Professional Poolcare has been providing dependable weekly Orlando swimming pool services to the area since 1993.  To learn more about the services we offer, please visit our Orlando Pool Service page.  For current clients, please visit Client Login to access your online service log, check your billing history or pay via credit card.  To learn more about our company, please visit About Pro Poolcare.

You can read our reviews left by some of our customers by clicking the service magic logo on the left side of the page.

The rest of the site features descriptions of repair work with before and after pictures.  There are also product reviews and assistance for do-it-yourself pool owners.  Please let us know how we can be your partner in pool maintenance.

Option #1

Replace your old single speed motor with a 2 speed motor. If you have a single speed timer i.e. Intermatic timer with a big yellow dial inside, you will also need to replace the timer with a 2 speed timer. Although the 2 speed motors are more efficient than single speed motors they are still basically constructed the same as they have been over the last decade. The housing is made of steel which is highly susceptible to rust and corrosion. Typically you should see 3-5 years of life out of these old style motors.

Option #2

Replace your single speed motor with a variable speed motor. The cost for variable speed motors is more expensive than 2 speed motors. However, you can operate these motors with your existing timer. When you take into consideration option #1 having to replace both the timer and motor then option #2 is less expensive because you only need to replace the motor. Variable speed motors are also more energy efficient than 2 speed motors.

We install a variable speed motor brand called ImPower. These variable speed motors are built with an aluminum housing which will drastically cut down on rust and corrosion issues. There is a fully enclosed fan which protects the motor internals better than old style motors. They are constructed way better than the old style motors and should last 5+ years. You will see $60-$75 of electricity savings each month when replacing a single speed motor.

Option #3

Install a brand new variable speed pump. If your pool pump was installed over 5 years ago I highly recommend this option. Because of the age of the plastic housing and internal components you may be looking at a major part of your existing pump cracking and breaking in the near future. The newer variable speed pumps are ultra quiet and energy efficient. Many models have digital programming so you do not even need a timer. But the most important feature of variable speed pumps is the optional safety vacuum release systems (SVRS.) You can expect to pay ~$300 extra to protect your swimmers from drowning by accidental entrapment. Variable speed pumps with the optional SVRS will shut down when there is trouble with blockage or low water in your pool. The typical lifespan of variable speed pumps should be 5+ years. You will save on average $60-$85 per month on electricity.

My personal top of the line choice is the IntelliPro. It uses the same body of the Sta-Rite Max-E-Pro, bar none the best engineered residential pump available today, with the pump intelligence of the more well-known IntelliFlo. The IntelliFlo uses the same pump body of the Pentair WhisperFlo. Water cooler talk amongst us “pool guys” only confirms my opinion about the IntelliPro being the time tested, best designed and most energy efficient model available today.  Hayward has a couple of variable speed models out as well the TriStar and the Ecostar. The TriStar has been out for a number of years and it is actually a nicely designed pump compared to some of the other Hayward models. I don’t however like the drive system that it’s connected to for the variable speed control. It’s a big box that is mounted on the wall and the programming is less than friendly. The Ecostar has just been introduced this year and so far it seems like a winner. Hayward seems to be having some trouble with production and they come dribbling from the factory a couple at a time in each area.

Before you faint at the initial sticker price to replace your dead pool pump motor let me explain to you the FULL picture. For example let’s take a look at replacing a 1½ horsepower motor. The old way would have been to swap out the motor with another single speed 1½ HP motor costing around $380 with tax and installation. The new way is to install a variable speed motor costing around $865 with tax and installation. A difference of $485, and now with your new ultra quiet energy efficient motor you will be saving $60-$75 per month on electricity. That’s no lie I’ve seen it time and time again. It will take you 8 months to make up that difference and start reaping the serious rewards of this new technology.

To look at this from an investment standpoint: If you were to take that extra $485 that this HORRIFIC mandate is going to make you spend on this new fangled contraption and invest it in the stock market you would have to see a 48% return on investment in the first year. Saving $60 on electricity each month for a year = $720. You just took that $485 and made $235 in the first year!  For 5 or so more years you will get paid roughly $720. How’s that $485 initial investment looking now? Now if you really wanna fall off your rocker Professional Poolcare does 0% interest financing for 12 months. You will literally get a FREE motor out of this deal and save BIG money!

In this video we show the real world performance of the Pentair Intelliflo variable speed pool pump. This pump has been the leader in efficiency for many years in the pool industry. If you have a pool and are looking to save money on your electric bill this pump is a great option for you. Following is our calculations from this particular installation. To help you compare the two pumps we have the single speed pump readings in red and the variable speed pump readings in green.

Single Speed Pump / Variable Speed Pump

Volts = 220 / 220

Amps = 10.7 / 0.8

Watts = 2354 / 176

Hours on per day = 8 / 12

Kilowatt hours per day = 18.832 / 2.112

Electrical cost per day ($.125 per Kwh) = $2.35 / $0.264

Electrical cost per year = $859.21 / Electrical cost per year = $96.36

If you notice you will run the variable speed pump longer than the old single speed pump. The variable speed pump will run on a very low speed setting as compared to the maximum speed on the single speed pump. By running the variable speed pump longer this will allow the same amount of water to pass through your filter on a daily basis.

To further understand how this variable speed pump is so much more efficient I can make an analogy to a car going 55MPH and another car going 100MPH. We all know that the extra wind resistance is what burns up the fuel on the car going 100 MPH. Well a similar type of resistance happens in your pool filter and plumbing, friction loss. So by cutting down the friction loss by going slower you increase the efficiency of the pool pump for filtering water.

So you might ask why not just install a ¼ HP or ½ HP pump for the circulation pump? Well what would you do when you want to backwash, vacuum, or turn on the spa and water features?  You need the ability to ramp up power for these specific times. A variable speed pool pump gives you the ability to do so with water flow precision.

Call us for a quote on your next pool pump repair in Orlando. The areas we cover for pump repairs and installation in Florida is Orange, Seminole & North Osceola counties. This includes the towns of Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Maitland, Orlando, Oviedo, Sanford, Winter Garden, Winter Springs, Winter Park, and Windermere.

Starting July 1st 2011 a new law goes into effect banning the single speed pumps that we have been installing for years here in the Orlando area. The reason for this ban is that these pumps are quite frankly energy hogs compared to the newer energy efficient pumps. The only thing that consumes more electricity at the typical home is the air conditioner. Many pool builders have been putting in bigger and bigger pumps as the years pass by. I can remember when I was just starting out about 20 years ago when almost every pool had just a 1HP pump installed for the circulation pump. Now most pools have at least a 1.5HP pump and some even as high as 3HP on a residential. These pumps run at peak levels for 8-10 hours per day, costing you hundreds of dollars per year to operate. Now there is a better option.

Energy efficient pool pumps have been around for many years. Some pools here in Orlando may have 2 speed pumps or at least they used to. I say that because when it was time to change the 2 speed motor when it finally died the homeowner only saw the initial cost of replacement and not the long term cost. Two speed pumps generally cost about twice the amount to replace. But it’s not until the energy savings is taken into account do you really reap the rewards. The typical 2 speed pump would take around 2 years in its current efficiency rating to pay for itself in the amount of money you would save each month in electricity. Today we still have 2 speed pumps and motors but now we have a variable speed pump and motor to choose from. These pumps and motors are computer controlled and can deliver exactly the right amount of water for optimal flow and minimum energy consumption. We are currently seeing energy saving of up to 90% from a normal single speed pump. Bringing the power consumption to about what a normal incandescent light bulb is. I’m not talking about in a lab. These are actual pumps we have ripped out of homes and installed new variable speed models. We hooked it up to the multimeter and checked for ourselves. If I didn’t see it with my own 2 eyes I wouldn’t have believed it.

Forget about the energy savings for a moment. Let’s just talk about the motor itself. They came about from hybrid vehicle technology. These new motors are built to last much longer than the older predecessors. The housing is made from aluminum instead of steel to practically wipe out the issue with rust and corrosion. There is an additional barrier between the water side and the motor internals. No more starting capacitors to blow (if your repair guy even knew how to check them.). The magnets are much more powerful and when it is running it is whisper quite. I mean whisper quiet people.

Do you love what you’re hearing? Well, here’s how you can get a FREE one installed (or very close to free.) We are seeing an average of $60-$85 in savings off your electric bill each month. And we have 12 months 0% financing available on any repair or equipment installation. If you are comfortable paying your current electric bill now, plan in your budget to keep doing so. Have us install a variable speed pump and take the savings from your electric bill and pay the monthly payment for the pump. In 12 months you will have bought a new pump or paid very little out of pocket. Then every year after that you will continue to save money to the tune of $750 – $1000.

What does this mean for your pool?  Aqua reports,

Pool efficiency laws are ushering in a new age of pool equipment design for residential pools.  The movement is having a strong effect on the way the pool circulatory system is put together.  This includes pump selection, filter size, automation for the pump and heaters.

Single-speed swimming pool pumps under 1 HP will no longer be allowed and more emphasis will be placed on automation.  Multi-speed swimming pool pumps offer lower settings with greater energy efficiency when the pool is circulating.   They also offer the higher speeds needed when backwashing or vacuuming.  Installing a single-speed pump that always runs at high speed and consumes a lot of energy will be a thing of the past.  The regulations will not apply to booster, spa or feature pumps and piping but are focused on the main swimming pool filtration system.

Swimming pool controllers also help to alleviate some of the energy waste in pool care.  They ensure that swimming pool pumps only run on their higher speed setting for precise intervals and also ensure that they return to their lowest, filtration, setting within a 24-hr period.  This eliminates the potential for the swimming pool pump to be inadvertently left on its highest setting. 

APSP-15 also includes efficiency standards for swimming pool heaters and the plumbing around the swimming pool pump.  The plumbing must meet an efficient flow rate on both the suction and return sides of the pump.  This is achieved with a larger minimum pipe size.  Regarding the  swimming pool heaters, Aqua reports,    

 …they (swimming pool heaters) have to have a readily accessible on-off switch mounted on the outside of the heater that allows the heater to be turned on and off without adjusting the thermostat setting.  This is a rather brilliant idea that prevents waste through monkeying with the thermostat in a vain effort to make the pool heat more rapidly.

The efficiency standards found in APSP-15 should come into place within the next year.  Initially, this may result in higher pricing for pool equipment but will afford pool owners great savings in the long run relating to energy consumption.

I am so tired of seeing kids drowning year after year. Today my company joined the Central Florida Drowning Prevention Task Force. This video was made here in Central Florida and is about ways you can practice swimming pool safety. Please watch this video all the way through to the end. The Doctor near the end of the video has something every parent should hear.

Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 – 4.  In the interest of lowering these death rates we are sponsoring children that live at the homes of our weekly pool service customers. They will be able to participate in the swimming survival skills classes led by Geoff Dawson of The Pool Safety Resource. Please contact us to take part in this program. It’s just one more reason to choose Professional Poolcare for your weekly pool service company here in Orlando. Tell your friends and neighbors. Save them money and possibly their childrens lives.

One unique thing we have over other swimming pool services is our online system. Our pool service technicians report and record all pertinent information about your pool on a weekly basis. When they finish servicing your pool that day you automatically receive an e-mail from us. You may then log into your account through any internet browser to see your pool service information and know that your swimming pool has been well taken care of. This is especially useful for property managers and homeowners who travel a lot including you snow birds out there.

If you are looking for a swimming pool service in Windermere we are simply the best there is. Professional Poolcare is not just a simple pool cleaning company; we are also a state licensed service and repair company. We have extensive training on much of the high end pool equipment that is installed on these homes.

We are frequently called by other pool cleaning companies in the Windermere area to repair the pools that they service.

Pool Drain Nightmare

This is by far the worst pool pop I have ever seen. Many times when a pool pops up it may only move less than a foot or two.  This pool is elevated on one end a whopping 52 inches! This was a very unusual pool pop because a majority of the time it is the deep end that lifts. The deep end of a pool is the lowest and is usually affected the most by the hydraulic pressure.  This hydraulic pressure is the same pressure that acts on boats and heavy vessels that float on water.  The displacement of air in water is what causes these vessels to float.  You are doing the same thing when you drain a pool, displacing the water in the pool for air.  If the surrounding ground water is high enough it will push the pool up and out of the ground.  Careful attention is needed to pump out this surrounding ground water so that very little hydraulic pressure acts on the pool shell.

The back story on this nightmare here was that the homeowner hired a fly-by-night pool company that gave him a surprisingly low bid to acid wash the pool.  The pool company started draining the pool and went to lunch.  When they came back the pool had lifted.  They packed up and left right away.  The homeowner tried to contact them to no avail.  Even going to the authorities was a dead end.  The homeowner contacted his insurance company and they would not help because it was done by an unlicensed contractor. 

Most homeowner insurance policies do not include hydraulic movement damages. This is why you should never drain your pool yourself.  Hire a company that is licensed with the state and has pool pop insurance. Pool pop insurance is an extra rider on the liability insurance. VERIFY that insurance; do not take their word for it.  You need to have a copy of that insurance along with your invoice or estimate from the company that is performing the drain & clean. 

We at Professional Poolcare have all the equipment necessary to drain your pool with complete safety. We also carry a $300,000 policy for pool pop insurance but have never made a claim. Since we do many acid washes each year in Orlando, we are seasoned in ascertaining whether or not your pool would look good with just an acid wash or if it will need resurfacing.  Depending on the clarity of your pool water this may or may not be possible. Many times in very green pools we cannot tell what shape the pool floor is in until we drain the pool completely. If it comes down to it we can provide you with a quote for resurfacing to get your pool in showroom condition.

*Source for Gaius Maecenas

This week we installed a pool handrail for an Orlando Police Officer that needed some help getting into and out of her pool and spa. She was in a car accident while on duty and is now disabled. The use of her swimming pool and spa is to help with therapy from ongoing operations she must have.

We can install swimming pool handrails, ladders, slides and diving boards on any type of deck. This installation was on a concrete deck and took about two hours per handrail to complete. Due to Florida and Orange County building codes all swimming pool handrails that are metal must be bonded to the pool bonding grid. Since this handrail wasn’t installed when the pool was built, attaching a bond wire from a metal handrail to the bond grid is next to impossible.

We installed a handrail made by a company called Saftron, pronounced (Safe-Tron.) These pool handrails are made with high impact vinyl and are reinforced internally where required, with fully encapsulated steel for a tough, beautiful looking product that will enhance your pool for many years with virtually no maintenance requirements. They do not need to be bonded, never get hot, come in 5 different colors and have a 5 year warranty. They are also the best choice for pools with salt chlorinators since they will never rust.

We can install repair or replace a swimming pool handrail or ladder for you in Orange, Seminole & North Osceola counties. This includes the towns of Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Maitland, Orlando, Oviedo, Sanford, Winter Garden, Winter Springs, Winter Park, and Windermere. Call us for a quote on your swimming pool handrail or ladder installation.