"Did we choose the right builder? Without a doubt, YES!"
-Ryan and Melissa Kaufman, Katy
|
What impact do weather conditions have on my pool?
|
|
Weather affects the chlorine level in the pool as well as the pH. Hot weather will increase the water temperature, which causes the chlorine to be consumed more quickly. Cool weather will result in no chlorine demand. Your sanitizing unit needs to be adjujsted seasonally. Rain can drive your pH up. Always check the water balance after it rains.
|
|
What should my chlorine readings be?
|
|
NSPI standards for chlorine pools is 1-3ppm. When using minerals and or ozone for sanitation, chlorine levels may be reduced to 0.5-1ppm.
|
|
How should I test for chlorine?
|
|
There are several test methods available through your local pool and spa dealer. These include drop tests or strips.
|
|
What's the difference between pH and alkalinity?
|
|
pH is the abbreviation for “potential hydrogen� and the reading indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions in the water. Basically, it is the measure of how acidic or basic (alkaline) the water is. Total alkalinity is the measure of how stable the pH is. It measures the pool water’s buffering capacity to resist pH changes. Without control of the total alkalinity, the pH will rise and fall abruptly.
|
|
What is algae?
|
|
Algae is one of the most persistent forms of plant life. Algae common to pools include green, yellow, black or pink slime. It can be free floating in the water or it can cling to walls, floor and equipment. Nourished by sunlight and heat, algae thrives in water with a high pH level and water with a high nitrogen or phosphate level.
|
|
How did I get algae?
|
|
Insufficient chlorine levels are the main cause but improper water balance and poor circulation can attribute to algae as well.
|
|
How do I get rid of algae?
|
|
Run filtration continuously while adding a chlorine shock and an algaecide while brushing the walls of the pool and vacuuming. Clean and backwash filter as needed as clarity returns.
|
|
What heavy machinery will drive on my yard or driveway for access?
|
|
The excavator's "bobcat" front end loading tractor will pass in and out of your yard 150 - 300 time to dig the pool. No dump trucks or concrete trucks will typically cross on to your property. Some trades may use the driveway for unloading material from pickups or small flatbed trucks.
|
|
How long will it take to build my new CastleRock Pool?
|
|
We complete a vast majority of pools in about 5 weeks from the day of excavation. Minor weather delays can stretch this to 6 weeks. With persistent rainfall the completion time can stretch to 10 weeks.
|
|
What is a salt water pool?
|
|
By added a nominal amount of salt to your pool water you can install a device that works when the pump runs. The device will convert the salt in the pool water to chlorine while the pump runs.
|
|
What are the benefits of a salt water pool?
|
|
The single benefit to a salt water pool is the reduction of eye irritation to swimmers.
|
|
What does Ozone do in pool water?
|
|
Ozone will sanitize, disinfect, and oxidize water.
Sanitizing means ozone kill most bacteria and living organisms. Disinfecting means ozone kills all potential disease carrying capabilities of these bacteria and living organisms. Oxidation means the contamination that come from pool users such as body chemistry (sweat and urine), lotions and personal care items which contains lots of ammonia are also burned up by ozone.
Ozone is "active oxygen", nature's special molecule (an ozone molecule consists of three oxygen atoms. Ozone is created in nature by the combination of oxygen in the air and ultraviolet rays or by the electrical discharge during a lightning storm. Ozone is a natural purifier (meaning no harmful chemical by-products are created during purification) Ozone creates a clean, fresh scent noticed after a rainstorm.
Ozone is the most powerful oxidizer that can be used in a swimming pool or spa. Ozone is being created within a chamber that contains a UV light bulb. That ozone rich air is injected into the stream of water while the pump is running.
As soon as you inject the ozone gas into the pool or spa water, it starts looking for organic and inorganic goodies to oxidize.
|
|
With my new pool with the spa attached will I be able to heat the pool, the spa or both?
|
|
BOTH!.....Most of the time you will be heating just the spa up to around 100 degrees F. Our standard control system enables you to set the system to "spa mode"Â with the push of a button. Heating the pool is as easy as starting the circulation pump and turning on the heater. In "pool mode" the water of the pool and spa are mixing and the entire volume of water will heat together up to a pleasant 80-85 degrees F.
|
|
What are the walls of my pool made of?
|
|
Gunite is specially mixed steel reinforced concrete that is sprayed on and troweled to the finished shape of your pool. The Gunite Contractor gives you a Lifetime Warranty against a crack that results in water leakage.
|
|
What is gunite curing?
|
|
Gunite is similar to concrete except it cures quickly and you need to water the gunite shell 3 times daily for the first week to actually slow the curing.
|
|
How do I begin to decide on a builder?
|
|
Ask friends and neighbors about their pool building experience.
Review various builders web sites (good job!). You can get information about their company, key products  and other affiliations.  Read the testimonials from happy customers.
Look at pictures on the web site and compare the fit and finish of the pools in the pictures. Narrow down the styles and designs that appeal to you.
Always check the BBB for membership status.
Pick out a few pool builders and contact them for an appointment.
|
|
How do I know that the builder is committed to customer satisfaction?
|
|
Ask the pool builder for a list of customer references. Contact those people and ask them how they felt about the entire pool building process, before and after the sale. Satisfied customers are enthusiastic about their pools and most likely will allow you to actually see the pool.
|
|
What about the actual contract and what is a fair payment schedule during the process?
|
|
Read the contract thoroughly prior to signing including fine print on back which often includes the warranty. Ask to review any additional warranty documents to reveal exclusions that nullify coverage.
You must be assured that the contract you sign has been approved by an officer of the builder. According to the Better Business Bureau, a contract which has been signed by the customer is not binding on the pool company until signed by an officer of the firm, and its terms are subject to change.
Pay close attention and cover any area that indicates that the "Buyer" pays this cost during construction.
Avoid any swimming pool contractor who requires a substantial down payment. To avoid paying high percentages of the contract before much work has been done, ask for a detailed breakdown of what will happen during construction and how the payments apply. A fair payment plan has four payments during the process with the first payment coming after excavation. Prior to the interior finish you should have at least 10% of the project held. You should be given a walkthrough  prior to the interior finish, have any area of concern fixed prior to submitting that 10% at the start of the interior finish process.
If you are given verbal assurances or uncertain about anything, ask for it in writing as an addendum to the contract.
|
|
Who do I deal with after the contract is signed prior to construction and then during the process?
|
|
The answer is different depending on the size of the company you are considering.
Larger pool builders treat the process like a relay race. You will likely be passed from person to person. The sales person turns in the paperwork to the sales manager. Processing staff handles financing, final paperwork permits and submission to an officer for approval. Then you meet the superintendent who inspects the job, collects money and works with a staff coordinator who releases the work to the trade contractors who completes certain stages. You then meet the startup person gets the pool going and shows you how to maintain the pool. If any warranty issues come up you will contact the customer service person.
It takes communication, controls and accountability in this type of system to make sure you are happy in the end. A good question is "will I ever see the person who wrote the contract again".
Small to medium size builders see the process as a marathon. The person who wrote the contract is a "project manager" who is an experienced individual who works directly with you up to the start of construction. He/she then becomes a "go to person" and continues to work directly with construction management and you until completion. This eliminates mistakes through communication breakdowns or quickly deals with any issue that comes up to help meet your expectations. Your project manager will be there for pool school to complete the process at the kitchen table where it all began.
|
|
Why does CastleRock promote and install the Paramount PCC 2000 Cleaning System?
|
|
We were honored when selected by Paramount to join only a handful of experienced contractors in Houston to represent the product. The PCC 2000 is guaranteed to out clean any pool cleaner manufactured today. It is virtually invisible when not in operation and noninvasive when is use. The pump is energy efficient and quiet when operating. The PCC 2000 will clean the spa, steps, benches, fountains and the entire pool. It is proven 99.99% customer satisfaction since 1991.
|
|
|
