Frequently Asked Questions

From Baltimore: I-795 North towards Owings Mills/Reisterstown (9 miles) to MD-140 West toward Westminster (17 miles).  Turn left onto S. Pleasant Valley Road.   First Building on the left.

From Sykesville/Eldersburg: Md-26 to MD-97 (10 miles) left onto MD-140 West toward Westminster (6 miles).  Turn left onto S. Pleasant Valley Road.   First Building on the left.

From Hampstead: MD-30 to MD-482 (5 miles).   Turn south on MD-27 and merge onto MD-140 West toward Taneytown (5 miles).  Turn left onto S. Pleasant Valley Road.   First Building on the left.

Water samples should be taken from 18" below the surface of the water. If the pool has just been opened, the water should be circulated for at least 24 hours before being tested.

Water samples should be taken from 18" below the surface of the water. If the pool has just been opened, the water should be circulated for at least 24 hours before being tested. If you get a chlorine reading higher than the max on your test kit, wait until the chlorine level comes down before testing the other elements of your water chemistry. Find a clean container that has never held other liquids than water(do not use soda bottles, shampoo bottles,  or food jars. Bring at least 16 ounces of water if possible. You can use a clean ziploc bag in a pinch. When you arrive at the store, ask for a Gallagher Pools and Spas sample bottle. Make sure your name and phone number is written on the front of your bottle either on the bottle or on a piece of masking tape. Some customers affix an address label with their name on it to the front with their phone number.

Acid should not be stored near chlorine products. Liquid products should not be stored near powdered products, especially chlorine. Liquid chlorine containers are vented and should always be stored vertically. Containers of powdered or tablet chlorine should always be closed after use, and never left out in the rain. Chlorine must be in a well ventilated area way from any metal items.

After shocking the pool, you should wait at least one hour before allowing people to swim. If you have just added acid to your pool (either muriatic acid or pH Lower), you should wait 4 hours before allowing people to swim.

The pool should be shocked every week. Check the chlorine level with a home test kit to determine the actual level of chlorine in the pool.

If the chlorine level is 0.5 - 3.0 a "normal" shock should be added to the pool at a rate of 1 pound per 10,000 gallons of pool water.
If the chlorine level is below 0.5 a "double" shock should be added to the pool at a rate of 2 pounds per 10,000 gallons of pool water.

You should use 1 Gallagher's Chlorine Tablet for every 5,000 gallons of pool water, or 1 Gallagher's Chlorine Stick for every 7,500 gallons of pool water. The number of Chlorine tablets/sticks should not be increased, but can be decreased should your chlorine exceed 5 ppm.

Most pools should hold a normal level of chlorine (called chlorine residual) of 1.5-3 parts per million (ppm). Pools using an alternative such as the Pool Frog or Nature 2 systems can maintain a chlorine residual of 0.5-1.0 ppm.

Keeping your pH balanced is important to proper water chemistry. The pH of your water confers many qualities on the water which can either make it much easier to take care of, or a nightmare. High PH can cause cloudy or colored water, irritate your eyes, form scale, and cause your sanitizer to function poorly. Low pH is a leading cause of eye irritation. It can also corrode your metal equipment, shrink and weaken your liner, burn your skin, etch your plaster and encourage stains. Consider this. The pH of your mucus membranes, such as your nose, ears and eyes is 7.5 . If your pH is vastly different than that, it causes irritation. This is one of the primary reasons we try to encourage keeping your pH as close to 7.5 as possible!

Bromine is more stable as a disinfectant at high water temperatures. Additionally its smell is considered less noticeable than chlorine in a small hot water environment. This helps spa users relax.

There are many advantages to owning a spa. Some of them are listed below from Bullfrog spas.
Stress Relief - There is no better way to sit and relax then in a Spa. A combination of heated water, buoyancy, and soothing jets massage your stress away. While sitting in a Spa, blood vessels will dilate making it easier for your heart to pump, improving blood flow and circulation. Stress relief is only seconds away when you slide into your Hot Tub. Join the thousands of people who have discovered this ancient secret of hydrotherapy and relaxation.
Hydrotherapy - Hydrotherapy is defined as the external use of water in the medical treatment of certain diseases. Others describe Hydrotherapy as “the oldest form of medical treatment. It involves the use of water for soothing pains and treating diseases.” No matter how you define it, hydrotherapy has stood the test of time and is here to stay. Ancient cultures from all around the world have discovered the healing power of soaking in natural springs.
Social Benefits - There are many social benefits of having a Spa. With a Spa you will never need to worry about planning something to do. Invite your friends over for a soak and a barbecue. Your spa is a wonderful place to relax and let the art of conversation reconnect you with the people that mean the most to you. Your Spa will become a destination for you and your friends.