Adams Pool Specialties Blog

Would your kids rather hang out at the river than by your pool? Is it because your pool is drab or in need of repairs? When even your kids are avoiding the pool, it’s time for a renovation. The following pool remodeling tips give you some ideas on how you can beautify a shabby swimming pool and create an oasis that you and your family will enjoy for decades!

• Expand your pool deck. The design of your pool deck plays a major role in the landscape of your swimming pool. It is the area where you and your kids can do sunbathing, entertaining, grilling, and other activities.  There are plenty of designs to offer and most pool specialists offer extremely wonderful layouts. Be ready to customize pool remodeling ideas presented to you so you can get exactly what you want.

Contact Adams Pool Specialties for a great deal on pool decking.

• Add eye-catching water features and leave everyone in awe. In remodeling your swimming pool, make sure to include water features, not necessarily the most expensive, just something that would make yourself and your kids enjoy your swimming pool even more. Water features have different purposes which you may want to consider when deciding on the pool design. There are water effects, deck jets, laminar water features, and decorative accents. Choose one that best fits your purpose and personality!

• Add pool lights for entertaining, safety and relaxation. A plain pool can become spectacular with betther lighting. Pool lighting creates both a relaxing and stunning atmosphere, just how you want your swimming pool to be when your entertaining or simply unwinding. If you thinking about remodeling your pool with new lighting features, you’d be happy to know that Adams Pool Specialists has an extensive selection of incandescent, LED, and halogen pool lights you can choose from.  Aside from relaxation, keep in mind that lights are very important in keeping everyone safe when swimming at night. Make sure you have enough lighting the next time the kids want go night swimming!

• Finally, add a lasting impression with your pool texture. In swimming pools, the smallest details are the ones that make your pool look extraordinary. After the restructuring of your pool, pool coping is done to finalize the style of your newly re-done pool. Choose from a plentitude of coping materials. Contact Adams Pool Specialties now for more pool remodeling ideas!

Are you thinking of having your own swimming pool in Sacramento but the thought of the expenses is making you feel unsure?

Sometimes when we think of swimming pools, we can’t help but think of the expenses that come with it. But there is way to reduce the two biggest swimming pool expenses: water and electricity. Don’t let sky high water and energy prices make you reject the idea of creating your dream swimming pool. There are ways of conserving energy by simply using the right type of pool pump and operating it properly.

Follow the tips below to learn how you can reduce your monthly bills on electricity and water and still get the most out of your swimming pool.

Tip 1: Use an energy-efficient swimming pool pump for less.

According to the government website, Energy Savers, you can save energy by installing and operating an energy efficient pool pump. Using a higher efficiency pump will result in less operating costs. The conclusion was made after a study of 120 pools was conducted by the Center for Energy Conservation at Florida Atlantic University. The findings show that homeowners can save up to 75% on their pool pump’s operation costs. With this tip, you can do the same!

Contact Adams Pool Specialties for a great deal on a new energy efficient pool pump.

Tip 2: The size of your pump matters.

Roseville, West Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, and even Reno residents should also take note of the size of their pool pump because Adams Pool Specialties can give them a great deal on a pump. Remember the larger the pump, the greater pumping and maintenance cost you will need to handle. Because of this, you may want to use the smallest-sized pump possible. The size of the pump, however, should also be in coherence with the size of your pool. In order to ensure you have the right size, contact our pool specialists for consultation.

According to the same study by CEC, a smaller pump (0.75 horsepower) fits fine with a residential pool. Smaller pumps are generally less expensive, and if you decrease the hydraulic resistance of the pool circulation systems, you can save up to 40% of electric usage.

Tip 3: Cut down on your filtration time.

In order to keep your pool from turning green, you should use your pump for 8 to 10 hours. But doing so could be costly. We recommend that you do a pool pump experiment: cut the usage time down to 6 hours. Observe if this amount of time can still do the same job. If not, a gradual increase wouldn’t be bad. Adjust the time by increasing it in half-hour increments. A timer would also work best for you to keep the number of filtering hours consistent every day.

Another tip is to use a 2-speed pump, which allows you to run the pool pump on low and high speeds. High speed is good to use when your spa needs vacuuming or when you are mixing chemicals with the water. When not doing these, maintain your pump at low speed. This way, you’ll save on your electric bill and still have a clean swimming pool.

Tip no. 4: Clean up your pool.

Finally, keep your swimming pool free from debris or any other form of dirt that could clog the pump. When a pump is clogged, it will be forced to work harder and thus, use more energy. A good practice is backwashing your filter appropriately.

Adams Pool consultants are always available to residents of Sacramento and nearby cities like Carmichael, North Highlands, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Davis, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Orangevale, and Roseville, among many others. Call TODAY and find the many ways you can save on your swimming pool.

Your swimming pool may have been installed 10, 15, or even 20 years ago. Maybe your pool was installed by previous homeowner. Maybe your swimming pool is more like a green pond with leaks and cracks. Whatever the case may be, if you’re pool needs remodeling or repairs, now is a good time to think about adding water features to your poolscape.

Bring you swimming pool to life with beautiful water features such as waterfalls, deck jets, and water accents.  These water features create more visual appeal and make jumping in the pool much more enticing. Water features also make home swimming pools look more natural with rock waterfalls and bridges that cascade sheets of water below your feet. From deck jets and accents that shoot water into the pool to cascading waterfalls, you can really create a new look, feel, and sound around your poolscape.

Water features often inspire pool design changes that create entirely new backyard landscapes.  Some water features have inspired jungle settings around swimming pools which include rocky waterfalls, an incorporation of plant life, and LED lighting. Another favorite swimming pool trend is recreating the look and feel of ancient swimming holes from Rome. These lavish swimming pool water features include ornate accents that shoot jets of water into the larger pool area and decorative pool tile that harkens back to an age long ago but not forgotten. The inspirations created by moder water features and swimming pool renovations are limitless.

Contact Adams Pool Specialties for a free swimming pool redesign consultation and get even more water feature ideas!

Spring is just about over and summer is already breathing hot air down our backs. If you’re like me, you’re already dreaming of jumping into cool, refreshing waters. But there’s one problem…the pool’s not as ready as I am for that dream to come true.

To get a swimming pool ready to use for the summer you can always hire a pool service specialist or save some money and take more pride in your pool by doing it yourself. This article is for the do-it-yourself-ers. Follow the steps below to prepare your pool for splashing good times.

1. Clean the pool deck area: Don’t even think about removing the pool cover until debris left on the pool deck is swept clean. Not only will this vital step help to keep debris from falling into your swimming pool or puncturing your pool cover, but it also prepares clean areas to work around the pool for the following steps. Use a hose and broom to remove debris.
2. Remove and clean the pool cover: Remove the pool cover from the pool and lay it out as much as possible on the pool deck. Use a mild detergent to scrub off any stuck-on dirt, then simply hose off the pool cover till clean. If you are planning on storing your pool cover throughout summer be sure your cover is completely dry before rolling it up for storing. Also be sure the storage area is clean and dry. Damage to pool covers ofter occurs when it is left in a dark damp condition where mildew and rot have free ran to ruin your pool cover before winter.
3. Inspect the pool shell: Look for crack in the pool plaster and around the waterline. You can choose to repair minor cracks yourself, but for more severe cracks, call a professional like Adams Pool Specialties to assist you. Also look for cracks, chips, and depressions in the pool deck and pool coping. You may want to get all repairs done simultaneously.
4. Reinstall pool equipment: Some people choose to remove pool equipment through the winter seasons. If pool deck equipment, such as ladders, diving boards, and slides, were removed, reinstall them, making sure you reconnect any grounding wires that were attached to metal parts and spray a nut and bolt lubriant on all bolts to prevent them from rusting. If other pool equipment such as skimmer baskets and fittings were removed for the winter, hook up the hoses that run from teh skimmer and return jets that lead to th epump filter. Then, reinsert the skimmer basket. 
5. Reconnect the pool filter, pump, and heater: If you removed the pool pump, filter and heater (if you have them) for the winter, make sure all the fittings are clean and tight. Replace any parts that may have become damaged.
6. Fill up with water: (You’re swimming pool is nearly ready for summer!) Usually some water evaporates into the air while the pool is closed or, in some locations, water is completely drained from the pool before winter to protect the pool shell and pipes from freezing. When it comes to filling the swimming pool back up, allow the water level to reach the middle of the pool tile.
7. Pool tile cleaning: A good time to take a closer look at the waterline pool tile is while you’re waiting for the water to fill the pool. Use this opportunity to remove any stains or scale from the pool tile with a household tile cleaner. You’ll be glad you did this step as your pool get back its “like new look”.  
8. Prepare pool water: If the swimming pool is relatively clear, test for sanitizer residual, pH and alkalinity using convenient all-in-one test strips or test kits. To ensure accurate readings, make sure you are using fresh test strips and reagents by checking the expiration date; avoid using strips and reagents that are more than a year old. Most professionals recommend shocking the pool water upon reopening the swimming pool to kill any bacteria and algae and to burn any organic waste in the water. Use the label instructions on the pool shock you use to determine how much to add. You’ll want to add enough to raise the chlorine level to 3.0 parts per million. If your pool is green with algae, the shock will help, but you may also need to add an algicide, following the package directions.
9. Let the pool filter run: Run the pool filter for a good 24 hours or more to clean the water. Vacuum any debris from the bottom of the pool and retest the water. It may take several days of running the pool filter to get the pool clean. Cleaning the filters several times may speed up the sanitation process.
10. The most fun step: Jump in and enjoy!

Owning a swimming pool comes with a lot responsibilities – most of which focus on maintenance and pool repairs.  My next few blog posts will give you information and advice on some of the most common pool repairs. If an issue persists or is not an easy fix,  contact Adams Pool Specialties - a professional resource – to assess the situation.

On to our first pool repair…

Pool Caulking Repair

Pool caulking between the pool and deck is very important to your swimming pool’s infrastructure. The pool and pool deck need to remain independent of each other; if they com in to contact, the pool tile may crack which may also be an indication that the “beam” that holds the tile and pool coping has cracked. Not a good sign.

Pool coping, beam, and pool tile may also be damaged by water that will freeze and expand with changes in climate. The one pool repair that can ward off all of these dangers is ensureing that the caulk in the expansion joint between the pool deck and the pool itself is maintained. Here’s how…

1. Measure the length and average width of the expansion join to determine the amount of self-leveling caulking and foam backer rod needed.

2. Remove the old pool caulking with the assistance of a utility knife, running the blade along each edge of the joint.
3. Remove the underlayment beneath the caulking and clean the edges of the joint with a wire brush. This will remove old caulking that may still be clinging to the joint edges and insure a good bond with the new caulking.
4.  To prevent contamination of the new caulking, sweep away dust and debris from the joint and surrounding areas.
5. Insert the backer rod into the joint uniformly about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch below the surface of the joint.
6. The new caulking will not bond well if the joint is even slightly damp so be sure this area is completely dry. Let the joint sit for a day to cry out before you apply new caulking.
7. Choose a two-part caulking kit, such as Deck-O-Seal, or caulking tubes, such as Vulkem. Pool caulk is available in various colors to match your deck or coping stones.
8. To insure a smooth pour, keep the applicator moving and check behind you as you pour so you can use a tooth pick to burst any small bubbles that form.  Look for any areas that are sunken before it skins over and add more caulking. 
9. To increase the durability of the surface, sprinkle a fine crystal sand over the surface before the caulking dries.

If you have questions about this pool repair, or would like to have the professionals renovate your pool expansion joint for you, contact Adams Pool Specialties and we’ll help restore your pool caulking and ward off any cracks as a result of pool deck and swimming pool contact.