Outer Banks Pools & Spas - Articles #Off-Season

Pool Heater Benefits

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 14:59:00 -0500

Is installing a pool heater the right decision for you?

...That depends. The first thing to understand is that having a pool heater can extend your pool season for an average of one month in the spring (opening early April), and an average of one month in the fall (closing late October).

Whether you own a rental home, or wanting to extend the season at your private home, the costs are the same, while the benefits vary. For the private homeowner, the benefit is simple, you might be swimming on Easter Sunday, or Halloween.

If you're considering investing in a pool heater for your rental home, there are a few things you should ask yourself:

Do I want to extend my rental season?
Heated pools attract spring and fall vacationers.
Do I want to use my pool during the shoulder months when I take my home off the rental market?
Pools are often too cold when homeowners are here enjoying their homes outside of peak rental weeks.
Is this a good year to make an improvement?
Some years are better than others, and if you weren't hit with other unexpected home maintenance costs, now might be a good time.

If you answered YES to any or all of the above questions, you may want to keep reading.

There are two types of heaters, gas and electric. They differ widely in cost, ability, and reliability. Most new homes have Electric Heat Pumps installed, and old gas heaters are often replaced with electric ones. I almost always recommend installing an electric heater, but there are some cases in which a gas heater is best. Here are a few of the pros and cons.

Electric Heat Pump (HVAC):

Pros:

lower operating cost/energy efficient
more reliable in the harsh salt air environment
easier repairs. HVAC is common
new units have a defrost function that will cool the pool water.

Cons:

higher initial cost
takes longer to heat pool water
will not work in cold weather (50F and below) or heavy winds.

Gas Heater (plumbed into line to your stove/fireplace):

Pros:

lower initial cost
heats water quickly
will operate in lower outside temperatures and regardless of wind

Cons:

more components make it more vulnerable to the environment.
much higher operation cost. Gas is expensive.
because gas heaters are getting less common, repair technicians are becoming harder to find. This can result in longer wait time for repairs.

Request A Quote >

Speciality Treatments

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 15:57:00 -0500

Keeping Pools Clear & Blue!

Did source water stain your pool or did it turn green over the winter? We stock an essential range of speciality chemicals to help with the upkeep of our pools, and our team has the knowledge and experience to correct serious water chemistry issues.

Green to Clean...

We received a call to take over service when a pool turned green during the off season, no problem! I use chlorine and algaecides to destroy the algae, and flocculant to drop it to the bottom. Once debris has settled, I use an external pump to remove it from the pool. Using this process, I keep from unnecessarily clogging the filter and have the pool clear in 24 hrs. One more day of water balancing and thorough cleaning and you're ready to swim! Pools in my service program are treated during winterization and checked during the winter to keep this from happening to begin with. During the season, in addition to the usual oxidizers, I treat with maintenance doses of algaecides and phosphate removers to prevent algae growth. As they say, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Stains Away...

Pool staining is common and can be caused by a variety of issues. Most common on the Outer Banks are stains from metals in source water (straight out of the spigot) and/or from live oak leaves resting on the bottom of the pool during the winter (if you do not have a cover). Stains are difficult and can require more than a basic understanding of water balancing to treat effectively. Step one is understanding what is causing the stain, this will determine the course of action. Treatments can be expensive and disrupt water balance, which is why sometimes it's best to call a professional when faced with discolored pool walls. Stains, like algae, are more easily prevented than treated. Pools in my service program with staining issues are treated in the spring (after opening/before swimming) and receive maintenance doses of stain prevention during the season. Filtering the source water before it goes into the pool can help too!

Cloudy to Clear...

During hot summer months, cloudy pool water is a common problem. Cloudiness is almost always caused by "heavy bather load". Simply put, this means that there are too many bodies in the water. The equation: heavy bather load + sunscreen = clogged pool filter = no chlorine going into water = cloudy pool. Fortunately this problem can be easily fixed, especially if you act quickly. Cleaning the filter, chlorinating the water, along with enzymes and clarifiers will clear the water usually in a matter of hours. I use high quality, organic treatments to speed up the process, which is important when it's 95F out and the kiddies are begging to get back in! During the season my pools are treated with maintenance doses of these oil-fighting enzymes, increasing pool filter efficiency and controlling the "scum line".

These images show a pool cloudy from heavy use and oils

Storm Cleans & Prep

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 12:02:00 -0500

Hurricane Ready on the Outer Banks!

Unfortunately our beautiful barrier islands are prone to heavy winds and rains due to nor'easters and hurricanes. We offer our customers a Hurricane Preparation service and are fully equipped with a variety of commercial pumps to handle all after-storm cleanings.

Hurricane Preparation Tips:

Stack furniture and secure loose items

In preparation for storm force winds, furniture should be stacked away from the pool and secured when necessary - NOT thrown in the pool. Throwing furniture in the pool risks damaging the pool and also makes cleanup more difficult and time consuming. Furthermore, it is important to store loose items such as umbrellas, floats, cushions etc. to prevent damage to property.

Pool Safety Covers

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 13:27:00 -0500

Custom Size - Made in USA

Winter safety covers provide peace of mind during the off-season. Not only will a cover help keep the pool free of debris and algae, it provides safety for children and pets. Riptide Pool & Spa provides the sale of high quality dura mesh vinyl or polyproplene covers. These covers are made to endure many winters in harsh environments like the Outer Banks. Installation, removal and dry summer storage can be included in your service agreement.

Request A Quote >