Why Concrete Swimming Pools Are a Good Choice

Posted on May 18, 2012 by admin

Young Girl Swimming UnderwaterSwimming pools add to the landscape of your home, whether they are in the ground or above. Most people enjoy an area where they can lounge, relax, take a swim and exercise, hence, swimming pools are a popular choice.

There are many different kinds of swimming pools available in the market such as concrete, metal, fiberglass, vinyl and plastic. Out of all these, concrete seems to be a popular choice of material for construction of pools. There are many reasons for this:

Customized Shapes

This is an attractive advantage of concrete swimming pools. Customized shapes mean that these pools can be designed and constructed in any shape that the buyer wants them. You do not have to stick with the typical rectangular or square shape when having your pool constructed. With the help of a designer or a professional, the buyer can have any shape he/she wants.

Easy to Position

Concrete swimming pools can be built wherever you want them to be located. This means that they can be constructed far away from your house or close to it. You are sure to get envious glances from your neighbors if you choose to construct it in the middle of your garden.

Accessorize your Pool

For those who want to get fancier with their pool designs, they have the option on installing a waterfall in their pool. The waterfall can be constructed anywhere on the pool and will usually be positioned higher than the height of the pool. You can decorate this area with plants. The waterfall adds a nice touch to your pool and makes the area look serene.

Add Tiles

The area around the pool can also be finished nicely with tiles. These tiles can be of the homeowner’s choice and you can pick any color, design, or pattern you wish. The areas that can be paved are the walls, the surrounding area as well as the interior of the pool.

Ample Space to Lounge

Space is also another concern for most people and this issue is also dealt with conveniently when it comes to concrete swimming pools. Such pools allow for a lot of space for you to lounge and spend some quality time by yourself or with your family and friends. This is because the steps can be built inside the pool and do not take up outside space as is the case with steps built outside the pool.

You must keep your budget constraints in mind when deciding to go for a concrete swimming pool. They are expensive and they require more time to be built and set up as well. It is wise to take the help of a professional rather than try to do it yourself.

Take the time out to keep a few things in mind before you approach a professional service. Look for the best spot for your pool keeping in mind the convenience of access to this spot. Another thing to consider is the size; how big do you want it? Concrete pools could be small, medium or large – depending on your requirements. It is good to be prepared before you hire help.

For more information on concrete swimming pools or concrete pools, you may contact: Destiny Custom Pools

Concrete swimming pools are proven to stand the test of time. Destiny Custom Pools uses high quality materials and finishings on your concrete pool construction.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Howard_A_James

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Fine Tuning Your Swimming Pool’s Chemistry

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

Swimming pools can be attractive and can add value to your home. A properly installed pool looks beautiful at first, but poor maintenance can erase all the good looks. It’s a waste of money to set up a swimming pool and just let it go murky. Regular maintenance may be tiresome, but a one-time and major cleanup can be even more annoying. Pool maintenance is possible with general checkup and cleaning, both requiring use of swimming pool equipment.

Swimming Pool Test Kit

Swimming Pool Test Kit

One of the tricky things about maintenance is checking the water chemistry. Note that while the filtration system does much of the work in maintaining good water condition, tweaking the water chemistry is the key to making your pool suitable. Chemical balance is important to keep the growth of microorganisms and the production of harmful chemicals. Certain water conditions favor proliferation of bacteria and other pathogens. At the same time, poor chemistry can also be a sign of inadequate filtration and chlorination systems.

There are signs that indicate poor water chemistry-cloudy water, discoloration and chlorine smell. If you suffer from skin and eye irritation after swimming, this is an indication that the chemistry should be checked.

Eliminate the pathogenic agents.

Chlorine is the most popular disinfecting agent. Although chlorine gas may be used, commercial pool disinfecting agents are in the form of calcium hypochlorite or sodium hypochlorite, the same active ingredient your household bleach has. When a hypochlorite compound is added to water, hypochlorous acid is yielded. This weak acid kills bacteria. Bromide compounds can also be used to disinfect the liquid.

Is chlorine the culprit?

Pool chemistry is largely affected by the amount of chlorine in the liquid. If you paid attention during your high school chemistry class, you would remember that hypocholorous acid is unstable and easily decomposes, especially when exposed to ultraviolet light of the sun. It also reacts with other substances. A stabilizing agent can be added to chlorinators to prevent formation of other chlorine compounds. An example is cyanuric acid, which also keeps hypochlorous acid from easily decomposing upon exposure to the sun. However, it is a common practice among pool owners to chlorinate the water at night to get the best desired effect.

What happens if hypochlorous acid combines with other chemicals?

Hypochlorous acid is supposed to kill bacteria and not react with other compounds. It may react with compounds like ammonia (found in urine) to form chloramines. Chloramines no longer disinfect your pool. Worse, they are irritants, as they cause eye and skin irritation. So, when you suffer from skin irritation, it’s not directly because of the chlorine present in the water, but because of the byproducts of chlorine. That unpleasant smell can be attributed to the presence of chloramines. Chloramines can be eliminated by shock treating the pool. This is done by the application of strong pool chemicals to remove organic compounds in the liquid.

What about water pH?

Water pH is one thing that you should not miss. It should be at 7.2, but a range up to 7.6 is tolerable. Test the pH regularly using test kits. Small amounts of hydrochloric acid can be added if its pH is too high. Tests can be done every 6 hours to ensure that the pH level is at the best possible. Adding borate to water stabilizes its pH to some extent.

For more information about pool chemicals and swimming pool equipment, visit mypoolspot.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cedric_P_Loiselle

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Five renovations to make an even bigger splash with your backyard pool

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

(ARA) – If you added a pool to your home in the past few years, or moved into a house with an existing pool, you may wonder what more you can do to enhance the value and enjoyment your pool brings to your home and family. You may even think there’s not much you can do beyond keeping it clean and well maintained.

“Pools are a great investment, and the vast majority of owners say their pool is a great place to entertain,” says Bill Weber, president and CEO of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP). “Fortunately, some simple upgrades and renovations can help pool owners enjoy their investment even more.”

APSP points to five renovations that can offer homeowners the most satisfaction and value for their investment:

1. Resurfacing – If your in-ground pool is made from concrete, time and use can cause the surface to deteriorate and become rough or even cracked. Resurfacing can restore the beauty and comfort of the pool and extend its functional life. Choose options that provide durability, and consider multiple manufacturers’ products to ensure the best selection. For pools with a vinyl interior, a host of new patterns, available for replacement liners, can transform the appearance of the pool overnight. Fiberglass pool owners also have several resurfacing options.

2. New tile – Just as a kitchen backsplash can transform the overall look of the room, tile can set the tone for how your pool looks. Pool tile options are vast, and changing the tile is one of the most dramatic improvements you can make; it will give you the biggest bang for your buck in terms of appearance.

3. Change the look of the pool deck – The current design trend is to extend the look of interior flooring out into the pool area to create the effect of an outdoor family room. Deck choices range from man-made and natural materials to staining existing concrete. Know that old concrete does not necessarily need to be removed. Often you can fix unsightly cracks and dated concrete decks with a thick overlay and new finish.

4. Add a water feature – Installing a waterfall or fountain is a great way to bring the sound and beauty of moving water to your outdoor environment. Water features also create a strong focal point for the pool. A dramatic spillover or sheer water feature can be dynamic additions to an ordinary pool.

5. Lighting – While safety is a primary function of lights, today’s pool lighting also adds touches of beauty and pizzazz. Standard incandescent and halogen pool lights are functional staples, and fiber optic lighting can add striking color to a nighttime poolscape. Fiber optics are especially great around pools and landscaping because there’s no electrical current to worry about. Long-lasting LED replacement lights can typically be installed with little or no modification to the existing pool. The colored LED lights can create an entirely new mood around your pool while providing energy savings at the same time.

“Of course, there are many more renovations and improvements to consider,” Weber says. “Digital controls make operating pool equipment easier than ever, allowing you to control lighting, heating and cleaning with the touch of the button. And upgrades like adding a salt chlorinator system, solar cover and heater can improve the functionality and efficiency of a pool.”

Keep in mind, you don’t have to do everything at once. Pool renovations can be done over several seasons, allowing you to make the improvements and fund your investment at a pace that works for you.

Contact Destiny Custom Pools, to ensure you get the most for your money, hiring an experienced  Houston pool contractor with proven knowledge of design, construction and service.

“Most renovations are quite affordable, and can dramatically change the look of your backyard,” Weber says. “It’s important to ensure your project is performed by a certified professional who can help you turn your vision into reality safely, efficiently and cost-effectively.”

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Considerations In Evaluating A Pool Service Company

Posted on May 10, 2012 by admin

One step in determining the quality of many companies or services starts with knowing how to evaluate them. The factors used in evaluating different services will vary. For a pool service company, there will be some unique evaluation points.

Main Evaluation Points

For many homeowners, the location of the service company is important. Some prefer to use providers who live within the same area. Having the provider located a few minutes away is a boon in an emergency.

No one wants to have to want hours to have a problem fixed if it can be helped. Using companies closer to home, makes it easier to visit a site where they worked to get a first-hand view. The cost of traveling, which is sometimes billed for, will definitely be less for local businesses.

The length of time the business and its principals have been in business also carries a lot of weight. The longer a business has been in existence, the greater the probability that they know what they are doing. Expertise in an area of specialization is definitely a valid criteria for evaluating any business.

Combined with experience is reputation. Any good business wants to have a reputation for quality service and getting the job done. Recommendations from clients and former clients help to build a business’s reputation.

The range of services offered should also be looked at. A good pool service company should be qualified to do more than cleaning and maintenance. They should be able to do any necessary repairs required.

In many states licensing and adherence to certain standards of safety is a requirement. Ask to see if proof of the company being licensed to offer the service they do. A cleaning pool service provider who adheres to the rules is more likely to deliver quality service.

The qualification of technicians is also important. Find out what qualifies the service technicians to do the work they do. This will also take into consideration any licensing requirements the company has met.

Competition has resulted in many companies offering great prices. This means that pricing is not the most important evaluation factor when choosing a pool service provider. Nonetheless, it is important, especially for those who are working with a budget.

Having set guidelines to help select a pool service company makes the process that much smoother. When a number of likely candidates are selected, using these criteria will reveal the stronger one. In many cases, the strongest two or three should be further explored.

This may mean calling the pool service company and asking them certain question. These questions will help determine how suitable they are. A request for references from the provider may be in order before making a final selection.

When satisfied with what you have learned, then you can contract a pool service company with confidence. It gives peace of mind knowing that you have hired a professional business that knows what they are doing in your employ.

Pool maintenance may seem easy, but it takes more than removing leaves from the water. A good pool service company knows what is needed and how to do it. Best of all, they can get the job done quickly and at an affordable price.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessie_Zender

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A Hot Summer’s Ten Most Wanted Tips

Posted on May 7, 2012 by admin
1. Run your pump like crazy – nine to 12 hours a day. Don’t be pennywise and pound-foolish. Your pool water can’t be cleaned unless all the water runs through the filter.

 
2. Clean your filter regularly. It’s a filter and its job is to trap the dirty stuff. If it’s a sand filter, simply backwash whenever the filter gauge pressure increases five psi. For DE filters, remove the grids once or twice a season and clean them. If using a cartridge filter, clean it with a good garden hose getting between all of the pleats.

 
3. Try mineral pure water. One of the biggest breakthroughs in pool purification has come in the last five years. It’s called FROG mineral technology and it uses natural minerals along with low levels of chlorine to purify the pool. With less chlorine, there are no more red eyes, bleached swimming suits, and little to no odor in the air. (On the Internet, FROG can be found at www.kingtechnology.com).

 
4. Stop the manual labor. Get an automatic pool floor cleaner. It’s like a robot that doesn’t require any pay! One name to remember is Kreepy Krauly. They are one of the experts in suction side pool cleaners and they even have a mineral purifying attachment to the cleaner called Pollywog for easy installation on existing pools.

 
5. Shock. That means add a concentration of chlorine or a non-chlorine shock treatment to go after the newly added heavy dose of bacteria and contaminants from body oils introduced by people and airborne particles.

 
6. Use an algaestat. That’s an algae preventative. Clarifiers help too. A clarifier clumps the molecules together so that the dirty molecules get sucked into the filter and trapped there.

 
7. Don’t let algae get out of hand. At the first signs of algae, go after it. When you use an algaecide, it will automatically drop your chlorine level so always add a chlorine shock after using an algaecide.

 
8. Get equipment that automatically adds chlorine to your pool. A regulated chlorinator is one of the most popular. Again, you can use a FROG mineral product and reduce your chlorine use. Or if you have big bucks, get an electric chlorine generator.

 
9. Stay ahead of problems. As with the stock market, pool care timing is everything. Get on a weekly schedule of maintenance that includes testing the water and re-balancing if needed, maintaining a regular chlorine level and shocking.

 
10. Always add your necessary maintenance doses during the day. That’s when the most demands are on the pool (sun, rain, people, etc.). Also make sure to circulate the water whenever you are adding chemicals to the pool.

 

Whether you’re thinking about a new pool or looking to improve your current pool, the last tip is to call us here at Destiny Custom Pools, we would gladly answer your questions.

Once you’ve got your routine, the pool will provide more happy memories than you can imagine.
Article Courtesy of ARA Content

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Swimming Pool Safety Tips for Parents and Homeowners

Posted on May 1, 2012 by admin

 

Swimming Pool Safety Tips for Parents and HomeownersAt Destiny Custom Pools we value your family as ours, this is why we want all our customers to enjoy their swimming pools with safety always in mind.

CPSC offers the following tips for pool owners:

  • Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool.
  • Instruct babysitters about potential hazards to young children in and around swimming pools and the need for constant supervision.
  • Completely fence the pool. Install self-closing and self-latching gates. Position latches out of reach of young children. Keep all doors and windows leading to the pool area secure to prevent small children from getting to the pool. Effective barriers and locks are necessary preventive measures, but there is no substitute for supervision.
  • Do not consider young children “drown proof” because they have had swimming lessons; young children should always be watched carefully while swimming.
  • Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
  • Never use a pool with its pool cover partially in place, since children may become entrapped under it. Remove the cover completely.
  • Place tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.
  • Keep toys away from the pool area because a young child playing with the toys could accidentally fall in the water.
  • Remove steps to above ground pools when not in use.
  • Have a telephone at poolside to avoid having to leave children unattended in or near the
  • pool to answer a telephone elsewhere. Keep emergency numbers at the poolside telephone.
  • Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
  • Keep rescue equipment by the pool.

 

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS: ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT A DROWNING. WATCH YOUR CHILD CLOSELY AT ALL TIMES. MAKE SURE DOORS LEADING TO THE POOL AREA ARECLOSED AND LOCKED. YOUNG CHILDREN CAN QUICKLY SLIP AWAY AND INTO THE POOL.

CPSC requests that consumers report incidents of drowning or “near drowning” by calling the Commission toll-free at 1-800-638-2772.

Diving Safety

THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION CAUTIONS DIVERS ABOUT IMPROPER DIVING PRACTICES

Diving injuries can result in quadriplegia, paralysis below the neck, to divers who hit the bottom or side of a swimming pool, according to CPSC. Divers should observe the following precautions:

  • Never dive into above-ground pools. They are too shallow.
  • Don’t dive from the side of an in-ground pool. Enter the water feet first.
  • Dive only from the end of the diving board and not from the sides.
  • Dive with your hands in front of you and always steer up immediately upon entering the water to avoid hitting the bottom or sides of the pool.
  • Don’t dive if you have been using alcohol or drugs because your reaction time may be too slow.

 

Improper use of pool slides presents the same danger as improper diving techniques. Never slide down head first-slide down feet first only.

reproduced from CPSC Document #5097

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Welcome to our Blog!

Posted on June 14, 2011 by admin

Hello Destiny Custom Pool visitors! Welcome to our blog.

Visit us again for our latest promotions, pool pictures, videos, testimonials and tips from our team.

See you soon!

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