Welcome to Pool Kings!

Our Weekly Pool Service includes:

• Brushing the Sides walls and Steps
• Netting the Pool (skimming)
• Empty all Baskets
• Backwash Filter when needed (if applicable)
• Check and Add Chemicals
• Overall inspection of system every visit
• Adjusting valves for maximum filtration and proper circulation
• Lube O-Rings when needed
• All You Have to do is Enjoy Your Pool!

Our Special-Occasion Pool Service includes:

• One-Time Clean-up
• Vacation Clean-up
• Green Pool Clean-up
• Party clean-up

Other services we offer are:

• Orientations (Pool School)
• Twice-a-week service
• Twice-a-month service
• Cartridge Filter Clean
• DE Filter Clean
• Salt Cell Clean
• Chemical only service

Our Pool Repair Services include:

• Filters
• Motors
• Pumps
• Salt Systems
• Convert Chlorine Pool to Saltwater Pool
• Heaters and Heat Pumps
• Automatic Cleaning Systems and Pool Vacs
• Plumbing Leaks
• Backwash valves
• Light Fixtures / Bulb and Seal
• Timers
• Solar Covers
• Water Levelers
• Plaster / Pebble Repair
• Rebar Repair
• Slides / Gerardo’s
• Acid Wash
• Chlorine Wash
• Pool Drain with Start Up Chemicals
• Sand Changes
• Tile Clean (Glass Bead Style)
• Raise or Lower Equipment

Our installation services include:

• Filters
• Motors
• Pumps
• Salt Systems
• Heaters and Heat Pumps
• Automatic Cleaning Systems and Pool Vacs
• Automation systems
• Solar Covers
• Water Levelers
• Hand rails in pools & spas
• Aluminum Gazebos
• Pavers
• Artificial Grass

Cartridge Filters:

Have a swimming pool that uses cartridge filters. How often should I clean the swimming pool filters?

The answer can vary from filter to filter, but a general guideline on any swimming pool filter is to clean the cartridges every 3 months. Also take a reading when the filter is clean, then clean the pool filter when the pressure rises about 10 psi. This will prolong the life of the cartridges. With all the dust storms in Arizona you may need to clean your filter more often, depending on the filter psi.

Cartridge Filters can filter down to 6 Microns.

As the filter (cartridge, sand or DE) becomes “clogged” with debris, two things happen:

• the pressure on the filter system rises
• the overall flow rate of the swimming pool circulation drops

When cleaning the filter cartridges, be sure not to use a power washer as this can break down the filter material and decrease the filter life. If it is not perfectly white when you are finished cleaning, it is ok. Be sure all of the large debris is off.

D.E. (Diatomaceous Earth) Filters:

I have a swimming pool that uses a D.E. filter. How often should I clean the swimming pool filter?

The answer can vary from filter to filter, but a general guideline on any swimming pool Diatomaceous Earth Filter is to clean the grids every 6 months. Also take a reading when the filter is cleaned. Then back wash the pool filter when the pressure rises about 7-10 psi.

When the pressure AFTER BACKWASHING AND RECHARGING is STILL 5-10 lbs. Greater than the pressure when you first cleaned the filter, means It is time to completely pull apart, clean and inspect each D.E. filter.

D.E. Filters can filter down to 6 Microns.

When cleaning the filter D.E. grids, be sure not to use a power washer as this can break down the filter material and decrease the filter life. If it is not perfectly white when you are finished cleaning, it is ok. Be sure all of the large debris is off.

With all the dust storms in Arizona you may need to clean your filter more often, depending on the filter psi after back washing. It is always a good rule of thumb to clean your grids every 6 months no matter what your psi is. This will help prolong the life of your grids and keep your pool safe and clean.

As the filter (cartridge, sand or DE) becomes “clogged” with debris, two things happen:

• the pressure on the filter system rises
• the overall flow rate of the swimming pool circulation drops

Sand Filters:

I have a swimming pool that uses a sand filter. How often should I change the swimming pool filter media?

The answer to this is very simple, every 4 to 5 years. At that 5 yr. time frame the sand looses it’s ability to hold the contaminants. The shear motion of the water will in time, round out the sand particle – thus removing the sharp edges that sand naturally has.

Sand filters can filter down to 25 microns

Do I have to run my pool equipment every day? If so, how many hours a day?

• You should run the pool at least 10 to 12 hours every day or long enough for all of the water in the pool to pass through the filter as least once in a 24 hour period.

My pool water is cloudy, what happened to it? How do I fix it?

• Usually cloudy water is caused by dead algae
• Dissolved dirt from a recent rain storm
• A dirty filter
• High PH

To fix a cloudy pool

• Check and adjust free chlorine and Ph
• Clean Filter
• Add Clarifier

If the problem still persists call your pool professional at Pool Kings.

Swimming Pool Chemistry

Sanitizers:

Are used to keep water clear of bacteria and inhibit/control the growth of

viruses, algae and organic contaminants. The two most common pool water sanitizers are Chlorine and Bromine.

pH level:

Acid/base content of water. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. Ideally you should strive to maintain pH levels between 7.2 and 7.6 in order to prevent eye/skin irritation, pool surface and equipment damage. Proper pH can easily be maintained with, pH Plus or pH Minus or muriatic acid.

Total Alkalinity:

The measure of certain minerals in the water. These minerals act as buffering agents and allow you to readily control your pH. In plaster pools, under normal conditions, a measurement of 80 to 120 ppm is ideal. In painted, vinyl or fiberglass pools, a reading between 125 to 175 ppm should be maintained. If the total alkalinity is too low, use Alkalinity Up to

reach the proper level. To bring alkalinity levels down use pH Minus or muriatic acid.

Calcium Hardness:

Measures the level of calcium and magnesium minerals in the water. These minerals exist naturally in all water, but levels vary greatly across the country. An acceptable hardness level is from 225 to 500 ppm hardness for plaster pools and 175 to 250 ppm for vinyl, painted and fiberglass pools. If Hardness is high, it is necessary to drain and refill with fresh water in order to lower the level. Low levels of calcium create

corrosive water which can damage equipment. Raise hardness levels by using Calcium Plus.

Swimming pool problems caused by high calcium hardness levels!

High levels of this part of your pool water chemistry could result in several problems     which include:

• Scaling pool water
• Rough pool and spa surfaces
• Clogged swimming pool filters
• Cloudy water
• Clogged pool heater elements
• Reduction in your pool water circulation
• Possible skin and eye irritations
• Very hard to keep proper balance of other chemicals
• White ring around your tile

Lowering your swimming pool’s total alkalinity in this area of your pool water chemistry is very difficult. This process often requires you to drain your pool and refill it.

Cyanuric Acid (CY)/ stabilizer/ Conditioner (all the same thing)

It’s a hot, sunny day. The sun is so bright that stepping outside is a reminder to put on sunscreen. Only seconds tick away before the first bead of sweat runs down your forehead. It’s the kind of day that lures people into the nearest pool. It is days like this when cyanuric acid is a superhero, protector of the weak.

How Cyanuric Acid Works

Sunlight and its UV radiation can destroy sanitizer in a very short time. Sanitizers act as the pool police, killing unwanted invaders like bacteria and algae in the water, yet they too have weaknesses. The more intense the sun and UV, the quicker the sanitizer degrades, the pool police can’t work well. Chlorine is the most commonly used sanitizer. On a bright sunny day, nearly all of an ideal level of chlorine in an unstabilized (unprotected) pool can be lost in less than two hours. However, chlorine has an advantage, it can be protected from the sun. Cyanuric acid is used as a “stabilizer” for chlorine so that it is more enduring when exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is like sunscreen for your chlorine. Cyanuric acid combines with chlorine to protect it from the UV rays of the sun, but releases it on demand when it is needed to sanitize the water. Cyanuric acid, Triazine-2,4,6-Triol in scientific terms, is an acid with a pH of approximately 4.0. Therefore, cyanuric acid may also shift the pH of the water downward when added directly to a pool.

Why is it important to monitor cyanuric acid levels?

If cyanuric acid is present in the water in sufficient levels, less chlorine degradation occurs. Keeping chlorine in the water longer will help to protect the swimmers in the pool. An ideal level of cyanuric acid, 30 to 80 ppm (parts per million), should be maintained to prevent rapid chlorine loss. Some chlorine compounds have been developed that already contain an amount of cyanuric acid. If you are using “dichlor” or “trichlor” as the primary sanitizer, cyanuric acid is being introduced along with the chlorine. Usually, no additional cyanuric acid is needed when using a stabilized chlorine compound. However, cyanuric acid levels may build up with the continued use of one of these sanitizers. When cyanuric acid levels are high, it will reduce chlorine efficiency, and contribute to high total dissolved solids. Under these conditions it may take chlorine longer to kill bacteria and other microorganisms introduced to the water. If cyanuric acid is high, it is necessary to drain and refill with fresh water in order to lower the level. Local health authorities often require swimming pools to be maintained under 100 ppm. Cyanuric acid levels in pools should not exceed 150 ppm. On the other hand, low cyanuric acid levels (less than 30 ppm) indicate that chlorine will dissipate very quickly when exposed to sunlight.

Salt Levels In PPM

• Salt Chlorination 2,500-3,500
• Human Taste Levels 4,000
• Human Tears/Body 5,000-8,000
• Contact Lens Saline 6,000
• Sea Water 35,000

Salt Requirements

• 1 teaspoon per gallon
• 25 lbs. per 1,000 gallons=3,000 ppm

Adding salt to the pool

• With the filter pump operating from the main drain; add salt into the pool.  Brush the salt until it is no longer visible usually this takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on the water temperature
• Run the filter pump 24 hours to allow salt to completely dissolve

Salt 101

Types of Salt-

• Only use 99% Pure Salt

Salt Requirements

• 1 teaspoon per gallon
• 25 lbs. per 1,000 gallons=3,000 ppm

Adding salt to the pool

• With the filter pump operating from the main drain; add salt into the pool.  Brush the salt until it is no longer visible usually this takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on the water temperature
• Run the filter pump 24 hours to allow salt to completely dissolve

Common Misconceptions

Saltwater is more corrosive than chlorine.

• FACT: 4ppm of chlorine is 10 times more corrosive than 4,000 ppm of salt.

Any type of salt can be used in a swimming pool.

• FACT: Only 99% pure non-ionized salt can be used with electrolytic chlorine generators.

You won’t have to do anything else!

• FACT: All basic water chemistry MUST be tested and properly maintained.

Water will taste salty.

• FACT: The normal human threshold for tasting salt in water is approximately, 4,000ppm.  Most units can produce chlorine with as little as 2,700ppm of salt in the water.

Why Does My Pool Need To Be Drained?

Arizona often has many environmental issues that affect keeping a swimming pool balanced properly. Often, environmental conditions, Cyanuric acid (CYA) or Stabilizer levels are to high, hard water readings (like calcium), total dissolved solids (TDS) and other elements within in the water all contribute to the seasonal need to drain your pool completely.

How does calcium build-up and surface staining happen?

First, high temperatures can create extremely high evaporation rates in our Phoenix area pools. This is also an issue at our other locations in San Diego, California and Fort Worth, Texas.

With temperatures rising above 100 degrees, in very dry conditions, this evaporation rate requires pools to be refilled on a consistent basis. This consistent refilling of pools may increase hard water readings and when your water temperature rises, the balancing of the chemicals is greatly affected by these readings. Also, certain chemicals may not dissolve properly in the pool water. Minerals in the water such as calcium and copper will “fall out of solution” and will dull or change the color of your surface.

Once this happens, you may notice some staining on the pool surfaces – including your visible waterline tile. Chalky deposits will adhere to and harden on these surfaces. At this point, only professional cleaning chemicals and equipment can remove the staining and build-up.

These cleaning processes, referred to as “acid washing” or “tile cleaning”, require the water to be drained completely from the pool.

If it isn’t calcium build-up or visible staining, we also consider levels of total dissolved solids, high stabilizer readings and high Calcium Hardness levels that need to be balanced with a full pool drain.

During the off season, which is typically from November to April, we test your water to determine if it needs to be drained.

Overall, there are many reasons why your pool water may need to be drained, so consult your Service Technician or call Pool Kings office to find out if your pool requires draining. After the pool is  drained, it will be much easier to maintain your water chemistry, preserve your pool and your repair budget.

When Does My Pool Need To Be Drained?

They should not be done every year. Pool Kings recommends draining and refilling your pool every 2-3 years here in Arizona. Depending on your water and pool.

Where Is My Pool Water Drained?

A question we commonly get asked is, “Where do you drain or dump my pool water?” The answer to this question has a few different variables, and it may depend on which Arizona city you live in. Generally speaking, the water needs to be kept on your private property, or dumped in the sewer clean-out located on your private property. Absolutely can NOT drain your pool into your septic system. It is the customers responsibility to inform Pool Kings if you have a septic system. See below for pool draining regulations for your City.

City Regulations For Draining Your Pool

For more details on all of the laws and regulations that pertain to draining your Arizona swimming pool click on the links below. When having your pool drained, it’s best to stick with a reputable company who is up-to-date on all of the laws and regulations in your particular city. Pool Kings is on top of all the regulations and laws.

• Mesa Pool Drain Regulations
• Phoenix Pool Drain Regulations
• Gilbert Pool Drain Regulations
• Tempe Pool Drain Regulations
• Chandler Pool Drain Regulations
• Queen Creek Pool Drain Regulations
• Phoenix Pool Drain Regulations
• When you drain and refill your pool you should be aware of the rise in utility bill due to the large consumption of water. It is always wise to contact your utility Co. and the City before you begin. Most Arizona cities do not give discounts when refilling your pool; however, most cities offer seasonal rates. You can use your utility bill to calculate the estimated cost to refill your pool. It is billed per thousand gallons based on the current city rates.

How Long Will It Take To Drain My Pool?

Draining your pool can be quite the process, but generally takes a Pool Kings Pool Care professional about 6 – 8 hours with our pumps. Here is a quick chart you can use as a gauge to determine just how long a pool drain may take; depending on flow rate:

Other Services To Do While Your Pool Is Drained

While your pool is drained, it is the perfect time to give it a little bit of a face lift. A chlorine wash or an acid wash will give your pool that like new look, and remove algae and other stains. While your pool is drained, it is also a good time to switch out light bulbs, clean tiles, and perform any preventative maintenance or repairs.

Pool Kings offers all of these services.

There’s quite a lot that goes into draining your pool, and it is best left to qualified pool professionals.

If it’s been more than two years since your last pool drain, give Pool Kings a call today! We will get your pool ready for the upcoming pool season!