Leisure Fiberglass Pools
The Superior Pool

 

Leisure in-ground fiberglass pools offer a durable, low-maintenance alternative to concrete pools.  

Fiberglass designs tend to cost 10 to 12 percent more than those constructed from concrete or other materials, but they can actually save people money in the long run because far less will be spent on repairs and upkeep. In fact, at Expert Pools we offer lifetime warranties for the structure of our Expert line, and twenty-year conditional warranties on any cosmetic finishes. We also have several different financing options that make it easier for a person to handle the cost of a pool.

There are several fiberglass pool installers that serve customers in Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin but we feel our products are superior to those offered by other distributors. Expert Fiberglass Pools designs have 78 percent more flexural strength and 17 percent more tensile strength, and they are 33 percent thicker than the average fiberglass model. Our pools and spas are also on the cutting edge of technology, utilizing a unique closed beam coping that allows them to withstand the harsh weather across the country.

In-ground Fiberglass Pools

Rectangle, kidney, lap, and freeform are just a few of the shapes of in-ground fiberglass pools. There are also splash pools, pools with waterfalls, lap pools, and game pools. In short, there are as many options when it comes to fiberglass pools as there are with concrete pools.  

There are just as many accessories for fiberglass designs, as well. Pools can be heated, enclosed, lit, or can even have pathways leading across them.

At Expert Pools, we are continually making improvements on the standard fiberglass pool. We offer more styles and sizes than have ever been available in the past. We have also strengthened our pools, made them climate resistant, created accessories that make maintenance minimal, and designed cosmetic features that beautify pools and can increase property values.

Financing In-ground Fiberglass Pools   

Fiberglass pools are often more expensive than concrete pools, but the cost difference is made up for in durability. In an attempt to make the purchase of a pool easier for our customers, we offer several different financing options. All of these choices can be discussed in detail when you request a quote.

Most people think the best way to finance a swimming pool is through home equity. However, there are plans that will work for people who are not in a position to borrow against their homes. Some financing plans will require payments of $1,000 per month, while others will only call for monthly payments of $500. A small down payment will be required, as well. Give us a call to talk about the financing option that's right for you.

Pool Covers
A useful tool for your arsenal!

 

There is nothing worse than putting on the old swimsuit and heading out to the pool, only to find that it is covered with a surface layer of algae, leaves, sticks, and other green things that do not belong there. Oftentimes, taking care of this problem will require far more than a simple cleaning. Chlorine levels might have to be adjusted, and in some cases, portions of the pool might have even been compromised.

A lot of these problems can be avoided by the use of a simple pool cover. A cover will not keep everything out of the water, but it will prevent massive buildups. It will also make the regular cleaning of the pool's surface much easier and safer.

Solar Pool Covers   

There are several specialty pool covers on the market. Some are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, while others serve a more practical purpose. Solar pool covers can be used to speed up the heating process of the pool. Even on warm days, it often takes several hours for a pool to reach a comfortable temperature. A solar cover will use the sun's rays to their fullest and make things much nicer for a morning dip.

At Expert Pools, we carry a variety of accessories including an array of covers that can be used for small or large pool designs. We have covers that can be used at night, and others that can help protect the pool during the winter months. We also carry solar blankets and other covers that can affect a pool's temperature.

Installing Pavers Around a Pool 

The Benefits of Using Pavers- if they are chosen and installed correctly.

 

Looking for a deck option that can ride out ground movement while offering stylistic flair?

Pavers may be just the answer. They come in all variations - from the basic model you might find at Home Depot to more deluxe versions that include weathered-looking tumbled pavers, concrete varieties with pebble and sea shells mixed in, or those cut from stone.

These pieces fit together into puzzles that vary in complexity from a grid pattern to intricate mosaics established by the designer. In between lay interlocking pavers, with a built-in decorative line.

Practically speaking, this material offers several benefits. Paver decks are less subject to cracking than monolithic slabs, says Irv Chazen, president of Miami-based Custom Pools. He uses them on about 75 percent of his projects. "Problems seem to have diminished when the pavers were used in place of concrete," he says.

A paver deck has built-in joints throughout, so installers don't have to try to predict where cracking will occur, says Dan Essig, president of Artistic Paver Manufacturing Inc., in North Miami, Fla. Essig, who also builds pools, adds that a heavy rain or ground movement can cause a piece or two to pop out, though they're easily replaced. They also make for speedier installation, because the decks can be placed piecemeal. So you can interrupt the job during rain.

But like any product, pavers have their drawbacks. Some are very porous, making them rough on the skin and prone to staining, mildew, algae and even freeze/thaw problems when water gets trapped in the nooks and crannies. Pavers also may experience color variations from batch to batch.

Pool Safety Tips- FOR PETS!

Although it is very important to ensure that your children are safe around your pool, oftentimes we forget to think about the safety of our pets!  Here are some easy pet-safety ideas to ensure that your "four-legged friends" are just as safe around your pool as you are! 

• Fences - Installing a fence around your pool will help to a certain degree, and it will definitely help keep other roaming animals out of your pool. However, fences are only useful to your pets if they are not allowed to run around inside of them. If this is the case, you will have to take other safety measures to protect them. 
• Pool Alarms - Whenever the water is disturbed, an alarm will sound, either at the surface or below. They can sell from about $60 up to $700.
  Floating pool alarms will float in your pool and will sound off if the surface of the water is disturbed. You can find one with adjustable sensitivity for pool features such as waterfalls or fountains.
  Another option for a pool alarm is an invisible fence. It surrounds your pool with a beam of light that will sound an alarm if the beam is disturbed. This is ideal for an in-ground pool. And great for kids as well as pets! 
• Skamper-RampR - The Skamper-RampR is designed to hook onto a deck or sidewall of a pool so animals trapped in a pool can safely climb out. It attaches either by drilling holes in your deck or by being attached to a ladder. Because the ramp sits at eye level, it is easy for all animals to see if they become trapped in your pool. It is also white because that is the only color that all animals can see. The Skamper-RampR is especially handy when no one is around to hear an alarm go off.
  
  
  There are other swimming pool dangers to your pet in addition to drowning. If they are in the cold water too long, they can develop hypothermia. Also, the chlorine in a pool will irritate your pet's eyes or make them sick if they drink the water. Use caution whenever your pets are around a pool.

Be sure to use the pool safely this summer- not only for your family, but for your pets, as well!

Deadly Pool Purchasing Mistake #2:

Choosing the Wrong Pool Container 

There are two basic types of swimming pools: above-ground and in-ground. In general, above-ground pools are less expensive to install because of the materials and construction methods involved.

Unfortunately, above-ground pools are usually temporary and are not "built-to-last." The vinyl lining can get easily ripped or torn, resulting in leaks requiring constant repair. And, because above-ground pools sit above the ground, they can be an eyesore and look "out-of-place" with your backyard landscape (not to mention they are difficult to maintain and do not improve the value of your home).

Most people, however, choose to build their pools level with the ground. These are called in-ground pools. There are three basic types of in-ground pools: concrete/gunite, fiberglass, and vinyl liner.

Concrete/Gunite:

Concrete and gunite (a type of reinforced concrete) are the most common in-ground pool types because they have been on the market longer than the new, more efficient types of pools. , concrete and gunite pools are most commonly used for commercial and public swimming pools. 

Vinyl Liner:

The initial cost of vinyl lined pools can be inexpensive when compared with concrete and gunite pools and take much less time to install. However, the maintenance on vinyl lined pools is high because the liner can be easily scratched or cut, especially if there will be toys or hard objects in the pool (even mechanical pool cleaners!). To repair a vinyl lined pool, you'll need to replace the entire lining, which can cost from $2,500 to $3,500 or more depending on the time of the season for replacement.

FIberglass:

Fiberglass pools are made out of a seamless one-piece, pre-formed fiberglass container that is set in the ground and can be installed in less than five days. The fiberglass itself has a smooth, non-porous gel coat surface.

Although fiberglass pools have a wide range of sizes and shapes, and can be moved if you choose, you are restricted to those sizes and shapes that are offered, unlike a concrete or gunite pool.

     Prevent Sunburn!
 

Owning a pool is a great investment and such fun for your whole family! While you are outside enjoying your time in the sun, be careful of the damage that it can do!

• Keep covered up!  If you are not in the water, be sure to wear a hat, sunglasses and even use a beach umbrella to give yourself some shade.
• Use sunscreen on all exposed areas- Doctors recommend using SPF 45 or higher for maximum protection. And, the old saying that "you can not tan while wearing sunscreen" is not true- be sure to protect yourself!
• Don't lie in the sun to tan but get all the rays while you are in the pool and in the shade!
• Put a small amount of sunscreen on your scalp to prevent sunburn through your hair! 

 Have a wonderful time spending the summer outside in the sun- but be sure to protect yourself, as well!

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/r/30911021/detail.html

A great article for all those folks who want a pool in their backyard but just can't envision it!  There is hope, yet!!
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/r/30911021/detail.html

L.E.D Lighting
Not just pretty, but safe, too!

L.E.D. lighting can completely alter the appearance of a pool or spa and of an entire backyard. A splash of color such as blue, green, or purple can cause the shapes in the water to change in appearance, and they can affect the mood of all of those around the pool. That is why L.E.D. pool lighting is often the perfect addition to any backyard party, even one that doesn't involve swimming.

On a very practical level, L.E.D. lighting makes it much safer for people to swim at night. Even the best swimmers can run into problems when it is dark. If one's depth perception is affected in the least, he can end up hurting himself. L.E.D. stands for light emitting diodes. There are 9 colors standard and there is no risk of electrocution because the light works on a 12 volt current. The electrical cost of this lighting is much cheaper than conventional halogen-(old fashioned) lighting. You will save hundreds of dollars in the lifetime of ownership.

Checklist for Hiring a Pool Contractor
What you need to know!

• Talk to a minimum of three contractors about your project. Look for firms that have been in the pool and spa building industry for at least five years.

• Always check past and prior financial status of potential contractor. Many pool builders are here one day and gone the next.

• Never allow a builder to rush you into signing a contract, and never sign a contract that you don't understand. Don't be embarrassed to take a few days to study a document before you sign it. Ask questions, questions, and more questions.

• Always make sure that a contractor is insured and licensed. Ask to see insurance certificates for both general liability and workers compensation, and a license in the name of the individual building your pool or spa. Call the insurance companies and your states Contractors Board to confirm validity.

• Have a prepared pool/spa plan and materials list drawn up and take bids on each.

• Questions to ask include: Did the builder start and finish on time? Were there any surprises during the job-such as a change in price? Was it easy to get in touch with the contractor while the construction was in progress? Would you hire this contractor again?

• Ask to see a job being currently installed.

• Always check credentials and talk to references, especially the firms' three most recent clients.

• Does the contractor have a place to view pools and all the equipment that they sell? It is always best to visit the contractor's place of business before you buy!

• Remember that the lowest bid is not always the best. Take a critical look at all bids, estimates and offers-and make sure you get them in writing.

• Contact the firm's primary material supplier to ask if the contractor pays bills on time and whether the supplier would recommend the firm.

• Never pay more than fifty percent of the estimate as a down payment. Plan to pay the remaining amount in installments linked to the specific phases of the project.

• Never pay a contractor in cash. Use cashier's checks or money orders and get a receipt.

• Is your pool builder a member of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals and Better Business Bureau?

• Never make your final payment until you completely understand how your pool/spa and related equipment operate.

• Remember, the more time you spend planning your pool/spa project and checking out the credentials of your contractor, the less time you'll spend complaining later.

Six Deadly Pool Purchasing Mistakes

                                              Part 1

Mistake #1:

 

Not Designing Your Pool for its Intended Purpose

 

You might have heard the phrase, Form follows function. To know what type of pool you want, you need to know what you'll be using it for. The type of pool you'll select should depend on what you'll be using it for.

More often than not, people considering the purchase of a pool have a specific purpose in mind. It is important to write this down and have it ready when you start to talk to pool builders.

 

The Myth of the Large Diving Pool

 

An interesting phenomenon frequently happens when the majority of first-time pool buyers desire a large pool with a deep end and a diving board. After about a year of pool use, new owners discover that the deep end rarely gets used and the diving board becomes more of a safety hazard. Most of the games that are played by the kids are done in the shallow end and that is where the adults spend 95 percent of their time. Because they decided to build a large pool with a deep end, only 35 percent of the pool gets utilized, resulting in unnecessary expense and low usage. It is also important to consult with your insurance agent regarding increased premiums with diving boards. Having a large pool does not mean that you need to have a deep end. There are many large pools that are available with a gradual slope offering more area for play and use.

We have added a new supplier!  Be sure to check out all that Leading Edge Fiberglass Pools has to offer at www.leadingedgepools.com.  For more information or to schedule your free in-home estimate, visit us at www.expertpoolbuilders.com!

A Bit About Expert Pool Builders

Creating your own backyard oasis is closer than you think with our staff at Expert Pools. We are extremely proud of our quality work and unique craftsmanship that goes into every pool we build. We are pleased that you have expressed interest in our company, and we welcome the opportunity to work with you.

As the “pioneers of fiberglass pools in the Midwest,” our company has been installing residential and commercial pools for over 16 years. Recently, we have been featured on ABC TV’s “Extreme Home Makeover,” installing a Viking pool for the Vardon family in Royal Oak, Michigan. Expert Pools has also won numerous sales and service awards and has been featured in Pool and Spa News and America’s Registry of the Greatest Pool Builders, Luxury Edition.

Common Mistakes When Purchasing a Pool

Mistake #1

Not Designing your Pool Correctly:

It probably seems basic. You look out into your backyard one morning while quietly drinking your coffee and begin to realize just how nice it would be to be able to sit with that same cup of coffee beside your state-of-the-art pool.

Before running out the door and down the street to the first pool installer that you can find, it's important to note that there are several basic mistakes (easily rectifiable) that people in your shoes make when purchasing a new pool. So, take off your running shoes, refill your cup of coffee and read on.

Diving Boards

Many, many people, when designing a backyard pool, believe that they "need" the deep end and the diving board only to realize after installation that the deep end is hardly used and the diving board is gathering dust. Most families, mine included, spend all of their time in the shallower end of the pool- where the smaller children are safer and where the adult can stand and lounge. Not only that, but most pool games are set-up and played within the safely of the shallower end, as well.

Another great reason to seriously re-consider adding a deep end to your pool is that for most pool owners, their insurance is substantially less when the pool is all the same depth. The risk for injury or drowning decreases a great deal with a pool that does not have a deep end.

Be sure to think about the big picture- not only what you want your pool to look like but also what your vision is for your entire yard. Discuss this with your pool installer BEFORE you sign with them to ensure that they will be able to provide you with everything you want.