What to Look for when Choosing a Pool Service

Expectations

The sanitation and hygiene of your swimming pool is a priority; therefore, sometimes finding a pool service can be challenging task with respect keeping your pool clean on a regular basis. Before you canvas the yellow pages looking for a company then, take some time to decide what you expect from a pool service before investing any hard-earned money in the maintenance of your pool.

Service Plans

A pool service typically offers a number of service plans which involve cleaning the pool once or twice a week. Maintenance offerings also entail inspections, one-time cleaning, replacement of filter cartridges, vacation cleaning, chemical delivery, new pool start-up services, repairing automatic pool cleaners and the sales of pool supplies. Most pool service technicians clean pools ranging from approximately 5,000 to around 250,000 gallons in size.

Trained and Certified

Therefore, look for a pool service that has employees who are certified to clean pools and can supply you with several references with respect to their service. Don’t hire a pool service whose employees work as subcontractors. Make certain they’re certified and direct employees of the company.

Pool Service Offerings

Also, make sure the company has a variety of offerings with respect to maintenance. In other words, they should be able to offer you one of the following services:

–Weekly chemical and filter service and cleaning;

–Weekly full service and maintenance for any type of pool;

–Bi-weekly service and maintenance for any type of pool; and

–Delivery and supply of pool equipment

Other Criteria to Consider when Choosing a Company

In addition, a pool service should be licensed and insured to cover both residential and commercial accounts. It’s preferable too to choose one where there are no initial fees or contracts to sign and that offers billing on a monthly basis. If you can find one who will undertake a detailed analysis of the condition of your pool’s water, then that is good too as it will help you determine the best maintenance plan to select with respect to caring for your pool on a regular basis.

Making an Assessment of your Pool’s Water

Analyzing the pool’s water for pH, calcium hardness, metals, phosphates, dissolved solids and determining the saturation index will better assist in facilitating a service plan that will maintain the cleanliness and overall condition of your pool’s system. Therefore, testing the components in the water first can save time and reduce total maintenance costs while keeping the water in premium condition.

Summation

The pool service you select  should be a reliable and established company in your community. It should be a company that can inspect and analyze your above ground swimming pool’s water and make the appropriate recommendations with regards to cleaning and treatment. Make sure you obtain references from other customers who have used the company and that the employees are certified technicians. Keeping this information in mind as you shop for a pool service can reap successful results in the care of your swimming pool and help keep it in pristine shape for many years to come.

photo credit: St.A.

Pros and Cons of Above Ground Swimming Pools vs. Inground Pools

Have you thought that you might like to have a swimming pool to beat the summer heat or to relax in after a hard day’s work? Have you thought that it’s great to dream about having a swimming pool, but the cost or the maintenance or a multitude of other factors keeps you from really looking into getting a pool?

It’s easy to come up with a list of why you might want to have a pool. You might like to be able to come home after a long hot day at work, slip on your bathing suit and start relaxing in the pool. It’s a stress reliever. It can also be a great way to get some regular exercise. And it can be a great way to have a social event such as a kid’s birthday party, or after work get-together.

Here is a list of some reasons to choose to get an above-ground swimming pool.

• Cost – Generally speaking, the cost of above ground swimming pools is much less than that of inground pools. And this cost difference can often apply  to the cost of pool accessories as well such as automatic pool cleaners and pool heaters. Sometimes if you watch sales you can even find a discount above ground swimming pool.

• Less maintenance – Maintenance is a fairly easy process at the end of the season. Simply drain the pool and cover it. You also don’t have to worry as much about your pool cracking and leaking.

• Space –  If space is an issues, and it often is in urban and suburban areas, one of the nice features about above-ground swimming pools is that that they can take up much less space than an in ground pool.

• Quick installation – Installation doesn’t require the work of a lengthy excavation. You’re up and running quickly, and with the lower costs it’s easier to think about getting a larger variety of swimming pool accessories like above ground pool decks and pool slides.

Here are some drawbacks of above ground swimming pools to consider that might make you lean towards an inground pool:

• Depth of pool – These pools generally are not as deep and are always the same depth.  There won’t be a deep end to jump into.

• Size issues – Part of what keeps the costs of an above-ground swimming pool down is that the size is generally smaller. This means that there won’t be as many people in the pool at the same time. If you’re planning on entertaining a lot with your pool, then this would be something to take into consideration.If you’re hoping to have a lap pool, definitely remember that this is a limitation for these pools.

• Easier to damage – Since they are above ground, you’ll want to make sure to minimize the likelihood of running into the outside of the pool. You’ll want to consider pool designs that include swimming pool decks that wrap around and guard the outside of your pool.

Whichever way you go, just remember to brainstorm your list of likely uses, and I hope that this list helps to get you started!