FAQs

Cloudy water is often caused by poor filtration, unbalanced water chemistry, or early algae growth. First, clean or backwash your filter, then test and balance your chemicals (pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer) and shock the pool if necessary. If you're looking for dependable swimming pool companies in Dubuque, IA, contact Key City Pool & Spa today!

The short answer is yes, but it is important to consider the full picture before installing an inground swimming pool. When homeowners come to us for pool installation in Dubuque, IA, we encourage them to think about factors such as ongoing maintenance, heating costs, and how a pool may appeal to future buyers. These considerations can influence the pool's overall effect on home value. For instance, it costs roughly $2,000 a year to maintain a swimming pool, and potentially more if it is heated. Those expenses can offset some of the added value. However, many people love swimming pools, and having one may allow you to list your home for more than you could without a pool. A pool may also make the property more appealing to interested buyers and help it sell more quickly.

Many of our customers initially believe their yard is too small or hilly to accommodate a swimming pool, but those challenges do not always rule out a pool project. There are many backyard pool designs available, and our designers are skilled at identifying options that work with the size and layout of a property. If you're looking for swimming pool companies in Dubuque, IA, our team can help you explore a pool design that makes smart use of your available outdoor space. Smaller pool designs can be just as enjoyable as pools installed on sprawling properties. We encourage you to contact us so we can discuss your yard and provide guidance based on your space.

For homeowners researching swimming pool companies in Dubuque, IA, understanding consistent water testing is an important part of keeping pool water properly balanced and comfortable for swimming. Owning an inground swimming pool comes with regular maintenance responsibilities, and testing the water is one of the most important. Water testing helps determine whether chemical levels, including chlorine, are properly balanced. We recommend testing your pool water at least once every two weeks. Before taking a sample, allow your pool system to circulate for at least an hour, then collect water from about 12 to 18 inches below the surface. If it has recently rained, allow the water to circulate for a day before testing, and avoid adding chemicals before taking your sample. The pH scale ranges from zero to 14, with readings below seven indicating acidic water and readings above seven indicating basic water. A pH level of about 7.4 is generally considered optimal because it closely matches the pH of the human eye.

We recommend chemically cleaning your pool's cartridge filter once a year and rinsing it periodically with a standard garden hose. You can also monitor the pressure gauge on your pool system, as an increase of about eight to 10 pounds per square inch (psi) above the normal operating pressure can indicate that the cartridge needs attention. As one of the most dependable swimming pool companies in Dubuque, IA, we know that regular filter care plays an important role in supporting proper water circulation and pool maintenance. When rinsing the cartridge, never use a pressure washer, as the excessive force may damage the filter material. A standard garden hose provides a gentler way to remove accumulated debris from the cartridge.

There are more benefits than we can count! Beyond creating a place where friends and family can gather, an inground swimming pool can make your backyard more enjoyable and better suited to the way you spend time outdoors. Our pool builders in Dubuque, IA design custom pools around the qualities of each backyard, allowing us to create a shape and size that work with the available space. We can even accommodate multi-level surfaces when designing a custom pool. This means a sloped or hilly backyard does not necessarily prevent you from enjoying the many benefits of pool ownership.

Designing and constructing a swimming pool is a multi-phase process. We begin by visiting your property and measuring the yard so we can develop a pool design that works with the available space and layout. As pool builders in Dubuque, IA, we create custom pool designs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. We also address the necessary permitting requirements before construction begins. - Preparation: We prepare the backyard for the pool installation through excavation, grading, and leveling as needed for the project. - Installation: We install the framing and plumbing before completing the concrete work and moving on to masonry, tile, and coping. From there, we install the filtration equipment, pumps, and other necessary pool components. The final stages include applying the pool plaster, testing the water, and examining the completed swimming pool.

Cloudy pool water can have several causes, so identifying the underlying issue is important before making adjustments. When homeowners turn to us while searching for swimming pool companies in Dubuque, IA, we can help address common pool water concerns involving circulation, filtration, and water balance. Some of the most frequent causes of cloudy water include: - Poor circulation or filtration: First, backwash and clean the pool filter. Clean the skimmer baskets and the pump strainer basket. You can also chemically treat the filter. - Water imbalance: Test the pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness. These three factors are among the most common culprits. - High total dissolved solids (TDS) or calcium hardness: The TDS should never go over 3,000 ppm, and the hardness should never exceed 400 ppm. If they do, drain 1/3 of your pool and replace it with fresh water. - Excess organic waste: In this case, you will need to shock the pool with pool super shock. - High total alkalinity: In this case, adding a pH reducer will do the trick. - Low sanitizer levels: If the sanitizer is low, add chlorine to bring it back to acceptable levels.

The most common cause of this issue is an outbreak of green algae growth. The most important thing to do in a situation is to act quickly because the longer you wait to treat the issue, the harder it is to correct. The first step is to shock your pool, and the second is to use algaecide. The packaging will tell you the correct amount to use for your pool's size. A less common cause of green water is low total alkalinity, in which case an alkalinity increaser will correct the issue. To learn more, contact our expert pool builders in Dubuque, IA as soon as you can.

If your pool water is burning your eyes, an issue with the pH or sanitizer levels may be responsible. Homeowners looking for swimming pool companies in Dubuque, IA can turn to us for guidance on common water-balance concerns, including irritation caused by improper chemical levels. We recommend testing the water and checking whether the pH falls within the 7.4 to 7.6 range. If adjusting the pH does not resolve the problem, check the sanitizer level and automatic chlorinator setting. Excess chlorine or another chemical imbalance may be contributing to the irritation. We can help you better understand your pool's water balance and the adjustments needed to restore more comfortable swimming conditions.