Signature Fiberglass Pools Chicago Swimming Pool Builder Illinois

Fiberglass Swimming Pool Builder serving Chicago and Illinois

fiberglass pools

Can I install an in ground pool with a septic system or well? 3 things to consider

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This is a great question we get from time to time!  The short answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind when installing an in-ground pool if you have an existing septic system  or private well on your property.

1.  Location, Location, Location:

Before you can determine where an in-ground pool can go, you will first need to determine where the existing septic tank and field is located, along with the well head (if applicable).  Your local municipality or county health department may be able to help by looking up the building records for your property.  They may find a septic survey, which will show the septic and well locations as build with the home.  If not, a local septic service company can be contacted to survey and locate the system on your property.

2. Septic Tank and Lines:

Many times customers will peer into the vastness of their yard and think “I’ve got PLENTY of room for a pool!”  While this can be the case, there are many instances when a septic field or tank will limit the available space and exact location of your new swimming pool.  As a general rule, (at least in Illinois)  the closest portion of the water’s edge cannot be any closer than 25′ to an existing septic line and 25′ to the septic tank.

2. Well Water:

In many cases a home with a septic system also has a private well on the property.  Generally speaking, in Illinois the swimming pool must be located a minimum distance to the well head.  This is usually not a problem, as most well heads are located in front yards, far away from the septic field or potential pool location, but keep this in mind when planning out your swimming pool project.  Contact your local health department for specific regulations in your area.

3. Relocating or Eliminating a Line:

Occasionally a customer will need a line to their septic field moved in order to accommodate the desired location of the pool.  Although this is not as common, it IS a possibility.  Alternatively, a line may be able to be eliminated all together, giving enough room to maintain the required distance from the septic field.  Contact your local septic installer for further information about this process.

With a little careful planning and consideration, there is no problem with installing an in-ground swimming pool if you have a septic system or private well on your property.  Many of our existing customers have wrestled and won this battle, and the proof is now in their beautiful backyard swimming pool!  If you have further questions about septic tanks, lines, private wells and how they all relate to your swimming pool, please feel free to contact us directly at 630.845.1145

Best Pool Design of 2010

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We at Signature Pools have recently returned from the Leisure Pools Dealer Conference in San Antonio, Texas.  The weekend was filled with fantastic educational programs and was a wonderful opportunity to network with other fiberglass pool builders from all over the country.  From an up-close tour of the Leisure Pools factory and manufacturing process, to sales and marketing seminars presented by Marcus Sheridan and our friends at River Pools and Spas– the weekend was packed with useful industry information.

The conference concluded with a Cowboy Themed awards dinner that honored some of the country’s best swimming pool builders and design firms. We at Signature Pools were honored to be awarded the prestigious ‘Best Overall Design’ for 2010 along with two other awards: Best Riviera Style and Best Elegance Style pools of 2010.  Pictures of these jobs will be available on our website soon. We would also like to congratulate Earl’s Pools of Pelham, Alabama for Best Moroccan Style, Pools Now of Del Rio, Texas for Best Tuscany Style, and Enchanted Pools of Albuquerque, New Mexico for Best Roman Style.  Not only were we impressed by the other award-winning pools that were recognized that evening, but by the overall outstanding quality of the builders that comprises the Leisure Pools dealer network.  The room was filled with some of the most talented and experienced individuals in the industry.

The weekend was also a great opportunity for Signature Pools to get some ‘face time’ with other swimming pool builders, designers and installers from the Leisure Pools dealer network.  Meeting in person with such a large group of like-minded industry professionals provided us with a platform to brainstorm, dream and grow as a company.  We at Signature Pools certainly look forward to next year’s dealer conference as well!

How to vacuum a swimming pool: 5 quick tips

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pool vacuumKeeping up with maintenance on your swimming pool involves several things, including chemical balancing, equipment checks and cleaning of your pool.  By far the most common way to remove dirt and debris from a swimming pool is to vacuum the steps, benches and floor of the pool.  Here are a few reminders to consider the next time you vacuum your pool.

 

1. Turn off the heater:  Most pool heaters require a high volume of water to be running through them in order to operate properly.  Using a manual vacuum can restrict water flow and cause damage to your heater.  Make sure the filter pump is primed and in high speed before turning the heater back on.

2. Fill vacuum hose with water:  After assembling the vac head and hose to the pole, submerge the entire hose in the pool to fill it completely with water.  Another easy way to do this is to hold the other end of the vac hose up to a return jet in the pool.  Once the vacuum head stops bubbling air it will rest on the bottom of the pool.  Now you can insert the hose into the skimmer line without sucking air through the pump.

3. Adjust equipment valves for better suction:  On a typical equipment setup there is a valve on the filter pump that controls the amount of suction on both the skimmer line and floor/wall drains of the pool.  Once you have hooked up the manual vacuum to your skimmer line you can adjust the amount of suction on the vacuum by adjusting the valve at the equipment.  Make sure you don’t turn off the wall/floor drain completely.  The vacuum will restrict water flow through the equipment and the pump will  eventually cavitate if this happens.  Only close off the wall/floor drain valve until your hear the pump start to hesitate, then back off just a little bit.

4. Work the vacuum aross the width of the pool:  This may just be a personal preference, but I find that starting in the shallow end of the pool and vacuuming a section of the width of the pool rather than going the length is much easier.  This way you can make sure you don’t miss any spots in the middle.

5. Remove the vac hose from the skimmer first: This is an important step that prevents sucking air through the skimmer and filter pump.  Make sure to always keep the vacuum submerged in the water and never pull it out before first disconnecting from the skimmer first.

By following these 5 steps you will be able to vacuum your pool safely and efficiently every time!  If you have questions about this or any other pool maintenance service, feel free to contact Signature Pools at 630.845.1145 or send us an email service@sigpoolschicago.mysites.io

VGB Laws and Residential Fiberglass Pools: Is Your Pool Safe?

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Wall drain

Lately I have noticed several articles printed in local newspapers and in online sources that talk about the Virginia Graeme Baker act of 2008 and how it relates to swimming pool safety.  The law is intended to protect swimmers at a public pool  from entrapment due to equipment suction.  For details of this law and its requirements please visit HERE.

Many customers have asked about this law and how it relates to the RESIDENTIAL swimming pool industry.  Here are are few things to keep in mind when considering the safety of your backyard pool.

 The Virginia Graeme Baker act (VGB) does not currently apply to residential swimming pools at the national level. only public swimming pools are required to comply.  However, some local municipalities may enforce portions of the law for backyard pools as well.

Is your swimming pool builder knowledgeable and up to speed on the requirements of the law, and can he provide your residential pool with the same safety systems now required for public pools?  Signature Pools and Spas uses several ‘layers’ of protection to ensure a safe swimming environment for our clients.  Dual wall drains have replaced single floor drains, approved safety covers are used on all of our suction outlets, atmospheric vacuum release systems and SVRS pumps are available on all of our pool equipment systems.

Here at Signature Pools we strive to educate our clients on all facets of their swimming pool project and industry developments as a whole.  If you have questions about the safety of your fiberglass swimming pool or equipment, please feel free to contact us.  Even if we haven’t built your pool we’d like to help.  Call us today at 630.845.1145 to find out more or to schedule a consultation for your very own Signature Pool and Spa.

Controlling your fiberglass pool with the Iphone, Ipod Touch or Ipad: How cool is that?

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ScreenLogic Mobil App from Pentair

We here at Signature Pools spend plenty of time marveling at new technology and how it is effecting the world around us and the swimming pool industry in particular. Staying informed on upcoming deveopments in the installation and care of swimming pools is pivotal to our success and is part of what sets Signature Pools apart as an industry leader.

One of the most exciting developments we have seen lately is the ability to control your pool equipment remotely- anywhere in the world you get internet access through your Iphone, Ipod Touch or Ipad. Pretty incredible! Pentair Water has developed the ScreenLogic Mobil App available free from the Apple App Store.

The abilities of the system are not limited to just a few controls. You can adjust the water temperature of your pool or spa, turn on lights, jets or water features, slides, or even video monitor the pool area from remote cameras. There is also a history feature which allows you to see previous settings for the pool, spa and air temperature along with lighting and other circuit control history.

The best part of this technology is that it’s available as a retro-fit on Pentair’s IntelliTouch panel. You will need transponder at the control panel, a wireless router and internet access in your home. Check out Pentair’s Website for more details on the system or feel free to contact Signature Pools at 630.845.1145 if you would like the system installed with your in ground swimming pool.