Four Questions to Ask Yourself Before Proceeding with New Pool Construction in Los Angeles, CA

The preparation phase is the most important part of building a swimming pool, which includes working together with a pool designer, builder and contractor to help you decide on the overall look of your pool. But while you’ll have a swimming pool builder by your side to walk you through the design process, it’s can be very helpful to have a general idea of what you want going into the project.

The following are four good questions to ask yourself before diving feet-first into plans for new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA.

Why do you want a swimming pool?

One backyard swimming pool design may work for one person but not another. For instance, a swimming pool designed for exercising will look very different from a pool meant primarily for backyard entertainment. Or, if your goal is to have a pool to float around in to relax while enjoying your beautiful garden, you will want a personalized design. Looking for a design to accommodate water therapy? Consider a combination swimming pool and spa!

Who will be using the pool?

Here’s the thing—a pool designed to provide a romantic time for a couple is going to look quite different from a pool designed for a family with children. Homeowners who entertain guests often, but also want a pool that caters to them on all other days, should consider a pool design that is able to accommodate swimmers of all ages. For example, there may be a shallow area for small children, railings for the physically challenged, underwater speakers for general entertainment, underwater lights for night swimmers and a pool deck big enough for folks who want to lay out and tan.

Can your backyard accommodate a pool?

One of the first things you should do before drawing out a pool design or putting down a down payment on pool construction services is perform a soil test. This tells you if the area is suitable and safe for pool construction. Factors like sandy, rocky or expansive soil will stand out to pool builders, as these present serious building concerns, and a high water table can greatly increase construction costs. Additionally, your proposed site may be inaccessible to the heavy machinery needed to dig the hole for the pool.

Where do you want to install the pool?

First and foremost, contact your county or city and ask about pool building ordinances in your area—they can tell you all you need to know about the zoning and building laws that apply to your property. Out of concern for water runoff, there could be restrictions on how much of your yard can be covered in a material like decking and pools, as well as the direction it slopes. Local underground gas, electric, cable, sewer, telephone and water lines could also influence your pool’s location. You might also be required to install a fence around your pool.

Contact the team at Avanti Pools, Inc. for more information about new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, or to schedule a consultation.

Benefits of Switching to LED Pool Lighting

These days, you have a seemingly endless supply of options when it comes to building pools and spas. You can make custom choices about the construction of your pool, down to the very last detail. This gives you a lot of latitude to select options that meet your specific preferences and needs. Many people are choosing to forgo the old-fashioned incandescent flood lamp lighting in favor of modern LED lighting. LED lights offer superior lighting and are far more efficient than traditional pool lighting. You can enjoy several great benefits when you make the switch from traditional pool lighting to LED lights with help from a pool builder in Los Angeles, CA:

At Avanti Pools, Inc., we understand how important it is to utilize new technology that offers superior function, efficiency and aesthetics, and we love helping our customers realize all of the benefits of LED lighting. We have nearly two decades of experience as a pool builder in Los Angeles, CA, and we are equipped to handle even the most challenging projects. Whether you want to have a brand-new pool built for your home or you want to make improvements to your existing pool, we would be happy to help. Give us a call to schedule a consultation.

Some Alternative Pool Finishes to Consider

Every time you make a change to your home, you get the opportunity to express your personal style with custom features and unique designs. Building a pool affords you the opportunity to create an amazing space where you can entertain guests and spend quality time with your family, and it also gives you the opportunity to design something that’s truly one-of-a-kind.

There are lots of ways that you can customize your new pool, including by selecting alternative pool finishes. Pools have traditionally been finished with plaster, but lots of people are choosing different materials that offer additional benefits:

With so many options to choose from when it comes to pool finishes—not to mention all of the other choices you’ll have to make about your pool design—you might feel overwhelmed by the process of new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA. Luckily, the professional team at Avanti Pools, Inc. specializes in helping turn our clients’ dream pool or spa into a reality. We have been in business since 1999 and we are proud to be locally owned and operated. We have a knowledgeable team made up of design and engineering experts who can plan and design a beautiful pool that is conducive to your space, preferences and budget. Call us today to get started on a brand-new pool or spa that you will be proud to show off to your family and friends.

How Does a Solar Pool Heater Work?

One of the hot topics surrounding swimming pool design today is the installation of a solar pool heater instead of a traditional electric heater. Many people are shifting their focus to greener, more sustainable amenities—not to mention systems that require little to no maintenance and have quieter operation. Solar pool heaters fit the bill on all accounts!

When trying to understand how a solar pool heater differs from a traditional electric one, many homeowners will first consult with their swimming pool contractors in Los Angeles, CA. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of jargon that might be confusing, and it’s not always easy to understand the nuances of a solar collection system.

Breaking Down the Solar Heating System

To make it easier to understand, we’ve broken down a basic solar pool heating system step by step below and simplified it. If you’re interested in making this eco-friendly upgrade to your pool, take a look at the process of how a solar heater works:

  1. Water is pumped out of your pool, where it’s run through a filter to remove any debris. Once it passes through the filter, it’s pumped to the next stage of the circuit where it will become heated.
  2. Sunlight is collected by a solar panel array, generally located on your roof or other nearby sloped structure. Within the solar panel is a conduit, where water runs through the collection panels and becomes heated by the sunlight being absorbed.
  3. Once heated, the water is returned to the pool. The process is cyclical, meaning water is always being pumped out and returned to the pool, creating a circuit of heated water that’ll keep your pool warm.

The process isn’t really as easy as 1-2-3, but the concept is. There are a lot of intermediate parts to consider as well, including a flow control valve that dictates how much water is being pumped out of the pool.

Additional Variables to Consider

There are also a ton of individual variables to consider with a solar collection system—each of which can have an impact on how effective the system is. For example, the tilt of your solar panels can determine how much UV light is being captured, just like the size of the solar panel can determine how much conduit is run and how long the water is heated. Even something simple like adjustment of the flow control valve can determine the flow rate of water being sucked out, which affects the temperature that it’s heated to!

All of this is to say that solar pool heating isn’t as easy as hooking up a few panels to a pump! It’s a complex process best left to swimming pool contractors in Los Angeles, CA, and one that needs to be adjusted based on the size and capacity of your specific swimming pool. Getting the most out of your investment in a solar heating solution only pays off when all of the variables are properly calibrated and coordinated properly throughout your system.

Five Great Advantages to Solar Heating for Pools

Renewable energy is something that’s becoming easier and easier for homeowners to integrate into their daily lives. Whether it’s using a solar charger for their smartphone or driving an electric vehicle, the technology powering consumer renewable energy products is only getting better.

If you’re a pool owner or are speaking with a pool builder in Los Angeles, CA about installing a pool on your property, there’s yet another renewable energy opportunity you can take advantage of: solar heating for pools. With the power of the sun and some new-age technology, you can heat your pool without skyrocketing your energy bills. But that’s not the only reason to choose solar heating for your pool—take a look at five great advantages you’ll discover once you hop on the solar energy bandwagon:

  1. Lower cost: Instead of using electrical energy to heat your pool, you’ll be relying on the warming power of the sun—which can actually provide the same level of heat at a fraction of the cost! In many systems, the only cost you’ll pay is for the initial setup of the equipment; energy generation is generally close to free.
  2. Better investment: Alongside cost, it’s also important to think about lifetime value. Properly maintained, a pool will last you close to a lifetime with resurfacing and treatment. Think about all of the energy consumed over time to heat your pool and the cost that might come with it at the hand of an electric heater. Solar allows you to satisfy your demand for heat, without drawing out all of the cost, making it a better long-term investment for your pool and your pocketbook.
  3. Heat on demand: Modern solar technology is great because it can bank energy. This means you can heat your pool on a cloudy day, even if there’s not a great amount of sunshine. UV rays are also present on a cloudy day! And, if your system banks energy, even when UV light is mitigated, it’ll be able to draw from its stored supply of energy without incurring huge costs.
  4. Environmentally friendly: If you’re interested in green energy, there’s a good chance it’s because you care about the environment. For environmental friendliness, there’s nothing better than solar power! Because you’re not using energy from the grid, you’ll be directly responsible for lower energy demand, which means doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint.
  5. Quiet operation: Electric pool heaters can be loud! Imagine trying to lounge in your pool while there’s a steady hum or buzz of an electric heater in the background. It can be enough to ruin the mood. Solar panel heaters are the opposite—they’re silent! It may be a simple benefit to choosing green energy, but it’s one you’re sure to appreciate in the long run.

Talk to your pool builder in Los Angeles, CA about installing a solar heater and start reaping the advantages listed above. You’ll get the heated pool you demand, along with better cost effectiveness, quiet operation and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re making an environmentally-friendly choice.