Why The Dog Died - Monrovia CA, February 2010

I told YOU we should have gotten a new pool guy!!

Our first presentation on Fundamental Pool Water Chemistry (oops, I meant, “Why the Dog Died”) was given at the Superior Pool Products store in Monrovia, CA, on February 8, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.

The store manager, Erik Hoeckmann, excitedly volunteered his store for this class, he swept up the class area, set up chairs and brought in refreshments.  The HASA representative doing a “Table Top” that day, Andrea Smith, also attended and brought in sandwiches, so it was a team effort all the way–thanks HASA!

Erik and employees, Louie and Nino, really promoted this class to their customers.  They got 30 commitments to attend class and then Erik also called everyone to remind them to show up.   Thanks to them–every one of the 30 pool guys sat down to listen and learn and share personal tips and information!

Steve Donohoe getting ready to explain "Why the Dog Died."

With only 24 chairs set up initially, Erik brought out empty chlorine buckets to sit on, because no chairs were left!–WOW!  Pool guys in attendance that evening were 1st year techs up to 20 year veterans!

In class, we covered disinfection, pool water balance and pool water problems.   We talked about the different types of chlorine:  trichlor, dichlor, bleach, and cal-hypo–explaining the pros and cons of each.  We presented the 6 parameters that effect pool balance. We then explored various pool water problems:  algae, colored water & staining, chloromines and contaminants and what to do about them.

Chuauhtemoc Nino, Steve and Erik at Superior Pool Products, Monrovia, CA.

After class, Nino went around encouraging  guys to get certified — to get their CPO (which is a pre-requisite for the LA county health card).

“Nino” (Cuauhtemoc Nino)—you are THE MAN—your ongoing enthusiasm and support of the pool industry was very instrumental in getting these guys interested in learning about water chemistry, equipment repairs — and doing it right!  Our gratitude goes to you, Nino—to Erik—and to Louie—THANK YOU–for opening up your ‘house’ to the service industry through education.

The Rain Continues — Riverside, February 2010

Michael Torres & E. J. Wamsley working at the SCP counter in Riverside, CA

The rains just keep on coming here in Southern California…but no complaints here! — its all needed and welcomed!

Speaking of welcome —  E.J Wamsley and crew gave us a huge welcome back to open up our first CPO class in Riverside for 2010 this past Thursday and Friday, February 4-5.  Thanks guys!

Our class again was as diverse as ever - new guys, seasoned pool guys, and facility managers.   They came from distant areas of California, too:   Santa Barbara, Yucaipa and Indian Wells!

Starting off  the first day of class, we learned some new terminology, and about constants, formulas and conversions, while also learning about BTU’s,  the area of a circle (πR²), square inches to square feet, PPM…..and much more.

What’s PPM? — Parts Per Million — it is a weight ratio.  An example:  1 ppm of chlorine means that there is 1 pound of elemental chlorine to 1 million pounds of water.  What’s a million pounds of water? — about 120,000 gallons.  How many pounds of elemental chlorine in 1 gallon of liquid chlorine? — Oh, about 1 pound.

They love the Mike n' Ike's & Hot Tamales!

So if you add 1 gallon of liquid chlorine to a 120,000 gallon pool, you will raise the chlorine level 1 PPM (it does not take much).  For a regular backyard pool - 15,000 gallons ( 1/8 of 120,000) it only takes 1 pint to raise it 1 PPM  (1/8 of a gallon = 1 pint) or 1 quart to raise it 2 PPM! .  Hey–you just learned the definition of PPM and how to use it!…a step towards understanding pool water chemistry.

Some popular changes and additions in 2010:

- Our Mike n’ Ike’s and Hot Tamale candies, hand-wrapped in our new CPO class schedule-YUM!….and

- Our new Thursday-Friday classes are a win-win for us, for PoolCorp and for our students (plus everyone gets to go home at 5:00 p.m. on a week day!–hooray!)

Thank you, PoolCorp — you’re AWESOME!

Water Clarity

Here’s a great article written by Bob Lowry about pool water clarity.  Here’s the .pdf  if you wish to down load it: WaterClarity.pdf

Water Clarity

By Robert W. Lowry
Lowry Consulting Group LLC.
65 Springfield Place, Jasper GA 30143
www.lowryconsultinggroup.com

Of all the aspects of water care, one of the most important things for many people’s “piece of mind” is water clarity.

Crystal-clear, sparkling water requires a long-enough filter cycle to make sure all the water has been filtered, enough sanitizers to kill, oxidize or burn up all the living things in the water and a filter that is capable of removing large-size particles and debris that may enter the water as well as remove the tiny microscopic things. Click here to read the full article »

Class In Palm Desert, July 10-11

Steve giving the Introduction in Palm Desert

We were in the desert.  It was HOT!  We had our class in the National Pool Tile’s show room.  The red carpet was laid out for us.  You guys are great!  A special thanks to Renee Nelson — and everyone there.  Even though the mercury outside was over 100 — it was sure pleasant inside.  We had seven students, some coming from as far away as Palmdale (again) and Lake Havasu, Navada.  We had pool guys, property managers and one person from a physical therapy facility.  It was satisfying to see to the recognition of the benefits of aquatic therapy — and especially satisfying to see the recognition of the importance of keeping the hot water therapy spas healty and safe.

Elise and I give a huge THANK YOU to the Superior and National Pool Tile management and crew in Palm Desert. We give a special thank you to Dave Barfuss, Manager, Superior- Indio.  Thanks, Dave, for providing conference tables and for taking some of your personal time to lockup the Palm Desert faciility for us on Saturday. — Thanks again everyone.