Ken Christensen, author, artist and entrepreneur was born in a log cabin he helped his father build. Trudging through rain, sleet, and snow to come home with C average grades, he relentlessly pursued his education in the School of Hard Knocks and the College of Life, while studying the philosophies of Howard, Howard, and Fine. At the age of 17, he took on a summer job as a laborer for a brick layer and decided, then and there, that he was going to be an artist! From 1990 to 2003, Ken researched, wrote, and published 24 books in the Romantic America Book Series which featured extensive information on quality Bed and Breakfast Inns, Hotels and restaurants in 43 of the continental United States. The aftershocks of 9/11 and a debilitating family illness gave him cause to refocus his life and he took on a job cleaning swimming pools in 2004. Turning lemons into lemonade; Ken saw the need for an easy to understand book on swimming pool maintenance, and after a five year hiatus, has produced his 25th book, I Love My Pool! - The Perfect Pool in Five Easy Steps.
Dedicated to Cindy Hollinger, the love of my life - You were my heart, my soul, my inspiration...
Contributors
So many people helped to be part of this book in all stages, that I wanted to extend a special thanks to everyone:
Dave Rutkas - Who told me in 2004 that I should write on a book on how to take care of a pool. Nancy Sommer - Proofreader, editor, friend and confidant.
Jill Wisth - Photographer - Took most of the pool products and instructional photos for this book. We spent an entire
afternoon taking photos all over town one fine spring day, which went very, very smoothly.
Roy West - Technical Advisor - A master at pool chemistry and repair, Roy advised me throughout this book on critical
information that had to be presented; ” Just right”.
Redge Wiebusch - Photoshop editing, flow chart design and assorted artistic contributions throughout book.
Steve & Diana Mugar - Who first tried my EZ Clear Pool Care system in Fall 2007 and let me take photos of my pool
maintenance process at their beautiful home.
Timothy Mott - Original owner of www.Poolplaza.com who was kind enough to let me use and incorporate some of his
chemistry and salt system information with my writings. Tim and I have the same perspective; keep it simple and easy to understand. He and his wife are now missionaries in Nicaragua.
Richard and Deb Marino - Let me take pictures of their dog, Sadie, playing in their pool.
Doug and Susan Hoyt - Who were big supporters of my endeavors right from the start, as well as Dana Eurich, David Rufel,
and a host of my clients.
Kit Bauer - Told me I was wasting my talents and that I should buckle down and write my 25th book. Tom Adams - Listened to my ideas and brainstormed with me.
DynastieBooks.com - Book Design & Layout
A
A Brief History Of
Water Filtration ... 13
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To My Pool... 6
Adding Chemicals To Your Pool... 32
Adding Water To Your Pool ... 77
Advanced Floor Vac Troubleshooting ...62
Alkalinity, About ... 41
Alkalinity, Testing ... 42
American Leak Detection Services ... 95
Anatomy Of A Pool ... 23
Automated Controls & Salt Systems – Chapter VIII ... 74
Automated Controls & Salt Systems – Introduction ... 78
Automated Floor Vacuums - Chapter VI ... 56
Automated Floor Vacuums, Introduction ...57
Automatic Pool filler ... 78
B Brushes, Tile ... 49
Brushes, Wall ... 47
C Calcium Hardness, Testing ... 45
Calculating Water Volume ... 8
Cartridge Filter Tip ... 22
Cartridge Filter, Replacing ... 22
Cartridge Filters ... 15
Cartridge Filters, Cleaning ... 17
Checking Your Equipment ... 10
Chemistry Made Easy ... 31
Chemistry, Pool - Chapter IV ... 30
Chlorine Tablets & Feeders ... 79
Chlorine, About ... 37
Chlorine, Testing ... 38
Cleaning Your Pool - Chapter V.. 46
Cleaning Your Pool - Introduction... 47 Contributors ... 100 Critter Skimmer ... 50 D DE Filters ... 16 DE Filters, Cleaning... 19
DE Filter, Handle Settings ... 20
DE Powder, Adding... 21
Determining The Size Of Your Pool ... 8
E Electronic Automatic Pool Filler .. 78
eXact® EZ Electronic Photometer ... 34
F Fix-A-Leak ... 95
Floor Vac Troubleshooting ... 60
Floor Vacuum, Attaching ... 60
Floor Vacuum, Great White ... 58
Floor Vacuum, Zodiac/Barracuda ... 58
Floor Vacuum, Hayward Floor .... 58
Floor Vacuum, Polaris ... 58
G Gas & Electric Heaters ... 88
Going Green ... 92
H Handling Chemicals Warning ... 35
Heating Your Pool ... 86
Heating Your Pool – Chapter XI.. 86
History Of Heating Water ... 85
The following companies were kind enough to supply me with critical information that helped make this such a versatile book. American Leak Detection Services - Detecting pool leaks for over 30 years • 800.755.6697 • www.americanleakdetection.com Critter Skimmer - Skimmer lid which allows frogs to escape - 207.450.0300 • critterskimmer.com
Fix-A-Leak - Quality leak sealer • 905.374.2560 • www.fixaleak.com
International Testing Systems (ITS) - Cutting edge water testing supplies • 803.329.9712 • www.sensafe.com Jack’s Magic - Pool stain remover • 800.348.1656 • www.jacksmagic.com
Replications Unlimited - Artificial rock formations • 314.524.2040 • www.replicationsunlimited.com Solar Sun Rings – Solar rings that warm your pool water • 951.296.6502 • www.solarsunrings.com Torcan Industries - Automatic pool filler • 239.768.0604 • www.torcancorp.com
Towel Rack Genie™ - The perfect rack to hang towels on • 757.749.5798 • www.thetowelrackgenie.com Websites
www.poolfence.com - Pool safety fences and extensive info on pool safety.
www.poolplaza.com - A variety of pool products - check out the pool school link for extensive information on pool chemistry. www.poolsideplaza.com - Unique selection of products to enhance your patio, as well as some pool equipment.
Resources
Resources / Index
How Does Your Pool Look? ... 6
How Your Pool Works ... 9
I Impeller ... 27
In Line Tablet Feeders ... 77
In-Line Strainers ... 64
Index & Resources ... 101
Introduction To Your Pool - Chapter I...5
J Jack’s Magic ... 98
L Ladies & Gentleman; An Introduction ...4
Leak Detection Services, Choosing ... 95
M Maintenance Chart ... 103
Motor Cover ... 25
N Netting Palm Fronds ... 55
Netting Your Pool ... 55
Not So Fun Safety Facts ... 73
P pH, About ... 39
pH, Testing ... 40
Pool Check™ Water Test Strips ... 33
Pool Equipment Checklist...11
Pool Finishes ... 96
Pool Finishes, Acid Wash ... 96
Pool Finishes, Choosing The Right Company ... 97
Pool Finishes, Resurfacing ... 96
Pool Leaks ... 94
Pool Leaks, Bucket Test ... 95
Pool Leaks, Dye Test ... 95
Pool Safety – Chapter VIII ... 67
Pool Safety – Introduction ... 68
Pool Service ... 96
Pool Walls, Brushing ... 54
Pressure Gauge, Adjusting ... 22
Proper Chlorine Tablet Dispensing ... 76
Pump Basket Lid, Removing ... 26
Pump Lid & Basket ... 26
Pump Lid Wrench ... 26
Pumps & Adjustments - Chapter III... 24
Pumps & Motors - Introduction ... 25
R Replications Unlimited ... 101
S Safety Fences... 70
Salt Systems... 79
Salt Systems Benefits... 80
Salt Systems Installation ... 81
Salt Systems, Choosing ... 83
Salt Water Pools, Shocking ... 82
Salt Water Pools, Troubleshooting ... 82
Sand Filters ... 15
Sand Filters, Cleaning ... 22
Setting The Timer ... 29
Skimmer & Main Drain Valve Settings ... 27
Skimmer Lids ... 26
Solar Blankets ... 86
Solar Heating & Panels ... 89
Solar Sun Rings... 69, 86 Sta-Rite Filter System... 16
Stabilizer, About ... 43
Stabilizer, Testing ... 44
Swimming Pool Filters - Chapter II... 13
Swimming Pool Filters - Introduction... 15
T Taylor Testing Kits ... 37
Testing Your Pool Water ... 32
Thanks Department ... 126
The EZ Clear Pool Care System™ ... 7
The Perfect Pool ... 98
The Perfect Pool – Chapter VIII.. 95
The Perfect Proposal ...116
Tiki Torches...117
Tile Soap ... 50
Tile, Cleaning ... 54
Timer ... 30
Torcan Industries ... 81
Towel Rack Genie™ ...110
Twinkle Lights ...117
V Vacuum Cones ... 49
Vacuum Heads ... 49
Vacuuming Your Pool ... 53
Vacuuming Your Pool, Preparation ... 52
Valve Adjustments ... 28
W Water Flow Troubleshooting ... 30
What Do You Do With Your Wet Towels? ...110
What Not To Put Around Your Pool ... 108
Which Filter Do You Have?... 16
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
On the next page is a 3 month pool maintenance schedule that should be filled out weekly as you test, and