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How can I prevent Algae from growing in my pool? Tip for Pool Service, Houston Pool Builder

Algae growth is a common problem & some experts have suggested an effective solution is to remove phosphates from the water. The belief is that this action takes away a food source, reducing algae problems or even killing it (by starvation). It is important to note that phosphate-removing products are NOT EPA approved or registered as algae killers (algaecides) or algae inhibitors (algaestats). Recent studies performed on algae growth related to phosphates have actually shown that an alga

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Pool Service Tips from your Houston Pool Builder & Service provider, The Pool Man, Inc.

Some simple tips to help make things easy around your pool equipment: Always stand clear of the pool filter when you start your system up. Pump pressure can cause the tank to expand and if the clamp(s) are loose there is a potential for the lid to come off. Keep records of your pressure readings on the pressure gauges. This will help tell you when the pool filter needs cleaning and will help your technician diagnose problems with the system. Check your system for leaks – catching l

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Pool Service from your Pool Builder in Houston, The Pool Man, Inc.

Spring is almost here! Get your pool ready for swimming season with help from The Pool Man. Give our Pool Service Manager a call to schedule an equipment check-up to make sure you are ready for the upcoming swim season.  Don’t forget to add a filter clean also. For more pool maintenance tips, please subscribe to our blog or find us on Facebook. The Pool Man Inc., is a Houston Pool Builder serving the Tomball, Cypress, Magnolia and Houston areas since 1981. We are a BBB (Better Business Bureau) a

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Pool Maintenance Tip from you Houston Pool Builder, The Pool Man, Inc.

Salt Cell Service – Pools that use salt and an electronic chlorine generator (salt cell) need service that is unique to that product. The cell itself will gradually accumulate “scale” on the fins inside the housing that has to be cleaned off. This is a natural byproduct of the process of converting salt to chlorine, so be sure to clean your cell every couple of months. All salt cells have a built in sensor the reads the salinity of the water, if your system thinks the salt is always too high or

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Pool Service Tip from your Houston Pool Builder

If you are having a hard time keeping your pool water clean and clear – it might be time to service your filter. Some of the signs of a dirty or damaged filter are: pressure reading on filter gauge is 5 – 10 lbs. above normal dirt and debris blowing back into pool DE blowing back into pool when recharging after backwashing heater not operating because of restricted water flow through filter Give our Service Department a call and we’ll have your system quickly back to normal.

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Pool Chemical Tip from your Custom Pool Builder in Houston

With the rain we are currently having, make sure your check your pool water for proper chemical balance. The rain can bring debris, unwanted chemicals such as fertilizer, leaves and grass clippings all into your pool. These items will affect the chemical balance of your pool water. Be sure to test your water after the rain and adjust your chemicals to bring the water back to proper balance and avoid issues down the road. For more pool maintenance tips, please subscribe to our blog or find us on

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Pool Maintenance Tip from your Cypress & Houston Pool Builder

Leaks on pool equipment or plumbing should be a cause for concern – it’s not going to get better on its own. Many leaks can rapidly get worse and can cause other issues with your plumbing and pool equipment. Your pump can run dry or hot causing damage to the pump itself and the surrounding plumbing. A leak on a salt water pool can cause any exposed metal to corrode if left unchecked. If you see constant wet areas on your equipment pad give our Service Department a call – we would be happy to com

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Pool Safety Tip from your Houston Custom Pool Builder

It is very important to regularly check any handrails, ladders, slides and diving boards around your pool for any signs of wear or needed repairs. Any rusted bolts or cracked equipment should be replaced immediately to prevent any injury or damage. Be sure all equipment is secure and does not move in any way. Regular inspections will prevent costly repairs or safety concerns down the road. For more pool safety tips, please subscribe to our blog or find us on Facebook. The Pool Man Inc., is a Hou

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Pool Chemical Tip from your Houston and Cypress Pool Builder

Cloudy Water: Cloudy water can be attributed to either chemical or physical causes. Common chemical causes include the following: High PH High total alkalinity High calcium hardness Low (or No) free chlorine residual High levels of combined chlorine Improper product addition If the water is in proper balance, and chemicals have been added properly, then you should look to physical contributions to cloudy water. These include: Inadequate circulation Poor fi

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Pool Maintenance Tip from your Houston Pool Builder

The Importance of Proper Water Balance Water balance is important for the following reasons: 1.) prevent disease 2.) protect equipment 3.) provide the expected environment. Sanitizers are more effective in water that is properly balanced. Balanced water is more comfortable for swimmers because it reduces unpleasant odor, burning eyes and itchy skin. Balanced water will also help prevent equipment corrosion and / or scale build up. Improperly balanced water can become cloudy and unappealing for s

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Pool Maintenance Tip from your Houston and Cypress Pool Builder

Give your automatic cleaner a check-up! With the Fall season, your pool’s automatic cleaner is about to earn it’s stripes and save you tons of time and sweat in clearing leaves from your pool. Whether you have an In-Floor cleaning system or one of the variety of robotic cleaners, now is the time to give it a check-up and repair/replace anything that isn’t working quite right! For more information, please contact our pool service department. For more pool maintenance tips, please subscribe to our

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How to Get Rid of Yellow/Mustard Algae – Houston Pool Builder Pool Maintenance Tip

Pool Maintenance Tip #4 – the last in our Pool Algae Series – Yellow/Mustard Algae Yellow or Mustard algae is very similar to green algae, but it is much slower growing and does not have the green pigment (chlorophyll) which accounts for its yellow color. Because Yellow algae is slow growing, it is very difficult to destroy. By the time you see it in your pool, it has probably been growing for several days or even weeks. Also, since it is low in chlorophyll which likes light, it can grow in dark

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Pool Service Tip from your Houston Pool Service Provider

Is your pool pump running dry or hard to prime? With the warmer weather already here, we are experiencing many pool service calls due to pool pumps running dry. Dry running pool pumps cause heat which in turn damages equipment and pipes. Here are a few quick checks you can make to ensure your pool pump is running properly. 1.      Check to make sure your pool filter is clean – poor flow can cause many problems with your pool equipment. 2.      Make sure the water level in your pool is at least h

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Pool Filter Pumps – Pool Service Tip From Your Houston Pool Service Company

How long should I run my Pool Filter Pump? As the weather here in Houston heats up, you should be running your pool filter pump accordingly. We suggest running the pool filter pump 8 – 12 hours per day depending on the size of your pool, amount of landscaping around the pool and the level of usage during the summer months. With warmer weather, the water needs to be circulated and filtered longer due to higher swimmer usage (kids on Summer break) and to prevent algae blooms. Now is also the time

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Pool Maintenance Tip from your Houston Weekly Pool Service Provider – The Pool Man, Inc.

ALGAE SEASON!!!      – With the warmer weather upon us, Mother Nature has also returned to us every pool owner’s nemesis….algae. This year, algae blooms are expected to be more prevalent, as well as to contain more aggressive strains than in previous years, as algae from dried up rivers, lakes, etc. has found its way into the air…and it is a much heartier type than your blooms in years’ past have been. Not to worry though, as there is a cure for all types. We will do these in a series over the c

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Pool Maintenance Tip from your Houston Pool Builder – Why is my pool water cloudy?

Why is my pool water cloudy? Cloudy pool water can be attributed to either Improper Chemical Balance or Physical Causes.Common chemical causes can include High PH, High Total Alkalinity, High calcium hardness or improper product addition.When several chemicals need to be applied, it is usually necessary to space out the application of the chemicals. When adding larger amounts of chemicals to adjust water balance, the key thing to remember is add small amounts over a wide area of the pool, over t

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Pool Chemical Tip from your Pool Builder in Houston

Today’s Pool Chemical Tip:  Combined Chlorine.  Combined chlorine occurs when free available chlorine combines with ammonia or other nitrogen containing contaminants present in pool water. Combined chlorine (or chloramines) is not an effective sanitizer for pool water applications. Combined chlorine can contribute to cloudy water, chlorine odor and eye irritation. The only way to find your combined chlorine level is to test for total chlorine and free chlorine, then subtract free chlorine from t

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Water Chemistry Tip from your Cypress and Houston Pool Builder

When/Why do I need fresh water in my pool? There are circumstance where replacing the pool water is necessary to reduce the buildup of certain chemicals.  These chemicals can include calcium, metals, cyanuric acid(stabilizer) and total dissolved solids. The easiest way to remedy the situation is to partially drain the pool and refill with fresh water. It has been suggested that draining and refilling a pool before the swimming season is beneficial in keeping these substances at a happy medium. I

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Super Service Award from Angie’s List for The Pool Man, Inc – your Custom, Houston Pool Builder

The Pool Man, Inc. was awarded the “Super Service Award” from Angie’s List for 2011. With all the options available to you on the internet to research and use recommendation or referrals, we are proud of our feedback on Angie’s List. We encourage you to use all the information you can obtain to make your decision on choosing a Houston Pool Builder.

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Pool Maintenance Tip from your Houston Pool Builder

As Spring approaches, you may want to go through your pool maintenance supplies and check the expiration dates for all of your pool chemicals. Most chemicals have a shelf life and when expired will not be as effective as they are supposed to be. Be sure to check your water testing reagents; if they are expired, your test results will be inaccurate. Double check all of your pool cleaning equipment and you’ll be ready to go for the upcoming swim season. For more pool maintenance tips, check out ou

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Employee Spotlight from your Pool Service Company in Houston

Meet Chris Scaife one of our Repair Technicians. Chris is one of four technicians responsible for keeping your pool equipment up and running. All of our Technicians are Certified by the State of Texas and we provide ongoing training to keep them current with all types of pool equipment.

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Quick Service Tip from your Custom Pool Builder

The Pool Man, Inc. service tip: Pool lights aren’t turning on? The first place to check is the GFCI outlet or the circuit breaker connected to the pool lights. Many times  it just requires the GFCI outlet to be reset. If you are not sure, just call our Service Manager and he would be happy to walk you through it or schedule one of our Technicians to come out. All of our Technicians are certified and licensed with the State of Texas.

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Chemical Tip from your Custom Pool Builder in Houston

Total Dissolved Solids Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is a measure of dissolved material in the water such as bather waste, algaecides, disinfectants, specialty chemicals, dirt & debris. High TDS can be an indication of “old” water. An acceptable TDS level is less than 2500 ppm (or less than 1500 ppm above source water). Note that these levels do not apply to pools equipped with a chlorine generator. At high TDS levels, the water can become cloudy. If the level is higher than 2500ppm, it is re

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Employee Spotlight from your Houston and Tomball Pool Builder

This month everyone is in the spotlight! We are so blessed to have such a great team all under one roof! Everyone has contributed so much to take care of our customers and help keep our company prosperous. Great job Everyone!


Chemical Tip from The Pool Man, Your Houston and Tomball Pool Builder

What is Total Alkalinity (TA)? It’s the amount of alkaline components in the water. TA acts as a buffer against rapid PH fluctuation. PH can be affected by environmental factors such as acid rain, pollution, run-off from the surrounding land and fertilizers – just to name a few. Keeping the TA at the proper range will help prevent PH bounce if it is too low and help prevent scale from forming if it is too high.  The ideal range is 80 – 120 parts per million.  Contact our Service Department if yo

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Service Tip from your Houston Pool Builder

The next time you replenish tablets in your chlorinator, lubricate the lid oring with a teflon based lubricant. This will extend the life of the oring and help prevent leaks. Contact The Pool Man for any of your service needs.

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The Pool Man, Inc. – Your Houston Area Pool Builder and Facebook

Join our Facebook page. “LIKE” us and have access to safety and maintenance tips, pictures, recipes of the month, videos, landscaping tips, pool chemical instructions and much more. Keep yourself informed. Become a part of The Pool Man Family!www.poolmaninc.com


Winter Landscaping Tips from your Houston and Magnolia Pool Builder

Below are some seasonal tips to gear up for cooler weather.  It is that time of year to plant some seasonal color before the Holidays.  Some popular types of flowers are snapdragon, pansy, alyssum, viola, dianthus, and cyclamen.  When installing your new flowers, make sure that the area you are planting in has fresh / loose soil.  Make sure you locate your flowers where they can best accent your landscape and add the best amount of pop for the Holiday season. Now is the time to mulch the beds to

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Winter Pool Service Tip from your Houston Pool Service provider – What is Freeze Protection & How Does It Work?

Freeze protection is a system that detects colder temperatures and will automatically turn your pumps on to ensure the water stays circulating and does not freeze in your pipes & equipment. For pools with automated (electronic) timers, they are most likely built in as a feature of your system, but for pools with manual time clocks, the freeze protection is usually a separate component that is installed separate from the time clock itself. It is a relatively inexpensive addition to any pool s

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Chemical Tip from The Pool Man, Providing Pool Service in the Houston and Cypress Area

What is PH? PART 2 Yesterday we explained what PH is – Today we will cover what happens when your PH is not properly balanced. PH too low – your water becomes acidic which will etch and pit your plaster surface, creating a roughness which is ideal for algae growth and uncomfortable to swimmers.  Pool equipment can become damaged. Chlorine is activated and lost to the atmosphere quickly and you throw money away by adding chlorine when the PH is too low. While swimming your eyes and nose will burn

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Chemical Tip from the Pool Man, Providing Pool Service in the Houston Area

What is PH? PH is one of the most important factors in pool water balance and it should be tested and adjusted every week. PH is a way to measure the acidity or alkalinity of water. Proper PH balance protects the equipment, the plaster surface, allows the sanitizer to do its best job and it increases swimmer enjoyment. The ideal range for PH is 7.2 – 7.6 ppm (parts per million).  Look for our follow-up Pool Service tip tomorrow on what happens when the PH is too high or too low. You can “like” u

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Employee Spotlight at The Pool Man, Your Cypress Pool Builder

Meet Noble Roberts. He has been with us for 13 years and is still going strong. Noble is our resident fishing expert. When he’s not servicing your pool you’ll find him on one of the local waters with his fishing pole. Thank you Noble for your years of service and we look forward to many more. Check out our facebook page for more information and tips.

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Service Tip from The Pool Man, Inc. – Your Houston Pool Service Provider

Leaves, Leaves Everywhere! This time of year is when the leaves start falling.  If you have a lot of trees around your pool you must be mindful about emptying your skimmer baskets and pump baskets as often as needed. You need to “net” the leaves floating around in the pool also. Clogged skimmer and pump baskets can cause your pumps to run “dry” and severely damage your pool equipment and plumbing. As inconvenient as emptying the baskets several times a week can be (not to mention sticking your h

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Chemical Tip from The Pool Man, your Houston Pool Builder

What is Free Available Chlorine? This is the active chlorine in the water that has not combined with organic matter and is therefore available for killing bacteria and algae. The proper range for free chlorine residual is 1.0 – 3.0 ppm (parts per million). Below 1.0 can cause swimmer irritation, cloudy water and even allow algae to grow. Have a question about your Pool Chemistry? Contact Pool Man Inc, your Houston Pool Builder and Service Provider.

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Pool Service Tip from your Houston Pool Builder

How long does my filter pump need to run when the weather gets cooler? As we start to move into the cooler months, you should decrease the run time of your filtration pump. The exact time varies for each pool but a good starting point is to cut your running time down to 6 hours and monitor the condition of your pool. If you notice any negative change, increase the run time. You might find that you may be able to decrease the run time even more. This process will take a few days but you will

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Pool Service Tip – Houston, is it time to clean my filter?

How do I know when it is time to clean my filter? The frequency of filter cleans can vary greatly dependant upon the type and size of your pool filter and the bather load (the maximum # of people who can safely swim in your pool at one time) of your pool. Filters that use cartridge media or diatomaceous earth (D.E.) usually need to be cleaned at least bi-annually, while sand filters can go much longer before needing to change out the sand. Both sand & D.E. filters can be backwashed to reduce

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Important Pool Service & Maintenance Tip – Houston, know your Pool Chemicals – Cyanuric Acid

What do you know about Cyanuric Acid?  It is commonly referred to as a pool water stabilizer or conditioner.  Cyanuric acid is an odorless, white granular substance.  It is often added to chlorine products to increase the longevity of the free chlorine in your pool water by inhibiting it’s destruction by sunlight.  Studies have shown that when your pool water has a level of cyanuric acid of 25ppm (parts per million), free chlorine will remain 3 to 5 times longer in the water than it would withou

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The Pool Man, Inc. Employee Spotlight

Meet Steven Page our Service Manager. Steven handles all of the repair/service calls and all of our weekly cleaning customers.  We keep him extremely busy but he makes customer satisfaction his number one goal. Thanks Steven for your dedication to our customer’s needs!