4 Tips for a Frog Free Pool

Frogs, depending on who you ask, can be kind of cute. What’s not so cute, however, is finding them in your swimming pool. These little critters can carry some nasty bacteria. Plus, it’s never fun to find dead animals floating in your pool when you’re trying to relax. The good news is that there are some things you can do to keep the frogs away, including these three effective methods.  

Tip #1: Don’t Leave the Lights On

Many pool owners light their pools for nighttime swimming fun, which is perfectly fine. Just remember to turn the lights off before you head to bed. Otherwise, you’re probably going to wake up to frogs floating in the pool. Left-on pool lights will attract bugs, which will attract frogs, turning your pool into the nighttime hot spot for these amphibians.

Tip #2: Don’t Place Plants Too Close to the Pool

Frogs like to hide in leafy bushes and other plants. Thus, if you have a lot of greenery close to your pool, you can expect to attract frogs. If your landscaping is already done and you can’t bear to part with your precious plants, at least keep them well-trimmed. The less dense they are, the less likely it is that frogs will flock to them.

Tip #3: Make Your Pool Scary

Like most animals, frogs live in fear of being eaten. As such, they steer clear of anything they deem as a potential threat. So, if you make your pool “scary,” at least by frog standards, you can potentially keep them away. Items like large pool floats, automatic cleaners, and water features can all frighten frogs.

Tip #4: Cover Your Pool

Finally, if you really want to prevent a frog invasion, invest in a good pool cover. If you put it on every time the pool isn’t in use, your frog problem should go away completely. If you’re taking this route, though, you may want to invest in an automatic cover so you don’t have to go through the hassle of taking your cover off and on all season long.

No matter what you do, short of leaving the cover on non-stop, you’re probably going to see a frog or two in your pool this summer. That’s just part of pool ownership. However, if you follow these tips, you should see a lot fewer frogs overall!

Swimming for Exercise?

 There are a great many benefits to owning a pool of your own. One of the major ones, however, is that you have an easy way to exercise right in your own back yard. If you bought your pool with the intention of losing weight and getting in shape, you’ll be glad to know that swimming is a highly effective exercise. It’s low impact, burns major calories, and can work all parts of the body. Even better yet, there are many tips you can follow for an even more effective exercise experience.  

Tip #1: Gradually Increase Your Swimming Time

Depending on your weight and other factors, an hour of swimming can burn as much as 700 calories! And, the more you swim, the more calories you can burn. However, even just one hour of swimming daily can make a big impact. Of course, if you’re new to swimming, doing a full hour all at once can be tough. However, you can gradually work your way up to an hour and then more. Swim for as long as you can on your first attempt. Then, set a goal to add anywhere from one to five minutes to your swimming time the next day. Keep adding on time and, before you know it, swimming for an hour will be no sweat.

Tip #2: Vary Your Strokes

Most swimmers have a stroke that they prefer. It’s often the one that comes naturally to them, that feels the most comfortable, and that requires the least work. However, for a truly effective workout that targets various parts of the body, you should include a variety of strokes in your swimming sessions.  This will also keep you from getting bored and enable you to enjoy your workouts more. And, the more you enjoy exercising, the more likely you are to keep doing it.

Tip #3: Push Yourself

While slow and easy swimming is fine when you’re just starting out, eventually you’ll need to push yourself to get real results. Try to pick up the pace each day that you swim. The faster you swim, the more you’ll raise your heart rate, which can increase calorie burn. A good timer or a friend willing to time you can help you to ensure you’re gradually increasing in speed.

Swimming regularly is one of the best things you can do for your health and your body. And, with a pool of your own, you have no excuses. So, get out there, work hard, and then enjoy the results!

Pool Styles

When choosing or designing a swimming pool, it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed. After all, there are more types and styles of pools than ever before! However, the easiest way to keep from feeling overwhelmed is to educate yourself on various style options and how they differ. That way, you’ll have an idea of what types of pools you’re most interested in and what they have to offer before you even start shopping.  

Rectangular Pools  

Rectangular pools are a great, basic choice for many pool buyers. They can easily fit into just about any yard, offer plenty of room for swimming and exercise, and come in a wide range of sizes. Plus, they’re usually very easy to install, which means you could have your rectangular pool up and running before you know it!  

Lagoon Pools  

If you’re in the market for a beautiful, luxurious pool, a lagoon-style pool may be for you. These pools feature a curvy, serpentine design that allows them to add visual interest and beauty to your home and your yard. They’re also equipped to handle stylish add-ons, such as waterfalls and in-pool seating. Lagoon pools look and feel quite upscale, but do be prepared to spend more than you would on a more basic pool.  

Vanishing Edge Pools  

Vanishing edge pools are extremely popular right now, and it’s (literally!) easy to see why. These pools are incredibly beautiful and stylish. Their defining feature is that at least one of the pool sides sits lower, allowing water to flow over it. This can make it so that you can’t really tell where the pool begins or ends . . . but in a wonderful, beautifying way.  

Freeform Pools  

If you’re having trouble picking a pool shape or style out of the above options, then look into freeform pools. These pools come in a range of shapes, from curvy to rounded and beyond. If you simply browse through different freeform options, you should be able to easily find one that’s a perfect fit for your yard and your vision.  

These are some of the most popular pool styles on the market, so understanding each one will give you a great headstart on your pool journey. Your best choice is to narrow your selection down to a few designs you love and then to work with a pool company to discover which one is the ideal choice for your price range and your yard. If you can follow those simple steps, then you’ll be on the right track to proud pool ownership!

Will my Pool Walls Bulge?

When you’re shopping for a swimming pool, it’s easy to get carried away and to start reading anything and everything you can about different pool options. And, while learning and researching are good things, if you do too much digging, you could find yourself reading a few rare “horror stories” about different types of pools. With fiberglass pools, the most common fear people develop is that their pool walls will eventually bulge. Fortunately, this hardly ever happens, and even better yet, there are many things you can do to keep it from happening to you. 

Purchase a High-Quality Pool 

First of all, if you buy a pool that is incredibly strong and well-made, it’s likely never going to bulge if installed properly. But, how can you know the quality of your pool or if it’s purchased from the best possible manufacturer if you’re not buying direct? The key here is to do plenty of research. Instead of reading about people’s bad pool experiences online, research the company you are working with. If they have good reviews and a long history of quality service, chances are they’re not going to leave you with a weak pool that will bulge. 

If you’re really worried, ask your pool company if they build their pools-in house or buy them from a manufacturer. If it’s the former, you can inquire about their process to give yourself some peace of mind. If it’s the latter, then you can find out who the manufacturer is and do some further research from there.  

Request Gravel Backfill  

If you’re still feeling anxious about your pool walls bulging, then request that your pool company use gravel as the backfill material, rather than sand. And, be sure to give the company some bonus points if that was their plan all along!  

The reason behind this choice is that sand, while a popular backfill material, can sometimes get overly saturated, which causes it to liquify and grow too heavy, which can eventually cause a weak pool wall to bulge. While that typically doesn’t happen when a pool is properly installed, it will never happen with gravel, which is why it’s the perfect option for those concerned about the possibility of bulging.  

At the end of the day, worrying about a new purchase is normal. The best you can do is to take steps such as these to alleviate your worries. Ultimately your pool might end up better for it. But, remember, don't’ worry so much that you don’t get to enjoy the journey toward owning a new pool.

Preventing Crypto in your Swimming Pool

 

When you own a swimming pool, your biggest concerns are probably keeping people safe from drowning and making sure the water is a comfortable temperature. Parasites and viruses living in your water is probably the furthest thing from your mind, but believe it or not, it’s a risk you need to take seriously. One major risk that has been cropping up a lot lately is Cryptosporidium, more commonly referred to as “Crypto.” It’s a parasite that can live in the water of a swimming pool and spread to others through swimming in infected water. It can cause diarrhea and GI related issues, especially in young children. Thankfully, though, there are ways to protect your pool against it.  

Avoid Swallowing Excess Water  

When you swim, you’re probably going to swallow some water. However, the more you swallow, the greater your chances of getting Crypto, at least if the water is infected without your knowledge.  

Thus, make an effort not to swallow any more pool water than you reasonably have to. While this isn’t a problem for most adults, children tend to make this mistake quite a bit. Thus, watch them closely and instruct them to be careful about excessive swallowing. After all, that’s dangerous on other levels too, not just in terms of contracting Crypto.  

Be Careful About Who Uses Your Pool  

Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes. Thus, do your best to prevent Crypto from ever entering your pool. One of the main ways it gets into water is by having a person who has recently suffered from diarrhea swimming in it. Thus, avoid swimming if you or your children have had diarrhea or other stomach upsets recently. Also, if you have guests over, make sure they know that it’s not a good idea to swim if they’re experiencing or have recently experienced stomach issues.  

Enforce Showering  

Finally, enforce showering, for every person every time, before and after getting into the pool. This can keep people from trekking germs into the pool and can potentially protect them if they came into contact with any germs while in the water.  

Nothing in this life is without risk, including swimming. However, you can greatly reduce the risks and increase the chances of keeping you and your loved ones safe from Crypto and other germs and parasites by following these tips and keeping your pool as clean as possible.

Thingsto Know Before You Buy a Pool

Buying a swimming pool is a wonderful thing. In fact, for many people, it’s the culmination of a lifelong dream. However, before you put that down payment down on a pool or even before you pick up a phone to start calling contractors and requesting price quotes, there are a few things you must fully know and understand.   

A Pool is a Lifelong Investment

First of all, bear in mind that a pool isn’t the kind of thing you can use for a year or two, get tired of, and then never think of again. Well, you could do this, but it would mean having a big, gaping hole in your yard or paying a ton of money to get the pool dug up.

Thus, if you’re not able to fully commit to have a pool, taking great care of it, and maintaining it until the end of your life or until you sell your home, an in-ground pool may not be for you. Understand the commitment that a pool requires so that you don’t ultimately experience buyer’s remorse.

It’s Wise to View Different Models in Person

Because a pool is such a big commitment, you don’t want to just buy one without actually viewing some real models in person. All too often, people just look at pool options in a catalog or online, often in the form of drawings instead of real pictures, and make their  pick. This can easily set them up for disappointment, however, since reality and a photo or rendering can look quite different.

To ensure you are happy with the pool you’re installing and to ensure you like what you get, always demand to see some real-life samples, preferably samples that the contractor you are hiring has completed. This way, there will be no ugly surprises after it’s too late to change gears without major hassle.

Your Choice of Contractor Really Counts

Finally, understand that hiring a contractor is something that you should take very seriously. It’s so easy to think of pool professionals as all being . . . well. . . professional. However, not everyone is as competent as they might appear. Thus, put some real thought and effort into picking the perfect company for your job. Otherwise, you could end up dealing with major issues for a very long time to come.

As you can see, a pool purchase is not a purchase that should be made on the spur of the moment. Instead, it’s the kind of serious spending that should be done with care and a lot of consideration on your part!

Be Prepared for Hidden Pool Costs

Everyone knows that installing a swimming pool can be expensive. However, sometimes the costs come in where you least expect them. To keep you clear of any unwelcome surprises, educate yourself on some of the common, hidden costs of installing a pool. That way, if they pop up during your pool project, you’ll know what to do.     

Retaining Walls

Some pool installation jobs will require a retaining wall. These are walls that offer greater stability to your pool and that enable your lawn to drain properly.

Unfortunately, contractors often can’t tell for certain if a retaining wall will be required until after the pool is installed. And, since retaining walls can get fairly pricey, you’ll want to budget for them ahead of time.

Thus, if there’s even a slight chance you might need a retaining wall, have its cost factored into your quote. If you don’t end up needing one, it’s just money saved. And, if you do, at least you budgeted for it!

Dirt Hauling

Contractors have to, quite literally, dig up a spot in which to place your in-ground pool. And, as you can imagine, all that digging leaves a lot of dirt behind.

That dirt has to go somewhere! Unless the amount is small enough that it can be spread out on your lawn, you’ll likely need to have it hauled away. Dirt hauling can get pricey, which is why it’s best to work with a contractor who takes care of this service for you.

If you can’t find such a contractor, budget for the hauling service ahead of time.

Fencing

Finally, bear in mind that fencing is required around pools. The exact type of fencing, the height, and other factors are typically determined by local laws.

Regardless of the type of fencing you’re mandated to have, though, it doesn’t come cheap!

Don’t make the mistake of not thinking about fencing until after the pool is installed or of not including it in your budget. It’s every bit as important as the pool itself.

Believe it or not, these are just a few lesser-known swimming pool costs. Make sure you research any and all possible pool-related costs, that you have a good, honest contractor to rely on, and that you plan for all possible expenses. It’s the only way to ensure your swimming pool project goes off without a hitch!

Why You Should Consider a Variable Speed Pump

When it comes to your swimming pool, you will definitely need a pump of some kind. With that said, however, there are all types of different pumps available, which can make your choice difficult.

One very popular option is a variable speed pump. Thankfully, this pump is efficient, affordable, and offers a wide range of benefits, making it a worthy contender in your search for the perfect pump.

Energy Savings

One of the best things about a variable speed pump is that, as the name implies, it doesn’t run at full power or full speed all the time.   

Instead, it only works at full speed when it needs to, such as when it’s operating a neat water feature. When it’s doing a simpler job, however, like filtering your water, it can run at a lower speed. Most modern pumps naturally switch between the different power and speed modes as needed.

This helps you to use less energy, which can positively affect both the environment and your wallet.

Less Noise

Do you hate that nasty, constant whirring sound a pool pump makes? If so, you’ll be glad to know that variable speed pumps are often much quieter than other options, at least when they’re operating in their low speed mode.

Lower speeds mean less power, which means less noise. Thus, you can more frequently enjoy your pool in peace, a factor that may be very important for more noise-sensitive pool owners.

Easy Programming

While, as mentioned, some variable speed pumps are “smart” and operate automatically based on using the setting they think is best, others are actually programmable. That means that you can decide exactly when and why your pump operates at different speeds and power levels, giving you more overall control.

As you can see, there are certainly some advantages to choosing a variable speed pump. And, while you don’t have to go with this choice, be sure to at least give it and its benefits some serious thought!

Saltwater Swimming Pools

You've decided to install a salt generator in your new swimming pool.  What you didn't know is that there are several salt options to consider.  

Salt generators have grown in popularity in the last decade. These salt generators tend to be low in maintenance and gentler on the skin, eyes, and hair.  Your builder reviewed all the necessary procedures, but now that you're on your own, you realized you have questions.  The one thing you didn't think to ask about is what type of salt is best for your saltwater system.  Three different types of salt can be used in your pool, and you're not sure which is best to maintain water chemistry and prolong the salt generator's viability.

Salt chlorine generators multiplied rapidly, and the science behind this new technology had very few case studies leaving many pool companies uncertain.  Knowing the best salt product to recommend when so little was known initially, created confusion.   While there are numerous types of salt, only solar, mechanically evaporated, or mined salt should be used with your pool.

The first option is solar salt.  Solar salt is produced directly from seawater that the sun evaporates and often consist of sea impurities.  These impurities require your salt generator to work harder to create chlorine.  Mechanical salt is like solar, but instead of the sun evaporating the water, generated heat does the job.  This, in turn, produces evaporated salt with contaminants like iron, copper, calcium, and phosphates.  These minerals are not ideal for your pool and will require significant effort in keeping the water balanced.  The final and best option is mined salt.  It's the purest of salts, and while more expensive up front, it will save you, in the long run, being gentler on your generator.

Cutting corners when it comes to the type of salt you use for your pool isn't recommended.  Although minded salt may cost a few more dollars per bag, it's well worth the expense in prolonging the life of your saltwater generator.

How to Remove Air Bubbles from Your Swimming Pool

You've waited eight months, and you've performed all the necessary pool opening procedures.  The cover is removed, sides and base scrubbed down and vacuumed, and the filter system has been on and running. Why then are there air bubbles coming out of your return jets?  

The first place to look to remedy the problem is checking the pool water levels.  If your water levels are too low, your pool skimmer will suck air and pull it back to the filter.  If your pool levels look good, you'll need to advance your search to the pool equipment itself.  The strainer pot lid is a second place to check.  The top needs to be on good and tight.  If it's not on good and snug, air will find its way into your pump.  You'll also need to check the O ring under your strainer lid.  Turn your pump off before doing so.  The rubber O ring may be absent or may just need a silicone-based lubricant to seal it off better.  Once you've eliminated the water levels and strainer lid suction as the culprits, the final place to check and often the most common offender is the connection site of your pump.  The suction side of your pump pulls water from the pool into the pool pump.  Often this union is faulty.  With the pump still off, check the O ring on the fitting that connects the two ground tubes to the pump.  The O ring could’ve moved, not sitting snug in the pipe groves.  Pull the plumbing part to ensure the O ring is seated in the grove. Placing the O ring back in its proper grove can fix the issue.  Once correctly positioned, make sure to securely tighten the union. 

 

If these three steps don't work in eliminating air bubbles in your swimming pool, give Texas Cool Pool a call as there may be a more significant issue at play.

Is an Ornamental Swimming Pool Fence Right for You?

If you have a swimming pool on your property, then you should also have a fence around that pool. In many states, it’s even a legal requirement.

A swimming pool fence protects your children and pets from accidental drowning. It also deters unauthorized use of your pool, which can lead to accidents and liability on your part.

Fortunately, you can choose from many types of pool fences to match your preferences, but one of the most popular is an ornamental aluminum fence. However, is it the right type of fence for you?

Ornamental Aluminum Fences

Ornamental aluminum fences are incredibly popular among America’s pool owners, and for good reason. They are long-lasting, allowing you to get excellent value for your money.

Plus, many people love the elegant look that they offer. These fences can be made in just about any color and style and tend to look quite stately and attractive.

Best of all, unlike many other fencing options, aluminum fences really don’t require much maintenance on your part. This means that you can enjoy a great, durable fence without having to work for it!

No Privacy

While there’s obviously a lot to love about ornamental iron fencing, the one main downside is that these fences don’t offer much in the way of privacy. You can see right through the iron bars, and many people don’t like being visible to their neighbors and others while enjoying their pool.

You could talk to your contractor about ways to possibly make this pool fencing type more private, or you could go with another option.

Really, when it comes to pool fencing, there are no right or wrong choices. It’s just about choosing the type of fencing that works best for you and your preferences.