It depends on the type of service you sign up for. My hopes are to educate anyone considering this company before they are taken as well. This is a great company to work with. They truly want to help people and aren't out just to gouge us for every cent they can get. Unsanitary pool water can be a hotbed for transmission of common bacterial infections, which show up within a few days of swimming. Tony and his crew were amazing! His price was very reasonable and we don't doubt he would have done an excellent job if we had hired him. What consumers call a salt pool is actually a pool with a chlorine generator. However, one of two things seem to eventually happen the pool company does a great job and makes it looks easy, or the pool company does a poor job and the owners realize they could do better themselves. Shampooing with acidic swimmers shampoos, available from most pool and spa retailers, will reverse the process and release the copper. America's Swimming Pool Co of Coastal Virginia, American Leak Detection of Southern Virginia, 40% off - Up to 2 Hours of Handymen Service, Power House Painting and Home Improvement, 8% off - Ceiling Fan Installation - Labor Only. We plan to have him fix the issues he discovered on his inspection. He fixed a small leak in my skimmer and on the stairs. Most experienced pool owners I have met have had at least one bad experience with one of the "cheaper" companies. Outstanding job!!!! Animal rescuers use them along the coast after an oil spill. Tony came out last year to replace the liner and this time to replace our cover. Do you own, or are you ready to purchase the necessary equipment to maintain the pool such as a vacuum head, pole, hose , net and brush on a bi-weekly basis? Mice know winter is coming and many heater owners are aware they build nests inside heaters. As a general rule of thumb a DE filter can clear up a pool within 1-2 days, a sand filter 7-14 days, and a cartridge system can vary widely based on the size and condition of the filter elements, and how often they are disassembled and cleaned. He has a lot of knowledge of the upkeep of swimming pools and he shows up when he says he will be there. Finns Pool and Spa Service is locally owned and operated and has been servicing, renovating and building residential pools since 1990. P: 877.327.1833 Sometimes it works wonderfully; sometimes it does not go as planned. Enzymes dissolve oils. I have no complaints at all. How Much Does Swimming Pool Maintenance Cost? The price is always great. Our almost 20 years of servicing Northern VA (Vienna, Oakton, Great Falls, McLean, Langley, Fairfax) enables us to give you the best service experience possible. He is professional, extremely knowledgable, friendly and truly cares about his customers - even after the install. Copper gets into pool water from copper pipes and heater coils; its pulled there by aggressive, alkaline water. Thank you Greg and Kim for all of your help! They were extremely good and I am so pleased. These questions may help you clarify which service is most appropriate for you: If you can answer yes to all of those questions then bi-weekly service may be a great way to augment your current efforts and lesson the amount of time spent maintaining the pool. After 6 months of complaints they finally responded to repair defects in the pool deck, liner sections that were never put in place, a malfunctioning pool cleaner, and the pool leak that still persist. Hair turns green due to a combination of two factors: copper and alkalinity. The price was competitive and very fair. We got three quotes and Tony's was in the middle but definitely worth choosing. Greg was super knowledgeable about all aspects, from the install, to the equipment, to common problems in our area (I'm my case pungo). We offer both weekly and bi-weekly visits. By extension, there is no need to over-pay for services. This leaves the pool unsanitized while in use. Deciding which is best for you depends on a number of factors, such as the proximity and type of vegetation, the size of the pool, and the age of the equipment (modern equipment often requires less attention). In most cases, the simple act of climbing into the water releases enough contaminants to overwhelm the ozonator's efforts for hours. If you would like to purchase a la carte visits from us to do this work, it is best to do so at sign up in late winter or very early spring. Ozonators do sanitize water, but the process alone is insufficient to oxidize solids within the water. We highly recommend American Liners. You will notice that your pH level is consistently high from week to week. Their most outstanding attribute (imo) is their work ethic! Any product that claims to sanitize a pool or spa through use of enzymes, or states that no other chemicals are needed in conjunction with them, violates federal product terminology and undermines public health. I will gladly use him again when we convert our pool to salt water. With each installment you give, plan on not seeing them for 30+ days. This company was very professional and polite when they came out to install the pool. The salesperson recommended against a saltwater pool, because it "eats away" at the pool. A number of factors influence the start up time, including: surrounding vegetation, condition of the pool at closing, the fit and type of cover, time of year (the later in the spring that a pool is opened the greater change of an algae bloom from rising water temperatures) and the quality and type of filtration system. They were organized, very professional and well equipped and prepared for the task. It was still functioning but was very loud. We feel strongly that low-budget pool service companies are to be avoided. Hair usually assumes its greenish shade after shampooing, however, because the alkalinity in most shampoos intensifies the problem. A proper explanation exceeds the scope of this note, however we believe this to be an accurate synopsis worth reading for those who currently are in favor of salt chlorine generation: http://www.swimmingpoolsteve.com/pages/salt-safe.html. Further south, where pools are in operation year round a cartridge filter can be a sound choice. He stands behind his work and that is a rare thing now-a-days. They have always responded to my messages within no later than a day but usually within an hour or so. Turns out, once they get the money they're gone. Only regret is that we didn't find him years ago. From day one, Tony explained what he was doing and what the next steps would be. Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles, Reviews in Virginia Beach for Pool Installation. A small Company promising to be more customer oriented then the competition. How Much It Costs to Resurface a Swimming Pool. Even though they are a member of the Better Business Bureau it seems that the BBB has done nothing more than covered up poor workmanship. The job was finished a couple of days sooner than expected. Their prices are fair and they have gone above and beyond to help me out. (Actually, if you have a cartridge filter, it may be best to plan on being quite frustrated, or writing a lot of checks). Tony is the owner. The new motor is very quiet and the filter is running great. From the way he conducted our estimate, the work done and his follow-up! In other words, a pool that smells like chlorine probably does not have enough chlorine. His communication is also fantastic. Above is a photo of a very common repair in the fall. The Pool leaked about an inch a day throughout the Summer. Mike was prompt; did an excellent job; he is very friendly, we have been using him for four years and have been extremely satisfied with all the work he has done for us. The Angi rating for Above Ground Pool Installation in Virginia Beach is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Above Ground Pool Installation needs. Even if it goes well, after awhile the owners eventually seem to come to the conclusion that they either have better things to do with their time, or that they do not have the time or motivation to keep after their pool as necessary, (evidenced by a green or dirty pool more often than not). It was very difficult to get to. If you purchase a Spring Open 1 or 2 it is realistic to plan on doing significant work post-opening to get the pool swim-ready, to include chemical adjustments, significant vacuuming, backwashing and/or cleaning the filter manually. He was prompt in responding to our initial call. We were very pleased with the quality of their work and would recommend them highly! He installed the new motor Wednesday afternoon. They were very quick to come out and dig a giant hole in our yard, but it sat there for several weeks before any further work was done. The cost of a chlorine generator is comparable to the cost of a 5 year chlorine supply; however a salt pool will be more difficult to maintain over that time period for both service professionals and homeowners alike, and therefore . *** Potomac Pool Service no longer recommends the sale or use of salt chlorine generators. Initially, having minimal knowledge of the pool filter system, water chemistry, or the processes involved with maintaining a clean, safe pool, many will outsource the service to a company such as ours. Both times I was extremely happy with their service. They were very professional, showed up on time everyday, and did exactly what they were hired to do. Please do your research before doing business with this pool co. We are here to simply allow pool owners to enjoy their pools, rather than work on them. For more information, call Sean at 703-938-3829 or fill out our contact form today! We keep a close eye on the water chemistry to prevent such occurrences. Angis review system takes into account ratings on price, quality, timeliness, responsiveness and feedback for Angi Certified Pros. We can't say enough about him. Above Ground Pool Installation in Virginia Beach are rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 302 reviews of the 16 featured Virginia Beach pros. I would rate them very highly. It was a pleasure working with the owner Mike. We offer products that will help prevent these types of occurrences and potentially costly repairs. His inspection of our pool was extremely thorough. In this area I have heard of pool openings with some amount of vacuuming for just under $300, to other companies charging $420 for the same service. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. This mostly depends on the region of the country in which one lives, and by extension the length of the pool season. During the non-visit weeks the pool will typically need to be balanced with appropriate chemicals, skimmer baskets emptied, filter back-washed, bottom vacuumed, etc. Actually, it's chloramines that smell that is, chlorine that has been spent burning up contaminants. He made sure everything he promised was in writing to my satisfaction. They also recommended against the pool cover we wanted (the strong cover that you can walk across), and we realized that was because they sell you a pool cover that is impossible to install, so you get frustrated enough to call them and pay them to install it for you. We strive to provide a higher class of service to the Washington Metro area by hiring a first class staff of adult year-round salaried employees, in order to minimize technician turnover, and build consistent customer relationships. He had called a diver to come out with him to see what the problem might be. This is a direct result of the chlorine generator, and leads to numerous problems for the water chemistry that outweigh the problems the cell solves. So long as the pool is closed by the first hard freeze, the timing can be set to fit your schedule. They carefully deconstructed the pool and rock boarder and removed everything, leaving the site pristine so that we can have a gazebo installed on the site! My Hayward motor was ten years old and needed replacement. Cartridge filters are not an appropriate filter media for the Mid-Atlantic area and areas north of here, as they need to be manually cleaned multiple times during the start-up process. Do you have the time and inclination to clean the pool every other week, empty the skimmer baskets, hair/lint strainer basket, maintain the Polaris or vacuum as necessary. I appreciated the time he spent with us and his honesty. We take pride in diagnosing and repairing jobs correctly the first time and can repair anything from gas fired heaters to the digital control systems. Our service technicians today are well-trained, certified professionals who are experts in water chemistry, hydraulics, filtration, plumbing, electricity and sanitization. In 2014, while building our pool, they opened businesses in the names of Aqua Pools & Spas, as well as Beach Aquatic Pools in Virginia Beach. The pool did not pass inspection in June because Pools by Baxter neglected to install the necessary electrical outlet within 20 feet of the pool perimeter. It is reasonable to open your pool at least 2 weeks before you actually plan on using it, especially if you have a sand or cartridge filter. The person quoted us a price and dates to install the pool. Our calendar becomes quite full in May and while we will do our best to accomodate additional vists should you wish to purchase them, it may difficult. Terms and Conditions, http://www.swimmingpoolsteve.com/pages/salt-safe.html. I found American Liners on Angies' List and went with them because of the reviews and they lived up to their A+ rating. While it will certainly be cheaper, it will not be easy. Symptoms of concern include an itchy skin rash, an earache, pink eye, diarrhea, stomach pain, a yeast infection or a cough. I know I can count on him in the future for all my pool needs. I have given up on the idea that this Company intends to make good on their promises. How Much Does It Cost To Build a Root Cellar? We would do business with him in a heartbeat, we had to go with a different company though because of some warranty issues from previous installation. He is a man of integrity and honor. If you answered No to any of those questions then Weekly Service is most appropriate for your lifestyle. Tony is the definition of impeccable workmanship, customer service and reliability. The young man, Tony was very professional, punctual and friendly. Due to the high demand of pools (Covid) had to wait nine months before construction began; however, when it started management and crew were on top of each step of the job demonstrating top level of professionalism and craftsmanship. He always gives great advice and is willing to go above and beyond. Also Reinforced the seal on my light and made sure there were no other problems with my pipes or equipment (again at no extra charge to me). We will never use anyone but American Liners again. A couple days later we found we were losing water and called Tony. Salt is mixed into the water, and through an electro-chemical reaction with the salt the generator creates the purest form of chlorine available, chlorine gas. First red flag, they don't give their full names, John Jiannine (sales), owners: Jeremy Martin & Chris Fowler of Virginia Beach. office@potomacpools.com, Copyright 2021 Potomac Pool Service, Inc. Are you knowledgeable in water chemistry and willing to check and adjust the water every other week using chemicals such as chlorine, muriatic acid, sodium bicarbonate, and soda ash? We hope to be your choice for pool services & repairs in the Northern Virginia area. This Pool installation turned out to be a huge mistake. When opening in the spring, the turn-around time from Winterized to swim-ready can vary. He painted the coping as well. We had to replace the 10 years old liner in our pool. I've actually used Wave Motion Pools twice. They have made a few check up service calls and everything was working just fine. Tony is a true professional in every sense of the word. Some open in early March, because they like to look at their pool and it puts them in a summer frame of mind! Aegean Pool has done an outstanding job. He came back the day after the work was completed to make sure everything was going well and also followed up with a phone call. How Much Does It Cost to Board up a Window With Plywood? Once the pool water is clear, debris removal will generally take 1-2 cleanings to have the pool looking clear, blue and free of debris. Mike, owner, is very professional and dependable. Ozonators can reduce the need for chemicals in spas and even in pools but they cannot replace them. 13854 Park Center Road, Herndon, VA 20171 Salt Water Pool Cost Guide: Labor, Installation, and More. Items that were payed for and to be delivered are still on back orderafter 1 year? I have recommended them to neighbors. This is the second time using this company and definitely will use them again. I have dealt with numerous pool co's for leaks, liner, problems and repairs. We contacted Pools by Baxter to install an in ground pool in 2007. Green hair indicates that the water needs some work. Tony (the owner) showed up promptly every time. Most clients open their pools during the first two weeks of May, in order to be ready for Memorial Day Weekend. The amount of time an owner intends to invest in the pool also plays a significant role in deciding whether bi-weekly service would be appropriate over weekly service. They have abandoned our pool job and were recently soliciting new business at the 2014 homearama. He tracked the order of the liner and kept me updated with the progress. This was extensive work and it was all done in my backyard. We have noticed over the years a pattern for new pool owners. Swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, is caused by the bacteria pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most common pathogen found in pools and spas. He came out immediately the next morning. Mike and his helper did an excellent job removing our 11 year old above ground swimming pool. Maintain a chemical residual, however, and the spa stays clean even after guests drop in. How Much Does It Cost to Install an In-Ground Pool? They should be referred because they are very, very good. After over a decade of installing, servicing, using and learning about salt chlorine generators we have come to the conclusion that they create more problems than they solve. It's been 5 months & our pool project is still incomplete. They open pool businesses and change names often. Salt pools are a more environmentally friendly option as they do not require the manufacturing of solid chlorine tablets. I called on Monday afternoon and Frank came Tuesday afternoon to investigate what had to be done. Our busiest time for closing pools runs from the last half of September through the first half of October. If something came up and they couldn't make it when he said they would, he always let me know before they were due to be here. At that point they decide to give it a try themselves. While pool cleaning is not difficult, it is time consuming to perform the required tasks, and maintain all the appropriate chemicals on site, and to spend weekend or evening time cleaning as opposed to swimming or relaxing. In the south rates are much lower on a per visit basis, yet the pool season is much longer. They operate on an installment plan. The first time was last summer (2019) for an above ground pool install and the second time was this summer for equipment repair. None of which have been called a second time. Every phase of the installation was done unprofessionally and the finished work reflects that. We had surprise costs come up that were not discussed fully (ground water, etc). He repaired a large portion of the pool floor that needed it, found a broken tack strip and replaced it with a new one (at no extra charge for any of it). We believe our pricing to be reasonable; however we are not striving to make price our most appealing feature. Are you comfortable maintaining the filter system, including priming the pump and back-washing the filter? Also see reviews for Sea Breeze Pools & Spas, Trident Pools and check the DPOR.com site. Do you currently own these chemicals or are ready to purchase them for use every other week? An improperly maintained pool is not only an eyesore, it can also very easily be unhealthy, and a burdensome annoyance as yet another job that needs to be done! We later realized the reason they recommend against this is because they want you to spend $1,000 or more a season for chemicals.