How Do I Balance My Pool Water Using LSI?
Balancing your pool water is essential for maintaining its clarity, safety, and longevity, especially for fiberglass pool owners. While pool water chemistry balance may seem complex, modern tools like the Orenda Technologies LSI Calculator have simplified the testing and adjustment process. This blog post will guide you through using Orenda’s app to achieve optimal water balance in your pool, ensuring it stays in beautiful condition without needing a degree in chemistry. We’ve included step-by-step instructions, complemented by screen-capture images, to make the process as straightforward as possible. Editor’s Note: There are available alternatives to the Orenda app. Thursday Pools and Orenda have no relationship other than sharing a desire to help fiberglass pool owners properly maintain their water chemistry. If you want to get even more informed on water balance and related topics, check out Orenda’s library of educational videos, tutorials, and other resources. Step 1: Download the Orenda App The journey to balanced pool water begins with a simple download of the Orenda app, available on both iOS and Android platforms. This app significantly simplifies pool chemistry, particularly focusing on the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), making it an indispensable tool for pool owners. Step 2: Input Your […]
Read MoreWhat is LSI?
LSI and Fiberglass Pool Chemistry The Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) is a formula that the gunite pool industry adopted to determine water balance and predict whether water will form calcium scale or dissolve it. Some pool industry professionals insist you should focus strictly on LSI balance, but for fiberglass, that advice can damage your pool. However, an LSI calculator can be helpful for fiberglass pool owners as a secondary tool in keeping critical factors of water chemistry within fiberglass-safe target ranges. What Are Fiberglass-Safe Water Chemistry Target Ranges? pH: 7.2 to 7.4 Total Alkalinity (TA): 80 to 120 ppm Free Chlorine (FC): 1 to 3 ppm Cyanuric Acid (CYA): 30 to 50 ppm Calcium Hardness (CH): Less than 120 ppm (NEVERt add calcium) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Less than 1,500 ppm (or up to 1,000 ppm above your salt level) Always use a stain and scale control or chelating and sequestering agent as part of routine care and for winterization. Never use calcium hypochlorite or any calcium-adding products in fiberglass pools. When pH, calcium, and chlorine are all elevated at the same time, the risk of damage to the fiberglass pool gelcoat increases significantly. If only one or two are […]
Read MoreIs a Fiberglass Pool Shell Right For Your Pool?
If you are looking into buying and researching inground pools, you have likely discovered that pool forms are made of concrete, vinyl-liner, or a fiberglass pool shell. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at fiberglass pool shells so you can determine if one may be right for you. What is a fiberglass pool made of? Fiberglass has become a well-known material in the past 50 years. It’s used to make boats, automobile parts and, of course, pools! Fiberglass material is quite literally fibers of glass. In the manufacturing process, fiberglass is flexible and thin, almost hair-like. Unlike hard, solid shards of glass, fiberglass doesn’t shatter or cut you because the fibers are heated until they’re molten and become a sticky, gooey texture. It is then forced through superfine holes that create glass filaments that are so thin that they are measured in microns. These thin threads of fiberglass are woven into larger swatches of material. For strength and durability, a fiberglass pool shell is made of more than fiberglass. What makes the material even stronger than metals by weight is the thermoplastic polymer resins that are added. Through years of testing and our commitment to continuous improvement, Thursday […]
Read MoreChoosing Between Gunite and Fiberglass? A Guide.
A GUIDE TO CHOOSING BETWEEN GUNITE AND FIBERGLASS. Inground pools come in three different types—vinyl, gunite, and fiberglass—so determining what’s a right fit for you requires a little research. If you’ve arrived at the point where it’s a decisionon fiberglass vs gunite (concrete), you’ve narrowed your decision tree a bit by throwing out vinyl as an option. This post will consider a concrete pool vs fiberglass pool to help you narrow your choices even further.      Buyer’s Checklist The answers to the following questions can be differentiating factors of choosing a concrete vs fiberglass pool. How will your pool be used? Is it a party backdrop, a sunning platform, or the wet arena of countless epic splash-sport battles? Who will maintain the pool? If it’s you, what is the amount of time you’re willing to commit? If it’s someone else, what is the annual budget? How big a pool do you want or need? Do you want a particular size, shape, or feature? How much decking and landscaping? Who will use the pool? Will it include children and pets? Does your dealer provide a warranty and track record of installing durable pools? About Concrete Pools The first gunite pool was […]
Read MoreLarge and Deep Fiberglass Pool Options
Pool owners love fiberglass pools for many reasons. 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 a large inground pool, the options in fiberglass 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 for delivery. Alas, there are some large fiberglass pool options that allow swimming pool owners the best of both worlds–big and low-maintenance. For your convenience, we have created comparison charts of […]
Read MoreWhat Can Damage a Fiberglass Pool?
It’s only natural to want to do as much research as possible before making a significant decision and investment into a major home addition like an inground fiberglass pool. You’ll want to learn and consider details such as installation costs, maintenance responsibilities, and how long it will last. A durable pool shell helps protect your investment, so you’re likely asking questions like, “What can damage a fiberglass pool?” or, “Can you scratch a fiberglass pool?” Worried about fiberglass pool gelcoat problems or bulging walls? Understanding how common fiberglass pool damage can happen can help you prevent it with your pool or know when repairs are necessary. Common Causes of Fiberglass Pool Damage Fiberglass pools are famously durable, but they’re not indestructible. Structural Stress Improper installation or soil movement can place uneven pressure on the pool shell, leading to bulging walls or cracks. Professional repair and proper backfilling during installation are essential to restore stability. Sharp or Heavy Objects Dragging metal, glass, or other sharp items across the surface can scratch the gelcoat finish. Shallow scratches may buff out, but deeper damage may require a gelcoat repair. Improper Draining Completely draining a fiberglass pool without […]
Read MoreThe Best Robotic Cleaners For Inground Fiberglass Pools
Every fiberglass pool owner should have a thorough and working knowledge of necessary pool maintenance. It’s essential to stay on top of care and maintenance from the time you open your pool in the spring through closing it for the winter. Robotic pool cleaners can be a great help when it comes to keeping dirt and debris out of your pool, saving you time and effort. With an overwhelming amount of options available on the market, all with various features and benefits you may or may not need, deciding on a robotic pool cleaner can feel overwhelming. In our experience, the following four models are great at getting the job done while you sit back and relax. Hayward TigerShark A Hayward TigerShark robot can clean a 20’ x 40’ pool’s floors, walls, and waterline in just three hours. There are three configurations to choose from, including the standard TigerShark, the TigerShark Plus with remote control capabilities, and the TigerShark QC featuring a patented 90-minute quick-cleaning alternative mode. All the TigerShark models have an easy-to-clean cartridge filter system and a 24-volt motor to conserve energy and save you pool maintenance costs over time. Average Price: Less than $1,500 […]
Read MoreAre Fiberglass Pools Easier to Maintain?
An inground swimming pool can be a great addition to your home and lifestyle, but many homeowners may be wary of investing time and effort in the necessary maintenance responsibilities. Are you among those asking, “Are fiberglass pools easier to maintain?” The truth is that all pool types have their advantages and disadvantages, and all require regular maintenance. Are Fiberglass Pools Easy to Maintain? While they are not maintenance-free, fiberglass pools generally have lower maintenance demands as far as inground pools go. Because fiberglass pools come in one-piece shells, there are no seams where dirt and algae can collect. Their smooth surface is not porous, deterring the growth of algae and bacteria. Other pool types require resurfacing or liner replacements over time, whereas fiberglass can last for decades with simple, regular upkeep. What Maintenance Does a Fiberglass Pool Need? Fiberglass pools are relatively easy and inexpensive to keep in good shape. Fiberglass pools typically do not need resurfacing after so many years. With some basic maintenance, your fiberglass pool’s gel coat can last for a very long time. Most regular fiberglass pool maintenance falls into one of three basic buckets: the filtration system equipment, […]
Read MoreDo You Need to Brush a Fiberglass Pool?
Fiberglass pools are incredibly popular for good reasons. They are luxurious, long-lasting, and can create a beautiful backyard backdrop for many memorable moments with your family and friends. Like many major purchases and luxury items worth having, however, they require care and ongoing maintenance to stay in peak condition. Do you need to brush a fiberglass pool? That’s one of the most common questions homeowners ask when considering the prospective upkeep responsibilities with their pool purchase. All pools, including fiberglass pools, have several essential maintenance tasks homeowners must perform—or hire local pool service professionals to handle—on a regular basis in order to keep them clean, safe, and functioning properly. The good news is that, thanks to their durable materials and innovative manufacturing methods, fiberglass pools require fewer chemicals and are easier to take care of than other inground pool types. Similar to other pool types, brushing is necessary with fiberglass pools, but it’s far from labor-intensive work and nothing to be afraid of. Why Do You Brush a Fiberglass Pool? While fiberglass pools are algae-resistant, dirt and debris buildup may become a daily occurrence with backyard landscaping surrounding the pool. Brushing your fiberglass pool helps prevent unwanted […]
Read MoreHow Much is the Smallest Fiberglass Pool?
We can’t read minds, but chances are that if you landed here by searching “How much is the smallest fiberglass pool?”, you are interested in both a small fiberglass pool and are concerned with costs. In this post, we’ll define small fiberglass pools and address some cost-related questions. About Small Fiberglass Pools Many fiberglass pools are over 600 square feet (e.g., more than 37.5 feet long by 16 feet wide). Comparatively speaking, a small fiberglass pool may be under 400 square feet. This size will fit into many smaller yards, take up less space, and is still fun and functional. To give you an idea of what that looks like, here are some Thursday Pools small fiberglass pool designs and their dimensions: Small Fiberglass Pool Prices Our general suggestion for getting a rough ballpark estimate for our fiberglass pools is to multiply your linear square feet by $1500. Of course, it’s more complicated than that, and you would need to get an estimate from a pool dealer near you to get firm numbers. Every case is different, and fiberglass pool prices vary according to a number of factors, including: Installation Factors Affecting Pool Prices Ease or difficulty […]
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