A.   If your cover is solid, water will accumulate on top. It is a good idea to keep up to 1 inch of water on the cover at all times. However, more than 1 inch will cause the middle of the cover to sag and may stretch the material. If your cover is a mesh material, water will drain into the pool, causing the pool water level to rise. Keep a submersible pump under the cover approximately on the top step. By keeping the water level at that point you can avoid a water puddle in the middle of the cover. For more information read today’s article on Winter Cover Pumps.   BONUS – With a pool and spa combination water can collect over the pool and over the spa. To avoid a puddle over the spa, place something under the cover to create a dome effect on top of the cover, usually called a ‘spa ball’ or ‘spa pillow’. This will force the water to run off and prevent water accumulation over the spa.

2.   Should I cover my equipment for the winter?

A.   It is recommended that only the heater be covered. If you plan on covering the heater, use only a recommended custom heater cover that will allow the air to breath and prevent condensation. WARNING: Do not use a standard tarp. This will create condensation which has an extremely low pH and will cause rust, corrosion, and damage to equipment.

3.  When is the best time to schedule my pool opening?

A.  We schedule openings on a first come first serve basis. You can call our office now or anytime to schedule a date. Generally, our spring / opening brochures and agreements are mailed around Valentine’s Day. By the end of February the most desirable days are booked solid.

For answers to your questions… send your questions to: info@gorlinpools.com

Pool heaters are the fastest method, and they are generally best used for either intermittent or maintenance heating. Heaters are also frequently the method of choice for those who like to swim regardless of the weather.  Pool heaters burn fuel, usually either natural gas or propane, in a combustion chamber and transfer the resulting heat into the pool water, raising its temperature.  Gas heaters typically last for eight years or more.  They do require annual cleaning maintenance due to the extreme temperatures inside the unit and the changes from summer to winter.

Pool heat pumps are electrically powered.  They extract heat from the air, provided it is at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and transfer the heat to the pool water.   Heat pumps can maintain pool water temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit by making use of hot air energy.  Heat pumps are extremely efficient (600%) and have a very low cost of operation because they require very little electricity to function.  Head pumps typically last for eight years or more and also require annual cleaning maintenance.

As both types of heating systems come with their own benefits and drawbacks, the option that will be best for you will be a personal decision that depends on all of the above factors. No matter which type of system you ultimately choose, however, a high quality heating unit will always provide you with effective swimming pool heating and an extended swimming season. When selecting a gas swimming pool heater, you need to consider the following:

• Surface area of the pool
• Coldest ambient air temperature
• Maximum wind – MPH
• Months of operation
• Availability of natural or propane gas
• Location of installation and proximity to the gas supply

For more information on Gorlin Pools please visit us online at http://www.gorlinpools.com.

To ensure a good relationship with your pool service company, it is important that you are clear about your needs and expectations, and that you communicate those to your pool service professional.    Both parties want the relationship to be successful and to last for the long-term.  You can start the relationship off right with clear communication that establishes your needs and expectations.  Take the time to get to know one another and ask questions.  After all, your technician will be working in and around your home.  Let your technician tell you about themselves and their services, so that you know which options are the best match for your circumstances.  Become familiar with the office staff and never hesitate to ask questions or make requests concerning your water environment.

For more information visit Gorlin Pools online at http://www.gorlinpools.com.

The concept of Layers of Protection is simple:  In addition to employing adult supervision, pool, spa and hot tub owners should use several devices to warn of a child’s presence or delay his or her unsupervised access.  These layers of protection act as a backup to but should not replace vigilant adult supervision, and may include:

• A barrier, e.g., a fence, that is at least four feet high and completely surrounds the pool
• Infrared detectors, which sound when the area around the pool perimeter is entered
• Door exit alarms to warn of entry into the pool area
• Fence gate alarms, which sound when the fence gate is open/opened
• Automatic power safety covers
• Manual safety covers
• Pool alarms, which sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water by detecting wave motion or acoustic changes

Additional information is available from the professionals at Gorlin Pools & Spas, or online at www.apsp.org.

FREEZE DAMAGE PREVENTION

FREEZE DAMAGE – ALGAE GROWTH – COVER FAILURES

These are just a few costly problems that can occur during the off season. Your best protection to avoid damage and repairs during the off season -

WINTER WATCH                      WINTER WATCH

Once per month:

•  Inspect and adjust the cover and cover pump
• Inspect the equipment and above ground plumbing
• Test the chemistry of the water
• Adjust water level in the pool
• Evacuate water off the top of the cover
• Inspect general appearance of the yard
• Inspect the yard and pool area for SAFETY

Set is and Forget it

Steve Gorlin - Winter “Safety Covers” for swimming pools – fall into 1 of 2 categories.

“Solid Safety Covers”

Your cover prevents melted snow and rain water from entering the pool. Your solid material retains all rain and snow on top of the cover. 

• Under the cover, the pool water level is at the bottom of the tile. The pool water supports the cover when the cover has a lot of snow load on it. So don’t ever lower your pool water more than 18″ below the cover. Again, always have support under the cover.
• Now… on top of the cover, when snow collects, don’t worry until it melts. Again, don’t worry until it melts. When melted snow and rain accumulate on top of the cover, be sure to evacuate that water to keep the cover dry.
• An automatic submersible pump will turn on when water accumulates and turns off when the water is evacuated. The automatic feature is worth the minor extra cost because you set it and forget it. You don’t go outside in December, January or February. The manual pump still requires you to plug the extension cord into the outlet to turn the pump on. And, remove the plug from the outlet to turn the pump off. Can you forget to turn it on? …yes. Can you forget to turn it off? No? Ha Ha …How many times are you going to forget to turn it off?

       “Mesh Safety Covers”

Your material permits melted snow and rain water to syphon through the cover then… fill up the pool. The porous material forces all debris to remain on top of the cover while the mesh weave and  gravity permits melted snow and rain water through. Again, debris remains on top.

• Under the cover,  the pool water level is at the bottom of the tile. The pool water supports the cover when the cover has a lot of snow load on it. So don’t ever lower your pool water more than 18″ below the cover. Always have support under the cover.
• Now… on top of the cover, when snow collects, don’t worry until it melts. Again, don’t worry until it melts. When melted snow and rain water syphons through the cover, be sure to evacuate all that water from the pool so as to keep the level where it started, at the bottom of the tile. 
• An automatic submersible pump will turn on when water accumulates and turns off when the water is evacuated. The automatic feature is worth the minor extra cost because you set it and forget it. You don’t go outside in December, January or February. The manual pump still requires you to plug the extension cord into the outlet to turn the pump on. And, remove the plug from the outlet to turn the pump off. Can you forget to turn it on? …yes. Can you forget to turn it off? No? Ha Ha…How many times are you going to forget to turn it off?

Can you place a value on a life? Accidents occur in the blink of an eye. A child tries to retrieve her ball from the cover. A silly game of “You Go First”. A pet is chasing another animal. All of these scenarios… and more… are possible.

Your old style water-bag polypropylene cover is a “death-trap”. With no support, a victim quickly becomes surrounded and entrapped by the cover and the water.

Replace that old unsafe water-bag cover today with a “Safety Cover” designed to hold the weight of a car. With cross straps sewn into the entire cover and springs and anchors in the deck the cover almost looks and feels like a trampoline. If walked on, the support and structure prevents drowning.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Replace your unsafe water-bag polypropylene cover with a “Safety Cover” today. Go to Gorlin Pools  and contact us today.

• Our trustworthy, respectful, loyal, cooperative, sincere, responsible, effective and empathetic employees are at the HEART of our business
• We maintain, service, renovate, build and design waterscapes from small cocktail swimming pools to fit tiny yards to large public facilities.
• We have 13 trucks on the road, 6 days a week.
• We lead the recreational water industry in technology.
• We are a warranty center for  every major manufacturer.