With the swimming season getting closer, many pool owners are beginning to make the necessary preparations to open up their in-ground pools for the summer season. As the weather warms, you and your family are increasingly itching to take a dip on a nice sunny day, but it’s important to get all of your preparations in order now if you’re able.

Having the necessary pool opening supplies on hand in the spring means you can open up as soon as that first nice day hits and you won’t have to spend the extra time purchasing chemicals and cleaning tools. Below is a list of what you should definitely have on hand for this summer.

• Shock/Chlorine – A pool should ideally be “shocked” at least once a week once you’ve opened it. When you open the pool, you’ll want a chlorine shock to pour in so that the chemical levels within the water will be able to balance out after being stagnant all winter.
• Water testing kit – Be sure to pick one of these up if you’ll be opening your pool yourself, as you’ll need a variety of different chemical tests for your water throughout the swimming season. The main tests a kit should contain are pH, chlorine, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness.
• pH/Alkalinity – Once you pour the shock into the pool, you may need to use extra chemicals to balance out the water if you used too much or too little. By having increasers and decreasers on hand, you’ll be able to modify the pH or alkalinity of your pool to bring it to perfect swimming conditions.

At Little Giant Pool & Spa, we also provide pool opening services for in-ground pools in St. Louis, Missouri. If you’ve never opened a pool before or simply want to save some time with the process this year, give us a call today at (636) 271-2200!

You may think that simply covering your pool is all you need to do during the winter months to protect your pool, but what’s protecting your pool cover? A pool cover is a great way to protect your in-ground pool during harsh winters, but without added protection, you’re risking the cover getting damaged due to high winds and freezing temperatures. Below are three things you can do to keep your cover in top shape all winter long.

Keep the Ice at Bay

Ice and snow can add extra weight onto your cover, causing it to sag and pull at the edges. If there’s already ice all over your brand new pool cover, be sure to let it melt before using a winter cover pump to remove it. Attempting to remove frozen ice off of your cover will only result in the sharp edges creating unwanted holes and scratches. To prevent against an icy build up, you can keep a ½” water level on top of the cover.

Brace Against the Wind

The ½” water level mentioned above is also a great way to prevent wind damage to your cover. You can also use water bags to hold it down if you have a tarp covering your pool. Be careful not to use anything with potential sharp edges such as bricks or boards as they can fall into the pool and damage not only the cover, but your liner as well.

Look out for Trees

Fallen trees or tree branches can be your cover’s worst nightmare in the winter. Heavy snow and ice can weigh the branches down and once those limbs snap they could be headed directly for the pool! If you have a tree dangerously close to your pool, hire a tree specialist to come in and remove any overhanging limbs.

For the best services related to in-ground pools in St. Louis, Missouri, contact Little Giant Pool & Spa today at 636-271-2200.

Though many good things come with the cooler months such as warm fireplaces, cozy sweaters, and holidays, the changing seasons also means it’s time to close up the pool. Closing an in-ground pool doesn’t have to be a time-consuming chore and in a few simple steps, you can have your pool covered and protected for the upcoming snowy weather.

Step 1: Test your pool water to make sure everything is properly balanced prior to closing it up. You can either bring your water sample to us at Little Giant Pool & Spa or use in-home test strips to make sure the numbers are right. Your pH you should be between 7.4-7.6 and alkalinity between 100-150ppm.

Step 2: Clean your pool of all debris by vacuuming the floor, skimming the surface, and brushing any dirt from the walls. You’ll then want to add any winter-specific chemicals your pool needs before closing. This is also a good time to clean out the filter and pump, making sure everything is backwashed and cleaned out so nothing gets closed over its stagnant months.

Step 3: Place the cover over your pool. You can use a regular plastic cover or purchase a winter-specific cover that’s made to withstand the harsh weather and temperatures. Make sure the cover is secure and your pool is all closed up!

If you’re in need of assistance for in-ground pools in St. Louis, Missouri, look no further than Little Giant Pool & Spa. We’ll help you open and close your pool each season along with weekly maintenance to keep your pool in top shape all year long. Call us today at 636-271-2200.

The 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.