Demystification of Salt Water Systems

Posted on May 16, 2013 by admin

You’ve probably heard about salt water systems, as they are a popular choice when it comes to luxury pools. There are lots of questions and misinformation about salt water systems. The swimming pool contractors of Hop Cassidy Pools, Inc. are experts at installing them, so we’ll answer a few commonly asked questions about them.

What is a Salt Water System?

A salt water system is a pool sanitization alternative to the traditional chlorine sanitization system. In the traditional chlorine sanitization system, you add liquid or dry chlorine to the water. In a salt water system, a salt-chlorine generator (also called a salt cell, salt generator or a salt chlorinator) uses electrolysis to break down salt and create chlorine, which is then automatically added to the pool water.

If a Salt Water System Adds Chlorine, How Is It Different?

In a traditional system, adding chlorine to the water results in chloramines, which are the chemicals that irritate eyes and skin and damage hair. With the salt water system, if the pool is properly maintained, there are no chloramines. Also, since the salt water system creates its own chlorine, you will no longer have to handle chlorine liquid or tablets.

Does a Salt Water System Make the Pool Water Taste And Smell Salty?

No, salt water systems result in 2,500 to 6,000 ppm salt content. To put that number in context, ocean water has about 35,000 ppm salt content. The water will not smell or taste anywhere near the saltiness of ocean water. Also, salt water systems won’t have the same chlorine smell of traditional chlorine pools, due to the lack of chloramines.

Will I Notice a Difference When I Swim In a Salt Water Pool?

Yes! The water feels smooth, similar to taking a shower in soft water. When you get out of the pool, your skin will feel soft. You will also notice the lack of red eyes, dry skin, damaged hair and chlorine smell that traditional chlorine pools give you.

What Kind Of Maintenance Does a Salt Water Pool Need?

Salt water pools are often referred to as maintenance-free. This is incorrect. Just like traditional chlorine pools, salt water pools need regular care and upkeep to prevent algae and bacteria growth. Maintenance varies for each brand of salt water system, so please consult your owner’s manual for exact steps for your pool; however, these are the common maintenance tasks for most salt water pools:

Maintain the minimum salt level required for your salt-chlorine generator
The pH level needs to be between 7.4 and 7.8, so pH should be tested every few days and muriatic acid added to keep the pH at the right level
Add stabilizer to keep UV rays from breaking down the chlorine
In a salt water pool, chlorine is only added to the water when the filter is running, so run the filter in order to maintain the correct chlorine levels
The electrolysis method the salt-chlorine generator uses results in calcium build up, so the generator needs to be checked regularly. Clean the salt chlorinator cell when it has visible calcium build up, following the instructions in the owner’s manual
Test pool water chemistry weekly to make sure pH, alkalinity, stabilizer level and salt levels are correct.

If you are interested in building a salt water pool for your yard, please contact us for a free pool quote.

5 Amazing Pools From Around the World

Posted on April 9, 2013 by admin

Unique aquatic architecture amazes, shocks, and inspires the world. Awhile back we posted some of our favorite aquatic architecture, and now we have found more amazing designs to inspire you, check them out!

The Tank, Las Vegas

This $30 million pool in Las Vegas, NV features 200 different types of fish, including sharks and stingrays, surrounding the pool. The pool also includes an acrylic water slide (right) which allows you to shoot through the aquatic wildlife in an 8 second ride.

Glass Bottom Pool, Shanghai

Located high on Holiday Inn’s 24th floor, guests can enjoy a swimming “over the air” experience at the very deep end of the pool with nothing but a glass bottom underneath!

Hanging Gardens Hotel Infinity Pools, Ubud Bali

These two infinity pools in Indonesia are heated for guests comfort as they take in the beautiful jungle view.

San Alfonso Del Mar, Chile

Dubbed the largest pool in the world, this ocean side pool is so large that its main activity isn’t swimming, but sailing!

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

This pool in Singapore is known as the biggest infinity pool in the world, showing a view of the city during hotel guests evening swim.

Have a great idea for your unique pool? Give us a call today! Before the building process we can also take your ideas and render them in 3D, along with landscaping, stonework, and architecture, to show you exactly how your new dream pool will look when it’s finished. For photos of other projects we’ve done, check out our photo gallery at www.hopcassidypools.com/photogallery or see some examples of our 3D designs at www.hopcassidypools.com/3d-designs.

The Health Benefits of Regular Swimming

Posted on February 18, 2013 by admin

So you’ve been thinking about getting a pool for those glaringly hot summer days, but keep putting if off because it seems like your money could be better spent elsewhere. Before you make that final decision though, you should hear about some of the great health benefits swimming has to offer.

One of the best things about an aquatic workout is that it’s one of the only forms of exercise which puts little to no stress on your body. Running, jogging, and even walking involve jarring motions which can impact your joints and skeletal system. When fully submerged in water, your body is only supporting 10 percent of its own weight, which greatly reduces wear and tear on the body.

Swimming also utilizes your whole body with each stroke, making it one of the best methods of losing weight and keeping it off. A few laps every day can burn up to 500 calories, which in turn means you won’t have to watch what you eat so closely in order to stay below your calorie limit.

This low impact daily exercise has another great impact as well –lowering your levels of bad cholesterol while at the same time raising your level of good. This is important when you consider that a mere 1 percent increase in the level of LDL (good cholesterol) reduces your change of dying from heart disease by 3.5 percent.

Since aerobic exercise plays a key role in whether or not you may get diabetes later in life, swimming laps three days a week or more can also decrease your risk of contracting type two diabetes later in life. According to a University of Maryland study, swimming can also aid those who already have type one diabetes, as it increases sensitivity to insulin.

On top of all these benefits, it turns out that swimming can actually physically put you in a better mood. The act of swimming causes your brain to produce endorphins, which is the chemical that puts you in a good mood. This, combined with the relaxing feeling of near-weightlessness and the soothing feel of cool water on your skin can turn a bad mood inside out almost instantly.

And don’t think it ends there: We saved the best for last. Swimming on a regular basis can actually keep you from dying prematurely. Researchers from the University of South Carolina did a study with over 40,000 male participants of ages ranging from 20 to 90 over a time period of 32 years, and came up with some surprising statistics: The men that swam regularly had a 50 percent lower death rate than runners, walkers, or couch potatoes. Though they didn’t put it to the test, the researchers agreed that women would receive an equal boost in health.

So think of a pool as an investment in the health of you and your family, as well as a great place to relax and cool off on a hot day, and suddenly the expense doesn’t seem quite so large. If you do decide to get a pool, stop by our website and check out some of the work we’ve already done and what we can do for you.

Five of our Favorite Pools

Posted on February 5, 2013 by admin

So previously on this blog, we’ve been focusing on tips for pool installation, performance, and safety, but sometimes designing and installing pools can just be downright fun. To showcase the lighter side of things, today’s blog features finished-product pictures of five of our favorite jobs.

1) A wrap around negative edge pool perfectly accentuates this this residence, and the open, airy design of the front rooms lets people enjoy the beauty of the pool from both inside and out. The lights from inside also make glimmering reflections from dusk all the way through the night. It’s certainly not hard to see why this pool made our favorites list.

2) The view is what makes this job really spectacular. Another Negative Edge design, you can swim right up to the edge and look down on the world with no impediments to the view. Whether relaxing on a deck chair and enjoying the view to swimming laps, this pool is perfect for any occasion.

3) Number three on our list is one of our more traditional pools, but the stonework and architecture really make the project stand out. The stonework also gives the pool a more natural feel, blending in seamlessly with the mountains in the background.

4) One of our smaller jobs, this Negative Edge pool takes contemporary design and mixes it with function, utility, and luxury. The sharp angles are continued to the unique triangle steps, and though you can’t really tell from the photo, these clean lines continue onto the patio. The corner design also maximizes space, and the modern design reacts strongly with the surrounding natural views.

5) And of course I saved my favorite for last. It holds a special place in my heart because we don’t get to do many indoor pool installations, because of the sheer size of the project, and because of the understated yet imposing architecture which is reminiscent of Roman bathhouses. The multitude of windows also gives the whole room more of an outdoor, garden type of feel, which is reinforced by the high ceilings and cruise-ship style lounge chairs. It’s even built to be handicapped accessible!

Anyway, these are some of my favorites, but don’t worry, if they don’t strike your fancy we can incorporate any designs you have in mind. Before the building process starts we can also take your ideas and render them in 3D, along with landscaping, stonework, and architecture, to show you exactly how your new dream pool will look when it’s finished. For photos of other projects we’ve done, check out our photo gallery at www.hopcassidypools.com/photogallery or see some examples of our 3D designs at www.hopcassidypools.com/3d-designs

Proper Initial Pool Startup Takes a Specialist

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Scott Strader

You can hire from among the best Arizona swimming pool contractors to build your new backyard swimming pool, but the considerable investment you’ve just made can be compromised right off the bat if the pool is not put into service the proper way.

Initial pool startup after construction, remodeling or extensive repairs requires knowledge, care and skill, the kind that experienced professionals like Hop Cassidy Pools bring to the job.

Failure to put a swimming pool into service properly can have serious long-term consequences. For example, filling a plastered pool with water too soon after construction can weaken the surface, but letting the plaster dry too much before filling can allow cracks to develop. Chemical imbalances in the initial fill water can cause spotting, streaking, discoloration, staining and etching. These effects can be costly to mitigate, if they can be corrected at all.

Proper pool startup is so critical that a program to certify technicians in optimal startup practices and procedures was instituted by the National Plasterers Council in 2009. To earn the NPC seal of approval, a pool technician must take a one-day course that covers the major aspects of a proper startup, then demonstrate proficiency with a test kit and pass an hour-long written test. Techs have to re-earn certification every three years by taking the latest version of the exam, which will change to reflect changes in materials and methods used in the pool industry.

Pool startup is more complicated than regular pool maintenance because of the complex ways in which the initial fill water can interact with the delicate chemistry of fresh plaster. Pool owners should realize that even a technician who is well-versed in weekly pool care might not understand how to perform a pool startup correctly.

Hop Cassidy Pools, Inc., has been building top-quality pools all over the Valley of the Sun for a quarter of a century. We’ve earned the respect of homeowners, builders and contractors through fair dealing on the business end and by demonstrating technical expertise that’s second to no one else in the Arizona pool industry. The Hop Cassidy team includes certified startup technicians who will ensure that your new pool is put into service in a way that protects its structural integrity and appearance. Call the pool professionals at Hop Cassidy today at 480-905-8780 for a no-obligation consultation on how you can we create the pool of your dreams.

Swimming Skills and Safety Tips Prevent Pool Drownings

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Scott Strader

Dozens of water-related medical emergencies occur in Arizona every year. The majority of these drownings and near-drownings occur in in-ground backyard swimming pools in Maricopa County. Although the state expanded its drowning prevention efforts in the 1980s, a time when Arizona had the nation’s worst pool-drowning statistics, a number of deaths still occur every year. For obvious reasons, pool drownings peak in the warmer months.

The main lines of defense against pool drowning are the legally mandated fences, gates, locks, self-closing back doors and setbacks that have been discussed in previous posts, and any competent pool contractor will be familiar with the regulations pertaining to them. Arizona pool contractors are also obligated by state law to give pool buyers “a notice explaining safety education and responsibilities of pool ownership.”

In truth, however, those are the minimum steps that should be taken to prevent tragedy. Wise pool owners will consult resources like the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona (DPCA) or local authorities for more safety information.

If you own a pool, make sure that all residents of your home know how to swim or take swimming lessons. Lessons are offered for very young children and have been shown by studies to be effective in drowning prevention. In fact, two years ago the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) began advocating swimming lessons for children as young as a year old.

The AAP had previously been hesitant to recommend swimming instruction for children under 4 years old. Part of the reason for the organization’s reluctance was the fear that swimming lessons for very young kids would give them and their parents a false sense of security. Subsequent studies, however, showed that even toddlers can become proficient enough in the water to significantly reduce their risk of drowning.

Nevertheless, even the parents of kids with swimming skills need to be careful and vigilant. Besides having their children learn to swim, parents and guardians with backyard pools should:

Learn CPR. Adults and older children in the household should take CPR classes, such as those offered by the Red Cross.
Always remove toys from the pool when it’s not in use. Toys floating on the surface of the pool or sitting at the bottom are just an added enticement for kids to try to access the pool and jump in when there’s no supervision around.
Keep rescue equipment nearby, such as a pole, rope and approved life preserver
Avoid using air-filled swimming aids as a substitute for an approved life vests. Air-filled water wings and other devices might make the pool more enjoyable for small children, but kids using them should be supervised exactly as if they didn’t have them. (Which is to say, closely and constantly!)

When proper safety procedures are followed, a swimming pool will provide endless fun for the whole family. For a quality pool that’s made to last, Hop Cassidy Pools is the builder to choose. We bring more than 25 years of experience to constructing luxury pools for Valley homeowners. Call Hop Cassidy today at 480-905-8780 or contact us online at http://www.hopcassidypools.com/contact.html for your free initial consultation.

Baja Shelves Provide Fun in the Sun and Fun in the Water at the Same Time

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Scott Strader

Do you want to be able to enjoy your backyard swimming pool without actually swimming? You could take advantage of the cool water by just sitting on the pool steps, but that’s not exactly comfortable for very long. Or you could float around in an inflatable lounger, except that’s not very practical or safe if the pool is full of splashing kids or people are diving.

For a place to relax and take in the sun – a place that lets you have the feeling of lounging poolside while you’re actually in the water – choose a custom pool design that includes a “baja shelf.”

Probably so named because it was popularized at resort pools in the Los Cabos area of Baja California, Mexico the baja shelf is a luxury pool feature that has become popular both for family pools and for pools that are used only by adults.

The baja shelf is a large shallow area in the pool, often only 6-8 inches deep but sometimes a little deeper, depending on the owner’s preference. Lounge chairs can be placed on the shelf as a place to comfortably take in the sun while reading and sipping a cool drink. Sometimes a baja shelf is referred to as a tanning ledge. Sunbathers on the shelf can conveniently cool themselves down with intermittent splashes of water, rather than having to periodically get up from a poolside chair and dive in.

Parents situated on the baja shelf can closely monitor children playing in the rest of the pool, although kids can enjoy it, too. Baja shelves especially great for younger children, for whom it’s like a built-in wading pool to play and splash in. Some pool owners have bubblers installed in the baja shelf area to give it some of the feel of a splash park. Either way, mom or dad is close at hand to keep an eye on little ones and keep them safe.

Many pets (water-loving breeds of dogs, for example) will love the baja shelf too. You probably won’t stock your pool with marine mammals, but another name for a large baja shelf is a “Shamu shelf.” If you’ve ever seen Shamu or any of the famous SeaWorld killer whales in action, you probably remember that the pool they perform in has a large shallow area where the animals come most of the way out of the water to interact with their trainers.

Although a baja shelf is often incorporated as part of the pool steps in the shallow end, a shelf can also be installed in the deeper end of a pool. For families with somewhat older kids, this arrangement provides a great diving platform, again with an area for an adult to supervise while still kicking back a little bit.

The main concern with a baja shelf is cleanliness. The shallow, placid area that it creates can be a little more prone to algae buildup, so extra care must be taken to keep it clean. Bubblers can help this task by keeping the water moving. But a baja shelf is well worth a little extra trouble and expense. Few pool owners have regretted installing them, and some wish they could do a pool remodeling project to make their baja shelves bigger!

For a custom Arizona swimming pool that will provide the ultimate in summer fun, Hop Cassidy Pools is the builder to go with. Hop Cassidy is a respected Scottsdale pool contractor with a reputation for performing the highest quality work and giving excellent customer service over the last 25 years. Call us today at 480-905-8780 or contact us online at http://www.hopcassidypools.com/contact.html for a free initial consultation, and get started on building the pool that you’ve always wanted.

Future Pool Owners and Their Contractors Should Be Familiar With Local Zoning Laws

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Scott Strader

Homeowners who want to add a backyard swimming pool to their property should be mindful of the zoning laws in their community and of any other local ordinances that apply to new pool construction and pool remodeling projects. You can save potentially costly and time-consuming headaches by hiring an experienced Arizona pool builder whose staff is thoroughly familiar with the rules and regulations regarding pools and spas in your city of residence.

Zoning laws and building codes that apply to pool construction are meant to keep pools safe and protect the rights of neighboring property owners and the public. As is generally true across the country, Phoenix area pools require a building permit that your city issues subject to submission and approval of a professionally drawn plan. Swimming pools can’t be placed in the front yard of a residence, must be adequately fenced, must be set back a certain distance from the property line and can’t intrude into easements and rights-of-way.

Be aware that any water feature that meets certain criteria could be subject to the same regulations as a true swimming pool for code purposes. Municipalities in the Valley, as well as Maricopa County itself, generally define a swimming pool as a body of water at least 18 inches deep and 8 feet across or more at any point. Some city codes add that the water must be “intended for swimming or bathing purposes,” or similar language, for pool codes to apply. But it’s possible that structures such as wading pools, decorative pools and ponds, fountains or fish ponds could be subject to the same rules regarding fencing and location as a swimming pool is.

Here is a sampling of the code requirements for pools in some of the Valley’s larger municipalities:

Phoenix – Pools must be set back at least 3 feet from the property line, and a survey or survey waiver is required if the pool is built closer than 2 feet to the setback. Two inspections occur during the Phoenix pool construction process – one before the concrete, or gunite, is sprayed on, and one before the plastering is performed. Phoenix pool fences must be at least 5 feet high, and the fencing is examined for compliance as part of the pre-plaster inspection.
Scottsdale – A site plan, a pool plan, a fencing plan and design calculations must be submitted to the City. Scottsdale pools must be separated from adjacent properties by a fence at least 5 feet high and from the residence on the property by a fence at least 4 feet high. The minimum setback from the property line is only 2 feet, provided the pool doesn’t encroach into any easements. If there is an easement, not only the pool itself but the deck and pool equipment must not encroach on it. A 5-foot buffer must be left between the pool and any designated Natural Area Open Space (NAOS), even if it’s on an adjacent property.
Mesa – Mesa swimming pools have to be built with a 5-foot perimeter fence and with the water’s edge no less than 4 feet from property lines. Outdoor electric outlets must be at least 10 feet from the water’s edge.
Glendale – Swimming pools in Glendale have to be built with a 5-feet perimeter fence. There must also be a 5-foot fence between the house and the pool, if any children younger than 6 live there. The required setback is 3 feet.

Note that some cities like Glendale and Peoria whose fencing requirements depend on the age of the residents of the house – for instance, no pool barrier is needed if there are no children under age 6 or 7 – require an affidavit to be filed along with the other paperwork attesting that no children under the minimum age will be living there.

If you live in a community with a homeowners’ association, it’s critical that you find out their policies regarding pool construction and get the necessary HOA permits in addition to whatever paperwork your city requires.

As a top Scottsdale pool contractor, Hop Cassidy Pools has been engaged in Arizona pool construction and pool remodels for more than 25 years. The Arizona pool professionals at Hop Cassidy are familiar with the technical, business and legal aspects of pool construction in the Valley of the Sun, ensuring that your pool project will go smoothly and efficiently. We specialize in custom pool design and the construction of luxury pools for individual homeowners, as well as for some of the Valley’s most prestigious contractors. Call Hop Cassidy today at 480-905-8780 or contact us online at http://www.hopcassidypools.com/contact.html for a free initial consultation and price quote on the pool of your dreams.

Beach Entry Pools Are For Homes, Too

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Scott Strader

From steps to springboards, there’s certainly more than one way to get into a swimming pool. One of the coolest ideas to come along in the field of custom pool design is the beach entry or zero entry pool. As the name implies, a beach entry simulates the experience of walking into the ocean – a gradually sloping ramp takes swimmers from the deck down into the shallow end of the pool.

Beach entries have been around for a while, but in the past they were found almost exclusively at large public pools, at resort pools or in wave pools at water parks. More recently, beach entries have been showing up in more backyard swimming pools because many homeowners enjoy the distinctive look, feel and convenience they provide.

Beach entries can be easier to use than steps or ladders for small children, pets and people with mobility issues. Even a person in a wheelchair can enter a pool without assistance when it features a well-constructed beach entry. However, there are some issues that homeowners should be aware of when considering a beach entry pool.

First of all, beach entry pools can require a lot of space. The ramp that descends into the pool must be sloped at a reasonably gentle angle for safety and ease of use, and to maintain that low angle, it must extend over many feet.

Many backyards just don’t have the square footage to accommodate a straight beach entry, but there are some space-saving variations. For instance, the beach entry can curve or change direction as it enters the pool. Or it can end at a step or steps that take pools users down the last 6 to 12 inches (although obviously this option eliminates some of the previously mentioned advantages).

Especially if one of these creative configurations is used to create a beach entry, measures must be taken to ensure that people getting into the pool follow the path of the entry as intended. If the beach entry runs parallel to deeper water, some sort of visual cue must be incorporated to indicate where the edge is, so that no one unintentionally steps off. Marker tiles, large decorative stones or planters should be incorporated to indicate the course the beach entry takes into the main vessel of the pool.

Care should also be taken to delineate the shallower water of the beach entry so that no one jumps or dives there. For nighttime use, lighting should be designed to highlight the contrast between the shallowness of the beach entry and the deeper areas of the pool.

The beach entry can even have a different shade of finish or a different finish altogether than the main body of the pool. The beach entry may need to be covered with a different material anyway, since it cannot be finished with any substance, such as plaster, that must remain wet at all times. The beach area will experience varying wet/dry conditions near the waterline due to wave motion in the pool, splashout and evaporation.

In addition to considerations of space, physical safety and proper construction, maintaining water cleanliness is a major consideration when pool design includes a beach entry. The shallow water in a beach area will be prone to collecting dirt and debris if it remains too stagnant. Inlets mounted on the sides of the beach entry or in-floor-cleaner heads will ensure that water moves from the beach to areas of the pool where it will pass through the circulation and filtration system. Strategically placed pool water features can even accomplish this job.

For Arizona swimming pools that go beyond the ordinary, Hop Cassidy Pools is your top choice. We are a respected Scottsdale pool contractor with 25 years of experience building luxury swimming pools and performing first-rate pool remodeling. Call Hop Cassidy pools today at 480-905-8780 or contact us online at http://www.hopcassidypools.com/contact.html for a free initial consultation on the pool of your dreams.

Getting Your Swimming Pool Off to a Great Start This Season

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Scott Strader

With temperatures climbing in the Phoenix area, it’s that time of year when families put their Arizona swimming pools back into use. Preparing your backyard swimming pool for the coming season isn’t all that complicated, and it’s well worth the trouble.

Although pool owners in the Sonoran desert don’t usually close down and winterize their pools the way that their counterparts in colder climates must, there are still some steps to take to make sure your pool is ready to provide trouble-free fun over the coming months.

If you used a pool cover in the off-season, remove it, clean it and dry it. Properly fold and store the cover away for use again in the winter. Add water to the pool to bring it up to the operating level. Check the skimmer and the skimmer basket to make sure they’re in good shape with no cracks, and that the skimmer weir (the hinged one-way debris barrier) is moving freely.

Check around the pump and filter for leaks and inspect all plumbing and connections for cracks, damage or leaks. Inspect wiring for cracked or damaged insulation, loose connections or corrosion. Plumbing or wiring that needs repair or replacement is probably something that you’ll want to call in a professional take care of.

Clean out the pump trap and make sure the basket is still in good shape. Also check the O-ring sealing the pump trap to make sure it’s still in good shape. Replace an O-ring that’s misshapen, hard or cracked. Likewise, inspect the O-rings in the backwash valve to see whether any of them need replacing.

Backwash your pool filter, especially if you did not previously do so at season’s end. If you have a diatomaceous earth (DE) filter, it will need to be reloaded with DE powder after backflushing. However, the fabric-covered plastic grids of a DE filter should be pulled and cleaned at least once a year, including a soaking in an overnight filter cleaning solution. The grids should be replaced if they’re broken or damaged. In sand filters, the sand does not need replacement as frequently as DE filtering medium does, but it should be replaced every few years. With either type of filter, make sure that the pressure gauge is still working, and flush any trapped air out of the system.

Skim, vacuum and brush the pool. Clean the tile line around your pool with a tile cleaner or scrub it with baking soda, but don’t use harsh or abrasive household cleaners. They can be bad for your tile and for swimmers’ health.

Some pool owners like to give the water a good shock to start off the season, but many pool care professionals recommend a more subtle approach to getting your pool chemistry in initial balance. After physically cleaning the pool as above, allow 8-12 hours for the water to circulate and to mix with new water that you’ve added. Then check your water with a good test kit and follow the recommendations for the results you get, or take a water sample to a pool supply store for testing. Many such stores will check your water for free and make recommendations on which chemicals you need to add, and how much of each.

Once you get the pool, pool equipment and water in good shape, make sure to reset your pump timer to run longer. Longer pumping and filtration time is necessary as the water warms and creates a more favorable environment for the growth of algae and bacteria. Set the timer clock to run the pump one hour for every 10 degrees of maximum daytime temperature – for example, 9 hours for 90 degrees, 10 hours for 100 degrees, etc.

If you have questions or need advice on how to get your Phoenix pool into tip-top shape for the summer season, consult a competent pool technician at a reputable pool supply and equipment store. Of course, you can also save time by hiring a pool service company to prep your swimming pool for all the activity that the hot months will surely bring.

If you’d like to get in on the kind of great summer fun that comes with having a pool of your own, come to the experienced professionals at Hop Cassidy Pools. We specialize in custom pool design and constructing luxury swimming pools for Phoenix area residents and homebuilders. If you already have a pool but want to take it up to the next level, our pool designers can also plan a state-of-the-art pool remodel for you.

For any Arizona pool construction need, call Hop Cassidy, the Scottsdale pool contractor with more than 25 years of experience in the field. Phone Hop Cassidy Pools today for a free consultation at 480-905-8780 or contact us online at www.hopcassidypools.com/contact.html.