Properly maintained pool can provide hours of fun for family

There are two choices to make during a typical Southern Nevada summer: stay in an air-conditioned home all day and go stir crazy, or find comfort beside the calming and refreshing water of a backyard pool — your pool or your neighbor’s pool. If you live in an apartment complex, this same comfort can be found at the community pool with the added benefit of meeting your neighbors.

In other words, a pool isn’t just a pool during summer; it’s a place to survive the summer.

Chris Colasuono, owner of Red Rock Pool & Spa, said Southern Nevadans enjoy their pools throughout the year “which makes for a different pool maintenance program than one finds in Seattle, Chicago, Denver or anywhere else.”

“As long as the pool is properly maintained, there shouldn’t be any problems,” he said. “And that means having a correct chemical balance, meaning chlorine, to prevent algae and other bacteria growth. For an even better swimming environment, change out the water every two to three years. Over time, chemicals build up because there aren’t enough new or fresh water molecules for the chemicals to attach to. Instead, those chemicals settle to the bottom of the pool and that’s unhealthy.”

Colasuono said he views every pool as a child, and each needs to be treated according to its personality.

“Some pools face east and get early morning sun while others face south and have sun throughout the day,” he explained. “Some pools have 8,000 gallons of water and others are 20,000 gallons or more. Each requires different care. If you’re not sure about your water, there are pool stores that will test and analyze the water and offer helpful suggestions.

“And don’t forget the filters. This is the desert and because of all the dirt and wind, filters should be checked and cleaned every three to four months.”

For Colasuono, the perfect backyard pool has rock landscaping with little or no vegetation.

“Vegetation causes algae,” he said. “Your pool or your neighbor’s pool may be architecturally beautiful with a variety of colorful trees and flowers, but all that translates into high pool maintenance.”

A pool can become a more elaborate playground with amenities such as slides, fire pits, rock and water features, pool decking and caves. Jim Alexander, president and owner of Renaissance Pools, and an officer on the Nevada State Contractor’s Board, said customers don’t hesitate improving their pools because they continue to add value to a home.

However, Alexander himself has moved up to the luxury home spa experience.

“I’m finding that spas are the new pool,” he said. “They are self-contained, can easily be set up on top of a patio and, when it’s time to move, the spa can be dismantled and taken to the new home. They have as many as 100 jets, oversized foot wells, sound systems, water features and lights. People love them for their therapeutic effect, just like I do, and they’re less expensive than building a new pool. Just drain and refill it every six months, but that’s only about 250 gallons.”