What Are the Most Popular Additional Pool Features?

Relaxing in the comfort of a private pool is the pinnacle of California homeownership. What better way to whisk away the heat and humidity than a dip in a cool and refreshing pool? Not only does swimming offer excellent exercise without the usual wear and tear on the joints, but your home is sure to be the epicenter of family gatherings, neighborhood block parties, and holidays if you have a beautifully designed pool. Keep reading to learn about the most popular pool features in 2022.

1. Swim Up Bar:

Just when you thought your pool couldn’t get any better, you realized that a bar could be installed so that you can sip, snack, and enjoy without having to leave your relaxing water oasis. Typically found at beachside resorts, bars are now becoming more commonplace in residential pools because of their intrinsic wow factor and the convenience offered.

2. Baja Shelf Installation

Also known as a tanning ledge or sun shelf, think of this feature as having a pool within a much larger pool. Typically, a Baja shelf is only 8 to 16 inches deep and allows you to perch chairs in your pool so that you can cool down while staying reclined and enjoying a beverage from your poolside bar.

3. Waterfalls

Not only do waterfalls add creativity to your pool area, but they can also create a cascading impact into the water below while making your pool reminiscent of a serene and tropical resort. 

4. Outdoor Shower

Likely the most practical item on this list, an outdoor shower is on the must-have list for many aspiring pool owners because it allows you to wash off chlorine before entering your home and enjoy a poolside shower in your own backyard.

5. Spillover Spa

A spillover spa is a hot tub or Jacuzzi built on a platform directly above and adjacent to your swimming pool and includes a cutout for excess water to flow from the spa to the pool. A spillover adds a waterfall-like sound to your pool and can be designed to your specification with a variety of tile and stone options.

6. Jump Rock

Picture an existing diving board and elevate it to a piece of art by using beautifully designed natural stones to create a jump rock with a waterfall. Once installed, this jump rock is sure to provide hours of fun for families of all ages.

When you are ready for your pool fantasy to become a reality, let the professional team at Avanti Pools, Inc. in Los Angeles, CA assist. Pools are our passion, and we’ll allow your dreams to become a reality while working within your budget to design and construct a spectacular pool in your backyard.

 

The Difference Between Closing a Pool and Winterizing

Having your own pool at home is fun. You can swim and play anytime in it, use it for exercise, have a party, or simply lounge and relax. The downside, however, is that all of these activities for enjoyment are seasonal.  

Unless you have an indoor or heated pool, you can only really enjoy it for about half the year, maybe even less. Even though you may not use it all year round, it would still need to be properly maintained, especially during the colder months. 

Pool owners have two options: to close the pool or to winterize, and each has pros and cons. Let’s take a look at the difference between the two. 

Closing a Pool

To close a pool simply means to use pool covers on it to literally close the surface. This is, in fact, something that you can do at any point in time, regardless of the season. For example, if you’re going away for a while, you could put the pool cover on to keep it relatively clean from outdoor dust and debris.

Closing a pool also means turning off the power. Flipping the switch saves on electricity too, so this is something you can definitely consider. Closing a pool, therefore, is something more of a temporary fix that you can do as often as needed, without any major obstacle to your enjoyment of the pool should you want to start using it again.

Winterizing a Pool 

On the other hand, pool winterization involves preparing the pool for a complete shutdown throughout the cooler seasons. This means that all equipment is turned off, water is drained from the lines and vessels, and the accessories are removed. 

Basically, a winterized pool is completely out of commission for the next few months. Especially in places where it gets really cold, it’s crucial to winterize a pool because some real damage could occur otherwise.

For example, if the water lines or vessels are not drained, the water left inside could freeze and expand, leading to vessel damage in the long run. To prevent this from happening, your pool professional will use an air blower to make sure that the insides of the pipes are all dried up once it’s shut down.

Winterizing a pool could also make use of pool covers. However, it’s going to be a bit different from the regular pool covers that you simply roll over on the surface when you want to temporarily close it. A winterizing pool cover comprises either a solid material or a mesh type that you attach over the entire pool surface. 

These materials are specifically made to withstand the cold and the weight of the snow, so it’s definitely a great idea to invest in these for your pool, particularly for those who experience heavy winters. 

 

Top Rated Pool Filters of 2022

A pool filter is a filtration component that removes contaminants and bacteria from the pool water. A pool filter is vital for the overall function of a swimming pool since it eliminates the hazy glow and debris from the pool water. 

Using a pool filter for your pool water ensures that the water is crystal clear and free from bacteria that might potentially cause some health hazards. There are certainly quite a few types of pool filters that differ in functionality. However, 2022 has presented some of the best pool filters for your pool.

Best Pool Filters 2022 

The best type of pool filter depends on its capability to filter out the tiniest bits of contaminants, bacteria and debris. Three types of pool filters have gained popularity in 2022. They include sand pool filters, cartridge pool filters and diatomaceous earth (D.E.) pool filters.

Each of the types mentioned above has its pros and cons in functionality. Also, they all vary in price, size, style and filtration replacement frequency. For instance, the sand pool filter works efficiently in a larger pool and does not clog easily compared to the other types of filters.

Also, sand pool filters are easily affordable and require minimal maintenance. They usually grab and filter larger particles that are 20 microns or more. So, if you are looking to eliminate more significant bacteria or debris from your pool, the sand pool filter is the best. On the other hand, the cartridge pool filter is quite expensive compared to the sand pool filter.

Its efficiency also increases on a smaller pool. The cartridge pool filter captures and filters debris as small as 10 microns. After cleaning out the pool, the cartridge filter will require cleaning by removing it from the tank and spraying it with a hose to remove build-up and dirt.

The diatomaceous earth (D.E.) pool filter is the most expensive type of pool filter, which also requires intensive maintenance. This pool filter captures the tiniest bits of particles as small as 5 microns. It works similarly to a sand pool filter but uses fine powder to capture particles instead of water. 

How to Choose the Right Pool Filter

Choosing the right pool filter is incredibly important for the proper functionality of your pool. A pool filter should also go hand in hand with the size of the pool pump. A pump and filter should be compatible, and neither should be more potent than the other.

Also, a filter should have a higher flow rate than the pump’s flow rate to avoid damage to the filter. The right pool filter should also be selected based on the pool’s capacity. The right pool filter should be able to clean up all the dirt and debris within a maximum of 8 hours.

Are You a Pool Owner? Would You Love to Get Your Pool Cleaned by Professionals?

Welcome to Avanti Pools, Inc, a popularly known company based in Los Angeles with over 20 years of experience cleaning pools, designing and constructing swimming pools and spas, etc. We have a professional team of experts with more than 60 years of experience in engineering, pool design and construction. Call us today to get your pool looking sparkling clean and free of debris.

Pool Design Trends for the New Year

Will this be the year you invest in a pool for you and your family? Looking to add some new things to your existing pool? Pool design trends have changed a lot over the last few years, so be sure to ask your pool contractor what they recommend for your home before you get your heart set on one specific thing.

To give you some ideas, we’ve covered several of the most popular modern pool design trends below.

Light your pool at night with LED lighting

LED lighting for pools has only grown in popularity. Sure, it’s fun to use a pool during the day—but sometimes you and your family may want to go for a night swim. LED lights create the perfect mood for those nighttime swimming sessions. With LED lights installed in your pool, you won’t have to worry about bumping into the edges or losing things at the bottom.

Modern LED lights are long-lasting and energy efficient. They also come in a variety of colors, so you can easily pick something that fits your unique style.

Consolidate space with smaller pools

Not everyone has room for a large pool in their backyard; however, a smaller yard shouldn’t keep you from getting your dream pool. One of the most popular recent pool design trends is smaller pools. Even people with smaller yards can install cocktail pools and plunge pools.

While you may not have room to swim laps in a cocktail or plunge pool, they offer the perfect place to relax after a long day. Plus, you won’t have to spend hours maintaining and cleaning a smaller pool. Smaller pools are also cheaper to install.

Architectural pools perfectly match your home’s style

If you want a cohesive flow from your home to your pool, consider an architectural design. Architectural pools feature clean, straight lines and serve as an extension of your home.

Simplify maintenance by automating your pool

Modern technology makes it easy to control your pool’s temperature, adjust the timing of the pool filter and turn on any LED lights. With a good pool automation system, you can control just about everything via a simple app. You can even pair many pool automation systems with Amazon Alexa. Ask your pool contractor which automation system they recommend for your needs.

Invest in the perfect pool

You should never settle when it comes to designing the perfect pool. Use the pool design trends mentioned above to help you come up with great ideas for your pool. Once you have a few ideas in mind, contact a reputable pool contractor to discuss. An experienced contractor can help you perfect your ideas.

If you’re interested in updating your pool or installing a new one, get in touch with the team at Avanti Pools, Inc. We have years of experience in installing beautiful pools of all shapes and sizes. We’ll work closely with you to design the perfect pool for your home. Contact us today for an estimate on your new pool or additional features.

Do I Really Need a Pool Cover?

Do I Really Need a Pool Cover?

Pools require maintenance all year round. However, what do you do with your pool during the offseason? Many pool owners are unsure whether they should use a pool cover during the winter. You may even have other questions regarding pool winterization. When it comes to choosing the right cover for your pool, there are certain things you should consider and additional factors that should help give you some clarity about the process in general.

Pool Covers

If you reside in a climate where you have to keep your pool closed during the winter months, or for a long period of time, having a pool cover is a must. Some climates that are warmer can opt for lighter covers or various protection styles. However, regardless of your climate, you need to make sure that your pool is covered when it is not being used. This will protect your pool from debris. Additionally, the liner and other equipment will remain protected from various weather elements during the off-season.

You can also choose from a variety of pool covers for the winter depending on your needs. Be sure to weigh all of your options to find the most appropriate coverage.

Choosing a Pool Cover

How can you make your pool cover installation easy? You can do this by choosing the right cover for your needs. This is mostly a personal choice, but you must make sure your cover fits your entire pool and is created for your particular reason.

You can choose the right pool cover by checking out some reviews and various products to see which one you like the best. Ground pools and above-ground pools will have different cover options to choose from. You will have many options to choose from, such as mesh and solid covers, safety covers, winter covers and much more. Depending on your climate, the type of cover you need may vary.

Chemicals & Draining

When it comes to chemicals for your pool, you will have a variety of winterizing kits and products that you can choose from. Kits for non-chlorine pools and pools with chlorine are available. Kits also come with rust protection, algaecide and shock treatment to make sure that your pool remains protected throughout the season. Kits are also available in various sizes depending on the size of your pool. This will ensure your pool receives the appropriate amount of chemicals.

Also, you won’t have to drain your pool. When you are preparing to close your pool up for the winter, you may need to lower the level of the water, but you should avoid draining it completely.

Pools that are above ground are created to push inwards against the force of the water it holds. This means that these pools don’t have a way to keep the walls intact if there is no water in them.  

Additionally, you should remember that above-ground pools need the same level of protection as in-ground pools. You will still drain only half of the water from your above-ground pool before covering it.