Will Adding a Pool Increase the Value of My Home?

If you are considering adding a pool to your backyard this year, then you are likely wanting to know more about all of the benefits that it's going to provide for you, your family, and your property. Needless to say, when it comes to you and your family, the #1 benefit that it's going to provide is a place to cool off on a hot summer day - all from the comfort of your own home. 

When it comes to what benefits the above ground pool is going to add to your backyard and property, there are a few things to consider. First of all, how big is the pool going to be that you are getting installed? What will it be made out of? And finally, if you are thinking about moving within the next year or two, are you going to be leaving the pool on the property? 

The answer to the last question is likely the most important thing to think about. If you aren't going to leave the pool in the yard and you plan on taking it with you, then no, the pool is not going to increase the value of your home if you are thinking about selling it. However, if you are planning on leaving the pool on the property, then it may increase its resale value - it likely will not be as much as you paid for the pool, but it should be a considerable amount.

Selling Your Home With the Pool

If you are going to leave the pool on the property, it will be in your best interest to be sure that you are properly maintaining it throughout the year so that you can be getting the most for your investment. 

Be sure that you have a cover installed to keep ice, snow, and bugs out. Also, be sure to maintain your pool's liner and check it often for cracks, rips, and tears. It will be important for you to regularly replace these items and other pool accessories as needed.

More Information

To learn more about purchasing an above ground pool for your home, or if you have any other questions about your swimming pool, please give Ambassador Pools a call today, or visit our website for additional information that may help to answer your questions.

We serve the entire New England area, including Massachusetts and Hudson Valley, NY.

How to Deal With Ice Damage To Your Above Ground Pool This Winter

This winter has just started and it is already proving to be incredibly cold with brutal temperatures, record-breaking snowfall totals, and freezing rain and sleet galore. If you are the proud owner of an above ground pool, then you likely have done all that you can to get it prepared for the cold months ahead.

However, sometimes even with the best care and attention, these pools can get damaged. Under the weight of heavy snow and ice, pool liners can rip and tear, and walls can become dented or even start to actually fall apart.

Ice in the Water

When water in your pool builds up and turns to ice, it expands nearly 9%. This puts an extensive amount of pressure on the pool walls and cause them to expand outward. This can easily be prevented with the use of a specialized air pillow beneath a tightly-secured pool cover. It is important to protect against this problem since the ice can ruin your liner and scrape down the sides of the pool's wall.

Damage From Snow

A foot of snow on top of an average-sized above ground pool can weigh in excess of 7,000 pounds. And add to that more ice and snow, and the weight just continues to go up and up all winter long. Eventually, the walls of your pool won't be able to support the weight or pressure. This is when the walls start to buckle beneath the weight, and this will typically happen at the weakest point - usually where the skimmer and return are located.

Taking Care of Repairs

If your above ground pool has been severely damaged this winter, it will be important for you to properly take care of the problem(s) before spring returns. To repair walls, you can make use of continuous rolls of sheet metal that are often sold at your local home improvement store. Be sure that you are using a stainless steel metal. If the walls are bent or buckled, they can be taken care of and put back into place with the use of a 2x4 and a hammer or mallet. Lower the water in your pool to below the damaged area. Then, hold the wood inside of the pool and hit it from the outside with your hammer. This will help to flatten the wall and remove creases.

Preventing Damage

Be sure that you make use of an air pillow below your pool cover. You should also make sure that you are on the look-out for any leaks that may pop up during the winter months. Taking care of them NOW will prevent a lot of damage and headaches in the spring. Remove sno and build-up of ice from the top of the pool, but be careful.

All About Fiberglass Swimming Pools

In recent years, there has been a boom in the swimming pool industry when it comes to building with a fiberglass frame. After all, this is a material that is known for its strength, durability, and longevity. This type of pool variety is designed to be used either partially in the ground (up to 18 inches) or completely in the ground. If a homeowner is interested in having a fully on-ground fiberglass pool installed, it will need extensive backfill material used to keep it supported and in place.

Reasons Why Homeowners Want This Type of Pool Installed

1. They think it will be less expensive. Just because a pool is built partially out of the ground, it doesn't mean that you will be saving any money. The only savings you will receive will be in the form of less backfill material being used if the pool is built partially in the ground or completely in the ground. However, these savings are typically offset by the fact that a framed deck will need to be added. The cost of a deck will depend on what material it is made out of (i.e. wood or concrete), and how much excavation is going to be required.

2. The homeowner wants their pool to be built about the flood plain in their yard. When you have a fiberglass pool elevated above the ground, it can naturally help to prevent flooding into the pool if it is installed in a low-lying area of the lawn. Generally speaking, to prevent this problem entirely, it will just be best to install the pool in an area that isn't prone to flooding. This will prevent a lot of unnecessary damage and headaches further on down the road.

3. The homeowner wants to have a level pool deck coming off of a higher level on the home. If you want the pool to be above 18 inches on the ground so that it can be attached to a deck or patio that you have coming off of the second story of your home, then it must be custom-built from the manufacturer, and it also must be supported by an additional retaining wall.

4. The pool is going to be built on a hillside and the homeowner wants the hill to be left exposed on the side. This is a great idea if the pool is no more than 18 inches above the ground. If it is any higher than this or lower than this, there can be issues with erosion of the backfill soil or of the hill itself over time.

Getting Your Own Pool: What's Next?

Fiberglass pools are just one variety that is available to area homeowners. It is important to understand that there are many styles that you can choose from, and it will be best for you to speak with a pool professional so that you can make an educated buying decision for your home's unique needs, and for your spending budget. 

For more information, please feel free to contact us here at Ambassador Pools today. We service the New England area, including Massachusetts. Boston, Newton, Leominster, Northampton, Amherst, Greenfield, Lowell, Woburn, Quincy, Brockton, Franklin, and more.

Above Ground Pools vs In-Ground Pools

Sure, the weather outside right now isn't making you think about taking a dip in a brand new pool, but once the dog days of summer get here, you and the family are going to want a place to cool off. What better way to do so than from the comfort of your own backyard with a swimming pool? 

Ambassador Pools is a leading above ground pool provider in the New England area, including in Massachusetts where they are headquartered. We wanted to give you a few points to think about when it comes to making a pool purchase. Should you go with in-ground or above ground? What is the best value? What makes the most sense for your family's needs? Read on to learn more.

COST

This is likely the first thing that you want to know about. How much is it going to cost? Generally speaking, an in-ground pool, regardless of whether it is vinyl, concrete, or fiberglass is going to cost around $30-70,000. This is a wide range, definitely, but it is a true estimate of how much the job is going to cost you. 

You may have seen popular TV commercials or kits sold at your local home improvement store that say that you can have an in-ground pool installed for less than $15,000. This is nowhere close to being accurate. Sure, maybe the cost of labor will be this much, but this total does not include: the shell of the pool, the excavation and ground leveling work that will be needed, the pool deck that will need to be added around the water, the accessories you want, lighting, electrical hookup, and the fence that will be required around the pool if you live in an area where it's in the city code.

When purchasing an above ground pool, the costs are much less. You can get the entire pool set up, pool deck and accessories included, for MUCH less than $30,000! This is good news for any homeowner working with a budget, which let's face it, that's all of us! Also, when you get an above ground swimming pool installed, you won't need to worry about getting a special fence installed, and you won't have to pay any yearly taxes on it as is the case with the in-ground variety. 

MAINTENANCE

When comparing the two types of pools, in-ground pools require a lot of chemicals to be sure that the water stays clean and healthy for your family to swim in. Also, if there is a crack in the walls or floor of the pool, it can be difficult (and expensive) to have repaired, especially if the shell is made from concrete. With an above ground pool from Ambassador Pools, you get a practically maintenance-free pool. That is just how they are designed! It is recommended that you make sure that the filter is kept clean, and be sure that you also skim across the top of the water to remove any leaves, twigs, seed pods, or so on which may have gotten into the water between uses.

SIZE

Both types of pools are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. However, with above ground pools from us, you have the ability to get a versatile rectangular pool installed which will fit perfectly in the space allotted for it in your backyard. These pools are great for swimming laps and getting your exercise. They are also perfect for all types of water sports and games, including water volleyball.

LONGEVITY

Typically speaking, the average above ground pool will last for around 15 years with proper care and upkeep. The liner in the pool will last for about 5-9 years before it is going to need to be replaced. An in-ground pool's lifespan will vary depending on what type of material the shell is made out of. For most fiberglass pools, they should last for about 20 years. Vinyl pools will last for about that long, as well, but their liners will need to be replaced often. And concrete pools will last for a long time, but they are the most difficult to maintain because they can easily crack and chip.

CONCLUSION

As you can easily see, an above ground pool is a great choice if you are a family in New England wanting to get a swimming pool for your family for the upcoming spring and summer months. For more information, or to schedule a consultation in your home, please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-798-6039. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Creating Your Own Backyard Oasis

While many people probably aren't thinking about cooling off with these chilly temperatures and snowfall totals. However, there is no better time than now to start thinking about next spring and summer and how you can turn your backyard into a hot spot - not literally, of course! 

Adding an above ground pool to your backyard is a great way to keep cool during those scorching hot summer days. Also, it's a great way to get exercise and fresh air. It will also keep your kids entertained when they are out of school on vacation, and this will certainly keep them out of your hair and keep you from hearing, "We're bored!" numerous times a day, everyday.

Pool Styles and Designs 

So, what pool styles and designs are available to you? When you choose to use Ambassador Pools as your pool installer, you have many different options. We work with what is known as an above ground pool. This means that the pool isn't installed in the ground, and you won't have to wait around for weeks or months for the project to be finished! Another great benefit of having an on-ground pool installed versus an inground one is that you won't have to pay any special taxes on your above ground style - and you won't have to get a special fence installed around it, unless of course, you want to have one installed.

Above Ground Pool Cost

It is MUCH more affordable to get an above ground pool installed. An inground style could cost upwards of $60,000 when all is said and done. So, needless to say, it is going to cost you A LOT less to get this style installed at your home! We are known for being affordable, and our pools are even maintenance-free! 

The cost of labor is included in the price of your pool, and typically speaking, an above ground pool can be installed in just a few days.

Contact Us for a Consultation

So what are you waiting for? Call us now at 1-800-798-6039 to learn more about getting an above ground pool installed in your backyard to turn it into the paradise you have always wanted!

How Much Do Above Ground Swimming Pools Cost for Massachusetts Homeowners?

One of the very first things that comes to mind when MA homeowners are considering buying a pool is,"how much is it going to cost?" We are a budget-conscious society these days, and we want to be sure that we are getting the best bang for our buck. There are many articles out there on the Web that will give EXACT numbers as far as cost as going to go, but we feel that this is inappropriate and there is no way it can be accurate.

For example, we sell different-sized swimming pools. The amount of labor needed to get your specific model is going to vary based on what the lawn is like - i.e., is any sloping or terrain work going to be required? Also, we offer a variety of accessories and add-ons, including pool decks that are not often included in the price of the above ground pool itself. This is why we feel that your best bet for getting an ACCURATE estimate is to call us for a consultation. The only thing that we can say for sure is that the price is going to be far less than having an inground pool installed! It is also going to take much less time to get one of our on-ground pools set up.

So, if you are thinking about getting an above ground pool installed in your MA home for your family to enjoy next summer, don't go by the pricing you see on the Web alone. Also, don't count on the price of the pool "kits" at the store to be anywhere near what the real thing is going to cost. Again, if you want a real and precise estimate for the cost of the pool as well as for the labor that is going to be required for the installation, you are going to need to give us a call for an estimate and consultation. Our number is 1-800-798-6039. 

We service all of MA, including: Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Cambridge, New Bedford, Brockton, Quincy, Lynn, Fall River, and Newton.

It may be winter, but there is no better time than now to start planning for next spring and summer! Get your above ground pool plans in the works now so that you and your family can be ready to enjoy the cool waters when the temps get hot outside!

Winterizing Your Above Ground Pool

Winterizing Your Above Ground Pool

The temperatures are dropping, holiday decorations are going up, and some locations in the area have already reported snow this season. Now is the perfect time to winterize your above ground pool to prevent costly damage during the next few months when you won't be using it.

Properly winterizing your pool will help to prevent damage to the pool itself, as well as to the equipment used to keep it clean, including the filter and pump.

Follow the steps below to winterize your pool:

1. Drain water from the pool, filter, and pump - never completely drain out ALL of the water - you should leave about 1 foot of water in the base of the pool.
2. Place a plug in the return hole.
3. Remove hoses.
4. Add algaecide.
5. Install a cover and routinely check it each week to be sure that there isn't rain water, ice, or snow building up on top of it.

Closing the Pool for the Season

When closing the pool, you will need to first drain the water (to about 1 foot in height) and then remove the hose clamps. This can typically be done with a 5/16 socket on a cordless drill, or a medium flat head screwdriver may work for you, as well. To remove the pump plug, you may need a pair of pliers or any of the above tools.

Next, you will need to thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the pool. Be sure that you remove any build-up of algae from the sides. Leaving this sit all winter long is going to cause a lot of damage, and you may need to replace parts next spring when you go to open your pool again. During this time, you should also check for tears in the pool liner that will need to be taken care of.

Winterizing Above Ground Pool Filters

You will also need to winterize your filter. If you have a sand filter, it's the easiest to deal with. Pull the drain plug and place the multi-way position valve between the two settings. If you have an earth or cartridge filter, they will need to be taken apart and cleaned. When putting the filter back together, be sure to moisten the o-rings.

Pool Cover

You will need to make sure that you have a solid cover in place to prevent dirt and debris from getting inside during the off-season. Once your cover is in place, be sure to secure it to the pool with cables through the eyelets. You should also get a cover for the pump.

If you have any questions about winterizing your above ground pool this season, please give us a call at 800-798-6039 and we will be more than happy to address any questions or concerns that you may have.