Fairfield Store Moved to Vacaville

The Fairfield store located on 1425 West Texas Street has moved to our Vacaville location.

Find us at 132B Browns Valley Parkway!

Vacaville Store Relocated!!

Demaray Pool Supply has re-located the Vacaville Store from 1070 E. Monte Vista Avenue to 132B Browns Valley Parkway.  We are now sandwiched between the Nugget Market and Round Table Pizza.

The reason for the move was the lack of customer parking at the old location.  With this move, parking becomes abundant.  For your convenience, the delivery entrance at the back of the store is also available for access to the store.  For those who don’t know, the back entrance off of Allyson to the marketplace will take you straight to our store.  We look forward to seeing you there!

TIP-When testing water, obtain a water sample at a depth equivalent to your elbow.  Otherwise, test results could be misleading and unnecessary maintenance chemicals used.  

 

Facts and Nothing but the Facts on Chlorine Generators 

The “salt” pool has become a major discussion topic so we are including a few facts about the use of  a Chlorine Generator.  Simply, the chlorine generator extracts chlorine  from the salt. The chlorine gas reduces your need to add liquid chlorine to the pool.

The benefits of pool salts include a soft feel to your skin and provides protection against algae while away from home.  On the other hand, the maintenance routine changes when using a chlorine generator. Pool owners need to add additional chemicals to the water for the chlorine generator to perform properly.  Improper maintenance reduces the effectiveness and life of the generator.

First, scale is a byproduct of the process. We recommend “SALT PROTECT”  to control scaling in the pool.  Excessive scaling can lead to excessive cleaning of generator plates which shortens the life of  the unit.  Also, a phosphate remover needs to be used  as stated in the units owners manual.  We recommend BIODEX PHOSPHATE REMOVER.

In addition, another chemical change is the increase in muriatic acid. More acid is needed to counteract the increase in PH due to the by-products of the chlorine operation.

Finally, the levels of conditioner/stabilizer (CYA) are recommended at higher levels (80ppm) to slow down the natural loss of chlorine gas.  These CYA levels can adversely impact some pools if not controlled and these levels can distort Total Alkalinity readings.  One other fact worth noting concerning the chlorine generator is that it does not work in cold water.   Ask your Demaray Pool Supply store technician for more details.

The Shocking Story behind Pool Shock!

For most swimming pool owners, the weekly visit to the pool store includes adding a bag of shock to the purchase. Do we really know why we shock the swimming pool? Have you ever wondered why pool shock prices at one store can differ so much from other stores?

As a first time pool owner, I often wondered about these things. To find the answers, I went to uncover  to find the shocking truth.

I started going back in history. I discovered that shocking the pool primarily referred to the removal of dead waste material such as hair, skin, body oils, and other such yucky stuff. To “shock the pool” thus rid the pool of contaminants meant adding a non-chlorine oxidizer to the water. This non chlorine oxidizer is ten times stronger than chlorine when used for this purpose. In fact, the chlorine can get captured by waste matter in in the pool and will be held hostage until rescued. Ahhh… but that is another story.

As time passed, the term shock was imprinted on granular chlorine products. We began to buy liquid chlorine and shock. In essence, we began purchasing the same product but with different composition and strength. To confuse matters more, there are four different types of granular chlorine AKA shock.

The four forms of chlorine shock are calcium hypochlorite, sodium trichloro… (short for something I can’t pronounce), sodium dichloride… (ditto above) and lithium hypochlorite.

Calcium hypochlorite is among the least expensive shocks; however, most pool owners need to be careful as we tend to have enough calcium in the water. Have you noticed a white buildup in your pool tiles?

Sodium trichloro shock is best used in a white plaster pool to prevent bleaching pool surfaces or burning a hole in a vinyl surface. Although, I found a few quick dissolving forms, I generally try to avoid any chance of facing it’s destructive powers and use sodium  dichloro.

Sodium dichloro is a good midrange priced shock that is quick dissolving. In most cases, this is the preferred type of shock.

Finally, a lithium hypochlorite is a quick dissolving shock and is recommend by most vinyl pool manufacturers. The primary drawback is the price. Generally, a lithium shock is the most expensive form of chlorine shock.

But, this is not the whole story. Chlorine can be imported or home grown. Additional Additives can be added to enhance the functionality of the shock.

So…”Why are shock prices so “different:” They are not the same product.  Now you know.

TIP: Pool salts are not all the same. Pool Salt can be manufactured by different methods which impacts the purity of the salt. Avoid the buildup of contaminants in your pool water by only buying quality pool salt. At Demaray Pool Supply, our salt also contains scale inhibitors. Ask us about our salt.

Join Today And Save Money 

Demaray Pool Supply is rewarding our repeat customers with a Reward Program.  There is no fee to sign up for this program and only basic information is collected.  The information collected is not shared outside  Demaray Pool Supply. The Reward Program can provide instant rebates based on the total of your prior purchases. Our way of saying “Thank You”.

Liquid Chlorine: What A Gas! 

As many know,  liquid chlorine has a shelf life.  As liquid chlorine sits unused, the chlorine content, which is a gas, escapes via the vented cap.  By the way, the vented cap is required to prevent the bottle from expanding and exploding.

Due to the shelf life of liquid chlorine, we recommend that you do not store the chlorine in a garage or a metal shed.  Since the chlorine gas is constantly escaping into the air, you may find your shed, tools and even vehicles rusting away.  We recommend a non metal vented storage box that is positioned outdoors in an area  out of direct sunlight.

Due to safety issues, do not store with other chemicals.  This chemical can interact with other chemicals to create a dangerous situation.  Also, secure the storage locker so children or individuals not familiar with handling chemicals cannot gain access.

In addition, liquid chlorine is bottled and sold in different strengths.  Our chlorine is bottled at the maximum concentration of 15%-13.5%. Chlorine sold in boxes by mass merchants is bottled primarily  at 10%.

A refundable bottle/case deposit  is required for our chlorine in order to handle the higher chlorine content.  Also a refundable deposit bottle will keep the chlorine residue, which is toxic, from our landfills. The case prevents damage to your vehicle if a bottle leak occurs. The deposit bottles are washed and reused thus a more “greener” option than the throw-away bottles.

Of course, the chlorine strength can be much lower than the maximum if the chlorine has been sitting  in a warehouse or on the shelf for awhile.  The strength can be reduced significantly quicker if stored in a location directly subject to the elements of Mother nature.  Heat can have a major impact on the life of the liquids strength. Furthermore, be wary of promotional sales on Liquid chlorine for all the reasons stated above, especially shelf life.

At Demaray Pool Supply,  we  rotate the chlorine  like a dairy product and we receive more frequent deliveries direct from the manufacture thus maximizing the strength of the product for you.For more Information, please contact your local Demaray Pool Supply Store.

TIP: Chlorine Tabs and Shock should not be used as the primary source of chlorine in a pool. Questions? Ask our staff.

 

SPA MAINTENANCE: Part 1 – REMOVING THE “YUCK”!

There is a misconception on the maintenance requirements for a spa.  The train of thought is a small body of water requires less maintenance time than a larger body like a pool.  Unfortunately, this is not true.  In fact, the characteristics of a spa demand greater attention than many swimming pools.

The primary reason for the additional maintenance is due to the temperature of the water combined with bathing load.

First, hot water impacts many aspects of the spa.  As water evaporates faster at higher temperatures, the need to add new fill water to your spa impacts the water balance.  Incorrect water balance can lead to damage of your spa surface and destroy your equipment in matter of weeks.

Moreover, the higher temperature also impacts the amount of organic waste deposited in the tub.  As we enjoy our spa, we perspire and shed dead skin and hair (“Yuck”).  One study indicated that 2-3 pints of organic waste enters the water per individual for every hour enjoying the spa.  Another study indicated that we introduce billions of bacteria to the spa water every time we enter the tub.  The result is a chemical smell (incorrectly attributed to over chlorination) and foaming in the spa water. Fortunately, there is a chemical maintenance fix for this “Yuck”.

Every time you finish using the spa or at least 15 minutes prior to use, add Brilliance or  Baqua Spa oxidizer to the water. After 15 minutes of circulation,  you can enjoy the comfort of your spa without worry about itchy skin, irritated eyes or strange odors.

TIP– Store your test kits and reagents at room temperature in the dark or better, in a refrigerator.  Heat and Sunlight damage your reagents.

 

 

 

Controlling Algae: A Starvation Diet?

As a pool owner, we are constantly bombarded with all types of new theories and chemical treatments to supplement or replace the tried and true approaches to keeping our pools clear and aesthetically beautiful.

One approach that has been promoted by many in recent years is to eliminate the nutrients that algae thrive on in your swimming pool.  One nutrient is “phosphates”.  While the idea of eliminating 100% of the phosphates in a swimming pool is a good idea, the actual achievement of this goal is nearly impossible.  Phosphates are everywhere and are constantly being introduced to your pool. Municipal water systems add phosphates to the water to control corrosion.  For pools with high mineral content, phosphate products are used to sequester minerals and prevent pool surface staining.

Furthermore, you can’t starve algae by controlling just phosphates.  Nitrates work together with phosphates to feed algae. Nitrates come from leaves and other debris, well water and fertilizers used in lawns or gardens.  Don’t forget clean swim suits since phosphates are found in cleaning detergents.

With  few exceptions, by focusing on sanitization levels, properly balanced water and using an effective preventative algaecide, a pool owner can enjoy an algae free pool from year to year without the phosphate removers.

Of course, there is an exception.  Until a few years ago,  Demaray Pool Supply did not carry a phosphate remover because this chemical wasn’t really needed to maintain a swimming pool.  Our overall goal is to help the pool owner control costs by only providing the necessary chemicals based on the characteristics of each pool; however, the proliferation of “chlorine generators” required that we stock this chemical for specific customers.

While everyone is free to use this product, pool owners using a chlorine generator, per the units instruction manual,  must use this product to ensure the proper operation  of their generation unit.  For others using more traditional means of sanitization, use of phosphate removing chemicals is at your discretion and pocket book.

TIP – Chlorine and Bromine can be harsh on the skin.  Try Baqua Spa for your spa chemical maintenance routine and enjoy really soft skin and no odor. 

 

Keep Maintenance Costs Down and Save Money!! $$$ 

To help the consumer manage the cost of maintaining their pools,  Demaray Pool Supply does not offer weekly promotions.  Weekly promotions in the form of steep discounts and free merchandise are often offset by higher prices for other more common merchandise.

At Demaray Pool Supply, we offer different forms of  promotions. Reducing the cost of maintaining your pool is our goal.  We do this in  several ways.

First, our trained store staff  can provide pool owners training on how to take care of their pool. We can help identify and explain the need for crucial but often neglected maintenance procedures as well as “must have” chemicals. See the “Tips” found throughout this newsletter. Also (see page 4—  “Controlling Algae:  A Starvation Diet”)

Second, when purchasing  select items, we offer lifetime discounts on routine maintenance parts. For example, Legend Pool Cleaners that are purchased at our store receive a lifetime 10% discount on replacement leaf/sand  bags.  The list goes on.

Third, we can assist you with equipment installation advice for the do-it-yourself pool owner.

At Demaray Pool Supply, your pool is our pool. We hope to see you soon!