15. Jul. 2022 / by /   Water Quality / 0 comments

Maintaining Proper Pool And Spa Calcium Levels

Do you have calcium concerns? No, we aren’t talking about nutrition but water chemistry! Calcium is a mineral that is common in Iowa tap water. If you’ve ever scrubbed hard water scale, you know how frustrating calcium deposits are. In pools and spas, unbalanced calcium will throw off your water quality.

This FAQ will tell you everything you need to know about calcium, why it’s damaging to pools and spas, and how to correct it.

And if you want to see a massive chunk of calcium that one of our techs had to chisel out of a pool heater, watch our Splashy Segment Calculating Calcium!

Q: What is the ideal range for calcium?

A: Calcium should be within 200-400 ppm (parts per million) for concrete pools and 150-250 ppm for hot tubs. You can use a normal test strip to get an accurate reading.

Q: Why are calcium levels so important?

A: Because calcium is naturally occurring, there’s no way to avoid it. Calcium affects whether water is too hard or soft – both of which create problems. It has to be just right, which is why it’s essential to always monitor water quality.

Q: Why is high calcium a problem?

A: Calcium that’s over 400 ppm will become a visible issue. It usually appears as stubborn scale that’s dingy white. It’s abrasive too, snagging bathing suits and scratching skin.

It will also collect on the insides of your pool or spa components. It can clog filters, making it more difficult to screen other particles. Calcium deposits can also decrease pipe diameter, creating pressure issues. Scale also acts as an insulator on hot tub heaters, making them less effective.

High calcium may also present as cloudy water. If you’ve shocked and added clarifier but the water’s still murky, calcium is likely to blame.

Q: Is it true your calcium can be too low?

A: Yes! Don’t let calcium fall below 200 ppm. Despite its name, soft water is actually corrosive. That’s because low pH means high acidity.

Acids love to create trouble. They can etch surfaces (metal and acrylic alike), irritate skin, dissolve grout and plaster, and pit concrete. They can even cause your hot tub heater to malfunction by eroding its metal parts.

Q: Yikes! How do I fix my calcium levels?

A: If it’s too low, simply add a calcium hardness product to your water. We recommend Brilliance Calcium Hardness for spas or X for pools. Make sure to follow the directions for your gallonage and retest afterward to confirm calcium is at the right level.

The fix for high calcium is more costly – drain and refill. It’s not a big deal with a hot tub (read our refresher on draining spas). But that process is harder and more expensive with a pool. That’s why your best option is to never let calcium get too high in the first place.

For more tips on how to stay on top of water chemistry:

15. Jun. 2022 / by /   Hot Tub Ownership / 0 comments

Three Quick Fixes for Cloudy Hot Tub Water

Is your hot tub water cloudy? Don’t fret – it’s a commonplace issue that every spa owner faces eventually. While it’s a mild annoyance, cloudy water is incredibly easy to fix.

The first thing to know is what you are looking for. Cloudy water doesn’t look dramatically dirty like dish water. It’s often just a light haze. Or it’s as subtle as lacking your normal sparkle. You might also notice foam. None of it is dangerous, but cloudy water is a sign your water isn’t fully protected. Definitely don’t ignore it.

The cause is usually contamination. Like having a hot tub party and forgetting to shock afterward (happens to the best of us!). Or traveling for an extended time. Or it was just your luck that you accidentally left off the cover and it stormed.

Whatever the culprit, fixing cloudy water is pretty straightforward. Use these three tips to remove that haze and get back to enjoying your clean and clear spa water.

1) Clean Filters

When did you last clean your hot tub filters? It should be once a week. Yes, it’s their job to collect particles from plants and body lotions – it’s your job to regularly remove that debris.

Simply pull out the filters and give them a good manual clean. Scrub away any grime and gently spray off with a garden hose.

You can also add a liquid filter cleaner (we have options in store). It helps dissolve oil, scale and mineral deposits. It’s a great way to preserve filter performance.

2) Check Sanitizer

Next go for your test strips. Cloudy water may be a sign that your sanitizer levels are low. Remember that the harder your chemicals have to work, the less effective they become over time. It’s routine to need to replenish.

This is true whether your sanitizer is chlorine, bromine, or a hydrogen peroxide product like Baquacil. With cloudy water, you should only need a small amount to correct levels. Don’t dump in chemicals – use the measurements on the package.

3) Add Water Clarifier

Your water might also benefit from a clarifier. Sometimes cloudiness is caused by superfine particles that are too small for your filter to handle. A clarifier will bind them together into a larger clump that the filter can catch. Don’t worry if you see a residue starting to form – that means it’s working!

Cloudy water is usually corrected in a few days. If not, bring in a sample to our store for a free water test – it’s possible your alkalinity or pH is too high, for example, or there’s an algae issue. It might also be worth seeing if your hot tub cover is no longer sealing properly or has a tear.

For more tips on hot tub chemistry and maintenance:

31. May. 2022 / by /   Pool Design / 0 comments

3 Decorative Designs for Concrete Pool Decks

No pool is complete without its deck! It’s the perfect place to lounge by the water on your favorite patio furniture. It also forms a splash zone away from your landscaping and house.

Concrete is the go-to material because it’s durable, readily available, and affordable. But there’s no reason that your deck has to look the same as your driveway or sidewalks. Our friends at Delaney Concrete Contractor describe three ways to transform concrete decking into a pleasing hard surface.

1) Stamped and Stenciled

Want the look of luxury decking materials but without the cost? Stamped and stenciled decks are a cool way to create beautiful patterns. They are completely customizable with color too!

Stamped concrete is made by lightly pressing a mold into the top of the concrete. This leaves a slight imprint that adds depth and texture. The pattern can mimic a range of materials, such as:

  • Brick
  • Cobblestone
  • Natural stone like slate, flagstone, or travertine
  • Wood grains
  • Tiles and pavers

Stencils can also be used to add unique designs. They work just like stenciling a wall with paint. Shapes are traced into the concrete using paper cutouts. This option is especially good at imitating brick and stone tile without having deep grout lines.

“Both stamped and stenciled decks need to be sealed every few years,” says Brad Sevcik, manager for Delaney Concrete Contractor. “This additional step will increase protection against harsh weather and pool water chemicals. It will also help prevent any color from fading in the sun’s UV rays.”

Keep in mind that these looks require skilled labor and additional time to achieve. This might affect your project’s timeline and budget. But the tradeoff is that you’ll have a beautiful design that will last for the life of the concrete.

2) Stained

Do you have a bold sense of style? Skip conventional grey and have fun with color! Stained concrete is a wonderful way to add some personality to your pool deck. Hues can be anything from deep charcoal greys and soothing walnut browns to rusty reds and sunbaked yellows.

“Tint is mixed into the wet concrete. Because of material variations, you’ll achieve a distinct shade that no one else will have,” explains Sevcik.

3) Brushed

Do you want a traditional or minimalist vibe around your pool? Then opt for brushed concrete, which is your classic deck. It has a light texture that is created with an actual broom that is pushed across the top of poured concrete.

This slight impression is a helpful safety feature. It adds grip so slipping isn’t an issue. It’s also low maintenance as no sealing is required. And because brushed is the standard option, so it won’t add any expense to your project.

Want to learn more about pool decks? We have you covered!

15. May. 2022 / by /   Pool Maintenance, Pool Ownership / 0 comments

Pool Opening Staples To Have On Hand

Hello summer! We are all about the warmer weather and sunny days. And there’s no better way to celebrate the season than a relaxing dip in the pool. Before you hop in, stock up on these six staples. Read on or watch our Splashy Segment for our favorite picks!

1) Shock

Back when you closed your pool last fall, you should have raised the chlorine levels up to 5 ppm. This step adds extra sanitizing power throughout the off season – you still need to keep bacteria and algae out even if you aren’t using the water!
But over the winter and spring, a lot of that chlorine was spent and needs to be replenished. This is why you need pool shock – to restore chlorine levels to the acceptable range. This is especially necessary if you did a partial drain over the cold months and recently refilled with fresh water.

We recommend Poolife TurboShock. How much you need to add will depend on how high or low your chlorine levels are. What’s nice is that any leftover shock is smart to have on hand. You’ll always be ready to correct your chemistry after a pool party or a significant storm.

2) Test Strips

So small, but so important! Test strips are a simple way to check your water quality. Just dip and wait for a reading.
For more detailed testing, bring in an 8-ounce sample for a free analysis. We will evaluate chlorine, alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric, copper, iron, manganese, TDS (total dissolved solids), phosphates, and salt.

3) Algaecide

Algae has its place in our ecosystem, just not in our pools! This nuisance microbe generally isn’t toxic, but it can turn your water murky and burn through your chemicals (read our post How To Combat Algae In Your Pool). That’s why an algaecide is your friend.

Our trusted brand is Poolife Algae Bomb 30. It tackles three types of algae: green, yellow, and black. Even if your pool doesn’t have an algae problem at the start of the season, one can bloom at any point. Always have this on hand. You can also use it as a preventive treatment.

4) Phosphate Remover

Where there’s algae, there’s usually a phosphate problem. This mineral salt is a major nutrient to algae. It gets into your water from the most innocent sources – sunscreen, makeup, plant debris, and even rainwater. For a deeper dive on phosphates, check out our Splashy Segment or read How Phosphates Affect Pool Water.

Ultima PhosFIGHT Plus is our favorite product. You can use it whether you have phosphates or want to add it proactively on a weekly basis.

5) Clarifier

Has your water lost its sparkle? No matter how hard your filters and chemicals are working, sometimes tiny particles can accumulate in your pool. They’re nearly invisible by themselves but they can make your water cloudy. This is a situation for a clarifier.

Have TurboBlu Clarifier from Poolife in your stockpile. It will bind particles together so they become large enough for your filter to catch. The solution will also improve filter efficiency, in case that was the culprit of your hazy water. This is another treatment that should be used on a weekly basis; dosing is 1 ounce per every 5,000 gallons.

6) Accessories

Ok, now that you have all of your chemical needs, what’s next? Fun! Seriously, owning a pool is all about getting some R&R. That’s why we carry accessories like floaties and towels that will jumpstart your summer vibe.

Need help opening your pool? Schedule with our service department at 319-200-7665. You can also read about our other opening tips:

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