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How to Tell if it’s Time for a New Pool Liner

pool-1587786_960_720Vinyl pool liners generally last 8-12 years, but daily wear and tear, hazardous weather, and other factors can damage your liner immediately and over time. In order to keep your pool looking crystal clear and in top shape, it is important to know what to look for when you think it may be time for a new liner.

  • Deterioration & Cracks: pool liners will deteriorate overtime due to the harsh elements it faces outdoors. Keep an eye on your vinyl liner for damage such as cracks or tears, which could potentially lead to leaks in your pool. Be sure to monitor your water level for about a week if you’re seeing extensive cracks and tears in your liner.
  • Fading & Stains: A pool liner will of course fade overtime from the water, chemicals, and sunlight constantly hitting it, but significant fading is a sign of deterioration. As the vinyl fades, the plastic begins to break down as well, which will lead to tears and cracks mentioned above.
  • Wrinkles & Stretching: If the liner is beginning to slip out of the track and you’re unable to replace it yourself, the liner may be stretching. A stretched, sagging liner will cause water to drain from your pool while also leading to wrinkles in the material. A stretched liner cannot be repaired, only replaced.

If you’re in need of vinyl liner replacement in St. Louis, Missouri and the surrounding areas, look no further than Little Giant Pool & Spa. Contact us today at 636-271-2200 to request any of our in-ground pool related services.

How to have the In-Ground Pool of your Dreams, Pt. 2

pexels-photo-101986-largeThe perfect in-ground pool could be right in your backyard with a little planning and attention to detail. Little Giant Pool & Spa is a pool construction company servicing the St. Louis, Missouri area and we strive for perfection in every job we do, whether it’s weekly pool maintenance or a brand new pool construction.

When you want to make your dream pool a reality, one important step to take is to site the pool in your back yard. Picking the best place for your in-ground pool to be built is just as important as the pool itself and you should consider the following when scanning your outdoor space for the perfect pool location.

  • Fun in the Sun: picking a spot in your yard that’s well open to sunlight not only provides warmth to the water, but keeping it away from trees and bushes in your yard can reduce the amount of debris that will fall in.
  • Keep Those Trees: Though you don’t want them too close to avoid fallen leaves, having trees or shrubbery nearby can help prevent the wind from blowing onto your pool and cooling down the water.
  • High Riser: You’ll want to avoid building your pool in a low-lying area, as the pool could flood with mud and debris during any heavy rainfall.
  • Avoid Electricity: Be aware of your outdoor surroundings, both above and below your yard. You don’t want to build your pool under any electrical lines or telephone poles and you’ll want to avoid building over sewer lines, septic systems, and electrical cables.
  • Keep an Eye Out: If possible, you’ll want to build the pool within view of your house so you can keep an eye on swimmers while indoors, especially if there are children in the household.

For the best construction of in-ground pools in St. Louis, Missouri, visit us today at LittleGiantPool.com.

How to have the In-Ground Pool of your Dreams

dream_poolEveryone dreams of having the perfect outdoor oasis right in their backyard and with the help of Little Giant Pool’s swimming pool construction in St. Charles, Missouri, your wildest pool fantasies can become a reality.

The first step is to pick the type of in-ground pool you want in your outdoor space. Concrete, vinyl-lined, and fiberglass are the most popular materials used when building pools and each one has its own pros and cons. Selecting the right material mainly comes down to your own personal preference and manageability. Concrete pools typically take longer to build, but are also the strongest and most customizable, so it may be worth the wait if you’re envisioning funky shapes and a long-lasting structure.

Make sure you check your city’s building and zoning regulations, as they may impact your initial plans. These rules will differ from town to town, but you generally need to meet certain setback distances from the pool to property lines. You’ll also need to make sure any septic tanks, wells, sewer lands, and so on have the appropriate amount of space between them and the space the pool will be dug. Our experienced pool contractors at Little Giant Pool & Spa can help you choose the best location in your backyard.

For the best swimming pool construction in St. Charles, Missouri and the surrounding areas, contact Little Giant Pool & Spa today at 636-271-2200. Keep an eye on our blog for even more ways to achieve the outdoor space you’ve always dreamed of!

Pool Maintenance 101

pool_cleaningTaking care of your pools in Jefferson, Missouri may seem relatively simple: keep them clean and pour in some chemicals, but there’s a lot more to keeping your pool in tip-top shape than you may think. When it’s time to soak up the sun and relax by the pool, there are a few basic things you should be doing to keep your pool running at prime condition.

  1. Check the pH and chlorine levels of your pool once or twice a week. The pH of your pool should remain within the 7.4 to 7.6 range and the chlorine level should be 1.0 to 3.0 parts per million. The best time to test your pool’s water is around 4 hours after all swimmers have left the water and 8 hours after a storm.
  2. Clean your in-ground pool at least once a week. Skim the surface with a cleaning net and use a vacuum for any debris at the bottom of the pool.
  3. Apply a pool surface cleaner to the waterline along the pool’s walls with a handy pool brush. This will eliminate waterline stains and help keep your pool looking fresh and brand new.
  4. Shock the water once every week. Shocking is when you add a large amount of chlorine to the pool to get rid of algae and other contaminants. Follow your manufactuer’s shocking instructions to be sure you’re adding the proper amount of chemicals into your pool’s water.
  5. Run the filter as often as possible and if affordable, run it constantly during the summer. The water is less likely to become dirty and breed bacteria if it is constantly moving.

For all of the best pools in Jefferson, Missouri and the surrounding areas, contact Little Giant Pool & Spa today at 636-271-2200.

Welcome to the Little Giant Pool & Spa Blog

Luxurious_In_Ground_PoolNothing beats having a luxurious in-ground pool to dive into during the hot summer days. At Little Giant Pool & Spa, we’ve dedicated ourselves to quality construction and pool repair in St. Charles, Missouri and the surrounding areas. There’s no project too big or too small for us to handle and our team of experienced pool contractors will work with the size and landscaping of your yard to build a pool to your exact specifications.

We’ve developed this blog in order to provide current and future clients with information on construction trends so that their new in-ground pool is designed to impress. In-ground pools are like a gold mine to potential homeowners and while you may not be interested in moving any time soon, your new pool could put you one step ahead of the competition if it goes on the market.

Though we provide weekly and seasonal pool maintenance at Little Giant Pool & Spa, we’ll also be posting handy maintenance tips and tricks to help save your pool and your wallet. What started out as a quick fix could end up becoming a major problem if left unattended and the last thing we want is for you to miss out on taking a dip.

Owning a pool is great, but it’s even better when shared with others and through this blog, we’ll provide you with a variety of pool-related party ideas from awesomely themed kid birthdays to a much needed home happy hour with friends or coworkers. Be sure to visit LittleGiantPool.com today to request a free home consultation and get started on your new pool!