• Tips for Designing Your Swim Spa

    As you begin working on swimming pool designs for your new swim spa in Birmingham, AL, there are a few factors that you should consider. Your hot tub and the above ground pool should complement the existing landscaping and architectural design of your home, as well as include features that will make your swim spa as comfortable and luxurious as possible. Here are some great tips that will help you and your swimming pool designer create the perfect swim spa.

    Determine the Primary Purpose for Your Swim Spa Tips For Designing Your Swim Spa in Birmingham, AL

    Before developing a hot tub and swimming pool design, you should determine exactly how you and your family plan on using your swim spa. This information will allow you to decide on the ideal size, shape, and depth of your swim spa, as well as any additional pool parts and features you’ll need. Most families use swim spas for relaxation and light recreation. If you have young children, you must build a locking fence and gate around your pool deck and swim spa.

    Complement Your Home’s Architectural Style

    Your above ground pool and hot tub should be designed to complement your home’s existing architectural style. If your swim spa detracts from the aesthetics of your home, your home can actually decrease in value. Work carefully with a swim spa contractor to develop a hot tub and swimming pool design that matches the exterior tone, period, features, color scheme, and overall design elements of your home. Your swim spa designer and builder can mimic and repeat design elements from your home’s exterior throughout your swim spa’s design.

    Consider Your Backyard Landscape

    The size and shape of your swim spa will also depend upon your backyard landscaping. You don’t want to destroy healthy, beautiful landscaping to accommodate your swim spa. Instead, create a hot tub and swimming pool design that fits seamlessly into your existing landscape design, enhancing the look and feel of your surrounding plants. Your swim spa should be an oasis nestled among lush vegetation that hides the swimming pool and hot tub from the outside world.

  • The Benefits of Installing a Swim Spa

    At the end of a long work week, there’s nothing like coming home to your very own swimming pool in Birmingham . Swimming pools can offer you a lot, including an impact-free way to exercise as well as a place to gather with your friends and family. When you are looking at your options for installing a swimming pool in your yard, consider how a swim spa could benefit you. Swim spas combine the benefits of traditional swimming pools with the therapeutic qualities of a hot tub—all in one compact package. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of installing a swim spa.

    Size Installing Swim Spa in Birmingham, AL

    If you’ve given up on the idea of having your own swimming pool because you don’t think you have enough space, a swim spa could be the answer. Swim spas are smaller than traditional swimming pools, so are ideal for smaller yards or for people who don’t want to devote too much space to a pool.

    Relaxation

    A hot tub provides relaxation and stress relief, which can be very important in today’s hectic world. If you’ve been trying to decide between installing a pool or a hot tub, a swim spa combines both into one unit. You’ll get massaging jets where you can kick back and feel all your cares melt away without having to have a separate hot tub from your pool.

    Exercise

    Exercise is important for a healthy lifestyle, and swimming provides a full-body workout with no impact on your joints. When you have a swim spa, you don’t have to worry about executing turns or not getting enough momentum, as the jets can be adjusted to push back against you as you swim to keep you in place. If you want to try water aerobics or other forms of water exercises, simply turn the jets off and get creative.

  • The Health Benefits of Owning a Hot Tub

    When you build a swim spa or hot tub near Birmingham, AL , you’ll have a relaxing place to hang out with your family, exercise, and recoup from the day’s stresses. Sitting in or exercising in a hot tub can offer a number of physical and psychological health benefits, making a hot tub a very wise investment for you and your family. Exposure to the warm water in a hot tub or swim spa can increase blood flow, reduce blood pressure, relax muscles, and provide temporary pain relief.

    When you’re relaxing in a hot tub, your body becomes more buoyant. This relieves pressure on your muscles, joints, and bones. Exercising or even just sitting in a hot tub can relieve symptoms of arthritis and muscle aches and pains. Exercising in a hot tub significantly improves muscle strength and tone, helps you lose weight, and improves diabetes symptoms, as the water allows for low impact exercise and resistance exercise.

    Spending time in a hot tub will increase your heart rate in addition to decreasing your blood pressure, which can improve your cardiovascular health. These benefits also extend to your sleep cycle, reducing symptoms of sleep disorders.

    Hot Tub in Birmingham, AL

  • Above Ground Pool Safety

    An Above Ground Pool in your backyard is a great place for family and friends to spend their hot summer days. Swimming is not only fun, but is a great way for kids and adults to exercise! Safety Tips for Above Ground Pools in Birmingham, AL

    However, having a pool requires safety measures. First and foremost, there is no substitution for vigilant supervision. Always have an experienced swimmer, preferably an adult, nearby when swimming. Make sure that all individuals are able to swim. If children or adults are unable to swim, make sure they are wearing approved safety swimming devices. It is a good idea that someone around the pool area be CPR certified. On hot summer days, make sure that everyone wears appropriate-strength sunscreen. There are very few things as painful as a blistering sunburn.

    Above Ground Pools usually have a 4 foot water depth. This depth is not adequate for diving into the pool or adding a slide to the pool. Serious injury is subject to occur when children and/or adults are diving or sliding in this water depth.

    If an Above Ground Pool has a deck built around it, make sure that there are safety rails around the deck and a self-locking gate at the entry point. If a ladder is used as the pool entry system, make sure that the outside of the pool ladder can be secured. This will allow the entrance to become inaccessible to small children. Alarm systems are also great safety features for Above Ground Pools. When the pool water ripples or changes levels due to pool entry, the alarm will sound inside and/or outside the home. This is a great feature for homes with small children, pets, and possible pool-intruders.

    The top rails, or top ledges, of the Above Ground Pools are not designed for walking or sitting. Falling from these top rails to the ground could cause serious injury.

    Safety signs are important for all pool areas. These safety signs may include pool rules, pool depths, and pool safety precautions such as “No Diving”, “Shallow Water”, and “Deck Slippery When Wet”.

  • A Look at the Most Essential Pool Supplies

    Have you been thinking about having a swimming pool installed in your yard? Summer is almost here, which means now is the perfect time to call the professionals. Don’t go another summer wishing you had a pool where you can relax and entertain your friends—make it reality. Swimming pools offer you many benefits, including exercise, relaxation, and just plain fun. In order to keep your pool in good shape, you’ll need the right pool supplies in Birmingham . Read on for a look at the most essential pool supplies to have on hand this year.

    Chemicals Pool Supplies in Birmingham, AL

    Keeping your pool water clean takes more than just a pump and filter. Chemicals are needed to make sure the water is free from bacteria that can make it cloudy, and damage your skin or the pool itself. Chlorine is the main chemical associated with swimming pools, but you’ll also need alkaline balancing agents as well as calcium to keep the water clean and clear. Invest in a water testing system so you can see what the pH level is in your pool. That way, you’ll know what chemicals you need to add more of to maintain the proper balance.

    Filter

    Swimming pools have pumps that circulate water, and the filter works to clear out the contaminants from the pool. You can choose from sand, cartridge, or diatomaceous earth filters, depending on how much maintenance you’re willing to do. Sand filters are able to filter out smaller particles, while diatomaceous earth filters can handle much larger particles.

    Fun Accessories

    There is a good reason for working hard to keep your pool clean and safe: So you can have fun with your friends and family! Grab a few pool toys such as noodles, rafts, and games so that everyone is comfortable and entertained. Pool games are a great way to have fun and be active at the same time, especially when you have children.

  • The Essentials of Pool Maintenance

    Proper pool maintenance for your above ground pool in Birmingham, AL, will help keep your backyard oasis clean, beautiful, and safe. Essentials of swimming pool maintenance include circulation, filtration, cleaning, and testing.

    Good water circulation keeps your water sanitizers moving evenly throughout your pool and also helps prevent algae and bacteria from getting a foothold on surfaces. Your pool filter removes unwanted microscopic matter and debris from the water, which keeps it safer and more sanitary. To help keep your water clean, it’s important to skim your pool’s surface and brush the walls at least once per week. Finally, testing your pool water twice per week will allow you to keep its chemicals and pH levels properly balanced

    AllStar Pool & Spa is the premier company for providing expert installation of above ground pools and hot tubs to the Birmingham area. Contact us today or visit our website to learn more about our exceptional services and high-quality products.

    Essentials of Pool Maintenance in Birmingham, AL

  • What You Need to Know About Pool Tile

    A clean and well-maintained pool can be a lovely addition to your backyard, and choosing the right pool tile can lend additional luxury and beauty to your swimming pool . If you’re planning swimming pool designs in Birmingham, AL, there are a few things that you will want to know about pool tile.

    Benefits of Tile Beautiful Pool Tile in Birmingham, AL

    Tile is a versatile feature that can add a depth of character and color to your swimming pool area. Whether you choose to go with the standard tile installation or something more artistic, there are several advantages to consider when thinking about getting tile. Tile is durable and with proper care, it can enhance your pool for its lifetime. Pool tile requires little upkeep, comes in a range of sizes and materials, and its reflective nature can make your pool appear larger than it is.

    Pool Tile Options

    If you already have a pool area designed, glass mosaic tiles can be added to update your pool’s look and are currently trendy for luxury pools. Glazed porcelain tiles are a great option if you are building from scratch and want tile that can extend from inside your pool out onto the deck area. Before selecting your tile, feel its surface texture against your hands and feet so you can be sure that it has an abrasive grain strength that you are comfortable with. Ceramic tile can also be used in and around your pool and comes in a broad variety of colors and styles.

    Pool Tile Maintenance

    Taking proper care of your pool will help maintain your tile. Proper water pH level prevents scale buildup, which creates unattractive brown or white patches. As roots grow, pool walls age, and the ground settles around or under your pool, you may need to deal with damage to your pool tile. To prepare for this, consider buying extra tiles at the time of installation, so you can make any necessary repairs in the future without the hassle of tracking down the right type and color of tile.

  • How to Choose a Pool Builder

    Choosing the right swimming pool builder for your project is easy if you follow the right steps. When planning for your swimming pool in Birmingham, AL, ask friends, family, and neighbors for referrals and recommendations, and follow-up with online research.

    Watch this video for some more helpful tips on how to choose a pool builder. A credible business will be willing to provide a work address, phone number, and company website. Ensure that the contractor has the proper certifications, credentials, and licensing, and learn how many years of experience they have.

    Ask to see samples and pictures of their past projects so you can see the quality or their work and that they’ve done the projects that they claim to have completed. You’ll want to find a pool contractor that’s willing to create the backyard pool design that you want, rather than sell you on what they think would be best.

  • A Look at the Different Types of Above Ground Pools

    Above ground pools can be affordable, durable, and accommodating to your space. If you’re planning on investing in an above ground swimming pool near Birmingham, AL, you may be wondering what options are available. Above ground pools are extremely customizable and can provide families with a flexible way of adding the fun of a swimming pool to their backyard.

    Frame Pools Pool with white rails in Birmingham, AL

    Frame pools are a durable above ground swimming pool option that can remain up year-round, but can also be quickly disassembled if necessary. These pools come in a broad range of shapes and sizes, but the most popular varieties are round and 24 feet in diameter. Frame pools are typically four feet high, but can be designed to have a deep end with a 7-foot depth. Frame pools come in both resin and steel varieties.

    Steel Frame Pools

    Steel frame pools can take a significant amount of abuse, often bouncing back into shape if they are bent. These pools are coated with zinc to prevent rusting, but this protective layer can break down after many years, leaving it vulnerable to corrosion. If rust appears, you can sand and repaint the seal to repair the finish.

    Resin Frame Pools

    This option is typically more expensive then steel frame, but they benefit from being resistant to rust and corrosion. However, when a resin pool is dented, it’s usually permanent, and they are also more vulnerable to cracking than steel frame. Resin frame pools are more modern in appearance than steel frame, but their surface can fade and crack over time.

    Ring Pools

    The least expensive option for above ground swimming pools, ring pools are inflatable and are typically 3 feet high and 12 feet in diameter. Also called float-to-fill pool, this option gets its name from the outer ring of the pool that rises as the basin is filled with water, pulling up the walls along with it. Ring pools are an ideal option if you’d like to see if a pool is right for you without committing to the price of a frame pool.

  • What to Know About Above-Ground Pools

    The spring season is just around the corner, and now is the perfect time to start considering installing a swimming pool on your property. As you are planning your swimming pool installation, you may want to consider selecting an above ground pool. Above ground, pools offer the luxury and convenience of a traditional pool, without the need for extensive excavation or landscaping. A company offering swimming pool designs in Birmingham, AL, will be able to answer all of your questions about the benefits of above ground pools. To help you get started on your pool installation, here is a look at what you should know about above ground pools.

    Budget-Friendly Above Ground Pools in Birmingham, AL
    One of the best benefits of an above ground pool is that this type of pool is very cost-effective. When you choose an above ground pool for your home, you will be able to install a luxurious new pool, without breaking the bank. Today’s above ground pools are made from high-quality materials but are still more affordable than inground pools.

    Terrific Convenience
    Along with being very budget-friendly, above ground pools also offer terrific convenience for the homeowner. When you install an above ground pool, you will be able to fit your pool into a variety of spaces throughout your backyard. For those homeowners who are seeking pools that do not require extensive preparation or planning to install, above ground pools are a natural selection. In fact, your above ground pool installation can be completed in a day or less.

    Extreme Durability
    When you install an above ground pool on your property, you can rest assured that your new pool is very durable and weather-resistant. A modern above ground pool is made from technologically advanced materials that can withstand extreme heat, cold, and other weather events. With the proper care and maintenance, you can rest assured that your pool will remain in great shape for many seasons to come.