Little by little Community Managers are using our handyman services for those small tasks that need to be done sooner, rather than later. Checking and changing community light bulbs, adjusting/replacing photo cells or light timers, replacing broken/stolen light post globes, removing graffiti, cleaning gutters and downspouts, repairing perimemter fences and fixing hose bib drips are just a few of the light handyman jobs we have performed for communities.
Community Managers use our reliable services for communitites whose pools we service, as well as communitites that do not have a pool.
Is there a way my semi-retired work force can lighten your work load?
If given a list of items, my guys would happily and thoroughly do community "walk arounds" and submit a report to CMs, make the repairs we can and suggest repairs we cannot make all at very reasonable prices.
Please call or email if Talkin Handyman Services can be of help.
Feel free to post any comments or questions.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Friday, November 14, 2014
"Wolf!" Talkin Pools Shepherd's Plan for community pools.
"WOLF!" Talkin Pools Shepherd's Plan.
In addition to daily #pool #service, maintenance and repairs, we realize we are the pool's shepherd. It is our job to oversee and protect the entire amenity. We see the pool more than any CM, board member or community member combined. It is naturally in the community's, management company's and Talkin Pool's interests to keep the pool and pool area as economically, efficiently and aesthetically pleasing as budgets/reserves allow.
Here's what we offer:
#Pool resurfacing. We use a two-part epoxy coating that is less that half the cost of plaster, is more resistant to algae, can be touched up to cover stains and footpaths and lasts 5-7+ years with proper application and daily maintenance.
#Expansion joint installation. We remove the old material, apply proper sand and backing material and industrial grade, self-leveling caulk.
#Deck coatings. We offer a variety of packages from sealant only to troweled on and knocked down non-slip substances for most deck surfaces. **Some decks have deteriorated beyond what our coatings can do and need to be completely replaced. We attempt to give the board ample time to not let the condition of the pool deck come to this.
Complete pump room restoration for under $12,000.00. Includes pump, heater, filter, chlorinator, circulation plumbing.
#Pool safety cover replace and installation.
Security. We install state of the art motion detected, night vision, security cameras that can be accessed via the internet.
Mosquito/insect control in and around the pool area. Monthly spray and free repeat sprays should it be necessary. We also will spray common areas and private areas, as well as specific sprays for private events.
WE CAN ONLY YELL, "WOLF!" TO WARN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT NECESSARY MAINTENANCE. THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY MUST TAKE ACTION AS TIME IS NOT AN ALLY.
In addition to daily #pool #service, maintenance and repairs, we realize we are the pool's shepherd. It is our job to oversee and protect the entire amenity. We see the pool more than any CM, board member or community member combined. It is naturally in the community's, management company's and Talkin Pool's interests to keep the pool and pool area as economically, efficiently and aesthetically pleasing as budgets/reserves allow.
Here's what we offer:
#Pool resurfacing. We use a two-part epoxy coating that is less that half the cost of plaster, is more resistant to algae, can be touched up to cover stains and footpaths and lasts 5-7+ years with proper application and daily maintenance.
#Expansion joint installation. We remove the old material, apply proper sand and backing material and industrial grade, self-leveling caulk.
#Deck coatings. We offer a variety of packages from sealant only to troweled on and knocked down non-slip substances for most deck surfaces. **Some decks have deteriorated beyond what our coatings can do and need to be completely replaced. We attempt to give the board ample time to not let the condition of the pool deck come to this.
Complete pump room restoration for under $12,000.00. Includes pump, heater, filter, chlorinator, circulation plumbing.
#Pool safety cover replace and installation.
Security. We install state of the art motion detected, night vision, security cameras that can be accessed via the internet.
Mosquito/insect control in and around the pool area. Monthly spray and free repeat sprays should it be necessary. We also will spray common areas and private areas, as well as specific sprays for private events.
WE CAN ONLY YELL, "WOLF!" TO WARN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT NECESSARY MAINTENANCE. THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY MUST TAKE ACTION AS TIME IS NOT AN ALLY.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Pool School for Community Managers: Pool Closing steps made simple
This is another post in the Talkin Pool School for Dummies series. This series is aimed specifically at community managers and HOA board members who want to know the basics of their community pool operations. There are other methods of winterizing a pool. Again, this is purposely NOT TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!
Pool Closing Steps
1. Turn heater off, if there is a wall switch, turn it off as well. A supervisor will go around checking progress and shutting off the gas valve. Add four or five pounds of Soda Ash to pool. We want to get the pH up to around 8.0 and let the pool circulate for a day or so. This “softens” and “lubricates” the internal parts of the filter, pump, and heater. After circulating the pool for a day or so at 8.0 pH level, turn pump off. Empty chlorinator and leave the lid off. Take drain plugs out of pump, heater, and the filter!! Put all drain plugs in the pump basket so they will be easily found next spring. If you know where and what the pressure switch is, undo one of the lines to it and spray the switch with WD-40.
2. Find pool lights breaker switch and turn pool lights off, this is very important as lights will shatter if they come on after you drain pool below them.
3. Drain pool to approximately 6 inches below the lowest return line in side of pool.
**At this point, it is critical that you use an air compressor and attachments. Blow out all lines, including the heater and all circulation lines.
4. Plug all return lines using the rubber expanding plugs which should be in a container in the pump room. Each plug has a number stamped on it. The most common plugs are #8, 9, 10 and 12 with 8’s and 9’s being the most commonly used to plug return lines and skimmer suction lines. Twist the butterfly to tightly secure the plug into the hole.
5. Pour anti-freeze down all skimmer lines and any fill spout lines. Plug the suction skimmer holes (the ones you would use to vacuum the pool) with expanding rubber plugs, leaving the drain holes unplugged. The drain holes are the holes in the skimmer bottom that drain water back into pool and have no suction. These holes are usually the holes closest to the water in the bottom of the skimmer housing. Place an empty, capped, bottle of tile cleaner or super blue, etc in each skimmer housing. This works as a shock absorber over the winter when the skimmer housing fills with snow, then melts and freezes. Instead of cracking the skimmer housing, the empty bottle “cushions” the expansion. Take skimmer baskets out, leave skimmer lid in place.
6. Remove all ladders, rails, fill spouts and put them, with skimmer baskets in pump room.
7. Add 7-8 pounds of chlorine granules, spread around whole pool as best you can.
8. Add another 3-4 pounds of soda ash.
9. Add 1-2 bottles of algaecide if there is any left.
10. Add ½ gallon jug of Wintertrine.
11. Fill bucket with holes drilled into it half way with chlorine tablets or sticks, also put lids on Wintertrine and Anti-freeze jugs, put these empty containers inside the bucket with the tabs, or tie to bucket handle, and float in the deep end of pool.
12. Screw cover anchors up, put cover on, making sure the rubber part of the straps are on the bottom not facing up. KEEP TRACK OF ANY ANCHORS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED!
13. Store all pool furniture where it was stored to begin the season.
14. Make sure any left over chemicals are stored properly with all lids secured!!!
15. Clean pump room, any trash, empty bottles, etc.
16. Empty all trash cans at pool side and store them.
17. Put any chains/locks on, making sure a key to the lock in the lockbox first.
18. Winterize restrooms. Turn water off; pour some anti-freeze in toilets and urinals.
19. Turn water supply off to building, unless it is a club-house that is used throughout the year.
20. Complete any end of year checklists or inventory required and submit to supervisor.
Pool Closing Steps
1. Turn heater off, if there is a wall switch, turn it off as well. A supervisor will go around checking progress and shutting off the gas valve. Add four or five pounds of Soda Ash to pool. We want to get the pH up to around 8.0 and let the pool circulate for a day or so. This “softens” and “lubricates” the internal parts of the filter, pump, and heater. After circulating the pool for a day or so at 8.0 pH level, turn pump off. Empty chlorinator and leave the lid off. Take drain plugs out of pump, heater, and the filter!! Put all drain plugs in the pump basket so they will be easily found next spring. If you know where and what the pressure switch is, undo one of the lines to it and spray the switch with WD-40.
2. Find pool lights breaker switch and turn pool lights off, this is very important as lights will shatter if they come on after you drain pool below them.
3. Drain pool to approximately 6 inches below the lowest return line in side of pool.
**At this point, it is critical that you use an air compressor and attachments. Blow out all lines, including the heater and all circulation lines.
4. Plug all return lines using the rubber expanding plugs which should be in a container in the pump room. Each plug has a number stamped on it. The most common plugs are #8, 9, 10 and 12 with 8’s and 9’s being the most commonly used to plug return lines and skimmer suction lines. Twist the butterfly to tightly secure the plug into the hole.
5. Pour anti-freeze down all skimmer lines and any fill spout lines. Plug the suction skimmer holes (the ones you would use to vacuum the pool) with expanding rubber plugs, leaving the drain holes unplugged. The drain holes are the holes in the skimmer bottom that drain water back into pool and have no suction. These holes are usually the holes closest to the water in the bottom of the skimmer housing. Place an empty, capped, bottle of tile cleaner or super blue, etc in each skimmer housing. This works as a shock absorber over the winter when the skimmer housing fills with snow, then melts and freezes. Instead of cracking the skimmer housing, the empty bottle “cushions” the expansion. Take skimmer baskets out, leave skimmer lid in place.
6. Remove all ladders, rails, fill spouts and put them, with skimmer baskets in pump room.
7. Add 7-8 pounds of chlorine granules, spread around whole pool as best you can.
8. Add another 3-4 pounds of soda ash.
9. Add 1-2 bottles of algaecide if there is any left.
10. Add ½ gallon jug of Wintertrine.
11. Fill bucket with holes drilled into it half way with chlorine tablets or sticks, also put lids on Wintertrine and Anti-freeze jugs, put these empty containers inside the bucket with the tabs, or tie to bucket handle, and float in the deep end of pool.
12. Screw cover anchors up, put cover on, making sure the rubber part of the straps are on the bottom not facing up. KEEP TRACK OF ANY ANCHORS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED!
13. Store all pool furniture where it was stored to begin the season.
14. Make sure any left over chemicals are stored properly with all lids secured!!!
15. Clean pump room, any trash, empty bottles, etc.
16. Empty all trash cans at pool side and store them.
17. Put any chains/locks on, making sure a key to the lock in the lockbox first.
18. Winterize restrooms. Turn water off; pour some anti-freeze in toilets and urinals.
19. Turn water supply off to building, unless it is a club-house that is used throughout the year.
20. Complete any end of year checklists or inventory required and submit to supervisor.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
THE BACON TEST: Talkin Pools Pest Control A+ Formula
Friday, July 25, 2014
FREE MOSQUITO SPRAY, RESULTS GUARANTEED!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Mosquitoes and your community pool!
Community Managers, if you aren't having your swimming pool areas sprayed for mosquitoes and other flying and non-flying insects from wasps to ants, why aren't you? Is it a cost issue? I have the technicians and use a government approved, industry used pesticide that really works. It lasts for up to a month, it is applied with a special misting unit to get into and under all the shrubbery that looks great as landscape around the pool, but is a five star resort for mosquitoes and other insects. Talkin Pools guarantees the community pool area will be free from mosquitoes and other insects, will return to spray again if the community is not satisfied and will return every three weeks, in the morning, to spray the pool area. Is having your community pool mosquito free worth $80.00 every three weeks? Call or email to set up an appointment or solicit information. FYI..the substance is called Bifen I/T and can easily be googled.
Friday, July 4, 2014
Proactive swimming pool maintenance should be the standard.
Talkin Pools and Best Practices Maintenance, or.. Why doesn't every pool maintenance company do this.
Things happen. When dealing with swimming pools and spas, we take the most proactive approach possible. We hear horror stories frequently regarding previous pool companies and their lack of prompt response and overall performance.
When Talkin Pools knows a big week end, say for instance, Father's Day or Fourth of July, is coming up, we anticipate a larger than normal bather load. What seems to us to be such a common sense approach, is ignored by other pool companies because with extra service, comes extra expenses to the company. There is no substitute for thorough service. It does take more effort and cost more money. A service company better understand this or forever provide substandard service. We also anticipate larger than normal usage of rest room supplies and an abundance of trash.
We train our Service Techs to bump the levels of free chlorine up, adjust the pH to at least 7.4, backwash thoroughly, begin the week end with empty trash cans and completely stocked rest rooms, have refill supplies available, communicate with each other regarding issues and concerns and attempt to maintain complete communications with the management companies and community managers.
We take these proactive measures to ensure a pristine pool throughout the heavy usage period. Having free available chlorine at the ready for heavy bather loads, having the pH adjusted a bit high to accommodate, ummm....multiple urinations, is an art. One we have mastered over 25 years in business. It is very simple stuff. Steps that our "old guys" take because it's the best practice.
I have said it many times, in different ways, but our hiring practices enable us to confidently state we deliver the best pool maintenance service in Colorado.
Things happen. When dealing with swimming pools and spas, we take the most proactive approach possible. We hear horror stories frequently regarding previous pool companies and their lack of prompt response and overall performance.
When Talkin Pools knows a big week end, say for instance, Father's Day or Fourth of July, is coming up, we anticipate a larger than normal bather load. What seems to us to be such a common sense approach, is ignored by other pool companies because with extra service, comes extra expenses to the company. There is no substitute for thorough service. It does take more effort and cost more money. A service company better understand this or forever provide substandard service. We also anticipate larger than normal usage of rest room supplies and an abundance of trash.
We train our Service Techs to bump the levels of free chlorine up, adjust the pH to at least 7.4, backwash thoroughly, begin the week end with empty trash cans and completely stocked rest rooms, have refill supplies available, communicate with each other regarding issues and concerns and attempt to maintain complete communications with the management companies and community managers.
We take these proactive measures to ensure a pristine pool throughout the heavy usage period. Having free available chlorine at the ready for heavy bather loads, having the pH adjusted a bit high to accommodate, ummm....multiple urinations, is an art. One we have mastered over 25 years in business. It is very simple stuff. Steps that our "old guys" take because it's the best practice.
I have said it many times, in different ways, but our hiring practices enable us to confidently state we deliver the best pool maintenance service in Colorado.
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