Gohlke Pools News Updates

We will soon enter the time of year when many people begin making summer plans and consider purchasing a swimming pool.   I often get asked whether I believe if purchasing a swimming pool is a good decision.  It really depends on the situation.  Many people would not even consider owning a home without a pool, but swimming pools are not for everyone.   There are some who have pools who would probably be better off without them, due to time, financial, and other issues.  There are many things to consider when determining if a pool would fit your needs.  Following are some questions to consider when weighing the pros and cons of pool ownership.

Does it fit the needs of our family?

Being able to enjoy time at home with your family is priceless.  Being able to stay home to beat the heat is much more desirable than having to travel to another location to enjoy a swimming pool.

Does it fit our lifestyle?

Relaxing by the pool is another common reason that pools continue to be popular—poolside reading and meditating are popular activities.

Would we use it to improve our health?

This has become an increasingly popular reason to own a swimming pool.  Lap swimming and water aerobics are very common, but there are also medical benefits such as weight control and heart and lung conditioning.

Would we use it for entertaining?

Backyard cookouts become even better when you have a pool to keep guests entertained and if celebrating birthday parties, anniversaries, holidays, etc., there is no better place to celebrate a special occasion than poolside.

Would it improve the look of our backyard?

From waterfalls to dark bottom pools, today’s consumers are adding the natural look to their backyard, creating a tropical paradise right at home.  Most pools improve the look of the backyard.

Do we have time for a pool?

People are so busy that having something that they do not use does not make sense.  Pools need attention, and I always tell people that if they cannot come up with at least one hour per week that they could care for their pool, then they probably do not have enough time for a pool.  In the fall when the leaves are falling it takes more than one hour per week.

Can we afford a pool?

There are several costs of owning a swimming pool.  Typically pools are financed.  Most inground swimming pools range from $25,000—$65,000.    A $30,000 loan at 9% for 15 years creates a monthly payment due of approximately $300.  In addition, monthly chemical and utility costs (electricity and water) are approximately $100 for the average-sized residential pool.  That makes the cost approximately $400 per month.  If you do not use the pool or could use the money elsewhere, then purchasing a swimming pool is probably not a wise financial move.

Hopefully these questions will help you make the right decision when considering whether or not to purchase a swimming pool.

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Planning for a New Pool

Once you have determined that a pool is a good fit for you, it is time to begin planning on the type of pool and features that would be the best fit for your situation.  Swimming pools have changed dramatically over the past the last 20 to30 years.  Swimming pool designers have really been creative which has changed the look and feel of a swimming pool.  Following are some of the designs that are currently popular.

Natural Pool

This trend had been popular for several years—to make the backyard look like a dark lagoon surrounded by landscaping.  This is done not only by designing a freeform shape that flows, but also by using a dark interior finish, flagstone coping surrounding the pool, and installing waterfalls or boulders on the pool.  Natural pools have are becoming more and more popular as people want their pool to look natural.

Vanishing-Edge Pool

The vanishing edge pool is common in areas that have more elevation changes, such as hillside construction, than the Denton area, but it is still a design that has been used several times in the Denton area.  The vanishing-edge pool is a pool design that is most often used to enhance a lake, ocean, or valley that is just beyond the pool.  The back wall of the pool is lowered allowing the water to appear to fall into the background, making the pool and the background become one.  In the ideal backyard, this is a beautiful design.

Beach Entry Pool

Beach entry pools are pools that have a gradual walk-in entry into the pool, much like a beach into the ocean.  It is great for small children and can be used as a shallow water tanning area and can also give a pool that tropical beach look.

In addition to design changes, homeowners are now looking beyond the pool to create a backyard environment by adding other elements.  There is a growing trend in outdoor living, cooking, & entertaining.   Today’s backyard possibilities are virtually endless and can include many features and considerations, such as landscaping, water features, outdoor cooking areas, sheltered areas, lighting, putting greens, children’s play area, and outdoor sound systems.

Now that you are aware of some of the possibilities for your backyard, you can begin planning your backyard environment.  You will then be well on your way to having one of the best summers that you have ever had creating memories of good times with your family and friends.

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Creating the Complete Backyard

Regardless of whether you believe we are in a “recession” or not, it is a difficult time for many building contractors—whether they are a home builder, home remodeler, or swimming pool builder.   The current state of the economy combined with the fact that the state of Texas has no licensing or bonding requirement for swimming pool builders makes it more risky than it should be for a homeowner to have a swimming pool built.   Texas is one of the most populated states to have no licensing or bonding requirement for swimming pool builders.   Although there are many good swimming pool builders in the area, the fact that there is no licensing is one of the reasons that the swimming pool industry has had trouble with its reputation.  According to the Better Business Bureau, the pool industry is one of the top 10 most complained about businesses in Texas.   How can you avoid this potential problem and select the right company?  Following are some tips that can assure that you make a good decision when selecting a swimming pool builder, or for that matter, any type of building contractor:

Are they a stable company?

Stability is probably the most important part of the selection process.  Do no assume that all pool builders are financially stable—please investigate.  It is a good idea to call the bank and the insurance company of the pool builder, and possibly even the Better Business Bureau and The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals.  Financial stability also includes carrying the proper insurance.  Homeowners can be ultimately responsible for any personal injury of construction workers or lawsuits, due to subcontractors’ negligence.  If the selected pool company does not have proper insurance it can leave a consumer open to tremendous liability.

How much experience do they have?

The experience level of the pool company selected is very important.  Proper knowledge of construction techniques will ensure a top quality pool.  The quality of a pool is measured in direct relationship to the person who is in charge of its construction.  Quality subcontractors are not enough.  The builder must have substantial knowledge of pool construction to know where problems can occur.

What kind of reputation do they have?

When choosing a pool builder it is essential that you have complete confidence in the company.  Will your pool be constructed properly?  Will your pool include the latest innovations for lasting beauty and durability?    Will the company be around when you need service in a year, five years, or a decade from now?  It’s astounding how many pool companies have come and gone over the years—how few companies have stood the test of time and can assure you of getting a premium quality pool with a long term commitment to your satisfaction.

How much do they charge?

One of the biggest mistakes when selecting a pool builder is basing everything on price alone, instead of options that the client wants and needs.  The pool industry constantly hears complaints from pool owners that they wish they had some option on their pool that they did not know was available. Although price is important because you do not want to overpay, be sure to select a pool builder that will let you know what the options are.  It would be like buying a car without an air conditioner, although you bought the car for less money, you really did not get what you wanted.  If you cannot afford the type of pool or the builder of your choice, maybe you should wait until you can, instead of rushing into it for the sake of owning a pool.   Bottom line—It is a good idea to never make money the number one priority in building a pool—once that happens, bad things start to occur and rarely the customer ends up happy.

Can they provide service after the sale?

The ability of the selected pool company to provide the consumer with technical support and service of the pool after the sale is very important.  Consumers always have questions even with the most professionally-built, high quality pools.  If the company you choose cannot provide the answers to your questions, it can spoil the pleasure of owning a pool. Although asking these questions cannot assure that you will be happy with the end result, they will certainly increase the likelihood that you will have a good experience with your pool builder and enjoy your pool for many years to come.

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Exploring New Pool Ideas

March 4th -Pool School
6:30 – 8:30pm
(reservations required – call (940)387-7521)

March 11th -CPR Class
6:30 – 8:30 pm
(reservations required – call (940)387-7521)

According to the local meterologists we are going to get some pretty cold temperatures Friday, so I wanted to take this opportunity to make sure everyone is prepared to keep thier pool equipment from freezing.  Below are some steps to make sure nothing gets damaged.

Keep the Equipment Running

Moving water has a hard time freezing, so usually your best option to prevent freeze damage is keeping everything going.  A lot of pools have freeze guards that will automatically do that for you.  It is important to make sure that the main pump is running whether is is turned on by the freeze guard or manually if you don’t have one.  If you have a booster pump for a cleaner, running the main pump also protects it and there is no reason to keep the booster pump running.

When in Doubt – Drain the Equipment

If your main pump is not functional or if you have additional pumps, like for a waterfall, it is best to drain the water out of any equipment and plumbing that is exposed.

• Remove the drain plugs for anything that is holding water.  Pumps and filters all have plugs at the bottom.

• Open any air reliefs.  Usually there is one at the top of the filter and possibly a hose spigot located in the plumbing lines.

• Turn off all of the breakers to the equipment so that nothing gets turned on accidentally or by the freeze guard.

• Remember to reinstall drain plugs, close air reliefs and reprime pumps before restarting the equipment.

Repair Leaks

If there are any leaks (even small ones) at any of the equipment or plumbing, can cause ice build up to occur from the constant output of water.  Ice accumulation could possibly break pieces of equipment or plumbing, so it is best to take care of these leaks before they potentially lead to a bigger problem.

Save Energy

Since it is more likely to freeze at night, I typically recommend that automatic timers for the pool equipment be set to run at night.  This way you don’t have your equipment running during the day to keep the pool clean and then again at night to keep things from freezing.  You can accomplish both if the timer is set to turn the pool equipment on during the early morning hours.  Keep in mind the equipment needs to run anytime the air temperature is 32 degrees or below.
If you have any questions about protecting your equipment don’t hesitate to give us a call.  Making sure freeze damage is prevented can save you on some very costly repairs!

Give us a call (940)384-7665

Best Regards,

Nick Day
Gohlke Pools

Aside from the rain we’ve been getting, the weather has been perfect for outdoor entertaining.  Nothing is better than cooking in front of a hot grill on a cool Fall night.  People are spending more time at home these days and the backyard is quickly becoming the gathering spot.  I’m constantly getting asked questions about what can be amenities can be added to a backyard.  Matt Gohlke recently had an article in the Denton Record Chronicle that talked about planning for an outdoor kitchen:

Tips On Outdoor Kitchens, by Matt Gohlke

Outdoor Environments

Many different elements can be incorporated into a backyard, ranging from a simple grill area to a fully covered backyard room. There are also many options that can be integrated into the backyard living area: Fire Pits & Fireplaces, Shade Structures and Seating Areas, And Fountains.  Some examples: