Blog| Pool Building Tips
Harness the power of the sun: You can harness the sun’s rays to help with heating your swimming pool. By using solar power, you may even be able to extend your swimming season by up to a month. Your Ohio swimming pool builder is a great resource for information on how to install solar panels and solar power energy toward your swimming pool. Whether you have a direct solar power system installed to heat your swimming pool or if you opt for a solar swimming pool cover, taking advantage of the sun can save you money and conserve energy. Another way to use solar power is to install solar lights that will illuminate your swimming pool deck area.
Recycled products, great way to go green: You can purchase yard fencing and outdoor furniture and items such as hot tub cabinets in recycled resins or plastic and they have the appearance of natural wood. Many of these items are made from recycled milk cartons or even soda bottles. Because these recycled items are low maintenance they can simply be hosed off or rinsed with soapy water. Unlike wooden patio furniture, they require no treatment, sealing or staining.
Reclaimed wood products: If you simply can’t live without the beauty of natural wood for your deck or deck and patio furniture consider purchasing wood that is from either reclaimed or sustainable. These woods will carry a seal from the Forest Stewardship Council that certifies the wood was harvested from forests that promote conservation.
Capture the rain: There is no reason to let nature’s water go to waste during a rainfall, right? You can capture the water that falls from your roof, filter it and store it for later use. Filtered rainwater can be used to water your lawn or even be used to refill your swimming pool when evaporation lowers the water levels. A rainwater system can cost between $4,000 and $6,000 but you should see a return on your investment within three to five years.
Xeriscaping is the way to go: Swimming pool builders and landscape professionals know that lawns with non-native plants and grass lawns – especially in arid climates, require excessive amounts of water to help them thrive. A lawn that has been xeriscaped is one that relies on natural terrain and native plants and reduce water usage. These lawn types also provide natural habitats for native wildlife.
2. Ease of cleaning: Fiberglass swimming pool shells are resistant to the growth of algae, bacteria and mold growth because of the smooth surface. The smoothness of the shell and it’s non-porous surface makes it difficult for dirt to cling to, this makes it easy to keep clean.
3. Ease of maintenance: A fiberglass swimming pool doesn’t need to be resurfaced after a period of use.
4. Longevity and durability: Fiberglass swimming pools are able to withstand temperature fluctuations making this a good choice in Ohio and Michigan.
5. Safety: Fiberglass swimming pool shells are smooth and therefore, easy on the skin.
6. Chemical use: Fiberglass swimming pools typically require fewer chemicals than other forms of swimming pools. The building material of the pool itself doesn’t release any chemicals into the water and thus doesn’t affect the chemical balance.
2. Location: The fiberglass shell for your pool will be delivered to your home in one piece and because of that you need to make certain the delivery truck has access to the excavated site.
3. Design limits: Due to the fact that fiberglass swimming pools are prefabricated, the color, design and size options may be more limited.
Here are some tips from your Ohio swimming pool builders, Hawaiian Pool Builders, to prepare for your swimming pool construction:
- Ask your friends and neighbors with pools about the features they have with their pool. Find out what they like and dislike as well as any features or amenities they wish they had incorporated into the project.
- Meet with a representative of Hawaiian Pool Builders to discuss your project. Use this meeting to share your desires, brainstorm and come up with a design plan.
- Think ahead. If you need to take out a loan for the project, give yourself a month or two before construction can begin. You can talk with your swimming pool builder about financing options or you can speak with a lender at the bank you typically work with.
During your meeting with your swimming pool builder, you can begin looking for the swimming pool design of your dreams. There are three popular inground swimming pool types – fiberglass, gunite or vinyl. Your swimming pool builder can walk you through the pros and cons of each.
The budget for your project will be a determining factor in which type of pool will ultimately work best for you. Additionally, you will need to consider extras such as waterfalls, hot tubs, design features and landscaping as part of the overall cost of your swimming pool project.
Three swimming pool renovations for your Ohio swimming pool
After years or decades of use, your swimming pool will be in need of a facelift or upgrade. It could be that you’ve moved in, or are moving into a home that has a swimming pool in the backyard. Regardless of the reason why you want to upgrade your Ohio swimming pool there are many options available to give your swimming pool a facelift.
There have been so many innovations in swimming pool technology and pool materials that you will want to spend some time with your Ohio swimming pool builder to discuss options, prices and what an upgrade to your swimming pool will involve. Before you many any plans, a trip to your trusted swimming pool professional is in order.
Here are a few of the things he or she may discuss with you:
- Updated shapes and finishes. Gone are the days of the rectangle or oval swimming pool. If you have one of these, you can talk to your swimming pool builder about a complete overhaul by replacing your existing pool with a new and unique design. Additionally, there are many options when it comes to plumbing and landscaping limitations as well as tile and coping materials.
- Unique water features. Consider adding a fountain or a rock waterfall to your swimming pool. Imagine floating around on a raft in your swimming pool and ducking under a cascading waterfall. You can even add a seating area underneath the water fall.
- Many swimming pool owners who are upgrading their swimming pools are also looking for ways to go green to save the environment and money from their own wallets. Talk to your swimming pool service professional about ways to automate the chemicals that are dispensed into your swimming pool to test and regulate the chemical levels in your swimming pool and adjust the amount of chemicals that are dispersed. There are energy efficient pieces of pool equipment on the market that include variable speed swimming pool pumps in addition to being more energy efficient overall.
When you’re talking to your Ohio swimming pool renovation and building professional don’t forget to ask about upgrades you can make to your outdoor living area as well as to the swimming pool itself. You can breathe new life into your swimming pool with a few simple upgrades.
Money-saving Tips For Your Ohio Swimming Pool
Swimming pool equipment can be one of the biggest energy-consumers in your household – more than any of your appliances and that can add a burden to your family’s budget. There are steps you can take and equipment you can have installed to help you address soaring utility prices. Your Ohio swimming pool builders can work with you to analyze where you can incorporate energy-efficient equipment and money-saving measures into your swimming pool and hot tub. There are also water-saving steps you can take with your swimming pool that can help save money as well.
Your swimming pool could be eating up energy and money, especially if your equipment isn’t operating at optimal capacity. Additionally, if you’re not using a swimming pool cover you can lose water due to evaporation and you can be losing heat as well.
Professionals in the swimming pool industry have been working for many years to lower the cost of operating and owning a swimming pool. There have also been great strides made in energy-saving technologies. If you want to enjoy your swimming pool but still be able to save money and lower your pool’s energy consumption your Ohio swimming pool builder offers these suggestions:
- Use a two-speed or variable speed pool pump. Your pump doesn’t always need to operate at the highest speed but a two speed pump lets you run the pump at the lowest speed to decrease the water flow resistance and to allow for more efficient pump operation. Running the pump at the lower speed moves the water through the filter more slowly which allows for it to be filtered more efficiently; you can then filter more gallons per dollar. Operating it at the high speed level is good when you need to quickly filter the water.
- A controller that regulates the operation of your swimming pool pump is another money saving piece of swimming pool equipment. As your Ohio swimming pool service tech will tell you, your pump doesn’t need to run continuously. With a controller you can set it to run at specific times during the day – for example, at off peak hours. Additionally, you don’t need to run the pump nearly as often during the colder months because it is more difficult for algae and bacteria to take hold in colder water.
- Another way to save money with your swimming pool is to be diligent with swimming pool cover use. Using a swimming pool cover can help your water from evaporating, which saves on having to refill it. If you want to invest in a cover that can help trap and keep in the day’s sunlight, you want to make the investment in a solar cover or even a solar heating system.
With all of the new technologies hitting the market you and your swimming pool builder may find even more ways to upgrade your swimming pool to bring greater energy efficiency. While there will obviously be an upfront cost for the energy efficient equipment, it will pay for itself in the savings you reap.
Tips To Consider When Hiring a Pool Contractor
Building a swimming pool is a huge undertaking and involves planning and time. It’s important that you carefully work with your swimming pool contractor to ensure your satisfaction.
Have a basic plan but consider design suggestions made by your contractor within the budget you have allocated. Any suggestions that exceed your budget should be carefully considered to decide if it’s an asset to your plan. Hawaiian Pool Builders considers your wishes to be most important while working within your budget and will also make suggestions that can enhance your experience. It’s up to you to decide what is best for you!
Hawaiian Pool Builders has a carefully designed process from start to finish. You should have a clear understanding of how things will be done from the moment you sign the contract to the day the swimming pool is done. The procedure needs to be done professionally and you should expect the construction workers need to tidy up after they leave. Communication is also important. Hawaiian Pool Builders will keep you informed along the way and deliver a pool that not only meets, but exceeds, your expectation!
