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It's time to open up that pool and enjoy the warm weather, but did you know that for under $2.00 per day you can heat your pool? Solar heating options for pools are a great way to save money on energy costs when compared to conventional gas or electric pool heaters. 

So how do solar heating systems work? During the day, solar heating systems use the sun's energy to preheat pool water. Pool water travels through insulated piping to a large solar collector in your yard where it is heated by the sun before returning to the pool.

Unlike conventional heaters that draw power from your home, you can expect an 80 percent to 90 percent reduction in energy costs when you use solar heating. Savings are even greater when you consider that solar heating systems cost up to 90 percent less than conventional heaters to operate over their lifetime. Click here to see this recent solar pool heater installation at a home in the San Diego area. 

Installing a solar pool heater is the best way to reduce your carbon footprint, save money and enjoy your pool in warm weather for years to come. However, it is important to be informed on the process of selecting, sizing and installing solar heating systems before you commit to one. 

Experience is everything

When looking for a professional pool company it is important to find someone such as Swim Care Pool Service with experience with solar pool heaters. Ask them questions about what makes their system different from other companies, ask about warranties and guarantees they provide, how much experience they have with the specific equipment you are interested in purchasing, and if they have any references you can contact.  

Don't be afraid to ask for references! Ask the company that you are considering hiring if you can speak with any of their previous customers. A reputable pool service company should not hesitate to give you names and contact information. 

Be sure to review the warranty on the product they are recommending, as well as the work they will perform including installation requirements for solar heating systems. Be aware of limitations on equipment warranties like requiring all system components by one manufacturer or only installing approved products on your property. Also, watch out for language that limits coverage on new installations or adds restrictions after installation is complete. This may indicate that the installer is more interested in recurring sales than in ensuring customer satisfaction. 

Choosing a solar heating system can seem overwhelming at first because of the wide range of options available. The best way to narrow down your choices is to first decide which type of solar heating system fits your needs and budget. Solar pool heaters are broken down into three different types based on how they work:

Active systems

Active systems move solar heated water through the home using standard 120V GFI electrical circuit hookups for operation, just like an electric water heater would. They can be more expensive than other types of solar pool heaters because they require pumps and components similar to those used in conventional gas-powered water heaters, however they provide 100 percent of solar-heated water back to your pool (no cold spots). 

Passive systems

Passive systems circulate cold water from the pool up through tubes in the collector, where it absorbs heat from the sun before returning to the pool. They are typically less expensive than other types of solar heating systems because they do not require pumps or hot water storage tanks. However, since no pre-heating takes place in these systems, cold spots may occur in your pool when cloudy weather intervenes or water is lost due to splashing and evaporation.

Heat pump systems

Heat pump systems will be more expensive than active or passive solar heating systems but offer advantages that others don't have. Not only do they heat your pool using free energy from the sun, heat pump solar collectors also operate at higher efficiencies than both active and passive collectors by transferring heat between two loops instead of one. They can even heat your pool for free on cloudy days and at night, through a process known as "thermal storage." Heat pump solar collectors store the sun's energy during the day in thermal wheels or tanks of glycol solution that can release heat into your pool when there is little to no sunshine available. 

There are many factors to consider when choosing a solar pool heating system, but the right choice depends on your needs and budget. To find a reputable solar pool company in your area, check with local contractors or search for accredited companies online. 

It is a rare occasion when an inground pool starts to lose water and no one knows where it's coming from. A leak can be caused by many different reasons, such as cracked pipes or faulty equipment. Perhaps the worst of all is not knowing where your leak is coming from. Most people try to locate the leak themselves, but it is nearly impossible without the proper knowledge and equipment. If you are one of those who would like to find their inground pool's leaking pipe on their own, read below for some helpful tips on how to do so.

Note: A professional inground pool company such as Swim Care Pool Services should be contacted to repair any leaks within your pool's piping system.

Once you have determined that there may be a leak in your piping system, you must first shut the main water supply off to the pool. Although an inground pool's pipes run under and alongside walls and decking, they are often easy to find by looking for tell-tale signs of standing water and wet grass. Once you have located a potential leak location there are two methods that may help to pinpoint the exact location of the leak. 

Method 1: Using a garden hose to find an inground pool leak

First, attach one end of a garden hose to an outdoor faucet and place the other end in the potential water-leak area. Turn on your faucet so that there is a continuous stream of water coming from the hose. After a few minutes of allowing the water to run, carefully examine any wet areas around the pool's piping. Once you find an area that has been directly under the continuous stream of water from your hose and is wet or damp, and then you know you have found where your leak is located within your inground pool's piping system. To learn more about leak repairs and easy inground pool leak detection tricks, click here!

Method 2: Using an electronic leak detector to find your inground pool's leak

Electronic leak detectors are sold at most hardware stores such as Home Depot and Lowes, and usually run around $100-$200 for a basic model. The device sends out ultrasonic sound waves that can pinpoint the exact location of a water leak. Instead of aiming the device at an inground pool wall and listening for the sound of water, however, you will need to go into your pool's pump or filter compartment. Once you attach the device to either your pump or filter, it should beep if it is held over a potential leak area within your piping system.

If you are unable to locate the leak in your inground pool's piping system, there is always the option of draining it completely and having all pipes inspected by an inground pool professional. If this option is not feasible for whatever reason, then you should have a professional return to your home and perform the repairs. A professional inground pool company will be able to find leaks easily, since they are trained in locating them, have the necessary equipment for finding leaks, and have experience repairing any issue you might have with your inground pool's piping system.

If you would like a professional inground pool company to inspect your home and offer you a free quote for services, contact Swim Care Pool Services. We provide pool maintenance and repairs in Chula Vista and San Diego county and our technicians are trained to last!

Since the gunite pool is constructed in part by spraying concrete onto steel mesh forms, it can suffer damage to its structure when heavy objects fall into the pool. Cracks may appear in the pool shell due to shifting of one section of the formwork relative to another. A small crack in a gunite pool formed because of this type of damage is not a serious problem. Repairing the crack is not necessary to keep the concrete strong enough to support the pool's weight, especially if pool water is kept out of the crack during use.

Any damage that results in an opening in the gunite shell larger than 1/4 inch should be repaired to prevent the entry of water into the pool. If water does get in, the steel reinforcing bars in the concrete will rust. This would weaken the structure of the pool and could cause its collapse. Patches can be used to cover large openings until permanent repairs are made. Click here to learn more. Every pool has the potential to crack. If it's not closed, you can pretty much assume that there's some small hairline crack in it somewhere. The question is whether or not this little hairline crack poses any sort of threat to the integrity of your pool shell. A professional gunite pool company such as Swim Care Pool Services can quickly fix cracks on your pool wall by installing a patch. The experts can ensure that your pool's water doesn't leak out of the cracks.

Repairing a crack on a gunite pool can be a bit more difficult than repairing a crack in a vinyl or fiberglass pool because it requires removing some of the surrounding material from around the deep end of the pool to create enough room to be able to drill into the area surrounding the crack, remove the defective gunite and then put in a patch. The process can take several hours but is important if you don't want water leaking out of the pool through the cracks. A professional pool company has all of its tools with them, including jackhammers that they use for this but if you want to DIY here are some tips you could follow.

How to fix a crack in gunite pool

1. Stop the water from entering the crack by covering it with a piece of non-corroding plastic, such as a section of plastic drop cloth or a garbage bag. The cover should be large enough to extend several inches past each side of the damage and be held in place around its edges by calking compound or sealant.

2. Mix patching compound according to the manufacturer's instructions for handling and applying it. Calking compound may be mixed with sand, but should not be mixed with other materials that can alter its consistency or performance.

3. Apply a 1/4-inch layer of the mixture to repair the crack in the gunite pool shell. Fill the crack completely, but avoid covering the plastic patch.

4. Remove excess compound from around the outside of the repair area with a trowel or putty knife. If you do not remove enough material, it might prevent you from making an effective seal with the next layer of patching material. Allow this first application to dry overnight before applying a second layer.

5. Mix another batch of compound if necessary, and apply a 1/4-inch thick second layer over the first one. Smooth this application with the trowel or putty knife to create a smooth surface that does not contain lumps or other imperfections. Allow it to dry overnight before testing for water leaks by submerging the repaired area underwater.

6. Remove the plastic patching material after the pool shell is dry and before filling it with water. If leaks are detected, repeat steps 4 through 6 until the pool holds enough water without leaking.

7. Fill the pool with water and test it for leaks before using it for swimming or other recreational water activities.

8. Inspect the pool structure for other damage that might require repair.

Repairing a crack in the gunite shell of a swimming pool is not difficult as long as you follow all safety procedures and adhere to guidelines for mixing, applying and patching the material used to seal it. Repair any large cracks before they expand or if water has already leaked into the pool.

If the crack is in an area above water, it can be sealed with a specialized epoxy formulated to bond to concrete. This product contains rubber particles that expand when exposed to water to form a tight seal. Such products are available at many hardware or home improvement stores. Be sure to follow all manufacturer's directions for using the product to get the best results.