Shopping For An Inground Pool? Here Is A Starter Checklist . . .
As one of the inground sales specialists here at Eastgate Pools & Spas I have found myself in a lot of backyards checking the lay of the land to see if we can install an inground pool. Most people are exploring the option for the first time and I thought maybe I would offer a few pointers to consider before you do too much homework.
- What does the city, county, or homeowner’s association say? There are specific setback requirements in most areas, fencing requirements, and other rules of thumb unique to just about every county, city, and township. Familiarizing yourself with these details will give you a better picture of just what is possible in your yard.
- So just how do we get to that backyard? In order for us to get everything in and out to complete an installation project we need at least 10 feet of level pathway. That clearance will cover all equipment. If can only get the backhoe in that is okay, but we will still need 8 feet for that. The other thing to consider is that full size loads of gravel and concrete are too heavy to cross a driveway, so it is best to have an alternate path.
- Nearly every yard can accommodate a pool, but yards with dramatic slopes can require retaining structures to ensure the pool stays right where it was put. I can assure you that if we advise such structures the long-term integrity of the pool is our primary concern.
- Don’t forget about utilities. Please be aware of overhead and underground power lines, gas lines, easements for sewer lines, septic tanks, and leech lines. All of these can be factors that can impact where the pool can go, and also influence the actual size possible. Most of the details can be found on your housing plot plan or through your state’s call before you dig hotline.
These are just a few things to consider before beginning the pool process. While you are at it take a look around our website and the Legacy Edition Pools website. I’m always happy to take a look at any yard and answer any questions you might have, but checking some of these details beforehand can save you some valuable time.
Vinyl Liner Versus Fiberglass
Here at Eastgate Pools & Spas we have been installing the Legacy Edition by Imperial Pools as our only option for an inground swimming pool since 1981. With over 3000 pools installed and no warranty claims on a pool wall we just don’t see any reason to mess with a good thing. That said we have an increasing number of potential customers that are looking at one-piece fiberglass pools vs. our vinyl-lined pool product. I just thought I would offer a quick insight into why we continue to offer the product we do, and why we have opted to stay out of the fiberglass market.
To put it simply, we don’t offer fiberglass pools because this just isn’t the right part of the country. If you travel to Florida, California, or any other state with a high sand content to the soil you will certainly see more fiberglass than vinyl pools. Well the opposite is true here in the Midwest because the heavy clay content of our soil, and the freeze/thaw climate make it the more appropriate and safer choice. The bottom of our pools have a solid yet porous base, which will allow in the worst conditions for water to “float” the liner. This defense mechanism ensures the pool structure is unharmed. With a fiberglass pool a similar situation would likely result in cracking or heaving of the pool out of the ground. Keep in mind, these are rare occurrences, but that is why we have chosen to stay with a proven commodity for this region. Each of these product options has advantages, but in our neck of the woods we believe in the benefits of the vinyl-lined pool. Over 3000 success stories can’t be wrong.
Buying An Inground Pool . . . In The Winter?
That is right! We are here all year round, ready to help you figure out just the right pool for your backyard. All too often customers let the thought slip to the back of their mind because the weather isn’t that warm at the moment. As soon as the weather breaks the phone starts ringing…a lot! There is nothing I hate worse than having to tell someone that they will have to wait a few months to even start the pool because they waited just a little too long to make the installation list. Please don’t hesitate come in and sit down with us so we can help you build your very own backyard oasis. Even a rainy spring won’t prevent you from swimming this year, because you will be ahead of the curve. - Craig
Rack ‘Em Up
As I approach my sixth winter here at Eastgate Pools I’m excited to get back to talking pool tables. My background has always been in furniture and that immediately helped me to understand what goes into a good pool table. Buying a quality pool table is simple if you know going in to not let yourself get too caught up by a manufacturer name or a sales pitch. The most important things to look for in a quality table are solid wood top rails and aprons, a slate playing surface, and quality natural gum rubber cushions. If you have these three components you are well on your way to a product that will be with you for years and years to come. The rest of the details are just about what kind of furniture you want. Naturally, a solid wood construction is very nice and routing in the cabinet can be very attractive, but they aren’t necessary for the durability of the table. In other words, if you see a table here that you like you can buy based on the look and price you like. No matter what you choose you can feel comfortable knowing you bought a table that will play and last just as well as that brand X table your friend paid $5000 for. - Craig
Casual Furniture In The Off Season
The colder it gets the less likely everyone is to think about spending time outside, but that doesn’t mean we have tucked all of our furniture away for the year. When the temperature starts to drop we switch over our two showrooms so that the more seasonal merchandise is in our larger showroom. While the scenery is different when you first walk in we still have an entire showroom of casual furniture, as well as some all weather wicker options in our main showroom. If you have the space to store it, or if you are looking for something unique as a gift idea you can take advantage of some very good off-season discounts. We have a tremendous number of demo sets, and still have quite a few Telescope Merchandise Mart buyouts. We are already filling our warehouses with new product lines for next year, so we have great prices on these one of a kind sets to make space for new product. Please feel free to stop by and we would love to help you find the right set for you! - Craig
Winter And Patio Furniture
As the leaves begin to fall and the winter months begin to roll in we all recognize that it is time to close the pool. What is often forgotten is that your casual furniture needs some attention as well. Naturally, if you have a place to store your furniture that is your best option, but if you don’t have the luxury of storing your furniture please make sure you take the necessary steps to protect it. There are a wide variety of furniture covers to protect your investment from the harsh effects of winter. There are covers for everything from individual pieces to complete table sets. If your furniture is cast aluminum a cover should suffice. If your frames are in any way hollow there are probably “weep holes” in the frame to make sure water doesn’t stay in the frame and potentially freeze. Manufacturers will not cover freeze damage under most warranties so this is especially important. If you have a stone top of some kind be sure to seal the top with the recommended sealer. Some manufacturers may have very specific requirements for winter protection so make sure you check any hang tags on your merchandise for suggestions. While many products could weather the storm, so to speak, you will only improve the life span of your furniture by covering it and following a few preventative procedures.
Why Should I Use Shock . . . I Already Added Chlorine.
I’ve heard this comment/question more times than I could probably count. Most pool and spa owners understand the basic principle of disinfecting and why one must use chlorine to keep things clean, clear, and most importantly safe. The chlorine used to maintain a level of chlorine around 3 parts per million is doing its’ job by killing off bacteria and preventing the growth of new bacteria. Once the chlorine is effectively “used” it combines with the bacteria to form a chloramine. Now you have decaying organic material floating around in your pool or spa creating odors, irritating eyes, and giving you false readings of chlorine in the water. This is where the good old shock comes in. By adding either liquid chlorine or some sort of granular shock you release the organic materials out of the water and help to rejuvenate some of the existing chlorine. Often times I find people give chlorine a bad name when in fact, they just aren’t shocking enough to allow everything to work properly. So next time you think that chlorine tablet isn’t doing enough remember that is only part of the equation. Just make sure your liquid chlorine is good and fresh, because with a loss of 50% of its strength in the first 60 days you want to ensure you are getting the best bang for your buck.
Shopping For A Safety Cover
When covering an inground pool for the winter there are few options more popular than safety covers. With manufacturers showcasing pictures of elephants or an entire family standing on top of such covers the safety factor is obvious. What may not be so obvious is why it makes sense to spend a little more for the solid cover instead of the mesh. The solid cover does require that you pump the water off of the cover where the mesh option does not, but solid covers generally include an automatic cover pump when purchased. The big advantage with the solid cover is that it doesn’t allow water or fine debris to run through the cover. This is especially advantageous when you have an automatic chlorine generator. When you don’t dilute your water, you don’t dilute your chemicals in the water and are far less likely to see algae creep in at the start of the season. By saving on chemicals each season, and avoiding the hassle of cleaning up a dirty pool it is easy to see how the solid safety cover pays for itself. – Craig
What The Heck Is A Solar Fish?
Most pool owners are familiar with solar covers and may in fact own such a cover. What many owners don’t know is that these covers don’t just help to heat the water they also help to keep the heat in the water. Most evenings see a significant drop in temperature and when this occurs your nicely warmed pool water will often times evaporate. In fact, the vast majority of heat loss in a pool is caused by evaporation. In the evening the solar cover effectively traps the heat preventing it from escaping. So what is the point of a solar fish then? Well, the solar fish does just what a solar cover does in the evening…it reduces evaporation. First used in the water park industry, this combination of alcohol and wax creates a safe layer of heat protection on the top of your pool water. This can be a welcome relief for those tired of constantly taking that solar cover on and off of the pool. The solar cover is probably best for the early and late months of the swim season, but when you are in the warmer months of the summer you can preserve your heat just as well with a solar fish. – Craig Weaver
Bubbles Up or Down?
The swim season is here, and as more and more pools open, more solar pool covers will be purchased or will come out of storage. Now comes what is probably one of our most frequently asked questions here at Eastgate Pools & Spas. Bubbles up or bubbles down?
Bubbles down is the correct answer. And yes, in answer to another frequently asked question, solar covers really do work. A solar pool cover works by the sunlight heating the air that is trapped within the small bubbles. This heat is then transferred to the water, and this is why the bubbles go down into the water. But solar covers also work because they help trap heat in the pool, so on cooler evenings, the pool water will retain the heat that it gained during the day. Solar covers use simple but very effective technology that will allow you to swim more comfortably earlier and later in the swim season.
Want your solar cover to last longer? When the solar cover is off of the pool, please either cover it with a white sheet to reflect the sun’s rays, or place it in an area like a garage or shed where it will not be sitting in the sun. Solar covers are very good at collecting heat, and when left sitting in the sun off of the pool, solar covers generate lots of heat, which in this situation they can’t transfer to the water. The end result is that the solar blanket “bakes” itself, and this significantly reduces its life.
Fabric Choices
In almost thirteen years of selling casual furniture I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve had a customer tell me the same basic cushions and umbrellas could be purchased at their local big box store. While I could spend a tremendous amount of time explaining why this isn’t true I thought one thing I might focus on is understanding the fabrics used. I know that doesn’t exactly sound exciting, but quality of fabrics (and the costs associated with quality fabrics) play a huge role in determining prices and durability. Basic polyester fabrics are the most common fabrics you will find used in your larger chain stores. These fabrics generally fade rather quickly, mildew, and wear more quickly than other options. Olefins would likely be the next step up in quality. Solution dyed olefins (where the color runs all the way through the threading) are very resistant to fading, resistant to mildew, and rather long lasting. Your next improvement would be spun polyester. Lastly, acrylic fabrics (especially Sunbrella) are the finest fabrics for outdoor use. These are essential awning grade materials and offer the finest in comfort, color-fastness, and durability. With each step up the fabric ladder you will gain durability translating into a longer life meaning more bang for your buck. You should note that any fabric that isn’t a solid or a stripe would fade easier, because the color isn’t consistent throughout the threading. Now the next time you find your umbrella you bought only a year ago in need of replacement consider an upgrade in fabric quality. It might cost you a little more, but it will pay for itself with carefree use for years to come.
-Craig Weaver