Ask the General: How to Backwash a Sand Filter in My Fiberglass Pool?
Dear General; I love my fiberglass pool, but here’s my problem. I don’t understand how to backwash a sand filter. I keep my pool clean and add all the chemicals I’m supposed to, when I’m supposed to. What is backwashing, and WHY do I have to do it to my sand filter? Signed; Bad Backwasher in Bainbridge Dear Bad Backwasher: Funny you should mention bad back(washing), as I’m writing this with my feet propped up and an ice pack on my back. I’d like to tell you that I pulled something doing a triple Lindy off the high board into the pool, but the truth is, I hurt my back bending over to tie my shoe. The General’s not as young and spry as he used to be. My point is, much like tying a shoe, the simplest things can cause a lot of pain. Which brings us to your learning how to backwash a sand filter. If you want to talk about pain (which clearly I do because I’m in it), let’s talk about the pain of paying for extra chemicals to clear up a pool that got cloudy due to poor circulation. Why might you have a […]
Read MoreWhich Thursday Pools Pool Designs are Best for Tanning Ledges?
Fiberglass pools with tanning ledges are in high demand. And why wouldn’t they be? While soaking up the sun’s rays feels glorious, it can also get pretty hot. Being able to relax on a ledge lounger on a tanning ledge with just enough water to keep you cool is … well … just about as good as it gets. Regardless of the size of your yard and which other features interest you if you’ve decided that you’re ready to take the plunge with an inground fiberglass pool, make sure you choose one with a tanning ledge (especially if you have a furry family member who also loves to swim.) Read on to learn more about our best fiberglass pool designs with a tanning ledge, and pick the one that’s right for you.  After that, the only decision you’ll have to make is who to share it with because everyone will be vying for a spot! Aspen   The Aspen design is our top-selling fiberglass pool design. The large, expansive tanning ledge gives you ample room to relax and play. Place a couple of loungers on this tanning ledge, and you’ll still have room for little ones to splash […]
Read MoreWhat Qualities Make for a Truly Awesome Tanning Ledge?
The built-in tanning ledge feature in fiberglass pools has exploded in popularity over the last few years. They’re not just the perfect spot for sun worshippers. They’re also a marvelous place for children to enjoy the water, especially when they’re first learning to swim. Of course the kiddos still need their swim floats, but being able to gradually get used to the water by sitting in a shallow depth can help them get acclimated to being in the pool until they’re ready to take the next step and start to swim. And if you have a dog in the family who also loves the water, you’ll likely be sharing your tanning ledge with him or her as well. Dogs love tanning ledges because it gives them a place to chill between forays into the water. All told, your built-in tanning ledge will be the social center of your backyard pool oasis. So the question really isn’t, “Do I want a tanning ledge in my fiberglass pool?” The question is, “How can I be sure I’m getting the very best tanning ledge for my fiberglass pool?” Because not all tanning ledges are created equal, let’s take a look at the qualities […]
Read MoreAsk the General: Will a Pool Fit in my Yard?
Looking for high-class, very nice pools? See what the General has to say about making your pool dreams a reality! Dear General; My family has been begging for a new inground fiberglass pool (and I want one too!), but our yard is pretty small and I’m worried we can’t fit one. It is also hard to find very nice pools that are a smaller size. How can I find out if a pool will fit in my yard and what it might look like, so we can decide on a pool and get in the swim? Signed– Wondering in Winnetka Dear Wondering; Will an inground fiberglass pool fit in your backyard? The short answer is: probably! Fiberglass pools come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. While your yard might not be large enough to accommodate a pool with features such as  built-in tanning ledges, open swim lanes or beach entry, there are still awesome fiberglass pool designs that are as small as 19.5 feet long and 9.5 feet wide that can give you the relaxing oasis you’re dreaming of. The first step is to consult with a professional pool builder. They’ll send an estimator to your house […]
Read MoreProperly Backfilling and Installing Your Fiberglass Pool’s Tanning Ledge
Inground fiberglass swimming pools featuring built-in tanning ledges are, in a word, heaven. They allow swimmers to lounge in just enough water to keep cool while still soaking up the sun’s rays. Whether you’re in tanning ledge chairs or sitting on the ledge itself, they truly offer the best of both worlds. Built-in tanning ledges are also great for young children and family pets. Whether they’re confident swimmers or not, all can enjoy the water and relax on the wading area’s shallow ledge. Add a bubbler or other fun water feature to make a little splash, and you have the perfect backyard pool oasis. However, for all the enjoyment built-in tanning ledges can bring to fiberglass pool owners, proper installation is essential for long-lasting enjoyment. Properly backfilling under and around a fiberglass pool shell’s tanning ledge can be difficult. The tight spaces and voids the ledge creates at transition areas are hard to reach, and the varying grades needed for excavation add time, money, and potential headaches to the pool-building process. If the pool builder doesn’t backfill and install it correctly, a tanning ledge can develop a hollow or fragile feeling under your feet. Over time, the backfill material can shift […]
Read MoreOur Fiberglass Pool Dealer Spotlight; Signature Pools in Chicago
Every month, we chat with a Thursday Pools dealer to learn more about their business and what’s trending in their area. This month, we talked to Todd Emmerson, regional sales manager and lead designer at Signature Pools in Sandwich, Illinois. One-and-a-half hours from downtown Chicago, they install pools throughout the Chicagoland area. Tell us a little about Signature Pools: Signature Pools has been in the fiberglass pool business in the Chicago area since 2003, but we all have a long history in the pool business. We have a full-time staff  of about ten people. Tom McNelis is our president. Both he and I are very hands-on. We’re all obviously working pretty hard at this time of year, but we all of us also really value spending time with our families. What do you love about being in the pool business? I love seeing a dream become a reality. People come to us with an idea, but they’re not 100% sure what they want. I get really excited about taking their idea and turning it into a design and then seeing that design come to life. I never get tired of seeing the joy that a new fiberglass pool brings […]
Read More6 Tips to Reduce Inground Pool Operating Costs
Buyers often only look at upfront costs when pricing and comparing inground pools. However, ongoing pool operating costs can add up over the lifetime ownership of your pool. While all pool types have some of the same expenses, understanding the differences in operating costs among fiberglass, vinyl liner, and gunite pools can help you make smarter choices to keep the costs in check. From testing your water chemistry to maintaining equipment, check out our tips on reducing your  inground pool costs. Tip 1: Test Your Pool Water Regularly According to HomeGuide, annual pool chemical costs average $175 for a fiberglass pool, $400 for a vinyl pool, and $750 for a concrete pool. However, your actual cost will depend on the amount of chemicals you need to maintain balanced water chemistry. Trying to correct problems after you have “lost your pool” can result in extra, unnecessary expense, so test often to help maintain better control. Regularly test your water using a DIY test kit, take a sample to a pool store, or use a professional pool service for a more thorough analysis. In addition to the usual pH and chlorine levels, professionals assess a wider range of factors, such as […]
Read MoreThrow a California Themed Party Around Your Pool!
Everyone loves a pool party. What could be better than good friends, good food and fun next to your beautiful inground fiberglass pool? Well, if you’re ready to take your entertaining to the next level, why not add a theme to your next pool party? If you love west coast style, cool color schemes and light, delicious and elegant food, plan a California themed party around your inground fiberglass pool and you’ll impress your friends with a party they’ll talk about for years to come. The key components of a California beach party are: Healthy (but tasty!) food. California cuisine is focused around fresh and local ingredients. Making everything easy to pick up and eat while moving around and chatting also amps up the social factor of your pool party. Subtle color schemes. While bright, primary colors are fun, save them for a more casual beach party or kid’s party. Choose a color scheme that’s reflective of the ocean—shades of white and sand, aqua and maybe a splash of coral. These colors will look amazing next to the water in your pool, especially if your pool color is a lovely shade of blue. A special occasion. You’ve had plenty of […]
Read MoreWhich Kind of Beach Entry (or Zero Entry) Pool is Right for You?
You’ve decided that you’re ready to create your own private backyard oasis by getting a pool. You’re also sure that a beach entry pool is the perfect choice for your family, because of the luxurious “vacation every day” feeling it creates and the easy in-and-out for everyone in your group, from the youngest to the oldest. Your choices when it comes to pools are gunite (or concrete,) vinyl and fiberglass. Let’s take a look at the beach entry options available for each of them and what makes each one unique. Gunite For many years, fully custom gunite pools were the only way for folks to have a beach entry, or zero entry, pool in their own backyards. They’re still a popular option for high-end, custom gunite pools, in both residential and commercial settings like hotels, resorts and private clubs. However, price and available space are definitely factors in gunite beach entry pools– they may be an expensive add-on feature in custom gunite pools and may require a large space to create the gradual sloped entry. Vinyl A beach entry can theoretically be created with a vinyl pool, but most pool builders would probably steer you towards concrete or fiberglass if […]
Read MoreAsk the General: How Do I Control Heating Costs in My Pool?
Dear General; I absolutely LOVE my new inground fiberglass swimming pool. What I’m not sure I’m going to love is my pool heating bill. Do you have any tips and tricks for controlling swimming pool heating costs? Signed– Don’t Want My Dollars Going Down the Pool Drain. Dear Dollars; I hear you. No one wants to see their hard-earned money going down the swimming pool drain. Let’s take a look at the various kinds of heaters and ways you can save your money for more fun things. ______________________________________________________________________ Four types of heaters First of all, pool heaters are NOT the most energy efficient appliances you’ll ever run across. The most popular options are electric and gas. Some folks also use solar or, in rare cases, wood burning. Which is best? That depends on who you ask. Let’s break it down. Electric Electric heat pumps use electricity to capture heat and move it from one place to another. In other words, they take the ambient heat surrounding your pool and transfer it into the pool. The electric heat pump manufacturers report that they are the most efficient. Gas Gas pool heaters use either natural gas or propane. As the pump circulates […]
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