Some people are surprised about the growing demand for custom pools in Kansas since this typically is something seen more on the West Coast. However, with so many exciting options available, many area homeowners and business owners are opting for customization as opposed to a standard pool.

While both Kansas and Missouri are notorious for their brutally cold and often snow-blanketed winters, these sister states also have hot summers. For approximately five months, families, apartment dwellers, and hotel guests have the perfect opportunity to spend time relaxing by a pool or swimming for fun or exercise. With a number of public pools closing, people now recognize the long-term value of custom pools in Kansas.

In addition, more families are spending quality time together, whether at home or while on vacation. Therefore, custom pools in Kansas make perfect sense for people who enjoy family gatherings or time with friends. In fact, certain areas of Kansas, including Johnson County, are home to top executives of large corporations. A custom pool is perfect for hosting special client events.

Custom pools are also growing in popularity in Kansas due to so many people wanting to live a healthier lifestyle. For homeowners, having a pool in the backyard eliminates the need to visit a community center or fitness club for exercise. Instead, they simply walk aside and swim or do laps in the comfort and privacy of their own home.

Kansas businesses are finding that custom pools provide guests a special perk. For example, many hotels and even community centers offer pools with unique features. As an example, a pool can have a deep end for swimming, lapping, and diving; a shallow area for kids or inexperienced swimmers; and a “river” that provides an excellent means of resistance for exercise.

The bottom line is that beautifully designed custom pools have become increasingly popular in Kansas over the years, a trend that is expected to continue.

Unlike states with warm temperatures all year round, Kansas has four distinct seasons. That means that instead of swimming from January to December as people in Los Angeles, Miami, and Phoenix do, there are only about five months when a pool is used. However, if pools in Kansas are heated and perhaps covered, they can be enjoyed all year long.

Even with a heated pool, some Kansas homeowners question if there are special requirements for building pools. One thing that applies to Kansas and many other states are that both residential and commercial pools are subject to approved permits. As long as your contractor goes through the appropriate channels for securing the permits, you will have no problem.

Although the state of Kansas has no broadly applicable pool laws, several local governments adopted certain standards. For example, in Johnson County, both public and privately owned pools are mandated to have some type of protective fence, wall, or some other barrier. As part of this, the barrier must be at minimum 5 feet tall, with a self-closing and self-latching door or gate complete with hardware for padlocking. If a pool cover is used, it must meet certain requirements, as well.

As for the actual pools in Kansas, the same materials and techniques used in other states are used. That means that you have the same opportunities for a standard or custom swimming pool. The only difference is that custom pools generally require a little more time to complete. However, you have an amazing unique design.

You can also choose the material. Some people prefer vinyl liner pools while others want something that requires less maintenance and is nearly indestructible, like gunite pools.

The construction of pools in Kansas is much the same as everywhere else. Regardless of where you live, it is important to choose a reputable company to handle the installation. That way, you have a quality built pool that can be enjoyed without any concerns.

Over time, pool liners deteriorate. However, instead of putting off pool liner replacement in Kansas, you want to take care of it right away to avoid even bigger problems. Typically, the highest-quality pool liners for both aboveground and in-ground swimming pools last between 8 and 12 years, so this is your first indicator that a replacement is necessary.

Another indication that you need a new pool liner is that the color will start to fade. You might also notice a slow leak or areas that are cracking. Other indicators include a gooey-like surface, the liner pulling out of the track above the waterline, and diminished elasticity.

Obviously, you want to get the most out of a pool liner that you can, but waiting too long could lead to catastrophic damage. A prime example: If you do not get pool liner replacement in Kansas when needed, the walls of the pool could collapse. This is something that happens when the water level remains too low during the months that the pool is inactive.

By not having the liner replaced when necessary, the walls can collapse in the summer, as well. Not only would you lose a tremendous amount of water, this could shut down the pool for the entire season. Although pool liner replacement in Kansas is something that can be done as a do-it-yourself project, to keep the manufacturer’s warranty intact, you want to hire a reputable contractor. A licensed contractor will get the job done correctly and in less time.

A huge benefit of pool liner replacement in Kansas is that you have the opportunity to select from a wide range of colors and styles. If your previous liner was standard or even boring, this is the perfect time to consider border motifs, different solid colors, mosaic-like designs, and even marbled patterns. A new liner with a seashell or boat motif would enhance the entire backyard.

To ensure the pool liner replacement in Kansas lasts for years, you want to follow all manufacturer recommendations. You also need to adjust and maintain the proper alkalinity, keeping the level between 80 and 110 parts per million. This slows down and actually ends the bleaching of the liner. When the level of acid is too high, the color of the pool liner fades. This also draws out plasticides, which leads to problems of shrinkage and a loss of flexibility.

Gunite pools are quite popular in Overland Park. A mixture of cement, aggregate, and water sprayed over the surface under pneumatic pressure is used, along with a rebar frame. Because gunite is porous, plaster is sprayed between this material and the pool’s water to create a water barrier.

If the applied plaster is not thick enough, water seepage through the gunite is possible. When that happens, water is wasted. Isolating the loss is nearly impossible unless the pool is completely drained. Fortunately, there are viable options for dealing with gunite pools in Overland Park that leak.

Gunite pools develop cracks for different reasons. As an example, when water from behind the structure permeates any porous voids, the temperature changes. This causes expansion and contraction that put this type of pool at risk for cracking. However, cracks can also develop if the surrounding ground shifts. Typically, shifting occurs due to freeze/thaw cycles and changes in the water table.

Based on the problem, a licensed contractor will use the appropriate repair method. For a very small leak, pouring a waterproof sealant into the pool usually works well. If the plaster was incorrectly applied or when water seeps through the porous gunite material, the contractor will identify the problem area, followed by applying an additional layer of plaster. If the grout line or the plaster itself is deteriorating, re-plastering may be required.

When the plaster in gunite pools in Overland Park cracks, the preferred solution is pressurized polymer. Because this material adheres to the pool’s structure, it bonds the pieces together. After the polymer is applied, a plaster coating is sprayed on, making the repair job unnoticeable. For large cracks, the structure must first be stabilized. Then, the gunite structure is locked together and a polymer crack injection is used to seal the leak. Finally, the repaired crack and polymer injection are re-plastered.

Every state has its unique set of challenges when it comes to swimming pools, and Kansas is no different. If you’re thinking of getting a swimming pool, it’s a good idea to know some common problems ahead of time. That way, you can avoid these problems when selecting your swimming pool.

Algae in the Pool

As with other Midwest states, it can get hot in Kansas. When it gets hot, the algae can start growing. Nothing can kill the summer fun faster than a pool full of algae, so you need to overcome this problem. Vinyl-liner pools are a good choice if you’re concerned about algae. These pools are relatively nonporous. Because of that, it is hard for algae to grow in them, even when it is stifling hot. On top of that, they can handle chemicals really well, which makes it even easier to fight algae. If you have one of these pools, it will be very difficult for algae to take root.

Mismatched Repairs

No matter how well you take care of your pool, you might have to get it repaired from time to time. You might go through a major storm and undergo some damage, or it might just be time to do some routine maintenance. Unfortunately, if you look around at the various pools in Kansas, you will notice something unsightly. A lot of the repairs that are made on colored finishes don’t match. Fortunately, all of these pools have something in common. They are made of fiberglass. You can avoid this problem by sticking with concrete (gunite) or vinyl-lined pools. Then, your repairs won’t stick out like a sore thumb. That’s because it is easy for the contractor to match the repairs to the original finish on these pools.

If you avoid these common problems, your pool will be a showpiece instead of an eyesore. You can use it to entertain people and have a great time with family and friends.