Thursday, November 29, 2012

New Location for Parrot Bay Pools Fayetteville, NC

New Location Opens Mid January 2013

Visit us at 3011 Town Center Drive, Suite 130 Fayetteville, NC 28306. We are excited to share our favorite things with you in our new retail store. It makes living the Parrot Life easy. Like us on Facebook for Grand Opening Specials and Promotions! www.facebook.com/parrotbaypools
Visit our website at www.ParrotBayPoolsNC.com

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Cost of Aboveground and Inground Pools


When deciding to add a pool to your backyard, the first question is most likely going to be, how much will an inground swimming pool or an above ground swimming pool cost? Pool prices can vary depending on the type of pool you want (vinyl liner swimming pool, fiberglass swimming pools, above ground swimming pool or gunite swimming pool), so we thought we'd help provide you with a quick overview of what to expect with the cost of your swimming pool.

Above Ground Pools:

There are two pricing components in purchasing an above ground pool, and that is the ‘kit' and the ‘installation'. Many swimming pool companies only sell above ground pool kits, and do not actually do the installation. The average above ground swimming pool kit will cost between $1500 and $4500, depending on the quality of the pool. Typically, the more resin and less metal the pool has, the higher the price will be and the longer it will last. It will also have a longer warranty period. The installation costs of above ground pools usually run $1500-$3000, depending on the size and type of pool. Keep in mind that oval pools normally cost more to install than round pools, and the kits are also more expensive. Also, be sure to ask what comes with your above ground pool. Most good swimming pool companies will include your ladder, winter cover, pump and filter system, and a maintenance kit.

In recent years, big box stores like Wal-Mart and others have started selling aboveground pools also. The main manufacturer of these pools is Intex. Such ‘set and fill' pools are very inexpensive, usually costing $100-$800 and in most cases last 1-2 summers before they need to be replaced. If you expect your investment to last longer you will definitely need to purchase it from a pool company such as Parrot Bay.

Vinyl Liner Inground Pools:

Vinyl Liner pools are the least expensive inground pool option. This is mainly due to the fact that the cost of materials for a vinyl liner are cheap. For a very basic, medium sized vinyl liner pool with a patio one can expect to spend between $20,000-$30,000, although other options such as heaters, covers, decking, water features, etc will certainly escalate this price.

Fiberglass Pools:


Fiberglass Pools cost more than vinyl liner pools to install because a fiberglass shell and shipping cost so much more than the cost of a vinyl liner pool kit in terms of raw materials. If a consumer were to buy just a fiberglass pool shell w/shipping, they will likely spend $12,000-$20,000 depending on the size of the pool. To have a pool contractor install the pool, one can expect to spend in the neighborhood of $25,000-$40,000 with the pool and installation. Again, options such as heater, lights, water features, type of patio, and other accessories will escalate this price.

Concrete/Gunite Pools:

In most cases, but not always, concrete pools will have the highest initial cost, and will vary greatly depending on the size of the pool and the material used for the pool's surface (ie white plaster, quartz, pebbletec, etc). The reason why concrete pools tend to cost more is due to the labor involved with their installation. In the majority of cases, a normal sized concrete pool will cost between $30,000-$60,000.

To find out more visit us at: www.parrotbaypoolsnc.com

Green Swimming Pool Water? – Treat It With Four Simple Steps!

how to correct green swimming pool water

Let’s face it, every pool will experience green water at one point or another. With the unusually high temps we have been experiencing these last few days it can happen quickly if you have neglected your pool. The main mission is to get it as clear as possible as quickly as possible. The second item that needs attention is we want to make it happen without breaking the bank.  There’s more shocks, phosphate treatments and water clarifiers than one knows what to do with. Not to mention the countless “novelty” chemicals that are available that can cost an arm and a leg! Let’s focus on the basics first.

When treating green swimming pool water, there are 4 key steps that need to be addressed. Let’s begin!

Treating green swimming pool water step #1: Circulation. Water circulation is an absolute must. You can add all the shock and other chemicals you want, but if water movement isn’t taking place, it won’t change the look of the water. While you’re turning the pool around, run the equipment 24/7. For most standard residential swimming pools, this will allow for about 3 full water rotations. Meaning, that all of the water will have gone through the filter about 3 times.

Treating green swimming pool water step #2: Shock treatment. Ideally, shoot for a granular shock because it has the fastest reaction time The more available chlorine, the more effective (and faster) it will be in the pool water. It’s important to stress that one cannot over shock a swimming pool. Depending on how green the water is, I’d recommend starting with 3-4 lbs of shock, wait 2-3 hours, then check what the water looks like. There’s no need to test the water at this point using a test kit as the results will be meaningless…regardless how much “free chlorine” it’s showing present.

Treating green swimming pool water step #3: Filtration is key. The more effective the filter is throughout this process, the faster the water’s going to get clear again. The best way to ensure this is taking place is to backwash/clean your filter several times a day. If you’re using a sand filter, place the multi port valve in the backwash position and let it run for around 90 seconds or until the water is clear. This may take a bit longer depending on the duration of time between backwashes. If you have a cartridge filter, remove the dome of the filter, lift the cartridge filter(s) out of the filter unit and thoroughly clean it.

Treating green swimming pool water step #4: As the water begins turning clear (still may be cloudy, but blue (not green), begin administering a quality water clarifier. This will speed up the process to getting clear water again. I’d recommend adding it the first time immediately once you notice the water is blue and not green, then again about 12 hours later. During this process continue running the equipment nonstop. During this time you should also be stabilizing the pH and Total Alkalinity levels. I wouldn’t worry about testing or adjusting free chlorine as it’s likely going to be elevated for a few days while the water adjusts, but it is important to test and adjust your pH and TA levels.

Using this system, it’s possible to turn your green swimming pool water around in a few days. We hope this helps! If you need our help feel free to call us as we offer weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly pool cleaning service.

Visit us at www.parrotbaypoolsnc.com or call 910-429-0086 today!