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Q:
We are thinking about adding an in-ground pool. What do I need to know and can it be
financed?
A: Determine your primary reason for having a pool. Your builder can custom design a pool
that fits your needs - may be for family fun, fitness, entertaining or just creating your
own private backyard paradise. Many amenities are available to create individuality. When
choosing a contractor, ask how long the company has been in business, be sure to check on
their references and ask to see completed projects. Check with the Better Business Bureau
and the National Spa & Pool Institute (our trade assn.) if this company had any
complaints logged. Ask if there is a charge for the estimate. Most banks or credit unions
will arrange for a home improvement loan - shop around for the best interest rate.
Q: What landscape is best
around a pool?
A: Since I have a degree in landscape design and horticulture from Texas A&M, I am
asked this question often. Living in a sub-tropical region, there are many different
things you can do to enhance your pool. First, you must decide on a theme, which will
compliment the house and surroundings. Next map out areas of full sun, partial or full
shade and choose your plants accordingly. Decide on something of interest as your focal
point, such as a fountain, birdbath, palm tree, elaborate flowerbed, etc. Around a pool
area, it is always best to have a low-maintenance landscape, avoiding deciduous
(non-evergreen) trees and shrubbery, which could create a problem in pool maintenance. In
full sun areas, I found such plants as bougainvillea, hibiscus, periwinkles and lantana
not only doing well, but also adding color to the landscape. There are many books
available on this subject and it is always beneficial to consult a professional
nurseryman.
Q: How can I enhance the
appearance of my pool area at night?
A: Creative landscape lighting may be the way to go. Many homeowners spend more time
outdoors at night than during the day. A properly designed and executed lighting system
can increase the visual delight of your pool area and enhance your security at the same
time. Dramatic effects can be obtained that are visible from indoors as well as out. You
can create a climate that extends your living area rather than separating it. Lighting
options are more flexible than ever. Adjust the ambiance to suit your mood; from romantic
to entertaining to whatever strikes your fancy.
Q: What is
Marbella Stone?
A: Designed by Nature to be the perfect pool deck and pool coping, this elegant stone has
the remarkable ability to stay cool underfoot even in direct sunlight. Quarried from sites
once covered by ocean waters teeming with marine life, architects and designers find
Marbella perfect for a multitude of interior and exterior applications...floors, walls
stair treads and balustrades to name a few. Imbedded with ancient coral and shells,
Marbella's sandy beige coloration is fairly uniform in shading. Slight color variations
add to it's natural beauty and character. Available in a variety of finishes: honed, saw
cut, cushion edge, split face, corduroy, bush hammered and beveled. Produced in many
dimensions from pool coping to squares and octagons. Nature took a few million years to
make it, but you can have Marbella Stone immediately.
Q: I have been shopping for a Hot Tub. Why do prices vary so much?
A: Shopping for a Hot Tub or Spa can be compared to a car purchase. There are wide
differences in quality, options, and support. Don't be afraid to "look under the
hood". Check out warranties and ask to see a copy. Find out about service after the
sale. Some dealers have a surcharge for warranty work! What is included with the purchase?
Compare features and materials used for construction. Some dealers will even let you
"test drive" a spa. Sit down at home and compare the "deals". Then,
the reason for the differences in price will become obvious. If you need the spa for
therapy reasons, the State of Texas will exempt you from sales tax with a doctor's
prescription. Remember, if you don't know the answer, it's not a dumb question.
Q: I suffered a back injury some time ago and am curious just how beneficial a spa
would be?
A: There is no doubt that the effects of heat and massage would relax muscle tension and
consequently ease pain. Doctors quite often prescribe whirlpool treatments for various
ailments. If hydrotherapy is given away from home, by the time the patient gets back into
the car and drives through traffic, often the treatment's benefit is vanished when he or
she gets home. Ideally, trips to the spa before bedtime will not only make you feel better
all night, it also promotes sound and restful sleep. With a prescription for a spa from
your doctor or chiropractor, you will be exempt from any sales tax.
Q: How do I best take care of my pool during the winter?
A: In our area (and other regions within the Sunbelt), we do not "winterize"
pools the way they do "up north". If water temperatures become too cold to enjoy
using the pool, it is time to have the water professionally tested in the lab at your pool
store to check on the proper water balance. Lab tests include several tests unavailable in
the average test kit. You will find that maintaining your pool during the winter months is
easy and inexpensive (reducing sanitizer usage and equipment run). Not only will your pool
stay attractive during the off-season with only a minimum of care, it will also be trouble
free to start up again next spring, since you won't have a "frog pond" to deal
with. If a leaf problem exists, you may want to cover the pool, reducing costs even more
by eliminating contaminants.
Q: Does my pool heater need any
special care?
A: Absolutely! Pool owners often overlook routine heater and filter maintenance.
Many people have their furnace checked each year. Your pool heater needs that
check-up too. They operate in a much more hostile environment than your
furnace. Wind, rain, sun and sometimes uninvited guests take up their residence in
your heater. It is vitally important to insure that it is operating safely and
efficiently. Typically, a pool heater produces three to five times as much heat as
the average home heating furnace. And by having an annual inspection performed by a
qualified technician, your unit will last longer. A good inspection would include
inspecting and cleaning the combustion section, checking for proper venting and
clearances, inspecting all wiring and safety devices for proper operation, and adjusting
gas pressure to specifications. Having this done by a professional could save you
from an exciting and possibly dangerous start to your pool-heating season.
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