Is Your Pool Losing Water?

 

The Bucket Test

If you are experiencing water loss in your pool this is an easy way to determine whether this is natural water loss due to evaporation or whether this is the result of a leak in the pool.

This test must be performed under specific conditions:

·         24hrs of no rain

·         Pool equipment must be turned off and remain off the entire testing period

·         There is to be no usage of the pool

Step 1. Turn off your pool equipment at the breaker to ensure that it will not be turned back on by the timer. 

Step 2.  Fill a bucket ¾ of the way full.  When the water in the bucket is still, mark the height of the water level using either a grease pencil or a piece of tape.  Note that the tape should be able to stay affixed and not fall off during the testing period.

Step 3. Place the bucket on the top step of the pool so that it is partially submerged and resting securely on the step.

Step 4. With the bucket in the pool, mark the level of the water in the pool on the side of the bucket with either a grease pencil or a piece of tape.   Note that the tape should be able to stay affixed and not fall off during the testing period.

Step 5. Wait 24hrs and measure the water lose in both the pool and the bucket.  It is very important that there is no rain or anyone using the pool as that will alter the results of the test.    

Important notes:

We expect the pool to have lost up to 1/8^th of an inch more water than the bucket due to seepage.  This occurs at all fittings that go through the pool shell and is an acceptable loss by manufacture standards.  Seepage is a normal occurrence in all swimming pools and is impossible to prevent.  That is why we must take this into consideration when measuring water loss in the pool.  If your test results show that the pool has lost the same amount of water or up to 1/8^th of an inch more than the pool there is no reason to suspect that your pool has a leak.  If your test results show that the pool has lost more than the allotted 1/8^th of an inch then there may be a leak in the pool and will need to be looked at.

 

Spring Break is Here!!

Swimming in the pool is one of the highlights of Spring, especially during spring break!!  Let's be sure we are keeping our kids safe!  Always supervise children around water, including such places as hotels where you might be more distracted than when at home.  Make sure you have a phone handy in case of an emergency.  Swim lessons for children are a necessity in Florida.  Now is a great time to begin lessons then the children will be ready for summer.  Check out your local YMCA for lessons and information. 

CPR training is also important for parents and caregivers of children.  American Red Cross offers CPR training and first aid.

Also, it is critical to inquire at the camp where your children may be attending to ensure the counselors have up to date training and certified life guards will be on site to patrol the pool or water where the children are swimming.

 

Pools by Bradley Voted Orlando's Best Pool Builder!

Great News!  The August issue of Orlando Magazine's "Best of" issue ranked Pools by Bradley Best  Pool Builder!  We were excited and honored with this news.  We have been building pools in the Central Florida market for the past 12 years.  Bringing good vibes to our community and the surrounding communities has been a pleasure as we like to think of our clients as the best clients a company could ask for!  It is fun to assist in improving our clients' time spent with family and friends and to be recognized for the effort is outstanding!  Thank you Central Florida!

Don't Forget to Add Water to your Pool

Don't forget to check your water levels.  Always be sure you are adding water to your pool even in the cold weather.  Strong winds can add to water loss as well.  Remember adding 3-4 inches of water in a one week period is not uncommon.

Let's Take a Bit of Mystery Out of Pool Construction

One question we get all the time is how long will it take to build my pool?  You can count on an average of 4-6 weeks after we get the permit back from the county or municipality in which you live.  Some county and city governments take longer than others and it also is determined by their staffing and work loads.  You can always call us to check and see where you are in the permit process.  Once we get the permit back we get started and then we have you swimming in approximately 4-6 weeks! 

Open House

Pools By Bradley will be hosting an Open House on Saturday, March 6th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 p.m.  There will be FREE hot dogs, sodas, chips and promotional give-a-ways!

We'll have pool pros on hand to answer any pool related questions, answer questions about renovations, pool design ideas, and ideas for creating the ultimate backyard experience including a pergola, fire pit, landscaping, lighting and more!

Our Pool It Together store will be open featuring inexpensive indoor and outdoor decor for your pool and patio.

We are located at 5725 Wayside Drive in Sanford (on the corner of Wayside Drive and Orange Boulevard).

Stop by and say hello!

How Do I Heat My Pool?

Electric heat pumps, solar and gas are the three methods used today to heat swimming pools.  

      Let's start with the electric heat pump. This is the only system that will typically will heat your swimming pool 12 months out of the year.  What I mean by "typically" is if the outside temperature falls below 45 degrees your heat pump will not heat your pool.  Any temperatures above 45 degress then the heat pump will operate just fine.  The warmer the outside temperature the more efficient your heat pump will operate.  The average cost of a quality heat pump installed is $4,200.  Your electric bill will increase approximately $600-$700 yearly if you maintain 82 degrees water temperature year round.  A heat pump can also be used to heat your spa and the only down side is it might take up to 2 hours to bring your spa up to temperature, whereas a gas heater will do it in a 1/2 hour typically. 

      solar is the next option you have to heat your pool.  The biggest benefit to this system is there are not any additional opperating expenses after the initial investement.  The down side is typically it will only extend your swim season to 10 months out of the year....don't expect a warm pool in January and Febuary.   A quality solar package will cost about the same as a quality heat pump. 

      The last method to heat your pool is with gas.  Gas is most frequently used to heat spas because it offers the fastest way to bring your spa up to the temperature that you would prefer.  Sometimes it is used to heat pools as well.  Why just on special occasions?  Because if you tried to heat your pool with gas year round you would spend thousands of dollars.  A gas heater is the least expensive at $2,000 but the most expensive to use on a daily basis.

       Hopefully this will help you unravel the mysteries behind heating your pool and as always give us a call and we can further assist you!