During your Pool 101 visit, you will learn about the following:

Pool Chemicals – Balance and Safety

We will start with a lesson on the pool chemicals required to keep your pool chemically balanced. You may be reminded of your high school chemistry class as we go over chlorine, pH, alkalinity, stabilizer and, if applicable, salt level. We will also let you know about any potential risks or hazards that come with handling or storing these products, and how to maintain a hazard-free environment in your backyard. Common questions answered include, “What are the acceptable levels for this chemical?”, “What chemicals are needed for my pool?” and “How do you keep all these different chemicals adjusted correctly?”

Pool Equipment – Form and Function

Next, we will walk you through your pool equipment – explaining each part of the equipment and its function. We will also review the maintenance needed to ensure that each component stays in good working order. For example, we will review your filter, its components and its role in the overall health of your pool. Each pool may use a different type of filter, so we customize your lesson based on your equipment. Other pool equipment may include the pump, valves, baskets and o-rings. Get questions answered like “How often should my equipment be serviced?”

In the end, you will understand the importance of each piece of equipment and its basic functions.

Pool Area – The Big Picture

This is where we take a step back and review your pool’s environment – giving you a pool professional’s perspective on your backyard. Debris and build up from the surrounding environment can negatively impact your pool’s filtering mechanism and chemical balance. For example, if there is loose, un-landscaped dirt you may be allowing excessive debris to be introduced to the pool. Additionally, a low-hanging tree over the pool or bushes close to the pool’s perimeter may also be items of concern.

The Cost

Overall, Poolman’s Pool 101 service helps customers understand their pool in its entirety – from equipment to chemicals. We know that knowledge is power, and Poolman wants to empower their customers to make the right choices when it comes to their property. Be better prepared for the demands of pool ownership. The cost for Pool 101 is $55.00 for customers and $75.00 for non-customers. This month, we are offering a coupon for 10% off Pool 101. This coupon will only be valid from May 15, 2013 through June 15, 2013. Download the coupon now and schedule your appointment today!

While there is still a need for a pool professional to help with repairs and regular maintenance, your new pool knowledge will help you to identify problems before they become costly.

Download our Pool 101 coupon (Valid May 15, 2013 – June 15, 2013) >>

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Be sure to note

Please note that during our Pool 101 visit, we do not perform cleaning services and or chemical balance as a part of this service. Often done as a courtesy, the manager will make minor adjustments to the chemical balance if the pool is in trouble and the manager can prevent further issues from arising, but this is not a part of the Pool 101 service. Any additional cleaning requirements or needed repairs that the customer may need/want would be performed at an additional cost.

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If you don't already have one in place, now is the perfect time to get one, and Phoenix pool service is ready to help you with the management that goes along with a new salt system to keep it fully functional for years to come. Once it's installed, it's time to introduce your little one to his or her new favorite activity – swimming.

Introducing your baby to the water
With a young child, you may be wondering what the right age is to teach your son or daughter how fun splashing around can be. The good news is that babies can take their first dip at 6 months. Although you may be anxious to show your baby your own pool, first, you may want to attend a parent-and-child swimming class through your town's recreation department. This session is great for socializing your child with other adults and babies.

For these classes, you'll need to bring a warm bottle for after the swim if your baby still bottle feeds or a snack if he or she already eats solid foods, as the activity will most likely make your little one hungry! Also, you won't want to forget towels for both you and your baby – there are even some baby towels that have hoods attached to them – as well as a couple of bath toys to make the atmosphere fun and relaxing, a changing mat and a diaper bag.

Once he or she becomes comfortable in the water – in your arms, of course – you can try it at home in your own salt system. This will put your son or daughter on the right track to enjoy the pool and be ready to take formal swim lessons once he or she is developmentally ready – usually at age 3 or 4.

What's beneficial about splashing around in your own pool is that you don't have to worry about crowds, which are often present at public pools. Lots of people may upset your child, making the experience more difficult to enjoy.

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1. Grapefruit margarita
Margaritas are perennial favorites, but you can take the plain-old recipe up a notch by adding a twist of grapefruit, notes the Los Angeles Times. Along with the usual lime, salt, triple sec, tequila and lime juice, you'll need ruby red grapefruit juice and a few grapefruit slices for garnish. It's up to you whether you want it frozen or on the rocks!

2. Cucumber, basil and lime gimlet
For an update to an old classic, Liquor.com recommends boosting your standard recipe with fresh cucumber, basil and lime. They're the perfect complements to lemonade and vodka – just use two basil leaves and two slices of cucumber per drink, mix them up with lime juice and lemonade, and serve over ice. A cucumber slice or lime will make a classy garnish.

3. Pineapple mango rum cocktail
If you like fresh mango, you'll love Martha Stewart Living magazine's take on a tropical rum cocktail. With freshly pureed mangos, lots of pineapple juice and high-quality golden rum, you'll have yourself a scrumptious beverage to sip on while you're lounging by the pool. A dragon fruit or star fruit would make a unique (and delicious) garnish!

4. White wine sangria
Nothing says summer cocktail like a pitcher of white sangria, especially when it's made with the freshest summer produce. Try using summer peaches, strawberries, oranges and lemons for a dynamic mix that'll infuse your taste buds with plenty of fruity flavor.

5. Watermelon martini
If you're the martini type, Cosmopolitan magazine's recipe for a tasty watermelon version is sure to pique your interest. With citrus vodka, watermelon Pucker, triple sec, lemonade, citrus soda and a fresh watermelon slice, a second helping may be necessary.

6. Blackberry mint julep
Mint juleps are fantastic on their own, but Martha Stewart Living has a great update that calls for a whole pint of juicy blackberries. Just puree mint, the blackberries and sugar in a blender, strain the mixture, then add bourbon and ice before blending one more time. Garnish with mint leaves or fresh berries for a finished look.

7. Mai tai
If you've never made this traditional drink, you're in for a treat. Liquor.com suggests mixing fresh lime juice, syrup (made with two parts sugar and one part water), almond syrup, orange curacao and rum together over ice. Finish with a lime and mint garnish.

8. Grape sparkler
EatingWell magazine offers this tangy cocktail for those who love grapes. You can't go wrong with a blend of red grapes, honey, lemon, seltzer and your favorite brand of vodka!

9. Monkeylada
If pina coladas are your usual go-to drinks but you're trying to watch your calorie intake this summer, EatingWell has a fresh alternative: the monkeylada. To make four drinks, blend two bananas, a cup of fresh pineapple, a cup of pineapple juice, 1/2 cup of light coconut milk, ice and light rum, then pour into glasses. Fresh pineapples make a sweet garnish.

10. Tequila sunrise
This drink mimics the lovely colors of a Phoenix sunset. All you need is orange juice, tequila, pomegranate juice and ice. Pour the pomegranate juice into the glasses with the ice first, then add the mixture of orange juice and tequila for a pretty blended effect.

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What's National Water Safety Month all about?
The month-long effort is spearheaded by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, the American Red Cross, the National Recreation & Park Association and the World Waterpark Association. All of these organizations are dedicated to ensuring that Americans enjoy safe, pleasurable aquatic activities, whether in their own salt system, at water​parks and resorts or in public swimming pools.

National Water Safety Month puts special emphasis on education about water safety, the importance of swimming lessons, parental supervision by the pool, following pool rules and using the "buddy system," reports the WWA. Whether you need guidance on one or all of these topics, all of the sponsoring organizations offer guides and tips for helping your family stay safe while swimming this summer.

The official website for National Water Safety Month is chock-full of helpful information, from the Safe Swimmer's Pledge to water safety tips to swimming rules. The event's social media pages are also frequently updated to provide swimmers and pool owners with up-to-date information to share with family and friends.

How can you celebrate?
You could start by scheduling San Diego pool service, which will ensure that your pool is clean and safe for your family and friends to use this season. From there, it's up to you whether you want to download fact sheets, watch helpful tip videos or simply have a talk with your kids about safe swimming practices.

Now is also a good time to sit down and make a list of your pool's rules if you haven't done so already. You'll have to ask yourself what kinds of behavior you consider acceptable in your pool, from jumping or diving into the water to using certain toys to wearing swim caps. Consider laminating this sheet and posting it prominently in your pool area to remind your kids and guests of the rules.

As long as you feel confident that your family is prepared for a safe, fun summer spent swimming, you're probably doing a great job celebrating National Water Safety Month!

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Don't dive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
It's never a good idea to use a diving board after a few drinks or after using drugs. DivingBoardSafety.net notes that these substances can impair your judgment and reaction time, making physical activities like jumping or diving into the pool dangerous.

Don't run onto the board
The source also states that it's never safe to run around the pool area or run up to the edge of the diving board, as the surfaces can be slippery and running makes it difficult to adjust for mistakes or obstacles.

Wait for everyone else to clear the area
When there are multiple people using the pool, it's important to make sure that everyone's out of the way before you jump or dive into the water. If you're following someone else's dive, wait until that person is at the side of the pool before you jump in. Also, don't forget to be on the lookout for those who may be swimming underwater.

Only one person should be on the board at a time
While kids like to play with their friends and often like the idea of jumping in at the same time, it's important not to allow more than one person on the diving board at a time, which could lead to slips or injuries.

Children should be monitored at all times
Kids are especially creative when it comes to how they jump into pools, but things like back flips, front flips and handstand dives aren't safe if they're not being taught under the supervision of a professional. Keep an eye on kids who use your pool to make sure that they aren't engaging in any risky behavior.

Keep bouncing to a minimum
While it's common to see professional divers bounce multiple times on diving boards, the reality is that this can be dangerous in private pools. Those athletes need to get more height to do their flips and turns, but you and your kids don't need added height to enjoy jumping into your salt system!

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1. Pool volleyball
Nothing's more fun than a good old-fashioned game of volleyball – except, of course, when you move that game into the pool. Whether you buy a pool volleyball set or put up your own net over the pool, make sure it's at a height that won't make it too difficult to get the ball over to the other side. Also, instead of a standard volleyball, you should try using a beach ball, as these will slow the game down a bit and make it easier for people to hit. Finally, make it a point to ban spiking the ball – you don't want any of your friends or family members to end up with a bloody nose!

2. Water polo
If you've ever marveled at water polo during the Olympics, you know it can be a challenging sport, but also one that's a blast to play. To make it easier on yourself and your guests, try using a beach ball instead of a volleyball or water polo ball, and consider giving each player an inner tube to float around in. Both of these will slow down the pace of the game and prevent people from getting tired too quickly. As for the goals, set up a small kids' soccer or hockey net on either side of the pool or make your own with cones or lounge chairs.

3. Belly flop contest
Guys love a good belly flop, and spectators always enjoy the big splashes and loud smacks of those who jump into the pool. Choose a panel of judges who will rate each flop based on height, splash and the loudness of the flop, then have each person competing take turns jumping into the pool. Be sure to have a good prize on hand for the person who wins, as he or she likely deserves it!

4. Pool toss
If your kids have a lot of pool toys that float in the water, this game will be a breeze to set up. If not, you'll need to gather a bunch of objects that float and are okay to throw in the pool. Once you have those, you'll need to separate the pool into two sections with a rope or even a line of pool noodles, points out Fun-Attic. Then, divide your friends and family members into two teams, one on each side. Now throw all of the toys or objects evenly onto each side. Someone will then need to blow a whistle or say "Go!" and each team will work to throw as many toys as possible onto the other team's side. After five minutes or so, blow the whistle again to signal everyone to stop throwing objects. Now count and see which side has the fewest toys – that team wins!

5. Tugboat relay race
For this game, you'll need two long ropes that cover the length of the pool and four people to hold each one, two on each side, states Fun-Attic. You'll also need two inner tubes. The racers will have to get in the tubes on one side of the pool and pull themselves along the rope to reach the other side. The team who gets all of its racers on the other side of the pool first wins!

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Butterfly stroke
This stroke is a lot easier for people who have already practiced a few different types of strokes, as it's a bit difficult to grasp without mastering the basic fundamentals first. But if you already know how to do harder strokes like the breaststroke, then you're good to go! As MedicineNet.com describes, the butterfly is basically a combination of mermaid-like leg movements, wide butterfly-like arm movements and undulating torso movements that are similar to an earthworm's. Sound weird enough yet?

To get your leg movements down, put your legs together and bend your knees slightly, then quickly thrust your feet downward and straighten your knees. You'll be doing two of these kicks for every movement you make with your arms. To do the arm movements, put your arms out straight in front of you with your hands cupped. Pull through the water with your palms facing away from you and swing your arms down and back. Raise them up over your head and back down to complete the movement. It may take some practice, but once you get it, the stroke will start to feel more natural.

Freestyle stroke
In freestyle swimming events, swimmers can use any type of swimming stroke they want, but most use the freestyle stroke, also referred to as the crawl, notes USA Swimming. It's pretty simple to figure out, as it feels natural to most people. All it takes is a flutter kick, which is simply quick, alternating kicks, and windmill-like arm movements.

Start out by positioning yourself belly-down in the pool with your knees slightly bent. Relax your ankles and feet so they're more like flippers, then practice kicking them one after another. Now move your arms in an alternating windmill motion, taking care to use the same strength on each side so you don't turn in one direction. As each arm comes out of the water, turn your head in the opposite direction to take a breath.

After a few weekends spent mastering these strokes, you'll be able to take full advantage of your new salt system!

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Breaststroke
The breaststroke is one of the most popular types of swimming strokes, and it's usually the one that new swimmers are taught first. According to Enjoy-Swimming.com, part of what makes this stroke so appealing is the fact that the swimmer's head can stay above the water, eliminating the need to choreograph breathing. However, as you get more advanced with this stroke, you might find that it's faster and easier for you to submerge your head.

To practice this stroke, position yourself horizontally near the surface of the water, with your legs at a slight downward angle. Your arms should reach forward and point slightly downward. Now, move your elbows toward your body and position your hands in front of your chest. Push your hands forward quickly until they're in the same position that they started in. While you do that, your head, neck and upper chest should be out of the water. As fast as possible, bend your knees and bring your feet toward your rear, then quickly extend them. After you do these moves, you should be able to glide for a couple seconds before you repeat them.

Backstroke
If you like floating on your back, you might find the backstroke a bit easier to get the hang of. According to MedicineNet.com, the most important things to remember are to move your arms with equal strength to stay swimming straight and roll your body from side to side so your arms can catch plenty of water to propel you forward.

To practice this stroke, float on your back with your head and eyes toward the sky. Bend your knees slightly and do a flutter kick, which simply means kicking your legs in alternating order. Your feet and ankles should be relaxed so that they feel kind of like flippers. Now, move your arms in an alternating windmill pattern, cupping your hands and bringing them up and past your head. Rotate your cupped hands down as they enter the water behind you and use them to propel yourself through the water.

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Why is exercise important for those with arthritis?
There are many reasons why exercise is a vital aspect of staying healthy, even for people who have arthritis. It may seem like with the stiffness and achiness of your joints, there's no way you'll be able to exercise properly, but the fact of the matter is that exercise can ease your pain and loosen up your joints, making moving around much easier. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise helps to strengthen your bones and muscles, increase your energy levels, facilitate better sleep, maintain a healthy weight and improve your overall well-being.

What types of exercises should someone with arthritis do?
The Mayo Clinic states that there are three main types of exercises that people with arthritis should engage in: range-of-motion exercises, strengthening exercises and aerobic exercises. Range-of-motion exercises combat stiffness and allow you to keep your joints functioning properly. Some of these moves are as simple as raising your arms over your head or rotating your neck. Strengthening moves work to build muscles, which in turn protects and strengthens your joints. Using weights to do bicep curls is one example of a type of strengthening exercise. Finally, aerobic exercises work to improve overall fitness by strengthening your cardiovascular system. Walking and swimming are two types of low-impact aerobic activities that those with arthritis can do, according to the source.

Where does a pool come into play?
You may be wondering how swimming in your pool after you schedule Phoenix pool maintenance will help improve your arthritis symptoms. While swimming might seem more like a fun activity rather than a workout, it's actually a great place to exercise for many reasons. For example, a swimming pool is a much gentler environment because it's impossible to fall and injure yourself and the cushioning of the water makes moving around a lot easier.

"For people that have joint issues, it reduces the damage that can be caused," Denise Leonard, the Decatur Family YMCA's health and wellness director, told the Herald & Review, a Central Illinois news source. "If you have weight issues, it takes some of the stress off your joints and allows you to do a little bit more because you're not supporting the excess weight."

Doing pool workouts is also beneficial because it helps you avoid overheating and, since it's pretty enjoyable, you'll be more likely to stick with a routine.

What's a good routine to follow?
A pool workout should start the same way as any other workout, with a period of stretching and warming up. Begin by getting yourself acclimated to the water and moving your arms, legs, neck, hands and feet slowly in range-of-motion exercises to get your blood flowing. When you feel loosened up, walk or jog in the water for five minutes or so to get your heart pumping a bit. Then, choose an aerobic activity to do for 15 minutes or so, then move on to an equal amount of time spent doing strengthening exercises. To finish up, do 10 minutes of a cool-down activity similar to the ones you used to warm up.

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White plaster
This mixture of white cement, white marble or limestone aggregate and water is the most common pool finish, and it provides a classic swimming pool look that many pool owners love. Despite the many other options for surfacing that have been developed over the years, white plaster remains one of the most popular because of its low cost and smooth finish. When properly maintained by Fort Worth pool service, the material has the potential to last for a long time and is very reliable.

However, it's important to realize that white plaster is a porous surface that's susceptible to changing water conditions, especially if it's not properly taken care of. Staining, bacteria growth and breakdown of the plaster can occur with this type of surface, which usually lasts for about seven to 10 years when it's maintained correctly. A change in the appearance of the plaster is reasonable to expect during its lifetime, whether it's slight or moderate color change, cracking, shading or scaling.

Colored plaster
This type of surfacing is basically the same as white plaster, but the pigment makes it slightly different. Color changes and unevenness are often more obvious in colored plaster, Shade variations are also common, and the color will likely fade or lighten over the course of the surface's lifetime, but this isn't considered a product deficiency.

Quartz
Quartz aggregates come in a variety of forms and colors, making it very versatile. When it's combined with white or colored plaster, quartz can create a range of shades, from bright blue and red to subtle green or beige. The surface of this finish is more durable than plaster alone and is sturdy up against chemical fluctuations. However, since it's not just plaster, it is a more costly surface, but it lasts longer than plaster alone. Without proper Fort Worth pool maintenance, it can be just as susceptible to surface issues.

Pebble
Pebble surfaces are the most durable surfaces available, and they last the longest out of the different surface options. They have small river stones embedded in the product that can come in a wide range of colors and color combinations, making them very versatile. This type of surface also looks the most natural, which may appeal to some homeowners. The stones are very durable and aren't likely to react with water chemicals, meaning their appearance isn't likely to change with proper pool maintenance. It's important to note, however, that pebble surfaces are more textured than other surfaces, which may not appeal to some people, and this type of surface is more expensive than standard plaster.

Tiles
In addition to the types of surfaces listed above, many people like to add tiles to their pools for a dynamic look. Tiles are a great way to dress up the look of a pool and bring in elements of a pool surroundings. They come in all sizes, shapes and colors, so they can fit right in with any surface you pick. They last a long time and are often water and slip-resistant, but they can crack and become susceptible to damage without proper pool service.

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