Answers to Common Swimming Pool Maintenance Questions

Pool maintenance and troubleshooting is a job for professionals. Shoreline Pools has the largest service team in the Northeast. Call us, and we can have a technician at your pool within two hours. But if you simply want information about basic pool care or safety, here are answers to some of the more common questions our service department receives.

Q: How can I make my older pool a safer pool?
Q: Is there a temporary or removable fence product that can protect my children, family and friends?
Q: What are the advantages of installing modern pumps in my pool’s system?
Q: What are the advantages of an Automatic Safety Cover?
Q: Is it really necessary to have a Winter Mesh Cover for the closed seasons?
Q: Does Shoreline provide safety products for my pool area?
Q: How long will it take to heat my pool once I turn the heater on?
Q: Our eyes are stinging after we swim. Is this too much chlorine?
Q: My pool/spa sometimes smells like Chlorine. Can this be corrected?
Q: The surface of our pool has become rough over time. Is there a solution?
Q: My pool seems to lose/use water every day, what is normal and why?
Q: My pool is Winterized, but the Jandy is still lit in my kitchen?
Q: My pool is suddenly losing water fast, what should I do?
Q: My pool is running 24-hours per day, 7-days per week. Is this best?
Q: My pool/spa is not equipped with a computer system. Can one be installed?
Q: My pool has beautiful natural slate tile, but their appearance has faded?
Q: I’ve heard about “three layers of protection” for my swimming pool/spa. What are they?
Q: Can a pool be made deeper, shallower, longer, a different color or shape?
Q: The pool deck I have is uneven and unsightly. Can this be improved?
Q: My pool/spa equipment is located outside and we don’t like to waste the yard space. Can equipment be relocated to another area or our house basement?
Q: Can I install an automated cover on my existing swimming pool?
Q: What is your service area?

Q: How can I make my older pool a safer pool?
A: Shoreline customers are all offered free safety inspections. There are three layers of protection that should be inspected and updated to ensure the greatest level of pool safety. They are: safety grates, suctions, and protective safety pumps. Our expert technicians can evaluate your pool, and can retrofit any swimming pool to meet current pool safety standards.

Q: Is there a temporary or removable fence product that can protect my children, family and friends?
A: For temporary fencing we recommend a protective removable fence that is manufactured with nylon and is child safe. This fence can easily be removed if needed. For more information on safety fencing contact our Service Team.

Q: What are the advantages of installing modern pumps in my pool’s system?
A: New, efficient products can reduce your swimming pool electricity and power bill by as much as 50%. Current swimming pool pump technology also offers advanced safety measures that provide greater protection for swimmers.

Q: What are the advantages of an Automatic Safety Cover?
A: Every pool is safer when it is covered rather than when it is open. An automated pool cover allows you to more easily cover your pool when it is not in use, and people tend to use their covers more when covering the pool only requires the flip of a switch. It is also important to note that by regularly covering your pool you can save up to 50% on fuel bills as a covered pool helps you maintain your pool temperature better.

Q: Is it really necessary to have a Winter Mesh Cover for the closed seasons?
A: There are two reasons to use a Winter Pool Cover during the off-season. First and most importantly, covering your pool saves lives. It is one of the most important safety precautions a pool owner can take. Second, by covering the pool you are significantly limiting the amount of dirt and debris that can invade your pool during the off-season and thereby tarnish the pool’s finish.

Q: Does Shoreline provide safety products for my pool area?
A: Absolutely. We have a host of safety product options that you can use in your pool area. Some of these include ring buoys, Sheppard’s crooks, and pool alarms. Safety products are readily available for all of our customers. If there is something that you would like to order please give us a call and speak with one of our Customer Care Representatives.

Q: How long will it take to heat my pool once I turn the heater on?
A: Absolutely. We have a host of safety product options that you can use in your pool area. Some of these include ring buoys, Sheppard’s crooks, and pool alarms. Safety products are readily available for all of our customers. If there is something that you would like to order please give us a call and speak with one of our Customer Care Representatives.

Q: Our eyes are stinging after we swim. Is this too much chlorine?
A: It is difficult to determine any water chemistry issues without a proper test of your water. Your eyes stinging may be an indication of mal adjusted pH, but in order to know for sure it is best to arrange for a Shoreline Service visit so that we can make sure that proper adjustments are made to your pool water.

Q: My pool/spa sometimes smells like Chlorine. Can this be corrected?
A: That “chlorine” smell that you are experiencing is caused by Chloramines. It is an issue that can be easily corrected. Please call us so that we can arrange for a Shoreline Service visit and make the proper adjustment to your water chemistry.

Q: The surface of our pool has become rough over time. Is there a solution?
A: Sanding the surface of a rough pool can sometimes improve the feel. However, it is also possible that your pool may need resurfacing. In order to provide you with the best solution, a Shoreline Service technician can come to your home, evaluate the problem and work with you to determine the best course of action.

Q: My pool seems to lose/use water every day, what is normal and why?
A: There is a normal amount of water that most pools will lose every day. Common evaporation should be anything up to half an inch per day (1/2 inch/day). If you see more evaporation than that give us a call!

Q: My pool is Winterized, but the Jandy is still lit in my kitchen?
A: The indoor control panel lights remain on, but the pool equipment has been shut off at the local circuit breakers.

Q: My pool is suddenly losing water fast, what should I do?
A: Immediately turn of all pool equipment at the local circuit breaker panel NOT the indoor Jandy controller. Then call the Shoreline Service team, and we will provide further instruction.

Q: My pool is running 24-hours per day, 7-days per week. Is this best?
A: It may seem like turning your pool on and off depending on its usage makes more sense, but in fact in terms of water filtration, running your pool 24/7 is actually a more efficient way to maintain your pool, and it is the best way to maintain a high level of sanitization. New pumps are available now with variable speed functionality and technology is constantly improving in ways that make pool equipment even more efficient. To learn more about what is currently available please give the Shoreline Service team a call.

Q: My pool/spa is not equipped with a computer system. Can one be installed?
A: Yes, Shoreline can install a Jandy system with the necessary valves and remote controls.

Q: My pool has beautiful natural slate tile, but their appearance has faded?
A: We recommend using frost proof ceramic tile, that is equally as beautiful as natural slate tiling, but is much longer lasting.

Q: I’ve heard about “three layers of protection” for my swimming pool/spa. What are they?
A: The “three layers of protection” for a swimming pool or hot tub/spa area are the safety grates, the pool/spa suctions, and the safety pumps. Each of these three layers of safety are a mandatory part of new construction at Shoreline Pools. If we are building your pool you can be sure that these three components will be a part of the design plan. If you have a pool or spa that is older, and on which you are unsure the proper protective safety steps were included, then give us a call. Shoreline can retrofit any pool or spa with these safety features and many others.

Q: Can a pool be made deeper, shallower, longer, a different color or shape?
A: Yes. We can make almost any change that you want to an existing pool. If you already own a pool and want to make design changes, or enhance areas of the pool (size, shape, depth, etc), we can definitely take care of that, as well as any changes you may want to make to the surrounding pool decking and landscaping.

Q: The pool deck I have is uneven and unsightly. Can this be improved?
A: Of course. Pool decking solutions have changed vastly in the last few years, and there are many new solutions that will enhance the design of your pool, have greater wear and tear, and require much less maintenance. Call a Shoreline Service Team member and we can set up an appointment to help you review all of your pool decking options.

Q: My pool/spa equipment is located outside and we don’t like to waste the yard space. Can equipment be relocated to another area or our house basement?
A: Of course. Call a Shoreline Service Team member, and we can come to your house, inspect your current equipment area, and help you choose the best area of your property on which to relocate it.

Q: Can I install an automated cover on my existing swimming pool?
A: Yes. You have probably seen all of the impressive options in automated pool coverings that currently exist. Although the best pools for automated covers are rectangular pools, call a Shoreline Service Team member, and we can come to your house and help you determine what your best pool cover options are.

Q: What is your service area?
A: Shoreline Pools is located in Stamford CT. We provide pool design, construction, restoration, maintenance, cleanup and repairs in Fairfield county CT and Westchester county NY and all surounding towns and cities including Ardsley, Bedford, Briarcliff Manor, Bronxville, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Eastchester, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Harrison, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, Larchmont, Lewisboro, Mamaroneck, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon, New Castle, New Rochelle, North Castle, North Salem, Ossining, Peekskill, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Pleasantville, Port Chester, Pound Ridge, Rye, Rye Brook, Scarsdale, Sleepy Hollow, Somers, Tarrytown, Tuckahoe, White Plains, Yonkers, and Yorktown.

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