pool vaccuum

Important Maintenance Tips for Your Concrete Pool

You’ve invested a lot of time and money in your pool, so caring for it is vital to ensuring many years of use. The maintenance and upkeep of concrete pools in Missouri doesn’t take a lot of effort, but it does require diligence.

Filter & Filter Pressure

The filter removes particles and debris. To keep water crystal clear, check the pressure gauge against the manufacturer’s specifications and keep the filter clean.

Shock Your Pool

Increase the chlorine levels of your pool a few times a season to kill bacteria and other microorganisms. This “shock” helps keep your concrete pool healthy.

Balance the Chemicals

Pool owners need to be aware of the consequences of too little or too much chemical additive. Be sure to check your pool’s pH daily and learn how to find the right balance.

Skimming & Vacuuming

Skimming your concrete pool daily and vacuuming once a week are great habits to get into. You’ll reduce the debris and the chemicals you need to add.

Water Level Consistency

If the level drops, the filter can’t keep the water clean. If your pool doesn’t fill automatically, use a garden hose, and don’t forget to rebalance the chemicals.

Brush the Walls

Algae can build up on the sides and bottom of concrete pools, and often brushing the walls is the only way to remove it. Your filter will remove the smaller particles, and vacuuming will remove the larger ones.

 


fiberglass pool

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Fiberglass Pool

After many seasons of relaxation and summer-time fun, your fiberglass pool might start to show its age. When you notice issues creep in, you need to decide whether a repair will buy it one more summer or if you need to invest in a new one. If you’re unsure whether to replace your fiberglass pool in Missouri, consider some signs that will help you make the best decision.

Spider Cracks in the Gel Coat

Spider cracks in your fiberglass pool, just like wrinkles on a face, can make it look aged. Although cracks in the gel coat seem like structural issues, often they are only cosmetic. While these cracks are relatively common, a pool replacement may be in order if you’re unhappy with how they look.

Bulging Walls

Backfill material used during the installation of your pool can get saturated with water. When it does it, it can press against the walls, causing them to bulge. Although fiberglass can flex, an aging pool will show increased signs of this issue. Shopping around for a new concrete or fiberglass pool is probably a good idea.

Color Matching

As your pool ages, so does its color. Despite a range of color matching options on the market, a seamless patch isn’t always possible. If you’re particular about the appearance of your pool, a replacement might be the way to go when you have color issues.


Creating a Backyard Spa Oasis

Backyard Spa OasisNew pool construction in Missouri will give your family a personal paradise in which to throw stylish backyard parties for friends or enjoy a fun evening in your relaxing new spa/hot tub.

 

Style

Your outdoor oasis should be a reflection of your family’s personality while also complementing your home design.

 

Romantic If your new pool construction includes a spa or hot tub, create an intimate atmosphere of romance with some candles, string lights, a fire pit, and lots of flowering plants.

 

Sporty – Exercising outside in your pool is more enjoyable than in a crowded gym. Turn your outdoor patio or deck into a workout friendly spot. You can even exercise in a swim spa all year long.

 

Practical Considerations When Building Your Outdoor Oasis

Privacy From Neighbors – You’ll want your oasis to be private. During your new pool construction, plant trees, and tall plants, or use bamboo shades, fences, and garden walls for privacy.

 

Child friendly – Consider all ways to make your new pool construction safer for little ones, like installing non-slip mats around the pool and hot tub to prevent slips.

 

Expanding Your Livable Space – Choose well-placed patio doors and multi-use furniture, and your deck or patio can act as another room of the house.

 

ShadeProtect yourself, your family, and your guests from too much sun by creating shady areas with plants, trees, or umbrellas.

 

Lighting – Add to the beauty of your new pool construction with stringing lights, Chinese lanterns, or maybe tiki torches.

 

Warmth – If it’s a cool summer evening or a fresh fall day, a fire pit or with some infrared heat lamps will add warmth and atmosphere.


Tips for Maintaining an Indoor Pool or Hot Tub

Indoor PoolPool maintenance service in St. Charles County, MO, has become an important element in keeping pools and spas in great condition. With a close maintenance routine, it is easy to minimize the likelihood of equipment malfunctions and breakdowns. This aspect of pool ownership is important, and it also applies if you own an indoor pool or spa.

 

Having an indoor pool, spa, or hot tub is a great luxury, as it allows you to enjoy the water at virtually any time of the year. Of course, it also has its challenges. A leading concern is humidity levels. Today’s pools use chlorine to keep the water safe and free from microbes. An indoor pool installation has distinct risks, as chlorinated water can condense and cause damage to the surrounding structure. Condensation can create rust, and the interactions of chlorine with building materials can accelerate the degradation process.

 

If you own an indoor pool or spa, it’s important to add humidity control to your maintenance program. Managing humidity ensures your pool operates as intended while minimizing the risk of property damage. It also helps to uphold the efficiency and longevity of your investment.

 

You can implement good humidity control measures in three ways. First, monitor moisture levels around the pool area frequently. Condensation is a sure sign it’s too humid. Also, ensure that your installation’s drain mechanisms and lines are operating effectively.

 

Second, install a dehumidifier near the pool area. These devices remove excess moisture from the surrounding area, and they function much like a standard HVAC system. Speaking of climate control, the third step to take is to create an effective ventilation system for your pool area. The proper ducting and airflow can go a long way in keeping humidity levels manageable.

 

By making the appropriate additions to your pool maintenance service, you will enjoy a comfortable indoor pool environment for years to come. If you have any questions, be sure to get in contact with your pool maintenance provider.


When to Consider Opening Your Pool

Pool OpeningWhile winter’s clutch remains firm, it may be a little outlandish to start thinking about utilizing a pool opening service in St. Charles County, MO. However, if you want to start enjoying your pool as quickly as possible, then it is important to think about the steps you can take now to get ready for the pool season. This post will talk about what you can do now to make sure your pool is ready once the warmer temperatures settle in.

 

Mentioning warmer temperatures off the bat is intentional. It will be the key factor to think about when weighing your options for the pool opening. We recommend getting your pool ready when the outside temperatures remain a consistent 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the temperature range where algae begin to grow.

 

At the same time, the weather can be fickle. While one day may feel significantly warmer, that doesn’t mean those temperatures are there to stay. Monitor the forecast carefully, note the location of warm and cold fronts, and plan accordingly. When the temperature remains consistently warm, then you should start thinking about a pool opening service.

 

Also, monitor when the flowers begin blooming around your area. Neighborhoods and areas with flowering trees and plants can begin dispersing pollen early in the year. When you see pollen on in your area, you may want to resume your regular pump and filtration checks to keep your pool water clean.

 

Monitoring the weather is part of effective pool maintenance. By knowing the signs and taking appropriate measures, you will get ready to enjoy your pool before realizing it.


Tips for Water Conservation with Swimming Pools

Water ConservationYour 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.


Swimming Pool Code Requirements

Swimming Pool Code RequirementsNew 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.


The Importance of Pool Shocking

Weekly Pool MaintenanceYour 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.


Steps to Winterize Your Swimming Pool

Winterize Your Swimming PoolWhen 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.


Why Choose Professional Pool Cleaning?

Weekly Pool MaintenancePool ownership comes with plenty of responsibilities. Safety precautions, maintenance, and cleaning are all tasks you’ll have to handle as a homeowner. The good news is that you can outsource some of these duties to professionals. These contractors know what’s best for your pool. With their help, you can save considerable time, money, and energy.

Cleaning your pool sounds easy enough, but new pool owners quickly realize that this process is far more labor-intensive than they thought. Cleaning a pool doesn’t just mean removing leaves and debris from the water. It also involves administering comprehensive water quality tests and cleaning the filter.

Water quality tests are vital because pools can harbor bacteria and algae. Balancing your pool’s chemicals is essential to keeping your family safe. However, many homeowners don’t have the professional knowledge or equipment to do this on their own. That’s where pool cleaning contractors come in.

By scheduling weekly pool maintenance with a professional, you’ll be able to enjoy your pool without worrying about water quality. Your contractor will take care of pH testing, as well as adjust alkalinity, oxidizer, and stabilizer levels. This will keep your pool’s water in excellent condition, as well as discourage the presence of harmful waterborne contaminants.