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Pump shaft seal
2008-03-10 23:06:00
Changing a swimming pool pump shaft seal.This pump had a leaking shaft seal.It took about twenty minutes to replace the old one with a new one.The first step was to remove the eight bolts/screws holding the wet end to the motor.After that the pump just slides apart.Once opened the diffuser and seal plate are exposed.The diffuser just slides off the seal plate.To remove the impeller you will need to hold the shaft from the back side of the motor. This one uses a large screwdriver in the slot on the motor shaft. Some use a 9/16" wrench. While holding the shaft unscrew the the impeller.The impeller holds the seal plate to the motor, so it too will come off once the impeller is removed. As you can see the seal plate "O" ring also came off.The new seal is in two sections, the spring loaded graphite portion and the ceramic portion. The graphite portion goes on the impeller and the ceramic goes in the seal plate, the rubber side inserts in the seal plate . Just as you see in the photo.Once...
More About: Seal , Pump

Pool Cleaning
2008-03-06 04:56:00
I cleaned this pool today.The house is vacant and has been since Oct. 07.Ok so what did I do?I grabbed my test strips and the gate key from the secret hiding place.I first looked at the equipment, seemed to be ok.More trash in the pump than I liked. We have had some bad weather.Then to the pool, tested the water, it was perfect.This is a big pool, I opened all four skimmers.(if the house was occupied I would never leave skimmer lids open)I wanted to see how much change in skimmer suction I would have after I emptied the pump basket. I think the power must have gone off, a couple of the skimmer baskets were floating. That would explain the extra trash in the pump. I knew I would be going to empty the pump a few times. To be sure everything was gone from the bottom of the skimmer and the suction lines. The only debris on the surface was collected around the Polaris Vac Sweep hose.Plenty of dust on the floor, The booster pump motor is making too much noise for me and the absent pool o...
More About: Cleaning , Pool

How to find a swimming pool builder.
2008-03-01 14:14:00
Finding a pool builder used to be one of two ways, the phone book or the guy your friend used.That was then, this is now.I have been telling my fellow pool industry associates for years the people they want to serve are online.My own website has been around longer than Google and thanks to Google and others like Yahoo I get all the business I can do.The Internet has changed everything about how people shop for swimming pools and pool products.I made a point some time ago about how a lot of pool companies have good websites and still don't do well in the online search results.That is one of the reasons I have my directory site. I have discovered another way for both swimming pool builders and potential pool buyers to connect.It looks like one of those "Win - Win" things. I don't see a downside at all.There is a website that will send you up to five pool builders who all want your business.These pool builders must meet certain guidelines to enroll.Not only do they pay to be included...
More About: Swimming , Find , Pool , Builder

Automatic Swimming Pool Cleaners
2008-02-29 03:13:00
There a lot of things about caring for swimming pools that the old saying "there's more than one way to skin a cat" applies.Automatic Swimming pool Cleaners fit that to a tee, I know another saying...Generally speaking I have learned that like there are two basic types of pool cleaners, pressure side and suction side. There are two types of pool owners when it comes to some automatic cleaners. Those with greater scientific and mechanical aptitude and the time to take care of their pool. Then there are others who because of time or not being scientific or mechanical don't do as well or need more help.I clean pools each week. I have for years and years.I have learned some pool owners, those with the time and aptitude to adjust and monitor, love suction side cleaners like the Kreepy Krauly. I don't see this unit often because my customers don't have the time to work with a suction side cleaner. They don't want to deal with chemicals, cleaners or anything they don't have to. I hav...
More About: Pool

Swimming Pool Inspection Form
2008-02-26 06:19:00
Click the image, print the form.Call me and I will help you inspect your pool.We can discuss each item as we go down the list.Chemicals - Pumps - Cleaners - MaintenanceVisit Swimming pool Services Directory for info on swimming pool builders retailers and service companies.
More About: Pool , Form

Swimming pool light blown, light won't work.
2008-02-22 18:47:00
Today my routine for checking out a swimming pool light.Just like the one in the image to above.The tools, if you can't use these tools you should not try to work on your own pool light.Screw drivers, medium size straight and slotted, voltage meter/tester, electrical tape, needle nose pliers, thick towel, sharpie pen, safety glasses and gloves.First I look at the pool light.If it has water in the fixture, that's a problem.A new fixture may be in order, often after being wet inside they are ruined.If I see no water in the fixture and the bulb is not clearly blown. Blown looks like a dark spot one the bulb if you can see past the lens.When I arrive I ask to see the pool light switch. I always start there. Pulling out a light to find a tripped circuit breaker is not a good thing.I test the switch both on and off for voltage.If I have power and voltage the switch and breaker are good.No transformer skip down to next section.Next the transformer (low voltage 12 volts systems).When you ...
More About: Swimming , Work , Light , Pool

Swimming Pool Parts Catalog - Parts Ordering - Parts Breakdown Illustration
2008-02-22 07:29:00
Swimming Pool Parts Catalog - Parts Ordering - Parts Breakdown Illustration chemical feeders - cleaners - lights - filters - filter elements - pumps - heaters - controls timersA & A Mfg. Aladdin Allied Innovations American Prod. Anthony & Sylvan A.O. Smith Aqua (Aquabot) Aqua - Flo Aquapower Aquapure Aquasol Aquatemp Aquavac Astral Prod. Atlantic Autoclear Autopilot Baker-Hydro Balboa Baptistry Products Baracuda Blue - White Brett Aqualine Cal Pump Cantar Caretaker Clayton - Lambert Clearwater Coates Heater Comfort Zone Compool Cooper Industries Custom Molded Del Industries Danner Mfg. Eaton Mears Ecomatic Emerson Feherguard Flo Control Goldline Grid Controls Grundfos Pumps Harmsco. Inc Harwil Corp Hayward Hydrel Hydro Air Hydro Quip Hydrotech Intermatic J & J Elect. Jacuzzi Bros. Jandy Ind. KAFKO Mfg. K-D Pools King Tech. Kreepy Krauly Laing Len Gordon Letro Little Giant Lochinvar Magic Plastics Magnetek Marlow Mazzei Injector Muskin Nature 2 Odyssey Pac Fab Pentair Pleatco Polaris ...
More About: Swimming

Opening a swimming pool
2008-02-19 05:18:00
I opened a pool today.!8x36 liner vinyl liner.Opened it by myself in about an hour and a half.It had a solid safety cover. The cover was clean and ready to come off.I loosened the spring straps all the way around. Lowered the strap anchors around the shallow end deck. So I wouldn't snag the cover. I just pulled it back about five feet, then folded every other seam to seam. It was a lot of back and forth grabbing the seams where you can. Worked the wrinkles out, rolled it up, pulled the bag over it, tipped it on my two wheeler and down to the shed.I brought the rails back from the shed, placed the stair panel rail then the deep end ladder. Tightened them down with a half inch wrench. Don't forget the ladder bumpers.Removed the gizmo's from skimmers and placed the baskets.Installed plug in the filter, site glass and pressure gauge.Small plug 1/8", in the Polaris pump.Two plugs in the main Hayward pump.Prime the pump and go.Tested the water, added some shock.The pool was a little cl...
More About: Swimming , Opening , Pool

Shattering leak in a vinyl liner
2008-02-17 18:37:00
I was called out to make a dive call.I needed to find a leak in a vinyl liner. I was still a rookie pool guy.I could put on a wet suit and find a liner leak in cold water.The pool was old and the liner was bleached out and hard as a rock.I looked around and found a few small holes. I went back up and cut some patches.To help hold me down I used a pipe wrench, I would place it in my weight belt.The next thing that happened was like a scene out of a movie.The pipe wrench fell from my belt. This was bad, when something like that falls you will have a hole to patch.Well that's how it goes always, except for today.The wrench was hitting bottom, deep end floor.The liner cracked a little, a star shape, about four inches.Just as I reached for the pipe wrench, the liner split in every direction. Just like watching glass break at every angle. It seemed slow motion for a short while.The moment it happened I didn't really understand what was happening, I mean all around me in an instant the p...
More About: Vinyl , Leak

Very acid water
2008-02-16 00:07:00
I was called out to service a swimming pool. It was a little old lady, she was a widow. She said since her husband died she had been taking care of the swimming pool herself. She had remembered he had told her to just add chlorine pucks to the skimmer and throw some granular into the water.When he died he had a large supply of both types of chlorine on hand.She had been taking care of the pool all summer herself.He died right after the pool had been opened in early spring.It was now very late summer almost fall.She had called me out because her pool was losing water and her pump had quit working.Well... she told me the pump had stopped weeks before and the pool had just started leaking.I could see the pool from her backdoor where we were talking about it. The water was clear. This was surprising since she had said the pump had stopped weeks before.As I walked up to the pool I was shocked! The water was crystal clear the debris in the bottom was all bleached white.Her ladder was comp...
More About: Water , Acid

A fine example of trash advice for pool owners.
2008-02-14 05:49:00
This kind of total nonsense is all over the Internet.Brought to you by E-How dot comHow To Do Just About EverythingClick here to see the page for yourself.The page is titled "How to Clean a Cloudy Pool "Pool water becomes cloudy due to inadequate cleaning and limited usage that causes the water to become stagnant. Failure to maintain a pool creates a variety of problems that ultimately make the pool water polluted and cloudy. Follow these steps to clean and maintain the water in your pool.The paragraph above is what caught my eye right off.Hmmm ok... "limited usage that causes the water to become stagnant"I have pools owned by older folks that are never used, they aren't STAGNANT.The fact is pool water that is moving (by running the pump), filtered and chemically treated will not become STAGNANT.Now to the steps to follow.Things You’ll Need:Mesh pole Pool vacuum PH indicator device Water purifying chemicals What is a mesh pole?I have never seen or used such a thing.Step 1:Diagnose...
More About: Advice , Fine , Trash , Owners

Sand filters - when to backwash
2008-02-13 03:46:00
I don't know if this post is about when to backwash a sand filter or if it is about the nonsense I read on the swimming pool forums.I guess some people read books or watch television for entertainment. Lately I just cruise the questions and the awful replies to those questions on the swimming pool forum boards. I no longer answer or even log into any of the boards I read. I don't care to debate any self described experts or spend thirty minutes trying to make a point that clearly would contradict the previous expert opinion.It blows my mind to read the answers of those who just dole out "matter of fact replies" to pool owners who need real answers. I guess what prompted me to write about sand filters was the simple question of "Do I backwash each week like my local pool service said or to backwash at the 8 to 10 psi increase that the filter instruction call for?".To keep things simple, just do it each week while you do your other pool chores. Load your chlorine feeder, empty your...
More About: Sand , Filters

Chlorine pucks or tabs in the skimmer.
2008-02-11 14:48:00
Placing chlorine pucks or tabs in your skimmer is not really a great idea. It is always best to use a chlorine feeder to deliver chlorine to your swimming pool water.I remember an old Wal-Mart commercial they used to run on television. They would say "just drop a couple of these in your skimmer". Everytime I saw it I would think to myself, yeah, if you do it won't be long till I am at your home making a repair.What happens when you do this?The first thing is you get a blast of chemical running through all of your equipment on it's way back to the swimming pool. It's a pretty heavy dose coming out those return lines. Not the place to be while in the pool, a little too strong for some swimmers as far as the skin, eyes and hair.Why not put a chlorine puck in the skimmer?Chlorine pucks and tabs have a very low pH. I am talking about the typical stabilized tri-chlor type chlorine. The pH of these is about a four on the pH scale.That is very acidic, far too acid for most of your equipm...
More About: Tabs , Skimmer

Swimming pool salt systems, chlorine generators, saltwater pools, salt wate
2008-02-10 20:25:00
Swimming pool salt systems, chlorine generators, saltwater pools, salt water pools, sws, no matter how you say it, I don't think I want one.It seems to me the potential for problems are too great.I've read enough on my fellow bloggers page, The Pool Biz, to wonder why anyone would want one.Assuming all he says is true, and I believe it is, because it all makes sense, not only makes sense, he backs it up with data to prove his points.So much information it would take hours and hours to read it all, so far I've come close to reading it all.Not one of his points has been challenged in a way to make me think he is wrong.I don't know who he is beyond "The Pool Guy" at his blog.He is, in my opinion, a champion of the swimming pool owner.He has no ads on his page, does not promote his own pool service business.The only thing he does on his blog is explain why salt is bad for you and your pool.Here is a short list of the things I have learned.Salt pools can cause some very bad staining....
More About: Swimming , Systems , Pools

Swimming in public pools
2008-02-09 14:32:00
Personally I am all swimed out.There is little or no chance I would be swimming in a public swimming pool.I am talking about apartment, condo, hotel or motel pools.If you plan to swim in a public swimming pool, for the protection of you and your family there is one thing I would do.Every time without fail, test the water myself.Each day before any swimming starts, I would use my own test to see how the pH and disinfectant was reading.I would not under any condition swim in a pool that uses anything other than chlorine for the disinfectant, period.You can still get sick swimming in a pool that is perfectly balanced, the risk is much lower if it is in balance however. I would not swim in a pool that has small children swimming, those still using diapers. I don't care what kind of rubber pants or other method is being used to contain their accidents.You should buy and learn to use a pool test kit.The test strips would be my choice in this case.The directions are clearly marked on how ...
More About: Swimming , Public , Pools

Time table for killing common illness-causing germs
2008-02-08 14:39:00
Click image for larger view.Time table for killing common illness-causing germsFree chlorine at neutral pH kills most bacteria such as E. coli 0157:H7 in less than a minute if the free chlorine is maintained at proper disinfection levels throughout the pool. However, a few germs are moderately (Giardia, Hepatitis A) to highly (Cryptosporidium) chlorine-resistant. The table above shows the approximate disinfection times for these germs in chlorinated water.Above from the CDC website.As you can see, even in perfectly balanced water it takes time to kill some germs.If you or your children are sick, don't swim and risk getting others sick as well.If you take care of a swimming pool please buy and use good testing products.Test often and adjust chemicals as needed.Chemical products other than chlorine may take much longer to kill theses germs.Visit Swimming pool Services Directory for info on swimming pool builders retailers and service companies.
More About: Common , Table , Illness , Germs

Pool pump motor wired just plain wrong.
2008-02-07 15:55:00
I got a call from a new customer once. I was very busy and I didn't need to add any more work to my schedule.He said he really needed some help. Well, it was spring time and a lot of pool owners needed some help.He wanted help that day, I was already trying to put him off till the next week. I asked what the problem was?He told me that when he got within six feet of his filter equipment his feet would start to tingle.He added that as you got closer it would become stronger.Well, well, well... hmmmmmm....A mystery service call. I like those.Not only a mystery, but what sounded like what could be a real safety issue.I arrived at his home, and as usual for that time of year, the cheers from the children "the pool man is here!"He came out and greeted me in the driveway. Told me how happy he was that I had decided to help him out.I still had a full book for the day, and the rest of the week in fact.I wanted to check it, out fix it and go.He led me around to the filter equipment. Sure en...
More About: Motor , Plain , Wired , Pool , Wrong

Swimming Pool Fence - Yes, you need one.
2008-02-06 02:51:00
Through the years I have been over the fencing issue many times.With customers, face to face.Their best answer to NOT get one is always the same.They are ugly.Some of you may not like what I say here or how I say it.When I get this I just want to shake them!My reply is always as standard as their protest of ugly.No sir... I'll tell you what ugly is.Ugly is watching a dead body pulled from your swimming pool.Ugly is being blamed, ugly is looking into every eye you see knowing they blame you.The people who sell these won't talk to you like this.But I will, If you do not lock your swimming pool area some how...Shame on you!I will now take the time to thank you for installing a fence.THANK YOU!I thank you and the life you may have saved thanks you.That's it, that's all you get for doing it. YEAH!If you don't, you may spend the rest of your days asking why?Why didn't I install a fence?OK lecture over...Some nice easy to install pool fencing.Just take it down when you don't want to...
More About: Swimming , Pool , Fence

Hayward Super Pump Pool Pump - 3/4 HP - Pumps & Motors - Pool Supplies
2008-02-06 00:44:00
Hayward Super Pump Pool Pump - 3/4 HP - Pumps & Motors - Pool Supplies I did a little story yesterday about the Hayward Super Pump.http://poolservicedirectory.blogspot .com/2008_02_04_archive.htmlA couple of weeks ago I wrote review over at Aqua Superstore.The thing about that review was I won a 100 dollar gift cirtificate for my efforts.well I got a confirmation email today saying I did.Pretty cool HUH?They have alot of real nice pool, patio, lawn & garden stuff over there.The links above will take you to the page with my review.I want to thank them for the GC!Visit Swimming pool Services Directory for info on swimming pool builders retailers and service companies.
More About: Hayward

Maintain and Care for Your Pool
2008-02-05 19:20:00
Maintain and Care for Your Pool The link above will take you to the Lowes hardware website.Another place to find all the swimming pool info and advice you need.Like this little bit of information:pH determines the water's acidity. Maintain pH for equipment and swimmer protection. If the pH is less than 7.2, use sodium hypochlorite to raise it. If the pH is higher than 7.6, use granular acid to lower it.find it about 1/3 of the way down the page.I spotted this some time ago, I went back today to see if it was still there.I even emailed them to point it out, over two years ago.When last I checked sodium hypochlorite was bleach or liquid chlorine.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sod ium_hypochloriteI suppose they are saying to add liquid chlorine to raise pH.The pH of sodium hypochlorite is around and 11.http://www.lenntech.com/water-disinfec tion/disinfectants-sodium-hypochlorite.ht mA little lower on the page they say if you need to raise the chlorine level to use a shock.The pH of calcium ...

Welcome To The Official Esther Williams Website
2008-02-05 07:54:00
Welcome To The Official Esther Williams Website I was trying to think of celebrities who were national spokesperson's for the swimming pool industry.Esther Williamswas the only one I could think of and I'm not sure she ever did any swimming pool promo work.It is her name on a very large swimming pool brand.Her short bio page will help let everyone know who their swimming pool is named for.$10 off a $50 Purchase Coupon Code: W5AFF05Visit Swimming pool Services Directory for info on swimming pool builders retailers and service companies.

Fired pool boy says Britney isn’t ‘nice’ - Gossip Archive- msnbc.com
2008-02-05 07:23:00
Fired pool boy says Britney Spears isn’t ‘nice’ - Gossip Archive - msnbc.comYEAH, too bad for the pool boy.I've been fired before for spending too much time with the Lady of the house.So I kinda know how he feels.I switched from "Pool Boy" to "Pool Man" after about a year in the business.I wonder if maybe while hanging out he forgot to really service the pool.Yeah, I've been fired for that too.Oh well, that's how it goes sometimes.The Pool Boy in the story is Jack LaLane's son.You know who he is if you're over 40 you do, if you're under, he's the juicer man on TV now.Anyway old Jack has to be like 99 years old now.So I wonder how old the son is?If Old Jack was still spawning at 50 the Pool Boy must be fifty.If Old Jack was still spawning at 70 the Pool Boy must be thirty.If Old Jack was still spawning at 80 the Pool Boy must be twenty.Now maybe... just maybe.... Old Jack may have something with that juicer.Sorry, I Know the story is old news.I couldn't resist commenting...
More About: Fired

The Hayward Super Pump
2008-02-04 14:34:00
The Hayward Super Pump This pump is a great pump.I have always liked the Super Pump.I use it for a service pump. My service pump goes through alot.One day I will be vacuuming mud,dirt and small rocks from a new swimming pool construction.The next day leaves and slime from the bottom of a swamp pool.Then the pump may just ride in the back of the truck for weeks before I need to use it.It always starts right up, it can pull a prime when others won't.I even use it to un-clog skimmers,I just take a hose and pull the trash in the skimmer line out the way it came in.It's convertable from high voltage 220 volts to low voltage 110 volts.Low profile so it fits almost anywhere you may need to place it.It has a big strainer basket, easy to see through lid.It has two knobs to hold the lid on, easier to open than the screw type lids.This high performance pump sets the standard for performance excellence and value!All components are made of corrosion-proof PermaGlass XL for durability and long l...

Brand new swimming pool liner ripped.
2008-02-03 20:17:00
The company I worked for installed a new liner once.We had it filled,water balanced and running.We handed the pool over, said goodbye,That was friday morning.Monday morning she was calling about water loss. YIKES! we hate to hear those words.I was the lucky tech assigned to the case.I got there and as I walked through the gate I could see the pool.It looked very strange from this far angle. As I got closer the sides seemed to be moving in waves.I couldn't hardly believe my eyes. I ran to turn off the pumps and water hose.Back to the pool, as the motion of the water calmed down I could see it all.About every foot, running in vertical lines on the walls there was a slice in the liner.Here and there accross the floor the same thing.Some of them were only an inch or two, others a foot or two.I was shocked, how could this have happened?Vandals? Those damn Vandals!But why such even cuts? And why so many?They were all the way around, spaced very evenly.This was too strange... I pulled up ...
More About: Swimming , Brand , Pool , Ripped

Swimming pool help FAQ, message board and blog pages.
2008-02-02 15:05:00
Swimming pool FAQ, message board and blog help pages.The internet is loaded with places to find tips, tricks and free advice for your swimming pool.The answers to swimming pool questions found there are often as varied as those who run those sites.Some of the swimming pool FAQ's are part of a site that has FAQ's on hundreds of topics.Frequently asked questions is what FAQ stands for, it could as well mean frequently answered questions.Often the mix of answers is as varied as the users who visit there.A simple question often has hundreds of answers, from the correct to the down right silly.Many of these sites should adapt the wiki method and just let everyone fine tune one answer.Message boards are another place where getting good answers is a hit or miss affair.They try to have a conversation using short questions with short replies.Often the message boards are run by true swimming pool experts who monitor those pages closely.Others are run by someone who has had a week or two exp...
More About: Swimming , Blog , Board , Pool