Above Ground Pool Accessories – Florida Coast Above Ground Pools https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com Above Ground Pool Specialists Sun, 21 Mar 2021 16:05:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 LED Pool Lights – Fad or Fab https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/led-pool-lights-fad-or-fab/ https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/led-pool-lights-fad-or-fab/#respond Sun, 21 Mar 2021 16:04:21 +0000 https://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/?p=3595 .flex_column.av-av_one_half-79ff81c021393065cee878051452f6a6{ -webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; -moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; }
Best above ground pool lights

LED Pool Lights: Fad or Fab

Light Emitting Diodes, better known as LED lights, have been around for decades. Though not ideal for area lighting, these bulbs’ moody lighting effects and extremely efficient power usage have helped them become the new standard in pool lighting.
Though LEDs carry a higher upfront cost than other lights, they also last much longer and can drastically reduce your energy bill. In fact, by the time you need to replace these bulbs, they will have already paid for themselves many times over. With the average kilowatt-hour in the US costing about twelve cents, a LED bulb that runs as low as 42 watts could mean up to 90% savings over traditional lighting options.
But LEDs are not only better for your wallet, they are also much safer for the environment. After all, those energy savings on your end also mean less energy produced by power plants all over the United States. Considering all this, it’s not hard to see why many pool owners are more than happy to make the switch.

Plenty of Color Options

Unlike old halogen lights, which needed to be manually changed if you wanted a different color, most common LED lights have color-changing features built right into the bulb. From red to white to green and orange, you can add plenty of flair to your nighttime dips without having to put in any extra effort.
In fact, some pool owners have invested in special light combinations, which can create a unique theme for their entire backyard. Many of these are adjustable, with a variety of settings that can be controlled by remote. So, wherever you are, you’re never more than a few clicks away from a great-looking pool.

Traditional White Pool Lights

If you want a more classic look for your pool, you’ll find there are a lot of options for plain white bulbs as well. Not only are they incredibly bright, but they come in a variety of different wattages as well. It should be noted, however, that white light does not carry quite as well in water. Though some people will prefer this softer look, others will feel let down by the somewhat underwhelming display.

The Downside of LED

As we mentioned before, the massive cost savings that come from using LED lights are something that you and your family are sure to enjoy – eventually. Upfront, LED light bulbs are much more expensive than those older incandescent options. In fact, you can usually expect to shell out around $150 to $250 for a replacement for your pool.

This added expense is compounded by the fact that the entire fixture must be replaced once the bulb burns out. This is because LED fixtures are factory sealed to prevent leakage. Though this is a great way to protect the light from your pool water (and vice versa), the extra cost may be a turn-off for some.

Conclusion

Regardless of your preference there are some good pool lights on the market for all swimming pools. If you are unsure of what to consider and are in search of a quality pool light for your above ground pool just give us a call or visit us online at http://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/

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What Is Pool Cove?

Pool Cove is simply a berm or transition from the pool floor to the pool wall. This “cove” can be made of dirt, sand or pre-formed foam sections. The main purpose of the pool cove is to keep the pool liner from coming in contact with the pool frame and causing damage to the liner. Every above ground pool needs one, so you will either need to make your own cove or buy a pool cove kit.

Pre-formed pool cove kits are great for any above ground pool installation as the cove sections are uniform and give a professional appearance when installed. Installation is quick and easy as the cove sections come with adhesive backing which ensures they stay where they’re put. These pool cove kits are fairly inexpensive and do not deteriorate over time.

When installing your swimming pool on concrete or other hard surfaces, foam cove kits and pool floor pads are a must as rains and splashing will cause sand coves to wash out from under the pool. This washing away causes the frame to become exposed to the pool liner and risking puncture.

Sand or dirt is fine to use as cove in most other cases as long as it’s clean and free from debris. The downside of this type of cove is that it doesn’t always stay put. It can wash out over time and expose the framework to the liner. If the liner comes in contact with it punctures can occur. If you build a cove be sure to build it up the wall at least 4″ and out from the wall at least 4″.

Regardless of which way you go when selecting a pool cove for your new pool, a proper cove will protect your liner from damage and take stress of the liner’s seams. This alone will add years to the life of your pool liner.

Pool Cove In Stock And Ready For Pick Up

Pool cove kits and other installation items are available for pick up in Melbourne. Please call 321-662-4728 to verify item stock and pick up times. Visit us online at http://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/

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Solar Pool Covers, What Are They?


Solar pool covers are an inexpensive way to extend your swimming season by keeping your pool water warmer longer. These pool covers are made from a lightweight plastic material that looks very similar to bubble wrap. It’s the thousands of small bubbles in the cover that keeps it floating on the pool water’s surface. Use one of these solar covers on your pool and you’ll likely be able to add a couple of months to your swim season every year.


Who Would Use One?


Solar pool covers sometimes called solar blankets, are used by anyone with an above ground pool or inground pool. It doesn’t matter the type of pool as it’s function is to keep pool water warm. If you can elevate the water temperature of your pool by 10-15°F then you’ll be able to swim longer into the fall and still be comfortable, even in Central Florida.

If you already have or are thinking of investing in a pool heater you’ll definitely need to get a solar pool cover for your pool. The solar cover will keep that heat you’ve paid for in your water and not let it escape into the air each night. Think of a solar blanket as a lid on your coffee cup, with one the coffee stays warm, without one the coffee cools of much quicker. The addition of a solar cover when heating your pool with natural gas, LP or heat pump can reduce heating costs by up to 70%.

Pool covers are not just for heat retention, in other parts of the country many people use a pool cover for other reasons besides keeping water warm or keeping out debris. In these locations residents by law have to conserve water and limit their consumption. The solar pool cover does an excellent job of reducing water loss due to evaporation. By covering the entire water’s surface with a pool cover evaporation is reduced by 90%.


How To Use A Solar Pool Cover


First you must purchase a solar pool cover that’s closest in size to your swimming pool. If your pool cover is larger than your pool simply take a scissors or razor knife and trim the cover to fit. Use your pool as usual and allow the powerful Florida sunshine to beat down on the water all day long. In the evening cover your swimming pool with the solar cover, this will hold the heat in the water preventing it from evaporating into the air each night. If you use the cover regularly you will begin to see the water temperature rise each day and allow use of your pool longer into the year.

There are a few ways to make using your solar cover easy and I’ve included some examples of different ideas below.  For many people the use of a solar cover reel is a way to keep you cover clean and conveniently located. For others the use of hooks around the pool makes solar cover access and storage a simple task.

If you have questions about solar pool covers or above ground pools check us out online at http://floridacoastabovegroundpools.com/


Solar Pool Cover Storage Ideas


Solar pool cover hooks for Florida above ground pools.
Solar pool cover reels for Florida inground pools.
DYI solar pool cover reel for Florida above ground pools.

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Florida Pool Covers

I Live In Florida, Do I Need A Pool Cover?


A pool cover in Florida sounds absurd to many residents of the sunshine state. Why would you need a pool cover for an above ground pool in a place that never freezes and the sun shines almost all year long? This logic makes perfect sense on the surface but I’ll give you a few reasons to consider getting a pool cover for your above ground pool.


Pool Covers, There’s Good Reasons To Use One



Pool Liner Longevity


The biggest contributor to pool liner failure in Florida is the sunshine. Pools in Florida are exposed to our intense sunshine all year long. Because it never really freezes and the temperatures are warm the entire year, pools never get closed or winterized. This year long exposure to the UV rays from the sun cause the pool liner to quickly fade and become hard or brittle. In fact pool liners in Florida can often last half as long as pool liners up north.

Even though the Florida sun will destroy a pool cover in record time, it’s still much cheaper and far less work than having to replace a pool liner. If you must replace a pool cover every couple of years it’s a bargain when comparing the cost of the liner replacement. Buy a mesh pool cover to allow water to pass on through it while still keeping out debris and the dreaded UV light.


Pool Water Loss


Florida pools lose more water due to evaporation in the winter months when the humidity is lower. Most of the time people only think they have a leak because they experience more evaporation during the dry months. Covering your pool when not in use for extended periods will not only help save the liner it’ll save on your water bill too. Heck, it may save you a couple hundred dollars not having to pay leak detection service call.


Chemical Loss


As you already know, the sun is a tough one here. Not only does it damage the liner it steals or neutralizes the chemicals you add to the pool. Keeping a cover on your pool will slow the need for additional chemical to keep up water quality by lower the exposure to the sun. This ties into the water loss issue too as the more water you need to add back to the pool the more chemicals you’ll need to add as well.


Pool Maintenance


Fall is a time when the weather cools and the leaves begin to drop to the ground. If you are one of those people who have trees in your pool area then you know how tough it can be to keep up with the maintenance during certain times of the year. The constant scooping of leaves and debris can leave you frustrated at times. By using a mesh pool cover and a leaf net together you can eliminate the debris from falling into your pool. The cover will allow water to pass through the cover and not pool up on top. The leaf net will allow you to quickly remove the leaves without worry of them falling into the water when the cover is removed.


God’s Creatures


I’ve given you some compelling reasons to consider investing in a cover for your above ground pool but I do have one more good reason if your still on the fence about it, God’s creatures. Even if you’re not a religious person or animal lover most of us really don’t want to be responsible for an animal’s demise, and certainly we can agree that removing one your swimming pool is disgusting and unsanitary at the least.

As a pool maintenance worker I have seen my share of pets and wildlife that had met their maker at the hands of backyard swimming pools. Many had been there for some time and the pool required additional attention if you know what I mean. If only there were a cover on those pools accidents like this could have been easily avoided.

Pool covers are a great buy for above ground pools. They cost almost nothing to buy compared to what they can save you. It’s for the reasons above that my opinion is pool covers do more good than harm and are a worthy investment for any above ground pool owner in Florida.


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Liner Coping For Above Ground Pools

Above Ground Pool Liner Coping


For all the do it yourself pool liner installers out there this blog is a great read. I was inspired to write it by a pool liner replacement we recently did in Deltona where the home owners gave up on doing the liner change themselves. They built the pool originally and did a very nice job doing so, but a change in liner design derailed their valiant efforts. If a self installed pool liner change is in your future, reading this blog may prove to be quite valuable one day.


What Is Pool Liner Coping For Above Ground Pools?


Pool liner coping simply installs on top of the pool liner and holds it firmly onto the pool wall. Liner coping is needed to hold the liner in place while protecting it from being damaged by the metal stabilizer bars. The metal or sometimes resin stabilizer bars squeeze the coping ensuring a tight grip on the pool liner preventing it from slipping off the pool wall and down in the water. Coping is always made of plastic and comes in strips that vary between 2 and four feet in length. The shape of the coping can vary but it’s mostly flat or V-shaped like the image above.


Liner Coping And Different Style Liners


Today most all above ground pool kits come with either an overlap or unibead pool liner. The unibead liner is considered an upgrade because they are a fitted liner and designed for a specific pool wall height. When purchasing one you must know the height of the pool wall for proper fit. The reason for upgrading to the unibead or J-Hook pool liner is they are more decorative, easier to install and have the coping built into their design.

Because the upper lip of the the unibead/j-hook liner is so thick no additional coping is used. The extra cost of this type of liner is usually offset by the fact no coping needs to be purchased for it’s installation. This usually makes this type of liner the better way to go for most self installers.

Now back to our frustrated home owner I told you about in the beginning of this blog post. When these nice people first bought their pool it came with the unibead or j-hook pool liner to start with. After several years of use it was time for them to replace it, so they purchased a new overlap liner to save some money. Once the pool was disassembled and readied for the new liner the problems began as overlap liners require coping strips to keep the liner attached at the top of the pool wall and their pool had none to begin with. So after many days of trying to keep the liner on the wall, filling and emptying the pool several time, they finally gave up the fight. Luckily for them the liner wasn’t ruined in the process, but could have been if they went much further.

If they had only known that pool liner coping is required on all overlap liners they may had gotten through this project successfully. Just remember that all overlap pool liner need coping strips to secure it to the wall and they should be replaced when changing the pool liner every time. If you always buy a coping kit for your size pool you’ll never have an issue similar to this. Pool liner coping kits aren’t expensive and they’re great insurance that your liner installation will be a better one.


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