To Cover or Not To Cover; That is the question.

In this area, it runs about 50/50 on pool owners using winter covers or not. Leaves accumulating in the pool can be a problem, and can actually stain your pool, drain covers, and skimmer baskets. As leaves sit in the pool bottom and decay, they can turn your water brown which could leave stains when you open it back up in the Spring. Allowing leaves to accumulate can also stop up the suction into your equipment and may harm your pump. If your not going to cover your pool, it's a good idea to purchase an automatic or robotic style pool cleaner. These units can be very effective and minimize the time you spend on maintenance. Prices start about $700. Also make sure you keep your sanitizer (chlorine) at the right level, as well as your ph. If you are going to cover the pool, the trampoline style covers are your best bet. These covers keep the leaves out of the water while allowing rain water to flow through them. When the leaves dry, just grab your blower and blow the leaves right off. While these covers do tend to be expensive (usually a couple thousand dollars installed); most have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. Standard woven plastic tarp style covers will do the job as well, but they tend to hold water on top and it's easy to dump leaves back into the pool when removing them. They are; however, much less expensive. If you have any pool questions or are interested in putting in a new pool; call me (Ray Clary) anytime at 318-372-2669.

Winter pricing on pools can be a bargain

Your best bet for saving money on a new pool is in the heart of Winter. December through February are typically the slowest months of the year, and equipment manufacturers, us as installers, and supply companies are eager to put jobs on the books to keep their workers busy. It is also a great time to move ahead with the pool, on your time frame. Unlike during Spring and Summer; there is very little wait to get started on construction. If your thinking about swimming in the upcoming year, what better Christmas present could you give your family than a new pool. We offer free 3-D design, and can create a beautiful customized DVD of your new pool, to box up and put under the Christmas tree. Call me (Ray Clary) anytime at 318-372-2669 for more information.

Pipes Freezing on your Swimming Pool

Quite a few people have been calling me with concerns about their swimming pool pipes freezing up in this frigid weather. This is a legitimate concern in the 20's temperatures we've had; especially a few days of it in a row. The timer / control panel we use is a Pentair EasyTouch system. It incorporates an auto freeze function that turns the pumps on when the temperature approaches freezing; so, no worries if you have an EasyTouch. If you have standard dial timers on your pool, it is a good idea to turn the pumps on and leave them on for the duration of the freezing temps. Need any advice on your pool, pool chemicals, or thinking about putting in a new pool: call us at the store at 340-0001 or after hours at 372-2669.

How much salt will your saltwater swimming pool use and how to check the level

We use the IC-40 salt system manufactured by Pentair on the pools we build.  Of the many units available, we have found this one to be effective and relaible. 

We also use the Pentair EasyTouch control system on our pools.  This system is very easy to use and easy to program. 

You want the salt level on your pool to range from 3,000 to 3,400 parts per million (ppm).  If the salt level gets too high or too low, the system will not produce chlorine efficiently, and could damage the salt cell over time.

The IC-40 salt cell alone has touch controls on the cell to adjust the chlorine production percentage, and green or red lights to let you know if the salt level is good or low.

Whe used in conjunction with the EasyTouch control system, the IC-40 salt unit can only be adjusted and level checked at the EasyTouch.

To check salt level, do the following:

     1.  Open the front panel on the EasyTouch
     2.  Press the menu button in the upper left of the panel
     3.  Press the down arrow key until you reach  "diagnostics"
     4.  Press the "select" button
     5.  Press the down arrow button until you reach "chlorinator"
     6.  Press the "select" button

At this point the display on the EasyTouch will give you the Salt Level in ppm, and the system status (which should read "OK - No Errors").

When you are finished checking the level, press the menu button until you are back to the "Auto" mode.  You have completed this procedure.

If your salt level is low, salt needs to be added directly into the pool.  An easy way to know how much salt to add is to bring a water sample into our store for a free water test.  If you are not able to get into the store, a good rule of thumb is to add about a half bag of salt (based on a 40lb bag), and recheck the level the next morning.  If still low, repeat.

On an average size pool (approximately 14,000 gallons; you should expect to use about a bag of salt per month through the spring and fall, and up to two bags in the hot months.  Remember that ph, total alkalinity, water hardness and stabilizer need to be monitored to keep everything operating efficiently.

If you have any questions about this or any other aspect of pool maintenance and operation; feel free to contact us at any time. 

Happy swimming:    Ray Clary at Dolphin / 318-372-2669 / ray@dolphinpoolsla.com

Dolphin Pools wins pool construction award at APSP International Expo

                                



Press Release:

Dolphin Pools of West Monroe was honored to be the recipient of an Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) International Award of Excellence at the 2012 International Pool, Spa and Patio Expo held November 5th in New Orleans. 

Installations from around the world were entered in the 2012 APSP International Awards of Excellence competition.  During the ceremony fifty-two builder-companies were announced as award recipients. 

The awarded North Monroe pool of Jeff and Evelyn Johnson is something very unique to this area.  “We took pictures from our Hawaii trip, coupled with others from several magazines, and asked Dolphin if they could actually build our vision;  What we got was a tropical paradise in Louisiana,” said Evelyn.  “When people see our pool for the first time; they can’t believe it.  Several of our friends have asked us why we would ever need a vacation when we have a Disney resort in our backyard.”

The Dolphin Pools creation sports a custom designed multi-tier 12’ Rico Rock waterfall with inlayed remote fire feature at the falls peak.  The fiberglass saltwater pool and spa are encased in Rico Rock formations.  The project is completely automated;  allowing all waterfalls, pool, spa, lighting, and fire features  to be controlled remotely.

“There are many companies out there that can simply build a pool.  We design and build dream pools,” said Ray Clary of Dolphin. 

Dolphin Pools has been designing and building the most beautiful fiberglass pool, spa and water feature creations in North Louisiana for over 31 years.  The business is located at 2505 Cypress Street in West Monroe, and can be reached at (318)340-0001 or on the web at www.dolphinpoolsla.com. 

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“The APSP International Awards of Excellence competition is a tradition honoring the world’s premier pools, spas, hot tubs and water features,” said APSP President and CEO Bill Weber. “The winning installations demonstrate the beauty, desirability and fun of water in people’s lives, and we’re proud our members are reflecting success through this recognition.”

About APSP

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) is the world’s oldest and largest association representing swimming pool, hot tub, and spa manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers’ agents, designers, builders, installers, suppliers, retailers, and service professionals.For more information, visit APSP.org.

 

Swimming pool with sand filter backwash instructions

New pools completed in Monroe and Sterlington

We have recently completed two beautiful saltwater fiberglass pools that I have put together videos for on Youtube.  Check them out on the links below and give us a call at 318-372-2669 if we can do the same for you.

Ray Clary
Dolphin Pools
2505 Cypress Street
West Monroe, LA 71291
ray@dolphinpoolsla.com
www.dolphinpoolsla.com

                                        Monroe Fiberglass Saltwater pool by Dolphin Pools

 

Sterlington Fiberglass Saltwater pool by Dolphin Pools