Hi. My husband and I are wanting to spruce up the area around our pool and we’re interested in adding some landscaping. The problem is that we have no idea what types of plants/ trees we should use. Can you give us a little advice? Thanks!  — Gina L.

This is a pretty common question, and yes, there are plants that are better suited for use in around-your-pool landscaping.

For example, you’ll want to steer clear of plants that have aggressive roots (ie: river birches and willow trees) because the roots can cause damage to the pool shell.  If you’re interested in planting a few trees, you’ll want to make sure they won’t take over the yard. It’s also a good idea to plant them a bit farther away from the pool.

You’ll also want to pay attention to which parts of your pool area get direct sun—if you plant big trees this can significantly alter the sunlight levels in parts of your yard.

If you’re interested in adding some plants, you’ll want to find some that fit in the space you’re looking to add color to, and you’ll also want to choose plants that do well in the sun pattern that hits that space.

A third thing you’ll want to take into consideration relates to the plant size. Namely, how big is it going to get? If you’re thinking about adding trees, you’ll want to keep in mind that the tree will look much different in 10 years than it will the day you put it into the ground. Plan accordingly!

Lastly, if you want to add some color but you don’t have too much space for planting, you can always opt for potted plants. Potted plants are great because they won’t get too big, you won’t need to worry about their roots damaging the shell of your pool, and you can move them from one side of the yard to the other with relative ease.

Our final piece of advice, is that you should choose plants that match your climate, will create minimal debris (ie: you don’t want to have plants or flowers that will shed a lot of pollen/leaves/flower petals, because all of that can wind up in your pool) and that will match the overall aesthetic of your yard.

Pool and spa experts in Denver, Colorado

Regardless as to whether you currently have a pool, or you’re interested in exploring your options for adding a pool next summer, the experts at Wetworks Pool and Spa are here to help.

When it comes to custom spas and swimming pools, if you can dream it, we can help you achieve it.

We take pride in the work we do, and we’re committed to making sure that each and every one of our clients has the best customer care experience as possible.

For more information on how our designers can help you create your dream pool, call our office today at 720-401-0004 to speak with one of our friendly Denver-based team members.

Owning a pool is a wonderful thing. When you have a pool you have a wonderful place to gather with friends and family, and you have a relaxing oasis in your yard to help you unwind after a long day at the office.

At the same time, pools need to be cared for. This means more than just testing the chemicals and adding chlorine as needed.

In a previous blog we talked about the steps you’ll need to take to prepare your pool for the winter. For this post, we wanted to address some of the warning signs that indicate you may need to re-plaster your pool next spring.

The basics

Plaster pools are built using a soft surface material, and as you can imagine, since that material is in constant contact with your pool’s chemicals, those chemicals can begin to degrade that material over time.

If you’ve noticed that you have a lot of roughness (or pits) on the surface of the pool (to the extent that it looks like it’s really taken a beating), it may be time to re-plaster your pool.

When you swim in a pool that has a smooth finish you’ll be far less likely to scuff the bottoms of your feet. Re-plastering your pool can help increase your enjoyment of your backyard escape.

Stains

In our blog post about winterizing your pool we talked about the importance of removing debris before you cover it for the winter, because if the debris sits on the bottom of your pool for months on end, it’s bound to stain the plaster.

Some staining will be inevitable (this is especially true if your pool’s chemicals are improperly balanced for a period of time), however, if the stains are getting out of hand and acid washing them just isn’t cutting it anymore, it may be time to consider re-plastering it.

If you’re renovating your decking or landscaping around your pool, this may be the time to re-plaster it

If you’ve decided the area around your pool is due for a major renovation and the plater in your pool is starting to look a bit worn, this would be an ideal time to kill all the proverbial birds with one stone.

Not only will this give your backyard a full facelift, it can also increase the value of your home (which is especially important if you’re considering putting it on the market in the next year or two.)

Call Wetworks Pool and Spa today to learn more

If you’d like more information about the timelines involved with emptying and re-plastering your pool or you have questions about whether it’s time to re-do yours, we can help.

At Wetworks Pool and Spa we have more than two decades of experience in helping Colorado homeowners with this very issue.

For more information about our company or to schedule a time for one of our team members to come to your home to provide you with a free estimate, call us today at 720-401-0004 to get started.

If you’ve been swimming most of your life, chances are, you can’t remember at time in your life where you weren’t adept in the water.

Many families start to introduce their children to water when they’re still babies. This is especially important for families who vacation at the beach or along a lake. If you have neighbors or loved ones who have a swimming pool, teaching your kids to swim is especially important.

Water safety can help enhance fun experiences for your family both in and around the water.

Stats

According to 2017 data from the USA Swimming Foundation, more than 160 children under the age of 15 drowned in a pool or a spa. Roughly 70 percent of the victims were age 5 or younger.

The numbers from 2016 were even higher.

Suffice to say, when you teach your child to swim, you could be helping to save their life—but learning to swim is about more than water safety.

The Griffith Institute for Educational Research found that kids who learned to swim by the age of 5 had physical and cognitive advantages over their non-swimming counterparts. Most parents don’t realize that teaching a child to swim can have this type of benefit!

Resources

If you’re not comfortable teaching your children yourself, you still have quite a few options. The Red Cross offers swimming classes nationwide; if your neighbors have teenage children who are lifeguard certified, they can also be a great help when it comes to teaching your kids to swim.

Keeping your kids engaged

Once your children have started to swim, you’ll want to make sure they continue to practice. Not only will practice help make them better, it will also help to increase their confidence in and around the water.

Water toys, pool games and floats can be a great addition to any backyard pool. And while talking about pool toys during the fall months may seem a bit strange, now is a great time to make this type of purchase. Why? Because many stores will be holding end-of-season sales.

Lastly, swimming is a great form of exercise because it requires a ton of energy!  When you teach your kids to swim, you’ll help keep them active, happy and healthy. (Not to mention that swimming is a far better activity during the spring and summer than sitting on a couch playing video games!)

Pool and spa experts in and around Denver

At Wetworks Pool and Spa we have more than 20 years of experience in helping Denver, Colorado homeowners make their pool and spa dreams come true.

If you’re interested in installing a swimming pool at your home next spring and you’d like more information about our custom design services, call us today at 720-401-0004. Or, if you’d prefer to reach us by email, drop us a line at adam@wetworkspoolandspa.com.

Call today to learn why we’re the top-rated swimming pool design, installation and pool maintenance company in Colorado.

The weather may still be warm but that’s not to say that winter isn’t just around the corner. Yes, we understand that the thought of winterizing your swimming pool (again) isn’t one of your favorite items on your to-do list, but when it comes to maximizing its lifespan, it’s pretty important.

Below are our top six pro tips for preparing your pool for winter.

Be sure to balance your water

And to be clear, by “balance” we’re not talking about making sure your pool water is level. Instead, we’re referring to the pH levels of the water. This is important for both the longevity of the pool equipment and the clarity of the water. The pH level should remain between 7.2 and 7.6.

Make sure it’s clean

If you don’t clean your pool before you winterize it, you run the risk of having surface stains when you reopen the pool net year. When you clean it, be sure to remove all debris, including sticks and leaves.

Don’t forget to clean the filter

Once the water is clean you’ll want to move onto the filter. When you clean the filter, you will help ensure it will operate properly next spring.

Protect your pool water against algae

No one wants to reopen their pool to find the water looking green and gunky. Not only is algae ugly, it can clog your filters and increase chlorine demand. If you have questions about the best way to accomplish this, call Wetworks Pool and Spa today to speak with one of our team members. We’ll be happy to provide you with the advice you need.

Don’t empty your pool!

If you’re a new pool owner, you may be wondering if you need to drain the water in preparation for winter. The answer is a resounding no. Not only can this void your pool’s warranty, it can put strain on the structure of the pool, which can lead to significant damage. Be sure the water line is above the skimmer box.

Final step: Cover your pool

When you cover your pool, you’ll accomplish two things. First, you’ll help prevent debris from settling in the water. Second, covering your pool will help keep water and chemical levels stable.

Have questions? Call Wetworks Pool and Spa today

At Wetworks Pool and Spa we do more than just build amazing pools and spas- we help Denver, Colorado homeowners maintain and protect their pools during the winter months.

If you have questions about how we can help you prepare your pool for winter, or you’d like more information about the other types of services we provide, call our office today at 720-401-0004 to speak with a team member.

Our family owned and operated company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. We’re fully licensed and insured and we have more than two decades of experience in the swimming pool industry.

Call Wetworks Pool and Spa today to learn more about why we’re the top-rated swimming pool service provider in Colorado.

In-ground swimming pools can be a wonderful place to spend time during the summer months, but if you’ve noticed that your hair (or your kids’ hair) has started to look a bit green, this can be fairly distressing.

The good news is that there is a solution to this- that does not involve shaving everyone’s heads.

Blondes need to be diligent

It’s long been said that blondes have more fun, but when it comes to ensuring long, golden locks don’t look like an algae bloom, well, there’s nothing fun about that.

If you have fair skin and hair, you don’t need to panic. If you add a few extra steps to your pre and/or post swimming routine, you may be able to ward off this problem entirely.

Make sure your hair is wet before you get into the pool

If you’re planning on taking a swim, you should make sure to wet your hair before you stop into the pool. Most people find that when they soak their hair with tap water in advance of a dip, the tap water provides a coating to their hair. This coating can help prevent the chlorine from turning it green.

Consider a stronger barrier

If you tend to wear a swimming cap when you stim, you may also want to consider purchasing a bottle of leave-in conditioner. Before you put the cap on, rub the conditioner into your hair. This will serve as a stronger barrier than a garden hose rinse.

Wash your hair when you get out of the pool

This may seem obvious, but the best way to remove pool chemicals from your hair is to wash your hair. Experts agree that shampooing and conditioning your hair after swimming in a chlorinated pool can help prevent your hair from looking green. Some people find that a clarifying shampoo works best for this purpose.

Put something acidic in your hair

We understand that this may sound a bit on the nutty side, but some people have reported success in using things like ketchup, tomato juice, vinegar and/or lemon juice to remove the chlorine-green from your hair. One of our customers said they have a bottle of conditioner that’s pre-mixed with vinegar. When her hair starts to look green she’ll condition her hair and leave the combo in for about 10 minutes. Later, after she rinses her hair with cold water, the green disappears. (Note- if you do this and it works, we’d love to hear from you in the comments!)

Pool experts in Denver, CO

Wetworks Pool and Spa has been the go-to swimming pool installation and maintenance experts in Denver, Colorado for more than two decades. We take a lot of pride in the work we do and we’re committed to ensuring all of our clients have the best customer service experience as possible.  

For more information on our company or to schedule a free consultation to discuss installing a custom swimming pool in your backyard, call us today at 720-401-0004 to learn more.

If already have a pool installed at your Denver-area home, you likely understand the importance of teaching your kids to swim out of safety concerns.

However, there a are countless other benefits of helping your children to develop a positive relationship with your pool.

Start early

A common question that we’re asked relates to age at which people should start teaching their kids to swim. Most research shows that if they don’t learn before age nine, they may never pick it up.

Ultimately, the sooner you can get your children in the water, the better. There are even some swim instruction classes that work with children as young as six months! Not only will this help them overcome any fear they might have of the water, it’s a great way to spend time with, and bond with your child.

Swimming can help keep kids healthy and fit

All parents who own pools in Denver, CO understand the importance of teaching their kids to swim for all of the obvious safety reasons. If a child falls into the water, you want to make sure they can get out of the pool on their own.

What they don’t always realize, is that once they are comfortable in the water, this opens up several sports opportunities for children. Some find they enjoy competitive swimming while others find they have an affinity for water polo.

Swimming is a great way to help keep your kids, and your entire family in shape; it can also enhance both physical and mental health.  Swimming is a great, low-impact form of aerobic exercise, which is wonderful for your heart.

Overweight children can swim in the backyard pool as a way to lose weight, since swimming has been known to burn more calories than a workout at the gym.

Swimming helps combat depression

Life can be stressful for every member of your family, but the good news is that swimming is an all-natural mood booster. Each time you swim, your body release endorphins, which can help to lessen your blue mood.

Some parents of developmentally disabled children have noticed that when the family spends time in the pool, swimming has helped to improve family ties.

Swimming is healthy and fun

Lastly, a dip in the backyard pool is fun for the whole family. Everyone enjoys spending time with their friends, cousins, aunts and uncles while in the water!

Are you thinking about installing a pool to help teach your kids to swim? We can help

At Wetworks Pool and Spa, our expert pool and spa design specialists are here to help you choose the perfect pool for you and your family.

If you can dream it, we can help you design it! Regardless as to whether you’re interested in something intricate and elaborate, or if you’re more wanting to talk to us about a more basic design, our design team is here to help. Call us today at 720-401-0004 to speak with one of our trained customer service representatives today.

If you have a friend who owns a pool, and that friend has a birthday coming up (and they’re the kind of person who truly has everything) you may be wondering what your options are in terms of a gift.

For this blog, we wanted to talk about some of the top-rated gift ideas that are perfect for the pool owner who seems to have it all.

You can’t go wrong with tech

Everyone (ok, well most everyone) loves technology. From Bluetooth speakers to keyless deadbolts, tech can be a lot of fun.

If your friend is among those who appreciate these types of toys, you’re in luck.

First, there’s a product called pHin that automatically monitors the chemical levels in the pool. If something starts to fall off, the device will send an alert to your friend’s smartphone.

There’s another app called Pool Doctor; for this, your friend will need to log the chemical readings of their pool when he or she takes them. The app will also provide alerts to notify them when they may need to add more.

Gifts for the avid swimmer

If you’re a friend is a competitive swimmer (or aspires to be one), there are some really cool gadgets they may be interested in.

Did you know there’s an underwater iPod? It’s true! Yes, the underwater audio waterproof iPod is a bit pricey, but if your friend spends a lot of time with their head half submerged in the water, this is a perfect gift.

If they’re looking for a way to measure their progress, The Speed Shine is an excellent choice. The device is the brainchild of Speedo and the popular activity tracker Misfit.

Lastly, if you’re trying to buy a gift for someone who may spend 4-5 hours in the pool at a time, you may be interested in something called Clear Comfort. Ultimately, this is a pool sanitization system that helps to eliminate the need for harmful chemicals. In addition to helping your friend’s pool eliminate its need for harsh chemicals (such as chlorine), it will also have benefits to your friend’s hair, skin and it can even help extend the life of their bathing suits—all of which are impacted by chemicals.

Pool and Spa experts in Denver

Wetworks Pool and Spa is a family owned and operated business that has more than 20 years of experience in the swimming pool industry. We enjoy getting to know our client, their needs and it’s our goal to develop long-term relationships with everyone we work with.

Our company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and we’re fully licensed and insured.  When you work with us, you can rest easy in knowing you’re working with a swimming pool contractor and swimming pool maintenance company that’s truly a touch above the rest.

For more information on our company, the types of services we offer or to ask about the perfect gifts to buy for the pool owner who seems to have everything, call our office today at 720-401-0004 to get started.

August is already upon us which means the end of the summer is right around the corner. If you’re considering celebrating Labor Day weekend by throwing an outdoor bash, there are any number of fun things you can incorporate that will make the party memorable.

If you have a pool, well the possibilities expand even further.

Below are just a few tips for throwing a killer, end-of-summer pool party.

Décor is a must

Depending on your budget, you can spruce up the pool party by purchasing some fun, colorful pool floats (Oversized swans tend to be a crowd pleaser.) You can also pick up things like tiki torches and inflatable palm trees. The best part, is that a lot of this stuff may be on sale!

Make sure you have a first aid kit available

No one assumes that an accident will happen, but if something does go awry, you’ll want to make sure you’re covered. Include things like gauze bandages, tweezers, band aids, triple antibiotic ointment, scissors and hydrogen peroxide. You may also want to include a tube of burn cream just to be on the safe side.

Don’t go nuts on the adult beverages

If you plan on serving alcohol at your party, don’t’ go overboard. People tend to become dehydrated in the heat, and dehydration and alcohol don’t always mix well. You should also be sure to have lots of snacks and food available, in addition to a selection of non-alcoholic beverages available for designated drivers. If you notice that one or more of your guests may have overdone it, make sure to confiscate their car keys and call the an Uber when it’s time to head home.

Have extra sunscreen on hand

Sunscreen is one of those things that’s essential, but it’s also one of those things that people can tend to forget.  Nothing quite ruins a pool party like developing a candy-apple red sunburn. Be sure to set up a station that includes multiple bottles of sunscreen along with a bottle of aloe.

Don’t leave kids unattended

If small children will be attending your party, make sure they’re being watched while they’re in the pool, even if the kids are wearing swimmies. Safety first, after all! Second, try to discourage kids from running around the pool. If they trip on the concrete, they run the risk of injuring themselves.

Swimming pool pros in Denver, Colorado

If you currently have a swimming pool and you’d like to have one of our technicians come to your home in advance of your Labor Day Pool Party to make sure your pool is in tip-top shape, we can help. Or, if you’d like to speak with one of our swimming pool experts about the types of things you’ll need to do to winterize your pool once the temperature starts to cool, we can help with that, too.

For more information on our company, the types of services we provide or to schedule a free swimming pool maintenance estimate, call Wetworks Pool and Spa today at 720-401-0004 to get started.

If you have a family dog or you’re thinking about adopting a puppy, you’ll want to make sure that your fur babies are safe when they’re near the pool.

Your dog is a member of your family and the last thing anyone wants is to come home to find your four-legged family member had an accident that could have been preventable.

Below are some of the key ways you can keep your canine companion safe.

Teach your dog to swim

Several years ago, we had a client who had just adopted a rescue puppy. The pup was about 5 months old (which meant it still got plenty of bursts of “need to run full sprints now” energy.) At one point, when the dog was in full-blown zoomies mode, it did a flying superman leap directly into the center of the pool.

Of course, our client was alarmed and she ran over to help, but by the time she got to the edge of the pool her puppy had swam halfway the side, and the little tike had an enormous smile on her face.

This dog was a natural born swimmer (and now she has a hard time keeping the dog out of the water.) On the other hand, we’ve had clients in the past who had dogs that wanted nothing to do with the water. Some were even afraid of the pool!

If you’re able to teach your dog to swim, all the better. If they’re not at all interested in the water, there are still other ways you can keep them safe.

Consider a pool ramp

You may be surprised to learn that a growing number of companies make dog ramps for pools. A ramp will allow your pet to have an easy exit from the water, should they happen to fall in. Pool ramps are available from several online retailers.

Install a safety fence

This is a great idea for protecting pets and small children from accessing the pool when there’s no one around to supervise them. Pool fences come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors and sizes and they can be put up (and taken down) quickly.

Pool alarms are another option

If you’re not too keen on installing a fence around your pool, a pool alarm may be a better solution. A pool alarm detects water motion (ie: if a pet or toddler falls into the pool) it will sound an alarm. Although the alarm will not prevent a pet from falling into the water, it will alert you right away if this happens.

Have questions about pool safety? Call Wetworks Pool and Spa today

If you already have a pool and you’re wanting to talk to an expert pool technician about implementing several safety features to what you have, or you’re considering installing a pool and you want to have safety features built into the design, we can help.

For more information call Wetworks Pool and Spa today at 720-401-0004 to get started.