During the cool winter months, not much thought is given to the lonely swimming pool in the backyard because the cold weather keeps the water clear. However, the advent of the first couple days of hot weather changes everything. Suddenly, people discover their pools again only to take the cover off or peer into the water to see cloudy – and sometimes green – water. It seems to have occurred magically overnight. Here’s why and what you can do about it so you can dive into cool, sparkling water rather than something that looks like Shrek lives there.

Why Cloudy and Green?

Adding to the problem is water that has a chemical imbalance or poor filtration. Most likely, these pools have not had chemicals added or their filter cleaned in a while, so they are not able to work at optimum performance to circulate the water properly.

Cloudy water can also be due to calcium hardness, filtration problems, and incorrect pH. The green, yellow, or black sludge that builds up on the pool surface is algae that are thriving in the heat and in water that has not been sanitized. It tends to multiply very quickly when the days get hot and sunny. Not only is it unattractive, but this algae could also contain harmful organisms like bacteria that can make swimmers ill. The algae also block a good view to the bottom of the pool, making it difficult to see someone in trouble or unseen objects that can lead to accidents. It can also create havoc with the pool equipment, blocking filters and plumbing and leading to costly repairs.

Rusty Water and Treatment Recommendations

Sometimes the water may actually appear red. This comes from corroded pipes in older pools that used metal pipes. There are also other times where the rebar is exposed from beneath the gunite and plaster and it, too, can corrode. It is important that the pool be drained immediately and the pipes be replaced with PVC or copper tubing as well as any gunite and plastering repair to stop the corrosion.

Bringing Back the Sparkling Water

It’s time to shock that water and clean that filter. The pump basket and skimmer baskets should be emptied as well. If the water is green, you will have to treat that with increased sanitizer like chlorine along with algaecide and a lot of brushing of the entire pool surface, including steps, benches, and any railings. Cloudy water can be treated with a water clarifier as this removes the particulate matter by bonding this matter together so it can be trapped within the filter grids.

An Ounce of Prevention…..

They say that prevention is better than the cure and the same goes when taking care of your swimming pool.  The pool surfaces, water, and equipment should be cleaned at least once a week when the weather heats up.  Also, test the water every day or two between weekly maintenance, especially if you are using the pool regularly. It is also best to clean your filter a few times over the summer when it’s used so often.

If you are struggling, the best thing you can do is call in a professional to help get your swimming pool back to its sparkling state!

Uncover the Pool: You may have used a swimming pool cover during the winter season to keep out debris, leaves, and dirt as much as possible. It’s time to take that cover off. If it’s a solar cover, be sure to hose it down and have it ready to put back on when the swimming pool is clean and ready to go. It does an excellent job of heating up the swimming pool without having to crank on the heater and use unnecessary energy (not to mention see your electricity bill go through the roof!).

Turn it On and Check Everything: While you may still run your swimming pool equipment on a limited basis, it’s time to turn everything on and check for any potential leaks. If you see, it’s time to call your pool tech! Get everything fixed before the season starts.

Test the Water: And, by this mean, I don’t mean jump in and see how it feels. What I mean is that you need to test the chemical balance in terms of alkalinity, pH, and total dissolved solids like calcium. If these are too high, it might be time to change your pool water. It’s recommended that you drain your swimming pool every three to five years when total dissolved solids get too high.

Scrub Up: This is the time to get some other maintenance done. If you are draining the swimming pool, it’s a great time to acid-wash the pool surface as well as get the tile cleaned in order to get rid of any effects of hard water. Also, check your light unit to see if it needs a new bulb or has somehow filled up with water and needs replacement as this is the easiest time to take care of that as well.

Clean the Filter: Regularly cleaning your filter will help the swimming pool perform at its optimum level, delivering clean, sparkling water. With the filter doing most of the work, this also means less work maintaining the pool each week during the summer months. It’s good to clean a filter about four to six times per year.

Keep it Safe: Check that all safety features are in good shape, including any fencing. This also means making sure that the self-latching gate still works, first-aid equipment is nearby, and all pool toys are still in good working order.

Upgrade for Greater Energy Efficiency: If you plan to use your swimming pool all summer, it’s a good time to think about a variable speed pump or other energy-efficient equipment like solar heating to get the most for your money right after making the investment. Rebates are still available.

Get Professional Help: Feel lost? Not sure what you are doing? Consider hiring a pool service to get your swimming pool up and running for the summer as well as to take care of the weekly maintenance so you can simply enjoy it!

It got me thinking about sharing some of the latest cool swimming pool toys that I’ve seen recently. Of course, in my own pool, water cannons, basketball, and volleyball still rule. However, I’m thinking about picking up some of these to keep the wife and kids amused this summer and you might think about them too!

Toys for Me and You

These  are definitely some of the most flat out awesome pool toys I have ever seen! For starters, there is a two-person river float and it has a built in cooler! Just think of it as the perfect spot for you and that special someone who never likes to be too far from a fresh cold one.

Not up for romantic gestures? More of a party guy? Check out the inflatable beer pong raft. Yes, you read that right. It’s an inflatable raft that doubles as a beer pong table! And, possibly a life saving device though I am sure the company that made this does not endorse it in any way as a life saving device. 

Toys for the Kids

Okay, so after playing beer pong in a pool, you would probably be immensely entertained by some  great water toys! That’s because throwing shark torpedoes at people is fun at any age!

Probably the Coolest Raft Ever

Imagine a giant waterproof floating bean bag! This is perfect for when the kids are worn out or you know just to float in MAD style on! Yes, it’s that awesome! Check it out here along with a bunch of other cool pool gadgets.

Speaking of ‘Cool Pools’

Is your pool just too warm in the summer? Do you go out to your pool to cool off and just find yourself wading in 90-degree water? If you have this problem, I have discovered the cure!  That’s right, you can get misters to cool your pool, and it’s been proven to actually work! Want to swim in a cool pool? Mist Cooling’s pool coolers are a step in the right direction, and they are available for in-ground and above ground pools.

Let’s Get this Party Started!

These are just a few of a pretty awesome line of cool trinkets and gadgets out there and available for you and your

There’s no need to worry because, at Aqueous Pools Inc. we care and have a plan to help save you money! Three words: Pool Energy Audit. This is a process that could start saving you big money on your energy bills today!

What’s a Pool Energy Audit?

A Pool Energy Audit is a process in which one of our friendly and professional Pool Energy Audit Technicians comes to your home to perform a series of tests on your pool equipment. This helps them to gauge how much energy your pool equipment, including the pump, filter, and heater, is using.

This is then compared to how much energy the swimming pool would actually need to use to properly filter the water or heat the pool. Only after running these tests can the technician properly diagnose the most effective and cost-effective way to provide a solution that will decrease your energy consumption.

Sounds Expensive!

Is it? In the long run, how could it be? Just think of the money you will be saving month after month. In the long run, a more energy-efficient pool system will be making you money by saving you money! That’s right — over time, the service will essentially pay for itself.

 Is it Necessary?

According to the US Department of Energy, which has done extensive research on energy conservation for outdoor and indoor swimming pools, both public and private, yes, it is necessary. They have come to a definite conclusion that it is possible to decrease the energy costs in swimming pools by 50-70% if the pool is using proper energy-conserving equipment.

These savings would obviously cut down operating costs for both public and private swimming pools. In fact, due to the savings, commercial pool owners could potentially increase revenue from their public swimming pool. With savings like that you decide, is it necessary?

Contact Us

Give us a call at 661-400-7624 today, and one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will gladly answer any questions you might have about Pool Energy Audits or any other questions you might have concerning all things pool.

So, while your budget is very important, this blog post is focused on providing you with tips on how to ensure you hire the right swimming pool contractor who will get the job done before you take the plunge and find that you come up empty with the one you selected.

Experience

It is important to know just how much construction experience the pool contractor has in terms of building swimming pools. And, that experience should extend to all the sub-contractors he is most likely using to get all parts of your swimming pool done. Ask your potential contractor about their background in swimming pool design and construction. This doesn’t mean just go with the swimming pool contractor that has 25 years of experience over the one that has 5 years.

It’s not that easy as some that may have years of experience are not necessarily still focused on doing the best job possible, or they may have other people handling the work for them who are much less experienced or driven.

Portfolio

When it comes to swimming pools, everyone wants to see examples of work, so be sure to get pictures or check out their gallery page on their website. Also, some contractors may even take you to swimming pools they completed. This gives you an even better example where you can see the outcome that you will get. You might even get a chance to chat with the homeowner and hear what they think.

Design and Process

It is important to get a professional design of your custom pool to make sure it fits your expectations. Look for a swimming pool contractor that uses professional design software and presents all the dimensions and materials in advance to starting. Try to avoid the one that thinks that sketching it on a napkin or piece of graph paper is good enough.

Licensing and Liability Insurance

You must check your swimming pool contractor’s license and make sure they are licensed for swimming pool construction, not general contracting work. Most states require contractors to obtain a license from a state licensing board. This licenses shows that they have the knowledge and experience necessary to construct a high-quality pool.

In California, the state license board states that a general building contractor may also contract for swimming pool work if they also hold the swimming pool specialty classification or if the general building contractor hires a licensed swimming pool specialty contractor to perform the work. You also want to check that it is up-to-date and that there have been no complaints listed with the state licensing board.

Also make sure that all the sub-contractors they use are licensed. Be sure to also check for their liability insurance and ensure that it is also up-to-date so you do not end up paying for someone that could get injured in your backyard.

Reputation

Ask other customers about their experience and look for customers who are willing to share both the good and the bad so you get a clear picture. After all, a swimming pool contractor can have been around for years but they have developed a reputation for treating customers poorly and not delivering the level of service customers deserve. All the experience in the world doesn’t make up for being treated badly by a swimming pool contractor that you are paying a significant amount of money to!

Contract

Always get a legally binding contract that defines all the rights and responsibilities for you and the swimming pool contractor. The contract should cover the size and scope of the work, the timeline of work and payment collection, and the type of materials being used. This will protect both parties and especially ensure you get what you paid for.

AC Swimming Pool Pumps: Energy Monsters

AC swimming pools pumps are not efficient by design, which turns them into voracious monsters when it comes to energy consumption. This does a real number on your utility bill. But, until recently, it’s been the only choice for swimming pool owners. An AC swimming pool pump will always cost you money as long as you use it.

While you can switch an AC pump to solar power by adding solar panels and making some conversions, the cost of doing so would be better served just replacing it entirely with a solar power swimming pool pump.

A Better Way with Solar Swimming Pool Pumps

The benefits of solar swimming pool pumps outweigh the fact that they are certainly not cheap to buy and have installed. However, the return on investment starts working as soon as you flip the switch. Typical energy bill savings are about $80 per month on a 20,000 gallon pool. That could mean a payback on the switch in as little as two years, depending on how many months out of the year you are using your swimming pool. And, the best part of all is that, one day, your swimming pool filtering and heating will no longer cost anything!

Here are some other benefits:

• When energy costs are at their highest during the mid-day, the solar swimming pool pump is functioning at its prime, typically operating free of cost right smack in the middle of the day because it’s soaking up those solar rays.
• Even if your area experiences those common rolling brownouts or blackouts as so often happens in Palmdale, Lancaster, and the whole of the Antelope Valley during the summer, your swimming pool pump will still work. That means uninterrupted summer swimming pool fun.
• These pumps are built to last for a long time.
• The decrease in electricity usage also helps you do your part for the environment. The less electricity you use, the fewer pollutants you are contribution towards making.
• Real estate appraisers find that adding renewable energy equipment to your home adds value to your home in the eyes of home buyers, also adding to your return on investment.

Beyond swimming pools, these solar pumps work for in-ground spas, ponds, water features like fountains and waterfalls and even irrigation systems!

 One word of warning is that not all filter types work effectively with solar pool pumps. The best choice is to have a cartridge-type filter followed by a sand filtration system. When you do select a swimming pool solar pump as a replacement for an AC pump, choose one that is half the size. This means that a ½ horsepower solar pump will replace a 1 horsepower AC pump.

Contact Us Now!

We would be happy to conduct an energy efficiency audit or provide you with more information on why you might consider replacing your energy-sucking AC swimming pool pump!

We provide expert installation that will have you saving money and the environment in no time while you lounge in your swimming pool all summer long!

Labor

Putting up an above-ground pool can be labor intensive, but so can an in-ground pool. The only difference is that labor for an in-ground swimming pool is handled by licensed, professional contractors and sub-contractors who take care of excavation, plumbing, electrical, equipment placement, concrete and plaster.

Placement

Many people noted at the home show that their yard is probably too small for an in-ground swimming pool and would have to settle for an above-ground swimming pool. If you hop over to our gallery page, you will see that some swimming pools have been creatively placed in even the smallest of yards. Of course, there are conditions regarding placement under city and county codes, but most yards are quite feasible for an in-ground swimming pool.

Appearance

If this was a beauty pageant, an in-ground swimming pool would beat an above-ground pool hands down. An in-ground pool can be customized with cool features like fiber-optic lighting, rock slides, and a grotto. Good luck trying to bling out your above-ground model!

Practicality

Whether an in-ground swimming pool is practical for you is entirely up to your situation, including how often you will use it and the climate you live in. I would say anyone that could put in a swimming pool who lives in the Antelope Valley or anywhere in Southern California for that matter would find it practical, especially when the temperature hits triple digits!

Maintenance

An in-ground swimming pool is built to go the distance of 15-20 years before needing major work like re-plastering or new equipment. On the other hand, an above-ground swimming pool gives into the elements and can be easily damaged or rust. You may find yourself buying a new above-ground pool every couple of years. Both need regular maintenance for water chemistry balance and debris, but you can get a pool man for an in-ground swimming pool. Pool professionals rarely touch above-ground pools, however.

 Repair

While an in-ground pool may require more expensive repairs over time, there is less of a likelihood that anything will go wrong, and, if it does, it can be covered by a home warranty or a warranty on the swimming pool construction or swimming pool equipment. With an above ground pool, you are on your own albeit the repairs will most likely not cost very much.

Permanence

Of course, you cannot take an in-ground swimming pool with you when you move, but you more than likely can find another house that has one. While an above-ground swimming pool can go with you, most people don’t bother because of the hassle of taking it apart and transporting it. If you do, you often have to get a new liner for it.

Value

Many studies have shown that an in-ground swimming pool can add to the value of your home (at least the county tax assessor thinks so!). When selling a home, many people are attracted to the idea of having a swimming pool, especially if they have kids. When many people see an above-ground swimming pool that has seen better days (see appearance comment above), they tend to ask the Realtor if that will be hauled away prior to them possibly buying the house. Having a backyard oasis with an in-ground swimming pool as the central focus is definitely a selling point!

Are you sold on the idea? Be sure to contact us now to find out what we can do to make your backyard dream a reality!

There were many interested homeowners who were looking to install more energy-efficient swimming pool equipment as well as those shopping for a new swimming pool and spa.

It was great to talk to so many local residents of the Antelope Valley, including potential clients from Palmdale, Lancaster, Acton and even those farther afield!

Joining me at the show were two future Aqueous Pools employees, Dylan and Liam, who gladly handed out brochures not to mention helped themselves to plenty of candy!

Thank you to all those who stopped by, asked questions, picked up information or just said, hi!

I look forward to seeing you again next year!

 The AV Home Show runs from Friday, March 16-Sunday March 18, 2012. The event is free while parking is only $5! The event is held at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, which is located at: 2551 West Ave. H, Suite 102, Lancaster, CA 93536

 Show hours are:

Friday, March 16:       Noon- 6:00 pm

Saturday, March 17:   9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Sunday, March 18:      9:00 am – 5:00 pm

The AV Home Show has more than 150 diverse vendors as well as how-to seminars and great prizes and giveaways. There are also activities for the kids including a craft workshop and free ice cream (something my kids are already on board for!).

Stop by our booth and learn more about what we offer you as a small, personal swimming pool contractor committed to high-quality construction and attentive service. Information at the booth will also include products and services from High Desert Pools and AV Hawaiian.

The article noted many strategies:

“One, is being water safe, having kids learn how to swim at least being safe in the water and have an exit strategy outside of the pool, and the No. 2 approach is safer response, meaning a responsible adult within the immediate area of the child swimming, and they know CPR, said Moore. The third step that Moore teaches parents is to put up a safety gate around their pools. In Abel’s case, there was no protective fence.”

Pool Fence Laws and Code Standards

Currently, there are no federal fence laws, but many states like California, Florida, and Arizona have laws and some counties in states with no laws also have some of their own local laws. In addition, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals has developed a model barrier code for residential swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs, which has been approved by the American National Standards Institute. Some of the basic standards include the following:

• The fence must be a minimum of 48″ tall.
• The middle horizontal rail must be at least 45″ above the bottom horizontal rail so that it cannot be used as a ladder for climbing.
• The spacing between pickets/slats must be less than four inches.
•  The space between the bottom horizontal rail and the ground must be less than two inches.
• Any gate must be self-closing and self-latching.
• Any gate needs to open out (which means away from the pool area).

 Types of Swimming Pool Safety Fencing

Before going over the types of pool safety fences available, it is important to think about the type of yard you have and how fencing could be anchored to meet the aforementioned standards:

• Some fencing needs a hard surface.
• You want a fence that cannot be climbed.
• You still want to maintain privacy.
• You will have to think about how many points of entry could happen, including windows and doors that face out onto the swimming pool area.

Swimming pool fences come in a variety of materials:

• Vinyl/PVC Fencing: PVC Vinyl Fencing is maintenance free and does not rust or become corroded.  It comes in a variety of designs to make it fit your backyard design while adding security and privacy. 
• Removable Mesh: Removable mesh pool fence is designed specifically to provide a safety barrier around residential swimming pools for toddlers and young children. The pool fence is installed in sections to provide convenience for easy removal and reinstallation. Holes are drilled into a concrete deck or other substantial surface so that the mesh sections can be inserted and removed when not needed.
• Chain Link: Chain Link Fencing is economical and durable and does the job of keeping out children and pets from the swimming pool area. However, it is not necessarily the most attractive design approach for your yard and does not offer much privacy.
• Wood: Wood fencing is economic and private as well as secure, but it does need considerably more maintenance to maintain.
• Aluminum: Aluminum fences are easy to maintain and is widely available as a mid-range option. There are minimal maintenance issues with a high level of durability and security.
• Wrought Iron: Wrought Iron Fencing can be customized and provides a nice design touch to the backyard space while offering high security. However, it is not easily removed once it has been installed.

We’re Here to Help!

We can offer you a wide range of recommendations for your yard, design preferences, and budget. In Los Angeles County, having a security fence is a must to be able to receive sign-off on your swimming pool construction permits. It is also something that just makes sense because you can never skimp on the safety and security of your loved ones. Contact us today so we can get you covered.