Pool Maintenance Tips from Tulsa Pool Builders Oklahoma Landscape

Swimming is always a much loved summer pastime for many Tulsa residents, especially children, and many kids will be even asking to get in the backyard swimming pool before school gets out for summer.  Before the weather gets too hot, make sure your Tulsa pool is safe, clean, and ready for all the fun that summer brings with these few pool maintenance tips.

Take away any leaves or debris and remove any water that may be on top of the pool cover or that may be around the pool. Then, remove and clean the pool cover before you put it away in storage. After you clean the pool cover, let it totally dry out before storing it.

Clean out any debris and dirt from inside the pool itself with a cleaner designed for pools to prevent mold from growing or discoloring the pool.
Check the steps, ladders, diving board, etc. to make sure they are completely safe. Make sure the deck or patio around your pool is also safe and well-maintained.

When adding more water to your Tulsa swimming pool, make sure there is adequate water for the pump to work correctly. The water level needs to be in the middle of the skimmer opening for the pump to work properly, doityourself.com noted.

Check the circulation system and make certain the pump and all its components are clean and in good working order. Doityourself.com tells pool owners to let the system run for about 8 to 12 hours.
Then check the pH levels of the water by getting a water sample at least 18 inches below the surface of the water away from the pump inlet, the website also noted. From this test you’ll know what chemicals need to be added depending on the type of pool you have.

Now that your Tulsa swimming pool is clean and all the components are working correctly, you’re ready to make sure your pool area is prepared for entertaining. Is there suitable seating and dining space near the pool? New waterproof outdoor furniture can really spruce up your outdoor environment area.

Installing outdoor lighting nearby the pool area can help make your Tulsa outdoor living space more inviting and allow you to enjoy it for a longer period of time. Lighting fixtures mounted around the pool will also help to ensure everybody can safely navigate around the pool at all times, especially at night. Fun outdoor lanterns can create a delightful atmosphere for evening entertaining.

Call the Tulsa pool builders at Oklahoma Landscape for more information on pool designs, pool maintenance, and cleaning. Get the summer pool fun started with these simple reminders to help you have a safe and enjoyable summer.

Tulsa Pool Design Ideas - Salt Water Pools Vs. Chlorinated Pools

Are you considering adding a swimming pool to your Tulsa outdoor living space? Pools are an excellent way to increase your family’s summer fun while also increasing the value of your property and home. Today, the pool design ideas for Tulsa abound. You can have a custom pool designed and built especially for your family’s way of life and a Tulsa pool that will seamlessly complement your home’s architecture.

On the matter of Tulsa pool design, there is an increasing debate between chlorine versus salt water pools. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of swimming pool. In the end, it really depends on which type is better for your lifestyle, family, and overall needs. Although there are many points to consider, it is nice that there are more choices in pool design today. Below are a few of points to consider.

Salt water pools are literally easier on the eyes. Although they do still have some chlorine in them, salt water pools do not create all the harsh effects that chlorinated pool systems do. They are less likely to cause dry skin and red eyes than chlorinated pools. And they won’t leave that tough chlorine odor on your skin for hours after you swim. These pools can be safer for your pets and family.

Salt is corrosive. Because salt by nature is very corrosive, it can be harder on surrounding materials causing them to wear out faster. Experts have reported that nearby ladders, decking, concrete and furniture has been damaged by salt water systems. Thus, when building a salt water pool, it’s important to pick materials that can endure the effects of salt.

Salt water pools may require less regular maintenance. To keep a chlorine pool clean and safe, it’s important to have a constant routine of testing the pH levels of the water and then adding chlorine depending on those levels. Continually adding more chlorine to balance out the water may cost more in maintenance.

Ehow.com noted that extra chlorine may be needed to remove chloramines that are formed from free chlorine mixing with organic substances. While chlorine kills contaminants, the website quoted the Chicago Tribune as saying, chloramines remain, and more chlorine is needed to eliminate the chloramines that are irritating to the eyes and skin. Having an inadequate chlorine balance can also cause a build-up of algae. The website also noted that chlorine pools should be shocked every three to four weeks to eradicate excess bacteria.

Salt water pools use a generator unit to separate dissolved salt into the water. This generator creates its own chlorine from the salt and sends a regular stream of this chlorine into the water. This will keep the chlorine levels in the water more consistent, thus causing less harm to your skin and eyes. However, this generator unit does mean extra up-front costs in building the salt water pool versus a chlorine pool. A good salt-to-water ratio and good pH levels must still be maintained, Wright’s Pool Service, Inc. of Indiana noted, but you just have to add more salt to maintain the levels. This may be easier and more cost-effective than constantly adding chlorine manually, so maintenance may be less time-consuming with a salt water system.

Professionals also say that the salt water pool generator may need to be cleaned a number of times during the year to remove build-up and may eventually need to be replaced.

So what type of pool is better? Well, it may be contingent on what the pool owner wants to care for and what he or she likes best overall. Salt water and chlorine pools may have a similar number of pros and cons in the end. As a Tulsa homeowners, it may come down to preference, but there are viable options in the world of Tulsa pool design.