A swimming pool is the perfect new addition to your yard that can transform the space into a wonderful oasis. It can provide your family and friends with the perfect location to congregate for relaxation, recreation, and fun. Before you make the final decision to add a pool to your yard, consider a few points so that make the most informed decision possible.

Adding Value to Your Home

There are many upgrades and improvements that you can make to your home that will add value to your space, but a pool is usually not considered to be one of them. This is an improvement that you add to your yard because you want to enjoy all that it has to offer rather than because you think you will recoup value when you sell it. It may add appeal to the property for some buyers, but other buyers may not want to deal with the cost of upkeep associated with a pool. Therefore, it can be just as appealing to some buyers as it may be unappealing to others.

The Space Required for a Pool

In addition, think about the space that is required for a pool. Even with a small pool on your property, you will need a patio surrounding the pool for ease of use, and you will need space for the equipment that will be used with the pool. A smart idea is to stake out the area on your property where you want the pool to be. Then consider how large you want your surrounding patio to be. Think about available green space that will remain that can be used for pets or for kids to run around and play on.

There are other factors to consider as well, including the cost, the time, the slope of the yard, and more. When you take into account all factors, you will be able to better determine if adding a pool to your property is a wise decision or not.

4 TIPS FOR BUILDING YOUR DREAM IN-GROUND POOL

6 Essential Steps to Prepare Your Swimming Pool for Summer

Keeping Your Pool Water Crystal Clear

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Do you need a company to take care of your pool? Before you decide, you might want to take a look at what goes into keeping your pool area looking like a slice of paradise:

Water Balance

Before you submerge your whole body in a pool, you want to make sure the water is balanced, i.e., with optimal pH and degree if alkalinity. The pH level, measured on a scale of 1 to 14, tells you if the water is too acidic (low numbers) or too basic (high numbers). A pH level of 7 is considered neutral, and the ideal range for your pool is 7.4 to 7.6 (that’s a relatively narrow range). It’s important to stay on top of this measurement because the pH of your pool is continually changing.

Alkalinity, which helps keep the pH from fluctuating wildly, should fall between 100 to 150 parts per million (ppm). Are you prepared with a test kit, chemicals (pH increaser or decreaser), and time to make the necessary adjustments weekly?

Sanitation

As it probably is not possible to overemphasize the importance of cleanliness too much, the same holds for pool maintenance as well. Chlorine is the most common chemical used for keeping a pool clean because it kills algae and bacteria cheaply and effectively. The ideal chlorine concentration is 3ppm. There are various ways you can add chlorine to pool water, but if you’re not sure how, or you’d prefer not to handle chemicals, you could hire a pool maintenance professional to take care of the task for you.

Another duty you must perform to keep that pool clear is to “shock” your water each week. That, according to SwimUniversity.com, means “adding enough chlorine–or non-chlorine shock including Potassium Monopersulfate–to reach breakpoint oxidation.” This process breaks down the bacteria and organic material that chlorine kills in your pool.

While the tasks aren’t particularly difficult, you do have to complete them regularly. If you believe you have a handle on all of these duties, then you can lounge by your pool, admiring the crystal-clear water and the hard work you put into achieving it. If not, it doesn’t hurt to ask for a helping hand from a professional pool maintenance company.

4 TIPS FOR BUILDING YOUR DREAM IN-GROUND POOL

6 Essential Steps to Prepare Your Swimming Pool for Summer

The post Keeping Your Pool Water Crystal Clear appeared first on All Custom Pools.

Follow these steps to get your swimming pool ready for the summer.
1. Clear away debris. Before you take off the pool cover, remove as many leaves and as much debris as you can. If water has collected on the pool cover, it should be drained off. After you’ve removed the pool cover, clean it fully and let it completely dry before you store it. Sprinkle the cover with a layer of talcum powder to prevent mold and mildew from building up.
2. Check the water level. The first step after you remove the pool cover is to check the water level. The correct water level is necessary for the pool’s pump to work effectively.
3. Check the pool’s fixtures. Examine any fixtures in your pool to make sure they’re still secure. Check the ladders, diving boards, rails, and steps for loose fittings or other potential concerns.
4. Check your pool equipment. Examine your filters, hoses, and pump to ensure that they’re in working order.
5. Circulate the water. Start your pump and let it run for eight to twelve hours to clean the water.
6. Check and adjust the water chemistry. After you run the circulation system, test your pool water’s pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels. It’s essential to maintain the correct chemical levels to keep the water clean and safe. Check all chemicals at least once every week as long as your pool is open.
Taking proper care of your swimming pool ensures that you’ll be able to enjoy it throughout the summer and for years to come.

4 TIPS FOR BUILDING YOUR DREAM IN-GROUND POOL

The post 6 Essential Steps to Prepare Your Swimming Pool for Summer appeared first on All Custom Pools.

Here are some tips to help you plan building your dream pool.

1. Choose a suitable location

The first thing you need for a pool location is a spot that won’t cause any problems. For instance, you’ll want a spot that’s not swampy or prone to flooding, but also isn’t sloped. Then, you’ll want to ensure the location is convenient for you and your family to get to from your house so you can easily access the pool over the years.

Finally, you’ll need to ensure the location is accessible for any machinery needed to construct the pool, and that you’ll be able to dig there without damaging power lines or other important things.

2. Leave room for expansion or accessories

Building your dream pool now doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never want to change or add anything later. You may want to add on a hot tub later, for instance. So for peace of mind, give some consideration to the possibility of adding features or accessories later on.

3. Include a poolside area

Half the fun of an in-ground pool is lounging on the sunny pool deck. An expansive, attractive, and functional poolside area can add a huge amount of enjoyment to your pool. You’ll be able to add lounge chairs for sunbathing, shaded picnic tables for poolside meals, and other fun features.

You may even want to include a pool house in your designs. This can be a great area to keep pool equipment and accessories and can be a great place to just relax in the shade by the pool.

4. Don’t forget fencing and screens

Fencing to control access to the pool is critical. In some cases, it can literally be a lifesaver. You’ll want to ensure that your pool is well-fenced to keep kids and toddlers from squeezing through or climbing over the fence and gaining access to the pool unsupervised. You’ll also need a strong, sturdy gate that you can keep securely locked.

Screens are another component for your pool. While not as critical as fencing, shade screens can allow you to comfortably enjoy your pool even on scorching summer days. A shade screen can also filter the sunlight to help cut down on glare so you’re not blinded and squinting for your entire swimming session.

These are just a few tips to help you plan the ideal in-ground pool installation for you and your family. For more information about placement, design, and construction of in-ground pools, get in touch with All Custom Pools today.

6 Essential Steps to Prepare Your Swimming Pool for Summer

The post 4 Tips for Building Your Dream In-Ground Pool appeared first on All Custom Pools.