Don’t Overheat During Summer

It’s August in Austin, which means daily temps above 100 degrees. Spending time in your inground pool is really the only way to enjoy the outdoors this time of year. However, even in the pool, spending time in this heat can also be extremely dangerous if you aren’t taking the proper measures to avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion. At Crystal Clear Pools and Spas, we want you to have a safe summer by recognizing the symptoms of both heat stroke and heat exhaustion, as they are each treated differently.

Heat exhaustion typically occurs when a person hasn’t been properly hydrated in extreme heat, and can be exacerbated when engaging in physical activity. Often times when hanging out at the pool, we don’t feel thirsty and tend to overlook staying hydrated.

Here are some symptoms of heat exhaustion:

• Weakness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Accelerated Heart Rate
• Pale or Clammy Skin
• Profuse Sweating

Here are some ways to prevent heat exhaustion:

• Stay hydrated. Drink Gatorade or some other electrolyte replacement beverage. Drink often, even if not feeling thirsty.
• Refrain from drinking alcohol in extreme heat
• Avoid strenuous exercise in extreme heat
• Dress in loose-fitting and light colored clothing
• Wear a sun hat
• Go inside when feeling overheated

Here are some ways to treat heat exhaustion:

• Lay down in an air-conditioning room or shaded area
• Drink non-alcoholic fluids
• Loosen clothing

It is extremely important to monitor the heat exhaustion symptoms as it may turn into heat stroke, which is far more serious. Heat stroke can occur when your body gets too hot or when heat exhaustion goes untreated. The treatment differs from that of heat exhaustion, which is why it’s important to understand the difference.

Here are some symptoms of heat stroke/sunstroke:

• Confusion or loss of consciousness
• Temperature above 105
• Red or flushed skin with no sweating
• Dizzy or nauseous

Here are some ways to treat heat exhaustion:

• Get inside immediately
• Do not give any fluids (this is different than treatment of heat exhaustion)
• Sponge or spray warm or slightly cool water all over the body.
• Call a doctor

Knowing these signs can prevent what could potentially be a very dangerous condition, and will allow you to continue enjoying your Pool this summer. Enjoy your swim!

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5 Reasons to Hire a Pool Professional

I take pride in knowing a little something about everything – I’m definitely a self-proclaimed “do it yourselfer”. However, there have been times when my pride got in the way, and I ended up trying to fix something that I had no business trying to fix. In the long run, my mistakes cost me much more than if I had hired a professional to do the job in the first place. We all know that owning a pool requires maintenance, and while you could tackle some of it yourself, here are five reasons why you should hire a professional instead:

YOUR TIME IS IMPORTANT

Here in Austin, we are lucky to have many months of beautiful swimming weather. You should be spending that time swimming in your pool– not cleaning it. While cleaning a pool is something a “do it yourselfer” can do relatively easily, things like removing surface debris, vacuuming the bottom, and cleaning out skimmer and pump takes a lot of time, not to mention all of the trips you will need to take to the supply store.

IT GETS COMPLICATED

Your Pool Professional is more than just a cleaning service – they are also equipment specialists and water chemists. Terms like pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, dissolved solids, and cyanuric acid, are enough to make your head spin. At Crystal Clear Pools and Spa, our technicians are trained to balance the water chemicals so you don’t have to – no head spinning needed.

EARLY DETECTION

When you hire a professional, they are trained to notice issues early on. They can potentially detect and repair leaks, control system failures, motor and pump issues, and electrical problems before they turn into much bigger problems, which could save you a lot of money and headache in the long-run.

CONSISTENCY

With weekly maintenance packages, you can rest assured that your pool is well cared for and swim-ready at all times. At Crystal Clear Pools in Austin, we consistently arrive at our appointed times, and you can always count on us to provide the same high level service with each visit. We will even leave you with a detailed door-hanger to let you know we were there.

PEACE OF MIND

The equipment used to maintain a pool is very sensitive and truly should be left to the professionals. Even though your “DIY Pride” wants to read the equipment manual and just figure it out, if you end up breaking something, you are on the hook for that repair. Whereas if something should go wrong when being serviced by a professional, you will have the peace of mind knowing that they will be liable instead.

Contact Crystal Clear Pools and Spas in the Austin Texas and surrounding areas to learn more about our full maintenance and repair services.

When it Rains Cats & Dogs

It was raining cats and dogs last weekend – is there a cat in your Pool? After one of our infamous Austin rainstorms, it’s important to immediately remove all debris, as well as check your chemical levels. Here are some things to consider before jumping back in the pool today:

First, grab your skimmer to begin cleaning out the large debris, such as branches, leaves, and garbage. If there is just a small amount of debris left on the bottom of the pool, use your own pool vacuum system to take care of it, otherwise, contact Crystal Clear Pools and Spa in Austin to have it professionally power vacuumed to ensure debris doesn’t get stuck in the pipes or wear out your filter. While we are there, we will also check your water level to make sure it’s at an appropriate level.

In addition to debris, a significant rainstorm can bring with it contaminates, which can lower the alkalinity levels or cause a pH rise. Adjust these levels using pH Plus, pH Minus, and Alkalinity Plus. This can be intimidating if you’ve never done this before – just make sure to carefully follow the directions on the chemicals or have Crystal Clear Pools come to adjust your chemical levels. Our experts are certified licensed professionals and will restore your pool back to perfect swimming health.

If you haven’t shocked your pool in a while, this would be a good time to do it to clear any bacteria or algae that may have already been accumulating. Shock is available in both liquid and powder forms, but liquid typically works quicker.

However, if the storm left you with more than just a few leaves, or you still haven’t cleaned up your pool for the summer, let Crystal Clear Pools in Austin take it from this:



To this:



Now all you will have to do is remember where you put your sunscreen!

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Seasonal Pool Care and Maintenance Tips

For much of the country, temperatures are dropping rapidly as the approaching winter months force us to trade our swimsuits for leggings, and put a halt on our outdoor water activities. However, just because we aren’t enjoying lemonade and sunshine by the pool, doesn’t mean we can neglect the important maintenance and upkeep of our valuable Swimming Pools.

In order to avoid damage to your pool during the off season, here are a few basic seasonal pool maintenance and winterization tips that will keep your pool running smoothly and ready for summer fun!

Winterization

Winterization is essential in caring for your pool. Not only will you avoid potential damage caused by debris and freezing temperatures, you can actually increase the life-span of your pool, and rest assured that your pool will be running smoothly and ready for next summer!

Basic Winterization and Seasonal Pool Care Tips

Clear Debris – Debris build-up in your skimmers and filters can cause stress on the pool’s pump, drive up energy costs and cause damage to your pool’s cleaning systems

Keep Normal Water Levels – Low water levels, even when unused, can cause stress on the pool’s cleaning systems, especially when freezing.

Minimize Operation – A good rule of thumb for Pool Maintenance during fall / winter is “minimal use = minimal operation”. Turn off all water features as soon as temperatures drop below your comfort zone to avoid damage during freezing temperatures.

Backwash and Clean Filters – This should be done before temperatures drop too low to avoid freezing of internal components. Make sure non-petroleum based lubricants are used where necessary.

Test, Chlorinate, Shock – Treat your pool’s chemical needs as if you are swimming every week. Getting behind on your pool’s chemical schedule can lead to cosmetic damage, unwanted organic growth and staining during the winter months.

Move the Water – Circulating your pool’s water during the coldest times of the day can help cut down on potential freezing hazards.

Many of the steps outlined above can be performed by you, the pool owner. However, there is no replacement for the advice and maintenance supervision of a professional. Don’t let your pool maintenance duties slip just because you aren’t using it. Contact the experts at Crystal Clear Pools and Spas if you have any winterization questions or wish to set up scheduled seasonal maintenance visits to ensure that the health of your pool is maintained this winter.

Top 5 Places to Swim in Austin

If you don’t have a backyard inground pool of your own, don’t worry – there is no shortage of places to swim here in Austin. Most, if not all of the community pools will be open for Memorial Day weekend. Here is a list of our top five family friendly Swimming Pools, in both Austin and the surrounding areas:

1) Barton Springs Pool – A popular tourist attraction since 1837, Barton Springs Pool is of course our number one pick. Located in Zilker Park and fed by water from Main Barton Spring, this pool maintains a cool 68° year-round. Admission fees range from $1 to $3 and is closed each Thursday for cleaning and maintenance.



Image courtesy of austintexas.gov

2) Lakeway Swim Center- This swim center located in Lakeway is the perfect pool for families of all ages. It features an adult swimming pool, as well as a wading pool, waterslides, frog slides, and life-size chess & checker boards. There is a concession area, volleyball and basketball courts, picnic tables, grills, and a rock climbing wall. It’s closed on Mondays and admission ranges from $4 to $6.



Image courtesy of cityoflakeway.com

3) Rock’N River Family Aquatic Center- Located Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, this 40,000 square-foot park has a water playground, a lazy river, and crazy water slides. The kids will also enjoy the water cannon, floor geysers, and zero beach entry play area for the little ones. Admission is $4.50 for adults, and $3.50 for the kiddos.



Image courtesy of roundrocktexas.gov

4) Veterans Memorial Pool- Located in Cedar Park, this pool offers 8,300 square feet of fun including a jumping platform, activity pool with drop slide, cargo net, water basketball, and playground. Umbrellas and poolside pavilions are also available for rent allowing the adults to get enjoy the shade, while still watching the kids have a ball. Admission ranges from $2 to $5.



Image courtesy of cedarparktx.us

5) Windy Point Park- While obviously not a swimming pool, Windy Point is one of our favorite destinations for swimming, camping, and SCUBA. Located on Lake Travis in Austin, they have a grass lawn, shade trees, sandy beach, camping areas with fire pits, and picnic tables. They also offer changing facilities, concession area, wireless internet, and protected swim areas. Windy Point Park faces the west for incredible sunset views. It’s open year round and costs $8 for adults, and children under 10 are free.

Pool Problem Troubleshooting Guide

You love your swimming pool – and so do we. At Crystal Clear Pools and Spas, we specialize in troubleshooting and repairing your inground pool, but how do you know if your pool needs service or repair?

Here are a few of the most common Swimming Pool problems and suggestions on how to troubleshoot them:


THE FILTER PRESSURE IS LOW AND THERE IS NO WATER MOVEMENT

Do It Yourself:

- Check the baskets and empty them if needed.

- Check the water level and add water if it’s low.

Call Us For Service:

- Weir blade in skimmer could be stuck in the “up” position and needs to be replaced.

- There could be an air leak on suction side of the pump.

THE MOTOR ON THE PUMP IS LOUD

Do It Yourself:

- The pressure side of plumbing could be closed and you should check the valves for proper settings.

Call Us For Service:

- Bearings in the motor could be going out.

- The pump impeller could be clogged.


THE POOL LIGHT IS NOT COMING ON

Do It Yourself:

- Check your circuit breaker.

- Check your GFCI outlet and reset if needed.

Call Us For Service:

- If the light is tied into a computer system the power relay may need to be replaced.


THE PUMP HAS A LEAK

Do It Yourself:

- Remove, clean and reseat the O-ring.

- Secure the pump lid

Call Us For Service:

- It could be a leak at the plumbing that needs to be repaired.


THERE IS A LEAK AT THE FILTER

Do It Yourself:

- Tighten or replace Air Relief Valve.

Call Us For Service:

- The O-ring may be damaged and needs to be replaced.

- The plumbing has a leak and needs to be repaired.

Call us for repair service today and see why Crystal Clear Pools and Spas provides the Best Swimming Pool Service in Austin.

Top 5 DIY Swimming Pool Maintenance and Repair Questions Answered

Resident Pool Service expert, Christian Donovan, has agreed to share some of what he has learned over the years as route manager for Crystal Clear Pools and Spas in Austin, Texas.

1. How can I check to see if my swimming pool is leaking?

A simple bucket test can tell you if you have a leak. Place a bucket on the top step, filled to the same level as the pool. They should maintain the same water level; if the pool drops noticeably faster, it probably has a leak, and you should pursue leak detection.

2. Why is the water in my Swimming Pool cloudy / smoky / hazy?

This is usually caused by either by a chemical balance problem, poor pool filtration, or a combination of the two. This time of year, with the water warming up here in Austin, fertilizers from yards running off into pools, and pollen or leaves falling, sometimes water clarity problems can be caused by a combination of problems.

3. Why is my swimming pool water green?

This time of year in Texas, it can be because of oak, pecan, or other tree pollen, or it can be because of an algae problem (sometimes the first problem can lead to the second). Both can be corrected using basic Pool Cleaning techniques such as restoring normal system flow, balancing the water, and adding chlorine and/or algaecide treatments as needed.

4. What are the black spots on the floor and walls of my swimming pool?

This could be an algae problem, or a stain problem. If the spots feel slimy, they might be blue-green algae, and can be very tough to clean using basic pool cleaning methods. If they are smooth, or feel like the surrounding surface, they could be stains, which may be treatable. If the entire surface feels rough and pitted or porous, it might be time to re-surface your pool.

5. My pool water burns my eyes / is sudsy / salty. How can I fix this?

In many cases, this is simply due to a problem with water chemistry; the water is either out of balance according to accepted industry standards, or is in need of a “shock” treatment, to free up the chlorine in the water to do its job sanitizing the pool. In other cases, this can be the result of a high level of total dissolved solids, and it might be time to replace most, if not all of the pool water. If you aren’t sure, give us a call or bring by a water sample, and we’ll point you in the right direction.