In the hottest months of summer your pool may seem to lose water faster than usual. Our bucket test will help to determine if the higher rate of water loss is due to a possible leak or just evaporation. Use the following steps to determine if your pool, spa or fountain is leaking.
1. Bring pool water to the normal operating level.
2. Fill a 5 gallon bucket with pool, spa or fountain water about 3-4 inches from top.
3. Place bucket on first or second step of pool, spa or fountain without immersing it.
4. With pencil, marker mor electrical tape, mark the water level on inside of bucket.
5. Shut off the pump and mark the pool, spa or fountain level on the outside of the bucket.
6. Resume normal pump operation. Make sure that the auto fill valve is off during test.
7. After 24 hours, compare the two levels. If the pool water (outside mark) goes down more than inside water level (inside mark), there may be a leak.
If it rains, repeat test when it stops raining. The test is not valid after 24 hours.
Evaporation will occur at the same rate regardless of the area of water. A bucket will lose a quarter inch of water as fast as a swimming pool, spa or fountain, loses a quarter inch of water. if the pool, spa or fountain is leaking, Any leak detection (we reccomend American Leak Detection) can expertly determine if the leak is in the structure, plumbing, or accessories, and isolate the leak to minimize the required repair expense.
Typical Evaporation
If your pool, spa or fountain is losing a half an inch a day, it could be evaporation, or it could bea leak. A quarter inch per day is most likely to be evaporation. The evaporation rate in your area will depend on humidity, sunlight intensity, barometric pressure, wind, as well as the amount of use (people) in the pool, spa or fountain
Phosphates & Nitrates in Swimming Pools ( Reason why we test your pool for Phosphates yearly or when necessary and apply the necessary amount of Phosphate removal until phosphates levels are normal.) Why your pool needs to be drained at times.
SALT SYSTEM
Salt chlorine generator systems sanitize swimming pools by converting salt into chlorine, which kills pathogens and bacteria before returning to its former state, salt. The system converts salt to chlorine by passing the dissolved salt in the pool water through a small chamber (salt chlorinator cell) installed along the swimming pool’s water circulation system. These cells contain parallel titanium plates coated with either ruthenium or iridium. The plates are electronically charged to produce hypochlorous acid(HOCl), and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) from the salt.
Generally, most people swimming in salt water pools feel the water is softer, has a lower chlorine scent, and they have fewer incidences of dry skin and burning eyes.
ADVANTAGES OF A SALT CHLORINE GENERATOR SANITAZTION SYSTEM
Water feels smoother in a salt water swimming pool.
Salt water has a lower chlorine scent.
Salt water pools cause less burning of the eyes and itchy skin.
No need to buy and store chlorine with a salt water swimming pool.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
Cleaning the salt chlorinator cell too often with acid reduces the life of the cell by stripping the coating on the plates.
Cleaning the salt chlorinator cell with a highly concentrated acid reduces the life of the cell.
Salt water chlorine generator cells have a tendency to allow Ph to rise. Check the water chemistry regularly.
Stabilizer is a key component of salt chlorine generator systems and needs to be checked regularly.
Running the salt chlorine generator for long periods without enough salt in the swimming pool can strip the coating off of the cell.
There are still occasions where shocking the swimming pool with extra chlorine may be advantageous.
When swimmers smell more chlorine than normal and have eye irritations, they tend to assume there is too much chlorine in the pool. In fact, what they may be experiencing is organic contamination (chloramines), not chlorine. The remedy is more chlorine, not less.
Although some salt chlorine generator systems have a “shock” or “boost” button, this does not mean a swimming pool can be shocked by the salt chlorine generator. Salt chlorine generator systems cannot produce enough chlorine over a short period of time to significantly impact algae.
ACID WASH
As your pool water evaporates, all the minerals stay behind and as you continuously add water this mineral content increases rapidly over time, causing your pool water hardness to increase. Eventually these minerals (mainly calcium) begin to deposit on your pool plaster surface causing unsightly staining. Acid Washing includes draining the pool, cleaning up any dirt and debris and acid washing the swimming pool & spa surface.
FILTERS
Supreme Pools can troubleshoot, repair, and if necessary, replace your pool's filter. We work on all pool filters, including cartridge filters, sand filters, and DE filters. Proper filtration is absolutely necessary for a clean and healthy pool. Not having a properly operating filter can put the safety of your water at risk, and subject your pool to increased risk of unsightly algae formation.
There are pros and cons to each of the three common types of pool filters, cartridge, sand, and DE. We sometimes find that owners wish to switch a filter to a different type to enjoy the features, advantages, and benefits of another. To discuss which is best for you, call our professionals. As with other types of pool equipment, we work with all the major pool filter manufacturer, both commercial and residential. Also note that we offer the entire range of replacement cartridges, pressure and vacuum gauges, and seals.
POOL MOTORS
One of the more common repairs we perform is the replacement of motors for swimming pool pumps, as pool motors generally need to be replaced every few years, sometimes even within a year or two. Supreme Pools highly experienced repair department provides swimming pool motor troubleshooting, repair, replacement, and upgrade consultation services for customers in the Los Angeles area.
The motor on a pool is what powers the pump, the heart of your pool. Without a properly functioning motor, you will not have circulation, jeopardizing your water quality potentially making the water unsafe. When a motor goes out, it also is a good time to do a quick evaluation of your equipment. Do you have the pump that makes the most sense for you? Is this a good time to look at energy saving or automation (remote control) options? We work with all the major pool pump motors, both commercial and residential, including: Hayward Pentair (Whisperflo, Intelliflo®) Sta-Rite A.O. Smith General Electric Franklin and more.
818-920-6468
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GREEN POOL
So, you got a great deal on your home, but the pool is a mess! Let Supreme pools turn your "green" pool "blue" again! Contact us today for a free quote!
Green water swimming pools are not only unappealing, they can be hazardous to your health. The most common cause of green pool water is algae. Algae blooms occur when there are insufficient levels of chlorine, unbalanced PH levels, or improper chemical mixtures within your pool's water. A faulty pool filter will also give algae an opportunity to thrive.
Another potential cause of green pool water is the presence of metals in your water. High concentrations of copper, iron, manganese, or other metals may react chemically with the chlorine in your pool water and give the pool a greenish tinge. If your pool appears to be free of algae, yet the water is still somewhat green, metals may be the culprit.
The experts at Supreme Pools can help you determine what specific conditions are causing your green pool woes and can quickly develop a plan of action to turn your green pool blue again. Give us a ring, text or email and we'll test the waters, identify the problem and offer recommendations on how to resolve the issue.
We pride ourselves on providing superior pool service that is on time, reliable and within budget and ensure complete customer satisfaction. Our technicians are trained to fulfill all of your expectations. We are a State Certified Pool/Spa Operator with Certification by the National Swimming Pool Foundation and properly licensed, insured and bonded, which means our customers will receive service that meets the highest quality standards.
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Is Your Pool In Need Of Repairs? Supreme Pools LA can help! We stock all of the most popular and in-demand parts to ensure all pool equipment repairs are completed in a timely manner. If you're looking to upgrade your pool equipment Supreme Pools should be your first choice!
Allow us to professionally diagnose the problems and provide you with the most efficient and affordable pool repair plan available anywhere in Los Angeles County. Our pool repair technicians are professionally trained and experts at fixing all pool-related issues. We provide an array of pool equipment repairs and installations to protect your investment and the life of your pool.
Filtration Systems
The filtration system for your pool consists of a pump/motor and filter housing. Without a proper working filtration system, no matter how much chemical you add, your pool will turn cloudy and eventually green from body oils, dirt and hair that are not properly filter out.
Phosphates Are Pollutants...
Phosphate became a household word in the 1970's. This is when people started to use low-phosphate and phosphate-free laundry detergents. This was to protect lakes, streams, wetland and other runoff areas from the detrimental effects of excess phosphate. One of these effects is unwanted algae blooms. It created such a fervor - remember the movie Swamp Thing?
Phosphates Accumulate in Pools...
What's true for lakes is also true for swimming pools. Phosphate is a natural component of most swimmer wastes. It is also present in rain water. Phosphate is persistent and does not break down naturally. Landscaper's fertilizers, which may blow into the pool, have high phosphate content. For all of these reasons, pools can quickly build up high phosphate levels. This creates an abundant and tasty food source for all strains of algae, and can make controlling their growth difficult. Remove the food, and you have a strong weapon against algae.
When Phosphates are Present, Algae Grows...
Phosphate is the main ingredient in fertilizer. Phosphate is plant food, and algae are plants. When excess phosphate is present in a swimming pool, the symptoms often include the following.
* Cloudy, Green Water
* Slippery and Slimy Surfaces
* Mustard and Green Colored Debris
* Excessive Chemical Consumption
* Poor Water Quality
Remove the Phosphates and Solve the Problem...
The maximum level of phosphate in pool water should be 0.1ppm. Once the phosphate climbs above this level, the water quality begins to decrease and slime deposits can begin. Fortunately, draining to eliminate the accumulated phosphate is no longer necessary. Our Phosphate remover is a natural mineral compound which effectively and rapidly reduces the level of phosphate in the water.
Pool Phosphate Treatment
1. Test for phosphate levels
2. Backwash or clean filter thoroughly
3. Apply Phosphate remover
4. Run Filter for 48 hours
5. Backwash or clean filter again
6. Retest for phosphate levels. If necessary, we need to repeat steps 3-5
Pool Phosphate Removal Tips:
1. Before testing for phosphates, water should be balanced, and chlorine level below 5ppm
2. Algae should be treated and pool clean before testing and treating phosphates
3. Correct the source of the phosphate contamination
4. After treatment with phosphate remover, filter pressure will rise. Backwash as needed
5. Small or ineffective pool filters may need a clarifier after treatment.
6. For sand or cartridge filters that have suffered many algae outbreaks, Media needs to be replaced.
Nitrates Are No Fun In The Pool!
Nitrates are a matter similar to Phosphates, but of different origin. Their big similarity is that they are both a food source for algae. Nitrate is a plant nutrient and is present in all green plants and fertilizers. It is natural occuring and is found everywhere something is growing.
Nitrites (NO2) are a close cousin to Nitrates (NO3) and are just as much of a problem for pools, because when a Nitrite comes in contact with water, it easily gains another Oxygen atom to become a Nitrate. This additional atom gives Nitrates real stability, and makes eradication difficult. In fact, the only known way of Nitrate removal in pools practiced today is to drain a portion of the pool, and refill with water that is Nitrate free, if possible. Shocking a pool heavily will revert the Nitrates back to Nitrites, but from their once again, an additional Oxygen atom is easy to come by in a swimming pool filled with H20.
Where do Nitrates come from?
Rural areas - those with water wells and septic tanks are particularly prone to Nitrate contamination in pools. Fertilizer is the most common source of Nitrates in pools. Do birds and ducks make regular passes over your pool? Do they land in the pool to bathe? Birds and especially Ducks can do a real number on a pool. Rain spilling off of overhanging trees can add Nitrates to a pool, and even acid rain itself, so common in the Northeast, can increase Nitrate levels. Finally, human waste, sweat, cosmetics can all bring traces of Nitrates into the pool.
According to John Girvan, one of the few people to study Nitrates extensively, has said that "With nitrate in the pool," he says, "you will get algae and other contaminants that won't respond to normal treatments." Some pool techs have been known to say that Nitrates "lock up chlorine". The opposite is in fact true, the presence of Nitrate in pool water will drastically increase the sanitizer consumption.
At levels as low as 10ppm of Nitrate, algae will grow even though you have used algaecide and are keeping a proper chlorine residual. But keeping a proper residual of chlorine in the water can prove to be difficult when Nitrates are present. This is what tricks people into believing in Chlorine Block, it's not blocking chlorine, but using it very quickly.
What Can Be Done To Eliminate Nitrates In My Pool?
There still however is no chemical to remove the Nitrates from the pool water, so if you have a contamination, you will need to drain most if not all of the pool water. Locating the source would be advised, to prevent re-contamination of the pool. Animals, water run-off, wind blown fertilizers, well water are all likely sources. Check your bathers! Sweat, oils, cosmetics and hair treatments may contain Nitrates. Even though we all love our (best friends) Dogs and Ducks bring all sorts of things into the pool, and should be discouraged. If you have a Duck Problem in the pool, Let us know so we can use a special chemical to keep them out.
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