Whether you’ve had your pool for years and you’re ready for something a little different, or you’re just in the planning (or dreaming!) stages of pool design, it’s a good idea to take a look at the latest products and trends on the market. One of the hottest right now is Vinyl Over (VO) Step technology.

This technology developed as a solution for pool owners who had grown tired of the look of the existing steps in their in-ground pools. VO allows for versatility and customization that’s never been available in steel, fiberglass, polymer, or concrete pools before.

The versatility of this product allows for a beautiful, uninterrupted liner finish, echoing the look of a gunite pool. The vinyl is strong and durable, and is more affordable than you might think. Plus, keep in mind that VO technology can be used on so much more than just steps! Tanning ledges, swim-out ledges, swim-up bars and seating, and even children’s play areas are all great uses for this product. That should get your imagination going!

Worried about slippery steps? Don’t be! Tred-Tex gives improved traction on the steps, or anywhere else in your pool where you’d like a better “grip.” Of course, it’s not a guarantee against slips and falls, but it can help you and your guests feel confident while entering and exiting your pool.

Because VO updates can be made anytime, this makes it a great way to adapt your pool as your family’s needs change over time. A family with small children often wants very different things from their pool than a family with teens, empty nesters, or those who are caring for aging parents. VO can help you get it, without breaking the bank.

Interested?

We’d love to talk to you about Vinyl Over Step technology, and how we can use it to renovate your existing pool or integrate it into your new pool plans.

When you think about all of the things you need to know in order to properly maintain and care for your above ground pool, we recognize that there is a lot of information to process. That’s why at Brothers Pool we offer the Pool School Class. We feel that is important to educate our customers on proper swimming pool care so that they can take it into their own hands, feeling accomplished and even more proud of their backyard.

Classes are held at our store location at prescheduled times throughout the spring and summer months. Some of our Pool School topics include:

Weekly Maintenance

This is our most popular topic which teaches our customers how to manage weekly maintenance of their above ground pool. We’ll show you how to test your water, how to add chemicals to get things back in balance, and the best practices for keeping your pool clean.

Salt Water Demo

Occasionally, we’ll do a salt water demo to show you the benefits of a salt generator for your pool’s sanitizing system. At this class, you’ll learn the differences between a salt generator and using bottled chlorine in your pool so that you can determine which is best for you.

Summarizing

In the spring season, we’ll offer the Summarizing class (get it… summer-izing) to help you get ready for your biggest pool use season of the year. We’ll explain how to adequately open your pool, getting the water ready for the season and all of the available features that can help you keep it well-maintained all summer long.

Winterization

As the pool season comes to a close, we’ll offer the Winterization class to teach you how to close your above ground pool for no use during the colder months. We’ll discuss cover options, how to adequately shut down your system to avoid freezing, and more.

At Brothers Pool, we want to share our pool knowledge with you so that you can properly care for your home swimming pool. Registration is required to attend a Pool School Class, but there are plenty of class options throughout the season to fit your scheduling needs. Of course, if you’d rather, we also offer pool cleaning and maintenance services performed by our skilled technicians too.

May is National Water Safety Month, so we want to make sure that you have the tools you need to keep your family (pets included) as safe as possible when you have a pool or hot tub in your backyard.

Cover it Up

Whether it’s a swimming pool or hot tub (or both), the number one way to keep it secure is to cover it. Not with just any old cover – such as a solar blanket cover for your pool or a simple vinyl cover for your spa. Neither completely secure the water from access by small children and pets. In fact, they can actually make the water more dangerous because they could get trapped under the cover while in the water.

When it comes to your pool, get a safety cover for those times when there isn’t a lot of swimming going on. These covers latch to the patio in a grid format, covering the pool completely so there is absolutely no access point. They’re also able to hold hundreds of pounds of weight and still not give (the idea is that a child could walk across it and not fall in).

For your hot tub, get a cover that latches onto the spa so securely that you need a cover lifter to get it off. Then you can be certain your little one won’t be able to remove it. There are also covers that require a key to open.

Fence it In

For the more active swimming season, a fence is a great way to keep the pool secure. There are traditional fencing options which are a permanent solution, such as a wooden, metal or chain link fence. Just be sure that there are no gaps big enough for your toddler or pint-sized dog to fit through. There are also removable, mesh security fences available that are tension based.

Whatever style you choose, just make sure that the gate or access point is self-latching and locks, or that the latch is interior so that little hands can’t reach it.

Sound the Alarm

You can also utilize swimming pool alarms that alert you when the water has been breached. Some brands install securely to the side of the pool and others float in the water. Most have a receiver that has a large enough range that it can be installed indoors. Once the water is breached, the alarm sounds so you know immediately someone has accessed the pool. And, of course, they have a silent option when the pool is in use (most require a key to turn it off).

Keep your family water safe during the month of May and all year long. If you’re unsure where to start, Brothers Pool is honored to help.

Are you racking your brain on what to get the mother of your children for Mother’s Day that conveys the appreciation you truly feel for her? Have you decided to “go big or go home” with her gift, whatever that turns out to be?

Great, because we have the solution to your conundrum.

Mom deserves a hot tub. Here’s why:

She Works Practically 24/7

Regardless of whether she’s a stay-at-home-mom or works a full-time job, mom is always working, day in and day out. If she has a 9-5, then she comes home to care for you and the kids, gets the house in order, prepares meals, does laundry, what-have-you. If she stays home with them, she still holds the equivalent to 10 jobs all at once (maid, daycare, teacher, chef, waitress, counselor, corrections officer…).

What it boils down to is, she’s always “on.” So she needs a place to turn off and reset, even if it’s just for 20 minutes each day. A place without hearing the incessant broken record of “mom… mom… mom… mom… mom… M-O-M…” or being pulled in a thousand directions by a demanding boss (whether he’s a grown man or a toddler). A hot tub could be her quiet refuge (even if it’s sort of pretend).

No Rest for the Weary

Even when Mom’s sleeping, she’s still in “mom-mode,” ready to take action at the faintest call of her name, cough, whimper or (god forbid) gagging sound. That’s why moms tend to be so sleep deprived for years, because they never fully sleep deeply until the kids leave home (and even then, probably not, because they worry about them in the real world).

But a hot tub can help her sleep more soundly. Our body temperature drops when we sleep and are fully at rest. We increase our body temperature in a hot tub, so that when we leave, our body temperature decreases rapidly to compensate – and that’s the opportune time to hit the hay! Get her a hot tub so she can sleep better.

She Loves Being With You

No matter how frustrating and exhausting life can be, moms still relish in every moment they spend with their family. Mom knows that life is precious, so give her more of the good moments. A hot tub is a great way to get relaxing quality time with the whole family, or even just a date night in your own backyard after the kids go to bed. She’ll appreciate both!

Not sure which hot tub to get Mom? Bring her to the Brothers Pool showroom and tell her she can pick her own.  Getting exactly what she wants will make this epic gift even better, for the both of you!