Next Level Water Care
Jacuzzi® hot tubs already are some of the simplest spas to maintain. Between our powerful CLEARRAY Active Oxygen™ UV-C and Ozone system, exclusive @ease SmartChlor™, but the question remains: how else can we make water care for your hot tub even easier?
By harnessing the power of our SmartTub™ system, we are excited to partner with Sutra for the most robust, total water management system in any hot tub, by any manufacturer or brand. Sutro now integrates with SmartTub™ to provide water care measurement and chemical instructions from within the SmartTub™ app! Tarson Pools and Spas is proud to be one of the first Jacuzzi® dealers in the US to offer this partnership. Simply pair your mySutro account to your SmartTub™ app, and it's that simple!
The Sutro monitor will test your water 3x per day, every day, without any intervention or action from you and will report back the results of those tests to your SmartTub™ app, and to Tarson so that we can provide better service for you should you encounter any water care issues. Sutro uses reagents instead of probes like other products, so it is the most accurate consumer water chemistry monitor on the market. Sutro measures the water temperature and tests for: Free Chlorine (fcl), pH, and Alkalinity. Aside from the initial $600 investment in the monitor, the service is $29/mo which covers auto-replenishment of fresh reagent cartridges every month from Sutro directly
Don't have SmartTub™ in your Jacuzzi® hot tub? No problem! We can add SmartTub™ to any spa manufactured after 2016. If you'd like to be part of our product trials for our first rollout of the Sutro + SmartTub™ system, please call or text us at (315) 291-8800 and ask for Allen!
Closing Time. This pool won't be open 'til sun or heat come
Sadly, it’s that time again. The temperature is beginning to drop and it’s time to close your pool for the season. If you couldn’t make it to our pool school, we’ve got you covered. The winter ❄️ can be really brutal in upstate NY thats why it is important not to miss a single thing when closing a pool. Here are a few major things Tarson Pools service team takes care of to ensure you get the most out of your pool for the years to come ☀️!
1) Vacuum and Test 💨
The cleaner your pool is when it’s closed, the cleaner it will be when it reopens. Leaving debris and leaves in your pool increases the risk of staining and results in a higher demand for chemicals, so be thorough. Check your water chemistry to ensure it is balanced. We can do it for free here at Tarson in 5 minutes. Doing this will optimize your water balance and make sure you are getting the full potential out of your chemicals.
*If your water is green or discolored, address this before closing your pool.
2) Add Winter Chemicals 🧪
Once the water is tested and balanced, add your winter chemicals as directed. In most cases, the pump should be on. DO NOT add the chemicals into the skimmer. Allow the chemicals to circulate for 2-4 hours before continuing the process.
3) Remove Hardware 🔧
Remove all ladders, toys, diving boards, etc. Reduce wear by placing them in a dry, safe environment so you can enjoy them next season.
4) Drop the Water Level
Change the valve in front of your pump to select the Port 2 setting (the main suction line) and then set your filter to the drain (waste) position. Drain the pool water level 2-4 inches below the bottom of the skimmer.
* If you choose not to drain the pool water level, use a Blowout Extension. It allows you to reduce the force taken by the skimmer when the water freezes.
5) Filtration and Circulation Removal 🔁
Disconnect the filter, pump and heater from their lines and pull the plugs so they can drain. Store the pump indoors and use a Pump Protector to prevent seals from going bad. DO NOT place the sand filter indoors. The sand filter often weight hundreds of pounds. If the sand in the filter shifts it could result in the internals of the filter breaking. DE filters should be cleaned and acid washed before being stored indoors.
6) Blow Out Lines
Select the Port 1 section on the valve to blow out the skimmer line. Using a blower or shop-vac, blow into the valve to push all of the water out of the skimmer lines and return lines. The air will come out of the closest return line first, so plug the line with a 1.5” winter plug then move on to the next. Now that all of the lines are blown out, add nontoxic antifreeze. Use a minimum of 1/2 gallon for every line. For the main drain, which cannot be blown out, use a full gallon of antifreeze.
7) Cover Pool
Place the cover over your pool so that it comfortably fits flat on the water. You don’t want your cover to be tight or strained because this may lead to tearing. Place the water bags inside of the designated straps (on inground pools) to weigh down the cover. Fill the water bags half way to leave room for expansion. Place them end to end to avoid wind moving the cover. For extra weight, spray an inch or two of water on the cover.
Create an awesome pool party this summer
Tarson Pools and Spas Guide to Pool Party Planning!
Throwing a great pool party is on most pool owners' summer to-do lists. This year we’ve decided to give you some of our own great tips for making your summer pool party a must-attend event! You can still have a great pool party and Social Distance! We do recommend to abide by State Rules no gathering larger than 10 people*. There is also no evidence that COVID can spread through a well-treated pool read our article here.
Safety first! Make sure all your pool deck and areas are clean and in good repair. Chemicals should be put away and you and your family should be current on all water safety rules. You can read our blog post on those here.
What is the theme of your event? A simple backyard BBQ, an evening dinner by the pool, or a more casual family event? Is this a fun kid-friendly event or an intimate gathering of adults?
For a children-friendly event be sure to provide your guests with little swimmers, towels, sunscreen, and pool game options like diving sticks. Some guests will bring their own but it never hurts to have extras on hand.
For an adult theme, the pool party considers the ambiance of the event. Maybe something simple and airy like this would work. If the party is more of an evening affair consider floating candles or pool lights.
Get creative with the invitations to your pool party. Don’t just call people to invite them, give them something special to look forward to.
Now the party is planned and the guests are invited! Making sure your guests are comfortable is the next order of
business. Plan that not all guests will be swimming, some may want to sit and chat. Be sure you have provided plenty of seating and space to relax near the pool for those who won’t be getting in the water. We do sell a great line of patio furniture if you are looking around for some comfortable seating! You can find our patio furniture line here.
The shade will be important as well! An umbrella or seating in parts of your backyard that are naturally shaded will make your guests more comfortable. We offer a full line of retractable awnings if your backyard offers no natural shade. You don’t want sunburned guests to leave your party.
What will all your party-goers be eating and drinking? Plan your snacks and meals accordingly. Since it’s summer be sure to provide plenty of water and hydrating beverages. If you are having a kid-friendly party make the finger foods really pop by adding a cute theme throughout. We recommend for finger foods to spike with toothpicks in order for guest to limit touching other food! Candy that is wrapped is also ideal! Here are some ideas:
For an adult pool party consider adding in theme ideas where they make sense. Adults might not like a shark-filled with fruit but maybe a signature cocktail or mocktail is more fitting. You can also add other elements that will make the day special and memorable like these napkin rings. It’s the small details that will have your guests raving!
Not all pool parties need to be structured events either. Sometimes unplanned guests make the best memories. However, you choose to throw your pool parties this summer know that we are always happy to help keep your pool sparkling clean and safe for all your guests. Stop into any of our six locations or give us a call at 315-291-8800. Remember we offer free water testing at all our locations. Please be safe, wash 🧼 your hands, and keep your distance!
American made aboveground pools: Radiant Metric Round
You may feel that now is not the time to be thinking about pools in Upstate NY with the cold temperatures, but now is the perfect time to start doing your research. In this entry of our “American-Made Above Ground Pools” blog entry we will be giving you information about Radiant Above Ground Metric Round Pools.
In our March 2014 blog entry, “Choosing Your Pool: Radiant Pool Edition” we introduced you to all the unique qualities of the Radiant In-Ground Pool and why it is a perfect fit for this area. These same qualities are true for the Above Ground Metric Series, such as:
BUILT TO LAST
What sets this pool apart from the rest is in its design. Radiant Pools use the same technology used in the construction of aircraft, which makes the pool walls stronger than steel, polymer and even concrete. You never have to worry about the sustainability of your Radiant Pool because the walls will never rust, warp or crack.
CUSTIOMIZABLE
The Metric Round Above Ground Radiant Pools come with 7 dimension choices, starting at 16’ and going up to 33’. With the superior wall construction of the Radiant Pool it can be installed aboveground, semi-inground, on a slope or into a hill. The Radiant Metric Series Pool fits any backyard and any budget.
You can also add on accessories:
FENCE AND GATE KIT: Add an extra layer of security to your pool with the fence and gate kit. The kit comes with a custom fence mounting clip with an easy slide-and-bolt assembly that creates a clean, finished look. Nothing hangs over the top, no brackets bolted to the side of the pool. The kit includes fence sections, custom fence mounting clips, gate, and all hardware.
RADIANT INSIDE STEP: In the past, when you thought of above ground pools, you would picture a ladder as your only means of entry into the pool. Radiant Pools offers an inside step that allows you to walk into the pool, just like in their in-ground pools. Making it more accessible for all members of your family and friend
CUSTOM WINTER COVER: Winters can be very harsh and damaging on above ground pools, but with a winter cover designed exclusively to fit into the coping of Radiant Metric Pools you can be put at ease that your pool will weather the winter. The coping, made of PVC, covers the edge of the pool wall and has an inside track to hold the pool liner in place and an outer track to hold the Metric Custom Winter Cover in place.
Available for both standard 2” and premium 4” coping, the custom fit provides perfect coverage for winterizing your Metric Pool. The custom cover is made with ArmorKote™ technology with a triple laminated no-rip polyethylene weave. The perimeter has a triple edge reinforced binding and it is lightweight for easy installation, removal and storage.
SWIM LONGER
The built-to-last insulated wall panels help your pool water heat up faster and keep it warmer longer. This means you can start your swimming season earlier and swim later. The average Radiant Pool extends your swim season by 2 months! With the superior heat retention properties of a Radiant Pool, you can swim during the entire swimming season without the need of a heater saving $1000’s on heating costs.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
A Radiant Pool is an investment that you can feel good about because it helps to lessen your footprint. The materials used to construct Radiant Pools are ozone friendly and 100% recyclable. They are the only energy efficient, an Energy Star™ Partner since 2006, and environmentally smart pools on the market.
WARANTY
The Metric Series warranty includes protection from winter damage! Snow and ice buildup can destroy a traditional aboveground pool. The incredibly strong Radiant pool wall minimizes this potential harm.
Radiant Pools are 100% made in the USA and come with a 100% lifetime warranty that can be transferred to new owners if you should ever sell your home. Also, if your purchase is financed through a home equity loan, your interest is considered tax deductible.
If you would like more information on purchasing one of these Above Ground 100% American Made pools, would like to layaway your pool and receive early installation dates or have questions regarding a pool that you own please give us a call today at (315) 291-8800, or stop into our North Syracuse or East Syracuse location and we would be glad to help.
Treated Recreational Water COVID-19
With the recent outbreak of COVID-19 we are asking the question is it safe to swim in the same body of water as another person? Well an article posted straight from the CDC acknowledges that a properly maintained pool does not indeed transmit the spread of the diseases! Here is what the CDC has to say:
There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.
While there is ongoing community spread of COVID-19 of the virus that causes COVID-19, it is important for individuals as well as owners and operators of these facilities to take steps to ensure health and safety:
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Everyone should follow local and state guidance that may determine when and how recreational water facilities may operate.
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Individuals should continue to protect themselves and others at recreational water venues both in and out of the water – for example, by practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene.
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In addition to ensuring water safety and quality, owners and operators of community pools, hot tubs, spas, and water play areas should follow the interim guidance for businesses and employers for cleaning and disinfecting their community facilities.