Blog | Page 11 of 13 | Sacramento Pools & Spas

Close-up comparison of pool surface finishes showing blue pebble texture transitioning to beige/tan pebble texture, demonstrating different color options for pool plaster.

Sacramento Pool Resurfacing: Smooth Plaster or Textured Aggregate Finishes?

by pooltime
Mar 06, 2025
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The texture revelation came for a family in Elk Grove when they visited two neighbor pools on the same day. The first had traditional smooth plaster that felt pleasant but showed every water spot and stain. The second featured NPT StoneScapes Mini Pebbles with a natural texture that felt amazing underfoot and somehow made the […]

A man kneels at the edge of a pool while testing water quality using a test kit.

Professional Winter Pool Maintenance Sacramento Services: Expert Care for Year-Round Swimming

by pooltime
Mar 03, 2025
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When homeowners ask me what makes professional winter pool service different from DIY approaches, I explain it this way: anyone can add chemicals to a pool, but understanding exactly how much, when, and why requires years of experience with Sacramento’s unique winter conditions. Professional service isn’t just about doing the work – it’s about knowing […]

A backyard pool with a small rock waterfall and fresh landscaping along a wooden fence.

Sacramento Seasonal Pool Maintenance Schedule & Best Practices

by pooltime
Feb 28, 2025
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Complete seasonal care guide for optimal pool performance throughout Northern California’s year-round swimming season Mastering Sacramento’s Seasonal Pool Maintenance Demands Success with pool maintenance in Sacramento comes from adapting your care routine to match the changing demands of each season. Unlike regions where pools close completely for months, Sacramento’s Mediterranean climate requires a dynamic approach […]

A lagoon-style pool shaded by overhanging tropical plants with a hidden grotto feel.

Common DIY Winter Pool Care Mistakes Sacramento Homeowners Make

by pooltime
Feb 24, 2025
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Every spring, I see the same concerning pattern repeat itself across Sacramento. Well-meaning homeowners who tried to save money with DIY winter pool care discover they’ve actually cost themselves thousands of dollars. The phone calls start in March: "My pool is green and cloudy, and nothing I’m doing is working." By the time I arrive, […]

A sunny backyard pool with curved edges, a red umbrella, and small waterfalls near a wooden fence.

Energy-Efficient Pool Equipment ROI Sacramento: Why Upgrades Pay for Themselves

by pooltime
Feb 23, 2025
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When customers ask me about pool equipment upgrades, they usually start with the upfront costs. I get it – nobody wants to spend money unnecessarily. But after three decades of installing efficient pool equipment in Sacramento, I’ve learned something that might surprise you: these aren’t expenses, they’re investments that typically pay for themselves within 2-5 […]

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 […]