The Importance of A Pool Safety Cover

pool safety cover

Pool Safety Cover

The statistics don’t lie. With an average of 10 deaths a day by accidental drowning in the USA it is up to everyone who owns a swimming pool to be aware of the steps they can take to help try and prevent these needless deaths.

Even though there are over 80 million residential swimming pools in the USA and these numbers represent a minuscule fraction of the people that swim in them; our goal and yours as a pool owner should be to get this average amount of daily accidental drownings down to zero.

One of the important items you need to ensure your pool is safe is a pool safety cover.

When People are using your pool

When there are people in the pool it is up to you and the supervising adults to keep a close eye on the children. Establish a firm set of rules for your pool that everyone clearly understands and are strictly followed.

When the pool is unattended

This is where a pool safety cover comes in handy. These covers will ensure that no unattended child or animal is able to fall into the pool.

It’s important to check your cover to make sure it is working properly. This will keep your family and pool safe during the entire year.

If your pool isn’t covered, you need a cover that will protect your pool from harm. Contact Cincinnati Pool & Patio and we can find the perfect safety cover for you.

Closed for the Season!

pool-closed sign on door

Closed for the Season!

Closing your pool for winter is the most important step in ensuring it lasts season after season.  But, with so many different how-tos available online how can you be sure you are closing it correctly?  That’s what we’re here for.

We have composed a list of generic steps to help you with your pool closings:

  1. A few days before you plan to close sweep all silt off the bottom of the pool and remove all debris
  2. Two days before closing add a phosphate remover to prevent and kill algae
  3. Run the filter for 24-48hours
  4. On Closing Day add or remove water to reach the level specified in your owner’s manual
  5. Balance the chemistry of your pool: total alkalinity should be between 80-120ppm and the pH between 7.4 and 7.6
  6. Drain pool lines and add antifreeze to prevent damage to your pipes
  7. Turn off all power to support equipment and remove fuses/turn circuit breakers to off
  8. Remove and store ladders, slides, and diving boards
  9. Install your safety cover, winter cover, or leaf net**

**optionally install an air pillow first.  An Air Pillow is a large air pocket underneath your cover that stops water/snow from pooling in the center of your cover

 

Remember, if you have any questions you stop in the store or give our friendly experts a call and we will be more than happy to help you.

Why Should You Add Enzymes to Your Pool?

enzymes, pool

Nobody likes a murky pool with slimy water. Even if you take all the right traditional steps to clean your pool, such as adding chlorine. Sometimes the water can get dirtier and dirtier. Organic contaminants usually cause a floating layer. This collects dirt along the water surface and skimmers. And sometimes that can seem impossible to remove. Many pool experts turn to enzymes to help keep a pool clean.

How can enzymes help keep your pool clean?

Enzymes target organic contaminants.

  • People swimming in your pool leave behind oil and lotion that is made with organic material. Enzymes are a type of protein that, depending on which type you add to your pool, collect oil and lotion filtering through the water. Therefore, this triggers a chemical reaction that eats away at the contaminants.

Enzyme helpers lift the debris to the surface so that you can easily remove it.

  • They have to be carefully tailored to your pools environment and temperature. And a pool care specialist can help you find the right ones for your pool. Usually, these are combined with another chemical called surfactants that make OC enzymes and the captured oil rise to the surface. Through the hard work of both the surfactant and the enzymes, oil and other organic contaminants are broken down and anything left behind can easily be scooped off the surface.

Depending on how many people use your pool, your pool may be gradually building up with layers of oil. Adding enzymes is a great way to clean your pool without any effort or concerns about dangerous chemicals. If you’d like to learn more about pool maintenance and how to keep your cool clean and refreshing, please contact Cincinnati Pool & Patio here.

5 Swimming Pool Opening Tricks To Have You Swimming Sooner

swimming pool, above ground pool

Swimming Pool Tricks

It’s that time again, after months of snow and cold it’s finally time to open your swimming pool for the summer. You’ve been anxiously awaiting warm enough weather to dip your toes in that cool, clear water, but your pool isn’t quite ready for swimmers yet. There’s, unfortunately, some necessary tasks and work that needs to be completed before you can open your pool for the season. If only there were some ways to make this daunting task seem easier. Luckily, we are here to help you with five time-saving tips for opening your pool.

Use your sump pump:

If you’ve had a cover on the swimming pool for the winter, chances are some water has pooled up on it. You can utilize your sump pump to drain the water off before you try to move it. This will help to eliminate excess debris from falling into your swimming pool and also make the cover much easier to move. (You can also create a siphon effect with your garden hose to remove water from the top.)

Use a leaf blower:

If you still have a lot of debris left on your cover, grab your leaf blower and send those leaves and twigs on their way!

Adjust your filter basket to catch tiny debris:

If your swimming pool is looking cloudy or filled with very small particles of leaves and other debris you can help your pool filter by stretching a piece of pantyhose over the filter basket. Then, by just running your filter for a while, you will be catching the finer particles. You can also stretch the pantyhose over your pool skimmer while you are using it. This will help you to collect the small bits and also assist in cleaning the skimmer. When the pantyhose are full, just toss away and add a new piece.

Clean your deck area first:

Always sweep and clean your decking before you begin to clean your swimming pool. Nothing will frustrate you more easily than watching leaves from your deck blow into your freshly skimmed and vacuumed pool.

Brush and Vacuum with a purpose:

When cleaning your pool make sure you start in the shallow end and work your way toward the deep end. Gravity will help to collect debris at the bottom of the deep end as you work your way in that direction.

Want help creating the perfect outdoor oasis? Contact Cincinnati Pool & Patio for ideas on making your swimming pool the highlight of your home.