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How to Choose Swimming Pool Tile

Designing and building a swimming pool in Trophy Club is an exciting feat. However, when it comes to deciding on certain design factors such as choosing your swimming pool tile, the array of choices can be a bit overwhelming. From a glance you may not even realize the importance of choosing the right swimming pool tile, but in reality, it will have a large impact on your pool’s sustainability, durability, and overall aesthetic appeal. There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing tile for your pool, such as the styles, the material, etc., and hopefully prioritizing certain characteristics can help you narrow your search down.

#1 First things first, establish your budget

It won’t help if you go into the tile search without establishing a budget. Setting your budget ahead of time will initially and quickly help you to eliminate certain tile options.

#2 Choose from different tile materials

There are various different materials to choose from when making your decision. Read up a bit about the different types of material to decide which one is best for you.

Porcelain tile is the most affordable and commonly used tile finish for pools. To enhance the look, you can even create designs with your tile, such as mosaic patterns, etc.
Stone tile is a wonderful option for creating a more natural and organic look. Stone tile often goes well with different types of backyard landscaping and is great for families with young children as the stone is resistant to becoming slippery when wet. When you are going with stone tile, you can choose from the various different types from sandstone, to limestone, or even granite.
Glass tile is used often to create a more luxurious look. Because glass tile has highly reflective characteristics, it creates for a beautiful and sparkling finish to your pool. As glass tile gives you the more luxurious look, you must also be prepared in that it also costs more than porcelain or stone tile.

#3 Choose from the different styles of tile

Aside from the different materials tile comes in, there are different styles as well. Consider these styles and their correlating attributes to help you narrow down your search.

Larger tile is the best choice for easier upkeep. It tends to endure less build up and be easier to maintain and clean. You can use larger tile to create a more simple and modern look for your pool.
Smaller tile can create really extraordinary and eye-catching designs. Having the smaller tile can give a more intricate and detailed design as well as be used to create mosaic or other designs.
Tile color will largely influence the look of your pool. Going for deep or bright blues or even both will really make your pool stand out. You can use your pool’s tile color as an accent to a largely apparent theme or color in your backyard design as well.

As a highly recommended pool builder in Trophy Club, Mid City Custom Pools we will gladly assist you in designing your dream pool. Together with your ideas and our experience we will create the most beautiful pool and focus of your backyard. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Elevate Your Backyard Space With An Outdoor Kitchen

You and your family love your backyard, you have put copious amounts of thought, time, effort, love, and money into it. It is one of your favorite places to spend time, but somehow it almost seems like you could be spending more time out there and getting even more out of your backyard. One of the best ways to make your backyard the ultimate place to spend time is to install an outdoor kitchen. This transforms your backyard into the perfect place to have parties, get-togethers, family dinners, and more. No one has ever regretted adding an outdoor kitchen to their backyard, and here is why…

Entertaining

Having an outdoor kitchen creates for the perfect entertainment space. Whether you are entertaining your good friends or family, you will love the atmosphere of cooking and eating together outside while enjoying nature and your beautifully designed backyard. Having an outdoor kitchen is great for having barbeques, pool parties, and family dinners. Another bonus is you never miss out on the fun. While everyone is outside enjoying themselves, you aren’t slaving away by yourself in the kitchen inside, but instead enjoying your time with everyone outside while you are cooking. You will be amazed how much more you will get out of your backyard by installing an outdoor kitchen.

Convenience

One of the most luxurious parts of having an outdoor kitchen is the convenience and the less mess inside. Not only will you be able to keep all the barbeque smells outside and not inside your house, but there is less hassle of having to carry everything back and forth and miss out on half of the fun while you are making dinner.

Expansion of living space

By adding an outdoor kitchen, you are majorly expanding on your living space. Whether or not you have a growing family, love entertaining, or just want the extra space, an outdoor cooking area will certainly account for amazing living space expansion. You will get so much more out of your already-loved backyard, and likely wonder why you didn’t make this installment sooner.

Taste

Another really great reason to have an outdoor kitchen? Food made on the grill simply just tastes better. Even if you already have the outdoor grill, you will love how much more you get out of it and how much more often you get to use it if you finish out the rest of the kitchen area outside. Make the most of your beloved backyard by installing an outdoor kitchen in Trophy Club. Here at Mid City Custom Pools, we want to make your backyard dreams a reality. Contact us today for a consultation.

Is there a best time to install a pool?

A very common question amongst homeowners is, “when is the best time to install a pool?” While you may hear from one person that winter is the best time to install a pool, you will likely also hear from another that summer or spring is the best time to install a pool, and yet, you may also hear from another person that they think fall is the best time to install a pool. After doing a bit of research, you may find yourself confused and without a real answer, and at this point, the question changes to, “is there a best time to install a pool?”

The truth is, there are pros and cons to each and every season when it comes to designing, building, and installing your swimming pool in Trophy Club. What matters is that you are ready to install a pool, and here at Mid-City Custom Pools, we will be happy to help get you there. Regardless of the time of year, we promise in the end, you will be nothing but happy with your new swimming pool.

Fall

Why is fall a great time to install a pool? If you start your pool construction in the fall, the weather won’t be too cold, and you won’t mind being outside helping to implement your vision, designs, ideas, etc. A great benefit, if you start your pool in the fall, then it is guaranteed to be completed when summer comes around, and your hot tub may even be finished in time for the beginning of spring.

Winter

Starting your pool in the winter pretty much gives you the same benefit as fall, beginning now usually ensures that the pool will be completed by the time summer comes around. Another insight of benefit is that a lot of times people are busy traveling in the winter, going to see family for the holidays, or going skiing on a family vacation if that is the case, you may avoid some of the loud construction that will inevitably take place in your backyard. Then again, you may want to ensure that you are around the whole time your pool is being built, the truth is that it all comes down to personal preference.

Spring

Starting your pool at the beginning of spring may ensure that it is partially completed by the end of summer, so you may catch it the last bit of warm weather to use your pool. If not, you will definitely have your hot tub finished just in time for the cooler weather in fall and winter.

Summer

Starting your pool in the summer has its benefits as well. Similar to winter, many families travel during this time of year, which means you might not be around for the inevitable noisy construction. Starting your pool in summer means that your hot tub will likely be finished in time for the colder weather, and your pool will most certainly be finished by the time the warm weather makes its way around again.

What really matters

What truly matters is that you are ready to install your inground pool in Trophy Club. After you have done your research and decided on the type of pool you want, once you have gotten your finances in order, and once you are ready to commit to the pool building process, that is the best time to install a pool.

If you don’t know whether or not you are ready, here at Mid-City Custom Pools, we would be more than happy to help you with your questions. Contact us today to speak with one of our specialists or to schedule an appointment. As a highly recommended and trusted pool building company, we know you will be happy with your decision.

How to Maintain Your Outdoor Patio Furniture?

A backyard is an all-year-round staple, but especially in the summer. You’ve put a lot of time, thought, effort, and money into your backyard and its various aesthetic. That means taking care of it and keeping that aesthetics intact. An important aspect is probably your outdoor patio furniture. It’s great to have nice patio furniture, but the problem is keeping it looking fresh and new when it must endure intense weather conditions. Although outdoor furniture is made to withstand most weather elements to an extent, it is still best to try and maintain its quality by implementing proper care techniques to keep that furniture looking great. Taking the time, money, and effort to maintain your patio furniture now will end up saving you more in the future by not replacing it.

#1 Store it

If your outdoor furniture has cushions and you aren’t using the furniture every day, you may want to consider storing the cushions in a cool, dry, and a shaded area while they are not in use. This can extend the life of your cushions immensely. The direct sunlight can cause fabric to fade while rain can cause it to mildew. By helping your cushions avoid these weather elements you will keep them looking new and in great shape for a much longer time. If you have patio furniture at a holiday house, and you don’t plan on using it for a season, you may even want to consider storing the furniture itself alongside the cushions.

#2 Wash it or wipe it

Maintaining your patio furniture means keeping it clean, as letting dirt and grim and build upon it can cause permanent damage and greatly shorten the life of it. You should regularly dust and wipe your furniture down with the appropriate cleaner based on the material of your set. When it comes to your cushions, your best option is to purchase easily-removable covers so that you can just pop them off and into the washing machine for an easy clean up.

#3 Cover it

Weatherproof covers will help to protect your outdoor furniture from: dirt, grime, dust, moisture, bugs, the harsh sun and other various weather elements. You may not necessarily want to cover your furniture every time you aren’t using it, but if you plan on not using it for weeks at a time, you may want to consider it.

Here at Mid City Custom Pools, we know how important your backyard is to you. That is why we are a top rated and trusted pool company in Southlake. If you have questions about your backyard, we can help. Contact us today and let’s get started on the backyard of your dreams.

Mid City Custom Pools Process: The Way We Do Things (Part 5)

In the last installment of “The Way We Do Things”, we went over the actual construction process and what you can expect when you choose Mid City Custom Pools for your new backyard pool. As a quick refresher, we discussed the pre-construction process, why a dig tess needs to be conducted, what prepping the site entails, Dig Day, excavation, and the steel and plumbing phase. If you missed that blog or need to remind yourself what the construction process looks like, you can check out that blog here.

Today we are going to pick up where we left off last month – steel and plumbing. Steel and plumbing are the bone structure and arteries of any project, meaning they are absolutely critical to the integrity of your pool. You can think of it this way, to make it a little easier: steel looks like a skeleton and is the strength of your pool, whereas plumbing is the arteries because it focuses on circulation, proper water flow, and even disbursement of chemicals. With this in mind, it makes sense why steel and plumbing are so important to every phase of the building process. Here at Mid City Custom Pools, our experienced technicians take every step of the pre-construction and construction process very seriously. When it comes to steel and plumbing, we have a team of experts on hand that will ensure nothing is overlooked.

Let’s now take a closer look at Mid City Custom Pools’ approach to the steel phase of building a new pool:

Full day devoted to steel and plumbing – When we get to the steel and plumbing phase of the build, a technician will come out and spend a full day on each. For example, our steel technician will work on steel all day, and nothing else. Then he will work on the plumbing for a full day, and nothing else. This is important because it allows our team to focus completely on the task at hand without any other distractions.
Best in the business – Due to the specialized traits, we only use certain people to perform steel and plumbing duties. We have worked with some of the same sub-contractors for 15 years because they are the best at what they do. We used specialized men to do that work.
Ratio matters – Because steel is the structure – or skeleton – of your swimming pool, it is very important. It is not good to have too much of the thick steel or too little of the small steel. Good ratio of number three rebar and number four rebar, it’s like a good marriage (rebar is the steel). Mid City Custom Pools exceeds industry ratio of number three to four. We will never use number three on anything else other than 8-inch thinners. Furthermore, we will always use number three and number four together. We use number four alternates on all stress and transition points. Those alternates we install on every single pool we build, no matter what size!
Lifetime warranty – The approach we take to building any new pool is that structural integrity is a top priority. Because of this, we are able to offer a lifetime warranty on your gunite shell.
Fast installation – Steel is usually installed and completed between 1-2 day depending on the size of the pool.

Next month we are going to talk about the circulation system of your pool, plumbing! Both steel and plumbing work together to create a solid, efficient system that you won’t have to worry about for many years to come. To learn more about our process or what you can expect when you choose Mid City Custom Pools as your builder, please give us a call today and schedule an appointment.

Pool Maintenance Tips During Vacation

Going on vacation is one of the best parts of summer, but who is going to handle pool maintenance while you are gone? The last thing you want is to come home to a pool full of debris, algae, and a bunch of other gunk, so it’s important to prepare your pool before you head out of town. Summer vacations are a wonderful way to spend time with your loved ones and enjoy a different part of the country or the world. However, your pool will need a little TLC before you take off in order to avoid a huge mess on your hands when you return.

Here at Mid City Custom Pools, we believe in educating our clients on how to properly care for and clean their pool. We know what a luxury it is to have a swimming pool in your backyard – and how much more enjoyable it makes the hot Texas summers. But it also requires hard work and dedication in order to prevent costly repairs. If you have any questions about caring for your pool this summer, please do not hesitate to ask. We’ve prepared a quick checklist of some helpful tips to ensure you return to a sparkling clear pool after your vacation, but give us a call if you need additional assistance or information.

Tip #1: Check the Water Levels – Before you leave, make sure your water levels aren’t too low. When this happens, it could mean the pool filters aren’t working correctly. We suggest filling your pool higher than you normally would in order to avoid returning to a malfunctioning filtration system.

Tip #2: Check the Water Chemistry – Once you’ve got the water level sorted out, now it’s time to check the water chemistry. You can do it yourself or have Mid City Custom Pools come out and ensure the pH and alkalinity are properly balanced. This is also a good time to check the sanitizer levels. Here is a brief look at what your chemistry should read:

pH: 7.4 – 7.6
Alkalinity: 100-150 ppm
Calcium Hardness – 175 – 225 ppm

Tip #3: Get an Automatic Timer – An automatic timer is an ultimate solution for vacationing pool owners. Their sole purpose is to provide power to your pump/filter system for pre-set times. This is a great investment if you are planning on heading out of town more than once or twice, or are just plain busy.

Tip #4: Talk to a Neighbor or Friend – As much as you can rely on all of the above, give yourself extra peace of mind by asking a neighbor or friend to check on your pool. Someone who owns a pool themselves would be perfect, but really anyone who is willing to check on your pool once a day will help you a ton.

Tip #5: Use a Pool Cover – Using a pool cover is another way to keep your pool clear and clean while you are on vacation. This can help reduce filtration and sanitation demand while keeping your pool clean at the same time.

Before you leave for summer vacation, make sure you know what it will take to keep your pool clean. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Mid City Custom Pools today.

The Importance of Removing Dog Hair From the Pool

Dogs love to swim, no doubt about it, but what about all that dog hair that could clog up your pool’s filtration system? As much as we love our furry friends and know they need to cool down just as much as we do during the hot Texas summers, we don’t want our pool to get ruined by their fur. If you’ve given up trying to keep your furry friend out of the pool, it’s important you know the best tactics for removing hair from the water. Water play is a great way for your pup to get some low-impact exercise and cool down from the sweltering temps. But there is, of course, a downside – the residue of dander, fluff, and loose hair they will leave behind. Unfortunately, this residue isn’t just ugly to look at, but it can destroy your filtration system. In the event your filtration system has been ruined by dog hair, you will likely have an expensive repair on your hands.

Here at Mid City Custom Pools, we are dedicated to making sure our clients have all the information they need to properly care for their pool. If you have a furry family member who will also be enjoying the cool water in your backyard this summer, make sure you brush up on how to properly clean your pool. Luckily, there are a few simple ways you can minimize your dog hair problem and prevent it from ruining your pool – and your time!

Always de-shed your dog before allowing them into the pool – This may seem like an annoying step, but it saves you a great deal of time and trouble down the road. There are many different brushes and other grooming tools on the market today that will get the job done. Be sure to look for a de-shedder that is right for your dog’s coat. This will ensure you are effective in the de-shedding process.
Make sure your pool has a strong filtration system – If you are going to allow your dog to swim in the pool, you may want to look into a stronger filtration system. This will ensure their hair doesn’t clog the system and keep the pool from cleaning itself.
Hand-skim the water – After your dog has taken a dip, skim the water surface with your hand and collect any hair that was left behind. This is an easy step that is a lot more effective than many people realize.
Use a pool sweep – A pool sweep is a very handy tool that operates off the suction created by your pool pump. The skimmer basket will suck in water, trapping any debris (such as dog hair) and preventing it from going back into the pool.
Use a hand vacuum – A hand vacuum is a separate tool from your pool’s filtration system and is a great way to help you clear the water of any clumps of hair that may have made their way to the bottom.
Add an extra filter over the skimmer basket – Using a household item like a hairnet or a pair of pantyhose as an extra layer of filter is another way to keep your pool clear of dog hair. Simply place the fine mesh material of your choosing over the skimmer basket and clean the pool after your dog gets out.

We all love our dogs, and sometimes it can be hard to say no to them, especially when it comes to water. Allowing your dog to swim in the pool isn’t a problem, but the hair they may leave behind could cause issues. Make sure you take the above tips into consideration and keep your pool dog hair-free this summer! If you have any questions about how to clean your pool, please contact our Southlake pool builders today.

Memorial Day Pool Party Ideas

Memorial Day is just a couple short weeks away, which means it’s time to start thinking about throwing a pool party! Memorial Day signifies the start of summer and is the perfect time to show off your new home swimming pool to your friends and family. You’ve probably been anticipating the holiday weekend since winter, so it’s important your party goes off without a hitch. But before you fire up the grill and break out the floats and sunblock, you will want to plan everything out to make sure no detail is forgotten.

There are many different ways to enjoy your pool with your closest friends and loved ones over the holiday weekend, but a good place to start is to consider your guest list. Will there be kids, or is this an adult-only party? Whichever direction you go in, planning a party that is safe and fun for all is a must. Here at Mid City Custom Pools, we strive to do everything we can to help you enjoy your backyard swimming pool to the fullest. In addition to custom swimming pool design and installation, we also offer a wide range of outdoor living services. Whether you are interested in having an outdoor kitchen installed or a fire pit to enjoy the cooler summer evenings, we’ve got you covered.

With that in mind, here are a few tips to celebrate the unofficial start to summer with a pool opening party this Memorial Day:

Settle On a Theme – Themes are a great way to get into the spirit of summer and celebrate the months ahead. Popular pool party themes include a Hawaiian luau, mermaids, patriotism, fiesta, or a beach party. You will likely be able to find tons of awesome party decorations, floats, and more that will really tie everything together and make for a fun soiree for everyone.
Get Your Pool Ready – Once you’ve started planning and have settled on a theme, it’s time to make sure your pool is ready for your guests. Skim the water for any leaves and debris, test your chlorine levels, and run your pool cleaning system in order to ensure the water is crystal clear. If you have any questions about how to get your pool ready for summer, please don’t hesitate to contact Mid City Custom Pools.
Plan Your Menu – One of the most important aspects of a good Memorial Day pool party is to plan your menu. You can stick with the usual suspects (burgers and hot dogs) for the grill, or spice things up a bit and get creative with your menu. Grilled veggies, pasta salads, fruit kabobs, guacamole and chips, and tacos are all healthy, easy options that everyone will love – both young and old. If you have decided on a theme, be sure and plan your menu accordingly and ask others to bring side dishes that complement what you are making.
Choose Your Party Libations – A good Memorial Day pool party isn’t complete without some refreshing libations. Try your hand at festive margaritas or a new refreshing cocktail, such as sangria. You may want to have some cold beers, wine coolers, or cider on hand too. Be sure to offer non-alcoholic drinks and have plenty of water for your guests. Staying hydrated on such a big party holiday is a must, especially if you are going to be outside soaking up the sun all day!
Set Up Your Poolside Space – Finally, you will want to spruce up your poolside space so your guests can enjoy their time even when not in the water. If you have limited seating, ask guests to bring a chair when you send out the invite. Make sure there are plenty of umbrellas or shades so people can get out of the hot sun when necessary.

We hope these ideas give you a good place to start when planning a pool party this Memorial Day! Enjoy the holiday and be sure and contact Mid City Custom Pools if you have any questions about our custom Southlake swimming pools or outdoor living offerings.

Remove Pollen From Your Pool

Spring is here, which means pollen, and lots of it. Have you ever noticed a yellowish tinge floating in your pool water? Yep, that’s pollen. Pollen is a natural part of life, but it’s also a pretty big annoyance for pool owners. If you’ve ever dealt with allergies before, you know just how much of a pain pollen can be. In order to make sure your pool is pollen-free this season, it’s important to take a few extra steps to protect it from the natural elements of spring.

Allergy culprits make their way through Texas from late February to April, as spring tree pollens start to wreak havoc on yards and city streets. Elm pollen starts first, then Pecan and Walnut later in spring, followed by Oak, which happens to have a very long pollination season. Grasses are another allergy offender that cause major issues for people – and pool – but we won’t get into that today. What is important is to pay attention to these major tree allergens common to North Texas and clean your pool accordingly.

Identifying Pollen

When it comes to dealing with pollen in your pool, the first step is to identify it as pollen. Algae is another common issue that plague pool owners in Texas during the spring and summer months, so it’s important not to confuse this with pollen. Some algae, like mustard algae, look just like pollen, making it difficult to determine what it is. The main difference to watch for it where it collects. Pollen will always float to the top of the pool whereas algae will stick to the sides and bottom of the pool. Also, if you notice your filtration system has some plant material in it, there’s a good chance you are dealing with a pollen problem.

Thankfully, getting rid of pollen is quite easy and won’t take much effort, or time, on your part. Understanding when pollen is the heaviest in your area is a must if you are going to rid your pool of it, so be sure and check your local weather source for pollen updates. Once you’ve determined the peak pollen season, you can prepare yourself to make sure it stays clean.

Removing Pollen

Once you’ve determined it is pollen you are dealing with, it’s time to get rid of it. Here are a few steps to help you:

Run the filtration system – The first thing you should do to get rid of pollen in your pool is run the filtration system. This will be your best defense against pollen accumulating at the top of your pool, so try running it more than you normally would and see what happens. This step is also important because it means less work for you!
Skim the water – First thing in the morning (and even in the afternoon if you have a serious problem), skim the pool’s surface with a fine mesh skimmer in order to pick up any pollen that has found its way there overnight. You may need to repeat this process several times throughout the day during heavy pollen times.
Shock the pool – In the evening before you turn in for the night, give the pool a good shock in order to kill anything that has made itself at home. When you wake up, turn on your pool’s filtration system and give it a good skim in order to make sure no pollen is left behind.
Vacuum the pool – Last but not least, if skimming isn’t doing the trick you may need to vacuum the pool manually. This should be a last resort, as it can become expensive.

Protect your pool from pollen this year with the above handy tips. If you have any questions about this or anything else regarding caring for your pool this season, please don’t hesitate to give Mid City Custom Pools a call. Our Southlake pool builders are here to answer any questions you may have and ensure you have a safe and enjoyable summer in your pool this year.

Mid City Custom Pools Process: The Way We Do Things (Part 4)

This week we are going to once again take a look at the Mid City Custom Pool’s process that we’ve been telling you about over the last several months. Last month, we went over the permit process and what you can expect during the pre-construction phase. This month we are going to discuss the actual construction of your new pool, which is what it’s all about, right? Designing and installing a customized swimming pool comes with a lot of moving parts, as you’ve probably realized through this blog series. Here at Mid City Custom Pools, we strive to think of every single detail when it comes to the pool building process. We do not cut corners and always include our clients in each step of the design and build process. We believe in taking the time to work closely with our clients in order to ensure the end result is exactly what you had in mind.

Let’s now take a look at what the construction process of your new pool entails:

Pre-construction work comes first – Prior to any digging, there are a few things that will need to be taken care of during the pre-construction process. This will include rerouting the electrical work, sewer system, and any gas lines, if applicable. What needs to be done in this phase will, of course, depend on what the ground needs. If you know the location of the electrical wires, sewer system, and gas lines, we ask you to let us know before we get started.
Dig tess – Before we do any digging, a dig tess will need to be conducted. This is when we will mark the ground and make note of anything that will impede the excavator. This needs to be handled before the construction process so the process is not disrupted. Mid City Custom Pools is here to help you through this process.
Prep the site – Prior to the excavator arriving, we will prep the site. This is important because once the excavator arrives, he’s there for one purpose: to dig your pool, which is something he’s great at! By preparing the site, we are getting it ready for what comes next. The job of the excavator is to dig pools only. Every person at Mid City Custom is a master at each thing, so our excavator is there to dig only, he is not moving trampolines, etc. He is ready to dig.
It’s finally Dig Day! Dig day is a very exciting day! You are not required to be at the dig because you have already been at the pre-construction meeting, but you are welcome to be there to watch the magic unfold. This is an exciting day, especially for kids! The trucks, tractors, and of course all that dirt makes this an unforgettable day. All that planning and those pre-construction meetings lead up to this – the day when we make your dreams a reality!
Excavation begins – The excavation is a very important and exciting phase of construction. The excavator sets up the stage for everything that comes after him. He sets up the site and gets it ready for your pool to be poured.
Steel and plumbing phase – In this phase, we put steel and plumbing in your pool, which is what we will discuss in the next blog. Steel and plumbing are also very important, as steel is the strength in your swimming pool. We will cover this topic in our May blog!

To learn more about the excavation process or about dig tess in Southlake, please contact Mid City Custom Pools today. Next month we will go over the steel and plumbing phase, which is getting us that much closer to the finished project – your home swimming pool!