Secrets to Hosting an Awesome Pool Party in Dubai

A pool party with friends and family is always a great idea. A relaxing celebration with delicious drinks and your loved ones is the highlight of summertime. However, throwing a pool party is not like inviting someone to have a dip in the pool. Playing host and a good one actually takes a lot of work. There is a lot to consider when arranging a pool party. Here are some of the essentials recommended by http://poolsrusdubai.com/ you need to ensure are in place so your guests have a fun time partying the night away.

Make A List

Considering the space you have, the number of people your house can accommodate and the number of people your swimming pool can manage, make a list of the people you would like to invite to the pool party. Deciding whether you want a big or small party makes planning more effective. Invite the number of people you are sure you can easily handle.

Arrange For Music

What’s a party without music? Sure your guests will have a great time talking to each other but things do turn awkward after some time and lack of music only makes things worse. Set up speaker around the pool area and in such places that everyone can hear what’s playing. Your guests will get a chance to dance to the beats even when they have nothing left to talk about. Just keep the party and guests upbeat and excited.

Pool Snacks Are A Must

You have a party in your house and there is no food? That is not an option. Food is a must. Pool parties are supposed to be relaxing and chill so there is no need to fuss over arranging fancy food or going overboard with it. Snacks are the best option or any kind of finger food that your guests may enjoy with their feet dipped in water or while they are swimming. Pretzels, chips and guacamole, baby carrots, celery, and hummus are a few good options.

Have The Supplies

You can do two things, you can either ask your guests to bring their pool supplies along or you can have them arranged at your place. This is a bit trickier but if you can pull it off, it will surely enhance your party and take the hassle away from the guests. The guests will definitely appreciate the gesture and consideration behind you providing them with lotions, towels, and sunscreen.

Have A Drink Station

Serving drinks and food individually to a large number of people will take up a lot of your time. What you can do instead is have a place specified for food and drinks and everyone can self-serve. You may either buy litre bottles of soda drinks and have disposable cups arranged or have single serving soda bottles, whatever suits your budget and seems more convenient to you and for guests.

Party Time!

It is not easy to arrange a party that everyone remembers for a long time but if you follow these simple and easy tips you can definitely become a great host and host memorable parties for your friends and family.

Top 5 Fiberglass Pool Problems and Solutions

One thing that makes fiberglass pools so successful and popular is their ease of installation. “Fiberglass pools are a breeze to install, right? Just dig a hole and drop it in!” You might have heard that statement. Even then, they can be one of the trickiest things in the world to install and handle properly without causing any damage. A number of key issues need to be observed to ensure proper installation of fiberglass pool and to avoid any trouble in future.

If you find the nuances of a quality fiberglass pool installation a little more challenging than you first suspected, then keep on reading. Industry expert…………..explains the five problems one might face during or after installing a fiberglass pool and solutions presented by http://www.poolsrusdubai.com/ to them.

Un-Level Pools

All pool installers have agreed to the fact that it is nearly impossible to perfectly install a fiberglass pool. In fact, the industry has an acceptance tolerance of one inch in 40 feet. But not all pool installers are able to attain that standard possibly because of two predominant reasons: improper pool levelling and pool shell settlement.

While setting a pool shell, check setbacks and measures to ensure the pool is located properly. Then you may want to walk the pool floor to ensure the entire thing is resting firmly on the base and then check the pool shell level. If the rigid parts of the pool are within ½ inch of level and flexible parts can be adjusted to become within that range, you proceed with the next step otherwise, the same process of pool shell installation is repeated. Also,……proposes to use gravel instead of sand to prevent pool shell form settling and becoming unlevelled.

Leaks From Plumbing Settlement

The number 1 cause of leaks in fiberglass pools according to ……… is leaks in the return fittings. There are predominantly two reasons for that, inadequate return fittings and plumbing settlement resulting from pressures from the backfill material. Begin by using correct return fitting for a fiberglass pool and not the ones used in aboveground vinyl liner pools. That fitting is not strong enough and consequently fails when placed under pressure from settling plumbing. Also, you must prevent backfill settlement in the first place. To do that use gravel backfill instead of sand and strap the plumbing to the pool shell with 36-inch zip ties about every 6 to 8 feet.

Bulges in Pool Walls

Another very common issue that arises in fiberglass pools is the bulges in pool walls which are almost always due to improper backfill material. Instead of just proceeding with sand, choose the backfill material based on soil condition. It’s fine to use sand when you are installing a pool in sand. However in any other case, using gravel is the best option. Clean crushed gravel as compared to dry sand does not change properties when wet, the friction between gravel pieces lock them in place on the sidewall of the pool and it drains really well. On the other hand, liquefied sand exerts tremendous pressure on the sidewall of a fiberglass pool and results in bulges.

No Dewatering System

Though long lasting, every fiberglass pool will drain at some point even 60 years from installation. You can save yourself or anyone who would own the pool at that particular time in future some real work by thinking ahead and installing some form of dewatering system around the pool. The dewatering system is inexpensive, involves only an 8-inches PVC pipe and a skimmer lid. Moreover, it is very quick to install.

Not Bonding the Water in a Fiberglass Pool

A lot of metal components within the pool that require bonding have been phased out by pool builders over the past couple of years. Resultantly voltage issues in pool water have arisen. Since electricity flows just like water from areas of higher potential to areas of lower potential, by equalizing the potential the bonding grid around the pool eliminates nuisance voltage issues. Any fiberglass pool today would require a 9 square inches of bonded metal touching the water of the pool for that purpose.

How Often Swimming Pool Water Should Be Changed

The answer to this statement depends on who you are asking. Ask several pool professionals at http://poolsrusdubai.com/ how often you should change the pool water and you will definitely get a different answer from each one of them. Though that is true, there are certain things that everyone agrees on. Since pool water change cycle cannot be the same for everyone and because it depends on a lot of factors, every pool owner only after knowing those pointers and factors well should decide a time period after which they should change the pool water. Yes it will not be the same as your neighbor’s but it will serve you well.

Maintenance Is The Key

Maintenance is the key when it comes to determining how often your pool needs a change of water. Consistent cleaning and maintenance prolongs the life of pool water enabling you to enjoy a cycle of it for longer duration than normal. Well maintained pool water can last up to 5, maybe even 7 years before you need to replace it. Continuous maintenance means weekly cleaning, good filters, machinery cleaning, chemical level check and balance and pH balance.

How Often Do You Use It

This one is as obvious as proper maintenance. Usage of your pool is a huge factor in determining how often you should change its water. Public pools are used by a large number of people every day which means more water contamination and pollutants than any other pool in someone’s house. That is why public pools change their water on a regular basis due to high volume of swimmers. Your backyard pool does not need to be treated the same way.

Quality of Water

Pool water that is well maintained looked after and chemical balanced will not require replacement as often as water that is low quality due to the mentioned factors. Pools with unbalanced, old or untreated water can contain algae, e.coli and/or bacteria.

Use Soft Water

Hard water is more difficult to maintain than soft water. If you wish to extend the life of your pool water, try avoid using hard water and it will greatly increase the life and save you time by reducing lengthy maintenance procedures.

Why Landscaping Around Your Pool Is Important

Designing a pool itself and landscaping around it may at first seem like two different things but these two are related. When it comes to deciding on a pool and its design, landscaping is equally important. Landscape design elements make a huge difference to the entire look when complementing the pool’s design according to experts at http://poolsrusdubai.com/. Installing landscape design elements after the pool is constructed or once the pool is been using for some time is difficult as compared to completing the entire look in the beginning. Having a well-thought-out landscape design plan when you’re constructing a new pool is essential because the pool is part of your outdoor environment as a whole.

There is a reason pool landscaping is better left to landscape architecture who does the pool as well. A swimming pool does not exist in a vacuum. It is a vital part of your whole backyard where the landscape provides the perfect setting. That is why hiring a pool landscape architect who understands the big picture is important instead of letting an ordinary pool constructor install the pool who focuses purely on the pool construction elements and leaves the surroundings were. A landscape architect who also designs and builds pools will plan the swimming pool to function as part of a larger environment and know how to weave other landscaping and hardscape features into the overall outdoor living theme.

Pool design and construction companies offer custom pool design services as well that involve transforming your entire backyard into a piece of art. The custom pool can be designed with features like slides and waterfalls for children while also having different fun elements for adults such as attached spa or Jacuzzi. Other custom features can include zero or “beach” entry design, in-pool sun deck or tanning shelf, fountains, grottos, and specialty pool lighting. These pool design elements are actually part of the entire pool landscaping that may extend to your house design and architecture as well.

There are a few things that you may add up to your pool landscape to bring the entire look together such as an outdoor kitchen area with additional amenities needed to entertain the guests at pool parties. Outdoor fireplaces are other popular landscape elements that can be added to set the mood. You may also add shrubs and plants of various sizes and types to your custom pool landscaping project. Plants add colour, texture and also give you that privacy element around the pool.

How to Clean a Swimming Pool Like a Pro

Cleaning a swimming pool goes beyond just cleaning. It’s like a proper science. You might think you have it all down to perfection but there might be some steps missing in your pool cleaning routine.

Here is how one must clean a pool ensuring it’s cleaned like it a pro at http://poolsrusdubai.com/ does it:

1. Clean the Deck

Pool cleaning starts not from the pool itself but the deck. Look beyond the pool and water and take into account the entire pool area to truly clean it like a pro. Start by blowing with a leaf blower and cleaning the deck with 5 gal buckets of chlorinated pool water.

2. Check the Equipment

Check the filtration system. You must be able to see the signs if it’s underperforming. Look at the pressure gauge, if pressure is lower than normal it means something is clogged up before the filter, skimmer or pump baskets, or clogged impeller, or air in system. If the pressure is higher than normal, it means something is clogged up after the filter, usually a dirty filter, but could also mean broken filter, closed return side valves, or plugs in the wall returns.

3. Empty the Baskets

A full skimmer basket reduces the flow of the water circulating through the filtration system which puts additional stress on the pump and makes filtering less effective. Empty the skimmer baskets regularly to ensure steadily water flow through the filtration system.

4. Skim the Pool

Skimming the pool can be a therapeutic experience on calm, sunny days. Use a leaf rake to skim the pool surface and beyond, collecting the debris on steps and corners of the pool. Leaving a pool unskimmed for days can lead to leaves affecting the pool water’s pH resulting in algae.

5. Check The Water’s Quality

Use a good quality water test kit and ensure the pH levels are between 7.3 and 7.5 which is the ideal range. Also make sure the alkalinity of water is between 80-120 ppm. Determine calcium hardness and Free and Total chlorine levels in water.

6. Vacuum the Pool

Set up the vacuum hose and blow all of the air out of it with your return and once the hose sinks on its own, connect the opposite end of the vacuum hose to the skimmer. Use a pool plug on the other skimmer to increase suction in case you don’t have a valve to control it.

7. Clean the Filter

Open the main drain valve and empty the pump basket if it needs to be. The filter’s pressure gauge may have increased by a few psi’s. If you see considerable increase in pressure, you need to backwash the filter. No need to perform this step if the pressure hasn’t increased much because even a squeaky clean filter is useless.

8. Brush

It’s now time to clean up those last residues that settle down since vacuuming and temporarily make the water cloudy. Brushing is very effective to kick up settled particles so that the skimmer and drain have an opportunity to collect them.

9. Weekly Treatments

This brings us to the end of pool cleaning. Now is the time to do weekly treatments of algaecide and clarifier.

10. Test

With the equipment cleaned and running, water clear and chemicals balanced; take one last look at the pressure on the filter. Check if the heater is off, check the wiring before closing up the timer box and shut off the hose.

Installing a Pool Side or In Pool Umbrella

The latest trend in pool construction is the installation of in-pool umbrellas with stands built either into the pool steps or the pool deck. Why would anyone need a pool umbrella you might ask? Besides a pool umbrella looks really cool, its purpose is obvious, that is to provide shade in areas of the pool and pool deck during hotter days. Installing a pool umbrella is a meticulous task and needs to be done carefully following some specific steps. Here is how you do it a new guide by http://poolsrusdubai.com/:

Installation of In-Pool Umbrellas

Before delving into the method of in-pool umbrella installation, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, ensure the umbrella is made of stainless steel, aluminium or fiberglass or some other material that is resistant to corrosion by chlorine and salts in water. The other two things are the pole height and its placement. You might need to use pole extensions to keep the umbrellas high enough to prevent eye-poking. Finally, ensure the umbrella is placed in a way to provide the shade you want during different times of the year.

The way to install a pool umbrella is through drilling a hole into the pool step for concrete pools. Use a diamond tipped hole-saw on a powerful drill for the job and insert the umbrella holder into the hole. Before doing do, drain the pool of course and use a stud finder to find the rebar in the pool. Drilling may take from 30-60 minutes therefore let yourself and the drill rest for every 5-10 minutes. The umbrella holder can also be put into the shallow end floor but will require pole extenders to raise the umbrella above the water level. Once the hole is cut through the pool, chip away an inch around the top of the hole, insert the umbrella holder, mix up a wet plaster patch material like EZ Patch, and pour in a thin slurry as you push the umbrella sleeve or pipe into the hole. Next you need to pack a thick bed of plaster under the top lip of the holder and over the top edge to prevent movement and leakage.

If your pool is still getting built the pool builder will typically drill out the concrete and install the umbrella mounts during plastering of the pool. In case you do not want to drill a hole or your pool is made of vinyl or fiberglass you may change the position of the umbrella stand and place it either in the pool deck, right up against the pool or just off the edge of the deck depending upon the sun exposure. Before committing to a permanent pool umbrella you might want to use a regular umbrella stand for a few days or even an entire season to see where the sunlight falls and what exact position you will need your permanent pool umbrella to be at.

While installing a pool umbrella, make sure you install a sleeve that is neither too wide nor too narrow to fit the pole. Also ensure the pole isn’t made of wood and you close the pool umbrellas during high winds to prevent damage.

Things to Look For When You Want to Swim During Fasting

You are reading this because you are a fitness freak and cannot get rid of your swimming sessions even in Ramadan, right? Sure, you can swim for as long as your stamina allows and as long as no water enters your oesophagus. Part of Fasting in Islam means you are prohibited from eating or drinking anything from the break of dawn to sunset. The fast breaks when you eat or drink anything.

Swimming is one of the few exercises that involve all your body muscles at the same time and although it is classified as a light exercise it can also burn calories in large quantities. Moreover, swimming is also beneficial for your heart and respiratory health. It is better you swim for 30-60 minutes per day as a workout activity right before you break the fast. Swimming for 30 minutes is proved to be able to burn 360 calories for women and 420 calories for men.

But since we are talking about swimming sessions during fasting, let’s talk about some of the many tools that are used to help while you are in the water. Here is what you should be prepared with in order to preserve the fast while you enjoy the water:

1. Earplugs

Water hitting the ears constantly during swimming can cause discomfort for several hours after swimming. That is why a lot of swimmers prefer using earplugs to block water from entering their ear canals and prevent the discomfort that may follow. Besides the obvious discomfort, ear canal’s constant exposure to water can also increase the swimmer’s chance of getting an ear infection or Swimmer’s Ear.

2. Nose Pincers

Nose and throat channels in humans are linked and anything entering your nose has a high chance of passing down the oesophagus which is why blocking your nose from water is important while swimming. Moreover, swimming pools house many microbes that have a high chance of entering your body either through your ears or noses. That is why, similar in function to the ear plug, nose pincers are good to use while you go on a swim to prevent water from your nose.

3. Swimming Goggles

Most pool water contains chemicals such as Chlorine that are actually added to prevent bacterial and fungal growth but did you know that high chlorine content in swimming pool water can actually irritate the eyes? You need your vision clear while swimming and also prevent your eyes from chemical irritation that is why swimming goggles are such an important piece of swimming gear.

4. Buoys

Love swimming but don’t know how to yet? Well you can go in the pool even if you cannot swim yet. There is equipment such as buoys designed and made especially for new swimmers and learners that help them float, practice and master their swimming techniques. A buoy is a tool that contains foam or air to help you to float while swimming. It is available as a board, vest, or float that placed in both arms and legs.

5. Swimming Hat

Anything that hinders you from swimming calmly needs to be dealt with be it the chlorine in water or the hair on your head. Swimming hats are one of the swimming equipment that is made of silicone or latex and is used to cover head. These hats not only serve to keep your hair from getting in your face and eyes while you swim but also protect them from chlorine damage.

Just a note of caution from team at poolsrusdubai.com, do not forget to warm up your body a little bit before swimming in order to minimize the risk of cramps and muscle tension.

How to Plan the Perfect Pool Party

While it’s officially autumn season in some parts of the world, it’s still warm in other parts and warmer months mean there is always a reason to throw a pool party. So who’s ready?

It’s not always easy planning a pool party and you may forget one or the other important things in the list. If you are a beginner this is the perfect guide created by poolsrusdubai.com for you to throw a perfect pool party:

1. Send Out The Invites:

Sending an invite in the mail may sound old school but it is a lot more exciting and original than the new school phone call or email. Moreover, it’s your chance of setting the mood for the party from the get go. You can let your creative juices flow and if your pool party has a theme you can design the invites accordingly. Invites in the mail are hard to ignore and your guests will 100% show up.

2. Create A Party Space:

Asking your guests to bring their own beach towels, sunscreen and lotions does not seem nice at all. You being the host should not force them to bring the pool party necessities, instead have an area set up with everything near the pool. Lay out towels, sunscreen, lotions, tanning oil and other things they will require to freshen up during the party. You can have a dedicated mini lounge space to set up pool necessities.

3. Add Some Light:

There are so many ways to go about setting a mood around the pool for party. Adding light is a really quick, simple and fast way to add some additional ambiance to the scenery around your pool. You can do so either with candles or paper lanterns that will catch everyone’s eye by adding a sparkling effect across the pool and patio. You can play up with the mood and choose to light the candles or lanterns once the sun starts going down.

4. Prepare Snacks:

No party is complete with snacks. Anything bite size and that can be eaten on the go is perfect for a pool party. Throw in some starters, crackers and finger food to entertain your guests. Drinks are essential as well. Keep fresh water, juices and anything else that your guests might enjoy. Moreover, summer parties call for one crucial food item, icecream! Have an endless amount of it we’d say. There is never enough icecream.

5. Help Guests Protect Their Belongings:

Sometimes it is very easy to misplace your belongings during the hustle and bustle of a party. You forget where you put your things and get busy with friends and get carried away. And when it’s time to leave you cannot find the purse you brought or that coat you have to wear on your way back. To make things less hectic and save your guests from last minute panic attacks, have a basket or corner fixed for all the items that your guests can safely put in.

6. Take It Easy On Yourself:

Lastly, take it easy on yourself. Everyone wants to be a host as perfect as Monica but if you are spending all of your time looking after the guests you might not have enough time left at the end to enjoy yourself.

It’s a party after all, have fun.

Why Winter is The Best Season to Build A Pool

Summer is officially over and it is fall season now, soon there will be cups of hot chocolate and cosy blankets all around us. Winter may not be the most ideal time of the year to enjoy swimming pool but it may be the best season to build one instead. The upcoming cold winter temperatures are an opportunity to efficiently and inexpensively build a pool. That is the time when you can capitalize the most on your time and budget.

1. Get The Best Contractor

Those who are really good at building pools will obviously be booked full time in summer. They may have too many appointments to fulfil within a short period of time. Although they are responsible and do not compromise on the quality of work, it is advisable for you to not take any risk and wait until they are less busy, that is winter season. Not many people employ a pool contractor during fall and winter making those pros available for you to hire.

2. More Attention At A Lower Price

Businesses rely on supply and demand, the higher the demand the more busy businesses will be. Since pool builders are far less busy during the winter season, you will be able to reap a number of benefits by hiring them during that time of the year instead of getting a pool made in warmer months. Less to no work on their hands means they will able to spend more time on your project and give their best. In order to keep the business running and attract customers, they may have special rates or discount offers during the winter season which can considerably decrease your pool cost. Moreover, cooler months means the sun won’t be shining over the builders’ heads all the time like it does in summer allowing them to work faster and complete the project quickly.

3. The Pool Will Be Summer Ready

According to poolsrusdubai.com there are two basic kinds of pools, inground and outground. Inground pools are the ones that are mostly requested by owners and those in particular can take really long to install. By hiring a pool contractor in winter months, you are ensuring the project will be done and dusted before the warmer months even begin. Getting a pool installed in summer will actually leave you little to no time to use it thoroughly and see whether or not you like the way your pool is and if you wish to make any changes. On the other hand, having your swimming pool installed in cooler months will give you ample time to test drive the pool’s machinery and request any fixes or changes to your poolscape before you begin throwing barbecues and pool parties at your house.

Choosing to undergo a pool installation in winter not only means financial savings, it also means you get the best men and their time and attention which can result in a better quality pool.

Why Winter is The Best Season to Build Pool

Winter may not be the ideal swimming season but it sure can make for an ideal pool installation season and for a number of genuine reasons. While spring and summer may seem like the ideal time of year to take on a pool construction project but it’s actually the cooler months when you can get the best of your money and time with pool construction businesses. There are quite a few perks to be taken advantage of when getting a pool fix in winters and we are going to mention them here. So put a hold on your pool project for now if you were considering getting it done right now and save it for the upcoming colder months.

Here is why you will thank poolsrusdubai.com later for it:

1. Easier to Find The Best Contractors

Since everyone is busy getting their pools constructed in warmer months the best contractors in the pool construction business are always busy during summer season. And because the demand in those months is high you may find it hard to book a good company. Now in winter season everyone usually shuts down their pools making the pool builders less busy with construction and remodelling projects. As a result, you will get hold of your favourite builder without any availability issue, they will be able to spend more time on your project and give you proper time. So while everyone is busy getting it done in the peak season, the wise will choose to go the opposite route and wait for cooler months.

2. Winter Sales

It’s a common practice in the business world to attract more customers with sales and offers in off season or when the business seems to be going downhill. Since pool building companies are pretty much out of business in the winter season it is likely you will come across someone offering a discount price or a great package deal. You may be able to get a better pool installed for fewer bucks. So look around for winter sales and get the most out of your money.

3. Better Conditions

We all are aware of the summer heat and how it can be so crude especially on those working long hours under the sun. The summer heat can be very tough on hard-working labour dedicated to give their best and dwindling their efficiency and energy. Not only that, the owner who booked the contractor finds it hard to keep an eye on the project under the scorching sun. Working in the open in cooler months gives everyone a bit of relief. The risk of dehydration and heat stroke is not there which allows workers and supervisors to work longer hours, give their best and complete the project faster without breaking a sweat.

4. Ready by Summer

Pools take time to get installed. Depending on the design you choose it can take up to weeks until the pool is fully functional for anyone to actually start using it, especially in-ground pools in particular can take longer than usual. And if you start with the project in the middle or late in the summer you most likely won’t be able to inaugurate your pool until the next summer season. So why get it installed in summer? The better and wise choice, again, seems like winter. The pool will be ready by the time the sun start showing up and will give you enough time to both test and enjoy your pool with your friends and family.

Getting a pool installed in winter season seems like a win-win decision. You get an un-rushed service for probably lesser price and can supervise the whole process stress-free. So if you have been considering getting a pool built – winter is coming.