Hot Tub Execise

The health benefits of soaking in a hot tub are many. After soaking for a few minutes, blood vessels dilate, lowering blood pressure. The water provides buoyancy, reducing your heart's workload by 10 to 20 percent. As a result, muscles relax, temporarily relieving pain. The heat causes sweating, which induces the body to get rid of toxins. And the heat and pressure from the jets raise the level of antibodies and white blood cells, promoting the healing process.

But if those health benefits aren't enough for you, consider adding exercise to your hot tub time. There are a number of simple and beneficial exercises that can be performed without much effort.

Try standing toe raises or pushes against the sides to exercise calf muscles, or tightening and relaxing the thighs. Use the water's resistance, or add resistance with your hands and push your knees apart and back together again. Do head circles and shoulder rolls and shrugs. These are also great for promoting relaxation. Put one leg forward and push down on the floor of the hot tub with your foot. Make fists and squeeze or clasp your hands in front of you and squeeze your elbows together. Practice pulling in your abdominal muscles and holding.

Perform each exercise for three seconds, and build up to ten repetitions each.

English and Lepage does not recommend you mix these ideas with alcohol, but if you choose to do so, make sure you always swim with at least ONE buddy ;-)

English and Lepage Ltd, Langley BC Pool and Spa supplies

English and Lepage also supply and install residential hot water tanks and furnaces, with fully licensed installers. We offer competive rates and quick service. English and Lepage also supply water pumps etc. for farm and industry. E&L So much more than just pool supplies. Call us for a quote at 604-533-1251. We are located at 20535B Douglas Cres. right across from Douglas park in Langley BC.

Solar Covers for your Pool - Blue or Clear?

The purpose of a solar blanket is to allow the MAXIMUM amount of sun's rays to penetrate to the greatest depths of your pool. In tests, the clear cover has been shown to be the most effective method for providing passive solar heating in your pool. Reduces Evaporation: Stopping evaporation is the way ALL solar covers keep heat in the pool. The thicker cover also provides maximum insulation value on cool days and at night.

Pool First Aid by Natural Chemistry

Combines powerful concentrated natural enzymes with a fast acting polymer clarifier for quick and easy clean-up of:

• Dead algae
• Pollen
• Oil leaks & hydraulic spills
• Antifreeze residue
• Vandalism
• High organic waste load

***Pool First Aid will quickly free clogged filters of oils and organic build-up. No other product will remove dead algae more quickly and efficiently...in most cases no back washing is required.

General Pool & Spa Chemical Levels

What are the proper chemical and mineral levels in a pool and hot tub?

Always maintain an adequate sanitizer level at all times to kill bacteria;
If Bromine is your selected sanitizer, then the ideal level is 5-10 ppm in a spa and 3-5ppm in a swimming pool;
when Chlorine is your selected sanitizer, then the ideal level is 3–5 ppm in a spa and 1.5-3ppm in a swimming pool.
Salt water pools should have a salt level of 2700ppm-3500ppm. Please refer to your owners manual for your specific salt unit.

Maintain pH level at 7.4–7.6;

Maintain Alkalinity at 125–150 ppm;

Maintain Calcium Hardness at 150–200 ppm.

The stabilizer level in pools should be 60-80 ppm

TDS should be below 1500ppm (except in salt water)

Your Pool water is precious and prevention is MUCH less work and $$ than the cure!

Solar Heat for Swimming Pools

Solar heaters are very economical and are environmentally friendly. As you know solar power is generated by the rays of the sun. The solar panels collect heat from the sun and the pool water is then warmed as it is pumped through the panels. Solar heaters can heat pool water up to the mid 80's. In areas where there is ample sunlight they can be used year round. The solar panels can also be used to cool the water by pumping the water through the panels at night.

The solar panels need to be as large as 50 -100 percent of the total pool surface area to work effectively. With the larger solar panels a larger pump may be needed to pump the water through the panels. The panels need to be attached on a deck, a roof, a rack, or on the ground. They must have direct, unobstructed sunlight from the south. Solar panels may not work for you if you don't have the right amount of space or the direct sunlight.

***Using a solar (summer) pool cover is the best way to retain the heat in your pool's water. Much of your pool's heat is lost at the surface of the water. At only seven miles per hour a breeze can allow heat to escape from the pool's water. By retaining the heat in your pool, your pool will cost much less to heat.***

Close your Pool this Winter

Closing your pool properly makes next years’ start up easy and avoids expensive clean up and repairs. If you can’t use your pool during the winter months, you should protect your investments and shut down the pool completely.
Follow This Easy Guide:
1. Bring a water sample to English & Lepage or your nearest pool dealer to find out what is needed to balance your water and insure there are no irregularities.
2. Adjust the alkalinity to 80 – 150 ppm.
3. Adjust the p.H to 7.2 – 7.6
4. Adjust calcium hardness to 150 – 280 ppm.
5. Add a sequestrian (Stain & Scale) agent to guard against metal stains and bathtub-ring during the winter.
6. Physically clean the pool. Brush the pool sides and vacuum the bottom. Clean out the skimmer basket and the pump’s hair trap. Store both the baskets.
7. Shock treatment (HiberShock) is necessary to oxidize any dissolved organic material that physical cleaning and filtration could not remove. Run the pump and filter for a few hours to insure thorough distribution. For extra protection a floating chlorinator can be used.
8. Because the fall temperatures are unpredictable, it is recommended that an algaecide (Banish) be used to protect the pool from algae growth. When the filtration system is not operating, algae can take over very quickly.
9. Partially drain the pool to about 3 - 4” below the bottom of the skimmer. Drain / blowout all lines and plug all outlets. Unscrew and remove directional ball from centre and each outlet and plug with a winterizing plug.
10. Install cover over your pool and secure it with water bags around the full perimeter to prevent debris and wind from going under the cover. The bags also prevent the cover from the wind damage.

***Some people prefer not to completely shut down their pool. In this case the filtration system is kept running, in some cases only a few hours a day. In the event of the temperature dropping below freezing, the filtration system should be kept on full time to prevent the pipes from freezing.***

WINTERIZING YOUR FILTER
1. Drain the filter by opening all plugs also the two plugs on the pump – turn handle to winterize to aid drainage. Store plugs in a safe place such as the hair and lint basket.
2. Remove the pressure gauges and store inside.
3. Leave all gate valves three quarters open (except in basement installations).