As much as Southern California has a reputation for year-round sunshine, the temperatures can still drop dramatically during the winter. Do you have to winterize your pool when you live in the Los Angeles area?
Most West Coast pool builders will tell you to keep an eye on the temperatures, as that will determine whether you need to take any action. Even if you do winterize your pool, the process will be a lot simpler than it is for homeowners who live in colder areas.
Here are some winterization tips and answers to top pool professionals FAQs.
Is winterization necessary?
Generally, Southern California has a temperate climate. It’s rare to see snow, unless you head up into the mountains or the Grapevine. If the forecast shows a run of freezing weather, then you will definitely want to take precautions to protect your pool. Otherwise, you can simply keep up with your normal pool maintenance schedule.
When the temperature drops below 32°F, your main concern should be running the pump 24 hours a day until the weather warms up again. The water in your in-ground pool will be slightly warmer than the air, so circulating the warmer water constantly can keep the pipes and equipment from freezing. Since water expands when it freezes, it can crack pipes and cause major damage.
You might want to keep your pool heater on low during the freezing weather, just to keep things moving. If your pool equipment has automatic freeze sensors, consider turning those on to protect your pool.
Steps to winterize your pool
West Coast pool builders recommend the following steps:
Clean your pool: First, clean your pool thoroughly to remove dirt and debris. It can affect your pool’s chemistry if left unresolved for long.
Balance the chemistry: To reduce the possibility of etching or scaling, balance your pool water’s chemistry.
Superchlorinate: Superchlorinate your pool to prevent algae formation and staining when it’s not in use. Follow the directions on the package for best results.
Shut down the equipment: Shut down all your pool equipment, clean the filter and empty the pump and skimmer baskets. Turn off the breakers to the pool.
Drain 2 inches of water: Next drain 2 to 2.5 inches of water from the pool, so the water line is well below the skimmer basket and tiles. (Tiles may crack if the water freezes.)
Use a winter pool cover: Finally, invest in a good winter pool cover. This will provide some thermal insulation and keep debris out during the winter.
Following these tips will help prevent freezing in temperate climates. It will also ensure that your pool is practically ready to use as soon as spring weather rolls around. Investing the time in winterizing your pool now will save you a lot of effort later on when you’re ready to dive in once more.
Avanti Pools, Inc. is a West Coast pool builder, creating custom-designed pools and spas. When you’re ready to install or remodel your pool, give us a call right away.
Proper pool maintenance is important, but when you’re new to DIY pool care, you might make a few missteps. One of the most common issues pool owners experience is when their pool turns green. Sometimes even chlorine won’t fix the problem. It’s not safe to swim in a pool filled with algae, as it can cause skin irritation and bacterial infections.
Algae growth can occur when your pool water chemistry is out of balance or if there are issues with the filtration system. When you notice green pool water, address it immediately—or at least before anyone swims in the pool again.
Here are some pool care tips to help you solve the issue:
Prepare the pool: Algae can form when the pool water chemistry is off and there are too many metal elements in the water. Remove everything from the pool, and skim the surface with a skimmer to get rid of leaves and debris. Let any dirt settle to the bottom.
Test the water: Next test your pool water. This will tell you what (if anything) to add to the water. For example, if your pool water is cloudy, the pH is on the alkaline side. You’ll need to add hydrochloric acid to the water to neutralize it. You want the pH levels to be around 7, even in a saltwater pool.
Shock the pool: Next shock the pool by adding liquid chlorine, according to package directions. Distribute the chlorine around the pool as evenly as possible; then turn on the filter. Let it circulate several hours before you start cleaning the pool. You may want to use an algaecide for best results. Then you can brush the pool to get rid of the algae and other debris.
Pump and filter the water: If your pool water is still green after following the steps above, there may be a problem with the filter. Check the filter to make sure there are no clogs; then let it run for several days until the water turns clear once more. If you want to filter the water in a hurry, backwash the filter four times.
Make sure you have the right filter: Finally, if all else fails, check your filter to see if it needs to be replaced. If you have a sand filter, check and backwash the filter each day until the water is clean. For cartridge filters, see if the cartridge needs to be replaced; then run the filter twice per day until the pool is completely clean.
Sometimes pool chemistry can present a challenge. If you’re having trouble balancing its chemistry, call a pool maintenance contractor for help. DIY pool care can save money, but sometimes it’s best to call in the experts. Proper pool maintenance is the key to preserving and enjoying your pool for years to come.
When we think about investing in ourselves, most people usually think of taking care of their mental and physical health, getting a new wardrobe and haircut or learning a new skill. Water features rarely make the list—but maybe they should. Water features are a unique swimming pool design idea, but it can also contribute to your peace of mind and enjoyment.
Here’s how a water feature can benefit you, straight from LA’s premier swimming pool contractors.
Benefits of a water feature
Some of the biggest benefits water features can provide include:
Meditative qualities: Listening to water is one of the most soothing sounds on earth, which is why waves, rain and other running water sounds are frequently used to inspire relaxation. When you have a water feature in your pool, you can bring that relaxation straight to your own backyard. Enjoy the soothing sounds of water—and a deeper meditative state.
Negative ions: We’re surrounded by electric devices every day, which are usually charged with positive ions. Exposure to positive ions can make you feel tired, lethargic or even exacerbate your allergies. Negative ions, on the other hand, can have positive effects on your body and mood. It’s why it’s so soothing to be on the beach or near a roaring waterfall. Water features are good sources of negative ions and may even reduce depression.
Relax the brain and inspire creativity: The sound of water is relaxing, and when you’re relaxed, your creativity can resurface. Having a water feature in your backyard will not only expose you to negative ions and relax your brain, but it might even help you solve a problem or get creative inspiration for your next big screenplay.
Enjoyment in your outdoor space: Finally, any time you improve your outdoor space, you’re investing in your own enjoyment. Whether you plan to enjoy your water feature on your own or host gatherings for others, you’re bound to love your backyard more than ever.
Unique swimming pool design ideas
Now that you know the more unusual benefits of installing a water feature, you can start deciding which one you want.
Waterfalls are by far the most popular water feature, especially since they provide running water sounds and nice aesthetic qualities. You can have your water feature built with a slide, natural or artificial rock or even a weeping wall, which extends the waterfall.
If you really want to take your pool to the next level, consider installing a waterfall and a grotto behind it. You can sit in the grotto and watch the waterfall, which is quite relaxing. Even better, your waterfall and grotto can be designed to house a hot tub. You’ll have the most popular backyard in town.
When you’re ready to design and install a water feature, don’t settle for just anyone. Call Avanti Pools, Inc. We’re LA’s premier swimming pool contractors, and we have years of experience creating backyard havens. Get in touch with us today to get started.
A beautiful swimming pool is a great feature for any home, but there are clearly some routine maintenance considerations to keep in mind if you want to keep the water clear and all related equipment running efficiently. If you maintain your pool yourself, you need to take on the role of janitor and chemist simultaneously. While removing debris like twigs and bugs is easy, balancing pool water chemicals can be a difficult job. Here’s what you need to know about maintaining consistent pool pH levels so you can safely enjoy your investment.
What happens when pool pH levels get too high?
A pool’s pH is a measure of the water’s balance between acidity and alkalinity, and maintaining a consistent balance is crucial for safe swimming. Water pH ranges from 1 to 14, and lower numbers indicate higher water acidity, while high numbers indicate increased alkalinity. The right pH for all pools lies right in the middle, between about 7.3 and 7.6 pH. At these levels, your equipment will run optimally, and you’ll enjoy the cleanest possible water in your pool.
When pH levels get too high, and the water becomes alkaline, the effectiveness of chlorine is significantly reduced, making it harder to kill harmful pathogens in the pool. Alkaline water can also cause skin rashes, cloudy water and a buildup of scale on pool equipment. Left for too long, the scaling can render your equipment completely ineffective and put a strain on the most important element of a pool: the water circulation system.
Remember that the higher the alkalinity in your pool water, the harder it is to bring it all back in balance. The moment your pool water tests for a high pH is the moment you need to take action—it can save you significant time, money and hassle in the long run.
How can you bring an alkaline pool back in balance?
If your pool water has tested for a high pH, you need to add a chemical additive called pH reducer, or pH minus, to the pool water. These chemicals contain either muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate, both of which work to reduce pH levels. They’re readily available at pool supply stores, home improvement stores and online. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the correct amount of reducer to use for the volume of your pool and its current pH level.
If you choose a reducer that contains muriatic acid, be sure to handle with great care. This powerful chemical comes in a liquid form, so you need to follow the manufacturer’s directions for safe handling, applying and storing of the chemical.
Sodium bisulfate-based chemicals, on the other hand, come in dry form and are easier and safer to handle than muriatic acid. It should also be handled carefully, though, and you should wear protective eye and skin coverings and a mask to avoid inhalation of the granules.
It takes skill, patience and a watchful eye to keep pool pH levels balanced. Learn more about proper swimming pool care and maintenance by contacting Avanti Pools, Inc. today. We build self-cleaning pools that eliminate your worries about balancing chemicals, allowing you to get hassle-free enjoyment from your investment.
Want to get more use out of your pool? While cool pool water is always appreciated during the hot temperatures of summer, an unheated pool is an unpleasant experience on chillier days. Investing in swimming pool heaters is a wise decision, allowing you to enjoy your pool during cooler temperatures.
How can you heat up your pool as quickly as possible? Some pool heating solutions are more efficient than others. Get to know your options below.
Gas heaters
When it comes to swimming pool heaters, a gas heater is the best option in terms of performance. Think about the volume of water in your pool—there’s a lot of water that needs to be heated in order to raise the temperature even a single degree. Most pool heaters take an entire day to increase the water temperature by around 3 degrees, on average. In contrast, gas heaters only take an hour to raise the temperature of the entire pool by the same amount.
Overall, gas heaters get the job done quickly, but not necessarily efficiently. As you might expect, gas heaters burn through a lot of gas to heat a pool. In terms of coefficient of performance (COP), gas heaters have a low ranking, which means they’re not the most efficient of heaters. The bottom line is that gas heaters are expensive to operate, and you’ll be spending more for the convenience of faster heating.
Electric heaters
Electric resistance pool heaters also provide quick on-demand heating for a pool. They work like a typical electric stove, relying on a heating element instead of gas power to heat your pool water. While electric heaters heat up a pool very fast, they’re the least cost-effective option, and you’ll need to prepare for higher utility bills if you want the convenience these models offer.
Floor return lines
A pool’s return lines carry water from a pool heater into the pool. While most return lines are located near the surface of the water, it’s more efficient to place return lines near the bottom of the pool, since heat naturally rises. The coldest part of a pool is always near the bottom, and installing floor return lines in this area can eliminate cold spots in the pool water and allow you to maintain a comfortable, consistent temperature throughout the pool.
A word about solar covers
Solar covers are an incredibly effective way to lock in heat and make your pool more energy efficient. They create a barrier that not only locks in heat, but also reduces water evaporation. By investing in a quality solar cover, you’ll be able to keep the water in your pool at a consistent warm temperature without needing to run your heater ragged.
There are many types of swimming pool heaters on the market that can make swimming an enjoyable experience every time. Need help determining which heating solution is right for your pool? Reach out to Avanti Pools, Inc. today and discover the best choice for your needs, your budget and your pool care habits.
(818) 501-3759