Dealing With High CYA Levels In Your Pool

Posted on September 18, 2018 by admin

By far one of the most important chemicals for your swimming pool is chlorine. You must have the proper levels in your residential or commercial swimming pool to keep it clear and free of algae. With that said, the most common chemical used to prevent chlorine loss in swimming pools in Cyanuric Acid (CYA). Sometimes in the industry, you will hear it called conditioner or stabilizer. During our long, hot, muggy summer months the sun’s ultraviolet rays destroy free chlorine but having the adequate amount of conditioner in the swimming pool will prevent this. Knowing that we hope this post helps to explain why CYA is necessary but also what happens when it gets higher than what is considered normal levels which many swimming pool owners deal with if they use chlorine tablets.

If Cyanuric Acid is used properly it can reduce the cost of maintaining a swimming pool because it prevents chlorine loss and reduces the amount of chlorine needed to properly sanitize a swimming pool. With that being said, you are now probably wondering what are considered normal amounts of CYA and what is considered too high? Typically, the ideal amount of CYA is between 30-50 parts per million (ppm) but depending on how much direct sunlight the swimming pool gets, that number could be a little higher. Whereas, when the CYA levels rise above 100ppm, that can cause a fair amount of other problems too. The biggest issue when CYA levels rise above 100ppm is the effectiveness of chlorine because the higher levels tend to bind up the chlorine making it harder to kill algae and other bacteria.

How To Lower CYA Levels in Your Swimming Pool

In the Dallas area, you can lower CYA levels by performing a drain and refill or using The Puripool Process. At Weber Pools, we highly recommend The Puripool Process because not only can we lower CYA but we can also lower Calcium Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), salts, and so much more! Just this past week we filtered an18,000-gallon swimming pool with high levels of CYA. They were struggling with algae blooms and with CYA levels that high they needed to do something with their water.

Initial Chemistry

Calcium Hardness – 670ppm

Total Dissolved Solids – 3692ppm

CYA – 200ppm (extremely high)

After filtering this swimming pool for 14 hours with our Reverse Osmosis (RO) mobile filtration trailer we were able to lower their water chemistry to the following:

Calcium Hardness – 150

Total Dissolved Solids – 810ppm

CYA – 40ppm

By conserving 85% of the existing water and filtering their pool water with RO membranes we were able to give them excellent water quality where chlorine will work more effectively. If you should have any questions about our service, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Cryptosporidium and Swimming Pool Water

Posted on September 11, 2018 by admin

Swimming is fun, it’s relaxing, it’s a way to cool off, and it’s great for exercise but did you know it can also be risky? According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), “493 recreational waterborne disease outbreaks were reported from 2000 to 2014 — causing at least 27,219 illnesses and eight deaths. A third of those outbreaks were traced to hotel swimming pools or hot tubs and this number is on the rise.” When it comes to waterborne diseases the number one most popular disease is Cryptosporidium (also known as “Crypto”), It is a parasite tough enough to survive even in properly maintained pools.

To further this point,

“Crypto causes 58 percent of outbreaks where a germ was identified linked to pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds and 89 percent of the illnesses. Crypto spreads in pools when someone sick with the parasite has diarrhea in the water and other swimmers swallow that contaminated water. Swimmers and parents of young swimmers play an essential role in preventing Crypto outbreaks. Swallowing just a mouthful of water with Crypto in it can make otherwise healthy kids and adults sick for weeks with watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting.”

If you frequent commercial swimming pools where this is most common the following are ways that you can help prevent it.

Don’t swim in the pool if anyone is sick or has diarrhea
Ask about water quality issues and the last time the water was checked
Don’t swallow the water
Shower before entering the pool
Take children on frequent bathroom breaks

How To Remove Cryptosporidium From Pool Water?

In the industry, one of the most popular ways to treat cryptosporidium is by Hyperchlorination. The following are the steps necessary to do this:

Close the public pool
Raise the free chlorine to at least 20 parts per million (ppm) for 24-30 hours
Keep the filtration working during hyperchlorination
Backwash the filter after completion of hyperchlorination
Allow swimmers to return to the water after time has been reached and water chemistry returns to normal levels

Even though this is the most popular method, Weber Pools offers The Puripool Process which is a mobile filtration system that uses Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration. RO has the ability to remove crypto and prevents the need to hyperchlorinate. RO filtration will also lower Calcium Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Cyanuric Acid (CYA), and so much more. We feel that using our mobile filtration system not only removes crypto but also gives your bathers the best water quality to swim in. If you are curious to know more about how we can help or how we can keep your water chemistry with industry standards, contact us today!

My Salt Chlorinator Isn’t Working, What Should I Do?

Posted on September 5, 2018 by admin

If Water Chemistry is Off, Your Salt Cell Will Struggle

My salt chlorinator isn’t working again and it’s becoming a common problem! If you are trying to troubleshoot the problem, we can promise you that you aren’t alone. Lots of homeowners purchased salt chlorinators for their swimming pools because they were sold on the fact that they were maintenance free, they were fairly easy to use and that your swim experience would be much better. We would agree with the quality of water and the feel of the water part, but they definitely aren’t maintenance free and they do require work especially when it comes to having a balanced water chemistry. At Weber Pools, we get a lot of phone calls and inquiries on this issue and if we can help fix it. The following are the most common reasons why we see them not working:

Not enough salt or too much salt
Lack of Cyanuric Acid (CYA)
The size of the chlorinator isn’t big enough for your swimming pool
Too much calcium in the water causing scaling on the electrode plates

First and foremost, we highly recommend performing a thorough water analysis to make sure your chemistry is where it needs to be for your salt chlorinator. This would be the easiest to fix and usually the least expensive. We highly recommend checking the following levels:

pH – the salt will cause it to rise
CYA
Calcium Hardness – needs to be between 200-400ppm for most systems
Salt levels

If any of the above are out of balance it can cause malfunction with your salt chlorinator. Please refer to the owner’s manual in regard to water chemistry because each salt chlorinator manufacturer has different requirements for their system. If the salt, CYA or pH is out of balance those are easy fixes but if your Calcium Hardness (CH) is too high that causes other issues and is typically a much harder fix. In the Dallas area, the tap water is hard. Since our calcium comes out of the tap at 300ppm and with water that high in hardness, the calcium will scale the electrode plates and prevent them from operating. At this point a water change is necessary and we would like to highlight a customer whose salt chlorinator wasn’t working. He chose to use our Reverse Osmosis (RO) mobile filtration because we have the ability to give you much better water than tap.

When we arrived at this residence we measured their initial chemistry

Calcium Hardness – 900ppm (too high for their system)

Total Dissolved Solids – 7202ppm

Salt – 4762ppm (slightly high for their system)

CYA – 100ppm

After filtering this 20,000-gallon swimming pool for 16 hours we were able to lower their levels to the following:

Calcium Hardness – 130ppm

Total Dissolved Solids – 824ppm

Salt – 624ppm

CYA – 0ppm

Upon completion and addition of adequate salt and conditioner, their salt system started working great. In conclusion, we recommend a water change every 1-2 years, especially with salt systems. To learn more about this operation and how we can help you, contact us today!

The Steps To Clean A Cartridge Filter

Posted on August 28, 2018 by admin

Are you the owner of a swimming pool? Do you happen to have a cartridge filter? Is the pressure reaching the cleaning stage (otherwise known as dirty)? Have you ever cleaned them yourself? At Weber Pools, we know cartridge filters are popular but it’s important to know that when the gauge reaches “dirty” that you properly clean them!

How To Clean A Cartridge Filter

We know that as a swimming pool owner, you have a choice when it comes to purchasing a filter for your swimming pool. In the end, you can either choose sand, cartridge, or DE. There are numerous benefits to each but in the end, they are all unique and offer differences that should come into your decision. One advantage of having a cartridge filter is the lack of continuous maintenance it requires. Unlike a sand filter that needs to be backwashed regularly, a cartridge filter only needs to be cleaned a few times per year. When a cartridge filter needs to be cleaned, it can, however, be a tedious process but we want to help. So, if your pressure gauge is 8-12PSI above the starting pressure it’s now time to begin the process. At Weber Pools, we not only offer weekly service but this service also and wanted to give you the step by step process for those that want to do it at home. Please keep in mind, cartridge filters are great for those that are water conscious but to keep it functioning properly you must keep it clean when that pressure gauge rises!

The following are the steps to clean the filter:

Completely turn off the filtration system and make sure the pool timer is not set to automatically turn on during your cleaning process.
Slowly bleed the air from the filter by turning the air relief valve. You can typically find this valve on the top of your filter.
Remove the tension clamp that holds the filter together. Each brand may have their own release mechanism, so make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and have the proper tools to do it.
There may be some part holding these cartridges in place. If this mechanism is present, it needs to be removed before taking your cartridge filters out and stored in a safe and dry place.
Carefully and slowly remove all the cartridge filters and set them aside. It is important to inspect each cartridge for cracks, tears or other any other visual damage. If damage has occurred you will need to replace it as soon as possible.
Use a garden hose to rinse debris from between the pleats. Make sure to run the water and clean the inside of the filter, as well.
After they have been rinsed out you will need a large bucket or trash can for the next step. This step will help to remove lotions, oils, and sunscreen. You will need to soak them in a filter cleaner or detergent. This process should take about 8-10 hours. If you use a detergent only use 1 cup for every 5 gallons of water. Do not use more than what is recommended. This is one of those instances where more isn’t better!
After the soak has been completed make sure to hose them off again extremely well to remove the cleaning agent.
Place cartridges back in the filter, replace the lid and clamp
Turn on the system and open up air relief valve to remove all excess air.
Take note of new filter pressure and set clean and dirty numbers to help remind you when it’s time to do this process again.

As a weekly service and maintenance company this is a service that we proudly offer but wanted to provide you with all the steps necessary if you care to do it yourself. If you should have any questions about your filter, please contact us today!

Phosphates In Pool Water Can Be Challenging!

Posted on August 21, 2018 by admin

What Are The Challenges With Phosphates In Your Pool?

Phosphates are a challenge and can be a nightmare in your swimming pool especially if you don’t what they are and how to deal with them. You can’t physically see them, but as their levels increase in the swimming pool the water could turn green! This is where the problem is because even though you have adequate to high amounts of chlorine in the swimming pool algae can and will grow. Phosphates (also denoted as PO4) are known nutrients to help increase plant growth rates such as in algae. However, there are several debates (and confusion) regarding phosphates in pool water. Simply put, phosphates are food for algae and when levels increase maintaining a blue and clear pool is tough. Now that we are well into summer and have had many storms with wind…. chances are phosphate levels have increased in your swimming pool.

Do you have a lot of trees in your backyard or struggle with lots of debris in your pool? If so, this is probably your best sign that phosphates might be an issue!

One of the biggest challenges with phosphates is in specific environments they are constantly being introduced into your swimming pool water. They can be found in vegetation, fill/tap water, lawn and garden fertilizers and potentially in other pool chemicals as well that you use. With that said, phosphates can enter into your swimming pool in the following ways:

When water is added to the pool by either you or the automatic leveler
A constant wind that blows dirt and other vegetation into the pool, which does happen in the Dallas area!
Sprinkler fun off from your lawn or landscaping/dirt gets into your pool.
Certain chemicals that contain phosphorous to help clean your pool

How Do You Remove Phosphates From The Pool?

First off, is your chlorine levels high? Is your pool turning green or are you developing algae blooms? This is your number one sign that phosphates might be present. Next, have you tested your levels? You can either do this at home with a phosphate test kit or take a water sample into a pool store. If your levels are high, you will need to remove them and this can be done a couple of different ways. Please keep in mind, you can also be pro-active in removing dirt, debris, and vegetation from the pool as soon as possible instead of allowing it to sit on the surface or bottom of the pool. That will definitely help in the future but to remove them you can purchase a phosphate remover. This can be extremely effective if used following the directions based on the size of your pool. Many people think more is better but this is definitely not the case with phosphate removers.

Finally, phosphates can also be removed using our Reverse Osmosis (RO) Mobile Filtration Trailer (Puripool). This type of filtration will lower Calcium Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), CYA, phosphates, waterborne diseases, salts, and so much more from your swimming pool without draining the swimming pool. It will conserve up to 85% of the water in your swimming pool which means this service can be performed 365 days a year. This service will not only remove the phosphates but give you the best water quality to swim in. In conclusion, we recommend testing regularly for phosphates especially if you’re in an area with heavy vegetation and being mindful to lower the levels as soon as possible to prevent algae growth. If you have any other questions about phosphates or how we can help you, contact us today!

High Calcium Hardness, TDS, or Cyanuric Acid? No Problem!

Posted on August 14, 2018 by admin

Calcium Hardness, TDS and CYA levels are important to manage in your swimming pool!

When it comes to owning a swimming pool other than keeping it clean and monitoring water chemistry, familiarizing yourself with Calcium Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Cyanuric Acid (CYA) should be a priority. Since our tap water is hard and loaded with calcium, magnesium and other hardness minerals it will cause Calcium Hardness levels and TDS to rise. If you use liquid chlorine in your swimming pool that will cause TDS to rise and if you happen to use chlorine tabs that will cause your CYA levels in your swimming pool to increase. Any and all of these issues can make owning a swimming pool more challenging and that’s why at Weber Pools we want to educate you on what you should do when any of them get higher than what is recommended.

The following are normal swimming pool industry standard levels:

Calcium Hardness: 200-400ppm

Total Dissolved Solids: less than 3000ppm

Cyanuric Acid: 30-50ppm

Please note, if you own a saltwater swimming pool the TDS and CYA will be higher!

So, what happens when any of the above levels get higher than what is recommended? Most pool professionals will recommend a drain and refill which will definitely lower the levels but might cause other problems for you. If you own a fiberglass or vinyl liner swimming pool we don’t recommend it and ultimately since our water is hard in the Oklahoma and Texas area, we recommend recycling the pool water instead!

Weber Pools proudly offers The Puripool Process which is an alternative to a drain and refill. This service tackles hard water and prevents you from needing to drain your swimming pool. Since this service is mobile, it comes to your residential or commercial swimming pool and recycles the water onsite. It uses Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration to lower Calcium Hardness, TDS, CYA, phosphates, salts, and waterborne diseases without draining the swimming the swimming pool. This means no downtime and serious water conservation!

In the end, draining a swimming pool is extremely dangerous and a huge waste of water. Using our system will give you, your family and all bathers in a swimming pool the best water quality to swim in. The water will not only look better but it will feel better too! To learn more about this service, why it’s the smarter decision and to book an appointment today, contact us!

Weekly Pool Service, The Best Investment For Your Pool!

Posted on August 7, 2018 by admin

An Investment In Your Swimming Pool

As a residential or commercial swimming pool owner, how do you take care and manage your swimming pool? Are you willing to check the water chemistry regularly, skim the debris out daily if necessary and do all the other things necessary to make your swimming pool look great? We recently had conversations with a variety of swimming pool owners who state, “The vacuum won’t stay on for more than 20 minutes, the motor clogs up, so I go in with a screwdriver to make it turn again…. and the dirt/ just won’t clear up all the way. I’m having to backwash it every day for about 2 minutes. I truly regret getting a pool! I feel so bad because my 7-year old boy really wants to swim and I just can’t get the pool right!” After this conversation, we found out he does have a pool service and quickly fired them!

Let’s be honest, taking care of a swimming pool isn’t as easy as it looks. Anytime you have a large body of water, extremely hot temperatures (the pool water is over 90 degrees) it becomes more and more of a challenge. Not to mention, dirt, debris, and everything else add up to making a swimming pool a nightmare for most people. But at Weber Pools, we want to make owning a swimming pool much easier on you and that’s why our weekly pool service and maintenance program is the best! The bottom line is, no matter how proud you are, if you have no clue how to take care of a swimming pool, you shouldn’t. To be honest, it’s not easy especially when things go wrong and the water temperature is above 90 degrees.

So, let us ask you a few questions….

Do you know how much chlorine to add to a 20,000-gallon swimming pool to raise it from 1ppm to 5ppm?
Do you know how much acid to add to a swimming pool with a pH of 8.2 and you need to lower it to 7.6?
Do you know how to check for phosphates in your swimming pool?
Do you know what to do when your Cyanuric Acid levels are above 100ppm?
Are you willing to skim your pool regularly?
Are you willing to vacuum it from time to time?
Are you willing to brush the water tile line and interior finish of the swimming pool to prevent buildup?
Do you know what to do when calcium starts to scale your tile and water features?
Do you know how to backwash and when to do it?
Do you know what to do when your plumbing is leaking?

If any of the above overwhelms you, then you need to hire a reputable weekly service and maintenance company that can help make owning a swimming pool easy. At Weber Pools, we offer weekly pool service and maintenance for both residential and commercial swimming pools. We also offer The Puripool Process which can help with calcium scaling too.

We would love to talk to you about your pool needs, offer you real solutions to meet those needs, while also saving you money. As pools become more advanced and technology-driven, the days of the old pool guy who showed up in flip flops and muscle shirts will be over. We believe we are a cut above most pool companies because we stay informed and educated about our industry. This is an important part of the Weber difference.

The Importance of Clean Commercial Swimming Pool Water

Posted on July 31, 2018 by admin

Water Quality In Commercial Swimming Pools Is Important

We are well into summer, which means so is heavy public swim season in the Dallas Ft. Worth area. Swimming in water parks, hotels, resorts, apartment complexes and any other commercial swimming pool can be a lot of fun but the challenge will always be wondering whether or not it is clean? Anytime you have large bodies of water, numerous swimmers and especially children, you never know what you are swimming in! Keep in mind that just because the water is blue, it doesn’t always mean that it’s safe to swim in and at Weber Pools, we are concerned about your safety! We have been servicing swimming pools for twenty plus years and most of our staff has been with us for ten years or longer. The biggest key for us is to make sure you’re swimming in a pool that is sanitary and free of any contaminants. We do that by offering the following services:

Commercial Swimming Pool Maintenance and Repair
Puripool
Any many more

Commercial Swimming Pool Maintenance and Repair

Weber Pools Monthly Pool Service covers the Dallas/Fort Worth and Plano areas and includes the cost of service, as well as all of the additional costs that would normally occur as the result of standard pool upkeep (filter cleaning/backwash, chemicals, conditioning, etc). In addition, there are no hidden costs that will arise aside from unexpected repairs that are unfortunately out of our control. We have set up our bids this way so that budget projection will be less of a headache.

Weber Pools is a Greater Dallas/Fort Worth pool service company that specializes in working with commercial properties. We work well with numerous management companies of some of the largest luxury developments in the DFW area. Weber Pools is familiar with the property management process, and we carry the current pool service licenses and insurances required by most commercial facilities. In addition, we also are aware of all the current and ever-changing health department swimming pool requirements and processes.

We proudly offer the following Commercial Pool Services:

Commercial Pool Cleaning
Equipment Repair & Retrofit (Energy-Efficient Upgrades too)
Custom Pools and Spas
Plaster, Coping and Tile work
UV Water Treatment
Stain Removal
Deck repair
Control Systems
Salt Systems
And so much more

Puripool

The other service that we offer and what has truly taken the residential and commercial swimming pool industry by storm is the Puripool Process. It’s an alternative to draining a swimming pool by recycling the water instead! If you were swimming in a community pool, wouldn’t you want the water to perfect? If the answer to that question is yes, then we have the perfect solution for you!

Due to high use and sanitation requirements, total dissolved solids (TDS) and hardness minerals in commercial swimming increase at a much faster rate than residential swimming pools. The chances of people urinating in the swimming pool or even pooping do happen which can lead to waterborne diseases but with Puripool Mobile Filtration all of this can go away without draining the swimming pool or losing any swim time. Our mobile filtration system comes to you and lowers calcium hardness, total dissolved solids, cyanuric acid, phosphates, salts and so much more including getting rid of waterborne diseases! So, instead of wasting all that water because someone pooped in the pool or the solid levels are too high, call us so we can help you get back on track without shutting down the swimming pool or wasting the water!

How Clean Is Your Commercial Swimming Pool Water

Posted on July 18, 2018 by admin

Water Quality and Commercial Swimming Pools

If you frequent commercial swimming pools have you ever questioned the water you are swimming in? Have you ever thought about when the last time they changed it out, or if the water chemistry is balanced, or why the water is so cloudy? Depending on how busy the pool you are swimming in will always determine the water quality. Chances are, the larger number of bathers, the worse the water is. For example, chances are the water is worse at a high-end resort with numerous guests compared to an apartment pool but no matter the situation, water quality, and your safety should be yours and their number one concern.

Weber Pools is a Greater Dallas/Fort Worth pool service company that specializes in working with commercial properties. We work well with numerous management companies of some of the largest luxury developments in the DFW area. Weber Pools is familiar with the property management process, and we carry the current pool service licenses and insurances required by most commercial facilities. In addition, we are also aware of all the current and ever-changing health department swimming pool requirements and processes.

With this type of knowledge and experience, this has allowed us to not only take care of commercial swimming pools but also help them with their water quality. That’s why we want to highlight what happens at a high-end property with numerous bathers. If you are either at a water park or resort there are numerous factors that go into the clarity of the water. The following are a few of them:

Lotions
Suntan oils
Body Oils
Sweat
Hair Products
Makeup
Urine
Alcohol
Number of bathers
So much more

When this happens, it can cause the water to look extremely cloudy. The water might even look “old!” Typically, in water parks or high-end resorts, you are going to deal with the factor of urine because most people will not get out of the pool which can make your eyes burn. These factors, along with increasing levels of Calcium Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, and Cyanuric Acid demand a water change. But do you really want to shut down your swimming pool?

The Puripool Process

At Weber Pools draining a pool isn’t necessary. The Puripool Process allows us to recycle your pool water onsite with Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration. This process will remove all of the above issues and bring your pool water back to life. You can even swim in the pool during filtration!

If you are curious to know how this service will benefit you, contact us today because not only will you see the difference in your water, but you will feel it too!

Why Recycling Pool Water is Better Than Draining!

Posted on July 16, 2018 by admin

What is the Puripool Process?

The Puripool Process is an innovative method of recycling pool water through reverse osmosis filtration, UV filtration, and Ozonation. Puripool will remove Cyanuric acid, Calcium and other hard water minerals, excess TDS, Salt, Viruses, Bacteria, and Allergens. The processed water when returned to your pool is bottled water quality, safer, cleaner and healthier than your pool water has ever been.

Why should I use the PuriPool process?

Puripool is Eco-friendly, conserving a precious resource – WATER.
Puripool makes your water better than tap water.
Puripool is economical, the cost is similar to having your pool drained and re-filled.
Puripool removes harmful contaminants.
Puripool keeps your pool full of water guarding it against floating our exposing plaster to air.
Puripool usually takes less than 24 hours and you can swim while it is cleaning.

From the day your pool is first filled, it is often above the standards for pool water chemistry in Calcium Hardness (200 to 400 parts per million, or ppm) and continues to increase as you remove water by getting out of the pool, splashing or evaporation. To replenish this lost water, new water is added and additional hard water is introduced; raising the concentration levels of this hard water (predominantly Calcium and Magnesium) and creating a higher level of these minerals. This level increases, creating such hard water that your chemicals can no longer do their job, dictating the need for higher chemical levels to keep the pool safe. Additionally, scale builds on your interior finish, tile, pool plumbing, and equipment, which can lead to failure and expensive repairs!

In the past, the water was dumped down the drain and since the average pool has 20,000 gallons of water in it this is a huge waste of water. Whereas, ‘The Puripool™ Process” allows us to provide the solution to remove Calcium Hardness and Total Dissolved Solids from all swimming pools, residential or commercial without draining it. As pool water evaporates and time passes, your relaxing, inviting swimming pool becomes more work to maintain and the water becomes less sanitary.

In less than a day, our mobile filtration unit will lower or remove the Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, excess Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid), Phosphates, Nitrates, Viruses, etc. We will give you back a clean, healthy pool; all while conserving nearly 85% of your existing water. Your pool will be as pure as if you had filled it with bottled drinking water!

So, why not take the step today to swim in the best water quality possible? Contact us today for a quote and we promise you will not only love the way the water looks but how it feels too!