Blog | Page 10 of 13 | Sacramento Pools & Spas

A close-up of blue pool tiles showing calcium buildup along the waterline.

Pool Tile Cleaning Sacramento: Understanding Hard Water Challenges & Professional Solutions

by pooltime
Feb 22, 2025
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After 35+ years of cleaning Sacramento pool tiles, I can tell you that what makes the difference between sparkling tiles and embarrassing calcium buildup isn’t just regular cleaning—it’s understanding how our local conditions create unique challenges that require specific solutions. Here’s what I learned from a project in Granite Bay last month: the homeowner had […]

Large freeform pool with clear blue water, circular shallow sun shelf area, elevated round spa with stone sides, white stone patio decking, lounge chairs with umbrella, surrounded by mature trees.

Fall Pool Care Sacramento: Understanding Mild Winter vs Traditional Winterization

by pooltime
Feb 21, 2025
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The most expensive winterization mistake I ever saw cost a customer from Minnesota $4,200 to fix. They moved to Sacramento and hired a pool company that treated their pool like it was still in Minneapolis—draining pipes, shutting down equipment, and adding winterizing chemicals. When they tried to restart everything in March, they discovered that six […]

A close-up of a tile-lined pool edge with clear water rippling beneath the coping.

Equipment-Specific Repair vs Replace Guidelines for Sacramento Pools

by pooltime
Feb 20, 2025
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Every piece of pool equipment tells a different story when it comes to repair vs. replace decisions. The variable speed pump that’s worth repairing at 6 years old becomes questionable at 10, while that salt chlorinator cell reaches planned obsolescence right on schedule at 5 years. Understanding these equipment-specific patterns can save you thousands in […]

Pool surface showing decorative mosaic tile work with diagonal stripes in alternating shades of blue, teal, and white small square tiles creating a geometric pattern.

Traditional Pool Plaster vs. Premium Aggregate Finishes: Which Lasts Longer in Sacramento?

by pooltime
Feb 19, 2025
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The tale of two neighbors in Granite Bay perfectly illustrates the durability difference. Both resurfaced their pools the same year with different materials: one chose traditional plaster for budget reasons, the other invested in NPT StoneScapes Regular Pebbles. Ten years later, the plaster pool shows obvious staining, roughness, and needs complete resurfacing, while the StoneScapes […]

Backyard pool construction site with a yellow excavator digging near a house, showing excavated dirt area, gravel base, stone retaining wall, and a two-story house with deck in the background.

Choosing Sacramento Pool Contractors: Avoid These 5 Costly Mistakes

by pooltime
Feb 17, 2025
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The horror story that shook a family in Granite Bay started with a contractor who seemed perfect: lowest bid, immediate availability, and promises that sounded too good to be true. Six months later, their "finished" pool surface was peeling, their warranty was void, and they faced spending another $25,000 to fix work that should have […]

Close-up of a white pool edge with deteriorating plaster showing wear and staining, bordered by blue decorative tile trim at the waterline.

Sacramento Pool Resurfacing Materials: Which Surface Is Right for Your Pool?

by pooltime
Feb 16, 2025
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The moment of truth came for a family in Roseville when they stood in their backyard comparing their neighbor’s 15-year-old pool surface that still looked stunning to their own 8-year-old surface that was already showing serious wear. Both pools got similar use and maintenance, but the materials were completely different. That comparison led them to […]

A finished backyard pool with clear blue water, waterfalls, and surrounding landscaping.

Custom Pool Investment Guide: Costs, ROI & Value in Sacramento’s Market

by pooltime
Feb 15, 2025
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When families ask me about pool costs, I always start with this question: "Are you looking at this as an expense or as an investment?" Because how you frame that question determines everything about how you approach pool ownership. After building pools in Sacramento for over three decades, I can tell you that quality custom […]

A backyard pool pump system with pipes, a filter, and a salt system sits against a stucco wall.

Pool Equipment Repair Sacramento: Understanding Equipment Lifecycles & Decision Framework

by pooltime
Feb 14, 2025
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The $800 repair estimate for a 9-year-old pool pump creates one of those moments where every pool owner wishes they had a crystal ball. Is this repair going to buy you five more years of reliable service, or will you be calling for another expensive repair in six months? Making the wrong choice can cost […]

Freeform swimming pool with blue water, raised curved planter with stone waterfall feature, tan concrete decking, wooden fence, residential house with tile roof in background, and colorful pool toys visible on deck.

Common Spring Opening Problems & Professional Solutions for Sacramento Pools

by pooltime
Feb 13, 2025
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The spring opening call that still haunts me came from a customer in Roseville whose pump had been "making weird noises" for three days. By the time I arrived, the bearings had completely seized, the impeller was destroyed, and metal fragments had scored the pump housing beyond repair. What started as a $200 bearing replacement […]