Troubleshooting Pool Pump Priming Problems

Your pool pump is a vital component of your pool system, ensuring your pool water is circulated and filtered to keep it safe and clean. As part of routine pool maintenance, you may need to prime your pool pump. This process removes any air in the system to allow for proper flow of water. If your pool pump will not prime, it could be due to a few different issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips to identify and fix common pool pump priming problems.

Is There Enough Water in Your Pool?

The most common reason a pool pump won’t prime is due to not enough water in the pool. Check to make sure the water level in your in-ground pool is well above the skimmer opening. If too much air gets into this opening, it can cause priming problems for your pool pump. Add water to the pool until the level reaches about halfway over the skimmer opening.

Check Your Strainer Baskets

Strainer baskets need to be clean and well-sealed for your pool pump to prime. Check your pump strainer basket and skimmer basket for clogs or debris. Clean if needed. Also check the seal on your pump strainer basket – the gasket should fit tightly to create a seal for pump suction.

Check Your Pool Valves

For a pool pump to prime, it needs correct water flow in and out. Make sure your pool valves are open – at least one outlet and inlet valve need to be open for proper water flow.

If you troubleshoot all these areas and your pool pump still will not prime, contact your local pool service. You may need your pump and pool equipment inspected to find the issue. Leaks and other problems can impact the suction and pressure, causing pump priming problems.

Posted on behalf of:
Somar Pool Service & Repairs
4581 Weston Road
Weston, FL 33331
(954) 840-8544

Backyard Swimming Pool Water Testing 101

Keeping your pool water balanced and safe is a vital part of pool ownership. Understanding the chemical composition of your pool water can help you maintain a healthier pool and protect your family. Here are some the basics about pool water testing to give you a better understanding of how to maintain your pool.

Testing Kits

While testing strips can give you a basic overview of your pool water’s pH balance, they are not the most accurate measurement. Invest in a backyard pool water testing kits for a better overview of your pool water. These come with more advanced testing options to monitor chlorine, pH, calcium, alkalinity and more accurately.

Testing Mistakes

Even when you have the right testing materials, you can still make simple mistakes that can affect the results. Here are a few common mistakes that pool owners make when testing their pool water:

  • Reagents. Make sure to check expiration dates on your reagents. Also, if they freeze it can impact their validity; make sure there are no solids inside if they have thawed after being frozen. Make sure to use the right cap on each reagent to avoid cross-contamination and hold bottles vertical to get the right drop size.
  • Clean tubes. Testing tubes need to be thoroughly cleaned after each use and kept sealed to prevent contamination.
  • Water sample. Make sure to go at least a foot down into the pool water to get your sample. Fill to the right sample size, using the fill line as a gauge.

If you have trouble getting your pool water balanced, call in the professionals. You can waste significant amounts of time trying to get your water balanced. Let your local pool service balance your pool to make it easier to maintain or hire them to keep up with your pool maintenance for you.

Posted on behalf of:
Premier Pool Enterprises
3502 Sixes Road, #108
Canton, GA 30114
(494) 496-5579

Simple Ways to Reduce Water Loss in Your Pool

Water loss is inevitable in your swimming pool. Warm weather causes evaporation and water is lost whenever you and your family go in and out of the pool. However, you can cut down on water loss and reduce your water bill by implementing a few conversation methods. Here are some simple ways to prevent water loss and conserve water in your pool.

  • Use a pool cover. Covering your pool when it is not in use helps reduce evaporation. It also improves safety and keeps debris out of the pool. Talk to your pool service about installing a quality pool cover.
  • Turn down the temperature. Warmer water evaporates quicker. Keep the heater turned down to the lowest level in cooler times of the year and turn it off altogether turning the summer to reduce water waste.
  • Minimize the use of water features. Waterfalls and other water features cause more water loss. Consider turning these features off when you are not at home, at night and other times when they are not being appreciated to conserve water.
  • Check for leaks. Are your conservation tips not reducing water loss? You could have a small leak. Do the bucket test to check to make sure you do not have a leak. If you do, call your pool service immediately for a leak repair.
  • Keep up with pool maintenance. A well-maintained pool uses less water for backwashing and to regulate the PH balance. Hire a pool professional to keep your pool maintained.

These few simple steps can help reduce the amount of water you use in your pool, helping lower water bills and conserve on water.

Posted on behalf of:
Premier Pool Enterprises
3502 Sixes Road, #108
Canton, GA 30114
(494) 496-5579

Keeping Your Outdoor Pool Clean

Keeping your pool clean can be a simple task, especially if you do your regularly scheduled checks.  Cleaning your pool is an important part of protecting it and helping it maintain it’s life and safety. You will want to follow these simple tips, so your pool will stay clean and be of good use to you for years to come.

  • Cover your pool when it is not going to be used for a while. This will help keep outside blowing debris, leaves, and twigs out of the water, keeping it clean, while also protecting from possible damage.
  • Check the filter. Some filters work better if you let them go for longer, but make sure you are checking it the right amount. You definitely don’t want an overfull filter. That could cause some major problems.
  • Skim the pool. Use your leaf skimmer net to get any floating debris out of your pool. Empty the strainer basket, so that it can continue to do its job well too.
  • Vacuum the pool. When your pool is getting a lot of use, lots of foot traffic can bring in lots of dirt. You may also have other debris at the bottom the pool that the vacuum can suck right up and make the swimmers feet happier.
  • Check the pool chemicals. You don’t want a bacteria fest growing in your pool. Make sure to check the PH levels regularly to make sure your pool water is safe to swim in.

Following these tips and keeping your pool clean from debris, will keep your pool stay cleaner longer. To make it easier on yourself, hire a professional pool service for regular cleanings.

Posted on behalf of:
Premier Pool Enterprises
3502 Sixes Road, #108
Canton, GA 30114
(494) 496-5579

Three Reasons Why You Should Hire a Pool Service

Having a pool in your backyard has many advantages. You have a great place to relax and your friends always want to come hang out at your house. It also can come with disadvantages, like maintenance. You may not have thought about all the work you had to put in just to keep your pool ready to swim in. Hiring a pool service to take the load off might be the right decision for you.

  1. Saving time. Learning a new skill, like how to maintain something as big as a pool, can take a lot of time! Leave it to the professionals who have training and proficiency in pool management. They can take the time to work on your pool, so that it’s ready for you to enjoy on your time off.
  2. Save money. Having someone service your pool will keep your pool in the best condition. The pool technician will be aware of any problems that arise immediately and will be able to save you money, by fixing a problem before it gets bigger. Keeping your pool maintained will also protect your investment.
  3. Enjoy your pool. You probably bought the house knowing how much you would enjoy relaxing in the pool. Hiring a pool service will help keep that dream come true. They can do all the work while you just sit back and enjoy the pool time. Knowing that all the cleaning and maintaining is done by a professional, will help you enjoy your pool even more.

Maintaining your own pool might seem like an easy job, until you actually try to do it yourself. Save yourself time, money, and stress by letting a knowledgeable professional do the work for you. Then you can spend your time living out your dream of relaxing in the pool and entertaining your friends in style.

Posted on behalf of Somar Pool Service & Repairs
4581 Weston Road
Weston, FL 33331
(954) 840-8544

Give Yourself the Gift of a Clean, Healthy Pool

As wonderful as it is to have a pool, it can also be a drain on your time. Pools need constant maintenance to stay sanitary for safe swimming. You must be consistently checking the chemical balance, adding the right chemicals when necessary. You also need to clean the pool to keep it clear of debris that can lead to algae and bacteria growth. Maybe it is time to give yourself a break so you actually have time to enjoy your pool. Give yourself the gift of a professional pool cleaning service for a clean, healthy pool.

Many people think that a pool cleaning or maintenance service is too expensive or a luxury that they can’t afford. However, there are some good reasons to invest in this service. While you may be able to some of the maintenance yourself, you most likely do not have the knowledge or equipment of a pool professional. Here are a few benefits of hiring a pool service for maintenance:

  • No need to buy chemicals for your pool
  • Save on buying pool cleaning equipment
  • Professional balancing of your pool’s chemicals
  • Routine inspections of your pool pump and other equipment
  • Extensive cleaning for your pool using commercial equipment
  • More time to enjoy your pool instead of maintaining it

You may be surprised how affordable a pool service is when you subtract the cost of the chemicals, equipment and time that you spend on maintaining your pool. You deserve the gift of more time and a clean pool that is ready whenever you want to take a swim. Call your local pool maintenance service today to get started on a pool service contract.

Posted on behalf of:
Premier Pool Enterprises
Canton, GA
(494) 496-5579

About to Become a Pool Owner? What You Need to Know

There’s no substitute for whiling away the hot summers in your own private swimming pool. Are you considering installing a pool on your property? A licensed and experienced pool construction contractor will evaluate your property and help you choose the ideal pool for you.  A professional pool construction company will design and build a custom swimming pool and spa for your home.

A clean and healthy-looking pool is a tremendous asset to quality living, and adds value to your property as well. Keeping it in good shape will add years to the life of your pool, but not every homeowner has the time or depth of knowledge to stay on top of all that requires.

Your home swimming pool needs regular attention such as checking the filters, water balance, vacuuming and brushing. Equipment should be kept clean and unclogged, and chemicals added as necessary to maintain a healthy swimming environment and prevent algae from forming.

If you are considering buying property with an existing pool. Check to see if the pool is showing signs of wear or staining. You may need to consult your local swimming pool renovation professionals. They can resurface the pool to restore its appeal and can add water features or even a spa to really spice things up.

To keep your new swimming pool looking beautiful and working properly, contact your local pool service and repair professionals. Regular service and maintenance is a lot less expensive than replacing or repairing your pool. Schedule an inspection of your filtration system, leak detection and any other concerns you may have about the condition of your swimming pool.

Posted on behalf of Somar Pools, LLC
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 767-7755

Pool Maintenance Tips For New Owners

You finally have the pool that you always dreamed of, right in your own backyard, but are uncertain about how to maintain it. Although it may seem daunting at first glance, the secret to maintaining your pool is the same as with other household cleaning chores, establishing and keeping to a regular routine schedule. Of course, you may rely on a professional pool service company to take care of many of your pool maintenance, but there are still things that you should do on a regular or weekly basis.

One of the easiest ways to keep your pool clean is to skim and remove any floating debris such as leaves or bugs. Vacuum the bottom of your pool weekly, just like you’d vacuum a rug, and brush down the walls and tile. Also, check the filter whenever you vacuum, and clean it out if it seems dirty. Periodically, check the water level of your pool. A pool’s water level will naturally go down with evaporation and splashing, occasionally needing replenishment. Make sure that the water level does not go down below the level of the skimmer, to prevent possible damage to the pump.

To ensure the cleanliness and safety of your pool water, the chemical levels of pH and chlorine should be tested regularly and corrected as needed. There are many testing kits available for the use of home pool owners; however, if you are unsure about this process, have your local pool service company instruct you as to the appropriate levels.

 

Additionally, your pool service company can check and repair, if needed, your pool’s heater. You may also want to have your pool professional check for leaks. Finally, depending on where you reside, you may require expert consultation on the proper way to winterize your pool.

Posted on behalf of Somar Pools LLC