Swimming Pool Patios: Stamped Concrete Or Pavers

This is always a hot topic when it comes to the world of swimming pool patios. Both pavers and Stamped Concrete are affordable, very durable, and can make your pool look fantastic. Which explains why consumers have chosen these two to be the most popular patio options on the market today. But then there is always that age old question, which is better? I'll cover some of the pros and cons of each and hopefully help you make a better decision. When it comes to making a choice about which surface to use for pool, it is important that you take into consideration how safe each one will be. If someone falls over and suffers from a serious injury due to a slippery patio, then you could be at risk of them contacting law firms similar to lamber goodnow to make a claim for compensation. It is important that you carefully consider which patio you buy, especially when it comes to your safety. Just something else to note, stamped concrete is also known as decortative concrete and you can find more out about it at Decorative Concrete Solutions - Decorative Concrete Floors.

Stamped Concrete

Cost: Priced on average between $10-$15/square foot depending on the region.

Pros:

• Large stamp color and patterns available. Most popular being slate, seamless stone, and flagstone.
• Unique antiqued look since stamped concrete is often composed of at least two colors; a base color that is mixed or trowelled into the surface, and a second color called a release agent that is spread on top.
• It can give a good faux look of other materials such as slate, flagstone, or brick.
• Sealed to protect it from elements and pool chemicals like salt.

Cons:

• Just like with most concrete, it will eventually crack.
• If more than one truck load of concrete is required, the colors might not match.
• Sealing is required and the sealer needs to be re-applied every 2-3 years.
• Surface can be slippery without adding an anti-skid agent mixed in with the sealer.

Pavers

Cost: Priced on average between $17-$28/ per square foot.

Pros:

• Durable and will not crack as long as they were installed correctly.
• Easily changed or added onto later down the road.
• Easy fixes for underground repairs.
• Non slippery surface, unless you put sealer on it.

Cons:

• Chance of settling and movement over time if faulty installation.
• Weeds can pop up between pavers unless you use polymeric sand. Polymeric sand prevent weeds, but needs to be re-applied 2-3 years.
• Limited selection for colors and patterns.
• Same Color discrepancies of pavers from manufacturer.

Now that I have pointed out the major differences between each type of swimming pool patios. What say you then, do you have a preference yet? We like and recommend both here at Pool Supply Warehouse, so I wish I could tell you one way or the other. However there are situations that call for both. Always consider the compatibility of the material with your existing yard, color compatibility, and weather you plan to add to expand the patio in the future. One things for sure, you cannot go wrong with the durability and beauty of both of these patio materials. If you have any further questions about swimming pool patio materials give us a call at 623-939-1346 or stop by your local Pool Supply Warehouse retail store and one of our pool care professionals will be happy to help!

If you have any additional thoughts or have run into this same issue, please feel free to comment and let us know! Share some end results pictures too.

5 Steps to Keep Your Pool Algae Free In Long Arizona Summers

When you live in Arizona, the summers tend to hang around longer than normal parts of the country. Even though the times for vacations are over and school is back in session, the heat dial is still on. For pool owners in Arizona, this provides the right elements for your best green friend Algae to show up and make pool ownership a frustrating experience. But the good news is, it does not need to be this way. In fact, with all of the new innovations, there's really no reason anyone should be having algae problems anymore.

To ensure your pool doesn't have problems with the green algae during the last hot months of summer

1. Try To Keep Your Water Moving – An important thing to remember is that algae will start forming when water stops moving. Which is why it's not a bad idea to constantly keep your pool filter running during the hottest summer months like August. Which if you have a variable speed pump, will allow you constant water flow without the high energy usage. Most new pools, and in some states all new pools and pump replacements, use the energy savings and eco-friendly variable speed pumps.
2. Use Your Pool – Swim in my pool? That’s a novel idea. Not a lot of people realize that often times one of the best ways to keep your pool clean is by swimming in it as much as possible. It’s because swimmers stir up the water and debris, thus allowing the skimmer to catch more particles and ultimately filter your pool water better.
3. Check Your Filter - If your sand or cartridge get too clogged up, the water will slow down, which can hurt filtration as well as chlorine production. Regular maintenance and backwashes prevent any clogging and will help in deterring algae along with other debris.
4. Add Algaecide Weekly - Although this isn't always necessary, it's another means of algae prevention, and something that certainly won't hurt your chances of having a hassle-free summer with your pool. For those of you not using salt, make sure to shock your pool too.
5. Keep Sanitizer Levels Up - This means your chlorine needs to be kept at optimal levels all day, every day. This is also why we're such big advocates of salt chlorine generators, as they manage to keep a consistent level of chlorine in the pool at all times, preventing the growth of algae in the first place.

Using these few methods will help you fight off the unwanted Algae for the remainder of the summer. If you have any questions about keeping your swimming pool blue give us a call at 623-939-1346 or stop by your local Pool Supply Warehouse retail store and one of our pool care professionals will be happy to help!

If you have any additional thoughts or something to add, please feel free to comment and let us know!

10 Ways to Conserve Water In Your Swimming Pool

When you live in a state of city that is mostly desert, like Arizona, water conservation is always on the priority list. Especially when you hear states like California facing another year of drought conditions. States residents in the surrounding areas are increasingly feeling the impact too. Restrictions and cutbacks are being implemented across many states, and everyone needs to be doing their part to conserve water. Even installing a few digital flow meters can save tens of gallons of water each year (per household).

What About Swimming Pools?

A concern that always rises when talking about water conservation is "what about swimming pools?" Aren't swimming pools the biggest water wasters of them all? Some pool industry experts say otherwise. In fact, once a pool is filled, it uses less water per day than an irrigated lawn as long as the pool is properly maintained. There are four main ways a swimming pool wastes water. In no particular order the culprits are water evaporation, swimming pool leaks, backwashing the filter, and splashing out. Did you know without a cover, a pool loses about 1 inch of water per week, which can be upwards of 7,000 gallons annually. Here in Arizona, a typical pool can lose up to 25,000 gallons a year just in water evaporation. A normal 2 minute backwash for a sand filter wastes about 200 gallons of water. So you try and remedy these water wasting ways by remembering a few things to help conserve where you can and keep yourself educated. If you're a current pool owner, or about to be one, it's important to take care of your pool to avoid wasting water. Here are some facts and tips to consider.

Help Conserve Your Swimming Pool Water

• Keep your pool covered if not being used – A solar cover can minimize evaporation that occurs day and night.
• Avoid splashing water out of the pool – I know, this one is tough. Just try and keep the splashing inside the pool.
• Have your pool and its plumbing tested for leaks – Make sure to repair any visible leaks by reaching out to a water leak detection company. To find if you have a leak that is under ground, mark your pool level near your skimmer. Come back after 24 hours and see if your water level changed. What needs to be looked at is that your water pipes, drainage system, and other mechanisms are working well enough. In case of it not working at full capacity, seeking a professional consult would be a prudent option. If you live near Temecula, you could get experts such as Z PLUMBERZ of Temecula, or other similar plumbing specialists to take a look at your plumbing.
• Do not overfill – If your topping off your pool and leave unattended you might overfill and then need to drain the excess water. We recommend installing an automatic water leveler.
• Use chemicals judiciously – Do not over treat your pool. It may lead to corrosion in your pipes over a span of time, leading to more plumbing problems.
• Keep pool and filters clean – This reduces the number of times you have to backwash. As well as the amount of water you have to run out before the dirty water has been purged.
• Water your plants with backwash water – Instead of letting your water run down the street or dump into the city drain. Use as much as you can to water your yard, trees and plants.
• Add chemicals at night – The sun speeds up the dissipation process of your chlorine.
• Keep water level low – Keep your water about an inch or so above your tile line. This can also prevent the water leaving the pool being splashed around.
• Turn off fountains and waterfalls when not needed – You can save energy and water from aeration and evaporation by shutting these off when they are not needed.

Please leave a comment about different ways you help conserve water with you swimming pool. If you have any questions about ways to help conserve your swimming pool water give us a call at 623-939-1346 or come your local Pool Supply Warehouse retail store and one of our pool care professionals will be happy to help!