A pool with lights on at night time. A close up of the side of a fence with a lightA light that is on in the middle of some plants.A close up of mason jars with lights on themA bottle hanging on a wire in the yard.A string of lights hanging from the ceiling.

Crafty Homemade Lights To Make Your Backyard Stand Out


Crafty Homemade Lights To Make Your Backyard Stand Out

The Arizona nights are cooler now that we are moving into winter. But just because the temperature drops doesn't mean the party has to stop. In fact, nighttime can be the best part of the day. With some creativity, when the sun goes down that the magic can really happen. Especially when your backyard is lit up by custom and charming lights. To keep your uniqueness, the key is not to limit your pool area with your standard typical lighting options. With a little ingenuity, craftiness, and some help from Pinterest. You can create simple homemade lighting fixtures that will elevate your backyard sanctuary. Don't worry if you are not that creative a person though, as you can easily get something like this barn lighting for backyards. Either way, your garden will be nicely lit up whatever you decide to do. Whether it's just having your perfect lighting system poolside or having the best lighting system that overlooks Remarkable Furniture for your outdoor living space, it is completely up to you.

Moreover, did you know that there are some clear home security benefits of investing in the right external lights? The evidence seems to suggest that people feel safer at night in well lit public places when they can see everything around them. It is also true that the same can be said about your home if you can look out onto your lit back garden from the safety of an upstairs window or from the patio doors. For this reason, many people may get help from this electrician in Marietta to install exterior home lighting. Correspondingly, installing external lights makes it incredibly convenient to be able to check what is going on in the garden and outside the front door late at night. In addition, external lighting can be particularly helpful if the presence of the light convinces potential criminals that what they are about to do will be seen by you or your neighbours or maybe a CCTV camera. Accordingly, when used in combination with home security systems such as these Verisure Smart Alarms, external lighting can be a simple yet effective crime deterrent. So, what kinds of lighting should you be investing in? Let us take a look and some of our favourite lighting designs.

A person cleaning the pool with a mop A pool cleaning machine next to a hose.

How to Vacuum Your Swimming Pool Manually


How to Vacuum Your Swimming Pool ManuallyA person cleaning the pool with a mop

I know this seems like a no brainer, but new pool owners happen everyday and this is pool 101 stuff that all pool owners need to be trained on. There are three reasons why you need to know how to vacuum your pool manually. First, you might not own an automatic pool cleaner. Which you NEED to purchase if you have a pool by the way. Secondly, there could be a major problem that can’t be solved with an automatic pool cleaner, like algae. Third, as with anything mechanical, your pool cleaner will eventually break and it could happen at a less than ideal time. So you need to be the backup.

A water hose is spraying water onto the ground.

Deck Or Patio Drainage For Your Inground Swimming Pool


Deck Or Patio Drainage For Your Inground Swimming Pool

The swimming pool in your backyard is always that dream you have that one day will happen. Sitting by the pool sipping on cocktails, getting up to do laps at 6AM like the most organized and pulled together person ever and taking Instagram photos of you in the pool, by the pool and floating on the pool. Hey, this was going to be your claim to fame, provided you got automatic instagram followers from socialfollow to start you off. However, now when you think about it, there's issues that can get in the way. There is that after thought of the patio to go along with it. Sometimes the budget can only pay for one of those dreams. And there is a lot of you DIY types out there that will now have to build that perfect patio around your inground swimming pool yourself. We get questions all the time about on building decks, more specifically deck drainage for inground pools, so we figured we would throw some information out there. We'll tackle the top three questions here and hopefully give you a better understanding of how deck drains really work.

Q1. How Much Slope Should an Inground Pool Patio Have?

Pool patios or pool decks, should have a gentle slope of a rate of approximately one-quarter of an inch per foot of slab. So for example, a patio that is 16 feet in length, should be sloping downward a total of 4 inches. This one is pretty simple.

Q2. Which Direction Should the Patio Slope?

The pool patio always needs to slope away from your inground swimming pool. Otherwise, anytime water is splashed out or any rainfall will drag outside debris and elements into your pool on a non-stop basis. Which would leave you with extra work constantly. If the patio is already encompassed by finished landscaping, then it's totally fine to let the water to run directly off into the landscape. As long as the water has somewhere to go. You do not want puddles of standing water around your yard. If the water becomes trapped in an area outside the patio, a gravel filled trench will usually solve the problem.

Q3. What Deck Drainage Systems and Types Should I Use?

Deck or patio drains are designed to channel water from the patio and divert it to another location, other than back into your pool. There are essentially two types of drains used in most drainage projects, especially when it comes to commercial pool deck drains. These are Strip drains and Spot drains.

Strip Drains, also known as trench drains, are long narrow grates which water trickles into then channels through the trough away from the patio. It can certainly be a pain when dealing with pipelines, so it may require help from San Diego Pipelining who might be able to sort out your drainage problems. Strip drains are perfect to place against a house or other structure.

Spot drains are typically smaller single drains that are tied together underground by pvc pipe that carries the water away from the patio. These can get blocked, and when they do you'll need to call a company like FSDrainage Group to handle the situation, but they have their advantages too. Spot drains are perfect in areas where long straight trench drains won't work. This makes them ideal for free form patio applications.

If you have any additional questions with your Deck/Patio build or inground swimming pool, 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 tips, please comment below and let us know! Share some pictures too.

Enjoy your pool, and let us help you always keep it clear and swim ready!

A close up of water droplets on the surface

Maintenance For Your Pool Water Chemistry After It Rains


Maintenance For Your Pool Water Chemistry After It Rains

If you're a pool owner, when the rain falls that means you will have a little bit of work to do when the clouds clear. Rain can sometimes affect your pool's water chemistry depending on what elements are in the rainwater. And because rainwater is sometimes acidic, it can affect your pool's pH balance.

After heavy rain, you have a lot of extra water in the pool that can dilute the water's chemistry. Occasionally, you can see mold growing in your pool after the rains. When this happens, it can make swimming in the pool a bit dangerous. In such situations, reputable service providers such as sugar land pressure washing companies can be contacted who can eliminate the breeding ground of bacteria that feed on algae and restore your pool to its original state. If you only experience sprinkles or light showers, I wouldn't worry about the pool chemistry. A light rain will have very little effect, if any, on your pool water. However, it wouldn't hurt to do these checks anyway, if only for peace of mind.

A close up of water droplets on the surface

After a heavy rain fall, the first thing you should do is clean the water and check the water chemistry with test strips, especially the pH, alkalinity and sanitizer levels.

1. Clean The Pool

Many times rain is accompanied by heavy winds. Wind is the main culprit for blowing dirt, leaves and other debris into your pool. Skim your pool first, then vacuum. You can use an automatic pool cleaner if you have one or manually vacuum the pool yourself. Once you have it cleaned, you can test the water chemistry.

Alternatively, if the mud around your pool area has accumulated significantly and you do not believe you can clean it up on your own, you may want to get pressure washing done on your pool deck. Pressurized washing might be able to lift dirt, grime, moss, and other substances from the surface, and it can also get into the smallest crevices to blast out everything that has built up over time. This might stop the damage to the pool or clogging of pipes before it has a chance to take hold and cause you a major headache.

2. Check pH and Alkalinity Levels

The acidity in some rain can cause your pH levels to drop. However, this is the alkalinity's job to handle. When the rain water starts to lower the pH, the alkalinity will be affected more as well. Which means, your alkalinity levels could have a more drastic change than your pH levels, which can be a good thing.

3. Check Sanitizer Levels

Next you will want to check your chlorine or sanitizer levels. Rain water can often bring in unwanted elements to your water, and your sanitizer will start fighting them off. That means your sanitizer levels could be low as well. So be sure to check these levels.

4. Check Your Water Level

Naturally rain will add more water to your pool than is needed. If you have excess water in your pool, you can drain some of it out by using your filter's "waste" setting. Drain just enough to restore it back at your normal water level.

5. Shock Your Pool If Needed

Even after a good rain storm, shocking your pool isn't always necessary. But it usually isn't a bad idea either. If you get an extremely heavy down pour, you could shock your pool just to be sure. This will assist in fighting off any unwanted elements the rain may have brought into your pool. Just be sure to drain the water to the correct level, check your pH, alkalinity and sanitizer levels, and then shock in the evening after the rain has ended. Additionally, you may also require assistance from Sydney emergency plumbing or any other plumbing service in your location, that can come in to check if all the pipes such as inlet, outlet, and other connecting pipes are in good condition, if not, they can help you in getting them replaced. You also do not need to worry too much about your calcium or CYA (cynauric acid) levels, these are not really affected by the rain besides dilution.

For your safety, we recommend avoiding swimming in your pool during any type of thunderstorm. Plus, run off from your pool deck may also bring in some contaminants from your lawn or the deck itself. Make sure you follow this checklist after a heavy rainfall and your pool wont' have any issues like cloudy water or algae. If you have any additional questions about your Pool Chemistry give us a call at 623-939-1346 or come visit us at our retail store and one of our pool care professionals will be happy to help!

Worst And Best Type of Swimming Pools and Why


Worst And Best Type of Swimming Pools and Why

So you're in the market for a swimming pool...Awesome! But then you start feeling the pressure of all the decisions you have to make. How big should it be? What accessories do you need with it? Should you consider getting a poolside towel rack? What is the best type of swimming pool for me? You also may be thinking a swimming pool is going to be a lot of work. Let me relieve you of some of those stereotypes. Nowadays, it doesn't have to be a hardship to pick a pool, especially if you choose a few options that will make pool ownership much, much easier. Plus, with so many professional contractors like Eden Design Landscape Architects who will listen to how you envision your dream pool and will bring it to life, there's no need to worry about not having your perfect pool. To help you find the type of pool that will best suite your needs, here are some helpful tips:

Best Swimming Pool for Shape Customization:A pool with a lot of water in it

This would go to vinyl liner or concrete inground pools. If you're looking for concrete experts that could make an inground concrete pool for you consider conversing with R&M (https://randmconcrete.com). With the ability to get any shape or size you want, the possibilities are pretty endless if you have a flare for the dramatic. Although fiberglass pools come in many shapes, complete customization is not possible. Plus, depending on your geographic area, may not be in abundantly available.

Best Swimming Pool for Low Maintenance and Longevity:A bunch of plastic tubs and pools on the ground

Fiberglass Pools take the cake on this one. Over the past 10 years, these pools have exploded around the country for good reason-they are extremely easy to take care of because of their surface and rarely require major work later in life (unlike concrete and vinyl liner especially if you're looking at replacing inground vinyl liners).

Best Swimming Pool for Play:A pool with plants and bushes around it

Generally speaking, any pool that is in the 3'-5' depth range is ideal for play. For example, most above ground pools are a uniform depth of 4'. Because some above grounds come in round shapes that are 18', 21', 24', 27', and 30' in diameter-a massive play area can be achieved.

Worst Swimming Pool:A family in an inflatable pool with a hose attached to the side.

If you've had your eyes open over the last 5 or so years there is a good chance you've seen these massive blue blobs in yards all over America. These set and fill pools not only are an eyesore, but their filter systems are extremely under powered, and cannot deal with so much water. This is why many people that buy this type of pool get so frustrated. They're almost impossible to keep clean, vacuum, and prevent algae. Furthermore, they generally only last one season before having to be replaced.

It is important to take the time and make sure you make the right decision for YOUR pool. After all, you will be the one enjoying it, so you want the best type of swimming pools that fit your needs. If you are still not sure or don't have the time or know-how to decide what kind of pool is right for you. Call one of our pool care professionals 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! Enjoy your pool, and let us help you always keep it clear and swim ready!

If you have any additional thoughts or tips on specific pools, please comment and let us know! Share some pictures too.

A pool in the middle of snow covered ground. A pool in the middle of snow covered trees.

Winterize Your Pool in 6 Steps


Winterize Your Pool In 6 Steps

Most people know that it's important to get pool inspections brisbane regularly but not many understand how important it is to make sure your pool is ready for winter. Well, it's that time of the year again, the weather is becoming too cold so it's time to winterize your pool. So break out the pool cover and let's make this as painless as possible. However, it doesn't have to be an expensive or drawn out process. You can successfully learn how to winterize your pool without paying anyone. For pool owners in warmer climates or you have a heated pool, you get to skip many of these steps or not close up at all. You may also want to look for winterizing tips for your home in general which will likely involve HVAC installation or maintenance. These services and more can be found here - https://www.accurateelectricplumbingheatingandair.com/heating/. If you can't winterize your home then you shouldn't even begin winterizing the pool until this is sorted first.

The following are generalized instructions on how to properly close an In-ground swimming pool. Please note that all pools are somewhat different and your pool may need specific care not mentioned here. If you have any doubts about how to properly close your particular pool contact one of our pool professionals.

1. Remove Deck and Skimmer Equipment

Start by removing your diving board, ladders, rails, safety ropes, and any other accessories you have in and around your pool. Once you have the deck clear, you can start removing the eye ball fittings from all your return lines and skimmer baskets. If you have a dedicated line for an automatic cleaner, remove the plastic adapter.

2. Clean and Test Pool Water

Perform a Pool Water Analysis to make sure your pool water is properly balanced. You can either take a sample of water to your local pool store or use your home test strips to make sure the pH is between 7.4 and 7.6, your alkalinity is between 100ppm and 150ppm, and your sanitizer is at the correct level. It's ok for your chemical ranges to be on the high-side when closing your pool as they will drop over the winter months. Then you will want to clean your pool thoroughly by vacuuming the floor of your pool with an automatic cleaner or manually, brushing down the walls and steps, and skimming the surface of the water.

3. Add Winter Chemicals

Once your pool is balanced and cleaned, you can now add your winterizing Chemicals. If you buy a chemical kit, some will not require you to run your pump while adding the chemicals. If this is the case, you can save this step till right before you put the cover on. Otherwise, now is the time to add the chemicals while your filter and pump are still operational. Check the directions on your winter chemicals or kit before adding. You can also use a WinterPill. While this is not absolutely necessary, this product will help ensure you open up to a clear pool in the spring.

4. Backwash and Clean The Filter And Pump

Make sure your filter and pump are cleaned. Once the filter is backwashed, you can open up your pump lid and remove any debris that is in the basket. Turn your filter back to "Filter" on your multi-port valve before blowing out the lines. At this time, if you are not using a winter skimmer plate, you should drain the pool 6 inches below the skimmer. If you live in the north where it snows and the water freezes a lot, I would drain the pool 4? below the return jets. This gives you a good buffer for when it fills back up again with rain and snow melt if you have a mesh safety cover. If you live in the south or don't get much snow or ice, you don't need to drain. If you have a solid cover, draining the water below the return lines may put added pressure on your cover when rain water and snow collect on top. You'll need to keep draining water off the cover with a winter cover pump or siphon to protect it. No matter what, if you have a tile border in your pool, you should drain it at least 4? below the tile to protect it.

5. Blow Out The Lines

If you are unsure how to do this properly, even after reading this section, please contact one of our pool care professionals to come and blow your lines out for you. You run the risk of your pipes cracking underground if this is performed incorrectly.

Start by making sure your valves are turned so that the skimmers and the main drain are open. If you don't have a main drain at the bottom of your pool, then you will only be dealing with one opening. Hook up an air compressor (like the ones you can purchase from Super Dry Systems) to your pump by unscrewing the drain plug that's on the pump housing (the part with the lid) and thread your air compressor into the drain plug opening. If you don't have an air compressor, then you could always visit Direct Air to give you an idea of what you can get. When you have an air compressor and you have set it up, start blowing air into the lines until you see bubbles coming from the return lines and skimmers. Take a gizzmo or rubber plug and plug up the hole in the bottom of the skimmer where the air is coming from. A Gizzmo is a long hollow, plastic tube that threads into the skimmer opening. The gizzmo is an ice compensator, so if water gets into your skimmer and freezes during the winter, when the ice expands, the gizzmo will absorb the expansion rather than your skimmer, which protects your skimmer from cracking. Next, walk around your pool and plug up all the return lines. The main drain will be the last to blow, but you don't have to swim to the bottom and plug it up. Turn off the air compressor. Lastly, if you have a heater, you are going to need to blow the water out of it. Remove the drain plugs from the heater and turn the air compressor back on. You want to direct all the air into your heater, so close off all the valves except the one to the heater. You should start to see water coming out of the heater drains. Keep the air compressor running until you see no more water. Replace the drain plugs on your heater and remove the drain plugs from the filter and chlorinator if you have one. Turn off the air compressor and remove it from the pump. Store all the drain plugs in the pump housing for safe keeping.

6. Put The Winter Cover On

Last item to winterize your pool is to place your cover onto your pool. If you are using a simple plastic cover, just make sure there are no rips or tears. Use water tubes to secure them and only fill them about 85 percent of the way to allow for expansion when they freeze. Make sure the tubes are not leaking before putting them on. Water tubes, if they happen to fall in your pool, will not cause any damage to your liner or concrete much like a brick or cinder blocks will.

It is important to winterize properly. Taking time to make sure it is done right can save you money and frustration. Not to mention impacting the precious time you have to enjoy your swimming pool. SO, if you don't have the time or know-how to do it yourself, call in our pool care professional and have it done for you. If you have any further questions about winterizing/closing up your swimming pool, don't hesitate to 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! Enjoy your pool, and let us help you always keep it clear and swim ready!

If you have any additional thoughts or tips on closing you pool, please comment and let us know! Share some pictures too.

A pool with lights and chairs around it A pool with a stone patio next to the water.A pool with chairs and tables in the back yard

Swimming Pool Patios: Stamped Concrete Or Pavers


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 ConcreteA pool with chairs and tables in the back yard

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.

PaversA pool with a stone patio next to the water.

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.

A black spot is in the water.

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


5 Steps to Keep Your Pool Algae Free In Long Arizona SummersA black spot is in the water.

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!

A water drop is shown in the middle of it.

10 Ways to Conserve Water In Your Swimming Pool


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!

A pool with an automatic cover and a swim spa.

What You Need To Know About Automatic Pool Covers


What You Need To Know About Automatic Pool CoversA pool with an automatic cover and a swim spa.

If you're in a location that sees a lot of sun then a swimming pool could be the perfect addition to your backyard! And, why not make your life easier by also installing an Automatic Pool Cover? They have been designed and manufactured to provide protection, convenience, and enjoyment for pool owners. Existing pools can be retrofitted with automatic swimming pool covers providing that the tracks can be laid out properly. The two biggest benefits are that they work better than solar covers and they offer safety against someone accidentally falling in. They also help keep leaves and debris out of the pool, saving you time on maintenance. Pool Companies out to there today sometimes just sell customers any automatic pool cover they carry because the customer wanted to include one. Or the pool company salesman may try to sell it by adding it to your pool "package". Regardless, you should always take the time to educate yourself on any pool products you are buying. Especially when it comes to safety or protection type equipment like Automatic Pool Covers. So here is some information to keep in mind if you are looking to purchase Automatic Pool Covers.

Cost:

As with anything, cost will vary on the type and brand of Automatic Pool Cover. You get what you pay for and sometimes you don't even get that. However, on average you will most likely be in the range of $5,000 to $15,000. Many pool owners think that the cost for their pool will be in the $5,000 or less range for an Automatic Pool Cover, but in reality most people spend around $10,000 and $12,000. This range reflects a more realistic number that you should expect to be spending. Especially if you want a cover that matches your decking. If it doesn't match, you can always research "Concrete Pool Deck Resurfacing" and find a design that will work with your new covers. If your pool is not a true rectangle then you will have tracks that mount on top of the decking of your pool. These tracks can be toe-stubbers, and can be visually annoying. The cheaper Automatic Pool Covers mount on top of your deck can be in the range of $7,000 to $10,000, not including electrical hook up. The Drill or Manual Pool Covers are top mount and usually run between $5,000 to $7,000. You might not have a decking in which case, perhaps it's a good idea to invest in some. You can browse through the custom decks in Colorado Springs or in whichever location, to see what would suit your garden and your pool best.

Now here is a little point/counter-point to consider before you make your purchase:

The Good:

  • Some Cities/Counties Allow Automatic Pool Covers In Place Of A Safety Fence - Check with your state, city and county offices first before ripping out your fence.
  • Keeps Dirt Out - With an Automatic Pool Cover your pool will be easier to keep clean resulting in less time on maintenance
  • Helps heat your pool - Automatic Pool Covers are made of a heavy vinyl and work much better than a solar cover. It is not uncommon for them to add 10 to 15 degrees to the temperature of the pool. If you have a Heat Pump the cover will help keep cost down by not letting heat dissipate into the air also reducing evaporation.
  • Keeps People Out - Automatic Pool Covers work good for keeping children and even adults out of the pool. You can even walk on the cover, it feels like walking on a water bed.

The Bad:

  • They Can Heat Your Pool Too Much - Since it traps the heat so well, it can actually turn your pool into a bath. You may need to leave the cover open to cool the water off.
  • Keeps Chlorine In - Whether you are on a Salt Generator or Chlorine, your Automatic Pool Cover will hold the Chlorine in and not let it naturally dissipate. You should keep your Chlorine levels at minimums when using an Automatic Pool Cover. As Chlorine and Salt can both corrode your Cover.
  • Generally Cost Much More Than A Safety Fence - Pool fence is the cheap alternative to Automatic Pool Covers. Of course this depends on how much area you are fencing off, the type and style, and the company you use to buy/install. But this would have to be one large and elaborate fence.
  • Keeps People Out - You go to open your pool right before a BBQ and the cover won't open, looks like no swimming today. Open your cover a day or two before any pool party and leave it open until the good times end. That way, if the cover does not open you will have time to repair.
  • Cover Replacement - The covers are made of a vinyl material that typically wears out after five years or so. The cost of replacing this material is quite expensive, not to mention the labor.

While Automatic Pool Covers provide protection and save you time on maintenance, plan on budgeting around $1,000 a year for when the time comes to replace it. Usually about every 5 to 6 years you will need to put a new cover on and this will cost you close to $5,000. This usually does not include replacing the motor, pulleys and ropes in the webbing. During the winter months, if snow is in the forecast you should open your Automatic Pool Cover. Even though Automatic Pool Covers can handle the weight of several people, it will not be able to hold a snow load and can pull the rope out of the tracks or even collapse the tracks. If you live in a snow prone area, consider buying a regular security cover to use for winter months during heavy snow like these Remco Australia pool covers.

If you are thinking of going with an automatic pool cover or you are not sure what will work best for your pool. A Pool Supply Warehouse professional is available at our retail store or at 623-939-1346 for any questions you have.