borjis
LifeTime Supporter
Trouble Free Method and Pool Service Route
- Thread starter rainsworth
- Start date
If you read the original post and then read through the responses you'd understand the reasoning behind the dosing plan. The 100 ppm CYA and 4-14 FC range was one method described by chem geek as an effective approach (and I feel pretty good that he knows what he's talking about).
And I also definitely understand that using the TFP plan is unreasonable on a once a week pool route. However, not every pool owner has the time to dedicate to daily level checks and chemical adjustments. A lot of people I know leave for work in the morning before sunlight, and get home after sunset. Throw in some kids, dinner, the grocery store, ball practice....life...and it's easy to see that there is a market for quality pool care. Many on this forum probably pay for lawn care, painting services, house cleaning, etc. Doesn't mean that you're not capable of doing it yourself, but that you decided it wasn't worth your precious time with all of life's other demands. I started the post asking for solutions to bridge the gap between TFP methods (which I use with my own pool) and the poor pool service I see in my area (couple of pucks thrown in the floater and a quick vacuum).
I do like duraleigh's suggestion, and two of my clients actually do this. But I also take care of a pool owned by a 90 year old woman who lives alone, and another gentleman with severe Parkinson's disease. It's unreasonable to ask either of them to add chlorine to their pool. So for the ones that can help, it is a good approach. But for others who are unwilling or unable I was looking for suggestions to keep their pools looking great without the climbing CYA levels from stabilized chlorine. That's where the algaecide and 14 ppm FC chlorine levels came from.
Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated though, I'm just starting out and very open to all advice.
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And I also definitely understand that using the TFP plan is unreasonable on a once a week pool route. However, not every pool owner has the time to dedicate to daily level checks and chemical adjustments. A lot of people I know leave for work in the morning before sunlight, and get home after sunset. Throw in some kids, dinner, the grocery store, ball practice....life...and it's easy to see that there is a market for quality pool care. Many on this forum probably pay for lawn care, painting services, house cleaning, etc. Doesn't mean that you're not capable of doing it yourself, but that you decided it wasn't worth your precious time with all of life's other demands. I started the post asking for solutions to bridge the gap between TFP methods (which I use with my own pool) and the poor pool service I see in my area (couple of pucks thrown in the floater and a quick vacuum).
I do like duraleigh's suggestion, and two of my clients actually do this. But I also take care of a pool owned by a 90 year old woman who lives alone, and another gentleman with severe Parkinson's disease. It's unreasonable to ask either of them to add chlorine to their pool. So for the ones that can help, it is a good approach. But for others who are unwilling or unable I was looking for suggestions to keep their pools looking great without the climbing CYA levels from stabilized chlorine. That's where the algaecide and 14 ppm FC chlorine levels came from.
Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated though, I'm just starting out and very open to all advice.
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Unfortunately not all areas have chemical suppliers who utilize refillable containers. OI have looked hard, there are none in my area. That, plus the fact that the higher % chlorinating liquid that is available in my area is poorly cared for (out in the garden section of big box stores, really old (I check the dates) and really expensive causes me to use household bleach from Dollar General. It fresh, less expensive than other stores and I don't have to wait in line at WalMart.
I do recycle all containers.
You do all know what recycled means right? You might want to check into the percentages of what is really reused .
So you know where I'm coming from, I'm in an adjoining zip code and we service 700-750 pools per week.
The TFP method is based on science and facts and is a good option, of many, for a homeowner who has the time and patience for it. Attempting to provide that type of care on a pool route is a losing proposition. You will not find many people who want to pay the amount of money you would have to charge to make it worth your time to watch a pool like that and you will lose money trying to provide that type of care at reasonable rates. Further, you will not find many people who want to do any extra work in the middle of the week to supplement your service. In many cases, customers don't have the time/energy/desire/knowledge to take care of the pool in the first place and that is why they have you. It's very possible your weekly visits are way more than has ever been done to the pool.
With all that said, using what I have seen described here as "the pool store method," along with understanding and keeping a close eye on water balance, can yield good results and happy customers.
Concerning liquid chlorine, buy some 2.5 gallon refillable jugs and have them refilled at one of the many pool places in the area. There are both retail and wholesalers in the area that can do this for you.
All of our customers sign an agreement that basically says we are only at the house once a week and there is only so much we can in that 30-45min span. The pool can stain, algae can grow, leaves can fall, baskets can get full, etc. because you're only at the house for half an hour every 7 days. You also have to understand the same thing and do your best to keep the pool safe, comfortable and clean.
Someone above mentioned equipment repairs and replacement above. It is illegal for you to perform that type of work and for the homeowner to hire you if you do not have a CPC license. Not to mention that you can cause more harm than good. Many companies in town will report you for doing unlicensed work as well.
The TFP method is based on science and facts and is a good option, of many, for a homeowner who has the time and patience for it. Attempting to provide that type of care on a pool route is a losing proposition. You will not find many people who want to pay the amount of money you would have to charge to make it worth your time to watch a pool like that and you will lose money trying to provide that type of care at reasonable rates. Further, you will not find many people who want to do any extra work in the middle of the week to supplement your service. In many cases, customers don't have the time/energy/desire/knowledge to take care of the pool in the first place and that is why they have you. It's very possible your weekly visits are way more than has ever been done to the pool.
With all that said, using what I have seen described here as "the pool store method," along with understanding and keeping a close eye on water balance, can yield good results and happy customers.
Concerning liquid chlorine, buy some 2.5 gallon refillable jugs and have them refilled at one of the many pool places in the area. There are both retail and wholesalers in the area that can do this for you.
All of our customers sign an agreement that basically says we are only at the house once a week and there is only so much we can in that 30-45min span. The pool can stain, algae can grow, leaves can fall, baskets can get full, etc. because you're only at the house for half an hour every 7 days. You also have to understand the same thing and do your best to keep the pool safe, comfortable and clean.
Someone above mentioned equipment repairs and replacement above. It is illegal for you to perform that type of work and for the homeowner to hire you if you do not have a CPC license. Not to mention that you can cause more harm than good. Many companies in town will report you for doing unlicensed work as well.
Thanks for the response, that's the type of feedback I was trying to get. Quick question for thepoolman....Is it common to have to drain/refill your customers pools periodically due to high CYA levels? Or do you keep those levels in check by using mostly liquid chlorine along with algaecides and phosphate removers?
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We monitor CYA levels, so that is never an issue. Irresponsible/uneducated use of tablets is the cause of those issues. As you know, our area typically get significant amounts of rain in the summer time, so most people are draining the pools and diluting CYA that way. Throw in splash out from kids being home all summer, leaks that homeowners tolerate, dogs in and out all day, etc. and many pools tend to self regulate and many require CYA to be added at one time or another.
For the most part, we do not use phosphate removers or algaecides. Some customers like to use them, so we ask that they add those products themselves a 2-3 days after the service. We just deliver the chemicals as needed and they are added to the monthly bill. You should do your due diligence regarding any extra maintenance products that are added to the pool.
The only extra product that we typically recommend is Natural Chemistry Pool Perfect during pollen season. It's a natural enzyme product that breaks down pollen and keeps it to a minimum. I have no doubt it has been discussed on this forum, so you could probably read some other opinions regarding enzyme products.
For the most part, we do not use phosphate removers or algaecides. Some customers like to use them, so we ask that they add those products themselves a 2-3 days after the service. We just deliver the chemicals as needed and they are added to the monthly bill. You should do your due diligence regarding any extra maintenance products that are added to the pool.
The only extra product that we typically recommend is Natural Chemistry Pool Perfect during pollen season. It's a natural enzyme product that breaks down pollen and keeps it to a minimum. I have no doubt it has been discussed on this forum, so you could probably read some other opinions regarding enzyme products.
ewkearns
0
You lost me a little but, here..... I get that you monitor CYA levels. I get that tablets create the climbing CYA issues. What I don't understand is how you deal with chlorination once the CYA max is reached or how you deal with a CYA that has exceeded the maximum.
- May 23, 2015
- 25,696
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
That product is not really an enzyme per se but a clarifier. The main active chemical in it is ethoxylated alcohols. Those are non-ionic surfactants. Some pollen types have very hydrophobic particle surfaces and so a clarifier can help to bind them and make them more soluable in the water volume so that the filter can capture them.
I think everyone needs to understand something that is a myth regarding TFP - we do not ban anything here. It is your pool and your pool service company. You are free to add whatever you like to the pool water you want. If a person wants to add clarifier, flocs, phosphate removers, magical power crystals, etc, go right ahead. The recommendations TFP makes are targeted to the vast majority of residential pool owners where most, if not all, of the "specialty" chemicals are effectively useless and a waste of time and money. A properly chlorinated pool with the correct FC/CYA ratio and balanced water chemistry needs none of those "other" products to function. There are special cases sometimes but those are statistical outliers and do not affect overall TFP recommendations.
Now as far as servicing pools goes, that's an entirely different task and one where TFPC may not make sense. No reasonable person can argue that pool service professional must use the TFPC Method because it was never intended to target that pool audience. If all you have is 30mins to spend with a pool once per week then there's not a lot TFP can offer in terms of advice except for knowing what the various chemicals are and what they do. Pool services pros will have to find the mix of chemicals and processes that work best for them and their clients.
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I think this about sums up the OP's original question.
Rainsworth, feel free to PM me with any questions regarding your pool service route.
There are recycling centers that take plastic so member may have that option. There a precious few suppliers that refill bleach containers, so the vast majority of us are left with only that option or tossing them. The wealthier owners who want no part of keeping up with their own pools will be difficult to reach with TFPC, but even some of those eventually find us looking for answers.
Thanks thepoolman, I really appreciate the help.
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