Spring Is In The Air!

The sun is out and the snow is gone. There is no ice in the foreseeable future... all is good in Middle Tennessee.

Yay for Spring!

Are you dreaming of taking the cover off of your backyard pool? Will you invite me over?! Pool Masters of Nashville wants to help you get ready for the big Memorial Day celebration at your house! Actually, why wait?! It's supposed to be 70 this weekend!

A lot of pool owners make some common mistakes when trying to open their pool themselves such as draining their pool completely. Pool Masters wants to remind you this is a big no-no! Draining your pool can bring big problems. For example, an empty pool in a high water table can lift out of the ground without the weight of the water holding it down.

Unless you're interested in your pool popping out of the ground like a boat and replacing it completely, it's in your best interest to call a professional like Pool Masters. They know the ins and outs of pool maintenance, repair, upkeep and more!

Call Pool Masters today at 615-481-2685. We service all of Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin and the surrounding areas of Middle Tennessee!

Make sure to visit us HERE to take advantage of our special offers and savings! Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook!

Deck Maintenance

Did you know that Pool Masters of Tennessee not only provides all of your pool service needs, but we also provide deck maintenance? Proper deck maintenance is essential to protect your family and your investment!

Washing your deck is probably one of the most critical things you can do. An unwashed deck is an invitation to mold and mildew, which can cause rot. To properly wash your deck:

1. Remove debris from between deck boards using a putty knife. Pay special attention to the areas where deck boards cross the joists.
2. Protect all shrubs and plantings. Wet them and cover them with plastic sheeting.
3. Thoroughly sweep the deck.
4. Choose an appropriate cleanser - For a wood deck use a standard deck cleaner and follow its directions. For a composite deck use a cleaner specifically formulated for composite material. Attack grease and oil stains with a commercial degreaser and detergents. For a vinyl (cellular PVC) deck you’ll only need to use warm water and a mild soap to remove mold, mildew, and dirt.
5. Clean the deck. Choose a cloudy day when the decking is cool and the sun won’t evaporate the cleaner.
6. Let the deck dry.

Important: If you plan on sealing your deck, wait at least 2 days. You should expect to need to re-seal your deck annually.

To seal your deck first you need to choose a two-day period when you’ll have clear skies and moderate temperatures. You don't want to be doing this in 90 degree heat (although, right about now, 90 degrees doesn't sound too bad!)

• Lightly sand the deck. Use a pole sander equipped with 80-grit paper to remove any furriness caused by washing.
• Replace any missing or popped nails and screws. Replace protruding nails with deck screws slightly longer than the nail. If a nail only slightly protrudes, you may do more harm than good trying to pull it out.
• Apply the sealer or stain. Use a roller to apply the sealer to the decking, covering three or four boards at a time. Use brushes and small rollers for railings, planters, and benches. Don’t let the sealant dry or puddle. 

Now while you can do this at home, we recommend having a professional like Pool Masters come out and do the work for you. Not only does it save you time, but it ensures that it will be done correctly. If you're interested in getting your deck ready for spring, call us today at 615-481-2685. Be sure to visit us HERE to sign up for specials and LIKE us on Facebook!

Vinyl versus Mesh Pool Covers

Solid Vinyl vs Mesh inground winter pool covers: Which is better? Well, normally it's a personal choice preference! During the time of the year when pool owners are unfortunately at the end of the swimming season, the topic of pool covers is one that is often discussed, with many pool owners electing to upgrade from their standard ‘tarp' style winter cover to a stronger, more permanent ‘security' style swimming pool cover. This desire to upgrade is very understandable considering tarp covers are poor winter covers, requiring a pump on top to keep any water off and only last 1-3 years before they need to be replaced. Once someone has decided to go with an upgraded winter cover, the question then turns to whether a solid or mesh cover will suit their needs the best. The following is a list of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of security-style winter pool cover:

Mesh Cover Advantages:

• Mesh covers typically cost less than a solid vinyl pool cover. In most cases, the price difference between the two is $200-$600.
• Mesh covers typically last longer than vinyl covers. The average lifespan for a mesh cover is about 10-15 years whereas a solid cover will typically last 7-11 years.
• Mesh covers don't need a pump on top because they just let the pool water pass through. This is an advantage because the submersible pumps used with solid vinyl covers usually only last about 2-4 years before they break down. These pumps can be rather costly.
• Because a pump is needed with a solid winter cover, mesh covers generally require no work during the off-season.
• With their light-weight material, mesh covers can be taken on and off by one person in most cases, unlike solid covers which generally require at least two persons to take on and off.

 Solid Cover Advantages:

• The main advantage to a solid vinyl winter pool cover is the fact that it does not allow sunlight to pass through. This is important because in the Spring when the pool water starts to warm up, algae will grow on the walls if it has contact (as it does with a mesh cover) to sunlight. This is also why people with mesh security covers tend to open up their pools a little earlier (before it gets too warm) than those with solid covers.
• Along with keeping sunlight out, solid vinyl covers keep water out of the pool as well. For example, when leaves fall on your pool cover during the winter and it rains, the leaves will cause the rain water to become very dirty. With a mesh cover, the dirty water will just pass right on through to the pool water, whereas with a solid cover it will be kept out, allowing the pool water to stay much cleaner. This cleaner water usually leads to very little brushing, vacuuming, chemicals, etc in the Spring to get the pool swimmable, unlike a mesh covered pool which will likely need a few days of vacuuming , brushing, and filtering before it is ready for the new season.

Pool Masters in Nashville uses proven innovative materials and methods. We are the best in Tennessee and we design individualized, all-season service plans featuring the most advanced, proven techniques for assuring your pool will be healthier and operate efficiently and cost effectively. Call us today at 615-481-2685.

Make sure to visit us HERE to sign up for special offers and discounts. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook!