Category: Remodeling A Swimming Pool

Categories Pool Construction Pool Maintenance Remodeling A Swimming Pool

Freezing Temps And Your Pool

When the temperature drops pool owners shouldn’t worry if water freezes across your pool’s surface. Your main concern should be with your pool pipes and equipment. If your pool equipment isn’t winterized, water can freeze inside of your pump, filter or heater damaging these components so it’s important to keep water flowing through your pool’s system the entire time the temperature is freezing.

There are things you can do to prevent costly repairs and replacement:

Keep your system running 24/7

DON’T let your water level drop.

DO NOT cover your pool heater with insulation or a blanket.

If the power goes out and your pool system stops running:

Categories Customer Projects Remodeling A Swimming Pool

Correcting a Poorly Built Pool With a Pool Remodel

What Happened To Your Pool?

Finding a pool contractor to build your dream pool is not always an easy task. Doing research about the company you intend to hire is a vital part of the process. So you vetted a contractor, entered in the contractor, and the pool was built. But what if it wasn’t what you expected? What if the contractor never came back to address concerns and provide warranty on problems that arose only months after install?

Believe it or not, this DOES happen! And it happens more frequently than  it should. One of our now clients happened to be put right in the middle of a situation just like this. Instead of receiving the pool he had been dreaming of, he received something much less that lacked on quality and wasn’t a representation of his vision.

Below are some videos outlining some items that you shouldn’t see in a pool build, and things that we here at Suncor Outdoors have set out to repair, replace and correct as necessary to make our customers vision come to life the way it was intended to be.

Categories Remodeling A Swimming Pool Remodels & Renovations

Stunning Pool Renovation Ideas You’ll Want This Summer

Even the simplest of swimming pools are an excellent addition to any backyard. They provide a place to escape from the summer heat, a safe space for your kids to hang out with their friends, and a backyard retreat where you can relax. But sometimes, you want more than just a hole in the ground that’s filled with water, right? Sometimes, you want a few upgrades to accompany your pool. Here are a few ideas you’ll definitely want to consider if you’re thinking about pool renovations in Katy, TX.

Water Features

“Water features” is a broad category that includes many different specific features. Here are just a few of the most common ones:

  • Waterfalls
  • Waterspouts
  • Leaping spouts
  • Sheer curtains
  • Deck jets
  • Bubblers
  • Fountains

Each of these different kinds of water features adds a unique charm and style to a swimming pool. Depending on how your pool is used and what your personal desires are, you could choose any one of these features—or add several to your pool. Kids love swimming under waterfalls and playing with spouts of all kinds, both in shallow water and on the pool deck. Plus, the sound of falling and moving water can be incredibly relaxing for those days when you just want to lounge by the pool.

Recreational Features

The pool itself is a recreational feature for your home, but you can do a lot more than swim in a pool if you have the right add-ons. You can add a basketball hoop or volleyball net to play sports in the pool. Waterslides and diving boards are always a popular option if you have kids (and even if you just enjoy these things yourself). Adding these kinds of features allows you to get more use out of your pool, so they’re a great investment.

LED Pool Lighting

Pool time shouldn’t have to end at sundown. If your pool doesn’t have lights, you shouldn’t definitely have some added. And even if you do have some basic lighting in your pool, you should consider adding something with a bit more flair. How about color-changing lights that you can control with a remote? This is a great feature to have if you ever host nighttime pool parties, as those colored lights can really set the party mood.

Pool Automation Systems

Pools already automatically turn on the pumps every day, but you can upgrade your pool with additional automated systems, such as for your booster pumps and lights. You could even install an automatic pool cover or automate robotic pool cleaners to take some of the work out of pool ownership. These systems also make it easy for you to monitor your pool’s systems so that you can catch any potential issues early.

Pool Remodeling Katy TXEnergy-Efficient Equipment

While it may not be as fun as a waterslide or as attractive as a beautiful water feature, upgrading your pool with energy-efficient equipment can lower the cost of owning a pool. Pool equipment has come a long way in the last decade, so if you have an older system that’s taking a lot of electricity, you might want to consider getting something newer. For example, you could get a variable speed pool pump, which (as the name implies) varies its speed to consume less electricity. Solar-powered heaters and energy-efficient filters are also available.

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your pool for a while now, these five kinds of renovations are a great place to start. Or, you could consider a pool deck remodel in Katy, TX, and create a beautiful retreat around your pool instead. Whether you want to upgrade your pool or the deck, contact Suncor Outdoors.

Categories Building A Swimming Pool Pool Construction Remodeling A Swimming Pool Remodels & Renovations

The Ultimate Pool Features for a Luxurious Swimming Experience

Having a pool in your backyard is already a serious upgrade over one without. But what if you want to take that backyard pool to the next level? What if you want a truly luxurious experience and a resort-like look at your swimming pool? Well, it all comes down to having the right features in your pool design. If you want to know which parts you should include for a luxury pool design in your own backyard, check out these suggestions from our pool builders in Katy, TX.

Perimeter Overflow

Few pools are more glamorous or luxurious than an infinity pool. Of course, that dramatic, edgeless overflow is challenging to do in a backyard setting. But you can achieve a similar effect with a perimeter overflow instead. Rather than having the water flow over one edge to a dramatic drop-off, the water flows over all 4 of its sides into a hidden slot or catch basin. The water is then recycled back into the pool via the pump system.

This design gives you that beautiful, edgeless look all-around your pool that is so stunning in an infinity pool. The beauty of the water constantly flowing over all of its edges is captivating to both the eyes and the ears, creating a wonderful experience every time you set foot in your backyard.

Caves

Perhaps you want a more natural yet still luxurious pool in your yard. A cave feature is a perfect way to achieve this. You can literally design your own grotto getaway by building a cave on one end of your pool. Include a waterfall cascading down in front of it, and you’ll feel like you’ve escaped to a hidden paradise as you slip back into your beautiful cave and relax behind the falling water.

Depending on the size of your cave, you can include other features inside of it as well, such as built-in seats or even a swim-up bar for an authentic resort feel. Or, you can simply add some colored lights for a lovely, intimate spot in your own swimming pool.

Fire Features

Water features aren’t the only thing you can add to your swimming pool. Why not add an entirely different element by working fire features into the design of the pool’s deck? There are countless fire features to choose from, including fire pits, bowls, troughs, and torches. All of these add beauty and drama to your pool space while also providing functional lighting for entertaining and gathering with your friends and family.

Your Own Tropical Oasis

Automatic Cover

An automatic cover might not add much flair to your swimming pool, but its functionality simply can’t be beaten. Cleaning and maintaining a pool is a lot of work, and covering your pool up when it’s not in use is one of the best ways to minimize that work. Putting on a pool cover reduces evaporation of the water, helps keep chemical levels in check and prevents leaves and other debris from falling in the water—all of which makes it easier to maintain.

Plus, a sturdy automatic cover (though not designed to hold weight) can provide a bit extra safety if you have small children, as they’ll fall on the pool cover instead of into the water if they happen to get into the pool area unattended.

If you want a backyard pool that’s more of a retreat than a water-filled hole in the ground, contact Suncor Outdoors today. Our Katy pool builders can create stunning original pool designs to give you the luxurious pool you’ve been dreaming of.

Categories Remodeling A Swimming Pool Remodels & Renovations

When Is the Best Time to Do a Pool Remodel?

The best time for using your swimming pool is in the heat of the summer. But when is the best time to remodel it? Should it be in the winter, when you won’t be using the pool? Or should you do those renovations in the summer, when the weather is warmer? Check out this blog to learn the best time for pool remodeling in Katy, TX, as well as other factors you should consider when deciding on the timing of your upgrade.

Pool Condition above All Else

The very first thing we want to touch on is your pool’s condition. If your pool needs to be remodeled because it’s cracked, damaged, or severely outdated, then the right time to get it renovated is right now! It would help if you didn’t let a pool with severe surface damage go unrepaired. So, even if it’s right in the middle of the peak swimming season, you should call to get it drained and renovated now rather than later. It’s better to get your pool in good shape now rather than allowing cracks and leaks to get worse over the summer.

Season of the Year

Of course, the time of year does matter a little bit. As we mentioned earlier, you want to use your swimming pool the most in the summer, so unless your pool is in deplorable condition, you should try to schedule that renovation for a different time of year. Immediately before or after the peak swimming season is typically ideal—so, the spring or fall. While winter can work for some kinds of renovations, frigid weather might impact things like pouring concrete or gunite for your pool’s framing.

Length of Time for Renovation

When you’re talking to a pool contractor, ask them about how long they expect the project to take. Depending on how extensive your renovations are, you’ll want to schedule your upgrade for a time of year where it is unlikely to push into any time that you’ll be using your swimming pool.

For example, let’s say you want an extensive renovation that will take about two months to accomplish. You should probably schedule that renovation for March, so it’s ready before Memorial Day when summer officially starts. If you can’t make that happen, push it out until September, when the kids go back to school, and the weather begins to cool down. The pool will be used a lot less at this time. A more comprehensive renovation will need to start earlier in the year if you want to do it before peak swimming season, while shorter projects can be started in April or even May.

Planning for Delays

When scheduling the start of your project, it’s a good idea to always plan for delays. Of course, we do our absolute best to stay on schedule, but some unforeseen circumstances do sometimes arise. Issues like delayed permits or previously unnoticed damage to the pool can extend the timeframe of your project. So, if you want the pool done by a specific date, get it started at least a week earlier than you think you should.

Pool Rock Wall Remodel

Start Working with a Contractor Now

The most important thing to know is that it’s never too early to begin working with a pool designer on your pool’s renovation. We tend to get very busy with pool projects in the lead-up to summer, so if you want to ensure that you can fit your project into our schedule, contact us right away to begin work on your pool renovations in Katy, TX!

Categories Remodeling A Swimming Pool Remodels & Renovations

Ways to Enhance Your Swimming Pool

Having a pool of any kind in your backyard can be fun. It’s a space for fun, relaxation, and even exercise. It’s a backyard feature that everyone from the littlest baby to senior citizens can enjoy. But what really makes a pool enjoyable and exciting are the features that you add to it. The right features can provide hours more of fun, relaxation, and exercise for everyone in your home, depending on the features you choose. Keep reading to get a few suggestions of features you can add to improve your pool, recommended by our expert swimming pool builder in Katy, TX.

Tanning Ledge

When most people are thinking about building a swimming pool, their focus is on, well, swimming in it. But as mentioned, pools are used for a lot more than just swimming. Tanning ledges are a multi-functional space that are not only great for little ones to play in but for adults to lounge and relax. Sunbathing in a tanning ledge instead of on the pool deck keeps you cooler, and a shallow play area can let non-swimmers play independently instead of needing to be held in the water. Of course, adult supervision should always be nearby.

Water Features

Water features are a popular add-on for swimming pools. They add both visual and auditory beauty to your backyard space, and there are countless styles to choose from. Natural, cascading waterfalls can tumble into your pool. Exciting water spouts can leap around the tanning ledge. Depending on what you’re hoping to achieve with your water feature, we can help you choose which type of feature is best suited to your needs.

In addition to adding the relaxing sound of running water to your space, a water feature can also provide additional play for your kids. Swimming under a waterfall or playing with water spouts can be quite exciting for kids of any age. You’ll be amazed just how much time they’ll spend around the water features.

Lighting

All pools should have some lighting to allow for safe, fun nighttime swimming. But more decorative lighting design can really help to enhance your pool. It can help your water features to glisten and shimmer in the evening. Lighting with changing colors can make a nighttime pool party feel like a dance party. And smart lighting features can allow you to control all of your lights with a remote control, your smartphone, or a preset timer. One of our talented designers can install your pool lighting in a way that is both beautiful and functional.

Pool Installation Katy TX

Pool Decking

When thinking about your pool’s design, spend some time thinking about what’s around it. After all, you’re not going to spend all of your time in the pool; you’ll also want to spend some time near your pool, whether you’re sunbathing, grilling, or just lounging and talking with friends. There are so many things you can do with your pool deck’s design. Fire pits with built-in seating, outdoor kitchens, and built-in grills all add more functionality to your decking. Pergolas and overhead shades can make the deck more comfortable. And, of course, you want the overall style of your decking to blend well with your pool’s design and the façade of your home.

So if you’re installing a new pool, consider a pool deck remodel in Katy, TX, or one of these other upgrades to really enhance your swimming pool. These features will make the pool more fun, more functional, and more unique to your home. Contact us today to begin discussing the features you would like in your new pool design.

Categories Remodeling A Swimming Pool Remodels & Renovations

Trendy Swimming Pool Remodeling Ideas

Trends are constantly changing. There’s always something new just around the corner, from fleeting trends in fashion and hairstyles to longer-lasting trends in home design. If you’re installing a new swimming pool or if you’re considering some pool renovations in Katy, TX, it certainly doesn’t hurt to brush up on the latest trends in pool design. While the most important thing is always designing a pool that fits your needs—not the current trends—you might get some inspiration and ideas for what you want your swimming pool to look like.

Rain Descents

Waterfalls have always been a popular water feature for swimming pools. They create a beautiful visual element while adding a relaxing sound to your space. But lately, people have been giving this popular pool feature an upgrade by opting for rain descents instead. What is a rain descent, you ask?

These water features are similar to a waterfall, but rather than having a constant stream or sheet of water, rain descends out for a trickle instead. Creating gaps in how the waterfalls change both the sound and the visual aesthetic of the water feature. They’re becoming a popular, modern upgrade for many swimming pools.

LED Lighting

Of course, lights are essential for any nighttime swimming that you plan to do. But when it comes to upgrading your swimming pool, many pool owners are giving the lights an upgrade too. LED lights can be used to provide safe swimming at night and create a relaxing ambiance for your evening gatherings.

Modern lighting in pools is also a lot more energy efficient than older lights and can be upgraded for more convenient operation with a remote or even your smartphone. You can program your lights to glow in different colors, attach them to a timer, and other smart upgrades.

Tile Inlay

If you’re looking for a style upgrade that brings your pool into the modern era, then tile inlays are the way to go. Pool tiles can come in countless colors, so they’re a great way to add a personal touch to your pool design. You can choose tiles in a single color to create a uniform look, design a mosaic masterpiece, or create bursts of color in various areas around your pool. The choice is up to you!

Pool Deck Remodel Katy TX

Lazy Rivers

If you’re looking for a luxury design for your pool and you have the space for it, a lazy river is sure to be a feature you’ll love. This popular pool feature typically seen at public pools and resorts has been making its way into backyards recently, and homeowners love it. Lazy rivers are a fun feature for the kids and a great place for adults to relax on a raft or float. Pool contractors can often work in much smaller spaces than you might imagine to give you your very own backyard lazy river.

Whether you’re installing a new pool or upgrading an existing one, these four design trends can provide you with great inspiration for your pool design. If you’re ready to start working on your pool design or pool remodeling in Katy, TX, contact Suncor Outdoors today. Our expert designers and installers will work with you to create a pool that perfectly suits your needs, whether these new trends are a part of it or not. Give us a call to schedule your first appointment with a professional swimming pool designer!

Categories Building A Swimming Pool Pool Construction Remodeling A Swimming Pool Remodels & Renovations

Choosing The Right Pool Contractor

Choosing The Right Pool Contractor

With the Texas summer breaking national records for high temps and heat waves, it’s understandable if you’re fantasizing about having your own pool in your backyard. Taking a dip is a great way to cool off, and an even better way to entertain guests. But it can also be a time-consuming and costly investment. So, how do you go about tackling this project? And how do you find a contractor to get the job done right?

Before you begin your search for the right pool builder, you first have to figure out what type of pool you want and determine your budget. Then, you must follow the three crucial steps below to avoid costly mistakes when hiring and working with a contractor.

Decide What Type Of Pool You Want

Every major endeavor starts with a plan, and the only way you’re going to be able to plan properly is to figure out what you want the outcome to be. So, before you even start pulling names of potential contractors, be sure you know exactly what you want.

Materials can affect the price, and not all contractors may be experienced in the exact type of pool you would like to add to your home. Be sure to have a budget, not only for the pool but for any landscaping or fencing you want to place around it.

Set Your Budget

Once you have a better idea of what kind of pool will be best for you, it’s time to assess your budget. The average cost of installing a recreational in-ground pool is between $50,000 – $100,000.

The factors determining the price of the pool are it’s size, features, materials, and deck selections. If you have a tight budget, consider making a “want / need” list. This will help the contractor you select determine what is an absolute must in your pool, and what variations might be needed to stick within your budget.

Narrow Down A List Of Top Contractors

Now that you know your budget and what type of pool you want, it’s time to select the right contractor to make it a reality. The first step is to create a list of the top contractors you’re considering working with. That starts by knowing where to look and what to ask.

GET RECOMMENDATIONS
See a great pool in your neighborhood? Or did one of your friends or family members just add a pool to their own yard? Ask them who their contractor was and what their experience was like working with them.

Personal referrals are always a reliable place to start. You can also solicit recommendations on Facebook or your other social media networks.

READ ONLINE REVIEWS
Read through all of the reviews, both positive and negative, to discover the general opinion of a contractor you’re considering. Be on the lookout for any negative feedback a contractor receives. You’ll also want to see if the contractor has ever been sued and how it was resolved.

Choose The Right Builder By Asking The Right Questions

Once you have a number of contractors who seem like a good fit, you’ll want to screen them even further to find the best fit. Remember, in this situation, you’re an employer and the contractor is interviewing for a job from you.

You’ll also want to inquire about certain details that will help you narrow down your list to include only the best options.

Do they take on projects of your size?
The most important question to ask a potential contractor is whether or not they even take on projects of your size. If they don’t, they might be able to refer you to other contractors who fit more within your range.

You might also want to consider other aspects of their work, such as how many other projects they’re overseeing at a given time, how long they’ve worked with the subcontractors they’re using, and who their previous clients have been.

Does your pool builder have insurance?
You’ll also want to ask contractors about their insurance details to protect yourself from a potential legal battle. Ask for proof that they have liability insurance. If they aren’t insured, your home insurance may not cover any unforeseen injuries or other accidents– this could land you in a legal battle that you won’t want to be in.

Can your builder obtain proper permits?
If you live in an area that requires certain permits before any construction work can begin, you’ll want to make sure that your contractor agrees to obtain them. You can be fined if he or she fails to do so.

Does your pool builder offer a warranty?
While it’s important to get the right warranties for your pool, it’s equally as important to work with a contractor that offers a workmanship warranty. Without one, you’ll be finincially responsible for any mistakes that pop up down the road.

Finalize The Deal

After you’ve selected the contractor you want to work with, you’ll have to put some systems into place to get things moving in the right direction.
Agree on the contract. It’s important to have everything you and the contractor agree to in writing. Review the contract carefully before signing. Make sure both of you sign the contract to avoid any future disputes about the original agreements.

Having a contract in place will protect both parties if unexpected obstacles or expenses come up in the construction process or the contractor is not delivering work according to plan.

Set A Payment Schedule

Part of the contract will stipulate at what point in the project certain payments are due. Paying for construction in installments is a great way for homeowners to be protected if a contractor is not delivering according to plan or failing to come through on other promises.

And most importantly, you want to make sure you don’t give the final payment to the contractor if the project is not completely finished. This will help ensure the contractor comes back to make sure everything is working in order to get final payment.