RANDOM WORDS

Every so often something hits you that will pause you in your tracks​, enough to shake you, and hurt you.  Especially when something is out of your control.

Back in 2008, in my office sat a mid 50's gentleman named Stan. No experience, pot belly, a bit of a red-flag on his resume.  Not much to go on. What was present, was his dogged determination to land the open position as our pool service technician.  I'll never forget Stan looking at me point-blank, telling me he'd outwork every one of our twenty-something employees and would make me proud.

Stan was hired.  Stan held up to his end of the bargain... and then some.  He may not have been the most knowledgeable. His pools may not have been altogether perfect all the time.  But, I can tell you this.  Stan ran our twenty-something employees under the table.  His truck started at 4:30 most summer mornings. He arrived at the office on Saturday's to clean his truck.  He made extra visits to our client's pools on the weekends. He cared about each client.   In turn, our clients loved him. Stan didn't need to be managed every minute of the day because he took pride in his job.  He embodied great work ethic. 

October 2015, after about a total of 8 years with Love Pool Care, Stan was offered a position to go back to his previous career (inside office equipment sales).  It was time, as our brutal summer and monsoon weather can understandably take a toll after a few years. 

​​My last communication with Stan was the second week of October 2015.  His W-2 was just returned to our office, with a hand-scribbled note on the envelope stating "deceased".

This couldn't be true! Everything just kind of stood still when that unopened envelope was delivered to me.​
I emailed Stan asking if everything was OK.  No response.  I called his last known cell number, only to go unanswered. I searched obituaries, and scoured the Internet for any information.  Nothing of significance.​

My last grasp was leaving a voicemail at a number that was listed several pages in on Google.  Fortunately, I received a call back later that night.  It was his ex-wife, and she did confirm... Stan had passed away in late October 2015 from unexplained causes. Our conversation was pleasant, but brief.  I really didn't know what to say or ask.  ​

I have to say that this has affected me a great deal. I do not know if he had a funeral? I don't know about his family?​ Or friends?​ The finality of this has left me sad and confused.  I wanted the opportunity to stand up and tell his family and/or friends how important this man was to me. And our company.  I wanted to share stories.  I wanted that opportunity!  This man gave me all he had for 8 years!  I don't care if he had his "ups and downs"... we all do! The silence or lack of communication to me prevented this from happening.​

Stan was no longer that pot-bellied fella.  The physical activity of his job kept him in shape. He played golf with his friends.  He was quick witted, sarcastic, and funny. He rarely took a day off, even for vacations.  Stan had integrity.  And that's how I'll always remember him.

Thank you, Stan!  We all love you here.  You'll be remembered.  

With the advancement of automation technology between Pentair, Zodiac, and Hayward... programming has become mainstream.  That's great news for pool owner's as prices are finally coming down, while giving you more capabilities than ever before.

Our preferred choice of automation is the Pentair EasyTouch or Pentair IntelliTouch WITH ScreenLogic.  ScreenLogic essentially will turn your wired system into a wireless remote capable of allowing you to access and program your equipment from your Android, Apple, or desktop applications.  Macros can be used with the IntellITouch, allowing you to fully customize how you want equipment to operate.  Obviously, the more pieces of equipment you have, the more you'll be able to take advantage of the macros.  If macros aren't your thing, the EasyTouch performs just as well.

Another nice benefit with any automation system is the communication with Variable-Speed pumps.  The relationship between Variable-Speed pumps and wireless automation will allow you to dial-in the pump and hopefully save on additional energy costs.  Costs to operate your pool system have nose-dived with the proliferation of variable-speed pumps.  Having automation control these pumps has allowed us to take advantage of these savings even further.

Whichever system your prefer and end up installing, take the time to fully understand how set-up and programming works.  Most of the issues are self-diagnosed and are the result of poor programming of your equipment.

Of course, we at Love Pool Care can provide installation and repair of any system.  In addition, we can provide programming to your automation or variable-speed pumps very easily.  Contact us anytime, and we'll be more than happy to help.  

Throughout the year, our company works very hard.  VERY hard.  I'm not the type of boss in which we're "OK" with being content with our work inside and outside of the office.  Not a day goes by in which we're not trying to improve our system.  Unfortunately (or fortunately?), my staff gets to hear my ideas and decision-making pretty much daily.  I guess it's the fear of losing touch with our clients... which will never happen as long as my name is the company name.  

So, this means changing, adapting, learning, creating, trying, hurrying, listening, and implementing.  Every day.  With one constant... we have some pretty amazing employees.  Most care very much.  They may not understand the passion that I express... but they're damn good people and they try their best to make our clients happy with Love Pool Care.  The only way I can repay them is to work my tail off and help make our company the best in the Valley.

I'm very grateful to have a caring office staff that puts up with my constant managing, a repair staff that is second to none, service techs that follow our system, and renovation crews that make us proud.  

Just a big thanks to everyone at LPC, including our wonderful clients.  Carry on...

Thinking of adding a water feature to your pool?  There are many different designs to choose from, but be careful.  The water feature must blend in with the aesthetics of the pool, backyard, and region.  A common mistake we see are water features that are too small or too big for the pool.  Here are a few helpful hints when trying to decide...

• Be original, but not over-the-top gaudy.  Try to decide on a design that blends in with the environment and your pool.  A stacked stone wok pot wouldn't look good on a contemporary, modern pool.  
• Make sure the existing equipment can handle another return line.  This usually means the pump!  Variable-speed pumps work great for custom-built water features because you can control the speed.
• We like "real" rock.  The faux rocks may be for some people, but nothing beats boulders taken from the quarries around Arizona.  The rocks can be used for the stacked stone or large, boulder waterfalls large enough that require a crane to set in place.
• Stay away from salt systems with natural rock water features!  

Monsoon season is well underway here in the desert.  Most of these storms arrive late afternoon, and can deliver a sudden, vicious bite!  Preparing your pool beforehand can limit the amount of damage that may occur.  Here are some recommendations...

• Make sure your sand or DE filter is backwashed.  If you have a cartridge filter, make sure it's been recently manually cleaned.  Same goes for your DE filter.  A lot of dust will be entering the water... so it's very important your filtration is working properly.
• Make sure your pump baskets are free and clear.  Same with skimmer and automatic cleaner leaf canister baskets.  Fine particles can bypass the pump basket and enter the impeller.  A clogged impeller will slow your system to a crawl.
• Run your pump!  Keep your pool water circulating.
• Boost your chlorine!  Any early contaminants entering the water via the storm will be zapped by your existing chlorine.  Just be sure to test and adjust the following day.
• Make sure you're automatic cleaner is working and running.
• Examine your system the following day following the storm.  A downed, stagnant system can lead to green water quickly.

We take great pleasure when we can transform a worn down, aged swimming pool and revitalize it into a beautiful, custom-crafted backyard water feature.  However, the process isn't always easy... no matter the size of the renovation.  
Renovations to your pool can mold your backyard into a resort-style feel.  There are many amenities that can be added, such as sun shelfs (or baja shelfs) water features, LED color-changing lighting, acrylic or natural stone decks, raised walls with copper scuppers, variable-speed pumps, turning a deep diving pool into a play pool for all to enjoy, and the list goes on!!

Just like new pool construction, but without the "Unknown".  This is the word we don't like to use and homeowner's don't like to hear.  The "Unknown" is what lies beneath the existing surface... which could include cracked plumbing fittings, corroded conduit, thin shotcrete, protruding rebar (the list goes on).  We do our best to explain these items to our clients before ANYTHING takes place.  Don't let these items dissuade you from wanting your pool renovated.  Some or most of these issues can be dealt with without adding significant costs to the project.

With all new pool surface renovations, Love Pool Care provides 4 complimentary (free) weeks of service.  This enable us to keep a close eye on the pool, while also providing dependable service... keeping the pool clean and enjoyable!  We simply don't stop caring about your pool until you tell us not to.

If you're serious about wanting a custom renovation of your pool, feel free to contact us anytime for a free, no obligation estimate.  

Our business is always looking for good, honest, hard-working people to be a part of our company. We're willing to train the person who wants to make joining Love Pool Care a long-lasting career.

As of 5/25/2014, our company is looking to bring aboard another Service Technician. The position doesn't require experience, but does require being dependable, a self-starter, hard-working, and customer service oriented.

If you're interested in this or any other position (Repair Technician, Office, Renovation), feel free to fill out and submit the form below.

*NOTE* DUE TO THE LARGE CALL VOLUME DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS, DON'T CALL OUR OFFICE. SIMPLY SUBMIT THE ONLINE APPLICATION OR DELIVER YOUR RESUME IN PERSON TO OUR OFFICE.

You can apply here:
Online Job Application

Pools guys dislike wind. It makes us look bad. If you reside in Phoenix, you've undoubtedly felt the effects of our abnormally windy days... especially if you own a swimming pool.

The temps haven't really reached 100 degrees... 1 day so far this year and it's mid-May. Not bad. But, Service Technicians across the Valley are getting a good workout and stronger forearms.

The high winds deliver all the pretty foliage into the pool, which knocks out chlorine, which turns pools green,  which causes headaches.

Phosphate levels have been uncharacteristically high across all parts of the Valley. Phosphates are delivered into the pool water via a variety of ways (thanks, wind), some of which is tree foliage and pollen. In a nutshell, phosphates are algae food. Keeping phosphates at a manageable level, eliminates the food source, which can reduce algae-blooms and the use of extra chemicals to combat the algae.

With winds like this, our job is to make sure filters are clean, equipment is working, and chemical levels that can withstand rapid chlorine loss. And to follow-up as quickly as possible with any issues with water and equipment.

Let's get on with the 115 degree temps and leave the windy days to Chicago.

Our email system went down all last week.  Our web site, too.  Wow, this kept me up at night all week trying to figure out what to do.  We were stuck.  Our business was in severe jeopardy of not communicating with our customers! Any small business owner can relate... it wasn't pretty.

We simply switched web site domain servers away from Yahoo.  We then cancelled our services with Yahoo... which created the FIRESTORM of lost hope!  Apparently, Yahoo defaulted to it's own name and email servers once we cancelled.  The problem was that we couldn't get in touch with Yahoo to reverse this action.  Nope.  A billion $ company had nary a voice to be heard.  We called the only phone # we found, put on hold for 10-30 minutes, then a hang up.  Everyday for 5 days.  Multiple times per day.

We needed Yahoo to help us get through the issue and reactivate our service.  This didn't happen and we were left scrambling to fend for ourselves.  We registered our .net and .biz addresses, changed domain name servers, transferred our domain (which is another snag with Yahoo).  Yahoo "locks" your domain!  To unlock it, you need to be able to get into your Yahoo account.  With no account, the domain remained locked.  How were we going to get into our account if we couldn't talk with anybody?  Try calling the 1-800-318-0612 and see what happens... painful recordings.  No email.  No nothing.

While laying in bed Saturday morning around 4:00 AM I thought I 'd check Yahoo Domains once again.  I tyoed in lovepoolcare.com to see if it was available.  Remarkably, it was!  Not sure why all of a sudden after hundreds of attempts, but there it was.  I immediately punched in our correct web site and Google MX email records... and the wandering emails started flowing in  and our web site was reachable again!  I can't describe the relief of hearing the emails ring in on our computer and phones.

To make a long story short, I haven't touched a thing.  We're still with Yahoo.  Our domain transfer remains in limbo because I'm too afraid to unlock our Yahoo domain.

All of this is WAYYY over my head.  I enjoy tech stuff, but not to this extent.  This was life and death.  It needed to be corrected.  If you're our customer or potential customer.... we sincerely apologize.  All is back to normal now!