Runaway Bay Pool & Spa Blog

Hi again…

I truly hope this email finds you well and enjoying the holiday season.

One very common question among swimming pool owners is… “What type of salt water system should I buy?”

Good question.

There’s a TON of them out on the market.  If you’re even considering picking one up, I would recommend reading this short message from top to bottom.

Over the years I’ve installed & worked on countless systems.  Let’s face it – there’s a lot of VERY GOOD systems available on the market.

First… let’s talk a little about Salt Water Chlorine Generators and how they work..

Most importantly and contrary to what your salesman says.. you’re NOT eliminating chlorine from your pool AND they are NOT self-maintaining systems!  If they did eliminate chlorine and you let them take care of themselves…  your pool would turn yellow & green before you could say “But my salesman said..”

Here’s how they work.. kinda..

Very simply.. salt (Sodium Chloride or NaCl) is added to the water to assist with the electrolisis that takes place inside the salt cell.  While salty pool water is passing thru the cell electricity is passed between metal plates which causes molecules of the salt in the water to break apart into sodium and chloride (chlorine).  While that is taking place in the cell.. the chlorine is killing bacteria/algae as the water is travelling thru the pipes back to your pool.  By the time the water reaches the pool again, if all of the other water chemistry (pH & Alkalinity) is good, your water will be shocked clean and you’ll have the nice by-product of soft water which feels very nice on the skin.  The sodium & chloride molecules have re-attached to each other forming salt again and are awaiting their turn to do it all again for you!

Now.. in my opinion, most people who consider themselves “sensitive” or “allergic” to chlorine are not reacting to the chlorine at all.  What is creating a problem is packaged pool chemicals and the additives and carriers in those chemicals.  Those same swimmers who claim allergic reactions to chlorine, typically experience no problems when they are in a salt water pool.  The answer isn’t the absence of chlorine.  Salt systems create their own chlorine.  The answer is the absence of all the packaged chemicals and by-products in those chemicals.

Most people do not buy a salt water pool system for the sole purpose of saving money.  They buy it for the increased swimmer comfort.  With that said, they do save quite a bit of money on pool chemicals, but it probably takes about 3-4 years before the system pays for itself. 

Here is the best rationale for buying a salt water system:  People spend $25,000 and up to build a beautiful pool, so doesn’t it just make sense to spend about $1000 on the water quality.  After all, shouldn’t the best thing about the pool be the water?  In the end, you get what you pay for.  A little money spent on the salt water system will allow the typical homeowner to enjoy their swimming experience so much more.

The only real problem I’ve seen is the fact that it does change the way you do your water chemistry and people are sometimes slow to adapt.  It is very important to follow directions carefully with regard to water chemistry.  Some pool owners have experienced problems trying to keep the pH down, but in our experience it is simply a matter of keeping up with the water chemistry and not letting the pH get too high before trying to adjust it.  Overall, the water chemistry does get easier, but there is a small learning curve.

THAT’S where your friendly neighborhood Runaway Bay ‘Pool-Guy’ (ME) comes in!!  WE take care of all the chemistry for you!

Jandy AquaPure

A very good system that will easily ‘interface’ with your Jandy AquaLink remote system.  Self cleaning.. easy controls.. One of the best!

Aqua Rite Chlorine Generator

Aqua Rite has been a true industry leader and frequently gaining more and more popularity. Aqua Rite is owned by Hayward, one of the most respected and well known names in the swimming pool industry.

Pentair IntelliChlor

This is a great solution that’s easily operated and the ‘viewer’ is simple to read and understand as well. I will admit that this system contains one of the easiest to understand and operate panels on the market today.

Zodiac Clearwater

Zodiac is the largest chlorinator manufacturer in the world. There are 2 points that really stand out with many chlorinators in their product line:

1. The LM Series incorporates a unique Super Chlorination feature which can be activated at the touch of your fingertips. This is an extremely quick way to automatically boost chlorine levels to compensate for heavy bather load or increases in temperature.

2. Actually does a pretty good job when it comes to ‘self cleaning’. Many units advertise them to be self cleaning, but there are few systems on the market that do a decent job. This is one of them… even with our extremely hard water here in the Valley of the Sun. 

If you’re currently shopping for a salt system, I would highly recommend sticking with one of the above and they are not in order of favorite.  From a value standpoint and getting a good bang for your buck, they’re all tough to beat.

It should also be noted that due to our hard water here in the valley there is added maintainence associated with salt systems.  While considering a salt to chlorine generator you will also want to consider the type of filter you have (salt will need to be replaced regularly due to filter backwashing) and some of the stainless steel tanks will corrode over time with salt.   

 Also the type of deck that you have surrounding your pool will need to be addressed.  Pourous decks such as flagstone or un-sealed concrete will deteriorate in a relatively short time due to salt water being splashed on it.  You’ll want a deck that can be sealed and water proofed to be happy over the long haul.  Trust me…

Again, this information is meant to point you in the right direction and provide you with some different options to look at.  If you have any questions please feel free to email or call me

Good Luck and have a great week… meet me here again this coming Friday,

Ken

www.RunawayBayPoolandSpa.com

Hi guys..  In this post I wanted to tell you all a short story but I’m afraid that I may get a little long-winded as usual so it might drag on a bit but please see it thru.. I promise there IS a moral at the end!

In a previous life I was a Finance Mgr at a Dodge dealership in Omaha, NE.  My boss, Jim Z., a very wise man.. would sometimes come into my office and ask what I was up to after work or during the upcoming weekend.  I usually had some ‘honey-do’ list of things like plumbing a sink, putting a new roof on the garage, fixing the disposal, etc..  He would always look at me over his glasses and ask “What do you do for a living?” and I would answer that I worked there for him.  He would then say “Well then.. why a are you trying to do someone else’s job during  your time off?  Find a professional, hire them and let them do whatever it is they are trained to do so you can enjoy your time off with your family and come back to work refreshed and ready to makes us rich!”  I always listened to him but the advice never quite stuck with me until much later… which leads me to the next story…

About 2 years ago I was at a customer’s pool doing my usual FANTASTIC JOB(!) servicing the pool & equipment.  My son Garrett, who was supposed to be my helper, had surrendered to the Arizona heat and was sitting in my truck with the A/C on full blast and I could hear the thumping of way too much bass blasting my stereo.  My poor truck was parked about 25 yards away and I could hear the music like I was at the live concert!  Anyway.. when I finished the pool and got back to the truck I heard the gut wrenching sound of my left front speaker ripped to shreds.. the victim of too much & too loud Cowboy Troy (country music’s only rapper).  Finally limped home after having to listen to music the rest of the day thru only the rear speakers (pretty spoiled huh?).  Well.. right away I got to work and removed the door panel to get access to the blown speaker.  I thought maybe I could just buy a replacement at a stereo store but quickly realized that the speaker had a specially molded frame so I would have to get it from the dealership.  I called the local Dodge parts department and they actually had one in stock for $71.00!  I know.. I was shocked too!  That they had one.. not the price..  Anyway.. I went back out to the truck to go get it.  I put the door panel back in place but only clipped it in with 2 of the 8 retaining clips because they were kinda hard to get out in the first place.  Well.. I got into the driver seat and by the time I swung the door shut I had already forgotten that the panel was just kinda hanging there and I slammed the door too hard.. the panel fell off a lodged between the seat and the door.  I tried to open the door… imagine my shock when it wouldn’t open!  I reached out and was able to open it from the outside.  I put the panel back in.. got in the truck and gently closed the door.  I got to the dealership and bought the speaker.  While I was there I asked one of the service guys to take a look at the door and see if he could see why the darned thing wouldn’t open from the inside.  He took off the panel which was hanging loosely by it’s wires from the door.  The service guy.. (can’t tell you his name but it started with a ‘B’ & ended with a ‘B’ and had 3 letters in it…) looked at me & then back at the panel… looked underneath the panel and said that a little plastic clippy thing had broken off.. probably when the panel broke loose.  He said that the parts counter would have one so back inside I went to buy a clippy thing.  The parts guy looked up my truck model & year & wouldn’t you just know it… they only started making replaceable little clippy things for the doors in 2001… my truck was a 2000!!!!!!!!!!  I think I said “Darn-it” real loud!  He said all I could do was buy an entire door panel and he just happened to have one in my color in stock!  It was shaping up to be my lucky day!  I bought the panel.. another $385.00 and I checked with the service department and they could install both the speaker and the panel right away…. for $185.00. 

Long story short (HaHa)… I should have gone to the experts in the beginning.  What should have cost about $175.00 for a new, installed speaker it ended up costing about $650.00.. plus headache and embarrassment.

Of course the moral of the story is leave the pool work to the experts.. it will usually end  up costing you less in the long run.  We know what were doing.. what equipment works with what pool, pumps, filters, chemicals, etc…

Thanks for your time and make it a great weekend!   Ken

Dan Gagnon

Aaron Murphy

Dan & Aaron moved here from Sioux Falls SD just to be part of the Scottsdale scene (and of course.. to be ‘Pool-Guys’ with Runaway Bay).  They’re fast learners and have already got most of the service & repair part of the job down pat.  In January they’ll both be attending a 2-day course to get their CPO (Certified Pool Operator) certificate.  The course will certify them in the areas of pool & spa water chemistry, common equipment we use, repairs, record keeping, scheduling, etc..   So.. when you see one or both of them splashing around in your backyard please go out and tell them hi.  They’re looking forward to getting to know all of our friends, pools and pets.  Which reminds me to remind you to ask them about ‘What’s The Scoop?’ .. their pet waste relocation business that they have started on the side.  Although it’s not part of Runaway Bay Pool & Spa they’ll probably be doing some ‘poop-patrolling’  at the same time as they do their pool routes.  I’ll make sure that they don’t confuse the two!  Let’em know if you’re interested… they’ve already had a number of sign-ups!

See you all soon.     Ken

Myths Surrounding Heating Up Your Pool ( what works and what don’t)…

Hi Everyone… Ken, your pool guy, here..

Well… I guess I’ve really done it this time!  I’ve started a Runaway Bay Blog Page!  I’m sure this blog thing is going to get me in waaaay over my head really fast but I am going to give it a try.  My goal is to keep all of you somewhat informed about stuff relating to your pools & spas.  We’re going to have Q & A’s, FAQ’s (see.. I already know some of the ‘lingo’ they use!), post pictures & ‘How To’ videos.  I’ll even let you in on some of the SUPER SECRET ’Pool-Guy’ tricks &  tips that’ll help you take care of your pool & spa.  I’ll also throw in a funny story every now & then.. I MAY even tell you all why Dan & Aaron seem to fall (or do they jump) into 65 degree pools with shocking regularity!      I think it’ll be a lot of fun. 

AND Informative…. I’ll also be adding information regarding upcoming service schedule changes, merchandise sales, etc.. 

I’m planning on posting new stuff EVERY FRIDAY AFTERNOON.. if not more often… so check it.. I’ll keep you in the loop.