Update Your Pool With a Pool Renovation

May 21st, 2012 Posted in Pool Remodeling
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If you and your family enjoy your pool, but it is starting to look a little dated or having more frequent breakdowns then maybe it’s time to consider a pool remodeling, renovation or resurfacing.  A renovation can turn a tired old pool into a stunning, beautiful centerpiece of your backyard landscape.

Pool renovations range from resurfacing the pool’s finish and decking to adding all sorts of exciting new features such as lighting, rock work, tanning ledges, beach entries, and other features.

Pools need to be resurfaced every five to ten years.  You can combine a resurfacing of the pool surface with an update to the decking and have a pool that looks like new for a fraction of the cost of a new pool.  Or you can go all out and transform a standard swimming pool into an exciting, cutting edge swimming pool. Your pool renovation contractor will work with you to help you achieve the look you desire for your pool while staying within your budget.

If you have an older pool, you may be surprised by the advances in pool equipment technology in recent years.  Updated pool equipment can include automated systems to monitor and maintain the chemical balance in your pool.  These systems can make it much easier to keep your pool water sparkling clean and can also save you money by minimizing chemical usage.  In addition, a well maintained pool will need fewer repairs and less maintenance.  Your pool will not only look great, but it will be easier to maintain and you will enjoy lower operating costs year after year.

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Automatic Swimming Pool Fillers

May 21st, 2012 Posted in Pool Service
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Your swimming pool can lose several inches of water every week through evaporation and even more during periods of heavy pool usage.  It is very important to keep your pool filled to the proper level.  If the pool water level falls below the skimmer, your pump will no longer be able to draw water from the pool.  Not only will the skimmer and filter not be able to function properly, but your pump may be damaged due to cavitation caused by air entering the pump.

It is also important that the pool water level not be too high.  The water level should fall in the middle of the skimmer.  If the water level is too high, the skimmer will not be able to trap leaves, pine needles, and other floating debris.  Keeping you pool water at the right level can be a hassle, especially when you are busy with other concerns or if you will be away from home for more than a few days.

Many pools have automatic filling devices that add water when the level drops too low.  These systems relieve pool owners from the task of adding water every few days make pool cleaning and maintenance easier.  If your pool is not equipped with an automatic filling device, your pool service may add water as part of their service calls.  However, many pool services do not add water because of liability concerns.  Even your pool service adds water, they may not schedule service calls often enough to ensure proper water levels.

An excellent solution is an automatic pool filler (also called pool minders or water levelers) that rests on the edge of the pool.  These automatic pool fillers can be purchased at most pool supply stores for about $100. Simply connect a standard garden hose and attach the automatic pool filler to the edge of the pool.  The device will automatically add water whenever your pool falls below a preset level.

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Hidden Pool Leaks

May 21st, 2012 Posted in Pool Leaks
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If your pool is equipped with an automatic pool filler and you have noticed that your water bills are unusually high and getting higher, you may have a leak in your pool or pool filtration system.  Higher water bills are to be expected in the summer months when the pool is open and being used heavily, but unexplained high water bills are often the first sign of a water leak that can be anywhere including in your water supply line, the plumbing inside your home, a leaky toilet tank, leaking irrigation system, or a leak in your pool.

Automatic pool fillers or water level controllers are wonderful devices that relieve pool owners from the hassle of constantly filling their pool.  Pools naturally lose water due to evaporation and from water splashed out of the pool, and water level controllers add water to keep the pool water at the right level which prevents damage to the pump and allows the skimmer and filter to work properly.

However, when the pool has an automatic water level controller the pool owner might not notice the water loss from a pool leak for months.  If you are looking for the source of a potential water leak, don’t forget the pool.  You can use a simple bucket test to check for pool leaks or contact a pool service that handles pool leak detection.

If you find a pool leak, have it fixed as soon as possible.  Pool leaks not only waste water, but you will also need to use more chemicals in the pool to keep it properly balanced.  In addition, pool leaks can cause erosion and damage to your foundation.

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The Pool Leak Bucket Test

May 21st, 2012 Posted in Pool Leaks
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Some water loss from your swimming pool is normal.  Depending on where you live, a pool can lose half an inch of water per day or more to normal evaporation loss.  Water loss will be higher in hot, dry areas and some pool designs loose more water than others.  In addition, if the pool gets heavy use, especially from children, a surprisingly large amount of water can be splashed out of the pool.

A simple bucket test will tell you whether or not your pool is losing water.  Place a brick in a large bucket and put the bucket on a step in the pool so that about half of the bucket is above the water.  Fill the bucket with pool water so that the water level in the bucket and the pool are the same.

Turn off the automatic water filling device and the pool pump and refrain from using the pool for at least 24 hours.  Compare the water level in the bucket to the pool water level on the outside of the bucket.  If the pool water level is lower than the bucket water level, you have a pool leak and you need to call a good local pool repair service to find and repair it as soon as possible.

Pool leaks waste hundreds of gallons of water per week and drive up the cost of chemicals to keep the water clear and properly balanced.  They can also cause underground erosion that can damage your home’s foundation.  Don’t wait to repair pool leaks.

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Why Use a Pool Management Service

May 2nd, 2012 Posted in Pool Management
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If you are a property manager, homeowners association, or operate a hotel or other commercial facility that has a swimming pool, you know that a swimming pool can be huge attraction for potential home buyers, apartment and condominium tenants, vacationers and travelers. In some parts of the country, a pool is almost a necessity to profitably operate a hotel or apartment complex.  Despite their attractiveness and desirability, pools pose problems for any type of business.

A swimming pool can be a lot of fun, but managing the pool can be a headache. First, there is the cost and hassle of maintaining the pool.  Pool maintenance includes servicing and repairing the pumps, filters, and other equipment along with cleaning debris from the pool and maintaining the proper chemical balance in the pool.

Pools at commercial facilities have to be clean and full of clear, sparkling water at all times.  Proper maintenance is critical for preventing accidents and preventing damage to the pool.  Ironically, community and commercial swimming pools are harder to keep clean and properly maintained because they are heavily used and it is difficult to control the contaminants that enter the pool.

In addition, liability is a huge issue and keeping pool users safe is very important.  Finding, training, and managing reliable lifeguards and other staff can be a constant battle.

You can avoid most or all of these issues by using a professional swimming pool management service instead of managing the pool yourself.  A professional management company will be fully insured and assume responsibility for the safety of the pool along with the liability for any accidents or injuries.  They also provide staffing and maintenance services which relieves the property manager or business owner from a huge burden.  If you are tired of the hassles of managing the swimming pool at your facility, speak to a professional pool management company.

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Opening Your Swimming Pool

May 2nd, 2012 Posted in Pool Service
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It’s that time of year again when swimming pool owners across the country pull back the cover on their swimming pool and find out how much work they have to do to get the pool ready for summer.  If you closed the pool properly last fall and kept up with it over the winter, you should be OK.  If not, you may have a little more work to do this spring.

The first thing you have to do is to remove the cover.  Most people will have some dirty rainwater or melted snow in the cover mixed with leaves, pine needles, and other debris.  Carefully remove the debris and pump out the water.  If you have an older cover with holes that water can seep through, get as much of the dirty water out without forcing any into the pool or pumping out too much pool water.

Take the cover off being careful not to let any remaining water or debris fall into the pool.  Hopefully the water in the pool will be as clear as it was when you closed the pool last fall.  Remove plugs from all of the lines and turn the power on to the pump.

If necessary, fill the pool up to the proper level, start the pump, and check for any leaks that may have developed over the winter.  If all is well, let the pump run for  a few hours to circulate the water and then check the condition of the pool water.   Add any chemicals needed to bring it into the proper balance.

Once the pool is opened, regular pool maintenance will be needed to keep the water sparkling clear.  You can do it yourself or save yourself the trouble by hiring a good pool service.

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Choosing a Pool Management Company

May 2nd, 2012 Posted in Pool Management
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Using a pool management company to manage the swimming pool at your residential development, condominium, apartment complex, or hotel is an excellent idea.  A good pool management services company can relieve the property manager from the time consuming hassle of managing the pool  and can usually do a better job of staffing, maintenance, and keeping the pool safe for users.

Before choosing a pool management company to assume the operation of your pool, make sure that they are a good fit an offer the services you need.  Do you only need the pool management company to handle cleaning and maintenance of the pool or do you need them to provide lifeguards and other staff?  Does the pool management company handle opening the pool in the spring and closing it in the fall?

Ask about their policies for hiring and training lifeguards and other staff.  Do they do background checks?  What certifications are lifeguards required to have? Find out how chemicals and other supplies are treated.  Are they included in the contract price or charged separately?  Does the pool management company handle larger pool repairs such as replacing pumps or repairing filters?  If not, who will be responsible for arranging the repairs and how will billing be set up?

Ask for and follow up on references.  Talk to other property managers about their experience with this pool management company.  Were they satisfied with the services?  Do they still use this company?

Finally, ask for proof of sufficient liability coverage.  In the event of an accident, the pool management company should bear the majority of the responsibility but if they are under insured, the injured party will look to the owners of the facility for damages.

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