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Pool maintenance during winter is an essential pool care step to maintaining a healthy pool year-round. Incorrectly done pool maintenance during winter can cost you money by sucking up unnecessary resources or can even cause pool damage. Follow these steps to ensure your pool is properly maintained. Please note that there are small differences when maintaining inground, above ground, and saltwater pools, and that these are general tips.
The first step of pool maintenance during the winter is maintaining the pool water itself. Pool water maintenance consists of two key things: water chemistry, and water cleanliness.
The first step is cleaning out your pool. Any left-over dirt or debris can mess with the balances of the pool chemicals you will add in. Make sure to scrub the walls thoroughly, preferably with a brush and not with a robot cleaner. Shock the pool if necessary.
After you have cleaned out your pool, balance your water chemistry. Key things to check for when balancing water chemistry are pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Pool chemical kits & products will come with a guide on the back of the product or on a separate instructional sheet. Pool chemical usage is reduced during the winter, and if you have any questions contact the experts at Champions Pool.
Pool accessories left in the pool can be damaged, and since they are unused during the winter, it is best to take them out. These accessories include any external ladders, handrails, fill spouts, eyeball fittings, pool cleaners, and basket skimmers.
Since the pool won’t be used in the summer, the run time of the pool should be reduced from 9-12 hours to 8 hours. This time varies, so if you are unsure of the proper time to run your pool contact our experienced team at Champions Pool.
At Champions Pool, we understand that pool maintenance in winter is tedious, time consuming, and strenuous which is why we offer excellent pool maintenance services. If you close your pool for the winter, bring a sample of your pool water in to one of our locations for testing before beginning the chemical process. Our pool experts can thoroughly test your water and ensure a proper pool maintenance every time, to save you time, energy, and money. With years of experience, there’s no risk of errors that could damage your pool. Let Champions clean up during the off season, so you don’t have to.
If you’re missing that summertime swim, a pool heater is the solution. Many know the joys of having a warm pool to swim in during the summer, but don’t know that like every other pool appliance, a pool heater requires regular maintenance and check-ups. If your pool heater is no longer keeping your pool warm during the winter, it may be time for maintenance or a replacement.
More than likely if your pool is no longer being heated to the optimal temperature, the pool heater will only need a repair. While it may appear easier to replace it than having a company such as Champions service the heating unit, the price of a new heater is significantly steeper than that of maintenance. The cost of a new heat pump usually starts at around $2,000 but can go up to $5,000 depending on what type of unit you may need. Make note, this price doesn’t include installation, because installing it yourself won’t be a cakewalk.
Professional pool heater repair doesn’t just help you save money upfront; it prevents costly problems from happening down the line, too. For example, if your heater’s sensor isn’t working properly, the other parts of the heater will overwork to compensate for the deficiency. Overtime this overworking of parts can caused it to break down faster, potentially ruining almost the entirety of the unit meaning you’ll need to buy a new one anyway.
Your heater is probably the part you think about the least since it has seasonal use, but just like the rest of your pool it still needs to be maintained. Some other things to think about when it comes to pool maintenance is your water chemistry. Imbalances such as the pH balance being off can lead to chlorine dissipating quickly potentially leading to corroded metal equipment and can even put your swimmers in danger. (If your swimmers are experiencing irritation and dryness of the skin and stinging to the eyes, contact Champions Pool immediately to have your water chemistry checked.)
Champions Pool Repair and Services is Houston’s leading pool repair company. With convenient servicing around your schedule, COVID safety procedures, and knowledgeable, skilled, and polite technicians. Champions Pool is ready to service all Houstonians in need of pool help. Let us maintain and service your pool, protecting it from irreparable damage by scheduling an appointment, call us at our Kuykendahl location (346) 336-6713, or our Louetta location (281) 355-8504 to schedule an appointment.
The downside of having your own pool is that it requires a large amount of maintenance. That’s why residents in Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas leave the work to Champions Pool Service and Repair. And now it’s even easier to hire our services. The Louetta location in Spring, Texas, is still thriving, but we have opened a new location on Kuykendahl Road in Tomball, so existing and new customers in this area can utilize Champions for their cleaning pool service near you, as well as help you if you are in need of a pool repair.
It is imperative to keep up with regular maintenance and care to maintain the life and enjoyment of your pool. With so many boxes to check when it comes to keeping up with your pool, it can become difficult and time consuming. While for some it may be an option to spend the time cleaning and keeping up with maintenance, for most others outsourcing the job to a reputable pool cleaning and maintenance company saves them time and energy ensuring the job is done correctly every time.
A pool can get dirty and unsanitary from algae growth or with just the wind blowing, shaking off leaves from nearby trees and falling into the water. Anything blown from the wind will impact the quality of your pool water, such as insects, debris, dust, and leaves or twigs that fall into the pool. It is especially important to get the balance right with chemicals to fix the damage done by these conditions. You need to check your pool chemicals a few times within a week, ensuring you sanitize the pool with chlorine and make sure to keep your pH balanced.
If your pool is not working properly and you are unable to fix or identify the issue, you should contact a pool repair service immediately. A professional pool inspector can walk you through identifying the problem or designate the source.
If the operating equipment is not in good condition, this can cause more expensive damage in the future. The inspector can test the equipment—such as the filters, pumps, and heaters for proper functionality and overall performance.
Outside elements like falling insects can cause a pool to deteriorate sooner than expected. Even just the wear and tear from regular enjoyment of the pool can cause damage. A pool inspection will check out the interior finish, the tile and decking near or around the pool, and any concrete flooring or pavers to ensure that everything is safe and up to standard.
Lastly, the working order of the plumbing and the electrical systems will be looked at. The most common items tested are signs of leaking and proper drainage.
It’s not unheard of to remodel your pool or make renovations when you already have a pool, but sometimes the pool in your backyard needs a change-up.
Pool remodeling companies can completely overhaul your pool. They can resurface dull or damaged pools with new plaster, upgrade your old pool equipment, or install energy-saving solar heating.
Many choose to remodel because the pool length is too short, and you can’t do laps. Others want additions to the pool, such as a waterfall or custom rock feature or bringing in custom lighting and adding a spa to the pool area.
Whatever the reason, giving your pool a whole new makeover can make you and your family their own private getaway. Before a reno, your pool was a place to hang out. After a reno, your pool will become your backyard private resort.
Your pool may need a repair if it’s showing age or if its deteriorating due to normal wear and tear. The most common pool repairs are cracks and leaks. If you see cracks, it is time to resurface your pool.
If the pool is leaking and losing water, this is serious, and you should not attempt to fix the problem. Call a pool repair company immediately before more costly damages take place.
If the pool has leaks in the plumbing, this may mean the plumbing has overextended its life and must be completely replaced.
We are a proud distributor of Bioguard Pool Supplies and use these pool chemical and pool supply products on every house call when performing pool maintenance and cleaning. We trust that these products are of the highest quality to ensure the longevity of our client’s pools. Our Bioguard supplies are professional quality pool care products from a trusted name in the industry.
Bioguard designs products for pool owners who are looking for affordable pool chemical supplies without having to skimp out on performance and value. Using Bioguard products regularly can ensure your pool is always safe and enjoyable to swim in.
If the pool has leaks in the plumbing, this may mean the plumbing has overextended its life and must be completely replaced.
As the rain falls, it collects dust from the air, leaves from trees around the pool, pollen, mud, oils, and algae spores. When there is a heavy rain, the water will collect algae spores from the air which could potentially contaminate your heater and pump during circulation causing your pool to become chemically unbalanced and begin to lose its beautiful blue.
Rain can also soften the water and lower the calcium hardness. Calcium hardness should be regularly monitored and maintained so the water in the pool has a complete proper chemical balance. The lower the calcium hardness, the higher the chance that the water can corrode the surfaces of your pool causing damage that can lead to a costly repair.
In addition, rain can also disturb the pH level in your pool. The pH level is the measure of the water’s acidity. Acids and alkalies need to be as balanced as possible at all times. If these levels are too high or low, the chemicals in your pool will become unbalanced and require immediate attention to keep the water clear, clean, safe, and swimmable.
As an added safety measure, we always recommend any loose items outside the perimeter of your pool—such as chaise lounge chairs, umbrellas and tables—be removed and stored away when not in use. These can become dangerous projectiles during high winds and rain.
It’s wise to prepare your pool before a storm. Here are the top three things that should be done when a heavy rain is expected.
All electrical power should be turned off. Circuit brakers at the main electrical panel should be shut down. The pool’s pump motors, lighting, chlorinators and heaters should also be turned off. The motors for the pumps can be tightly covered by some material, such as painter’s tarp.
To prevent debris and storm water from causing extensive damage to the pool, take some preventative measures by ensuring the chemical levels are balanced before the storm and adding extra algae treatment. These steps can help protect the water from contaminants as well as make the clean-up process a lot less work once the storm has subsided. Also consider cleaning the areas around the pool for any debris that could be blown into the water or any low-hanging branches from nearby trees.
Don’t empty or lower the pool’s water. The weight of the water is what helps keep the pool securely in the ground. If you do, your pool can potentially “pop out” of the ground due to hydrostatic pressure and a rising water table, causing severe structural damage that would require an immediate repair. It is also never a good idea to cover the pool, as covers can become dangerous and cause more damage in a storm with high winds.
After the rain passes, it’s now time to see if your pool needs repair. Check the skimmer and the pump baskets for debris and potential damage. Empty both and turn on the pump to start filtering out the debris. If the rain caused excess water, drain the water until it reaches the half-way mark of the skimmer. Then run a test of all your pool chemical levels and assess what needs to be corrected with the appropriate chemicals.
If your pool has a leak, it can damage the property or landscaping around it. A crack in the concrete and tears in vinyl liners are two common causes of a leak that signal the need of an immediate repair. If the heavy rain caused any malfunctioning of the pool pump, it will most likely require a repair from a professional pool serviceman from Champions Pool Repair and Service.
Since it is officially Hurricane Season in South Texas, it’s in your best interest to protect your pool and know the best tips to be prepared. Here’s what you can do:
Pool maintenance is an arduous task. This is why it’s important to hire pool professionals who can maintain, clean, and assess any damages to your pool and equipment. Proper maintenance and care will increase the life and enjoyment of your pool making sure you get the most out of your investment.
Don’t settle for a sub-par pool repair. Get with the leading experts at Champions Pool Supply & Service for top-notch service. Contact us by calling us at (281)355-8504 for our Louetta location or (346) 336-6713 for our Kuykendahl location and schedule a time that works for you.
Having a pool makes a world of difference during the hot lazy days of summer. Families who have a pool are often hosts to relatives and friends when the months start to heat up. You can relax in your pool after a hard day at work, or you can watch your children have fun playing on a weekend while enjoying dinner outside.
Pools are fun but require a lot of maintenance. You must consistently check the water’s chemicals to ensure all levels are balanced and safe for swimmers. If the chemicals are not at an optimal level, you may have to use specific chemical balancing products other than just chlorine. Adding agents to your pool to correct something like a pH issue requires the use of sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid. If not done by a trained professional, adding these chemicals can be dangerous to your health. The sodium powder particles can float through the air when adding to the water and get into your eyes and onto your skin, causing irritation. Muriatic acid can also cause issues such as burns to your skin if you are not careful. The acid’s vapor, if ingested, can lead to severe respiratory problems.
Hiring a professional like Champions Pool Service & Repair is your best bet for quality pool care and service to keep it swim ready all year round. It’s always better for the health and lifespan of the pool, as well as your investment of time and money, to hire a swimming pool service or pool service professional. Leave it to the pros at Champions for regular maintenance to keep your pool a beautiful centerpiece to your backyard.
Champions professionals will routinely clean and maintain your pool on a schedule that works best for you at a price you can’t beat. We pride ourselves on always using professional quality cleaning products, equipment, and supplies from the trusted brand Bioguard. Our service professionals will make sure to scrub down all the walls and tiles of your swimming pool to ensure it is free from algae and debris before vacuuming to leave beautifully blue sparkling water.
We provide more than just cleaning! As a leader in swimming pool services in Spring, Tomball, and The Woodlands, Texas, areas, Champions Pool Repair & Service also performs most all repairs as a result of damages or leaks. After an assessment from one of our pool professionals, we will either recommend a repair or a replacement to get your pool back to blue.
Champions started in Spring, Texas, and is still going strong because we tackle any job related to your pool and even do pool remodeling and renovations near you. We have a large stock of all the Bioguard pool supplies you need that never skimp out on performance and value.
We are excited to inform you we have expanded our store to a new Champions Pool Repair and Service location! We’re still open and thriving at our Louetta location in, Spring, Texas, but now have a second store open on Kuykendahl Road in Tomball, Texas, for quality pool care. Our expansion means that we are able to cover larger areas outside of Spring and Tomball for all your pool needs.
Our new store in Tomball has all the same great products as our Spring location with the same amazing prices. We have the best technicians for repairs and maintenance, so every day and all season long, your pool will be beautifully clear and clean.
If you’re interested in any of our pool services, come in and visit one of our Champions Pool Repair and Supplies locations in the Spring and Tomball areas. As a welcome to the neighborhood, we are offering a 10% discount on all first-time purchases at the NEW Creekside store. To place an order or speak to a member of our staff, you can reach the Louetta store at (281) 355-8504 or our new location in Tomball, Texas, at (346) 336-6713.
Swimming pool maintenance is something you can’t avoid when owning a pool. Now that it’s summer, you just want to relax in the cool water or enjoy the time with your family. So it’s time to keep your pool chemically balanced and properly sanitized.
Maintaining the proper chemical balance in your pool water not only keeps the water clean and safe, it also helps protect the components of your pool, like the filter and pump, from excessive damage.
What is the pH Level in Your Pool?
The pH level of your pool water is the measure of its acidity. The acids and the alkalis need to be balanced. Water that is either too acidic or too alkaline will make the chemicals in your pool unbalanced and potentially ineffective.
If the water is too alkaline, the chlorine will lose its power to destroy pathogens and can cause scaling on the surface of the pool and the plumbing. You’ll know if there’s too much alkaline if the pool water becomes cloudy.
If the water is too acidic, the chlorine will dissipate faster, corrode metal equipment, cause irritation and dryness to the skin and stinging to the eyes.
If both the acid and alkaline are too high, the effectiveness of the chlorine will be drastically reduced. This signifies the importance of a properly balanced pool.
How to lower pH level in pool
The pH in chlorine pools can get high over time or because there are too many chemicals in the water.
The two main chemicals that are used to bring down the pH levels of a pool are sodium bisulfate and muriatic acid.
Sodium Bisulfate
Also called “dry acid,” is a chemical that comes in a powder form. If you are looking for it at a pool supply store, it’s often referred to as “pH Decreaser.”
To use the product, pour it into your return jet sites, which is where the water enters the pool. Then allow the dry acid to dissolve—about 15 minutes. You will need to repeat the process if the pH and alkalinity remain too high.
Muriatic Acid
This chemical comes in a liquid form and balances your pool chemistry by lowering total alkalinity and pH levels that have become too high. It’s also known as hydrochloric acid, and since it’s a strong chemical, you should always use it with caution and store access product in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area.
Most pool-owners are familiar with this chemical acid because it’s commonly used to clean pool filters.
To use the liquid, turn the pump off and pour it into the deepest end of the water. Or, you can add it to the pool at the return jets. Your pump will then disseminate the acid throughout the water.
Champions Dependable Pool Services
Adding sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid to your pool can be dangerous if not done correctly. It can also be difficult when trying to lower the pH, as you need to know with proper measurement and accuracy what adjustments you should make. Muriatic acid is very caustic. If you’re not careful, in seconds the product can burn your skin, and the acid’s vapor can lead to severe respiratory problems.
Using a swimming pool maintenance service is your best bet to regular care and cleaning. You can attempt to find inventive ways to get the job done on your own, leaving the potential for injury, or stay safe and leave it to a dependable swimming pool maintenance service who can professionally clean your pool so you don’t risk you or your family’s health.
So whether you choose muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate when the pH balance is off, it’s best to leave it to professionals like Champions dependable pool services to ensure your pool is crystal clear all summer long and beyond.
If you’re interested in hiring a dependable pool service, look no further than Champions Pool Repair and Service. Call (261)355-8504 for peace of mind and ensure this summer your pool is relaxing and worry-free.
Now that summer is just around the corner, it is about time to get ready and start using your pool more often. The weather will soon be perfect for enjoying a refreshing swim or letting the kids splash around while still remaining socially distant and safe at home. This is why it is important to test your pool water as soon as possible to ensure it is sanitary and will be ready to enjoy. So how often should you test your pool water?
The answer is, regularly. A pool water test kit can be handy, and it will tell you what needs to be cleaned or adjusted. But in most cases, hiring a professional will take out all of the guess work leaving more free time to enjoy the pool. If you are still interested in knowing how to analyze your water, we’ve put together a handy list of what you should be testing for and when.
Topics Covered
Chlorine is the most important chemical to add to your pool because it effectively sanitizes it.
Frequency: You should check your levels at least two or three times a week. If you don’t, your pool water may turn green much faster as the temperature is rising.
pH levels and chlorine work in tandem. If you keep your pH balanced, you will know the chlorine is cleaning your pool water.
Frequency: Two or three times a week. In effect, testing your pH levels should happen on the same days when you check your chlorine.
Total alkalinity or TA is the measure of the pool water’s ability to resist changes in pH. TA is important to check because it acts as a buffer to keep the pH levels balanced.
It is essential for you to know how much TA substances are in your pool water. Unbalanced alkalinity can lead to severe damage to your pool’s structures. If the TA is low, then corrosion, scaling, and staining may result. If TA is high, your water will turn murky.
Frequency: Check your TA levels once a week.
Calcium hardness can also damage your pool. It is important to maintain your calcium hardness because this allows the pool water to be in proper chemical balance with no damaging effects. If the calcium hardness is too low, the water can corrode the surfaces of your pool. If the calcium is too high, the pool water will become cloudy.
Frequency: The good news is that you don’t have to check for calcium hardness frequently. You only have to do this once a month.
5. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is checking all the substances that have dissolved in your pool water. Some common solids that can cause damage are magnesium, sulfates and irons. However, it is important to know this rule: Everything that has been added to your water, increases the TDS and will change the balance of the water. This means airborne things such as dust and falling leaves or debris, dead bugs and other contaminants. This also includes everything a swimmer brings into the water, such as sweat, hair, sunscreen, tanning lotion or oils and grooming products. High TDS levels decrease the efficacy of the chlorine in your pool and can lead to eye and skin irritations for swimmers.
Unfortunately, removing TDS can be difficult. To lower the TDS level, you may have to drain your pool water level down or completely and refill it with fresh water. Pool filters won’t solve the problem, as they do not remove suspended particles in the water.
Frequency: Add fresh water periodically. This will keep your TDS level in check.
Your swimming pool needs regular maintenance if you want to protect your investment and keep your loved ones safe while swimming. You can use a water test kit, but remember, deciphering it can be tricky.
The leading smart lab water testing resource near you is Champions Pool Repair & Services. You can call us at (281) 355-8504 or send us a message at https://championspools.com/contacts/ and we’ll let you know the process to have your pool’s water tested and how we can assist. Trust your safety and summer swimming fun to our expert services and technicians to lengthen the life span of your pool.
Champions Pool Repair and Services would like to send well wishes to our customers and their families during this time. We truly value your business and want to thank you for choosing us to service all your pool needs.
We know many of our customers and their children are at home, remaining safe and compliant, with this city-wide order. We’ve all been sanctioned to stay at home and have been told to only go out when it’s absolutely necessary. This would include going grocery shopping or seeing your doctor, if you’re feeling ill. But even then, we must practice social distancing, and are urged to wear masks when in public scenarios.
Champions Pool Repair and Supply would like to send well wishes to our customers and their families. During the COVID-19 Stay Home - Work Safe order, we remain open with the same operating hours, for our customers and community. We are honoring all scheduled pool maintenance & pool cleaning services.
The advantages of a small business over a large one is a matter of preference, especially in the pool service industry. Homeowners often ask, “What are the benefits of a small-scale business?” The answer - There are many advantages to utilizing a small business vs large ones. Here are a few: