Your swimming pool is one of the biggest sources of water consumption at your home. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make efforts to save this natural resource. Making active attempts to conserve swimming pool water can help you keep the costs of utilities at a manageable level, which means you will save more money for other things. Here’s what you can do to control water loss from your pool or spa.

Pool Covers: A pool cover installation can potentially cut water losses due to evaporation by half. Less water lost through evaporation means you won’t have to overwork your water pump to re-fill your pool. Installing a cover can also reduce algae growth and lower the need for more chemicals, leading to even more savings.

Check for Leaks: Just like a leaky faucet in your home, a pool leak can be a small issue that escalates into a costly problem. Be on the lookout for damp spots downstream of your pool, as well as water-saturated soil. Leaking pipes and valves are also telltale signs of a leak. Contact your pool maintenance team to address these issues as quickly as possible.

Strategic Landscaping: Evaporation from the wind is a possible cause of pool water loss–especially if pool cover installation isn’t feasible for your setup. You can always invest in pool fencing, privacy screening, and shrubs to serve as windbreaks around the pool area. Decreasing the amount of wind that blows across your pool can save water.

By incorporating as many water-saving strategies as possible, you are doing your part in keeping your community beautiful. Contact your pool maintenance company to learn more water conservation strategies.

New swimming pool construction can be an exciting time for homeowners. If you are one of the fortunate who is planning to add a pool to their backyard, then it won’t be long before you become the proud owner of a new recreation area. However, there may be rules and regulations that could be limiting your ideas.

All communities have rules for builders and construction professionals to follow. Many of these regulations are put forth as a way to ensure the safety of occupants and to promote the durability of buildings and surrounding infrastructure. Local building codes depend on where you live, but many are based on model codes established by national and international organizations. There are three organizations that govern construction codes around the world:

ICC: The International Code Council supervises many aspects of commercial and residential construction. This can include codes related to property maintenance, pool and spa construction, fuel, gas, and more.

IBC: The International Building Code covers regulations related to commercial construction.

IRC: The International Residential Code applies to a residential construction project, including new construction and home remodeling.

Becoming a member of the ICC may not be necessary, but there is also a good chance that your local building codes are informed by many of the ICCs codes. The building codes established by these organizations may be a part of your state or municipality’s building regulations. When shopping around for a pool construction contractor, it is important to verify if they are familiar with local codes and qualified to conduct work where you live.

Your swimming pool is a great place for hosting parties and staying active. Like any other part of your home, your pool also has certain maintenance requirements. A component of maintenance includes pool shocking. Today, we will discuss why you need to incorporate this process into your weekly pool maintenance in St. Louis County, MO.

Pool shocking is the process of raising the free chlorine levels in the pool water. Algae growth is a common cause of the creation of dangerous pool environments, and its growth can leave unsightly marks. Chlorine serves to counteract the growth of algae, and it also deters the presence of other harmful microorganisms.

Since pool shocking plays a critical role in keeping your swimming area clean, it is recommended to add chlorine to the water periodically. During the peak swimming season, such as summertime, you should aim for weekly pool maintenance. However, you may need to adjust this schedule according to the weather (such as long periods of sun or rain) in relation to how often your pool sees use.

You need to shock your pool if any of the following happens:

• Algae Is Growing in Your Pool
• The Free Chlorine Levels in Your Pool Are at Zero
• The Combined Chlorine Level Is above 0.5

Many pool supply stores offer pool shocking kits, which include measuring tools and chlorine. You can also arrange a maintenance program with professional pool cleaners. Professionals may offer service packages that can check the entirety of your pool system.

When winter rolls around, it’s important to make sure your pool is ready for the colder weather. Seasonal shifts risk damage to components and features that keep your personal paradise in its best condition. With the right preparation, though, you can avoid pricey post-winter pool maintenance in St. Charles County, MO. Here are a few of the top tips for owners to protect their swimming space:

Check the Chemistry — One of the simplest and most effective winterizing steps is to keep key chemical factors like pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness appropriately balanced. Doing so helps you prevent etching and staining around the pool’s edge.

Protect Your Plumbing — Frozen water can wreak havoc on filters and pipes. By lowering your water levels beneath the mouth of your skimmers, pool owners can avoid internal freezing that can crack expensive components.

Cover the Surface — With the changing seasons, extra debris from fallen leaves, brittle plant life, and other sources can threaten your pool’s filters. A reliable cover keeps gunk out of the water and can dissuade animal life from taking a dip during the colder months. Plus, a cover protects your pool from debris year-round, making it a solid investment for any season.