Tag: pool tips

Spend Labor Day Weekend Next to Your New Arizona Pool

As summer arrives in the valley, the hot days stretch out long and seemingly unending before you. You try to fill the hours with trips up to the cool country, afternoons at the movies, or visits to the ice cream parlors in town, but by the time July rolls around, you shut the curtains, turn down the AC, and hunker down until cooler temperatures arrive! But summer in Arizona doesn’t always have to be that way; if you start now, it’s entirely possible you could be swimming in your new built-in Arizona pool by Labor Day Weekend!

So Soon?

A basic pool with nothing extra added can actually be completed in approximately 45 days (sometimes longer), but don’t let that force you into accepting something less than what you want. This is an investment into your future comfort, and a more complex pool can take up to 60 days, which depending on how soon you start, will still allow you to be swimming by Labor Day! If you want something really elaborate, there’s still a couple of months of swimming weather after Labor Day, so planning a fall party is always an option as well!

Planning a Labor Day Arizona Pool Party

However long it takes to get that pool in your backyard, there’s one more very important step to consider: planning the “opening day” pool party! Labor Day Weekend is a long one, so planning your pool party for Sunday would be the best choice; it gives your guests time to recuperate before going back to work on Tuesday! We’ll leave the food and drink menu to you, but we will guide you through the necessities of a pool party. From basketball hoops to floating drink holders and beach towels to shade spots, there are lots of accessories you may need to consider purchasing to make this party the talk of the block! Oh, and if you really want to be helpful, purchasing sunscreen from Costco will help keep your guests from burning as they swim and frolic in your new pool; the host with the most thinks of everything!

We May Be Getting Ahead of Ourselves

You haven’t even started the permit process and we’re already planning your Labor Day pool party, but we can’t help it; we get so excited helping our customers start on their way to nighttime swims and pool parties! Give us a call today and let’s change the view from your back windows with a cool and therapeutic Arizona pool!

3 Reasons to Get a Splash Pad in Arizona

Splash pads are getting popular these days among families with kids. There’s nothing like playing in the water on a hot summer day. It’s fun, safe, and keeps the kids occupied for hours on end. We may have just summarized the main reasons why you’d want to install a splash pad in your yard, but the truth is there are far more important reasons to get yourself a splash pad in Arizona for the kids to enjoy—especially if you’re concerned about water safety or would rather have your children play in the water in a safe environment.

Safer Than Pools

Water safety is the number one concern of many parents. Pools are fun and all, but they come with risks, especially for those with small children. Splash pads on the other hand have little standing water which makes for little or no risk even with small children. The spraying nozzles allow the kids to play in the water as much as they like without any danger. They can crawl, jump, run, and dance in the water without the need for an adult keeping constant watch on them as is the case with pools and other large bodies of water.

Helps with the Child’s Development

Children at a young age need a lot of interaction with the environment around them in order to build their confidence and self-esteem. The sensory experiences splash pads provide are quite important for a child’s development. The water is a different medium that offers a lot of triggers that help build their brain and motor skills. As the child experiments with the water and learns about its unique laws of physics, they expand their knowledge of the world around them. And the best part is, the child gets to learn on their own. You won’t need to hover over them and teach them things; they get it all at their own pace.

A Splash Pad Suits Every Size and Budget

Unlike a swimming pool, a splash pad can fit within any space. You can customize them to suit any shape or design you like. You won’t need a large area to install a splash pad either; any space in your yard will do. You won’t need to have a fence around your property either. You turn it on when the kids want to play, then turn it off and forget about it. They require significantly less maintenance than pools do.

Splash pads are a great alternative for pools and suit every budget and location. Call us today to learn more about our great offers.

Pool Restoration vs Getting a New Pool

There is nothing that makes the wildly hot temperatures of a Phoenix summer go by quite like having your own swimming pool. While owning your own pool is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family, it comes with a good bit of work in maintaining it. There are probably many people out there who have an old pool that is not in good shape and they are wondering if they should salvage their current pool or get a new one. Here are a few thoughts on pool restoration versus getting a new one.

Assess Your Damage

By becoming aware of the deficiencies of your pool, you can have a much better idea of the right solution for you. The main problems that pop up with pools are related to the equipment,from broken pool pumps to filtration systems. Aesthetic issues often come up with worn pool decks, pool liners, and features around the pool. More serious issues can come up like cracks in the pool liner and consequent leaks that have the potential of creating dangerous conditions in your pool.

Pool Restoration

Pool restoration is a great option for when the problems with your pool are mostly aesthetic. Resurfacing your pool deck can provide the effect that an entirely new pool can provide. Resurfacing your pool liner brings a fresh look to your pool which will make it look as good as new. An important part of this process is also to make sure your equipment is all in great shape so your pool can be clean and beautiful. Replacing filters, pool pumps, and cleaners is so important to a beautiful pool.

Replace Your Pool

This is a more expensive option, but the results are incredible. It is a good option when your pool has serious problems involving cracked plumbing and cracked pool liners. These conditions leak water into the ground below the pool, creating the possibility of a sinkhole, which is bad news. Entirely replacing the pool liner is essentially installing a new pool. The new liner will last for 10 to 15 years and remain a beautiful place to enjoy the water for many years. This often goes along with replacing much of the plumbing, so everything will be working very well.

Get Some Help

Regardless of the condition of your pool or the dreams you have about how you want your pool to be, you can always benefit from the perspective of the professionals. If you are in the Phoenix area, you will not find a more professional group than that of New Image Landscape and Pools. We provide countless services related to your pool, from design and construction to repairs, maintenance, cleaning, and on and on. The surest way to make your pool something that you can be proud of is to call us at (480) 654-4422!

Top Ways to Keep Your Pool Water Blue

We are finally coming out the other side of yet another hot summer in Phoenix. You and your pool are probably excited about the reduced strain that cooler temperatures bring. While the necessary consistency of pool maintenance is substantially lower during the winter, it is important to not forget about your pool altogether. There are certain pool upkeep practices that are always good to follow, but there are a few specific ones that become very important during the winter months. The following are some of the surest ways to ensure you have a beautiful and healthy pool all winter long.

Stay on Top of the pH Levels

Proper pH balance is one of the most fundamental aspects of a healthy pool. Maintaining these levels is the best way to keep the pool aesthetically pleasing throughout the winter and ease the transition as the temperatures rise next year. A healthy range is from 7.2 to 7.6. Checking the chemicals once a week, while intermittently adding chlorine as needed, is a good practice.

Do Not Over-Chlorinate

It is easy to find yourself in auto-pilot, adding three chlorine tablets every week, as is often necessary in the summer. But over-chlorinating your pool can be just as big of a problem as under-chlorinating.  During the winter in Phoenix, one tablet of chlorine per week will go as far as three per week during the summer. Testing your chemicals is the surest way to make sure you are adding the right amount of chlorine.

Maintain a Simple Cleaning Routine

While you can reduce the frequency of your pool cleaning routine, you still need to do it regularly. The most important aspect of any cleaning process is skimming the pool and removing any debris. Vacuuming the bottom of the pool for debris and scrubbing the sides of the pool are important as well, but not required as often.

Mid-Winter Shock

Shocking your pool is the quickest and surest method of sanitizing your pool. It is very important to not do this procedure very often, but doing it once in the heart of winter goes a long way in getting your pool through the end of winter so it is ready for swimming season.

Consider Covering Your Pool

Closing your pool for the winter is a process that requires a bit of work now, but will save you work throughout the entire winter. The basic steps for closing your pool are ensuring your chemicals are in balance and the pool is completely clean, then adding additional chemicals like an algaecide, granular chlorine, and metal control. Run your pool pump for a day or two and then cover your pool. There are many different types of pool filtration systems, so consult your owner’s manual to learn how to winterize your specific system.

While winter offers a bit of a break from the often-strenuous task of caring for your pool during the summer, there is still a bit of work to be done. If you stay on top of it, it will be a breeze to keep that pool water clear and beautiful throughout the winter!

Arizona Pool Filters: What You Need to Know

If your concerned about the cleanliness of your pool, make sure you have a good grasp on how pool filters impact the overall system. One way to improve your filter is to understand the differences between the types of filters, as well as knowing which filter will fit the needs and standards you have for your pool. Luckily for you, we’ve know all there is to know about pools and Arizona pool filters. Keep reading to learn more about the impact of pool filters; understanding this aspect of how your pool works will prove beneficial in the long run!

Different Types of Arizona Pool Filters

There are three different kinds of pool filters: D.E. (diatomaceous earth), sand, and cartridge filters. These filters are important because they prevent algae and other bacteria from growing in your pool. Filters are what make your pool clear, so these items are good to know about; we know that no one likes a green pool!

Diatomaceous Earth

D.E. uses exoskeletons of diatom, a type of algae, to work like sand and catch particles and microns that would grow in one’s pool. It’s an outstanding process of filtration, but sits on the pricy side, both in initial cost and maintenance. Nevertheless, it will really get the job of filtration done!

Sand

A sand filter is exactly what it sounds like: a large tank with sand where water gets pushed through. The sand filters out any contaminants before they reach the pool. It’s a great system for catching small particles; in fact, particles as small as 20 microns can get caught in a sand filter. Though not as energy efficient, sand filters have a very easy maintenance process and can last up to seven years.

Cartridge

Cartridge filters sit in a small tank. Water comes in through the surface area, hits the cartridge in its middle, and filters down, taking contaminates with it. Those contaminates are then picked up by a paper-like material in the cartridge. To clean the cartridge, one can just take it out and spray it down with hose. It’s energy efficient, low cost, and effective.

What’s Best for Your Pool?

When it comes to this question, it all depends! For those that want the clearest pool, diatomaceous earth will do the job. For those that want the least maintenance, a sand filter will be your best bet. For those that want an energy and cost-efficient filter that keeps the pool just as clean, they’ll want to go for the cartridge. It just depends on the needs of each pool owner and the region and environment they live in.

Give us a call and we’ll help you decide what will work best for you and your pool. We love guiding customers into satisfaction. After knowing what you know now about pool filters, you may not even need our feedback; you may already know which one you want. Contact us today and we’ll help you get the filter that’s best for you.

Can A Custom Pool Increase Your Property Value?

The simple answer is yes, a custom pool can and does increase the value of your property, but there are limitations! We’ve been in the business for a long time, and as such, we are passionate about our pools and our customers; your satisfaction and happiness is what we strive for, so we won’t lead you astray. Living in the warm desert climate makes a custom pool a useful addition to your home, and when you customize it, it can increase the value even more!

Reasons to Add a Pool

Not every pool adds value to your property. If the yard is too small, or if you live in a colder environment, you may want to pass on the pool—it’s just not worth the investment. Also, if you are planning on selling your home, understand that there may be a large demographic of people who will pass your home right by if they see you have a pool; people with young children who are worried about potential drownings or people who live on a tight budget may not think a pool is worth it and will keep on looking. But if you live in a high-end community where most homes have pools, it could cost you money not to construct one of your own. And a custom pool can add incentives to buyers with the opportunity to own a pool that isn’t like anyone else’s—everyone likes to be unique!

Custom Pools Vs Standard Pools

It’s true that you won’t recoup all your costs for building a pool; on average, a pool adds approximately 7 to 10 percent value to your home. But if you aren’t planning on moving anytime soon, the decision of whether to add a custom pool should be dependent on your needs, wishes, and desires. Would a standard pool satisfy your urge to swim? Most definitely—but if you can afford more, why not? You work hard and daily life can be stressful; don’t you deserve to be spoiled? Imagine looking out your window and seeing a pool with custom touches: a copper fire bowl, a rock waterfall, and a glass mosaic design of a redheaded mermaid gracing the bottom of your pool can bring a smile to your face that makes it worth the extra expense.

New Image Landscape and Pools

A custom pool can make all the difference in a day filled with stress and tension, as well as in the value of your property. Schedule a consultation with us today and discover how much better life can be when you have an oasis in your backyard!