional at your local pool store at least once a month. They have the ability to check for water balance that your home-use testers cannot do.
4) Pool Balance is key to keeping your pool equipment healthy for the long haul. Water is very corrosive in its natural state but by adding the proper amounts of balancing chemicals like Total Alkalinity Increaser and Calcium Hardness Increaser, you can make water a friend for life! Pool World offers free water testing for its customers. These water tests will give you detailed recommendations on the treatment of your water.
5) Filter cleaning is a MUST! Your pool filters are the "work horse" of your pool. If they are not in proper working order, your pool is not going to be in the crystal clear, sparkling condition you want it to be. Pool World recommends not only cleaning the physical debris off your filter on a regular basis, but chemically cleaning your filter every 4 - 6 weeks in the summer. For cleaning instructions, refer to your filters owners manual and the instructions on the cleaning solution bottle.
6) When you are purchasing chemicals for your pool, be sure to read the labels. Not only do you need to make sure you are getting the chemical you actually need, but you need to make sure you are getting the best value for your investment. Not all chemicals, especially chlorine, are the same. Be sure to compare the strength and availability of the active ingredient in the product so that you know you are getting the best you can for your pool.
7) Help us help you. When you need assistance from your local pool store with pool parts and plumbing, or even replacement chemicals, if you are in doubt of the part name, manufacturer, or anything that may help us to help you find what you need, TAKE A PICTURE! Many pool professionals can determine what you need, what type of equipment you have etc from a picture of your setup. It will take the guess work out for the store staff and eliminate your frustration when trying to explain to us what you need!
8) 5 minutes a day will allow you to play! By taking just 5 minutes a day to brush your pool walls and floor down, emptying your skimmer and pump baskets, Hosing of your filter elements, adding your weekly chemical additions, you will find that pool care is a breeze and you will be enjoying your pool when the weather is warm instead of working on it!
9) Pool Openings and Closings. These services are always available by your local pool companies service department. For those pool owners that want to do their closings and openings themselves it is a relatively simple task, however, Pool World does recommend that for the very first time you hire your pool company to perform the service and you be there to watch and take notes. Afterall there is not one better to learn from than the pros!
10) Pool Safety is a must! The following is a list of recommendations regarding pool safety as recommended by the American Red Cross:
- Never leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the child at all times. Adult supervision is recommended.
- Install a phone by the pool or keep a cordless phone nearby so that you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
- Learn Red Cross CPR and insist that babysitters, grandparents, and others who care for your child know CPR.
- Post CPR instructions and 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.
- Never leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over the fence.
- Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it. Pole, rope, and personal flotation devices (PFDs) are recommended.
- Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.
- Pool covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use.
11) The most important tip of all ... ENJOY YOUR POOL!
HOT TUB TIPS:
1) Knowing your hot tub specifications like gallonage, manufacturer and model is important when you are in need of help from your local pool and hot tub dealer. From this information, they will be able to test your hot tub water and made accurate recommendations, as well as get you any parts, or products you may need for your hot tub. Most of the time this information can be found in your owners manual.
2) Reading your Owners Manual is invaluable. It will be able to answer the majority of questions you will ever have about your tub, from how to fill it, its filtration cycles and how to empty the water. Be sure to read it as soon as you get the tub and keep it in a safe place for future reference.
3) How often you drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it.
This simple formula can help.
(# of Spa Gallons / # of Daily Bathers) / 3 = Days Between Draining
* Example: (300 gallons / 2 daily bathers) / 3 = 50 days
4) Hot water amplifies the effects of alcohol and certain drugs, and the result can be dangerous. Consult your doctor regarding the use of prescription drugs.
5) Soaking for too long in elevated water temperatures can raise body heat to hazardous levels. The National Spa and Pool Institute considers 104° F to be the maximum safe water temperature for adults, and modern spas are normally set at the factory not to exceed that limit.
6) Keeping a floating thermometer in the water is a good idea, especially if your spa does not have a digital temperature readout indicator.
7) Getting in and out of hot tubs with wet, slippery feet can pose a hazard. Consider the addition of sturdy spa steps and a handrail.
8) Do not enter a hot tub unless you know that the sanitizer level is adequate to keep the water healthy and free of harmful microorganisms.
9) Filters should be replaced after twelve months of use. Degraded filters will not work properly and will cause cloudy water. Filters should be cleaned every month and soaked in a degreaser solution. Some people find it handy to have two filters and use on an alternating basis.
10) Test your spa water at least twice a week every week. Always test for pH, alkalinity and for the sanitizer you are using (chlorine bromine, or biguanide). Keeping the pH and alkalinity in the proper ranges allow your chemicals to work effectively and will lengthen the life of your jets, pumps and heater.
BILLIARD TIPS:
1) A billiard table is an investment. An investment both in monetary terms and in emotional terms. The table can bring your friends and family together for fun, relaxation and friendly competition for many years to come. Be sure to do your homework when purchasing your table. Don't compromise on quality for the sake of price.
2) Proper pool table cloth care is one of the best ways to get the most out of your investment. Simple care techniques will dramatically lengthen the condition and life of your cloth enabling you to enjoy your table longer! Simple care tips include:
a. Brushing the table regularly to remove debris that can get ground into the cloth. Table and Rail brushes are inexpensive and available at your local billiard table dealer.
b. Make a "No Drink" policy near the pool table. Spillage of beverages and food onto the cloth is the #1 cause of premature cloth wear and destruction. By not allowing people to eat, drink or even set their glasses etc on the table, you will be going a long way to avoid such problems.
c. If something does get spilled onto the table - wood or cloth - be sure to wipe it up immediately. If whatever was spilled leaves a spot on the cloth, DO NOT "scrub" the spot to remove it. Instead, your local billiard table dealer will have spot remover specifically designed for pool table felt.
d. Teach young children how to play properly and make sure they use the right size cue stick. By teaching children some basics of the game and fitting them properly to a cue, you will help to avoid the possibility of tears in your cloth. By not knowing how properly hold the cue stick and shoot, or by using a cue that is too big for them, children run the risk of "jabbing" the cloth and ripping it.
3) How often should you refelt your pool table? That depends on so many variables that there is not one right answer to that question. Humidity in the room, the amount and type of play the table receives, the general care given to the table and cloth are just a few of the things that affect how often a table needs to be refelted. In most cases your average table owner will know when it is time by the wear spots and general play of the table.
a. While it is possible to refelt your own table, it is highly advisable, especially if you play often and consider yourself a competitive player, to have a professional refelt the table.
4) Caring for the frame and rails of your table is as important as the cloth. Most of the time all it needs is a little TLC. If your table is a laminate surface, you can use a slightly damp cloth to wipe the table down. If the table is wood, wipe the table off to remove any dust and debris first and then polish it with a furniture polish. For more detailed instructions, consult your dealer for manufacturers recommendations.
5) If and when the time ever comes that you need to move your pool table...the most important piece of advice you can be given is...hire a professional to do it right. They will remove the bumpers, remove the felt, disassemble the table and remove the slate. This will allow the movers to crate and move the table safely. At your destination the professionals will uncrate the slate, reassemble the table, level the table and reinstall the felt.
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