Make Your Backyard

Along with owning a swimming pool comes maintenance. While most in-ground pools are solid and built to last for years, they will occasionally need repairs if you don’t properly care for them. If you see cracks beginning to form in your pool, you may wonder how significant the damages are. Let’s take a closer look at the types of fractures and what causes them to determine if you should be concerned about cracks in your pool.

Types of Pool Cracks

There are two common types of swimming pool cracks: surface and structural. They are usually easy to distinguish, but knowing the difference is crucial to preventing further damage or leaking.

Surface Cracks

Surface cracks are minor fractures that do not affect the strength or foundation of your pool. These cracks are thin, hairline fractures expanding horizontally or vertically along the pool walls. You can also spot them by slight, shallow chipping of the concrete or cracks that do not extend beyond the pool plaster. Other than an unappealing appearance, surface cracks are relatively harmless and not a cause for concern. However, it is essential to monitor them to ensure they do not expand.

Structural Cracks

Structural cracks are fractures that penetrate the concrete foundation of your pool. They are more prominent and damaging than surface cracks and should be concerning for pool owners. You can identify them by large vertical or horizontal cracks along the sides or bottom of the pool. They may also have water or rust and debris coming out of them. These cracks run through the concrete and any plaster coating or tile and can cause leaking if they are not repaired.

What Causes a Pool to Crack?

The causes of pool fractures vary based on the type of crack. For surface cracks, there is a wide variety of sources. They occur due to the natural expansion and shrinking of the concrete foundation due to weather, the concrete hardening process during installation, and other wear and tear.

Two common reasons structural cracks form are poor design, craftsmanship, and improper engineering. Builders ignoring construction plans or taking shortcuts when constructing a pool will often lead to premature cracking. Soil movement from poorly compacted, oversaturated, and shifting soil can also cause structural cracks. It is crucial to work with a trusted company when building your pool to avoid these problems.

How to Resolve Cracks in Swimming Pools

Regardless of the type of cracks in your pool, you should consider sealing, resurfacing, and repairing options. If you have a few surface cracks, you can often fix them at home with a pool repair kit. Structural fractures, however, require professional attention to mend. You will likely need to remodel your swimming pool if the cracks are causing leaks.

Renovate Your Tucson Pool Today

If you notice structural cracks in your pool, we can help you remodel it. Pools By Design is the only member of the Master Pools Guild in Tucson, and our team of experts is well-versed in pool building and renovating. Our designers, project coordinators, and crafters will work together to revitalize and repair your pool.

Contact us today to get started on the pool remodeling process.

A pool can take your backyard to the next level. It can become an ideal location to spend time with family, host a party, or simply relax. One of the best things about building a pool is that you can create it with your specific needs and desires in mind. At Pools By Design, we build truly custom pools.

Here’s how we customize our clients’ pools:

Design Consultation

During an initial consultation, one of our designers will work with you to get an idea of exactly what you want from your pool. We’ll ask questions to help guide the process.

Some topics we may address include:

• How many people will regularly use your pool, and what are their ages and swimming ability
• How do you envision using your dream pool?
• What is your preferred aesthetic – modern, traditional, minimalist, et cetera?
• What does your backyard currently look like and how do you use it? How would you like to use it differently?

Elements Of Custom Pools

There are various elements we consider to build a custom pool, based on the information we gather during your consultation and throughout the building process.

These include:

A Cohesive Aesthetic

Your pool should complement the look and feel of your home. This doesn’t mean you’re locked into a pool that exactly matches the style of your backyard currently, but it does mean you should consider your home’s architecture. A very traditional pool might look out of place with a contemporary home, for example. We remain flexible during the process and consider your preferences.

Optimized Functionality

A well-built pool is not only gorgeous but also functions seamlessly. To be truly custom, it should fit the purpose you have in mind. A pool for a family with young kids or grandkids will likely differ from a pool for someone who loves hosting parties and doesn’t have kids swimming often.

Features You’ll Love

Adding features to your pool makes it stand out and helps you customize it even further. For example, we can add fountains, waterfalls, grottos, and even swim-up bars. Outside of the pool itself, we can add fire pits, BBQ islands, and full outdoor kitchens for our clients. We can turn your dream backyard into reality and pay close attention to every detail.

Ready To Get Started?

It takes time to create a truly custom luxury pool, but it’s worth the wait. Getting started sooner means you can start swimming sooner as well. The Pools By Design team will help you every step of the way and will listen to what you want and need from your pool design. Then, our experts will construct a gorgeous and functional pool that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.

To start the pool design process, contact us today.

As the weather starts to cool down in the fall and winter, your pool will likely see less use, even in sunny Tucson. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your pool in cold weather. There are many creative ways to get the most out of your backyard oasis year-round.

Here are some ways you can enjoy your pool as it cools down:

1. Spend Time In Your Spa

A pool and spa combination gives you the flexibility to enjoy your outdoor living area throughout the year. You can jump in your hot tub as it gets colder and spend valuable time relaxing with family and friends, or just by yourself. Features like light-emitting diode (LED) lights can enhance your spa experience.

2. Take A Cold Plunge

Going for a swim in cold water has many potential health benefits and can give you a jolt of energy. You likely won’t want to lounge in the pool the same way you would in the hotter months, but you can still go for a quick swim in cold weather.

If you do this, make sure you are in good health and don’t push yourself too hard. Tucson is lucky enough to not typically get freezing temperatures, but you still should be cautious of swimming in the coldest stretch of the year. Fall and early winter are better times for this.

3. Sit Around A Fire Pit

A fire pit makes a great addition to your outdoor living area. The flames will keep you warm and the area can be used on cool summer nights and during colder months of the year. You can also enjoy campfire-style cooking and snacks from the comfort of your own home (s’mores, anyone?).

4. Consider A Pool Heater

Many Arizona pool owners will assume they don’t need a heater, but it may be beneficial depending on your needs. A heater can extend your swimming season and even during the summer, it can keep your pool’s temperature more consistent, especially at night.

Keep in mind that even with a heater, the air temperature still has an impact on how comfortable you’ll feel swimming. The heater will also have to do more work in colder temperatures. This means you may not want to be swimming in the middle of winter, but you can definitely try it in the fall or early winter.

Gorgeous And Functional Pools

Even if you aren’t actively using your pool during the coldest time of the year, it still improves the aesthetics of your home and you’ll know you can look forward to the summer. At Pools By Design, our pools excel in both form and function. We consider every element, from the big-picture design to the smallest designs, to create a truly unique custom pool. Even if winter isn’t the ideal time for swimming, it is often the best time to get started on construction.

To learn more about building a pool in Tucson, contact us today.