Wednesday, January 8, 2014

The Legal Side of Pool Building



Building a swimming pool isn’t just about aesthetics. Your pool's design must also meet legal requirements. Otherwise, you won’t get a permit to build your pool. Pool Builders Near Me has differing pool building requirements, below are some of the essential aspects you should consider:

Barrier
In most states, temporary and permanent barriers to enclose the pool are a must. Barriers may include a fence, wall or a combination of the two. Be sure that you check with local authorities requirements regarding barrier height, opening, and other specifications.
Alarm
Pool alarms, if required, should comply with existing standards. In many jurisdictions, pool owners are required to procure alarms that:
·         Detects unauthorized entry into the pool water by a child;
·         Emits audible alarm in the pool and nearby areas;
·         Installed in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
Design
Pool designs must comply with local zoning and code requirements. In most instances, these include:
·         Site location
·         Materials used to construct
·         Equipment employed
Drain cover
Pool drains can be a drowning risk. Most states therefore require pool owners to install drain covers to prevent accidental entrapment and drowning.
Sanitation
Most areas require pools to be kept clean and sanitary. Towards this end some states require equipment to prevent backflow.
Other requirements
It’s important to consult with your pool builder or designer as to what requirements may be needed to be incorporated in your pool plan. If your pool builder has long experience, his advice will ensure the success of your project.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Mistakes to avoid when choosing a pool builder

A swimming pool is an expensive investment that you'd like to put into the hands of a reliable pool builder. To ensure you'll build your dream pool without hassles, see to it that you avoid these common pool buyer mistakes:
1. Not being patient
Choosing a pool builder is not the same as shopping for a pair of pants. Spend considerable time in selecting a builder. In your search, you should verify:
  • Builder’s phone number is listed in directory
  • License to conduct business in locality
  • BBB accreditation and membership to industry trade organizations
2. Being carried away by hard sales tactic
Watch out for builders that use hard sales tactics. Refuse these at all costs. After all, it’s your money that’ll be spent.
3. Not asking for references when looking for austin pool remodeling.
Some builders may post phony testimonials on their sites. So relying on testimonials online alone is a big mistake. If you can, find out for yourself how the work was done and see if the past client was satisfied with the craftsmanship.
4. Failure to verify insurance
Always make it a point to ask for proof of liability and worker’s compensation insurance. If the builder can’t provide it readily, it’s a red flag.
5. Settling for a super-low bid

Low bids should raise alarms. If the builder offers super-low bids compared to competitors, it may be a sign of shoddy craftsmanship. Worse, you may even end up dealing with a fly-by-night builder who’ll scam you.

Factors to Consider in Maintaining Pool Water Quality

Keeping your pool water quality in good condition is important in experiencing worry-free swimming. Below are the factors that you should consider in maintaining pool water quality:
Chlorine
Pool builders educate clients on the importance of keeping chlorine level at the optimum (between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm). That’s because if chlorine level drops, your pool will be exposed to sanitary issues, such as algae and bacterial growth.
pH
Burning nose and eyes while swimming? That’s due to low or high pH. To enjoy a fun and hassle-free swimming experience, maintain pH at standard levels (between 7.4 and 7.6).
Total alkalinity
Total alkalinity levels must be kept at the optimum so that pH levels remain stable. Total alkalinity is the amount of alkaline substances in the pool water. The ideal level is 80-120 ppm. If it’s too low, water can get cloudy. If too high, water becomes green and irritates the eyes.
Cyanuric acid
This chemical is used to stabilize dissolved chlorine to protect it from solar degradation. By keeping cyanuric acid below 40 ppm, you can keep your pool water in good condition as the chlorine will remain stable and perform its usual job.
 Calcium hardness

One essential water quality factor that a pool builder may tell you is calcium hardness (level of dissolved mineral calcium). If it falls below the range of 250-350 ppm, pool water becomes corrosive. If too high, pool water scales form and clog filters and pumps.