Above Ground Pool and Spa Company Blog

Pool Barriers

AGPCO — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:48:12 +0000

The following barrier recommendations are the result of identifying key parameters that typically contribute to child drowning in backyard pools. These recommendations are the minimum steps you can take to make your home a safe place for your child.

Barriers are not childproof, but they provide layers of protection for a child who strays from supervision. Barriers give parents additional time to locate a child before the unexpected becomes a reality. Barriers include a fence or wall, door alarms for the house, and a power safety cover over the pool. Barriers also may be used to protect children from accessing hot tubs and spas.

Use the following recommendations as a guide:

Fences and gates: Install a fence or other barrier, such as a wall, completely around the pool. If the house is part of the barrier, the doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with an alarm or the pool should have a power safety cover.

The fence or other barrier should be at least 4 feet high. It should have no foot- or handholds that could help a young child to climb it.

Vertical fence slats should be less than 4 inches apart to prevent a child from squeezing through.

If the fence is chain link, then no part of the diamond-shaped opening should be larger than 1-3/4 inches.

Fence gates should be selfclosing and self-latching. The gate should be well maintained to close and latch easily. The latch should be out of a child’s reach.

Door alarms: If the house forms one side of the barrier, then doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce an audible sound when a door is unexpectedly opened.

Install an alarm that can be temporarily turned off by an adult for a single opening of the door by using a keypad or switch that is out of a child’s reach. Battery and electrically powered alarms are available. The keypad switch can be used by adults who wish to pass through the door without setting off the alarm. It should be placed high on all doors leading from the house to the pool. Affordable and easily installed alarms are available. An alarm signal immediately tells a parent that a door has been opened.

Make your above ground pool a safe place for your family to enjoy. Please remember supervision is number one, so get in there with the kids and have a great time!

Swim Spa Safety

AGPCO — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:39:49 +0000

Safety is the watchword in all water-based environments, and your swim spa is no different. By learning and adhering to a few simple tips, you’ll ensure an enjoyable spa experience for your friends and family.

• Maintain constant adult supervision when children are in or near ANY body of water.

• Install fences, barriers and spa covers to prevent unsupervised access, especially by young children.

• Always completely remove your swim spa cover before using your spa.

• Inspect your spa equipment on a regular basis to ensure that it is in good working order and that it is safe.

• Always test the temperature of your spa’s water before entering the spa. It is recommended that maximum water temperature never exceed 102°F. Do not soak for more than 15 minutes at one sitting in 102°F water.

Easy Maintenance Tips that will Extend the Life of Your Hot Tub Spa

AGPCO — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:25:15 +0000

Adjust chemicals weekly: This seems like an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t even test their spa water for weeks on end !

The number one repair problem people have is “no heat” caused by their heater coil being corroded. If you don’t keep a good eye on your water chemistry (especially Ph & Alkalinity), you run the risk of prematurely rotting away your heater coil. Make sure all chemical levels are within the proper ranges.

Change water bi-monthly: It is a good idea to completely drain and refill your spa every 8 weeks or so. If you do not use the spa often, you may be able to go 12 weeks between water changes.

Making sure that your spa has fresh water periodically will also guard against the possibility of your heater coil corroding prematurely. It also helps retard “acrylic blisters” (lumps in the acrylic spa shell).

Know your equipment: You don’t have to be an expert spa repairman, but it does help to re-read the instruction manual you got with your spa and familiarize yourself with the basic components of your system. You should be able to at least identify the heater, pump, air blower, GFCI, timer, control box, filter, thermostat and high limit reset. Feel free to give us a call if you have questions.

Clean filter frequently: Clogged or dirty filters will not only strain your pump, but can also cause inadequate heat problems. Clean weekly if possible.

What additional components do I need for my above ground pool?

AGPCO — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:19:18 +0000

Ask your pool dealer for recommendations regarding the right equipment for the above ground pool you choose. The size and type of your pool, will determine what size pump, what type of skimmer and so on. There are also many different types of pool cleaners, accessories and chemicals to choose from to make the most of your pool experience. Don’t be afraid to do your own research, but if you’ve found a dealer you can trust, have confidence that they will make the right recommendations for you and your pool. Look for a dealer that is a Certified Building Professional(CBP).

As the above ground pool season begins ……..safety first!

AGPCO — Sat, 12 May 2012 14:06:45 +0000

■Make it difficult to get to your pool or hot tub: Fence it (whether it is in- or aboveground) and lock the gates.
■Make sure the fence has no handholds or furniture nearby to afford easy climbing.
■Remove ladders from aboveground pools. Use pool safety covers and alarms to provide added protection.Swimming lessons and floatation devices are not adequate substitutions for careful adult supervision. A child can drown in a bathtub or wading pool in the time it takes to answer the phone or door.
■Remind baby sitters and other caretakers not to leave your children unattended.If you have a pool, appoint an adult to watch the kids during a party. Social events can distract attention from children who may be venturing too close to the pool.
■Set a good example. Adults are by no means “drown-proof,” so use the buddy system when swimming.
■Do not swim if you have been drinking alcohol; your judgment and reflexes are impaired.
■Dive only from diving boards, not from the edge of the pool, and never dive into an aboveground pool. At the beach, heed lifeguard warnings about undertows and riptides, and listen when they blow their whistles.Be ready for the worst. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, accidents happen. Know now what to do in an emergency:
■Have rescue equipment, such as a pole and ring buoy, near your pool and easily accessible.
■Know where the shut-off switch for your hot tub is located.
■Have emergency numbers and instructions written down and located near the phone, and make sure everyone knows where they are.
■Finally, learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – in cases that call for resuscitation, seconds count when it comes to preventing death or permanent injury.
Always remember”Supervision”!!!

Above Ground Pool Experts

AGPCO — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:18:07 +0000

In terms of our outside areas of a home, an above ground pool continues to be an increasingly prevalent possibility for many people. It provides all the rewards of a swimming pool without the fundamental charges involved in excavation and building works ordinarily connected with a conventional in ground pool. However with the myriad of choices on offer with respect to people searching for an above ground pool, the trouble is which company offers a distinguished and professional service at an appealing cost.AGPCO.com supplies all of this and even more, by virtue of the fact that they happen to be a licensed installers and retailers.

Among the fundamental considerations, when thinking of above ground pools is the reality that they are eminently versatile, along with being cost effective. An above ground pool genuinely supplies a wide variety of features which is the reason behind their attraction. The Above Ground Pool & Spa Company has emerged as the expert in this field.

Why a swim spa?

AGPCO — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:25:22 +0000

SWIMMING
A new study shows that swimming cuts men’s risk of dying by about 50% compared to runners, walkers and their sedentary peers. The University of South Carolina study led by Dr. Steven Blair evaluated comprehensive physical exams and behavioral surveys from more than 40,000 men, age 20-90 years, enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS) over the last 32 years. “We also observed lower mortality in swimmers than in runners,” Blair explains. “Therefore, swimming appears to be a healthful alternative to other types of physical activity. …In an earlier study in this same population, we found that both women and men had similar benefits from swimming in terms of fitness and other health indicators.” The results were presented at the 2008 World Aquatic Health™ Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and have been published in the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education.

Weekly Maintenance on your above ground pool

AGPCO — Sat, 05 May 2012 18:19:30 +0000

Thoroughly treating and cleaning your pool on a weekly basis during the swimming season will ensure clean and safe swimming water. Here is a list of the weekly maintenance you’ll need to perform.
Skim Off Leaves and Debris
Use a long-handled leaf skimmer to gather up leaves, insects, and any other debris floating on the surface of the pool. Try to remove debris before it sinks to the bottom of your pool where it becomes difficult to remove and may create stains.
Brush
Use a brush to remove dirt that has collected on the sides and bottom of your pool
Vacuum
Submerge your vacuum head and hose, before hooking up the vacuum to the filter.
Clean Skimmer(s)
You should also clean out your skimmer(s) weekly or more often if necessary. Removing debris allows the skimmer to operate at maximum efficiency.
Check Water Circulation
Your pool’s circulation system includes the skimmer, pump, pump strainer, drains, and filter. The system helps chemicals work effectively and ensures that water is properly filtered. Run your pump long enough each day to make sure the water is properly filtered and keep each item clean and in good condition.
Check Filter
The three most popular types of filters – sand, cartridge, and vertical grid DE – screen out debris and particles from your pool water. You should clean and maintain your filter according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Shock
Test your pool water frequently (daily or weekly depending on use) and add chemicals if necessary, following manufacturers’ directions. A regular shock treatment cleanses the water of algae, bacteria, dirt, and any other organic matter that may have entered the pool. Follow manufacturer’s directions for shock treatments.
Advice
Always feel free to call The Above Ground Pool & Spa Company for more detailed instruction.

What can I do to make my above ground pool last longer?

AGPCO — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:15:09 +0000

First of all, don’t let a leaky liner stay in your pool because the water will eat the wall away – either patch it or change it.

Second, every time you change the liner examine the inside wall of your pool. If you see any rust, sand it away and spray on some corrosion eliminator.

Also,never drain your above ground pool for a prolonged time (more than an hour). The liner will shrink. Professional liner installation will help make your liner last.

How do I get the most life out of my liner?

AGPCO — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:41:48 +0000

Start by being very careful with hand vacuums. Scraping them against the edge of the pool will cause little holes around the outer edge. Limit the use of automatic cleaners, running them only when the pool needs cleaning and not letting them sit in one spot for to long of a time. Most cleaners will have one or two spots where they tend to get stuck or hung up. These are usually the places where holes first develop.

Be careful with the chemicals you use. Make sure they are for vinyl liners and be sure whatever you put directly into the pool dissolves before it hits the bottom.

Eventually the part of the liner that is above water level and exposed to the most afternoon sun will start to dry rot. This starts with just a little discoloring and many years later may start to tear or rip. You can either try to shade that area or assume that when that happens it’s just time to replace the liner.