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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I buy a salt system for my pool?

Salt systems are very popular because they:

• Eliminate the cost of buying chlorine
  

• Make your pool water soft & silky
  

• Make neutral-based chlorine from the salt that make the pool chemical balance easy to maintain.
  

• Eliminate the mixing, measuring, and storage of old-fashioned chlorine
  

• Reduce or eliminate eye irritation and chemical smell to pool toys and clothes.
  

Alabama Surf Side Pools can install salt systems or traditional chlorine systems on new or existing pools.

How does a saltwater chlorinator work?

Salt is added to the pool water until it reaches about 0.35% salt. While this is more than what you would find in fresh water, it is much less than what you would find in the ocean. The water then goes through a cell that provides a slight electrolytic charge that results transforms the salt into chlorine. The chlorine prevents algae and other organics from interfering with your pool experience.

Is a main drain necessary for my in-ground pool?

Years ago before the modern pool automatic cleaners became available a main drain was helpful to keep the pool clean. In my opinion, it is no longer necessary. Something to consider is that it adds something that must be maintained and checking for leaks on a main drain is difficult. I would rather eliminate the main drain and keep things simple.

Which is better a vinyl pool or a gunite pool?

Both are good pools, but for different reasons. The major differences are:

• A vinyl pool costs less to build
  

• A vinyl liner will need to be replaced at some point in the future
  

• A gunite pool will have to be re-plastered in the future
  

• An automatic cleaner can be used in either type of pool
  

• A salt chlorinator can be used with either type of pool
  

What type of pool filters should I consider for my pool?

There are three basic choices:

1.  Sand

2.  Cartridge

3.  Diatomaceous earth

The most popular pool filter is sand. It is the simplest to use and to maintain. It also is the least expensive to buy. Cartridge filters and diatomaceous earth are able to clean finer particles from the water, but in my opinion, the extra cleaning does not improve the water enough to justify the extra cost and effort.

What are the main things to think about when I buy an automatic pool cleaner?

There are two types of automatic pool cleaners: Suction Side Cleaners and Pressure Side Cleaners. I recommend a pressure side cleaners like a “Polaris” brand or a “Legend” brand which are good for dirt and picking up leaves. The biggest advantage of the pressure side cleaner is that it does not take dirt into your filter before cleaning it from the water.

I really like to use the Legend inground pool cleaner because it has a gear drive rather than a belt drive. Belts sometimes slip and it is difficult to know when, but a gear system is more certain.

According to the makers of the Legend other benefits include:

• Easy installation
  

• Easy to remove collection bags
  

• Built-in back-up valve
  

• Powerful venturi for thorough cleaning
  

Should I install lights in my pool?

Lights certainly add a lot of character to a pool and are recommended for anyone who expects to use their pool at night. Many people choose to add colored lights to create certain types of looks for certain types of use. For example, green lights might make a pool look good when the pool is near a natural or heavily landscaped area. Blue lighting gives a cool appearance that can be very relaxing.

Light systems such as the Spectrum Amerlite or the Spectrum AquaLight provide automatic color changing for pools or spas. These systems allow pool owners to rotate through several color continually or to lock the system on a single color of your choice. The lighting system may be connected to an AquaLogic system to run the lights from a central control.

What type of controls should my pool have?

If you install a salt system, I recommend an Aqua Rite or a CompuPool control system. These sanitation controllers help you to maintain the salt levels. These systems are easy to use and are inexpensive to operate. In addition, there is no need for additional piping or parts to install these controllers.

I need a pool deck around my pool. What should I think about in regards to the decking?

The main things people consider when selecting decking include:

• The cost of installation
  

• The safety of the finished deck
  

• The heat generated from exposure to the sun
  

• The overall look of the deck
  

Three common choices for decking material are:

• Unpainted or painted concrete
  

• Stamped and stained (decorative concrete)
  

• A cool deck type of surface
  

Of these choices, I recommend the cool deck type of material. Keystone Kool Deck® concrete topping was invented by Mortex in 1962, and similar products have been introduced by other companies since that time. I prefer this type of surface because it keeps the surface cooler in the hot days of summer. Nothing can be more irritating to a pool owner than to have a deck that is too hot to walk on with bare feet.

These deck surfaces can be white or tinted in many choices of pastel colors to match other decorative elements of your home. As compared to decorative concrete, cool deck surfaces are quick to install and are relatively inexpensive. In addition, the non-slip texture of the cool deck surface makes it a wise choice.

If I buy a vinyl pool, does it matter which liner I pick?

In the South, liners need to resist the strong ultra-violet rays from the sun that can affect the liner surface. There are several very good vinyl liner manufacturers all of which design their liners to handle sun light.

Typically liners are either 20 mils thick or 27 mils thick. Although it seems like 27 mil liners would last longer, my experience is that they don’t really last much longer than 20 mil liners so I normally recommend 20 mil liners. Other than the thickness, the color and pattern of the liner is important. There are so many combinations, it’s best to take a look at the manufacturers’ brochures to make the final selection.