July filter cleans and vacation

A quick reminder July is our scheduled time for biannual filter cleanings. So there will be an additional filter cleaning charge added to your monthly invoice.

During this same period, I will also be lowering phosphates to prevent algae growth. If your pool has high phosphate levels there will be a additional $30 charge to lower them back to zero.

I also wanted to let everyone know that I will be off July 6th through July 10th while I travel to visit my father.

Thank you. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer!

☀️ Summer Is Coming! ☀️

Please take a moment to check your chlorine tablet supply and order more if needed. Warmer temperatures and increased sunlight can cause chlorine demand to rise significantly.

Currently Costco has tabs on sale for $110 for 40 pounds through July 4th. . That is a good price when compared to others at the moment

Also, please be sure to read the news link  included in your weekly pool report. This is where I share important service information, seasonal recommendations, weather-related notices, and other updates about your pools

Thank you.

— Dragoo Services

A reminder as we head toward freezing temperatures in the coming months

Freeze Protection Reminder

When temperatures begin to dip below freezing, please remember that most pools are equipped with freeze protection, which is designed to automatically turn the system on when temperatures drop.

However, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure the pool equipment is running during freezing conditions.

If you notice that your pool is not running for any reason, please turn it on manually and allow it to run continuously for the duration of the freeze. Continuous circulation is the best way to prevent freeze damage to plumbing and equipment.

If you have any concerns or notice anything unusual, please contact me as soon as possible.

Thank you,
Dragoo Services

A quick update on freestanding hot tubs

A quick update on freestanding hot tubs

I wanted to let you know that I’ll no longer be balancing the water on freestanding hot tubs. Hot-tub chemistry changes fast with use, rain, and weather, and when it gets out of balance it often takes extra time—and sometimes multiple trips—to get it right again. With the number of pools I service, I’m not able to make those additional visits.

If you have a freestanding hot tub, you’ll just need to handle the water chemistry on your end moving forward.

Thanks so much for your understanding,
Darrell – Dragoo Services

High Cyanuric Level Notices

Important Notice About High Cyanuric Acid Levels and Water Balance

This message is for all customers who have previously received a High Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer) Notice.

Over time, the continued use of chlorine tablets steadily increases the stabilizer level in pool water. When the stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid) becomes too high, chlorine loses its effectiveness — a condition known as chlorine lock. Even though chlorine readings may appear high, it can no longer sanitize the water properly.

When this happens, pools are prone to algae growth, cloudy water, and unstable chemical readings. The only way to lower Cyanuric Acid is by replacing some of the pool water with fresh water.

Industry Standard for Water Replacement

According to current pool industry standards (including APSP and NPC guidelines), residential pools in Texas should have 10–20% of their water replaced every 6 months, or a minimum of 30–50% annually, to maintain proper chemical balance.
This helps control Cyanuric Acid, Calcium Hardness, and Total Dissolved Solids — all of which naturally build up in Texas pools due to high evaporation and refill rates from hard municipal water.

Ongoing Maintenance and Responsibility

For customers choosing not to drain, Dragoo Services will continue to manage pH, alkalinity, and phosphate levels to minimize algae and maintain safe balance. However, please note:

⚠️ Due to excessive stabilizer levels, Dragoo Services cannot be held responsible for algae formation or water chemistry instability resulting from these conditions.

If you drain your pool, and since you provide the chlorine, you can transition from chlorine tablets to liquid chlorine if you choose, this change would help prevent stabilizer buildup and keep your water chemistry within recommended limits.

Thank you for your continued trust in Dragoo Services Pool Maintenance. Our goal is to keep your pool as clear, safe, and enjoyable as possible within the chemistry limits of your current water.

— Dragoo Services

This Weeks Freeze

There will be another freeze this week.

Your pool's freeze protection system is designed to activate automatically during freezing temperatures. However, since I am not present on your property, it is crucial that you verify the system is functioning as intended. If, for any reason, your freeze protection system does not activate, please manually turn on your pool pump and any water features. Keep them running continuously during the freezing temperatures to prevent potential damage.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am happy to assist you.

June Filter cleans

A reminder for June services.

We are halfway through the year so that means it is time to clean your pool filters again.

There will be a $100 extra charge on your June bill if you have a De or Cartridge Filter on your pool.

Also a reminder I will be off from June 17th to the 21st.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Time to buy chlorine for the summer. Pool RX will help also

Hey everyone,

Just a quick heads up that spring has sprung, and with the warmer weather rolling in, it's time to start prepping for the summer months.

That means its time to buy your chlorine tabs for the start of the summer heat.

Those of you with salt pools can jump ahead to the POOL RX section.

Please leave a bucket of tabs by your pumps or let me know where I can access them easily.

I suggest you start with a 50lb bucket as prices are high and the smaller buckets end up costing you more

as you will have to by them over and over.

Just a heads up on prices. Here are some options:

  • Leslie’s Pool Supply has 50 lbs sale right now for for $219.99

  • Leslie's

  • Sam’s Club offers 50 lbs for $178.99

  • Sams Club

  • Amazon has 50Lb for S219.99

  • Amazon

Also, last summer we had some success reducing chlorine demand by using POOL RX Mineral technology.

It lasts up to 6 months and worked well for those who gave it a shot.

It's a one-time purchase, ranging from $79.99 to $99.99 depending on your pool size.

Here's the link if you're interested.

POOL RX

You can also find it on Amazon.

Don't forget to empty those skimmer baskets between my weekly visits

With oak tassels potentially clogging things up, good water circulation is key.

I have already received calls this month about pools not running correctly and making a funny noise,

the cause was just that the baskets were full of leaves restricting water flow.

Thanks to all of you for sticking with me over the years. You're all fantastic clients.

Cheers!

A word about Phosphates

Some of you will notice a small extra charge on your September bill.

Phosphates enter your pool through various sources, such as leaves, debris, fertilizers, and even tap water.

These compounds act as nutrients for algae, which can quickly turn your pool water green and cloudy. When phosphates accumulate to higher levels they create an ideal environment for algae growth, making it difficult to maintain crystal-clear water.

To prevent this I am lowering the Phosphate levels of all pools that have built up.

I hope you are all enjoying the break from the scorching summer heat. I know I am.

Looking forward to the cooler Fall weather even though that means falling leaves and seasonal debris will require my increased attention.

Have a wonderful day

Summer Vacation and July Filter cleans

As we spring into summer it is time for my vacation.

I will be off from June 19th to the 23rd

This week I will add extra chemicals to accommodate my absence.

Also a reminder that next month in July I will be doing my biannual filter cleans.

This happens every year in January and July.

There will be a extra $100 dollar charge on your July bill for those of you with DE or cartridge filters.

Those of you with sand filters will not be charged.

Enjoy the summer.

Spring Algae and Pollen

As we enter the spring season in Texas, it is important to be aware of the potential effects of weather and algae growth in swimming pools.

The warmer temperatures and increased humidity can create a favorable environment for algae to grow in swimming pools. Algae can turn your pool green​ or ​ cloudy​, with many pools showing algae blooms on the floor and walls of the pools. If you have a high cyneric it can be even worse as chemicals do not react as well.​

Additionally, the strong spring winds can carry debris and pollen into your pool, further contributing to the growth of algae.

As you all remember last spring​ was the worst I had ever seen and I ended up working 42 days in a row to get all the pools back in line.

This year was not as bad as we lost so many trees in the winter freeze.

For those of you that have unsightly algae growth right now  please know I am aware of all those pools and am working on it. Many take multiple visits,  vacuumings and lots of chemicals for me to get them back under control so you may see me at your pool on the weekends

Hoping everyone has a great summer.

~Darrell