If you’re a pool owner, you know that maintaining a pool requires more than just throwing chemicals in and closing the cover. Having a plan in place can save you time and money while ensuring that you enjoy the season. To help you out, we’ve rounded up some of the most important tips for maintaining your pool using the sources provided. Take a look!
1. Keep It Clean
Keeping your pool clean is one of the most important things you can do to keep it running smoothly. It can help you avoid major maintenance problems or costly repairs down the road. Algae is a common issue that can grow quickly in your pool, forming slimy green coatings on the walls and floor. This can cause the water to become cloudy and clog the filter. Luckily, there are many easy-to-use products that you can use to prevent algae from growing in your pool. These include a clarifier, bleach or muriatic acid.
2. Maintain The Water’s pH Levels
Your pool water’s pH levels are an important part of maintaining the overall chemical balance in your pool. Maintaining this balance is a complicated process that requires constant monitoring and adjustments. A low pH level can cause a number of problems, including skin and eye irritation to swimmers, corrosion on pool surfaces, etching in concrete swimming pools, and eroding pool equipment. To bring the water’s pH back into a healthy range, you can add acids, degreasers, or alkalinity increasers to raise it. Leslie’s Dry Acid (sodium bisulfate) and Muriatic Acid are common chemical options, but be sure to read the product label for dosing instructions and safety precautions.
3. Maintain The Water’s Alkalinity Levels
Maintaining the water’s alkalinity levels is one of the most important things you can do to keep your pool looking beautiful and healthy. When the alkalinity in your pool goes too low, it can cause several problems, including itchy skin and stinging eyes for swimmers, as well as corrosion of metallic surfaces like your pool ladder and liner. In addition, alkalinity also helps stabilize your pool’s pH level so that it remains balanced. This is especially important for pools with high chlorine levels. The best way to raise the alkalinity in your pool is to add baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). You can purchase it in powder form and sprinkle it into the water. It will take around six hours for it to disperse. Afterward, retest your pool’s pH and alkalinity levels to ensure they are still in the proper range.
4. Maintain The Water’s Calcium Levels
Often overlooked, calcium hardness levels are a critical part of maintaining a safe pool. Low calcium levels can lead to dangerous stains on the surface of your pool and equipment, while high calcium levels can cause serious damage to metal fittings and heat exchangers. Like pH and alkalinity, calcium hardness is a chemical that needs to be in balance to protect your swimming pool surfaces from corrosion, staining or discoloration. This is why we always recommend balancing the essential chemicals before making any adjustments to calcium hardness. You can keep your water’s calcium levels from getting out of whack by testing, adjusting and then retesting to make sure the adjustment has been successful. Test your pool water twice a week to ensure it stays in the right range.
5. Maintain The Water’s Total Dissolved Solids Levels
Keeping track of your water’s Total Dissolved Solids levels is one of the most important things you can do for your pool. It allows you to see the overall quality of your water and make sure everything is working properly. TDS is a measure of the amount of organic and inorganic materials that are dissolved in water. It includes a variety of substances like minerals, salts, and ions. TDS can be found naturally in waters, but it may also come from chemicals used to treat water or runoff from roads and yards. You can keep a tab on your TDS level with an electronic TDS meter or test strip.
If you have a hillside or a slope in your backyard, installing a pool can be challenging. However, it is possible with careful planning and a little bit of creativity. Here are 5 common things to consider when building a pool on a hillside or a slope.
• Geotechnical Issues
There are a number of geotechnical issues to consider when building a pool on a hillside or a slope. These include soil gradation, bearing capacity, shrink and swell potential, lateral earth pressure and groundwater conditions.
Soil gradation can alter the stability of a foundation structure, potentially resulting in cracking of the pool shell or uneven heaving or settlement of the bottom if the soil swells and shrinks with moisture content change. This can result in significant damage to a pool shell or below grade piping systems. A qualified geotechnical engineer can conduct a study of the site to provide data on these soil properties and recommendations for the structural design of the pool shell. The study involves analyzing soil samples taken from borings drilled on the site.
• Terracing
Terraces are ridges and channels constructed across-the-slope, usually at regular intervals to regulate water flow and storage. This is a soil conservation practice that helps prevent rainfall runoff from accumulating on a steep sloping land surface and causing severe erosion.
Even though terracing is typically used for crop irrigation, when you’re building a pool on a hillside or a slope, you will need to consider terracing issues as well. If you have a significant slope, terracing can be a very effective solution to help keep your pool level while making it look intentional and beautiful. The best pool builders will be able to design and build a series of retaining walls that divide the slope into multiple levels, creating a gradual step-down effect.
• Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are a great way to ensure proper drainage and protect your pool from erosion. They are also a very attractive design feature that can be used to create a more distinctive and pleasant space around your swimming pool. Retaining walls can be made from masonry, poured concrete, or stacked stones.
• Infinity Edges
One of the most dramatic and striking features to consider when building a pool on a hillside or slope is the infinity edge. Infinity-edge pools feature a wall that slopes downward to allow water to fall into a lower catch pool, which is hidden from view. This water is then pumped back into the main pool, creating the waterfall effect. However, do note that they are not for every backyard. If your property has a very steep slope for example, you’ll need serious engineering and support to accommodate the pool, which can add to the cost.
• Drainage
Drainage is an important element in the construction of any swimming pool and outdoor area. It can prevent water from causing damage to landscaping, decks, patios, and home exteriors. When you’re building a pool on a hillside or slope, it’s a good idea to work with a professional contractor who knows what drainage solutions can best keep your property safe from the hazards of uncontrolled water. There are a number of drainage solutions to consider, including permeable paving, French drains, and catch basin drainage systems. Each system works differently, but all three can keep unwanted runoff water away from your yard, deck, and pool.
Infinity pools are often considered to be a luxury feature, making your home more attractive to potential buyers and increasing its resale value. However, before deciding to install one of these amazing features, you need to be sure that it’s right for your property and budget. The first question to ask is if you have a view. If you do, then this feature may be ideal for you. And if you want to make your infinity pool even more impressive, consider adding a glass wall to it. This can be an optional but beautiful feature that costs about $100,000 on average.
If your yard features a dramatic drop-off with a gorgeous view, an infinity pool is undoubtedly the perfect addition to your home. However, even if your backyard isn’t particularly beautiful or the view from your home isn’t breathtaking, an infinity pool can still be the best choice for you. If you have a large yard for example, it can be a good idea to discuss the option of an infinity pool with your builder early on. They can work with your landscaper to create a pleasing background for the edge of the pool, or they may be able to install it into a slope to help tuck it out of view.
And while infinity pools are a bit more expensive than standard inground pools, they’re not out of reach for most homeowners. The cost of an infinity pool varies depending on its size and the materials used to build it. Generally, materials make up about 50% to 75% of the overall cost. To help sweeten the deal, it is important to note that infinity pools are not only eco-friendly but they’re more efficient than traditional swimming pools. Because of their vanishing edge, they create a constant stream of water that recycles back into the main pool. This can reduce the amount of electricity needed to heat and cool your pool, which will save you money over time!
A baja shelf, also known as a sun shelf or tanning ledge, is an extended step into the pool that creates a shallow area in the water for lounging and play. It’s a great spot for those who love to swim but aren’t a fan of full-body immersion, as well as children and pets. It’s also an ideal place to sit, relax, and sip an umbrella drink while partially submerged in the cool water. And if nothing else, it’s undisputedly a wonderful place to just take a break from it all and rest in comfort for once.
Many high-end resorts use a baja shelf in their pools, but you can now add one to your own backyard oasis! Baja shelves have grown in popularity since the 1990s, adding functionality and a sense of scale to residential pools. Typically, a baja shelf sits no more than a foot below the water’s surface and is large enough to accommodate a few chaise lounges or chairs. With some customization, a baja ledge is sure to add a little luxury to your backyard.
Depending on your budget and design needs, you can choose to accessorize a baja shelf with specialty tiles, water features, lighting, or even umbrella sleeves. These features can help add a pop of color to your pool design and provide an extra ambiance for relaxing in the yard! If you are looking to install a Baja shelf yourself, it is best to consult with experts in custom concrete pool design and construction. The experts at Avanti Pools, Inc. can help you choose the right shape for your pool and recommend the right water features and lighting for your custom baja shelf!
Whether you’re building a new pool or remodeling your existing one, staying current with the latest design trends is essential. The trend for 2023 is to make your pool more functional!
Tile Patterns & Pool Color
Tile patterns are one of the best ways to add character and intrigue to a pool. Whether you’re using specialty-shaped ceramic tile or a more geometric look, the right pattern can make your pool stand out from the crowd. When it comes to pool color, a lot of trendy designs leave the standard blue watercolor in favor of other shades that stand out from the water. This can include shades of green, brown, or tan. Alternatively, many designers are choosing to use black, a bolder, more cutting-edge look. These can add a modern touch to any backyard oasis.
Swim Jets
Swim jets are a great option for anyone who is short on space or who wants to incorporate swimming into their fitness routine. These are similar to pool treadmills, and they push a constant current of water across your pool, making it easy to get a workout in no matter the size or shape of your pool. They also make it easy to add features to your pool like waterfalls, fountains, and massage jets, allowing you to customize your pool experience. They can be a way to add visual interest and relaxation, or they can even be used for therapeutic purposes such as hydrotherapy.
Infinity Pools
Often considered a showpiece, infinity pools offer an incredible view and add luxury to any backyard. They can be expensive, but they are a worthwhile investment. Aside from the visual appeal, infinity pools are a great way to relax and unwind. They can also help build muscle strength, endurance, and reduce joint pain. To achieve the illusion of infinity, the pool should be located in a high area with a pleasant view. This type of pool requires a lot of work, so it is important to hire professionals for the design and construction process.
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