Blog - Pool Man Inc.

Brunch Recipe from your Houston Custom Pool Builder

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:47:21 +0000

Elegant, easy and delicious – Eggs New Orleans

¼ cup diced onions (butter or oil for saute’), 1 dozen eggs, 4 ounces shredded smoked salmon, 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 ounces sherry (optional), 6 English muffins to serve

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly saute’ onions in butter or oil. Break 1 dozen eggs into lightly greased 9-inch casserole dish (careful not to break yolks). In separate bowl gently combine onions, salmon, sour cream, cheese, mustard and (if using) sherry. Spoon mixture over eggs, again being careful not to break yolks. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until yolks are cooked. Serve over toasted muffin halves. A quick and easy brunch to serve poolside.

Thanks to Rick Landwehr for this prize-winning recipe. For more Pool side recipes from your Houston Pool Builder, be sure to check out our blog or “like” us on Facebook.

Getting Rid of Black Algae – Houston Pool Builder Pool Maintenance Tip

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:51:25 +0000

Pool Maintenance Tip #3 in our Pool Algae Series – Black Algae

When dealing with algae, the worst of the bunch is Black algae. Black algae tends to form in cracks/crevices in the pool surface, starting as black or blue/green spots about the size of a pencil eraser. It has strong roots and a protective shell which makes it highly resistant to chlorine. The key word for eliminating black algae is persistence. You need to brush the spots firmly, with a wire brush if available, and then apply chemicals directly to the spot if possible (always use caution concerning your pool finish). You then need to monitor the spots daily and repeat until they are gone. Finally, if your pool is covered with black algae the best course of action would be to have a professional drain and acid wash the pool. This will save you time, money and probably your sanity.

For more pool maintenance tips, check out our blog or find us on Facebook. For help with any algae problems, call your Houston Pool Builder, The Pool Man, Inc’s service department and schedule your service call.

Pool Maintenance Tip from your Houston Pool Service Company

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:37:13 +0000

Pool Maintenance Tip #2 in our Pool Algae Series - Phosphates and Algae Growth

It has been suggested the an effective way to eliminate algae is to remove the phosphates from the water. The belief is that this action takes away a food source and thus reduces algae by starvation. Phosphorous is the base element phosphates are derived from and it is not a “new” addition to pool water, though some marketing efforts want you to think the presence of phosphates is a new phenomenon.

Phosphates make their way into your pool water through fertilizers, swimmer waste (sweat and urine), detergents and even in your tap water and is a significant nutrient source for all living things, including algae. Even if all the phosphates were removed from the water, algae still has the capability to store phosphorous within their cells and thrive in a phosphorous-free environment. Recent studies performed have shown that an algae-free pool can be easily maintained even in the presence of high phosphates. These pools simply maintained the proper sanitizer levels (1-3 parts per million), were run through proper and timely filtration and were treated with routine additions of a preventative algaecide. For Pool Maintenance Tip #3 in our Algae Series, keep posted to our blog. In Tip #3, we will begin discussing types of algae and how to beat the “Algae Beast”.

To schedule an appt with your Houston Pool Service Company, contact The Pool Man, Inc.

Health & Wellness Tip from your Houston Pool Builder

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:27:30 +0000

One of the best ways to stay healthy is to avoid stress. Stress leads to high blood pressure, lack of sleep, depression and many other “bad” things. What better way to relieve the stress than to relax by the pool and let your cares slip away! Don’t have a pool? Contact your Houston Pool Builder and let our staff remedy that.

Visit The Pool Man, Inc facebook page and “like” us for more great tips.

BBB 2012 Pinnacle Award Winner, The Pool Man, Inc. – Your Houston Pool Builder

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:29:32 +0000

The Pool Man, Inc, your Houston Pool Builder, was honored to receive the coveted BBB Pinnacle Award for 2012. This award is given as a recognition for our commitment to excellence in the marketplace. Our customers are our greatest asset and it makes us proud that we have received this award.

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

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:03:48 +0000

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 coming weeks, but for today we will start with some general rules when preparing for battle. First of all, you need to find out what “color” of algae you have. You can have green, yellow (mustard), or black algae….or a little of them all. They each are different in how they respond to chemicals, and vary in aggressiveness in reformation after treatment. Second, remember that fundamentally, the steps for banishing algae are: 1) Brush it off the walls/floor 2) Apply chemicals 3) Allow filtration time to remove spores 4) Clean filter of dead/dying cells 5) Monitor and repeat as needed Finally, remember when buying chemicals to take into consideration the type of filter you have, and the finish of your pool interior. With the wrong product, you can clog or severely inhibit your filter from working, and if you have anything except white plaster, you run the risk of bleaching the color out of your finish. Once you know what you are dealing with, and what you have to work with/around, you are ready to rumble!!

For more Pool Maintenance Tips from your Houston Weekly Pool Service Provider, check out our blog or find us on Facebook.

Pool Safety Message from your Cypress and Houston Pool Builder

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:52:28 +0000

Remember May is National Water Safety Month and one of the most important safety measures you can take, especially with children, is to make sure your drain covers are secure and properly installed. A pool with a broken or loose drain cover should be closed immediately until repairs are made.

The Pool Man, Inc. is proud of the fact that we use drain covers that meet or exceed the requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool And Spa Safety Act. For more information you can go to www.PoolSafely.gov>

Have a great swim season and stay safe! For more pool safety tips from your Cypress and Houston Pool Builder, check out our blog posts or find us on Facebook.

Pool Landscaping Tip from your Custom Pool Builder in Houston

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:13:36 +0000

Now is the time of year to consider planting some perennials around your pool to give your pool landscaping some added color. Drought tolerant perennials such as lantana, salvia, sage, sedum and daylilies make for nice colorful accents.

For more tips from your Custom Pool builder in Houston check our facebook page or our landscaping partner www.foxlandscapingonline.com>

Pool Side Recipe of the Month from your Houston Pool Builder

admin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:09:45 +0000

Do you like cupcakes? We found this award winning recipe by Dee Longe called Black Bottom Cupcakes:

Black Bottom Cupcakes

8 ounces cream cheese, softened,
1 egg
1 1/3 cups sugar, divided, plus additional for sprinkling,
½ teaspoon salt + dash
1 cup chocolate chips
1 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup chopped peanuts
1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with papers. Beat cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup sugar and dash salt in small bowl until well blended. Fold in chocolate chips. In large bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, flour, baking soda and cocoa powder. Blend in oil, vinegar, vanilla and 1 cup water. Fill cupcake papers one-third full with cocoa batter. Top with heaping teaspoon of cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with sugar and chopped peanuts. Bake 30 minutes. Remove from pans and allow to cool completely on cooling rack. Servings – 24 cupcakes.

For more Pool side recipes from your Houston Pool Builder, be sure to check out our blog or “like” us on Facebook.

Pool Safety Tip from your Houston Custom Pool Builder, The Pool Man Inc.

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:12:02 +0000

It is important to know life-saving skills such as teaching your children how to swim. Giving children the basics and teaching them swimming techniques of what to do if they get into trouble while in the water, can save your child’s life. It is also important to know Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR. Knowing CPR can save a life if a water emergency happens and helps you understand the basics of life-saving so you can assist in an emergency. Remember, May is National Water Safety Month.

For more pool safety tips from your Houston Pool Builder, check out our blog, located on our website.