No! This is a common misconception. Ceramic pool tile will not crack or break if ice forms on the pool surface during the winter. The only way water remaining at the tile line becomes a problem is if there is already missing tile, or grout which allows water to get BEHIND the existing tile. If it does that and it freezes, it will absolutely pop more tile off the wall. The plaster finish in concrete pools must also remain "hydrated." By draining the water level, and exposing the plaster finish to the air, it will dry out causing shrinking and stress fractures on the surface, weakening the bond, and the life of the plaster. Plaster is far and away the most expensive single component to replace in your pool, so it would make sense to preserve the life of the plaster over any other component. In the event of fiberglass or vinyl lined pools, it is a very similar answer. Fiberglass pools should not be drained because of the risk of "hydrostatic pressure" or water in the ground under or around the shell, becoming greater than the weight of the water holding the pool shell in place in the ground. Hydrostatic pressure can cause fiberglass pool shells to bow, bend or break. In extreme cases it can literally cause the shell to "float" out of the ground, and literally rip itself out of the concrete deck, damaging the plumbing and making the pool a total loss. Vinyl lined pools are not much better off. If they are drained too far down, and don't have the weight and pressure of water keeping the liner stretched out, against all sides. The liner will actually pull out of the bead usually starting at the corners. Many times it will rip and or start to form wrinkles. Sometimes the liner can be repaired, and other times, the damage is too far gone, and the liner would need to be replaced. The bottom line? DON'T DRAIN YOUR POOL DURING WINTERIZING!!
So Memorial Day is the biggest pool opening weekend of the year! So everyone wants to open their pool in the beginning/middle of May. Because 4074 Pools and Spas operates on a first come, first serve basis, we recommend scheduling your opening anytime from when we close your pool to Feb/March to guarantee your place. If you haven't booked your opening by march, you are behind the 8 ball!! It's especially important to realize the weather plays a large impact on the ABILITY to open a pool. It takes several weeks of temperate (60 degree) weather in order for the layer of ice on the surface of your pool to fully melt, before we can begin the opening process on your pool. On the plus side, if you are to open early (assuming the body of water has a functioning heater), we can keep the heater running on its lowest setting (usually around 50-60 degrees), it will allow the system to continue to safely run with no freeze worries, allowing salt systems to generate, etc., while minimizing the cost of heating the pool until it's ready to actually be used. Additionally, it gives you the opportunity to find any issues that have occurred over the winter, such as seals that have dried out and started leaking, equipment that has seized, or in some way developed a fault over the winter, as well as getting the water balanced, so when you are ready to swim? All you have to do is turn up the temperature, and you're ready to dive in!
One of the most common questions we get is with regards to finding certain parts, chemicals or other materials online at Amazon, In the Swim, Doheny, In yo pools, etc. at a cheaper price, or available immediately when our distributor(s) may be out of stock or back ordered on a particular item.
Answer?...Well, it's complicated. There are a variety of reasons, depending on the specific part, chemical or material we're talking about so lets talk about some of the reasons. The first and most general answer is...Liability. As a pool company, we have to be able to stand behind any products or chemicals we provide or install. Our insurance does not allow us to install these 3rd party provided parts, as it would open ourselves to un necessary liability that they don't want. Lets say you bought a heater on amazon and we install it for you. Overnight it explodes and catches your home on fire. You are undoubtedly going to call me, I'm gonna tell What frequently arises when purchasing through a 3rd party market