by Alex Stewart
September 16, 2020
We've all been there before: After a long and fun day of swimming we notice that our eyes are bloodshot and irritated. And for years we've been told it is because of the chlorine in the water. In fact, chlorine causing red and itching eyes is so widespread that it has almost become a common knowledge principle with pools. But, does chlorine actually cause red, irritated eyes? Could we have been duped all these years into believing something that's not true? In this article, we are going to explore the following:
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by Alex Stewart
August 30, 2020
Let's face it, everything is going online. From shopping for groceries to attending the local university, COVID-19 has forced the world to pivot to adapt to the social changes that the virus has forced upon us. And Certified Pool Operator Courses are no different. Here at Pool Training Academy we have adapted as well and now provide a fully verified and approved fully online CPO® Course. But there is understandably some hesitancy for some to take a course that is traditionally classroom based. In this article, we want to share the benefits of choosing to take a CPO® Course online with Pool Training Academy
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by Alex Stewart
August 11, 2020
Let's face it, your pool has a ton of water in it and the last thing you want to deal with is a super high water bill for refilling the entire thing. But believe it or not, draining your pool or hot tub is one of the most crucial pieces to the puzzle when it comes to keeping your pool, hot tub, swimmers, are circulation components as safe as possible. In this article we are going to address the Following:
- Problems Related To Old Pool and Hot Tub Water
- When To Drain Your Pool
- When To Drain Your Hot Tub
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by Alex Stewart
July 20, 2020
One of the first things your guests should encounter when showing up to your pool or hot tub is something designed to prevent them from using the facility! It may seem ironic, but every one of our pools and hot tubs should be protected by a barrier that prevents unauthorized and/or unqualified persons from gaining access to your swimming area. These gates and barriers can be one of the most important life-saving tools you have installed at your property
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by Alex Stewart
June 25, 2020
We've all heard stories about the local pool turning someone's hair green, or someone's uncle turning the pool water blue at the family barbecue five years ago because he peed in the pool, but is there any truth to these stories? In this article we are debunking the top 5 swimming pool myths.
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by Alex Stewart
June 09, 2020
Everybody loves cooling off on a hot summer day by taking a dip in the pool. And this doesn't just apply to humans. Animals are drawn to the water in just the same way as us humans when it comes to cooling off. But the question of allowing pets in the pool raises an array of additional questions for pool operators. Is it safe for a dog to swim in your community's swimming pool? Are doggie swim days something we as operators should be advocating? Are swimming pools safe for dogs? In this article we are going to discuss the following information in regard to doggie swim days
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by Alex Stewart
May 14, 2020
The summer season is nearly upon us and the looming uncertainties that accompany many Coronavirus response protocols have affected the pool industry as well. Our health departments and governing bodies have yet to release any protocols for operating your pools, and this uncertainty may be causing you stress when trying to prepare for opening. The good news is we can study response protocols in other industries and apply many of them to our industry. In this article we'll be exploring some of the data driven practices we can use at our properties to best protect our guests and staff when we get the green light to open.
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by Alex Stewart
April 20, 2020
We're finally beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to downtimes and closures of our properties due to the coronavirus pandemic. But with these gradual openings comes a few things to complications and things to keep in mind when reopening. In this article we'll explore the following steps to take when preparing to open your pool post-coronavirus shutdown:
- Certification Requirements
- New Local Health Guidelines
- Circulation/Operation
- Disinfection
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by Rick Stewart
March 31, 2020
We have recently had several calls asking what to do with swimming pools and hot tubs that must temporarily close due to the spread of COVID-19 in the US. This question is certainly a head scratcher for many properties out there who aren't sure if they should keep water in the pool, stop circulation, or just drain the whole thing. In this article we want to tackle the best practices for preparing your pool and hot tub for any down time caused from COVID-19 response requirements. In this article we will address this question.
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by Alex Stewart
March 17, 2020
News about Coronavirus and COVID-19 is everywhere. Many of the articles focus on the numbers of infected or fatalities. But few articles are being written about what can be done to curb the spread of this illness other than washing hands and keeping distance. Is there anything else we can do to curb the spread of COVID-19? As commercial pool and hot tub operators, what can we do to keep people safe?
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by Alex Stewart
February 08, 2020
The swimming pool or spa flow meter is one of the most overlooked but crucial elements inside the commercial pool operator's pump room. This little device will help you understand the overall health of your facility, and in most situations, it is required by your local health department. In this article we are going to explore the following aspects of the swimming pool flow meter:
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by Alex Stewart
October 30, 2019
It may seem like a tired mantra used by every inspection organization in the pool and hot tub industry, but documentation is truly one of the most important aspects of operating a pool and hot tub facility. We may be doing a great job at maintaining safe, healthy pools and hot tubs, but that doesn't mean anything if we haven't kept record of what we have been doing to maintain this safety. And oftentimes an operator only knows the crucial nature of paperwork when the health inspector comes asking for it. In this article we are going to explore the most important documents to keep and methods for keeping those documents.
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