Search the Community

Pool owner or someone considering installing a pool - My advice from a proven quality contractor of several decades is to do your due diligence before going into a pool store. I've read forum after forums, honestly most on those forums are not professionals when it comes to "correct" advice. An example I've read many articles where ones write about prices to upkeep pool's in general. That is like comparing nutritional value and price to nectarines v. peaches. Neither are even germane to each other. Prices in the United States are divided into Climate Zones, time for swim season in Southern California isn't going be the same in San Francisco or even Atlanta Georgia, and the prices will vary from geographical area to the next mainly based on Basic Economics. Yea the course most fail the first time out. Prices vary all over the board are due to supply and demand, if the demand for chlorine is high in the peak Summer months as compared to Winter months elsewhere because you cannot or if had any sense at all know that Chlorine will lose its potency as it ages, similar to males. Thy chances of fathering children at age 50 is far less than at age 20's because of one word ones who own swimming pools seem to forget as compared to a spa, whirlpool, or even hot tub. That word is "Potency." That is why I warn others to ask for the manufacturing date before buying pool store liquid chlorine; so what, it's 12% when manufactured, but if the distributor did not deliver until 14 days later, and the pool store did not sell until 10 days later now you have a product that is 26 days aged. That now 12% chlorine is not 12% but more likely 8.28% germane to grocery store brand at far less price. If that same 12% was left in the sunlight then it will be even less potent than 8.28%, more likely closer to 7.09%; but, that all depends upon geographical region of the Climate Zone again. Why pay almost $5.00 a gallon when you can buy germane product for $2.35 a gallon that serves the same principle. Another word of caution that pool stores do not warn ones of; and, I am not surprised there not more law offices located near pool stores that specialize in personal injury law. Combining different types of chlorine is very dangerous, you are asking for dangerous ways to harm yourself badly! Storing chlorine in the same building as you store your garden supplies like gasoline, motor oil and BBQ supplies - Well folks I'm surprised you have not blown up the neighborhood. One teaspoon of motor-oil added to one teaspoon of chlorine will relocate your house, yourself, and objects around you over into the next county, with you unlikely surviving the explosion. That equates to one stick of dynamite or about one Joule of energy. Image a dump truck loaded with sand that's about 38 tons. A stick of dynamite will send that truck 60 mph in an upward motion without any assistance; sixty miles per hour upwards. What do you think that will do to you or your house. Don't Mess With Chlorine, and sadly enough pool stores do not warn ones of the dangers of mixing and handling products sold. A struggle attorney could retire young by placing an office near the largest pool store in the community quickly at the rate of misleading information coming from pool stores. Most pool stores hire college age who have very little experience with chemicals or pools; so, go figure next time you go into a pool store. The Internet is filled with information if you know where to look all about chemicals used in water balancing. Did you know that vinyl liner pools do not required the value of Calcium Hardness that so many pool stores sell ones upon. Find a basic chemistry book from a high school, and find the periodic table and learn it; and, you will say yourself piles of cash by staying away from pool stores. You don't need their advice or supplies to save piles of cash, and enjoy your investment. I've ran into hundreds of frustrated people who've been mislead by pool stores; so, frustrated they were in tears due to pool stores robbing them because a store cannot survive without customers. I actually felt so badly about an elderly lady who had spent over a thousand dollars at a local pool store who mislead her in how to get their pool blue again, and I fixed her problem at no charge for labor for less than $5.00 from the pantry of her kitchen. That's just one sad story about my take on pool stores, they're not professionals in the trade they represent for the majority. Give example that same pool store installed a swimming pool at a house I'd purchased many years ago, and they used "staples"; yes, you read that correctly "staples" to hold the wall foam in places rather than spend the money for proper spray adhesive. Those staples is later learned is what caused a high metal content in the pool costing me over a $1,300 to exchange at my labor costs because most whom claim to be professionals in this case are nuts; and, worst part many pool owners are squirrels chasing after those nuts...