Home Safety Council research shows that drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury-related death across all age groups, yet a recent study commissioned by the national, nonprofit organization found that only six percent of respondents have taken any action to prevent drowning incidents at home. Of those polled, fewer than 10 percent have put in a four-sided fence that goes all around the pool or installed a gate that closes and locks by itself – two of the key water safety tips recommended by the Home Safety Council.

As the temperatures rise and families begin to spend their time in and around the pool, the Home Safety Council is working to make parents and caregivers aware of water-related dangers and encouraging them to take an active role in protecting their children from those risks.

“No one should swim alone. Close, active adult supervision is particularly vital when children are around water,” said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. “Drowning can occur in just seconds without noise or sign of struggle, so adults need to stay within arm’s reach and remain entirely focused on children when they are around any body of water.”

In addition to drowning, pools and spas also introduce the risk of injuries from falls, poisoning, scalds, entrapment and electric shock. The Home Safety Council’s new, online destination, MySafeHome.org (link to http://www.mysafehome.org/), lets users explore all the areas of a virtual home to understand where potential dangers may be found in their own homes. MySafeHome.org includes an interactive pool and spa area that illustrates the most common injury risks found around backyard pools and spas and demonstrates the safety devices and practices needed to reduce the risk of injury.

Water Safety Tips:

The Home Safety Council offers the following water safety tips for activity in and around pools, spas, ponds and irrigation ditches, bathtubs and buckets.

• Install four-sided fencing with self-locking and self-closing gates around pools and spas. Fencing should completely isolate the pool from the home and be at least five feet high.
• Always keep gates closed and latched. Never prop a gate open or disable the lock.
• Always practice constant adult supervision around any body of water, including pools and spas. Never leave your child alone or in the care of another child.
• When hosting a pool party, assign specific adults to keep an eye on the pool at all times.
• Enroll non-swimmers in swimming lessons taught by a qualified instructor.
• Remember that regardless of age or skill level, no one is “drown proof.” Children should always be supervised by an adult while they are swimming.
• Never swim alone. Even adults should swim with a buddy.
• Learn and practice basic lifesaving techniques, including First Aid and CPR. Insist that anyone who cares for your children learn CPR.
• Keep poolside rescue equipment close to the pool area at all times, and bring a cordless telephone outside while using the pool.
• Post emergency numbers and CPR instructions near the pool area.
• Entrapment underwater can be deadly. Teach children that drains, grates and filters are not toys. Never stick fingers or toes in these openings and stay away from suction devices.
• Install anti-entrapment drain covers and replace drain covers immediately if they are broken or damaged.
• Always remove toys from the pool area when not in use.
• Establish pool safety rules and make sure children are familiar with them.
• Keep spas and hot tubs covered and locked when not in use.
• Completely remove pool and spa covers prior to use.
• Stay out of the pool during severe weather and thunderstorms, especially if lightning is forecast or present.
• If a child is missing, check the pool area first.

To learn more about water safety, please visit: www.mysafehome.org.

Use the swimming pool water loss calculator.

Calculation examples:

Example #1:

A pool owner says his 18×27 pool is losing 2 inches per day. How many gallons is the pool losing per day?
The formula is: L (x) W (x) WL (x) .6233 = Gallons Lost

The given values are: L = 32′  W=18′   WL=2″

Plugging the values into the formula we have:
32 (x) 18 (x) 2 (x) .6233 = 718.04 gallons

The 718 Gallons lost also gives you an idea of how big the leak is that you are looking for.  The example also means that they are losing:

• 29.9 gallons per hour! (718 divided by 24) and …
• 0.498 gallons per minute! (29.9 divided by 60)

That’s two quarts per minute!  What size stream of water would it take to fill a quart container in one minute?  About the diameter of a pencil.

Example #2:

A spa owner says he has to add 1.5 inches of water daily to his 12′ diameter spa. How many gallons of water is the pool losing?  The formula for round pools and spas is:
Diameter (feet) (x) Diameter (x) WL (x) .48929 = Gallons Lost

The given values are: Diameter= 12 feet   WL=  1.5 inches

So, plugging the values into the formula, we have:
12 (x) 12 (x) 1.5 (x) .48929 = 105.69 Gallons lost in 24 hours

Use the swimming pool water loss calculator at americanleakdetection.com to find out how many gallons per hour your pool is losing due to leakage.

10: Water table

The level of the water table in the ground can affect your pool’s construction and how it will respond to changing climatic conditions. If the ground water table is high, your pool can be subject to “floating” in the ground. Keeping the water level in the pool stable helps combat the pool from floating up.

In most areas, pools will have a hydrostatic valve installed to help proper equalization of the water table with the pool water level.

If a leak occurs and the ground water table is low, then a leak will be quickly absorbed by the surrounding ground, and possibly wash away the dirt from around the leakage point causing voids around the pool structure.

9: pH balance

The pH balance of the water affects the growth of algae in the pool, as well as impacts surface corrosion and chlorine effectiveness. It is important to have your pool’s pH checked and balanced on a weekly basis.

Learn more about pool pH at the Pool Wizard.

8: Winterizing

If you are living in a climate that has freezing temperatures as a normal part of your season, you will want to winterize your pool. Winterizing prepares your pool to survive the winter and remain clean and damage-free until the next pool season.

Click here to learn about winterizing your pool. If you don’t want to winterize the pool yourself, ask a professional pool service company to take care of it for you.

7: Pump prime

If your pump starts pulling air into the system, it is likely the pump will lose the power, or prime, to move water. The power to move water is “prime.” If the pump is working, but not moving the water, then the water is not getting filtered properly. If the water is not moving, it can cause the pump to overheat and possibly burn up.

Learn how to “prime” your pump if you suspect it has lost the power to move water.

6: Proper filtration

If your pump is primed, the water will be flowing through your filter. Make sure you maintain and clean your filter regularly. The amount of maintenance depends on the type of filter you have. Backwashing your filter cleans the filter of debris and improves the flow through the filter. To learn more about proper filtration check out the sites listed below:

• Pool Filter Information
• What is the best filter?

5: Energy consumption from heating water

Heating your pool efficiently is impacted by several environmental factors. Seasonal climate, amount of shade over the pool, temperature differences between day and night, as well as the size of your pool affects your pool’s heating efficiency and its ability to reach your desired temperature.

Learn more about heating your swimming pool from the links below:

• Energy Saving Tips
• Types of Pool Heaters

4: Cracking or chipping of pool deck

A cracked or chipped pool deck poses danger to pool owners and guests, as well as aesthetic problems.

Besides a potential tripping hazard, cracks in the deck indicate, more importantly, there are more serious issues, such as ground shifting or a sink hole.

3: Leak in the pool’s plumbing

If not taken care of in a timely manner, leaks in the pool’s plumbing can cause tremendous damage to your property as well as rack up a huge water bill. Also, you will waste more in chemicals to keep the pH balanced since the chemical is leaking out with the wasted water and being diluted with new water being pumped into the pool.

Have a professional detect your pool’s leak without destruction.

2: Leak in the pool’s structure

A leak in the pool’s structure will make it difficult to maintain the pool’s pH balance and can cost you more in chemicals as well as increased water usage.

Have a professional detect your pool’s leak without destruction.

1: Swimmers’ safety

Make sure you and your family are safe when using your pool. Drowning in pools is a very real threat that can be prevented. Never swim alone, and make sure your main drain is compliant to the Virginia Graeme Baker Act.

Gunite is a mixture of cement, sand, and water that is sprayed on a surface under pneumatic pressure.

Gunite, along with a rebar frame, is used to create the structure of the pool. Plaster is then applied to create a water barrier. Gunite is porous and should not be used by itself to construct a pool. There must be a water barrier between the porous gunite and the water. If the plaster is not thick enough, it could allow water to seep through the gunite. This will result in water loss that is difficult to isolate without draining the pool. There are methods for repairing a pool that is not properly sealed with enough plaster.

WARNING: DO NOT DRAIN YOUR POOL WITHOUT A PROFESSIONAL PRESENT. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE POOL AND SURROUNDING PROPERTY MAY OCCUR.

How do gunite swimming pools crack?

Gunite pool structures are susceptible to cracking when water from behind the structure permeates the porous voids of the structure and changes temperature, effectively expanding and contracting.

Cracking in gunite can also occur when the surround ground shifts. The change in the ground can happen due to a change in the water table, earthquakes, or freezing and thawing of the ground.

Weak points in the structure will succumb to the pressure resulting in fissures.

What are the repair methods for gunite swimming pools?

Seeping water through plaster

If the pool is losing water because the plaster was not applied correctly and water is seeping through to the porous gunite, the solution is to identify the faulty area and apply additional plaster. There are different repair methods depending on the nature of the problem. If the plaster or grout line is in poor condition, a replaster may be required. If it is a very small leak, a waterproof sealant can be poured into the pool. This method is the easiest fix, however, there could be complications if all the steps are not followed correctly.

Cracked plaster

If the plaster is cracked, the use of pressurized polymer is the best solution. It adheres to the structure, bonding the pieces together as a flexible hinge. The repaired crack is then hidden from view by reapplying a plaster coating to the appropriate thickness.

If the gunite has a large crack, we have solutions to secure and repair the structure. To stabilize the structure, we will lock the gunite structure together and then perform a polymer crack injection to seal the leak. Lastly, we will replaster over the mended crack and polymer.

Contact American Leak Detection for professional repair of your gunite pool.

In most cases, air is getting into the system at some point that just might not be discernible to most homeowners or even pool service men. For example, there may be a leak on an underground suction line. As the pump draws water from the pool through this line, it also draws air through the leak. Without x-ray vision, homeowners and most pool service companies cannot detect this kind of leak. It takes specialized testing with modern leak detection equipment, something a good leak detection company can perform.

Besides underground leaks that allow air intrusion into the system, there may even be leaks on above ground equipment that cannot be detected without modern leak detection methods.

There is one other possibility that is not leak related. Sometimes the impeller inside the pump becomes so worn that it actually spins too fast. As a result, the impeller can end up spinning fast enough to break apart water molecules and form air bubbles to be sent through the return lines.

The Bucket Test

The "Bucket Test" will determine if water loss in a pool is due to evaporation or a leak:

1. Bring pool water to normal level.
2. Fill 5 gallon bucket with pool water about 3-4 inches from top.
3. Place bucket on first or second step of pool.
4. Mark water level on inside of bucket.
5. Shut off pump and mark pool level on outside of bucket.
6. Resume normal pump operation. Make sure auto/manual fill valve is off during test.
7. After 24 hours, compare the two levels. If the pool water (outside mark) goes down more than the inside water level, there is probably a leak.

In case of rain, repeat the test.

Test is not valid after 24 hours.

National Water Safety Month

In recognition of the popularity of swimming and other water-related recreational activities in the United States, and the resulting need for ongoing public education on safer water practices, including swim lessons, the buddy system, parental supervision, following the posted rules, and always being “water aware,” the Month of May, 2009 has been announced as National Water Safety Month.

This designation has been proclaimed as a joint effort of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, the National Recreation & Park Association, and the World Waterpark Association. These organizations represent businesses and other individuals and agencies involved in bringing safe, enjoyable aquatic activities to the American public, from home pools and spas, to waterparks and resorts, to public swimming and water recreation facilities.

National Water Safety Month will be celebrated through educational programs, public service announcements, governmental proclamations, dealer and business promotions, and the distribution of water-safety-themed materials, aimed primarily at the public, and designed to prevent drowning and water-related illness and injuries.

Bill Weber, President and CEO of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, commented, “The safe use of pools, spas and other recreational water facilities is a priority for everyone, from companies that build and service pools, to facility management, to parents and individuals who enjoy the benefits of aquatic activities. The combined efforts of the three sponsoring organizations, along with assistance from other agencies will serve to focus attention on the importance of water safety to all stakeholders, with residual value that will extend well beyond National Water Safety Month.”

Following a few guidelines can help assure that you’ll have a positive, safe, enjoyable experience.

Start With These Pool Safety Basics:

• Responsible Adult Supervision is Key: This means no distractions and constant visual contact whenever children are present.
• No Broken or Missing Drain Covers: Never use a pool if the drain cover is broken or missing.
• Provide Layers of Protection: This means the pool, spa, or hot tub is equipped with several devices to delay unsupervised access or to warn of a small child’s presence. This includes fencing, safety covers, pool and door alarms, ropes and floats and an outside telephone for emergencies.

Detailed information about National Water Safety Month, for both consumers and businesses, can be found at the sites of the sponsoring organizations: www.apsp.org, www.waterparks.org, and www.nrpa.org.

courtesy of nikpawlak

With the rise of foreclosed homes there are more issues to deal with than decreasing home values. Homes with pools that are neglected pose health risks to the surrounding public.

There is an article in Pool & Spa News on “Green to Clean” and pool companies servicing green pools. With the onset of spring, it’s a good time to share safety tips to decrease exposure to mosquitoes and pathogens they may carry:

• Avoid outside activity at dawn and dusk during the mosquito season (May to October). This is particularly important for elderly and small children.
• Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts when outside.
• Use approved mosquito repellent, with no more than 35% DEET for adults and less than 10% for children. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s – directions for use.
• Place mosquito netting over infant carriers when outdoors with babies.
• Make sure that doors are closed and windows have tight fitting screens.
• Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes in them.
• Drain all standing water on property.
• Stock ornamental ponds with fish that eat mosquito larvae.