Executive Pool and Spa
How to fix and prevent green hair
Prevent “swimming-pool” hair. the greenish tint in the hair is not caused by chlorine in pools but by cooper oxide and copper sulfate in the water. The copper comes from old brass fittings, gas-heater coils, algaecide and the water supply itself. To Make it hard for copper to penetrate hair, use a conditioner or leave-in treatment containing silicone polymets such as dimethicone or cyclemethicone…or apply sesame or olive oil before swimming. After you get out of the pool, rinse hair with plain water. you can wash your hair with one-half cup of vinegar to remove copper oxide. One-half cup of tomato juice or lemon juice also will work.
Nicole Rogers, MD, Dermatologist, Tulane Medical School, New Orleans, quoted in The Wall Street Journal.
How to keep your pool water clean
What’s the secret to keeping the water sparkling blue instead of nasty green? Regular maintenance.
Follow these weekly guidelines to help keep your pool water crystal clear throughout the swimming season:
Once a week
- Add pool shock, which breaks down organic matter and disinfects the water. Both chlorine-based and non-chlorinated products are available, but it’s important to add the chemical in the proper ratio to your pool’s total water volume. Follow the label instructions or consult with a pool maintenance provider to determine the best ratio for your pool. Additional shock may be needed following rainstorms or excessively high temperatures.
- Add a maintenance dose of algae prevention.
- Brush the pool walls thoroughly.
- Use a pool vacuum to clean the floor of debris.
Twice a week
- Use test strips to check and maintain pool chemical levels. The water’s pH should measure between 7.4 and 7.6. Chlorine, if used, should measure between 1 to 3 parts per million.
- Empty the pool filter baskets.
- If your pool has tile work, clean the tiles at the water line with a pool surface cleaner.
- Use a skimming tool to remove leaves, insects and any other floating debris from the water’s surface.
Let the pros get your pool ready for summer
For many homeowners, a swimming pool can be a symbol of both pleasure and work. While it undoubtedly provides hours of entertainment, maintaining a pool can be tedious and time-consuming.
Depending upon how frequently they are used, swimming pools can require maintenance as often as one or two times a week. It is important to take extra measures to prepare your pool for various seasons, especially in areas with harsh winters.
If you would rather spend your time enjoying the benefits of owning a swimming pool, look for a reputable pool service to take on the job of keeping it properly maintained and checked for needed repairs or replacement of parts.
Before hiring, make sure you understand what a professional pool service should provide.
- Â Â Â Maintenance
-    Check your pool’s chemistry
- Â Â Â Maintain adequate chemical levels
- Â Â Â Skim debris (leaves, grass, etc.)
- Â Â Â Monitor water levels
- Â Â Â Vacuum floor
- Â Â Â Brush walls, steps and other areas of the pool
- Â Â Â Empty skimmer baskets
- Â Â Â Inspect equipment
- Â Â Â Clean and change filters
- Â Â Â Shock the pool
- Â Â Â Repair/replacements
- Â Â Â Check for potential repairs and replacements, including tile, water filters and pumps, grids, heaters, light fixtures, timer, motors and electrical systems
- Â Â Â Check for plumbing leaks