HOMEOWNERS ARE TURNING TO IN-GROUND FIBERGLASS POOLS
Over 60% of the Fiberglass pool industry’s sales are to homeowners who are installing a new pool for the second or third time. Many have owned gunite and vinyl pools before, and have experienced the commonly known problems. “We just want a Fiberglass pool, it makes so much sense,” is a comment that we hear all the time.
Why not get it right the first time? If you are shopping for your first pool, avoid the costly mistake that many consumers have experienced; specifically spending a lot of money on a concrete (gunite) pool. Why buy a concrete pool and then go through the additional expense of a Fiberglass resurface?
BENEFITS OF FIBERGLASS – WHY FIBERGLASS IS A BETTER PRODUCT
Dispelling the Myth
The most common myth surrounding Fiberglass pools and promoted by competitors in gunite pools or vinyl-liner pools is that Fiberglass pools pop or float out of the ground. Ask the salesperson how a pool with 80 tons of water in it pops out of the ground?
The reality is that a Fiberglass pool is no more likely to pop or float than a gunite or vinyl-liner pool. In fact, any watertight object will float if there is more water under it than in it. Pools can only float when they are drained and the water under the pool exerts upward pressure because there is no water in the pool.
Why would you need to drain a pool? Gunite pools need frequent draining to remove cracks, for an acid wash, to clean stains and to re-plaster the pool. Similarly, vinyl-liner pools must be drained to repair or replace liners. Fiberglass pools carry a lifetime warranty and never need resurfacing so there is no need to drain the pool. The end result is that more gunite and vinyl pools float – don’t be fooled!
Anyone concerned with water under the pool should consult their pool dealer and have a simple drain installed so that water under the pool can be monitored and drained if necessary. There is a wide selection of solutions so there should never be any damage to any pool as a result of high water levels under the pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pet Friendly Pools
In recent years, a pet-friendly pool trend has emerged and the needs of pets have become an important consideration when planning pool projects. Adding special features to the pool, like tanning shelves where the water is only few inches deep, create a comfortable pool experience for dogs by providing a place to lay and stay cool when not swimming! Other add-on features for dogs include ramps that attach to the side of the pool for accessibility and large umbrellas built into the concrete for shading! A backyard living environment that includes a pool not only brings the family together keeping the kids at home with their friends, but also keeps your dogs included too!
Below are common questions regarding pools and dogs. If you have a question not addressed below, please contact us for assistance.
What is the best type of pool for my dog?
Vinyl-liner pools are out of the question for dog owners. For obvious reasons, the liner can tear or get small punctures, which then can lead to major leaking issues and headaches. On the other hand, Fiberglass and concrete pools are almost never going to be damaged by dogs and are usually the right choice, depending on the needs of the homeowner. Also keep in mind that an appropriately sized set of steps is important for entry/exit points. Fiberglass pools are not abrasive like concrete pools, so dogs can brush up against the sides of the pool and swim onto the swim outs without danger of pool abrasions.
What chemical choices are safe for my dog?
We recommend CL Free Ultra pool systems. This pool water purification/ionization system is the top of the line choice that provides you the healthiest way of treating a swimming pool with no chlorine, salt, minerals, or harmful chemicals.
Remember, our furry friends use their tongues as a shower and clean themselves accordingly. You wouldn’t want your dog ingesting caustic chemicals or to have his or her paw pads damaged from corrosive salt and chlorine which can dry out their pads and cause them to be irritated and to crack. Remember, your dog is a member of the family and trips to the vet are expensive!
CL Free Ultra pool systems keep your pool water so clean you could drink 8 gallons a day before feeling any effects. It’s safe to say, the average human is incapable of consuming 8 gallons of water in a 24-hour period and your dog is the same. Peroxide is also a very healthy choice as this product works well with humans with many health benefits. This is also true for Pristine Blue, another non-chlorine sanitizer.
What Filter System Should I Use?
A dog in your pool is like having 25 people in the pool. Dander, hair and bacteria, all get into the pool when our lovable pets go for a swim. Knowing that, you should treat your pool water accordingly.
Eco-Friendly Pools
Due to the non-porous finish of our pools, fewer chemicals are needed because algae is less prone to attach to smoother surfaces.
Additionally, less cleaning will have to be performed using automatic pool cleaners saving electricity.
When automatic pool cleaners are used, the time it takes to clean the pool will be reduced saving additional energy.
As Fiberglass pools do not rely on steel panels or steel mesh/rebar for structure, they do not have the potential to leach chemicals and rust back into the groundwater as a more conventional constructed pool would.
Fiberglass pools in general act as a natural insulator.
Your filter and heater will potentially run dramatically less than equipment on vinyl/gunite pools.
Depending on the climate and size of the pool, a homeowner can save up to $225.00 per month on their pool maintenance with Fiberglass pools versus other types of pools (vinyl/gunite).
Given the fact that all of us are concerned about our environment, Fiberglass pools are eco-friendly and are already the pool of tomorrow.
Not only do Fiberglass pools use less chemicals and energy, they never need to be re-plastered, nor do they have a liner to replace – thus resulting in fewer disposals in landfills.
