Water Feature Ideas to Add to Your Pool (Part 2)

Summer is almost here, the weather is getting warmer, and it’s almost time for backyard barbeques and pool parties. The first thing people probably notice when they walk into your backyard, is your pool or water feature. So why not make it even more beautiful to look at? We want to give you some great suggestions that we know you’ll love, for some low-hassle/low maintenance pool upgrades so that you can spice up your summer fun this year.

What do we love? Deck Jet II. Deck Jet II Water Effects will enhance your pool in multiple ways; An inexpensive alternative to adding an expensive-looking water feature to your pool. Adding, peaceful sounds and mesmerizing sights, not only are they economically-friendly, but one of the best parts they are easy to operate and maintain. These magical little devices add so much to your backyard, to your eyes and to your ears.
Let’s take a look at some of the product’s features:

  • With an adjustable height of up to a maximum of 6 feet, you can be in charge of sound and visual outcomes.
  • You’re the designer, with an adjustable water direction, up to 360º. The nozzles are easy to adjust, and you get to choose the water patterns; From overlapping the streams with multiple height adjustments, to creating archways, to keeping it simple and symmetrical… but don’t be afraid to put on a water show.
  • The high-quality design incorporates low-water-flow requirements, and keeps you from having to worry about any standing water, etc.
  • The final installment will keep you happy, with no unwanted or hazardous edges and screws.

Moving on, what else do we absolutely love? Magicstream Laminars. What do they do? With the creation of synced-arcs of streaming water that solidly flow crystal-clear at day, and sparkle luminously with vibrant color at night, Magicstream Laminars add beautiful sights and sounds to your pool. These amazing devices even sync with your IntelliBrite 5G pool/spa light, and (or) the GoBrite Light. With these incredible water-feature accessories, you might even mistake your backyard pool for the fountain at the Bellagio hotel.
Let’s take a look at some of this product’s features:

  • The streams flow seamlessly into your pool, spa, or other water feature while reaching a height of up to 7ft., and projecting outward at up to 8 ft.
  • With the energy-efficient LED lights, you’ll have almost too-many color options to choose from.
  • For the night-time lighting effects, you have a choice of one steady color stream, or an array of colors with the color scrolling option.
  • The final installment will be secured so that the device is concealed into your deck or other surface with no unwanted or hazardous edges.
  • Get creative! With the ability to adjust the water streams vertically from 62º to 75º to create various heights and arc shapes, and the ability to adjust the water streams in left and right directions up to 60º in total, you get to be the designer.
  • For even sleeker concealment, match your pool deck or other installation surface with laminar deck lids that are available in tan, black, and gray.
  • With the LED laminars, you’ll receive 100 ft. of electrical cable that will enable you to easily connect a 120/120VAC-100W pool-lighting transformer for power.
  • With aesthetics in mind, the MagicStream Laminars are designed to keep a smooth and steady stream by removing any turbulence or air bubbles from the water before it is projected through the deftly-assembled nozzle.
  • You will receive your MagicStream Laminars fully-assembled and ready to install.

We know these amazing water features will bring, beauty, fun, elegance, and ambience to your pool or water display. If you love these ideas as much as we do, here at Mid City Custom Pools we are here to help. So, if you’re ready for summer and looking for some new backyard water features in Colleyville, innovative pool features in Southlake, or the surrounding areas,  contact us today.

Soil Treatment On New Pool Construction

It’s rainy season here in North Texas, and so it’s a great time to discuss the impact of heavy rain on our soil. Soil in North Texas is notoriously challenging to work with, and in fact is one of the most expensive types of soil to manage in the United States.

The clay soil swells up like a sponge when exposed to heavy rain, and then shrinks down like a raisin during the dry season. These dramatic shifts in soil saturation can have a negative impact on any type of construction project, including pools, decks, outdoor living installations, and more.

We Are Experts at Building in North Texas

Few pool construction companies have the experience in North Texas that Mid-City Custom Pools does. Through our many years of experience building custom pools in North Texas, we’ve developed a unique process to manage the challenging soil conditions and ensure that your pool lasts through many years of Texas heat and rain.

Before and during your pool construction project, we treat the soil with an organic compound that maintains the plasticity index of that soil, within an inch. This is a proactive solution to the problem of expanding and shrinking soil that will help prevent problems before they happen.

Treating Soil Will Save You Money

Applying our soil treatment before you build is absolutely the most cost-effective solution to soil instability. Failing to apply such treatment during the construction process could result in very costly repair projects, and most likely, you’ll have to treat the soil during the repair anyway! We always strongly encourage our customers to be proactive and not reactive, to save money and headaches in the future.

There’s a reason the foundation industry in Texas is a multi-billion dollar market. There is absolutely no warranty for ground movement in the state of Texas, especially in North Texas. If your home, pool, deck, or anything else experiences a failure due to soil conditions, you will have to pay out of pocket for the repair. By treating the soil before you build, your project will be on solid ground for a long time to come.

Our Soil Treatment is Guaranteed

Our soil treatment on your pool or decking comes with a 5-year money back guarantee. However, truthfully in our 10+ years of experience applying this treatment to pool construction projects in North Texas, we have not had a single failure. The product works 100% of the time!

If you’re interested in building a new pool in North Texas, you should choose a professional firm that has deep experience in the area. Here at Mid City Custom Pools, our experts have been designing and building some of Texas’ most beautiful outdoor pools since 1973. Contact us today for a free consultation. 

Choosing an Interior for Your Pool or Spa

The beauty of designing a new pool or spa is that you get to build exactly what you want, with every detail matching your imagination. Here at Mid-City Custom Pools, we aim to make your dream pool a reality. However, when making choices about your new pool or spa, it’s important to be informed and make educated decisions.

One important choice you’ll make with your pool or spa is choosing the interior finish. We offer 3 choices, each with unique benefits and drawbacks. Review the points below, and make a decision that works best for you. 

  • White Plaster. This is the least expensive interior finish to install. The white plaster finish has been used in pools for decades, and is common throughout the industry. Unfortunately, the major drawback of white plaster is that it does not maintain a clean white color for long, and over time starts to look unattractive. This is just a natural consequence of the color and material. Warranties for white plaster finishes are short, and will not cover discoloration.
  • Quartz. Quartz is a middle-priced option, which has the benefit of being very attractive when initially installed. A quartz finish can help to create a beautiful water color. However, Quartz is very difficult to maintain. You must carefully balance water chemistry at all times when using a quartz finish. The product will roughen over time, and is covered by a 5-year warranty.
  • Pebble. Our most popular finish is pebble. The main reason for this is that unlike the other interior choices, a pebble finish is very durable and will not degrade in appearance or function over time. Although pebble is the most expensive finish option initially, it will last much longer than other finishes – in fact, pebble finish is considered a lifetime product. Pebble also offers a wonderful natural appearance for the water, and will not change in texture over time. We offer a 15-year warranty on pebble finish, much longer than other options.

If you’re starting the new pool design process, we hope you’ll consider these options carefully and make an informed decision. To learn more about the pool design and building process, please contact Mid City Custom Pools today.

Owning a Swimming Pool Can Change Your Life – Literally

Here at Mid-City Custom Pools, we take pride in each and every pool construction project we complete. We love building because we believe that owning a pool is one of the most powerful ways you can improve your home life.

How can a swimming pool change your life, and your family’s life, for the better? It’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about how the pool lifestyle makes families closer, healthier, and happier. Read on to learn more…

  • Create family time. During a hot summer day, there’s nowhere your kids would rather be than enjoying themselves in your pool. Even with all the digital distractions faced by kids today, a swimming pool is still their first choice. Your whole family will come together for summer pool time, in a way that vacations and other planned events just can’t replicate. There’s no better way to create fun family time for everyone than a beautiful inground pool.
  • Fitness for the Whole Family. Everyone knows that staying fit and healthy is important, but most people find it challenging to get to the gym, and most people don’t enjoy hours of dull treadmilling. A pool is an amazing way to get fit while having fun, all in the comfort of your own backyard. The fitness benefits aren’t just for mom and dad either. Playing outside in the pool is a great way to help keep your kids healthy and avoid the many health conditions that can result from too much indoor screen time.
  • Meeting the Community. Once you’ve built a beautiful custom pool, don’t be surprised if friends and neighbors start inviting themselves over! Owning a new pool is a fantastic way to reignite local relationships, meet your children’s friends, connect with neighbors, and more. In today’s society, many communities have become sadly isolated, with people not knowing their neighbors and not being involved in local issues. We’ve had many clients tell us that a surprising benefit of pool ownership was starting new friendships and feeling more connected to the community.
  • Stress Relief and Mental Health. Families today are stressed. People are busy, have many obligations, and often we don’t make sufficient time to relax and attend to our mental and spiritual needs. We’ve heard from our clients over and over again that swimming has proven to be an effective way to lessen stress and take some time to relax. Some people like to do laps alone to get some quiet time, others find family fun most relaxing. Whatever your preference, a pool is a surefire way to improve your mental wellbeing.
  • Save Money and Time on Staycation. These days with all the hassles and fears associated with travel, more and more Americans are choosing to spend their vacation time at home. Well, it’s no secret that perhaps the best part to your family’s staycation is your beautiful new pool! When you consider the cost of a family vacation, and how short such vacations often seem, you’ll see how building a pool actually saves money on travel costs, not to mention all the hassles of travel as well.

These are just a few examples of the many benefits of pool ownership that we’ve experienced through the years. If you’re thinking of improving your life with a custom pool of your own, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’ll give you a completely free consultation to help you understand your options, costs, and how best to move forward in creating your dream pool.

Water Feature Ideas to Add to Your Pool (Part 1)

With spring in full swing and summer quickly approaching, there is no better time than the present to start thinking about how you can take your home swimming pool to the next level. Having a pool in your backyard is crucial when it comes to surviving the hot Texas summers. While many people stick to the basics, others prefer to “go big”. Water features are one of the best ways to enhance the overall feel of your pool, and in turn, backyard. Not only are there many different water features to choose from, but there is just something about the soothing sound of water that makes people feel good.

If you are looking to customize your pool in a stylish and meaningful way, it may be time to start thinking about adding a water feature. From trickling streams to light-up waterfalls, there are many different options out there for you. Regardless of which direction you go in, a water feature can add both ambiance and functionality. For many homeowners, making the decision to have a home swimming pool installed is a big one. In most cases, a swimming pool is not something you will change year after year, so you want to make sure you do everything right. Whether you want to enhance your current swimming pool by adding a water feature or are laying out plans for a new custom pool, it’s a good idea to understand what your options are when it comes to water features:

  • Pentair Magic Falls – This is a clean water feature, which means it is super easy to maintain and is one of the most classic water features out there. This type of water feature is more in line with current pool trends, so it’s recommended to go away from rock water falls (mainly because of the maintenance involved). By adding a Pentair Magic Falls water feature to your pool, you are adding ambiance and value to your project, and overall home
  • Color Vision LED Bubbles with GloBrite Light – This is a wonderful way to light up a tanning ledge or shallow bench, as you get the ambiance and functionality of a bubbler, along with the visual effect of an LED light. This is basically a mini version of the famous Las Vegas Bellagio fountain in your very own backyard!

Both of these unique water features will add a little extra something to your backyard living space, which is the point of a pool, right? We know how difficult it can be to figure out which direction to go in when adding features to your pool, which is why we wanted to start small with the Magic Falls and LED Bubbles with GloBrite Light. Later this month we will discuss a few more popular water feature options, allowing you to choose which is best for your home. Here at Mid City Custom Pools, we believe in providing our clients with the information they need in order to make a decision that not only fits their budget, but their overall taste and design aesthetics. To learn more about our water features or to schedule a consultation with us today, please contact Mid City Custom Pools.

Why This is the Perfect Time to Invest in a Pool

As the temperature begins to warm up and we begin to dust off the cobwebs from winter, it may be time to think about investing in a swimming pool. Whether you have lived in Texas your entire life or are a recent transplant, chances are you know how hot things can get in the summer. Not only is there heat, but humidity, too. Just thinking about the hot summer that is to come makes us want to jump into a clear, cool pool! While many people go to the local neighborhood swimming pool and water parks during the summer, a better option may be to invest in your own custom swimming pool. Not only will this allow you to skip the crowds that come with public swimming pools, but it means you can go for a quick dip or swim laps whenever the mood strikes you.

With the Texas summer months fast-approaching, taking the leap and moving forward now on your swimming pool purchase is key to be able to enjoy the cool waters during the hottest days of the year. If you aren’t sure whether or not now is the right time to invest in a pool, we encourage you to sit down and weigh your options. Think about your lifestyle, your budget, and write down the pros and cons from your side of things. Chances are you will find far more things in the ‘pro’ column than ‘con’! For many homeowners, money is the biggest deterrent when considering a swimming pool. However, people often don’t realize that there are many different options when it comes to investing in a swimming pool. Sure, you can go big and have a huge luxury pool installed, but if that simply isn’t in your budget, it doesn’t mean you should throw this dream out the window.

A Worthwhile Long-Term Investment

When it comes to whether or not you should have a home pool installed, it’s important to weigh the options of installation and maintenance against the actual value of the pool. While it may seem like you are shelling out a lot of money upfront (depending on which route you go), it’s safe to say that the pool will pay for itself over the years. Not only will you and your family, friends, and neighbors be able to enjoy the pool for many years to come, but you will save all the money spent going to water parks, public swimming pools, and other neighborhood pools. It may not seem like a lot, but this will add up over the years.

Furthermore, a home swimming pool will provide you with an entertaining space for friends and visitors and a free place to exercise throughout the hot summer months when the last place you want to be is sweating in the gym! A customized swimming pool means you can create an amazing outdoor living space in the privacy of your own yard, equipped with an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, cabana, and plenty of space for relaxing. Not convinced yet? The pool experts at Mid City Custom Pools are here to answer any and all questions you may have regarding investing in a swimming pool. We know this is not a decision that anyone makes lightly, which is why we are here to ensure you understand what a great value you will be bringing to your home. Give us a call before the temperatures become unbearable – we will have you swimming in no time!

How to Combine Features and Make a Splash with Your Pool

One of the best – and most effective – ways to take your home swimming pool to the next level is introducing new features. There are tons of options on the market today, from LED lighting and water features to stone pavers and solar lights. Depending on your budget and overall intention, you are sure to find a few different features that speak to your needs and will get the job done.

Having a custom home swimming pool installed in your backyard will make the hot Texas summer much more bearable. As we have discussed in the past, there are many different options out there when it comes to your home swimming pool – from the shape and outdoor living space structures you choose to the features you include with your pool. Taking your time and doing your research when deciding on which pool features will be best is important, as these are the elements that will enhance your space and provide you with years of relaxation and enjoyment. There is something special about combining different amenities for your pool, as it will truly allow you to customize your space and create an environment that is specifically tailored to your needs. Mid City Custom Pools offers a wide variety of amenities and features for your pool, including the following:

  • Lighting – This is perhaps the most inexpensive and effective ways to make a splash with your product. We offer a wide range of lighting options, including LED Lit Bubblers and Low Voltage Pool Lights. These two options, specifically, will sync together and change colors, adding a mesmerizing and relaxing element to your pool. There are numerous options when it comes to using these two lighting features together, including having the colors change randomly or syncing them up together. For example, you can do red, white, and blue lights for the Fourth of July, or just orange for Halloween, or even red and green during the holiday season. Combining lighting is an inexpensive way to make your pool come alive, and it gives you creative freedom to change things up as you wish!
  • Outdoor Living – Another great way to combine a couple different features to really take things to the next level is by integrating your outdoor living space with your pool. This can be done seamlessly by adding a swim-up bar that is designed specifically for your pool and backyard space. Swim-up bars are a wonderful way to tie your swim guests and outdoor guests together, allowing everyone to mingle together. Swim-up bars are a favorite option amongst many Texas homeowners, as they add an element of luxury while still being useful. Other options for combining outdoor living with your pool includes the patio furniture and layout you settle on. You can easily transform your backyard to your own personal lounging space with cabanas, outdoor kitchen, fireplace, and comfortable couches and chairs that all work together to make your guests feel right at home.

If you have any questions about the features mentioned above or would like to learn more about the amenities offered by Mid City Custom Pools, please do not hesitate to contact us today. We are here to make sure you end up with a home swimming pool and outdoor living space that you love and that perfectly represents your lifestyle. Contact us and schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Irving pool design techs today!

Tips for Getting Your Pool Ready for Swim Season

Spring is in the air, which means many homeowners are just itching to get their pool ready for the season. While many people in Texas are able to use their pool year-round, this isn’t the case for everybody. As you likely know, making sure you winterize your pool is a critical step in maintaining it for many years to come. Along these same lines, there are a few important steps that must be taken in order to make sure your pool is ready to begin the season. We highly recommend taking your time, doing your research, and asking any questions you may have when getting your pool ready for swim season. This will go a long way in ensuring your pool is safe and ready to be enjoyed by your friends, family, neighbors, and all other loved ones.

We understand how exciting it is that pool season is right around the corner, but we want to make sure you have all your ducks in a row before uncovering your pool and jumping right in. Swimming pools require maintenance and upkeep in order to ensure they don’t have any issues as time goes on. If not properly cared for, they could cause their owner costly repairs. With that in mind, let’s go over some of our favorite tips to help you get your pool ready for swim season this spring:

  • Check the sealer. One of the first things you should do when preparing your pool for swim season is check the sealer. It is imperative the stone sealer is working effectively and did not sustain any damage during off season. If the water in your pool is not working up onto the stone of the pool, then it may be time to reseal. This is a common issue many pool owners run into during the spring, as sealers often succumb to environmental factors like rain, sleet, and even snow. Thankfully, this is an easy fix when you get your pool from Mid City Custom Pools. We are one of the only builders in the Metroplex that seals their stone, which is a huge advantage for homeowners who are looking for easy upkeep. If it is time to reseal, please do not hesitate to give Mid City a call.
  • Check your water chemistry. Yet another step that must be taken in order to get a home swimming pool ready for the season is to check the water chemistry. This includes checking the stabilizer, pH levels, and chlorine levels. If one or more of these components is off even the slightest bit, it could lead to far more serious issues with your pool. This is why we encourage you to check your water chemistry and these levels right before swim season and throughout the year.
  • Clean your filter Who doesn’t love a little spring cleaning, are we right? This year when you are going through your closets and getting rid of any unnecessary clutter, consider cleaning your pool filter, too. While it may not be as rewarding as donating a bunch of old clothes, it will go a long way in keeping your pool clean and in great condition for many years to come. When you are cleaning out the filter, you may also want to check the salt cell (if you have saltwater pool) and make sure it doesn’t need to be replaced or serviced.

We hope you now have a better idea of what needs to be done in order to get your pool ready for swim season. If you have any questions or discovered your pool is in need of a few repairs before spring, please do not hesitate to give Mid City Custom Pools a call today.

Outdoor Living Space Building Ideas (Part 2)

A few weeks back we discussed some of our top outdoor living building ideas, which included cabanas, pavilions, patio covers, and the Equinox Louvred Roof System. All of these outdoor structures can go a long way in enhancing your Texas backyard, as they will encourage you to spend time in your beautiful space year-round. In addition to these building structures, there are a host of other great options that are worth looking into when thinking about adding a little extra something to your backyard space.

Your backyard should be a sanctuary – an extension of the rest of your home that is both welcoming and luxurious. These days there are numerous ways to do this, allowing you to not only enhance the overall environment of your home, but its value, too. Whether you have a growing family or simply love to entertain and spend as much time outdoors as possible, it may be time to consider upgrading your living area and transforming it into something you will be able to enjoy for many years to come. Since we have already discussed some of the top building structures that may add value and aesthetics to your yard, let’s look at a few additional options for outdoor living spaces that go beyond patio covers and other structures. We know how overwhelming some of this information can be, which is why we encourage you to contact Mid City Custom Pools to schedule a consultation with one of our design specialists. We will work closely with you to determine what your overall goal is, and then come up with a few different options that could fit your needs. Here is a look at some the top outdoor living space upgrades you can choose from:

  • Outdoor Kitchens
    • Perfect way to get families/friends together
    • Great place for grilling
    • Option to customize your grilling space with refrigerators, cabbage grills, griddles, etc.
    • An outdoor kitchen will allow you to bring the comfort of your kitchen outdoors, enhancing your overall cooking experience
    • Mid City Custom Pools offers all-natural stone grills and granite countertops (the same granite from your indoor kitchen will be used outside). This is an excellent way to tie the indoor kitchen with the outdoor kitchen.
  • Fire Pits & Fireplaces
    • Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces provide a great addition to any outdoor living space
    • Fireplaces offer more aesthetics and more frontal, whereas a fire pit is more communal, allowing families to sit around and enjoy family time
    • They are a cost-effective way to enjoy your outdoor living space into the fall and winter months
    • All Mid City Custom Pools fire pits and fireplaces are made out of custom stone, allowing you to choose the option that best fits the rest of your home and your taste

As you can see, there are numerous options when it comes to creating an outdoor living space that can be enjoyed by all, every season of the year. If you are interested in learning more about Mid City’s outdoor living space services, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to discuss our various options with you and will sit down with you to ensure we come up with a design plan that not only fits your aesthetics, but your backyard space as well.

 

Most Common Maintenance Mistakes Made by Pool Owners

Having a custom pool installed in your backyard comes with a lot of excitement, but it is also important to ensure you understand all the various maintenance and upkeep needs before you get in too deep. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is not staying on top of their pool’s maintenance needs. While it may seem simple enough to take care of a pool (all you have to do is scoop the debris out, right?!), it is actually a bit more complicated than many people realize. From ensuring the pH balance is correct to not emptying your skimmer baskets, there are a handful of common maintenance mistakes that pool owners make.

With spring right around the corner, it is more important than ever for homeowners to take the time to understand how to properly care for their pool. There are a lot of specific spring maintenance needs that pool owners should be aware of, but we’ll save that for a different day. Today we are going to look at the most common general maintenance mistakes made by pool owners. If you have any questions about the information below or would like to discuss having your Irving pool serviced or cleaned by Mid City Custom Pools, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

Mistake #1: Oversight of pH Balance

The number one mistake that pool owners make is not properly understanding their pool’s pH balance. A good way to look at pH is as food for your plaster for the interior of the pool. If you do not maintain the pH balance of the plaster, there is a good chance mold will form. This is especially true with salt water pools. Because pH is constantly rising in salt water pools, it is imperative that it is properly balanced. Mid City Custom Pools has the proper technology that will actually do this for you, which means you won’t have to worry about your pool’s pH being thrown off course. This technology is called INTELLIpH Acid Dispenser system and it can only be used with salt water pools. Here are a few benefits of ensuring the balance of your pool’s pH:

  • It will feed the muriatic acid, which is used to feed the pH in your water automatically
  • It will negate the most common pool mistake by homeowners
  • Homeowners mistakenly think that if their water is clear, it’s fine. That’s not right!
  • pH maintains the health/life of your pool

If you do not want a salt water pool, then chlorine is the way you want to chlorinate your pool, you can still have a method to automatically dispense muriatic acid into your water, it is called an INTELLI Kim Water Chemistry Controller. INTELLI KIM for a chlorine pool will help maintain proper pH levels automatically for a homeowner. For more information on this system or the one previously mentioned, please contact Mid City Custom Pools.

Mistake #2: Not Emptying Your Skimmer Baskets

Our fearless leader Don Pierce started as a pool cleaner, which is why he keeps cleaning in mind when designing custom pools for people throughout the area. He understands just how important cleaning is, especially when it comes to the skimmer baskets. Pool owners often make the mistake of not emptying their skimmer baskets, which can lead to many more serious internal problems. We do our best to not only educate people about how to properly clean the pool, but also offer services that will take the pressure off of you.

Keep an eye out for another blog exploring common mistakes people make when it comes to the upkeep of their home swimming pool. And be sure and contact Mid City Custom Pools if you have any questions about our services or would like to schedule a consultation today!