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It’s time to prep your pool for Summer!

Salt Water Resin Pools

Did you close your pool for winter? Even if you left it open and indulged in a few laps, Summer is coming, so it’s time to get the water ready for a whole lot of splashing, especially if you intend to have fun-filled barbeques and Christmas guests.

Above ground pools and in-ground pools have similar maintenance patterns, so reviving them for summer follows the same necessary steps. If you haven’t installed your surprisingly cheap swimming pool yet, it’s not too late. Get in touch with us here at Affordable Pools, and we can discuss the logistics of installation. But if you need to re-open your existing pool, here are some suggestions.

Opening the pool is more work than you’d think, so enlist the help of a few friends. You can always pay them in barbequed treats, and it’s certainly a good excuse for a party. Most people open their pools around the same time, but you should plan to open yours a few weeks early.

When you open your pool early, you might get pool gear at discounted ‘new season’ prices. It will also be easier for you because the weather won’t be uncomfortably hot yet. Concerning cleanliness, the hotter it is, the more algae grows, so it’s useful to open the pool before more algae sprouts beneath the pool cover.

Go to the pool store and buy all the supplies you need. You will need a pool opening kit, which usually contains pool chemicals like chlorine, alkalinity products, and chlorine stabilisers. For an above ground pool do be careful not to go overboard on chemicals. Regarding tools, you will need a telescoping pole, a pool brush, a skimmer head, a vacuum hose, and a vacuum head.

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Test strips are essential as well. Pools respond in different ways, depending on water content, duration of the closure, contaminant levels, and atmospheric conditions. The colour of the water could range from clear to mossy green. You’ll need to clean the water, then do basic maintenance, cleaning the floor and sides with a pool brush and skimmer basket.

Start by removing the pool cover, then turn on the pump and filter, and keep them running until the pool water reaches its usual clean colour. Once the water’s natural tone is restored, put the filter back into a cycle of 10 to 12 hours per day. The colour of the pool isn’t an indicator of its health. To find that out, you need to run a test.

For your test results to be accurate, you need to take a proper sample. You shouldn’t dip the test strip into the pool or scoop a cup from anywhere in the pool. Instead, stretch your hand over the pool, away from the return line. Invert the cup so that it’s upside down, then lower your hand into the pool until the water reaches your elbow.

Turn the cup back upright and raise it out of the pool, full of water. Dip your test strips in the cup to check the levels of chlorine or salt, depending on what pool sanitizer you use. You will also check for pH, alkalinity, calcium, chlorine hardness, or cyanuric acid.

If possible, take the water sample to the pool store instead of checking it yourself. Since this will be the first test after opening the pool, having it done professionally will give you more detailed results. Make sure to mention the type of pool you have as above ground pools have different requirements to concrete pools, and so on. Once you have your results, you’ll know what chemicals to add or reduce.

Your pool should be at around 7.2 pH. You can also put in some algaecide to get rid of anaerobic plant growth.Your pool is now ready to use. Clean your pool cover, store it, and dive in.

For more information on all kinds of swimming pools, call us today on (02) 8625 3656.

Our DIY Solar Kits in focus

Salt Water Resin Pools

Above ground pools in Australia are a must have when it comes to our scorching summers. During the warm months, we live in the water, especially when the kids are home during the holidays. Nothing beats a barbeque with the family when the weather is fantastic, and the pool is refreshing and clean.

Being environmentally conscious is the way of the future. And using the energy of the sun has become more and more popular in recent years.

Here at Affordable Pools, we have made it possible for you and your family to enjoy year long swimming without the heavy cost of fuel. Wouldn’t it be amazing to use your pool all year, without having to pay an arm and a leg to keep it heated in the colder months? This is where our Solar DIY Kits come in.

The Solar DIY Kit works by pumping the cold water from your swimming pool and circulating it through conductive tubes which are situated on your roof. It then returns the heated water into your pool.

It only heats up the pool when the sun is hot enough, and it will keep the temperature within 1% of your desired water temperature.The Solar DIY Kits can be used in spas as well as other combined systems.

It only heats up the pool when the sun is hot enough, and it will keep the temperature within 1% of your desired water temperature.The Solar DIY Kits can be used in spas as well as other combined systems.

The Solar DIY kit adds 6-10 degrees to the water of your pool, meaning less freezing water and lots more pool enjoyment.

With almost zero running costs, the Solar DIY Kit is a long-term investment. One which you’ll reap the rewards of for many years. It increases the value of your home, and basically, never needs any form of maintenance. Time, money and inconvenience are all saved when installing this fantastic, environmentally friendly product. Our Kits are comprised of Australian made components, keeping it local and without extra costs. And with a ten-year warranty, it’s a win-win situation.

The value of your pool will increase through the additional swimming months gained each year. Late night swimming can be a regular occurrence, and a winter pool party is something to think about. Water aerobics can also be enjoyed year long, it’s a great form of exercise, and you don’t have to drive to the gym to get to a warm pool.

Please note that additional plumbing will be needed to connect the solar collector mat from your roof to your swimming pool.

Why our Palm Cove pools are so popular

If you’re looking for the kind of swimming pool that will stand out, consider getting a Palm Cove pool. It follows the increasingly popular trend of salt water pools. Salt water pools don’t necessarily have no chlorine, but salt is their primary sanitizer, with just a small amount of chlorine.

Salt water pools are environmentally friendly pool set-ups. They are also more comfortable to swim in. Have you noticed that you get more tired swimming in a pool or lake than you do in the ocean? You might have thought it was because of distance, size, or depth. But it’s more a matter of density. Ocean water is denser, which makes you more buoyant.

Similarly, you can enjoy a more leisurely swim in a salt water pool than you would in a regular chlorine pool. Our Palm Cove model is one of our best-selling, surprisingly cheap, swimming pools. It comes in two options. You can just buy the pool on its own, or you can buy the full package, which includes additional tools and features.

The Palm Cove pool is 4 feet 4 inches deep (1.32 metres), and its sizes range from 2.4 metres to over 15 metres. You can select a round pool or an oval one, depending on your style. Round pools occupy more space, but they’re smaller. Their maximum diameter is 5.4 metres.

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Some of the things our clients love about the Palm Cove pool include its stylish look and top quality components. The pool parts are made out of resin and stainless steel, with additional reinforcement for extra stability. Like all our products here at Affordable Pools, the Palm Cove comes with a 20-year warranty.

Above ground swimming pools are easy to install, so you can choose to set it up yourself, or you can call our professional pool crew to install it for you. It comes with a sandstone-coloured wall coated in PHP colourbond paint, and it also has vertical resin posts and rails that are fully extruded. The pool has a deck ladder made of smooth, moulded plastic.

The resin copings at the top of the pool are 180mm wide, and the pool liner consists of heavy-duty premium materials that are tough to pierce. The pool design also includes a large skimmer box to collect leaves and fallen debris.

If you choose to buy the complete Palm Cove package, you will get a manual vacuum kit that contains a vacuum head, a test kit, a left scoop, and a CPR chart for guidance in case of emergencies. The package also has sand or cartridge filter, as well as a pump and a salt water chlorinator. If you just buy the pool, you can source the other components separately.

For more information on all kinds of swimming pools, call us today on (02) 8625 3656.

Inspiring pool landscaping ideas for Summer 2017

Usually, landscaping includes lots of plants and strategic water features. When you have an above ground pool, the focus is reversed. Your swimming pool is now the central design element, and the surrounding features are only intended to highlight the water.

There are many different options when it comes to beautifying your pool, and you can work within any budget. Keep in mind that cheap swimming pools can be elevated if you use strategic decor. You can create a high-end ambience if you use the right plant cover, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to do it.

One quick way to add some class to your pool is to install a pergola. You can place it over the entire pool, which can be quite beautiful. It’s not advisable though because while it will give your pool a romantic aura, it will also increase your work load. The vines circling the pergola will routinely shed leaves and flowers into the pool, which means you spend more time cleaning. All those leaves are also likely to clog your filter.

Instead, set the pergola more to the side, so that it makes a cosy enclave where guests can share some poolside drinks and conversation. In addition to this fragrant shaded area, put in some lounge chairs and recliners so that swimmers can bask in the sun when they feel inclined.

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Your pergola can have some benches incorporated into it, but you can also have an outdoor picnic area with a few chairs and tables. This makes for a great meal area, especially if you’re having a pool party or barbeque. Choose seats that are waterproof. Vinyl is better than fabric, since it’s easier to clean, though it heats up quickly and can burn, so keep vinyl seats in a shaded area. Foldable canvas chairs withstand weather better.

The floor around your pool also offers some great decor options. Most people settle for your basic brick and concrete, but you can add some style by using natural stone instead. There are plenty of affordable options, so it doesn’t have to be pricey. Plus, the stone is cooler to the touch than concrete or cement, so it will be gentler on swimmers’ bare feet.

A pool surrounded by tropical forestry is a landscaper’s dream, but it may take some time for your little poolside jungle to grow. Your landscapers can install palm fronds and bamboo reeds to beautiful effect.

An easier option is to incorporate potted plants into your pool design. Your landscaper can advise you on the best varieties for your pool. They’re generally fine with daily watering and all little weeding. That’s probably something you can manage without external help.

Inspiring pool landscaping ideas for Summer 2017

If you’re ambitious and are looking for more extreme decor, install additional water features beside your pool. You could have a pond, fountains, or waterfalls. To top it off, surround your pool with trees and flowers, so that it looks more like a blended piece of nature.

Whichever form of pool decor you select, be sure to keep your water clean and well chlorinated or salted. This prevents natural micro-organisms from causing murk and breeding infections. To get in touch with Affordable Pools for more information, call us on (02) 86253656.