Throw a Backyard Pool Party This Spring

You've waited all winter for warmer weather and it's finally here! There is no better time than now to get your above ground pool ready, clean, and safe for swimming. It's also a good idea to throw a backyard bash for your friends and family to finally welcome the warmer months of the year.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your party:

• Be sure that you tape down table cloths underneath the table so that they don't fly up and hit anyone, or slide off.
• Try not to use any glass cups, plates, bowls, pitchers, etc. as there will likely be children rough-housing and having fun. You don't want them to knock any glass over and get hurt.
• Be sure to keep foods that will spoil out of the heat and sunlight. This includes: potato salad, fruit, dips, anything with dairy, fresh meats that are not grilled or cooked, and so on.
• Have extra towels handy for your guests.
• Don't forget to buy ample sunscreen to protect your guests from painful sunburns.
• Send out invites a week or two ahead of time with an RSVP request so you can get a head count on how many people to expect.
• Make sure that the pool's water is clean, balanced, and safe to swim in so that nobody gets sick or hurt.
• Install pool lighting if you plan on having the party after dark one evening.

For More Information

To learn more about getting your pool ready for spring/summer, be sure to visit us at Ambassador Pools. We serve New England, including all of Massachusetts, Hudson Valley, western PA, and parts of the Midwest, including Cleveland, Akron, and Canton in Ohio.

Swimming at Night in an Above Ground Pool

There is nothing quite like taking a dip in your backyard on-ground swimming pool on a hot summer night. However, there are some things that you should think about before you step foot in the water. You want to be safe, and you want to be sure that you, your family, and any guests to your home are able to swim without any kind of danger.

To prevent any problems with people not being able to see in the dark, it is suggested that you get pool lighting installed. There are a number of different options available to you when it comes to choosing the best lighting for your above ground pool. 

Types of Lighting Available

Overhanging Lights

These are the most traditional option. They involve having a light kit hanging over the top lip of the pool. They involve installing a light attached to a plastic arm where wires will go down the bulb. These are used mostly in pools that do not have any kind of deck installed. These are likely the most affordable option.

Through-Wall Lights

These lights look more "professional," and they don't stick out of the sides of the above ground pool. They don't interfere with swimming by getting in the way. For installation, they will need to be mounted properly to prevent problems with leaks. They must be installed through the structural walls of the pool and the liner itself.

Floating Lights

These are used in both in-ground and on-ground pool varieties. They do not need to penetrate any walls or liners for installation, and they can be purchased in battery-powered varieties. This means that you also do not need to worry about any unattractive or dangerous wires running to your pool.

Magnetic Lights

These are attached to the sides of the pool. This is also a style that does need to penetrate the walls of the pool or the liner for proper installation. Another benefit of this variety is the fact that the light can be moved to wherever you want.

For More Information

If you would like to learn more about above ground pools, in general, or about all of the different types of accessories available to you, please visit us at Ambassador Pools. We serve New England, including all of Massachusetts, Hudson Valley, western PA, and parts of the Midwest, including Cleveland, Akron, and Canton in Ohio. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Where Did Above Ground Pools Get Their Start?

Today, we are going to provide our readers with a little history lesson about the origins of the above ground pool. These water features got their start back in WWII with Domain Industries. The U.S. Army had to think of a way to seal cans of food so that soldiers would always have something readily available in their packs to eat while on a march or when resting for the night. 

Domain Industries re-named their product line that made the can seals to Doughboy Plastics Division in 1947. During this time, the company began making and selling outdoor entertainment products, including beach balls, toys, and small pools. 

These pools were mostly geared toward small children and were made mostly of galvanized steel materials. After WWII, these water features became a status symbol for many American homes, and they were beginning to be made and sold with concrete materials instead of the steel. 

Doughboy Plastics was eventually re-named Doughboy Recreational and they began innovating their original pool design. They started becoming much more attractive, affordable, and were designed with a flat top ledge.

In 1974, Marty Hoffinger of Hoffinger Industries purchased Doughboy Recreational and they eventually became the biggest above ground pool manufacturer in the country. The manufacturing facility is located in Arkansas in a 660,000 square foot complex.

To Learn More

For more information about getting your own swimming pool, please contact us here at Ambassador Pools. We serve New England, including all of Massachusetts, Hudson Valley, western PA, and parts of the Midwest, including Cleveland, Akron, and Canton in Ohio.

Relieveing Arthritis Pain With Above Ground Pool Exercises

There are many people who, unfortunately, suffer from the pains associated with arthritis. It can make some people experience daily pain, or an inability to walk or move like they used to. There has been a lot of research done lately which seems to point to water exercising as a way to improve the daily aches and pains associated with this disorder.

Nearly 27 million people in the United States have arthritis, and whether it results in pain in the legs, arms, wrists, fingers, etc. the uncomfortable feelings can be relieved through the use of regular aquatic exercise. This includes, walking in the water, doing arm or leg lifts by using the side of the pool for leverage, or even just by swimming. 

It is best to consult with your doctor before starting any kind of exercise. 

For More Information

If you would like more information about getting an above ground pool for your backyard for aquatic exercises, please feel free to contact us at Ambassador Pools. We serve New England, including all of Massachusetts, Hudson Valley, western PA, and parts of the Midwest, including Cleveland, Akron, and Canton in Ohio.

5 Reasons for a New Pool Liner

A lot of homeowners who have an above ground pool might not understand the reasons why it is so important to get a new pool liner. They may think that the one they installed will last for years and years without any problems, even if they should choose to dismantle the pool to move it to a new location. However, this is not the case at all, and regardless of how high quality the liner is that you already have installed, there are a few things you should understand about these products so that you know when it's time to get a new one. Read on to learn more.

1. Shrinkage: when you move your pool, the water is drained and then the liner is exposed to outdoor elements, including the sun. In just a matter of a few days, the liner may experience 10%+ shrinkage. It will never be able to be put in place the same way again once you have your pool moved to where you want it to be. Using the same liner could eventually result in serious tears or other types of damage.

2. Skimmer screw holes: when the liner was installed, the skimmer was also installed by placing screws through the liner. These can be really hard to match up when you decide to move your pool. This is why it is best to get a new liner altogether to avoid any un-necessary damage or frustration. This can also help to prevent leaks through existing skimmer holes.

3. Chemicals: over time, the constant chemical usage in your pool to keep the water clean will take its tole on the liner. This can cause it to become very weak all over or in certain spots. If left neglected for too long, certain spots may actually become completely worn through, and this can cause serious damage to other parts or the pool.

4. Floor base: all pools have a floor to them, whether they are built with sand or some other type of stone dust. When you move your pool and add in a new floor material, or more material, the liner will not be able to be installed and stretch over the frame the same way again. This can lead to serious tears or damage to other areas of the pool.

5. Damage from the sun: as time passes, the sun's hot rays will beat down on the pool day in and day out. This can eventually cause it to wear out in certain spots. Additionally, excessive rainfall, ice, wind, and snow can cause problems for the liner's strength and durability.

More Information

To learn more about getting a new liner, or to get information about moving your above ground pool, please feel free to give us a call here at Ambassador Pools. We serve New England, including all of Massachusetts, Hudson Valley, western PA, and parts of the Midwest, including Cleveland, Akron, and Canton in Ohio.