Safe Behavior Around Above Ground Pools - Saco, ME

Saco, a city in York County, Maine, is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, and General Dynamis Armament Systems. A tourist spot in the summer months, Saco is also part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metropolitan statistical area.

Summers can be hot and humid and while swimming is the most popular way to cool off, the number of tourists turn many locals off, which makes them think of other ways to take a swim. The most popular way is by getting their own above ground pool.

While generally safer than inground pools given its raised profile, there are still general safety rules one should follow around above ground pools. These are:

• No diving
• No alcoholic beverages
• Keep the water clean
• No swimming after dark
• No slides of boards
• No horseplay
• No standing on ledges

While the list is in no way comprehensive, be sure to err on the side of safety always. Use common sense and remember, there’s no such thing as being overly safe.

For more information on pool safety and above ground pools in general, call Ambassador Pools. Ambassador Pools are your one-stop for everything about above ground pools, from the pools themselves, to chemicals, to maintenance and safety, and everything in-between.

Above Ground Pool Safety Equipment – Parsonsfield, ME

A town in York County, Maine, Parsonsfield is also part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metropolitan statistical area and has a population of about 1,900. With a topography that’s rough and hilly, and only 1.02 sq miles of its total 59.91 sq miles being water, swimming in Parsonsfield is a luxury.

To beat the lack of swimming holes in the town, many residents are taking matters into their own hands by getting their own above ground pool. While more affordable, practical, and relatively safer than inground pools, owners should still practice due diligence in the maintenance and safety features of their pool.

Here then, are some safety tips above ground pool owners should know:

Use a fence
 

A fence around a pool may not be crucial, but adding at least a 4-foot tall enclosure around it can greatly improve safety. Be sure that the gates are self-latching and is equipped with permanent locking to help keep wandering toddlers out. Also, check with your local and state building codes as well to ensure the installation complies with the law.

Pool covers
 

When getting a pool cover, be sure it complies with the CPSC Standard ES13. Covers must have a positive tamper-proof loving retainer cable to keep it in place, and never let anyone, most especially small children, walk or play on top of the pool cover.

Electrical hazards
 

When something is wrong with your filter or other electrical equipment nearby, be sure to never handle it when your body or the ground is wet. To avoid any hazard, electrical power sources should be protected by a Class A (5 milliampere trip) Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) as stated in the National Electrical Code Section 680.

These, any many more safety tips and equipment can be gleaned from Ambassador Pools. If you are looking to improve the safety features of your above ground pool, be sure to contact the pool experts at Ambassador Pools – where above ground pool experts are ready and willing to help you any time with all your above ground pool needs.

Cleaning Your Above Ground Pool – Old Orchard Beach, ME

A census-designated place and town in York County, Maine, Old Orchard Beach is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan statistical area and has a population of about 9,000.

The town has a number of tourist-oriented businesses and its long stretch of beach is  lined with beach homes, condos, motels and more.

Summers in Old Orchard Beach can be hot and humid, and while the beach is a great place to cool off, the number of tourists can cause issues with privacy. This is why many residents have opted to get their own above ground pool to cool off in whenever they want, without having to deal with other people.

While easier to maintain than inground pools, above ground pools still require some TLC. Here is a checklist you can use whenever your above ground pool needs some cleaning:

1. When cleaning the pool, you can use a portable leaf skimmer to hep you
2. Be sure to clean the strainer baskets in the skimmer and pump
3. When cleaning the walls of your pool, the proper way to do so depends of the material. Be sure to consult your pool’s manufacturer
4. Your pool should be vacuumed at least once a week
5. Be sure to test the water as often as possible and add the proper chemicals as needed
6. Your pool’s deck (if you have one) should be clear of debris to avoid accidents

While this list if by no means comprehensive, it can be a good starting point for you. For more information about cleaning your pool and above ground pools in general, call Ambassador Pools today.

Test Kits and Balancing pH for Above Ground Pools – Ogunquit, ME

Literally meaning “beautiful place by the sea,” Ogunquit is a town in York County, Maine with a population of about 1,500. It is a summer resort place that’s part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metropolitan statistical area.

The climate in the area is classified as humid continental, meaning winters are cold, with summers being hot and often humid. As a resort town, you can safely assume that many residents like to cool off from the summer heat by swimming. However, not everyone has the time to go to the beach, with others not caring for salt water. These are the ones who have their own pools in their homes.

Being more practical and affordable than inground pools, above ground pools are the popular choice of many. But while easier to maintain, every once in awhile an above ground pool has to be tested and it’s pH level balanced.

Chlorine is added in a pool to protect it from algae and kill germs from living in it. It also keeps the water clean and clear. When using a test kit, be sure to get water from below the surface to get a more accurate reading, always at the same time of day.

When the water has been tested, refer to the chart in your testing kit to indicate your pool’s water pH balance. Ideally, the pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.6 Anything above 7.6 and deposits can form in the piping and pool surface.

If the level is lower, the water becomes acidic and it can damage the piping and pool surface. By keeping the pH level within the ideal range, you disinfect the pool properly while keeping any scales from forming, and prevent corrosion.

To find out more about test kits and your pool’s pH balance, call Ambassador Pools today. Not only the finest above ground pool providers in the area, Ambassador Pools can help you with all your pool-related problems.

Solutions for Eye And Skin Irritation in Above Ground Pools - Ocean Park, ME

An unincorporated community in York County, Maine, Ocean Park is also known as Temple Square or Chatauqua-By-The-Sea. It is an historic family-style summer community located in Temple Avenue on Saco Bay and was mainly constructed in the 1880s.

Being a seaside community, residents in the area love the water. Especially when the days get warm in summer, locals would rather take a swim to cool off than sit around in an air conditioned room. While the ocean may be close, many would rather take a dip in the privacy of their own home, which makes above ground pools especially popular.

More practical and affordable than inground pools, above ground pools tend to be a popular alternative choice for many would-be pool owners. However, like any other pool, there are times when eye and skin irritation occurs due to the chlorine.

High levels of chlorine are the chief cause for eye and skin irritation and the reasons may be because of too little free available chlorine or an incorrect pH balance. If this happens, you can do the following.

First, you can check the pH and alkalinity levels of the pool and adjust it accordingly. Or, you can shock the pool using shock treatment chemicals. When you shock the pool, you’ll have to check the pH and alkalinity again after a few hours and readjust. Take note that chlorine levels should be between the 1 – 4 ppm range.

Don’t let eye and skin irritation ruin your pool for you. If you need help in handling above ground pool problems, feel free to call Ambassador Pools. The leading provider of above ground pools, Ambassador Pools can also assist you with maintenance and offer solutions for common pool problems.

Dealing With Birds Around Your Above Ground Pool – Waterboro, ME

Waterboro is a town in York County, Maine with a population of about 7,693. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metropolitan statistical area and includes the North, South, and East districts.

Early Indian settlers called the place Massabesic, which means ‘place of much water’ because of the number of lakes in the region. As such, locals in the area are fond of swimming to cool off in the summer. Today, people are more busy than ever, thus traveling to the nearest swimming hole isn’t as feasible as it once was. Because of this, many install above ground pools in their homes to have easy access to a place they can cool off in, anytime.

While the maintenance of pools have lots of factors to consider, one of the more irritating issues a pool owner has to face are birds. Birds flying around tend to leave droppings everywhere, and that includes your pool’s water. And with the threat of bird flu, making sure your pool is free from any bird contaminants is all the more important. While chlorine can kill off most bacteria and are sufficient enough to handle bird droppings, sometimes it’s not enough.

Here are some things you can do to chase away birds.

You can install a dummy own with a movable head near your pool to chase away birds. Make sure you move the owl figure every couple of days to keep other birds from nesting in a particular area.

Old CDs can also be hung from trees and other outcroppings. The reflected light keeps birds away.

Toy rubber snakes can also be placed in the pool. It also doubles as a pool toy for kids.

You can also place a weaved grid of fishing line over the pool, but make sure it is out of reach of kids.

Finally, always cover your pool when it is not in use.

These are but a few solutions to keep birds away, and I’m sure you can come up a few yourself now that you get the idea. All it takes is a little creativity and trying to think like the birds do.

For more information about above ground pools and pool safety, check out Ambassador Pools today!

Fixing Your Above Ground Pool’s Algae Problem – North Berwick, ME

Named after the Berwick in England, North Berwick is a town in York County, Maine with a population of about 5,000. Part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metropolitan statistical area, North Berwick was first settled in 1693 and incorporated in 1831.

When summer in North Berwick hits, the days get hot enough to merit a swim in a pool. While public pools can be used, not everyone has the time nor money to travel all the way to a public pool to cool off. This is why above ground pools are rising in popularity. Being more affordable and easier to maintain than inground pools, it’s no surprise that a number of residents in North Berwick own, or are planning to own, an above ground pool of their own.

Despite being easier to maintain, above ground pools still require maintenance. This includes shock and algaecide to control the growth of algae. However, there are times when algae still finds its way to your pool. What do you do then?

To treat the algae in your pool, first adjust the pH to about 7.2 to 7.4. Then, you brush the pool walls thoroughly. Use a shock treatment solution, followed by an algae-treatment formula. You then run the filter for a day or two, all while frequently brushing and vacuuming.

If after the steps above, algae is still present, call Ambassador Pools. Aside from being the best above ground pool provider in the area, Ambassador Pools also have their own pool experts to help you maintain your pool.

If you want to know more about the chemicals used to keep your pool clean, or if you need help in its maintenance, call Ambassador Pools today.