Shocking your swimming pool is an essential maintenance step that involves adding a concentrated dose of chlorine to the water. The purpose of shocking is to prevent or resolve specific issues such as bacteria growth, algae formation, and the presence of chloramines. Here's a breakdown of what shocking does and why it's necessary: 1. Algae Removal: Algae can quickly multiply and cause damage to your pool. Shocking with a combination of algaecide helps destroy algae by breaking through their protective shells and disrupting their cellular processes. The amount of shock needed depends on the se ..read more

Troubleshooting the pH and alkalinity of your pool is crucial for maintaining its condition. If you notice any imbalances in these levels, it can lead to various pool problems. Poor pH and alkalinity control can result in cloudy water, scaling on the walls, and other severe issues. To ensure your pool remains in optimal condition, it is essential to troubleshoot the pH and alkalinity levels. Here are some important facts about pool pH and alkalinity: The ideal pool pH should range between 7.2 and 7.8, with a neutral point of 7.4. Alkalinity should ideally range between 80 ppm and 120 ppm for ..read more

Managing your pool pump effectively is crucial for maintaining a clean and healthy swimming pool while saving money in the long run. This blog post presents essential tips to help you streamline your pool pump operation and achieve efficient pool management. 1. Ensure Proper Pump Maintenance: To begin, it's important to ascertain the flow rate of water through your pool system. You can do this by utilizing a flow meter or a timer. Once you have determined the flow rate, set your pump timer to run for the appropriate duration each day, considering your pool's size and flow rate. Regularly cle ..read more

Robotic pool cleaners offer numerous benefits, making them a worthwhile investment. They are easy to install, cost-effective to operate, and reduce strain on your filtration system. At Swimming Pool Discounters, we have compiled a guide to help you understand the advantages of using a robotic pool cleaner and how to select the right one for your pool. What are the Benefits of Robotic Pool Cleaners? 1. Improved water filtration and circulation: Robotic pool cleaners contribute to increased pool circulation, relieving some of the workload from your pool pump. Even if your pump, filter, or plumb ..read more

It is essential to maintain the pH and alkalinity of your pool regularly. If you notice that these levels are off, it can cause a number of problems for your pool. From cloudy water to scaling on the walls, poor pH and alkalinity control can lead to severe issues with your pool. To make sure that your pool stays in top condition, it is essential to troubleshoot your pH and alkalinity levels. Facts about Pool pH & Alkalinity: • Pool pH should range between 7.2 and 7.8, with a neutral point of 7.4. • Alkalinity should range between 80 ppm and 120 ppm for optimal functioning. • If the pH is t ..read more

When preparing to open your pool in the summer, it’s essential to make sure that you have your chemical levels balanced correctly. There are a variety of chemicals and levels you need to check to get the job done. Let’s look at how you can achieve this. Start by Cleaning Your Pool Before adding any chemicals, it’s essential to give your pool a good cleaning. Vacuum the floor and walls of your pool to remove dirt, debris, and other build-ups that have accumulated over winter. This is also an opportunity to look for any waterline staining or discoloration caused by minerals in the water that nee ..read more

Getting your pool ready for summer can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t have the help of a professional pool service. But with some knowledge, patience, and time on your hands, you can get your pool ready for the hot summer months. Here are the steps to take to open up your pool properly: Opening Your Swimming pool 1. Inspect and Clean the Pool – Before you do anything else, it’s important to give your pool a thorough inspection and cleaning. Remove any debris from the water, check for any leaks or damage, and make sure there are no clogs in the skimmer. If needed, clean the walls w ..read more

When it comes to running your pool pump, there are several essential tips that you need to follow. These tips will help you save money and manage your pool better in the long run. Check that Your Pump is Properly Maintained First, make sure that you know how much water is flowing through your system. This can be checked with a flow meter or by using a timer. Once you know the flow rate, set your pump timer to run the appropriate amount of time each day based on the flow rate and size of your pool. Next, make sure that your filters are clean and free from debris. If a filter is clogged or dirty ..read more

A robotic pool cleaner is a convenient piece of pool equipment to have. Robotic pool cleaners have a variety of benefits, and they are easy to install, cheap to use and even reduce the strain on your filtration system. At Swimming Pool Discounters, we’ve put together a guide on the benefits of using a robotic pool cleaner and how you can choose the right one for your pool. What are the Benefits of a Robotic Pool Cleaner? Robotic pool cleaners can help filter and circulate water. Increasing the pool circulation, a robotic pool cleaner can help take some of the strain off your pool pump. A robot ..read more

With winter right around the corner in Pittsburgh, it’s time to start preparing to close and winterize your above ground pool. One of the biggest things you will need is a proper winter pool cover. To help you choose the right cover, Swimming Pool Discounters has created a pool cover guide! Follow these tips for finding the perfect winter cover. Types of Winter Pool Covers for Above Ground Pools Above ground, winter pool covers are designed to protect your pool throughout the off-season. When you live in Pittsburgh, you experience snow, ice, and freezing temperatures throughout the winter, so ..read more