When Do I Start Winter Pool Maintenance?
As the air gets crisp, the leaves begin to fall, and stores start stocking Christmas decorations alongside Halloween candy, it’s impossible to ignore the signals that winter is just around the corner. For pool owners, this seasonal shift prompts an important question: when is the right time to start winter pool maintenance? The answer depends largely on your local climate, whether you live in a region with harsh winters, mild winters, or something in between. Let’s dive into some essential considerations for winter pool maintenance for fiberglass pools based on the climate where you live, helping you keep your pool in top shape as winter approaches. Moderate Climates: Year-Round Pool Care Without Closing In moderate climates, such as Sun Belt or coastal regions, pool owners have the luxury of keeping their pools open year-round. However, this doesn’t mean they can take a hands-off approach to winter maintenance. Even though freezing temperatures aren’t a concern, several important factors remain to consider as the weather cools. Commit to Regular Maintenance: Just because you aren’t swimming as often during the winter doesn’t mean you can ignore the pool. You must still monitor and maintain your water balance even when the pool […]
Read MoreHow Much Do Add-On Features Add to Pool Cost?
When you’re looking into an inground fiberglass pool, pool cost is often one of the first considerations. While resources like pool cost calculators can provide base package pricing, they might not account for add-on features—both essential and non-essential—that can significantly impact your budget. Think of heaters, lighting, tiling, covers, and more. If your dream pool includes all the bells and whistles, this guide will help you understand how much these features might cost so you can plan and budget wisely. LED Pool Lighting LED lights don’t just brighten your pool; they transform it into a stunning nighttime retreat. They provide ambiance and visibility, extending the usability of your pool well into the evening. To achieve the desired effect, you’ll need to calculate the lumens required based on your pool’s size and surface color. You’ll need a minimum of eight lumens per square foot of pool water surface area (which is roughly equivalent to one watt per square foot.) Depending on your pool’s size and the light output (or lumens,) you may need multiple LED pool lights to get the effect you’re after. Keep in mind that the pool surface color can also impact light visibility. The darker the pool surface […]
Read MoreHow to Close a Pool For Winter
HOW TO CLOSE A POOL FOR WINTER This too, shall pass. For those of us who live for the juxtaposition of the warm sun and luxurious cool pool water while living in a state with four seasons, waiting out the winter is a necessary evil. And making sure you are ready to enjoy your pool as soon as possible means closing your pool properly for the winter. If you live in a state with a freeze/thaw cycle, you may be wondering, “What does a pool closing include?” Some questions to consider when learning how to close a pool for winter may include: How do you know when to close the pool for the winter (i.e. what month do you close a pool? Why is winter water level maintenance important? How far down do you drain your pool for winter? How low should pool water be in winter? How high should pool water be in winter? And can you winterize the pool without draining? What to put in the pool before closing? What chemicals do you need to close a pool for the winter? Do you need antifreeze to close the pool for winter? Should you shock the pool before closing? […]
Read MoreHow to Avoid Common Pool Maintenance Mistakes
Whether you’re a new pool owner or have owned one for years, proper pool maintenance ensures your inground pool remains a sparkling oasis, extends its lifespan, and minimizes costly repairs. If you’re a fiberglass pool owner, you probably have heard that fiberglass pools are the lower maintenance option among pool types. However, lower maintenance does not mean no maintenance. The following tips can help you avoid the common mistakes people make when caring for their inground pool. Video 1 Tip 1: Balance your Water with Fiberglass In Mind Failing to monitor water chemistry regularly is one of the most common—and most costly—mistakes pool owners make. The water may look crystal clear, but that doesn’t mean it’s maintained properly. Poor water chemistry and balance can silently cause scaling, chalking, and permanent damage to your fiberglass pool’s surface. With fiberglass, focus on the chemistry that matters most: Maintain pH between 7.2–7.4 Keep calcium hardness below 120 ppm (If above 120 ppm, must use a chelating stain/metal and scale control product.) Chlorine should stay between 1–3 ppm Use a stain and scale control product consistently Rather than relying solely on LSI, which was developed with concrete pools in mind, fiberglass pool care […]
Read MoreHow To Choose the Best Pool Maintenance Professional
The greatest joys of owning a swimming pool include the hours of relaxation and swimming in crystal clear water. Proper water chemistry, regular cleaning and systems maintenance for your inground fiberglass pool is essential to keep your pool systems running smoothly and ensure a lifetime of worry-free pool enjoyment. It’s important to find a good pool maintenance professional near you who you can trust to assist you in keeping your pool in tip-top shape so you can sit back and enjoy your investment. They’ll also be your expert guide when it’s time to close your pool for the season. To ensure you’ve got the best person for the job, here’s a list of things to do as you’re searching for and evaluating pool maintenance pros in your area. Ask for recommendations. Ask your local pool installer and any friends or neighbors who have a swimming pool who they use for their swimming pool maintenance and what their experience has been. If your pool installer also happens to offer maintenance and annual opening and closing service, that’s a great place to start. Since they’re the ones most familiar with your pool, they’re the best qualified to service it. Do your […]
Read MoreSeptember Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight: Royal Pools and More, Dyer Indiana
Every month, we chat with Thursday Pools dealers to learn more about their business and what’s trending in their area. This month, we talked to Frank DeBartolo, Jr. of Royal Pools and More in Dyer, Indiana. Tell us a little about yourself and your business. Well, we couldn’t be more of a family affair. My dad, Frank, Sr., started the Royal Pools and More around 2001. Now, we have cousins, uncles, brothers and just about every other relation at some level of the business. And we’ve got 15-20 seasonal employees. What do you love about being in the pool business? I love that we’re in the business of creating fun. I know that sounds corny, but we take a place that’s just basically a patch of grass and we create a space where families will have fun together for many years. That makes me happy. I was in the restaurant business in Chicago for a long time, working in the kitchen. As a chef, you don’t get to see the satisfaction on people’s faces when they’re enjoying what you’ve done. In the pool business, you do. I dig that. What are the most popular features in the fiberglass pools you’re […]
Read MoreHow Do I Start Preparing to Close My Inground Fiberglass Pool?
When temperatures consistently fall below 65 degrees, it’s time to host the final pool parties of the season and start preparing to close your fiberglass pool. Preparing adequately for closing ensures a smooth transition into winter and a more effortless spring opening. To put your best foot forward, observe the following pool maintenance tasks to check off your list before winter. Schedule Your Closing Date Timing is crucial when it comes to pool closing. Contact your pool service company early to schedule a closing date. Taking a proactive approach to saving the date will help ensure you secure a spot before the busy closing season begins. Consider scheduling based on your climate and coordinate the date with other seasonal tasks to maximize efficiency. In colder climates, close the pool consistently before temperatures drop below freezing, typically between late September and mid-October. You may push closing to late October or early November in milder climates. If you live in an area with lots of falling leaves, you might want to close the pool earlier or use a cover to prevent debris buildup. Properly balanced water will reduce the likelihood of algae growth and ensure cleaner water when you reopen the pool […]
Read MoreThe Hidden Costs of Installing an Inground Pool
Installing an inground pool can transform your backyard into a personal oasis, offering a perfect relaxation, exercise, and entertainment spot. While upfront inground pool costs might seem manageable, there are numerous hidden costs that potential pool owners must consider. Understanding these hidden expenses for inground pools will help you make an informed decision and avoid unexpected financial burdens. Initial Installation Costs The initial installation is the most apparent cost. The process of installing an inground pool includes excavation, pool shell, plumbing, electrical work, and landscaping. The price varies significantly based on the pool type (concrete, vinyl, or fiberglass), size, and additional features like waterfalls or lighting. The installation can range from $25,000 to $120,000 on average, but this is just the beginning. Typically, vinyl inground pools are the cheapest way to build an inground pool when it comes to upfront installation costs. Fiberglass would follow next, and then concrete is typically the most expensive. It’s also important to note that these cost estimations are assuming the pool is installed by a professional pool builder. DIY inground pool costs may be less upfront, but if done incorrectly, it could cost you much more down the line to correct mistakes. Excavation […]
Read MoreLarge Fiberglass Pools
Pool owners love fiberglass pools for many reasons. And everyone loves deep and large fiberglass pools. Fiberglass pools are low-maintenance, quick to install and require fewer chemicals. Because fiberglass pools don’t have liners to replace or concrete that will eventually need to be replastered, they have the lowest lifetime cost of ownership over vinyl and gunite pools. They also have a smooth, durable finish that’s totally pet friendly, making them a sure bet for everyone in the family to love. So why would anyone choose anything other than fiberglass? Well, there really aren’t too many reasons! However, for pool buyers looking for large fiberglass pools, the options are somewhat limited. Whereas gunite and vinyl pools are built on-site, fiberglass pools are made in a factory, out of a mold, and then transported in one piece to the home of their lucky new pool owners. There’s a limit to the size of what can be safely loaded, unloaded and transported, and on-site physical barriers like fences and trees also have to be taken into consideration when delivering large fiberglass pools. Alas, there are several large fiberglass pools that allow swimming pool owners the best of both worlds–big and low-maintenance. For your […]
Read MoreWill an Inground Swimming Pool Add to my Home’s Resale Value?
When considering buying a pool, a popular question people ask is, “Does a pool add value to a home?” The short answer is “yes, it can.” However, it’s essential to acknowledge that while some home buyers see a pool as a huge asset, some buyers would never consider purchasing a home with a pool. In this post, we’ll consider some factors that help determine whether a pool (including a fiberglass pool) increases home value. THE POOL TYPE Above-ground pools will likely not increase your home value, so we will only consider inground pools. Remember that not all inground pools are created equal. A durable, shimmering blue fiberglass pool that is maintained and cared for will help resale more than a faded-out vinyl-lined pool with an obvious need for repair. Also, a lower maintenance pool will be more attractive to home buyers. Gunite pool maintenance includes steel brushing the surface every week, acid washing every three to five years, and resurfacing every 10 to 15 years. For vinyl liner pools, you will need to replace the liner every five to nine years. Both gunite and vinyl require more chemicals and maintenance time. With fiberglass pools, there is no need to […]
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