Tag Archive for: Pool Service

Pollen Season is around the corner!

Is Pollen in Your Pool?

Pollen can be identified as such:

  1. Pollen tends to stick to the pool tile at the waterline
  2. Pollen will also stick to the inside of your skimmer
  3. Pollen on the surface is easily wind blown into a corner

What’s Wrong With Pollen?

Besides the allergy issues, pollen in the pool can upset your pool water chemistry and clog up filtration systems.

  • Accumulates inside of skimmer walls and along tile line
  • Oily pollen particles clog tiny pores in pool filter media
  • Can mix with dirt to form ugly water line scum and stains
  • Pollen contains phosphates, bacteria and other organics

Removing Pollen from Your Pool

Eventually the pollen will filter out on its own, but if you want to speed the process along, there are ways to remove pollen from a pool very quickly.

7-ways to Remove Pollen from Pools

  1. Natural Chemistry First Aid; a blend of classifiers and enzymes
  2. The Slime Bag; heavy fabric filter bag attaches to pool wall return
  3. The Skim Bag; heavy fabric filter bag drops into skimmer basket
  4. Filter Savers; fine mesh socks stretch over skimmer or pump baskets
  5. Jack’s Magic Fiber Filter Stuff as a filter aid to improve performance

 

Some Reference: intheswim

Contact us today to request a quote or schedule a pool cleaning.

What homeowners can learn at our pool care School Day

Our school day service teaches you the ins and outs of pool maintenance

 

A hobby for some, and a chore for others, keeping your pool clean can be an intimidating task if you try to learn it all on your own.

 

Luckily, Fratelli Pool Service is here to teach you everything you need to know about maintaining a crystal clear pool! 

 

Keep reading to learn more about our educational pool care School Day.

 

What will I learn?

When you book our School Day service, one of our trained, licensed pool technicians will visit your home and give you an in-person lesson taking you through the right pool cleaning process step by step. 

 

You’ll learn important skills including how to: 

  • Correctly use your pool equipment (motor, pump, valves, heater, etc.)
  • Properly brush and skim your pool
  • Replenish your chlorine safely
  • Balance the pool chemicals 
  • Administer shock and algaecide 
  • Check, clean and change your pool filter.

 

Why should I sign up?

During your School Day session, our knowledgeable pool tech will answer any questions you may have and let you know how often you need to clean your pool in order to maintain a healthy swimming environment for your family. 

 

Consistently taking care of your pool stops bacteria and algae from growing and prevents damage from debris. You’ll not only learn how to complete these tasks, but you will also learn why these tasks are so important to keep your pool functioning perfectly. 

 

If you would like more information regarding our weekly pool service and what you will be learning during your school day, visit our services page here

 

Ready to book your School Day?

You can get in touch via our contact form or call us at (407) 267-0342.

 

If you’d rather leave the pool care to the pros, you can schedule a service consultation here.

 

We’re social! You can find us on Facebook and Instagram.

 

From green to great: How to clean a green swimming pool

Learn why your pool might go green, how to clean it, and how to stop it happening again

 

It’s the start of summer, which means it’s the perfect weather to get outdoors and enjoy your swimming pool!

 

But what do you do if your pool is looking a little green around the gills? Keep reading to learn what causes a swimming pool to go green, how to clean it, and how to prevent it from happening again in the future.

 

Why does a swimming pool turn green?

Swimming pools can turn green for a number of reasons.

 

  • Chemical imbalance

An imbalanced pool is the most common cause of a green swimming pool. If your pool doesn’t have enough chlorine, algae can quickly begin to grow. It’s the rapid growth of this algae which causes the pool water to look green.

 

  • A dirty deck

When dirt enters your pool from the surrounding area, it can make your water look green. Grime and slime can build up on your deck’s surface as a result of rain or heavy foot traffic, and this gets transferred to the water when people jump in for a swim.

 

  • Lots of pool use

Pool parties are fun, but they can take their toll on your pool! When lots of people use your pool in a short space of time, the effect of your pool chemicals can wear off quicker. This gives algae the chance to start growing.

 

  • Use of pool heater

High water temperatures can cause your chlorine to be used up faster than normal. Again, this gives algae the opportunity to start growing in your pool.

 

  • Excessive rain

All those heavy Florida downpours add a lot of extra water to your pool! This excess untreated water can cause the carefully balanced chemicals in your pool to become unbalanced, fast.

 

  • Oxidized metals

The presence of certain metals, like copper, in your pool water can cause big problems. They can be introduced when the source water is acidic, through cheap algaecides or from metal components in your pool equipment.

When you shock your pool, the process can oxidize the metals in the water. If they are present in high enough quantities, they will turn your pool water green. If left untreated, these metals may stain your pool’s surface—and they can even turn your hair green if you swim in it!

 

  • Airborne pollen

Did you know that excessive amounts of pollen in the air can have a big impact on your pool? Airborne pollen particles can often be too small for your pool filter to remove, so they settle on the surface of the water instead. This can give your pool a green or yellow look.

 

Is it safe to swim in a green swimming pool?

A green swimming pool is not always unsafe, but it’s definitely a red flag that something isn’t quite right.

While most algae is not harmful to humans, be warned: if algae can grow in your pool, then other things—like bacteria—can grow there too!

Nasty bacteria that can make you sick can enter your body through even a small cut, or through your eyes, ears, nose and throat. Algae can also be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects.

Our advice is to get that green swimming pool cleaned right away!

 

How do I clean a green swimming pool?

The first step in restoring your pool is to use a chemical test kit to determine the extent of the problem. Once you know what your levels are, you must add more chemicals to rebalance the water.

Then, check the pool filter is working correctly, remove any debris, thoroughly scrub the sides and bottom of your pool, and add pool shock to kill the remaining algae.

Once it’s safe to do so, use a pool vacuum to remove all of the dead algae and re-check the chemical levels. If your pool is still looking a little green, you may have to repeat the process.

 

How can I stop my swimming pool turning green?

No one wants a green swimming pool! The secret to avoiding it is to keep your pool properly maintained.

You can prevent algae from growing in the first place by:

  • Making sure your pool’s chlorine and pH levels remain steady
  • Keeping your pool filter clean and in full working condition
  • Keeping the pool surface clean and free from debris.

 

How our Green Pool Treatment works

If your swimming pool is green, don’t despair. Give us a call and we’ll transform your pool from green to great in as little as two days!

We use commercial-grade treatments that act quickly and safely to destroy algae, kill bacteria, and restore your pool’s chemical balance.

With our Green Pool Treatment, your pool will be back to a sparkling clear blue in no time—all you need to do is dive in and enjoy a swim!

Here are the before and after photos of green pool treatments we recently did for two residential customers in the Orlando area.

 

 

 

Ready to book your Green Pool Treatment?

You can get in touch via our contact form or call us at (407) 267-0342.

 

We’re social! You can find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Fratelli Blog | What should you look for in a pool cleaning company?

What should you look for in a pool cleaning company?

Learn how to choose a pool cleaning company that ticks all the boxes

What should you look for in a pool cleaning company?

Do you find yourself spending more time taking care of your pool than you do enjoying it? If your answer is yes, it may be time to think about hiring a professional pool cleaning company.

 

In Orlando, the weather is always perfect for a swim—so it’s important to keep your pool pristine all year round! To help you decide who’s up to the job, we’ve put together a list of the 5 most important things to look for when hiring a pool cleaning company.

 

 

  • Choose a company that’s licensed and insured

When you’re researching a pool cleaning company, make sure you ask for their credentials. A licensed, insured pool cleaning company will uphold higher service standards than an unlicensed pool cleaner—plus, you’re protected if anything goes wrong when they’re servicing your pool.

 

Ask how many years they’ve been in business and how many pools they take care of. If they don’t have a website or social media presence, ask them to share customer testimonials and photos of the pools they’ve serviced.

 

 

  • Clear communication

You can learn a lot about a pool cleaning company just from the first interactions you have with them. Do they respond promptly and professionally to phone calls and messages? Do they take the time to listen to what you need? Do they provide a comprehensive quote that lists all of the charges upfront?

 

These first communications with a prospective pool cleaning company can tell you a lot about how things are likely to go once you hire them. If they respond in a timely manner, answer all of your questions and act professionally throughout, there’s a big chance they’ll do a great job taking care of your pool, too.

 

 

  • Comprehensive pool cleaning

Don’t hire a pool cleaning company that only does half the job! There’s not much point paying a professional to take care of your pool if you’ll still have to do some of the dirty work yourself.

 

Look for a pool cleaning company that offers more than just chemical analysis and water balancing. Comprehensive pool cleaning should always include:

  • Cleaning the pool walls, tiles and water line
  • Skimming the pool surface
  • Cleaning the skimmer and pump baskets
  • Cleaning the pool filter
  • Inspecting all pool equipment.

 

Regular inspection of your pool equipment can actually help you save money in the long run. Keeping everything well-maintained will help to extend the life of your equipment and may mean fewer costly repair bills in the future.

 

 

  • Read the reviews

Before hiring a pool cleaning company, check out their reviews on Google and Facebook. Pay close attention to what customers say about the quality of the work as well as the promptness, reliability and professionalism of the pool cleaning team.

 

 

  • Don’t forget the finishing touches

To help you keep the area around your pool beautifully maintained, an experienced pool cleaning company may also offer some great extra services in addition to weekly pool cleaning. These extra services may include:

  • Deep cleaning of pool tiles
  • Pressure washing the pool deck and screen
  • School day (educational sessions for homeowners to help them learn how to take care of their pool).

 

If you’re looking for a certified, insured and licensed pool cleaning company in Orlando, we’re here to help!

 

Fratelli Pool Service has been serving the Greater Orlando area since 2016. We take great pride in our work, helping both residential customers and property management companies keep their pools beautifully clean and perfectly maintained.

 

Our goal is to always exceed our customers’ expectations. We are CPO certified, licensed and insured for your protection.

 

Ready to request a quote?

You can get in touch via our contact form or call us at (407) 267-0342.

 

We’re social! You can find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Make A Skimming and Scrubbing A Part Of Life

Skimming the leaves and debris off of the surface of the water is a no-brainer, but it bears repeating. For a truly pristine pool, skimming should be done daily.

If you have a bit of money to spend, consider buying a robot vacuum that will clean the bottom of the pool for you.

In addition to skimming, you need to scrub the sides of the pool to prevent algae build-up. Thankfully, that doesn’t need to be done quite as often. You can get away with scrubbing once every other week. Just look for any growths and go at them with a scrub brush to keep your siding looking fresh and clean.

For those particularly stubborn spots that won’t go away with any amount of elbow grease? Repurpose an old sock. Fill it with chlorine and let it sit on top of the spot for a few hours before scrubbing once more. The chlorine will eat away at the algae and you’ll finally have a use for those socks without pairs. It’s a win-win.

Fratellli Blog | How To Test your pool water accurately

How to Test Pool Water Accurately

How To Proceed With Pool Water Test

It’s important to learn how to test pool water, and do it at least once a week to make sure the pH and alkalinity are balanced, and to keep your sanitizer level in check (i.e. chlorine at 3 ppm).

What most pool owners don’t know, however, is there’s a right and wrong way to test your water, no matter what type of testing you’re doing. It all starts with the water sample.

You can watch a full video on how to test pool water, or read below (or both).

 

The Water Sample

There are 3 ways to test pool water:

  • Liquid test kit
  • Test strips
  • Taking your sample to a local pool store to have it professionally checked.

To take a proper water sample, use a clean cup or bottle (with cap if you’re taking it to the pool store) and hold it upside down so that the opening is facing the floor. Insert into the water elbow-deep and turn it right side up to collect the sample. Do not take the sample near any return jets or skimmer opening. If possible, take the sample from the absolute middle of your pool.

Now you can take this sample to your pool store or check it yourself.

Using Test Strips

For home testing, this is my personal favorite. It’s easy to do and very accurate – much more accurate than using a liquid test kit because of human error when it comes to matching up the colors and using chemical droplets.

Take your water sample and quickly dip one, dry strip into the water. Hold it still in the air for about 15 seconds (do not shake off the excess water). Then match up the colors of the strip to the back of the bottle to get your readings.

There are all different kinds of test strips you can buy that check for all sorts of things, but you really only need to check for pH, alkalinity and free chlorine.

Use test strips at least once a week. I like to check my water every other day. And bring a sample to your local pool store once a month to have it professionally checked – also when opening and closing your pool.

Using a Liquid Test Kit

There are very advanced liquid test kits, but for home use, just stick with pH and chlorine or phenol red and OTO. Phenol red is a red chemical you add to a small sample of water to check the pH. The redder the water, the higher the pH.

OTO is the chemical that tests for total chlorine. It’s a yellow liquid you add to your sample. The more yellow, the more chlorine.

With a liquid test kit, it’s hard to see the low end of the colors. Make sure you use a white background to examine the colors to be accurate.

Happy Swimming!

 

Font: https://www.swimuniversity.com/test-pool-water/

Tips to Remove Wrinkles From a Pool Liner

There is nothing quite like the soft and slick feeling of a pool liner on your feet while you swim. However, sometimes those liners can become wrinkled. If that happens, what are you to do?

Dealing with pool liner wrinkles is just part of owning a pool with a liner, so you need to be prepared to deal with them when they happen. There are many ways you can remove wrinkles from a pool liner that are relatively easy for you to do yourself, although it will take a little bit of work.

Tips to Remove Liner Wrinkles

If you have noticed wrinkles in the liner of your pool, then the time has come to act. Don’t allow those wrinkles to sit there for too long. The longer they are allowed to exist, the tougher it will be to get rid of them. Try the following tips to remove wrinkles from a pool liner so your feet don’t have to touch those ugly wrinkles whenever you go for a swim.

Tip 1 – Fill Your Pool

Sometimes wrinkles can form after the pool has sat for an extended period of time. If your pool water is low or you need to replace the water after it has sat there for a while, then try filling your pool with fresh water and slowly working the wrinkles out as you fill the pool.

Tip 2 – Start Walking

One of the easiest ways you can get rid of at least some of those wrinkles is by putting on some soft soled shoes and walking across the wrinkles gently stretching then from one side or another as you go. This will often take care of most minor wrinkles without you having to do anything else, but some wrinkles may be tougher to remove.

Tip 3 – Grab a Plunger

Believe it or not, a toilet plunger is a great tool for pulling out those wrinkles in your pool. Place the plunger on either side of the wrinkle and then plunge. This will pull the liner each way removing that wrinkle once and for all. Just make sure you use a clean, unused plunger for the task. After all, who wants to swim in water that has had your nasty toilet plunger in it?

Tip 4 – Warm up the Pool

Liners often develop wrinkles in colder water. These colder temperatures cause the liner to harden forcing it to wrinkle. Before you try anything, you may want to consider trying to heat the water up to 92 degrees Fahrenheit so the liner softens. You can then work out the wrinkles with a pool brush, your feet and even the plunger solution we talked about above.

Tip 5 – Drain the Water

Sometimes, the wrinkles may be so bad that you have no choice but to completely drain the pool. Once all the water is gone, you can then take a shop vac and use it to suck out those wrinkles one by one. When you do this, make sure that the liner remains wet at all times and be sure you vacuum between the frame and the liner instead of directly on the liner as the shop vac could damage the liner.

Tip 6 – Check Your Landscape

Double check your landscape to see if any trees, bushes or shrubs are directing water where it shouldn’t be or even extending into your pool area. If you have noticed any shifting of the ground, you will need to take the proper steps to shore up the ground so it doesn’t continue to shift. Once this is done, you can get rid of those wrinkles and they shouldn’t return.

Tip 7 – Watch for Leaks

One of the most dangerous causes of wrinkles can be small water leaks. These leaks allow water to get underneath the liner forcing it up in places. When this happens, you will need to locate the leak quickly and you may even have to drain the pool to patch it properly before you can start pulling out those unsightly wrinkles.

Tip 8 – Blow Out the Liner

If all else fails, you can try draining your pool and then blowing out the liner itself. Using a shop vac in reverse, place the hose between the liner and the frame and turn it on. This will push air between the liner and frame and push those wrinkles right out of the liner. Once they have come out, reverse the suction again and pull out the excess air that you have pushed under your liner.

Tip 9 – Call in the Pros

No matter how much or how hard you work on your pool liner, sometimes you have to call in the professionals. Draining your pool regularly to try and fix wrinkles can put the structure of your pool in danger, not to mention cost you an arm and a leg in water bills. If you have tried everything and you still have wrinkles in your pool, then you may want to call for backup.

Tip 10 – Replace the Liner

I have to admit, sometimes you simply won’t be able to get those wrinkles out of your pool liner. Sometimes they are just there to stay and no amount of work will make any difference. If you have reached that point, then the time has come for you to replace that liner with a new one. Just make sure the new one is installed correctly so you don’t notice wrinkles forming in it soon after it has been installed.

Conclusion

Dealing with wrinkles is just part of owning a pool with a liner. These ten tips should help you remove those unsightly wrinkles so your pools liner is as smooth as it was the day it was installed. Remember, pool liner wrinkles look bad and feel even worse on your feet, and the longer they stay there the harder they will be to remove. So make sure you act fast.

By following these tips, you should be able to get rid of those wrinkles with just a little bit of hard work on your part. If you do run into problems, don’t be afraid to call in a professional to help you. In most cases, if you follow these tips you should be able to get rid of the wrinkles in your liner. Once they are gone, you can refill your pool and go back to enjoying a nice long swim to cool off in the warm weather.

Happy Swimming!

Font: https://www.swimuniversity.com/pool-liner-wrinkles/