A Simple Guide to Above Ground Pool Care

Owning and maintaining a pool requires a certain level of responsibility and upkeep from every homeowner, and this is especially true for above ground pools. It is true that spending your weekends poolside is a great way to unwind from the week; however, your day off can become not so relaxing if your pool is not properly kept or maintained. A well-kept above ground pool means that your pool will have healthy, clean, and clear swimming water as well as longer lasting equipment. Check out this easy guide for above ground pool care so you can make the most out of your time spent at the pool this summer.

Water Balance

The first thing to be sure of when maintaining an above ground pool is the water pH level. You want to make sure that the water's pH is not too acidic (low pH) or too alkaline (high pH). Your pool water should also have the right calcium hardness and total alkalinity levels. By ensuring these levels are correct, your pool's water will be properly balanced. The right balance levels will ensure proper functioning of your sanitizer system which keeps bacteria at bay. This will also lower the risk of corrosion or scale buildup on your pool and equipment. And for your comfort, balanced pool water also makes the water feel smoother and more comfortable to swim in and prevents skin and eye irritation.

Water Sanitation

The next step for a healthy above ground pool and proper care is having and maintaining a well functioning sanitizing system. Sanitizer systems prevent algae buildup and destroy bacteria. To sanitize your pool, you can either go with traditional chlorine products or other alternatives that are just as effective. These alternative products are becoming a lot more popular as people are preferring less chlorine exposure. Whichever you choose, it is still necessary to ensure proper pool water sanitation for yourself and your family.

Pool Shocking

If you have a chlorine pool, periodic shock treatments are necessary for maintaining pool water health. When a pool with chlorine is used, compounds called chloramines are formed when the pool's chlorine mixes with outside contaminants. When combined, the chlorine no longer has its sanitizing ability and actually causes a strong chlorine odor, red eyes, cloudy water, and algae and bacteria growth. Shock treatments break down the chloramine compounds and oxidizes the outside contaminants which will keep your pool safe and healthy.

Periodic Pool Cleaning

Last and definitely not least, the best and most obvious way to keep your above ground pool healthy and ready for use is with periodic cleanings. Making sure your pool is clear of dirt, debris, and other unwanted materials is vital to maintaining proper water quality. Keeping your pool clean also means taking good care of the filtration system.

Burton Pools and Spas

A clean pool is a safe pool, so be sure to keep safe this summer by properly maintaining your above ground pool. Find out how Burton Pools and Spas can help you have fun and be safe this summer with a new above ground pool and regular pool maintenance.

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Preparing Your Pool for Summer Swim Season

For many of us in Fort Smith and Springdale, it already feels like pool season is underway. With increasingly longer and warmer days ahead, it's about time to get your home pool in shape before everyday use becomes a necessity. Since it's likely been a while since your last dip, there are a few things you should do to prepare a pool for summer. Even if you had it covered all winter, it's likely not ready for swimmers just yet. Here are some of our top ways to prep your Arkansas pool for summer use.

Basic Cleaning

 Spring is a great time to make sure your Arkansas pool cleaning process is up to snuff. After removing your winter pool cover, give it a once-over; if there's any debris in your pool, clear it out with a skimming net. This will help you get rid of any visible debris, such as leaves, twigs and bugs. Remove everything from the pool that you possibly can. Then, go over the sides and floor of your pool with a pool brush to loosen up any algae or other dirt and buildup.

Skimming and brushing will prepare your pool for the underwater vacuum, which cannot remove any large items. However, running a pool vacuum is a very low maintenance way to keep your pool in shape, and you should run it once per day. Also, be sure to clean out the straining baskets whenever any debris has built up. The more often you clean your pool, the less time each cleaning session will take.

 

Maintain Water Levels

 Your pool's water level naturally fluctuates, but it's important to keep the pool full of water at all times. During particularly hot stretches of the day or when the pool is being used frequently, your Arkansas pool will continue losing water. Keep the water level above the skimmer line by refilling your pool with a hose if necessary.

 

Regularly Check the Filter

 In addition to regularly cleaning your pool, you should also be regularly cleaning your pool's filter. Do this by switching the filter to “backwash” mode as often as your manufacturer's guide says to (which may not be too often and depends on the type of filter you use-consult the manual before running!).

 

Check Chemical Levels

 We use chlorine in pools to keep bacteria from surviving and reproducing. However, too much chlorine can be harmful and affect the color in your family's hair and swimsuits. Checking the pH balance on a frequent basis-at least once a week-is an essential part of being a responsible pool owner. Regularly go over the pool rules with family members or anyone else using the pool; these rules include only swimming in pools that have been recently chlorine-tested.

At Burton Pools, we're luckily offering specials on many must-have pool chemicals. Starting May 7^th and lasting through the 31^st, you'll find the following deals:

• 20% Off MPT Extra™ Tablet Sanitizer (Limit one with card)


• 20% Off Stabilizer & Conditioner (Limit one with card)


• 20% Off BAQUACIL® Sanitizer & Algistat (Limit two with card)


• Buy 3 Get 1 Free TurboShock® Shock Treatment (Limit 3 free bags with card)

At Burton Pools, we proudly service the Western Arkansas, Eastern Oklahoma and Southwest Missouri areas with top-quality custom pools. We're passionate about bringing family and friends together in the comfort of your own backyard by offering a great space to host a pool party or spend an evening relaxing with an old friend. Stop by our Fort Smith or Springdale locations to get the best chemicals for your pool today!

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Celebrating 38 Years of Burton Pools!

When you look for any service from a home improvement contractor, including a pool, spa and outdoor living service, you want a business that's got a long legacy of customer satisfaction. At Burton Pools we're crossing the 38-year mark this year; that's an astounding longevity, and we're proud to still be here serving you. To that end, we're offering some incredible deals to mark the occasion. Check out our anniversary pool and spa sale to see how we at Burton Pools and Spas are celebrating 38 years of service for our customers!

Anniversary Pool and Spa Sale

You can be absolutely sure when you hire Burton Pools to get your outdoor living space in order that we're going to be there every step of the way. Our anniversary pool and spa sale is sure to get you excited and ready to take the leap into putting together your special backyard space with the best prices of the year!

 

Hot Spring Spa Deals

We're offering up to $4,700 off of the retail prices for Hot Spring Spas. Purchase your brand new hot tub as low as $2,695!

 

Doughboy Pool Packages

Our above-ground pool packages from Doughboy are being sold at up to $900 off. This means you can get a brand new Doughboy pool and start swimming in your yard for as low as $1,349 during this sale.

 

Free Grill Giveaway

As if those amazing prices weren't enough, we are giving away a brand new top-of-the-line grill from Fire Magic! When you have guests over, they'll be envious of your new setup.

These incredible opportunities are only available between April 29 and May 7. Don't wait; act right now, and if you're still not sure, check out what our customers have to say!

 

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New Owner's Guide to Hot Tubs

Burton Pools is proud to represent Hot Spring Spas, a world leader in start of the art, low maintenance hot tubs, and if you're reading this guide, you're hopefully already on your way to taking the plunge and investing in a hot tub for your home. Just buying one, however, is only half the battle.



You need to know a few things if you're going to be a responsible hot tub owner, but don't worry! Our hot tub guide will cover all the basics, and as long as you have a working knowledge of the information printed here, you should very soon be enjoying the comfort of your brand new hot tub.

Cleaning To Ensure Your Tub Time Is Perfect

The role of the filter is to keep your hot tub clean, but you'll still want to physically go over the hot tub from time to time to make sure you're keeping it free of germs. You will especially want to stay on top of the cleanliness of the waterline of your hot tub, in addition to any other above-water parts. About twice a month, you'll want to scrub it down thoroughly to remove scum buildup.

Every few months, you will also want to drain the hot tub completely and scrub the whole interior. At the same time, make sure to regularly remove the hot tub's filters and clean those out as well.

Maintenance to Keep Your Tub Lasting Long

Hot tub filters work by cycling the total volume of water through the filter at a certain rate. In order for the filter to be considered functional, it should perform this cycling at least once a day. When you clean the filter, be sure to always keep an eye out for potential blockages or other damages that could be disrupting this cycle.

You will also need to constantly check the hot tub's pH levels to make sure the water is at a manageable and safe level. This is especially important since failure to maintain proper pH could result in bad skin reactions, which is the last thing you want to deal with in your personal hot tub. Improper pH levels can also lead to bacterial growth, which can in turn lead to illness, so make sure you stay on top of things.

Safety First, Everyone!

Just as it is with pools, safety is of the utmost importance with hot tubs, and if you're going to make the commitment of purchasing and using a hot tub, you need to be responsible and safe.

First thing's first: it is possible to drown in a hot tub, and as such, you should never bathe alone. If minors are using the hot tub, an adult should always be there to supervise them. You should pay particularly close attention to submerged suction vents, as these can catch hair or cloth and trap you underwater.

It should also go without saying that you need to keep electrical devices away from your hot tub-this includes active outlets. In addition, be mindful of the temperature of the water, and don't spend more than 10-15 minutes bathing at any given time. Avoid drugs, alcohol and other psychoactive substances while you're at it.

So, What's Next?

Now that we have the technical information from our hot tub guide out of the way, ask yourself: do you still want a hot tub? The answer should undeniably be “Yes!” Let's face it-there aren't many better ways to enjoy an evening quite like relaxing in a hot tub. You've probably always dreamt about it, so now let's make it a reality.

Need more convincing? Through April 11, Burton Pools is offering an amazing Hot Springs Spas financing event by allowing a zero percent APR for 36 months on select models. You can't really beat that deal, so contact us today!

 

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4 Signs It's Time for an In-Ground Pool Remodel

Is your pool trying to send you a message that you just aren't receiving? Maybe you are wondering if it's time to get your in-ground pool remodeled, but you aren't sure. There are plenty of signs that it is time for you to get some work done on your pool. Here are four of them!

Repairs and More Repairs

Do you find that every time you head out to swim you notice that something else on your pool has broken? Maybe you just found that your pool water level is dropping due to a small (or large) leak. All of these can lead you to spending a large amount of money on repairs.

Pools are made of and run on mechanical systems. If one system keeps failing over and over, or several systems are starting to fail, it may be a sign that you need to replace them. Having your pool remodeled can end up saving you money in the long run.

Update that Look

Are you starting to feel like your back door is a portal back in time? When you step out onto your patio, do you expect to hear last decade's hits playing over the radio? A dated look is a good sign that your pool needs a remodel.

Trends change over time. Looks that were in all of the magazines lose favor. Don't keep spending time in your dated pool. Now is the time to bring it up to date.

Worn and Used

If you enjoy using your pool, then it probably sees a lot of wear and tear. Even if you don't spend a lot of time in it, the sun, weather and seasons can put a toll on your once beautiful pool. The colors fade, the lights don't light up as bright and the patio starts to chip and crack.

Remove the signs of wear and tear by having a full remodel done. You can breathe life and fun back into your pool with a simple update or go for a full overhaul to change the look entirely.

More Is Better

Did you have to make some compromises when you had your first pool installed? Now that you are in a better position, maybe it is time to have that old pool made bigger or redesigned.

Upgrading the size or even the shape of your pool is a great reason to have your pool remodeled, particularly if you find yourself trying to host large amounts of people with a smaller pool. You want to have enough room for all of your guests to enjoy themselves. This can become a big problem if your children start bringing friends over.

Have your pool remodeled to accommodate more people, or have your patio or deck updated for more space!

Let Burton Pools and Spas Remodel Your Springdale Pool

Burton Pools and Spas are your trusted professionals in the Fort Smith and Springdale area. We can take an old pool and make it new again. Come see what we can do for you today!

 

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4 Signs It's Time for an In-Ground Pool Remodel

Is your pool trying to send you a message that you just aren't receiving? Maybe you are wondering if it's time to get your in-ground pool remodeled, but you aren't sure. There are plenty of signs that it is time for you to get some work done on your pool. Here are four of them!

Repairs and More Repairs

Do you find that every time you head out to swim you notice that something else on your pool has broken? Maybe you just found that your pool water level is dropping due to a small (or large) leak. All of these can lead you to spending a large amount of money on repairs.

Pools are made of and run on mechanical systems. If one system keeps failing over and over, or several systems are starting to fail, it may be a sign that you need to replace them. Having your pool remodeled can end up saving you money in the long run.

Update that Look

Are you starting to feel like your back door is a portal back in time? When you step out onto your patio, do you expect to hear last decade's hits playing over the radio? A dated look is a good sign that your pool needs a remodel.

Trends change over time. Looks that were in all of the magazines lose favor. Don't keep spending time in your dated pool. Now is the time to bring it up to date.

Worn and Used

If you enjoy using your pool, then it probably sees a lot of wear and tear. Even if you don't spend a lot of time in it, the sun, weather and seasons can put a toll on your once beautiful pool. The colors fade, the lights don't light up as bright and the patio starts to chip and crack.

Remove the signs of wear and tear by having a full remodel done. You can breathe life and fun back into your pool with a simple update or go for a full overhaul to change the look entirely.

More Is Better

Did you have to make some compromises when you had your first pool installed? Now that you are in a better position, maybe it is time to have that old pool made bigger or redesigned.

Upgrading the size or even the shape of your pool is a great reason to have your pool remodeled, particularly if you find yourself trying to host large amounts of people with a smaller pool. You want to have enough room for all of your guests to enjoy themselves. This can become a big problem if your children start bringing friends over.

Have your pool remodeled to accommodate more people, or have your patio or deck updated for more space!

Let Burton Pools and Spas Remodel Your Springdale Pool

Burton Pools and Spas are your trusted professionals in the Fort Smith and Springdale area. We can take an old pool and make it new again. Come see what we can do for you today!

 

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What to Expect During Gunite Pool Construction

So you have taken the leap and decided to get a swimming pool for your Fort Smith or Springdale home. Maybe you are still on the fence and would like to know more about the process. Either way, knowing what to expect during the installation of your swimming pool is natural. It is going to take a few weeks at least, maybe longer depending on how construction goes. Here is what you can expect during construction.

Prep for Pool Installation

The first thing that is going to need to be done is acquiring all the appropriate permits. While that is going on, your local pool professionals may come and take a look at the ideal location for the pool. They will then measure out the area that the pool is going to be in and rough out the outline of the pool using stakes.

If you have a fence, it will need to be removed while the construction is going on. Remember to be clear about who is removing the fence and who is going to replace it. Burton Pools is happy to take down fences, however, the customer is responsible for putting it back up.

Excavation

Now it is time to dig. Please remember that once digging has begun, the area is an active construction site. Children and pets can watch from a distance but should be kept away from equipment and the site itself, as it can be dangerous.

Heavy equipment will be brought on site to do the heavy digging. Most of the dirt will be hauled off site, but some needs to be kept around for later. This may mean that you have a small dirt mountain in your backyard for a short period of time.

Yes, all of this construction is going to take a toll on your yard, but don’t worry – it will look great again before you know it.

Drains and Framing

Once the excavation is done, it is time to put in gravel drainage. This will be done by a loader bringing in large amounts of gravel and dumping it into the hole. The gravel will then be smoothed out so that a rebar frame can be built over top of it.

Finally, the plumbing for the pool will be partially or fully installed (depending on the job).

Pouring Gunite and Tile

Once the frame is in place, gunite can be shot into the frame. This is the material that your pool is made of and is a special form of concrete. It can be a little messy, but your installers will clean it all up before they leave.

Once the gunite installed, the tile or other surface material will be placed over the top of it to give your pool a finished look. Any patio or decking that is going to go along with it will be completed at this time as well.

Have Your Pool Installed by Fort Smith Pool Experts

Check out what Burton Pools can do for your backyard by having a pool installed today!

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