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.

When it comes to fiberglass in-ground pools in Missouri, many owners wait until the fall to purchase a cover. Though they’re commonly associated with keeping out leaves and other debris, you don’t need to put off buying yours – and, in fact, you shouldn’t. Here are three reasons to invest in a pool cover today:

• A Better Swimming Experience – You may want to keep leaves out later, but you want to enjoy a swim now. That’s much easier to do without tons of chemicals that can cause everything from skin irritation to asthma aggravation. A pool cover can cut down chemical use by as much as 60 percent.
• Less Evaporation – Keeping water in your pool isn’t cheap, and it gets more expensive in the sweltering heat of summer. Use a cover to reduce evaporation and save money on water costs.
• Year-Round Debris Protection – Leaves might be one of the most visible kinds of debris, but they’re far from alone. Even in the middle of summer, there’s no shortage of things that can clog your filter or lead to tons of time spent with a net in hand. Insects, dog toys, mower clippings, and more won’t take up your day when you protect your pool from incursion with a cover.

Whether you handle the upkeep on your own or hire a professional pool maintenance service in St Charles County, MO, you will need to know all the pieces that go into keeping it safe. That way, you always know how to handle an emergency and can communicate effectively with any team you hire to care for your pool. Here are a few key components common in today’s swimming installations:

Cartridge Filter: Increasingly popular, this easy-to-use device does not require backwashing or disposal. It is also safe and highly effective at removing contaminants.

Pumps and Motors: These are the primary sources of flow that keep your pool from stagnating.

Gas Heater: The most common kind of heater in modern swimming pools, this device allows you to swim at comfortable temperatures even after summer passes.

Main Drain: If you ever need to empty your pool (or seem to have trouble doing so), this is the place to look.

Coping: Essentially a cap for the edge of a concrete pool, coping conceals the steel projecting from the walls while also preventing water from seeping past the pool shell.

Skimmer: Not a part of the pool per se, but essential to keep it in good condition, a skimmer is a net used to collect debris. Doing this regularly keeps more significant pieces out of important place like the drain and pumps. It is also useful when you drop something into the water and do not want to dive to get it back!