When you first started considering constructing a pool, you probably envisioned hot summer days soaking up the sun and cooling off in a beautiful blue swimming pool. While this vision can be a reality for pool owners, there is a little work involved in getting your pool ready for summer. With a little maintenance and cleaning after winter is over—and some help from your pool contractors in Los Angeles, CA—you can get your pool back in shape and transform it into a true summer oasis right in your backyard:
- Start early: While post-winter pool maintenance might not be the most appealing item on your to-do list, it’s important not to wait too long to get started. Warm weather provides ideal conditions for bacteria and algae to grow and multiply in your pool. Getting started early prevents excessive algae growth and can save you extra work in getting your pool cleaned up later on.
- Stock up on all necessary items: Any chemicals you will need, along with a pool skimmer, a brush and water testing strips, should all be on hand when you start getting your pool ready for summer. Having all of the necessary items on hand will save you return trips to a pool supply store and will help your pool cleaning and preparation run smoothly and efficiently.
- Get your filter running: No matter what the condition of your water is when you start preparing your pool for summer, your first priority should be getting your filter running. Run your filter until the water in your pool is completely clear, and then begin running it on a normal cycle again.
- Test your water: To get an idea about the condition of your pool water, it’s important to test it. Test kits and test strips can be purchased from a local pool supply store and are essential in determining the condition of your pool water before you can begin using it.
- Clean your pool cover and store it: In order to prevent any mold, mildew or bacterial growth on your pool cover when it’s not in use, it’s recommended that the pool cover be cleaned as soon as possible after removal from the pool. For a thorough cleaning, lay your cover out on a flat surface and use a brush and soap to scrub the entire cover before storing it. It’s best to store your pool cover in a plastic container with a lid so that it is protected from dust and damage while it is not in use.
While pool cleaning is never a particularly pleasant chore, you can make the process easier on yourself with help from pool contractors in Los Angeles, CA. Avanti Pools, Inc. has been providing customers with the best in pool design and construction as well as sanitation systems that help maintain crystal clear water in your swimming pool. As trusted pool contractors in Los Angeles, CA, we are dedicated to providing each of our customers with the best service possible. For more information about our wide range of services, contact us today!
Even in climates that are warmer than most year-round, when the outside temperatures drop, so too will the temperature of the water in your pool. To extend your swimming season and enjoy your pool throughout the majority of the year, consider talking to your pool designer in Los Angeles, CA about adding solar heating.
How does it work?
The solar heating system is simple by design, and it is this minimalism that allows you to keep operating and maintenance costs low. The water is extracted from your pool using a pump that pushes the water through a filter that removes any debris or contaminants. The filtered water then travels to the solar collectors, which warms the water up using the heat from the sun, and this warm water is then returned to the pool.
Unmatched savings
The addition of a solar powered pool heating system will save you money in several different ways. Using the sun’s energy to heat your pool means that the costs that are typically associated with the electric or gas fueled heaters will be gone. Because of solar power’s ability to sufficiently warm the pool’s water naturally, these heaters will also require less maintenance over the course of their lifespan, which could be up to 20 years.
With all of the savings that result from reduced energy bills and very little maintenance, the heating system could begin paying for itself in as little as two years, allowing you to begin seeing a return on your upfront costs relatively quickly. Above all else, you will be able to enjoy your pool much more frequently throughout the year, allowing you to capitalize on the even larger investment you made in your pool initially.
Good for the environment
If you are interested in reducing your carbon footprint, in addition to saving money, then a solar heater is definitely right for you, as solar energy is one of the cleanest ways to power many different things. Due to the lack of external resources such as gas infiltrating the process, solar heating eliminates the dangerous carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, and you will be directly contributing to a healthier planet while also creating a safer environment for your family to enjoy your pool.
You can also reduce the noise that typically comes with the loud humming of other heating systems for both you and your neighbors. Solar heating systems run much quieter than other types, establishing the ideal mood for pure relaxation. Between the efficiency, the low cost and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re doing something good for the environment, it’s hard to envision a more pleasant pool experience!
It is time to put the sun to full use, and talk to your pool designer in Los Angeles, CA about installing a solar heating system for your pool. Avanti Pools, Inc. has been the leader in pool and hot tub installations in the area for nearly 20 years, so if you are ready to extend the lengths your pool can go to, make sure you give us a call today. We look forward to assisting you!
Chlorine is frequently used for pool cleaning, but this strong chemical often comes with negative side effects. Here are some sanitation options that you can use with your new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA that can either reduce your chlorine use, or eliminate it altogether:
- Copper ionization: The copper ionization approach is two-headed. The oxidation process gets rid of all of the organic materials that may not be visible in the water, but could still pose a threat to the condition of your pool. Copper is also added to the pool water in order to sanitize and get rid of all of the remaining types of elements that may be present in your water. After both of these processes take place, the crystal clear water is then pumped back into the pool, ready for you and your family to enjoy. This mixture is particularly effective in keeping algae at bay, and is a good choice if you want a chlorine-free pool, although low levels of chlorine can be used to increase the system’s effeciency if you choose.
- Ozone with tablet feeder system: Introducing ozone tablets into your pool system is one of the quickest, most powerful ways to sanitize your pool. When ozone is fed into your pool water, it has the ability to destroy multiple types of organisms that are brought to the pool, including bacteria and algae, as well as lotion, sweat and body oils. Ozone will gradually revert back to its natural state of oxygen as it comes into contact with all of these organisms, so it is usually used in conjuction with other chemicals. But because ozone is so effective, by the time you do need to introduce additional chemicals to your pool, most of the work will already be done, allowing you to reduce the usage of these chemicals by up to 70 percent.
- Salt chlorination: The ionic compound salt is a combination of both sodium and chloride, and these two can work together very efficiently to keep your pool free of harmful contaminants. When salt is added to your pool filter, it is dissolved into the water, and only the chlorine is left. This chlorine, however, is a tamer, more natural form of chlorine than that normally used in pools. It is still more than capable of getting the job done, though, and your pool will still be spotless without experiencing the presence of strong odors or some of the other byproducts that come along with the use of harsh chlorine chemicals. This is a very balanced way to filter your pool’s water, and because of this consistency, very little maintenance will be needed on your part. You can say goodbye to the days of lugging heavy buckets of chlorine back and forth in your backyard, as well as the constant checking of chemical levels in your pool once a week.
To learn more about these sanitation options and find out which one will work best with your new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, contact Avanti Pools, Inc. In addition to in-depth knowledge about these sanitation options, we have experience with pool installations of all different shapes and sizes. Give us a call today so you can get the most out of your new pool!
So, you’ve finally been able to install the beautiful in-ground pool that you’ve always dreamed of! The design is perfect, the installation impeccable, but the final product is not quite everything you dreamed it would be. What many new pool owners fail to realize is that even the most stylish and exquisite pool is still just a hole in the ground without the right landscaping.
Landscaping around your pool is the difference between something that looks like the outdoor pool at a hotel and a pool that looks like a lush oasis. However, knowing what type of plants to use around your pool can be challenging. As experts in pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, we know a thing or two about designing backyard havens. Here are six tips for choosing the right plants to create the perfect landscape for your pool:
- Choose plants that provide some privacy: Pools should be secluded enough that you can relax without worrying about nosy neighbors looking on. The right plants, such as climbing vines or small shrubs, can help you achieve a certain amount of privacy around your pool area.
- Don’t use plants that have spreading roots: Avoid using plants that are prone to have spreading roots around your pool. Spreading roots from small plants can damage the stone or tiles around the circumference of your pool, and roots from trees can even damage the very foundations of your investment.
- The plants you choose should like sunlight: The water’s surface reflects light, as do the materials used around your pool. That’s why it’s essential that the plants you choose to put around your pool can handle the heat and the excessive sunlight.
- Choose plants that can stand up to chlorine: Because chlorine and other chemicals are in pool water, water splashing can cause damage such as bleached leaves, or even slowly kill certain types of plants. You’ll want to use hardy plants that can stand up to a little chemical water every now and then.
- Don’t choose plants that attract bees: There are two reasons you don’t want bee-attracting plants around your pool. First, you don’t want a lot of bees stinging swimmers or getting in the way of poolside barbecues. Second, bees can also end up drowning in your pool, which is annoying to clean up and also harmful to the ecosystem.
- Stay away from plants that drop too many leaves: The last thing you want is to have to clean a bunch of leaves out of your pool every day or deal with a frequently clogged filter. Choose plants that aren’t going to be dropping tons of leaves into your pool. Too many leaves just add work for you and your pool system.
Choosing the right plants to create your poolside oasis can be challenging, but with a few pointers from your local experts in pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, you can make your vision of the perfect pool into a reality. Contact Avanti Pools, Inc. today to learn more!
(818) 501-3759