Options In Swimming Pool Coping

Swimming pool coping is the part of your in ground swimming pool that finished off the pool and gives it a quality appearance.  Without coping a swimming pool looks unfinished; without it a pool appears classless and without style.  Not only is pool coping decorative while finishing off the look of the pool it also offers a safety feature; coping offers a non-slip, smooth edge to your in ground swimming pool. 

More often than not an attractive paving is laid around the pool area.  Your pool coping will really stand out is this paving is in a contrasting color to the in ground swimming pool coping. 

When choosing pool coping you have a lot of options to choose from.  Coping tiles come in a variety of styles, colors and materials. From expensive travertine to inexpensive poured concrete there is material that will enhance your pools natural beauty.  Styles include bullnose coping which allows the concrete to be poured butting up to the lip of the pool whereas cantilever style coping extends over the lip of the pool wall. 

Natural stone is an option many pool owners choose when it comes to coping.  Natural stone pool coping is available using a variety of materials including sandstone, marble, granite, limestone, travertine and bluestone.  Natural stone usually comes in tile form however can be cut to fit bends and corners.  You can choose to treat the stone with sealer or not.  If you choose not the treat the stone it will weather naturally enhancing the stones beauty.

Concrete coping can be installed in pre-made forms or poured into formers surrounding the pool. Concrete is versatile and can be patterned using stamps, colored and distressed making it look like more expensive coping materials but without the cost or expensive maintenance.  Poured concrete is a material that is easy to work with and is laid without the work required in installing natural stone coping.

Brick, porcelain tiles and natural clay bricks are all alternatives when it comes to in ground swimming pool coping.  When choosing a material for your pool coping look at your overall budget and decide what you are willing to allocate on coping.  This will help narrow down the options as you will be limited by a smaller budget on your material choices.  This however does not mean that you can’t have a more expensive look using poured concrete.  Contact a professional pool plasterer that specializes in all aspects of pool services including coping, tile, plaster resurfacing, caulking, decking and more.  

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

The Importance Of Swimming Pool Coping

How many in ground pool owners know the importance of their swimming pool coping?  A pools coping is nothing more edging for your pool however it serves a greater purpose than being a decoration.  Swimming pools coping helps prevent the water from seeping out on to the deck as well as hiding the rough edges around the pool.  These rough edges if not covered by pool coping would cause many cuts and bruises.  There are a variety of coping materials to choose from when it comes to coping for your pool.  Depending on your budget you can find a variety of quality coping materials for your pool.

One option in coping for your in ground swimming pool is poured concrete.  Known for its durability, long life span and affordability concrete is a popular option in pool coping and can be dyed to a variety of colors to match your pool area.  With pool coping the concrete must be poured in.  This helps to limit stress on the pools edge and keep the surface even and uniform in strength.  Regular maintenance and repairs on your pools coping will prevent cracks from expanding with the temperature changes.

Another option in pool coping that is not as popular as poured concrete is brick.  Using brick in pool coping adds a unique look to the pools edging.  The biggest disadvantage when it comes to brick is the rough surface as well as the fact that it tends to retain heat. 

Stone is another charming alternative to swimming pool coping.  It is a material sought out for pools coping as it is tough, attractive and stays cool even in the hottest of temperatures.  The main disadvantage with natural stone pool coping is the cost associated with purchasing and installing it. 

When it comes to commercial pool coping, safety grip is a popular option.  Safety grip coping is created using a concrete base that minimizes slipping with increased grip.  Many public swimming areas will use safety grip coping to help create a slip resistant surface for their swimmers. 

Pool coping materials should be chosen based up your climate, the pools use as well as maintenance time and costs.  The style of the coping is something that needs to be considered as well.  There are four main types of coping styles including bull-nose, cantilevered, rolled edge and rough cut.  Bull-nose coping offers a flat surface with a rolled edge, cantilevered coping offers a straight angle drop to the water, rolled edge offers an upward curve, and rough cut which is often flat.  

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Caring For Your In Ground Swimming Pool Through The Seasons

Owning an in ground gunite swimming pool requires a certain degree of upkeep.  Below is a brief overview on what you can except in season and off season for pool care.

In Season Care Of Your In Ground Gunite Swimming Pool

1)      Check the pools chemical levels.   Your pools pH and chlorine should be checked at least twice a week.  The pool should maintain a chlorine level of one to three parts per million and chlorine ph of at least seven point four to seven point six. Always check the water towards dusk after swimmers are done swimming for the night and the water has had time to settle.  Follow all directions on pool testing kits and chemical additions.

2)      The pool should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a week if not more. This will depend on use as well as the local weather. Cleaning the pool consists of skimming the debris from the top, brush the pools plaster in a circular motion loosening dirt and debris and running a vacuum to suck the dirt up after it has settled on the pools floor.  Cleaner can be used and applied if necessary.  Be sure to also check all filtrations systems and clean them out as well.

3)      Shock the pool with a high dose of chlorine every few weeks. Allow the pump and filter to run all night.  Swimming should be avoided for twenty four hours to allow the chemicals to run through the pools systems.

4)      The more the pools filter is run, while the pool is being actively used, the cleaner your pool will remain.  This is true throughout the summer swimming season.  It the water is in constant motion the dirt, debris, body oils and algae will have a hard time settling on the pool sides and floor.

Off Season Care Of Your In Ground Gunite Swimming Pool

1)      The pool should be inspected completely before you close the pool for the season. Check thepools plaster for cracks and imperfections that will need to be addressed before re-opening the opening the pool during the next swimming season.

2)      Adjust the chemicals in the water to perfection before completely closing the pool.

3)      All objects should be taken out of the pool.  Do not leave in ladders, diving boards, slides, pool toys, skimming baskets or any other pool accessory.  All items should be removed, dried and stored in a safe, dry environment throughout the winter season.

4)      Drain all of the water from the pool pumps, pipes and filtration systems.  Water that remains in the pools systems will likely freeze over the winter and could potentially cause expensive damage.  If you need help draining water from tubing a shop vacuum used on the lowest setting is gentle enough to assist in this.

5)      The pools water level should be lowered to just below the lowest pool return.  If you have any decorative tile on the pool walls it is important that the water is left below the tiles during the off season.

6)      Cover the pool with a safety cover throughout the winter season.  Secure it tightly and fix any obvious tears, rips or gaps.  A pool cover protects the pool from debris that is shed throughout the winter.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Good Clean Fun With The Installation Of A Gunite Swimming Pool

When summer approaches homeowners look towards ways to keep their children safe, active and at home.  Often times this can include installing an in ground cement and plaster finished pool.  Having a gunite pool installed at your home is a lot simpler and more affordable than ever before. 

When it comes to in ground or above ground pools they are incredibly similar in normal operations.  Both pools require filtration to be keep the pool free of debris, chemicals to maintain the ph balance, maintenance to keep it clean as well as basic surface cleaning.  One basic difference is that in –ground gunite swimming pools require maintenance on the pools plaster coating where as above ground pools will need thorough inspections of the vinyl lining.   The rest of the pools regular maintenance stays about the same.

1)      Debris will float on the surface of the water no matter what type of pool you have.  The first task is to remove the debris with a pool skimmer.  Pool owners should keep up on skimming their pools.  It should be done once or twice a day.  This also keeps the job from becoming overwhelming. 

2)      Both vinyl and plaster pools alike need to their walls to be cleaned.  By scrubbing the pool sides with a plastic-bristle pool brush you prevent algae and debris from sticking to the sides and staining the pool.  Move the brush in a circular motion around the entire lining of the pool. This will clean the sides without causing damage to the lining or plaster of a pools surface.

3)      After you scrub the sides of the pool with the plastic pool brush wait ten to fifteen minutes for the dirt and particles to settle on the pools bottom.  Vacuum the pools bottom slowly taking in all of the debris that has been rustled up.  By moving the vacuum slowly you will avoid stirring the dirt up and it is more efficient at getting all of the debris. Brush and vacuum the pool every week to keep the pool clean and as fresh as possible.

4)      Add the correct chemicals to balance the chlorine and remove the algae.  Follow all of the instructions while using pool chemicals.  Make sure to spread the pools chlorine around.  Dilute the chlorine as you add it to the pool avoiding staying in one place.

5)      Test the pools water ph and alkalinity levels once every two weeks.  Chlorine levels should be maintained around three parts per million and ph levels should read between seven point two and seven point six.

6)      The filtration systems should be cleaned thoroughly each week.  The main filter on the pool should be checked and emptied daily.  This is where large debris will end up.  Many people find critters that have drown in the pool in the filtration system.  So be aware that this may happen to you

7)      Keep the pools filtration systems running at least eight hours a day to keep the pool circulation and filtering regular and the water as fresh as possible for your swimming adventures. 

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

All About Gunite Swimming Pools

Swimming pools that are built into the ground are often made from a mixture that includes cement. A gunite swimming pool is created by mixing cement, sand and water together then spraying the combination onto the surface using pneumatic pressure. It is held onto the surface by a frame created out of rebar. Together the rebar frame along with the gunite mixture is what creates the base of the pools structure. A plaster surface, often referred to as marcite is added to finish the pool. 

Plaster creates a waterproof barrier that gunite alone does not have. The pools plaster should be applied by a team of professionals to guarantee that plaster surface is thick enough that it does not allow water to seep out. If the plaster is not thick enough the entire pool will need to be drained to repair the plaster hence stopping the water loss the pool is experiencing. This is a hassle that homeowners can avoid by hiring a reputable pool plastering company. 

One piece of advice I like to give new pool owners, especially those with gunite pools is to never drain your pool without first having professional instruction or hiring a company to help. A pool is not drained properly can end up with extensive damage to the pools surface, plumbing and surrounding area. 

Cracking is a common problem in gunite swimming pools. Cracks occur when water seeps into the ground behind the gunite mixture from the ground above and is allowed to seep in over time. With changes in the temperature the structure expands and contracts thus overtime causing cracks. Ground shifting from changes in the water table, earth quakes and erosion from floods, freeze/thaws. 

In order to prevent water seepage from the cracks in the pools marcite it is important that the gunite pool be repaired. This can be done using several repairing methods depending on the exact issue. If the plaster is in poor condition the pool plaster will need to be replaced. If the leak is small however it can often be repaired using a waterproof sealant. It is important that the proper technique is used when applying the sealant. 

Cracks in the plaster can also be filled using pressurize polymer that adheres to the structure becoming a flexible hinge. This is then touched up by applying a coating of plaster in the desired thickness. A large crack in the plaster is a bit tougher. The gunite structure will need to be stabilized, and then the above technique can be applied. 

With proper care of your gunite pool the pools plaster surface can stay in good shape and be maintenance free for years. Proper care includes the correct ph balance for the water, proper cleaning and upkeep on the pools internal systems. To keep the pools water in balnce it is best to check the water every few days or when water is added to the pool. Additional water from heavy rains can often cause an imperfect balance to occur in the pools water that will need to be quickly corrected to avoid damage to the pools surface.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote visit http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Refinishing Gunite Swimming Pools

When a concrete swimming pool is put into the ground the cement needs to be covered to protect the pool surface. Gunite pools, commonly referred to as cement or concrete pools are covered with marcite, a plaster composed of white cement and crushed marble. The plaster is an important piece of the gunite pool puzzle as it provides the surfacing to the pool. That being said the plaster requires a certain amount of care when it is applied. Below you will find a guide on caring for your newly plastered pool. 

After your pools plaster has been applied by a professional pool plastering company, the company will start to fill your pool. The plaster is cement based and as with cement will require a curing stage of about fourteen days. Filling the pool with water up to the tile helps the curing process and reduces shrinkage and cracking. The proper way to fill the pool is by using a hose that has a towel fixed to the end of it placed in the deepest part of the pool. The more hoses you have filling the pool the better.

Once the pool is completely full up to the tile you will begin the process of brushing the pool plaster. Purchase a nylon bristled pool brush to thoroughly brush the entire pool including the pool walls, floor, steps and seats. It is impossible to brush the pools plaster too much. It is best to complete this process at least three times a day. While you are brushing the pool it is normal for the water to become cloudy and filled with dusty materials. Continue brushing and maintaining the chemical balance as this will keep the dust from turning hard on the plaster. The pool should not be swept until all of the sediment is clear. 

The pools filtration system needs to be turned on right away after the pool has been filled. You should continue to run the filtration system non-stop until the water is completely clear. Run the pools bottom suction as well. Continue to check the pools filter and clean it often to ensure that debris does not clog it creating a problem with the system. Once you clean the filter be sure to restart it so as not to interrupt the filtration of the plaster debris from the pool.

One of the most critical parts in maintaining your pools new plaster is encompassed by the pool water chemical balance. It is wise to have the pool water checked daily while the new plaster is curing. Along with making sure your pool chemicals are properly balanced add a chemical into the pool water that helps prevent stains as well as acting as a metal magnet.

When it comes to your pools new plaster it is critical that you follow the above advice of brushing the pool, running the filtration system and chemical balance to the pools water. Following the advice above will help keep the pools plaster free of discoloration.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote visit http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Modern technology rescues backyard pool-time fun

Technology has made the world a very different place than it was just one, five or 10 years ago. Film cameras, handwritten letters and portable CD players, all have been replaced by newer, more efficient inventions. 

These advancements have improved so many facets of our lives, it really is no surprise that the latest technological breakthroughs have also hit the back yard pool. 

Pools have always provided their owners with a wonderful source of relaxation. Maintaining and cleaning the pool, however, also used to require real exertion and just plain hard work. Veteran pool owners remember hours spent trying to capture those elusive leaves with pool skimmers, or the sore back that comes from using pole vacuums and just the over-all poor performance of most suction cleaners. 

Fortunately, technology has improved the pool-cleaning process just as smart phones and other innovations have improved communication and, well, almost everything.

 Today, pool owners are increasingly opting for robotic pool cleaners, like the Aquabot, to handle the task of keeping their pools clean, making robotics  the fastest-growing category in the industry. So why are robotic pool cleaners so popular?

 Here are a couple of reasons: 

* They are affordable. While robotic pool cleaners are not completely new to the market, many pool owners had previously opted for pressure or suction cleaners because most robotic cleaners were just too expensive. Modern advances have helped bring the cost of these products down though, and robotic cleaners can now be purchased for as little as $299 for above-ground pools and just $399 to $799 for typical in-ground pools. 

* Reduced chemical usage. Many technology advancements come in response to consumer demands for healthier products, and this has taken place in the pool industry as well.  The Aquabot robotic pool cleaner for example carries the strongest vacuum pumps in the industry, removing more dirt and grime which reduces the amount of chemicals owners need to add to their pool. This makes for a healthier swim for everyone. 

* Easy to use. Smart phones are popular in large part because of their ease of use, and robotic pool cleaners now offer a simplicity all their own. To use a robotic pool cleaner, simply place the robot in the water, plug it in and press the button. The robot does the rest. 

* Environmentally friendly. In addition to being healthy for the body, many consumers also want products that are good for the environment. Robotic pool cleaners are more energy efficient than standard cleaning methods. For example, the Aquabot’s cleaning cycle uses 40 percent less electricity and costs just 5 cents per cycle hour. That means big savings for both the environment and your wallet.  Robotic pool cleaners are self-contained.  That means no hoses or costly booster pumps associated with pressure or suction cleaners. 

As with most technological advances, consumers who own pools are demanding products that improve efficiency and make life more enjoyable. For pool owners, robotic pool cleaners mean more time spent swimming in the pool and less time cleaning it. You can learn more about the Aquabot at www.facebook.com/aquabot. 

Original Source: http://www.seasidecourier.com/online_features/tech_talk_and_innovation/modern-technology-rescues-backyard-pool-time-fun/article_83390f00-0246-56f1-b523-76bead941103.html