Frequently Asked Questions

Cleaning a filter is not only a time-consuming process but can also be very dangerous. Filters and your pool system are operated under high water pressure; extreme care should always be taken. Being unfamiliar with the process, can lead to having an accident, which can result in a serious injury. A filter cleaning from start to finish runs 45 - 90 minutes depending upon a number of circumstances. Our basic charge is $65.00; prices can vary, depending upon the specific situation. Our price does include replacing the filter medium, as well as cleaning and lubricating all o-rings and any other vital integral parts. Sometimes parts may need to be replaced to maintain maximum operating performance. 

It's difficult to simply give an exact price since every pool is different and costs will vary depending upon the services your pool requires. However, please consider the amount of time it would take to clean your particular pool, considering the number of trees and other nearby foliage, add the appropriate chemicals and accurately dispense them into your pool so that your pool is in pristine condition. Please contact me so that we can discuss your options and particular needs. 

Quite simply because we are professionals. We are not the cheapest service out there, but we are the best and most thorough. We are definitely not the most expensive either. Your "old pool guy" is your old pool guy for a reason. We always show up, always do a great job, always care about your pool, and always make your pool look better then it ever has before. We are also insured for everyone's protection. We take care of your pool, in all respects. We attend classes and seminars two or three times each year depending upon available classes. We want to keep current to provide you with the highest level of service available. At AMPS our top priority is to protect your family from microorganisms and other harmful bacteria. We also focus on protecting your pool plaster, plumbing and equipment. We save you money by practicing preventative maintenance. We also clean your pool. Almost anyone can clean a pool, but how many people can take complete proper care of a pool? Besides, how much are you really saving if your other service doesn't show up and algae starts growing in your pool. Now you are stuck paying someone else to come in and clean up the mess. Or, because he walks in and out of your yard in 2 minutes, he never notices a leak in your equipment or a motor that is running too high. As a result it ends up costing you hundreds, or thousands of dollars, in unnecessary repairs. As the saying goes "Work up to Quality, not Down to Price." In addition, if we are sick, or can't provide service for any reason, another professional will be there for you, and your pool.

Taking care of your own pool is always an option. Most people believe that they can net out the leaves or debris floating in the water, add some chlorine, and their pool will be just fine. That is totally incorrect, as the only role chlorine plays is to sanitize and prevent algae spores from forming. If the water is not properly balanced, the chlorine's effectiveness is greatly diminished. In addition, it may be quite uncomfortable to be in an unbalanced pool and the bather's health may be jeopardized. It can also cause damage to the pool components; thereby adding greatly to repair costs. We not only clean the pool (net out debris floating on water, and vacuum dust or debris on the pool bottom), we also monitor the pool equipment to prevent unnecessary costly repairs. We spend a good deal of our time balancing the chemical levels of the water, which I believe is our most important function. There are a number of chemical levels that must be maintained to have a safe swimming environment on a certain schedule. Some of those chemical levels are Total Chlorine, Free Chlorine, TA (Total Alkalinity), pH (Power of Hydrogen), CA (Cyanuric Acid), and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). There are also other chemical levels that need to be tested on an irregular basis, depending upon various circumstances. In addition, pool professionals are trained to notice any changes in the performance of the pool. We can then immediately troubleshoot any problems and put into action a repair plan to bring your pool back up to maximum operating efficiency. 

pH is the measurement of the pools hydrogen ion content, or how acidic or alkaline your water is. A pH level that is too low is called "acidic" and can corrode away your Plaster, plumbing, and equipment. In addition, it can also irritate skin and eyes, and will affect chlorine and its performance. A pH level that is too high is called "alkaline or base" and will scale the plaster, plumbing, and equipment. It also can irritate skin and eyes, and affect chlorine and its performance.

Total Alkalinity is the total of all alkaline components in the water. If your  TA is too low, it may cause green water, plaster etching, corrode the plumbing  and equipment, irritate skin and eyes, and will affect the chlorine and its  performance. Total Alkalinity that is too high can cause cloudy water and will  scale the plaster, plumbing, and equipment, can irritate skin and eyes, and  also affect chlorine and its performance.

Calcium Hardness is the mineral content of the calcium in the water. Too low can cause plaster etching and corrosion. Too high can cause scale formation,  clogged pipes, eye irritation, & rough plaster surfaces.

With the rise in the cost of chemicals the last few years, the monthly expense of chemicals will average $50 - $60, depending upon numerous conditions. Many of the pools I am called upon to maintain, have experienced problems in varying degrees. Sometimes, these problems are irreversible; the water may need to be drained. Plus there is the extra cost of your time to service your pool and the necessary time (and gasoline) to go to the local pool supply store. This is time that can be utilized for necessary or more enjoyable activities. In addition, are those chemicals obtained from the "Big Box Stores" as effective as the national brands? Carefully consider the risk of applying the chemicals in an incorrect dosage, or in an improper manner. The effects on bathers, or your pool and equipment can be quite painful, harmful, or costly to correct, e.g., a visit to the doctor's office, or replastering a pool.

Several things can cause pool water to lose its clarity - inadequate water circulation, chemical imbalance, poor filtration, and low sanitizer levels, to name, a few.

Yes! If left unchecked, algae can grow in free-floating patches or cling to pool walls. Not only can algae clog filters, it eventually can cause pool surface damage and impact swimmers' health.

Excessive amounts of chlorine in your water may not be what you smell. Rarely does excessive chlorine cause the water to smell offensive. A pool professional is trained to test for, and correct, the true issues. It may be chloramines that are in the water. Chloramines are a combination of chlorine and other chemical compounds that have joined together. Or, chemicals may be improperly administered, which is costly and can prove harmful to eyes and skin. In either event, you have an unfavorable swimming condition, which needs corrective action.

RWI  stands for Recreational Water Illnesses that are caused by bacteria found in water, such as pools and spas. RWI usually involves diarrhea-type illnesses,  but also can cause skin rash, ear, eye, or respiratory infections. Pool and spa  water require proper chemical treatment to lessen the incidence of RWI. People  should avoid swallowing pool water and not swim while sick. It is suggested to  contact a professional pool service technician for additional guidance on these  and other pool care issues. If you are thinking of building, or replastering an  existing pool, we suggest getting guidance from someone that is experienced  with maintaining swimming pools or spas before finalizing your drawings and  signing any contracts. Investigate before any unwanted problems occur. Many of  my customers have said, "If only I had known, I wish I had called you first!"

A salt system is a chlorine generation system. Instead of providing chlorine into the water, salt is added to the pool directly. The salt gets an electric charge When it runs through the system. That electric charge separates the salt into  its chemical components to provide the chlorine. Before installing a salt  system on your equipment, I suggest speaking with me. I will give you all the  pros and cons before you make a decision and possibly spend money you may  question later. This way you have all the information necessary to make the  best decision possible for yourself, and your pool.

Spa's need to be drained every 6-12 months, depending upon how often it's used.  We drain all the water out, can perform a safe acid bath if desired, clean filters, and spa cover, and refill and prepare start-up chemicals to properly alance the new water.

You can count on your professional technician to be there every week, 48 weeks each year - and we'll never change an appointment without notifying you in advance. 

We do have four (4) non-service weeks each year, usually the week of Thanksgiving, the week of Christmas/New Year, 1 week in the spring (to attend classes), and 1 week in the summer. You will always be notified in advance of these non-service weeks and can always call us in the event of an emergency.

AMPS respects your privacy and your property. If we do need to arrive on an unscheduled day (such as to perform extra maintenance or a quality control check) we will either call you in advance or knock on your front door when we arrive. 

Our commitment is to your privacy and your scheduled service day. We will always do our best to service your pool on your scheduled day. However, if that's not possible, we will call you to re-schedule your service on a different day.

Our Weekly Full Service includes: 

Check and adjust chemical levels. 

Check and adjust levels of sanitizer. 

Remove all debris from the pool.

Empty pump, skimmer, and leaf canister baskets.

Perform other cleaning tasks as needed. 

Inspect equipment for leaks, clogs, and other malfunctions.

Your pool care technician will check your equipment at each weekly visit. Minor problems will be fixed on the spot; if your equipment requires more extensive servicing we will leave a door hanger with this information so that we can further discuss the corrective action needed. We are fully trained and licensed to clean, repair or replace all of your pool equipment.

Our normal policy is not to add water but to leave a door hanger asking you to add water to the pool. If you plan to be absent from your home for an extended period of time, please contact us before you leave to arrange for our technician to add water (if possible) to your pool during your absence.

We service swimming pools, spas, and fountains throughout KernCounty.

Yes. All of our pool care technicians are certified in Water Chemistry from  IPSSA, Independent Pool and Spa Service Association.

Absolutely!  We are insured for up to $1,000,000.00 for each occurrence  AMPS is very proud and pleased to say that we have never had an insurance claim filed against us for any reason.

If your pool service company makes a mistake that causes damage to your property - or, worse yet, bodily damage to a person - you want to know that they have insurance to cover those circumstances. For example, the technician might accidentally leave the water on and flood your home, or leave the gate open so that a neighbor's child  enters your yard and gets injured in your pool. While we at AMPS strive to provide a level of service that would preclude these types of problems, we feel you deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing we are a fully insured pool service.