Congratulations once again for being recognized as a winner for the 2011 BBB Awards for Excellence.
Candice Twyman, LMSW-AP, Executive Director

Casey’s Pools was awarded the Better Business Bureau Award of Excellence for 2011. We hold an A rating with http://www.BBB.org and strive for maintaining this level of performance.

Please feel free to contact Bill Konkus or Dennis Clack, Owners of Casey’s Pool & Spa, at (281) 392-7665, or send an email: info@caseyspoolspa.com

Also feel free to stop by our design center location at 1260 FM. 1463 Katy, TX, 77493. View a map.

We would like to thank our customers, friends, and family for their continued support and we look forward to seeing each and every one of your smiles again soon.

Your up front costs may be more when going salt water, but in the long run you will save $60 for every bucket of chlorine you would have had to purchase.

Also, salt water pool water actually feels smoother, is smoother on your skin, has less drying effect when departing from the pool, and as a result is overall more refreshing. Swimming in this mild saline water is akin to showering in soft water and is an excellent choice for you and your family.

Choosing proper foliage for your pool landscaping can be one of the single most important decisions to complete your inground pool area. It is important to remember not to choose any trees capable of littering your pool to the point of clogging filters and automatic pool cleaners. Deciduous trees such as cottonwood, birch, or magnolia, while beautiful, are notorious for creating more mess than pleasure for your new outdoor oasis.

What you will want to keep in mind while choosing a tree, shrub, or plant is choose something that will bloom and thrive year round. Low-water plants are also a better option as you do not have to plan for irrigation around the pool which can also prove damaging to your pool decking or equipment.

Our two recommendations for all swimming pool designs, including salt water pools, are palm type plants (including windmill and pindo palm), and cacti. Cacti is extremely easy to maintain and aesthetically beautiful to any landscaping. You will want to make sure and have all cacti at least eight feet from the pool to prevent damaging any air-up pool toys or potential poolside injury.

Contact your local plant nursery to check on their current inventory and pricing. Most importantly–have fun during your search! This experience should be fun before, during, and of course–after when you and your friends are enjoying the sun in your new pool.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the CHRISTUS St. Catherine Breast Cancer Awareness Fund, promoting community outreach, health, wellness and education.

Check-in begins at 8 am at Cross Creek Ranch in Fulshear, TX. There will be tons of excitement in the Kids Zone – bounce house, rock wall, face painters and bobbing for apples! Walk to honor, to support or strengthen the cause and celebrate with us following, at the Pink Pamper Party with local boutiques, spa services, pet pampering and much, much more.

Cross Creek Ranch is a master-planned community in Fulshear, Texas featuring new homes by Houston’s top home builders.  Read more about the Breast Cancer Walk here.

Come celebrate and support the cause!

Saturday, October 31, 2009
8:00 am Check in
9:00 am Start

Cross Creek Ranch
6450 Cross Creek Bend Ln.
Fulshear, TX 77441

Outdoor Pool Energy Loss

• Losses to Ground and other 10%
• Radiation to Sky 30%
• Evaporation 70%

The evaporation rate from an outdoor pool varies depending on the pool’s temperature, air temperature and humidity, and the wind speed at the pool surface. The higher the pool temperature and wind speed and the lower the humidity, the greater the evaporation rate. In windy areas, you can add a windbreak-trees, shrubs, or a fence-to reduce evaporation. The windbreak needs to be high enough and close enough to the pool that it doesn’t create turbulence over the pool, which will increase evaporation. You also don’t want the windbreak to shade the pool from the sun, which helps heat it.

Here are some suggestions to follow allowing for a more environmentally friendly swimming pool:

First of all, use Solar Covers also called a solar blanket. Solar Pool Covers or Blankets resemble giant sheets of bubble wrap. The bubbles trap heat from the sun and transmit the heat to the pool, keeping the water temperature warm and inviting. The solar cover also helps to trap the heat of the water and prevents its escape into the cool night time air. Solar covers float freely on top of a pool without tie-downs or anchors to hold them in place. Solar covers are usually folded and stored or rolled-up on a large reel and wheeled out of the way. Solar Blankets are ideal for use in sunny climates because the more heat they can gather, the longer they can extend the swim season. Solar pool covers can raise water temperature by as much as 10-15 degrees.

Besides offering energy savings, pool covers also do the following:

• Conserve water by reducing the amount of make-up water needed by 30%-50%
• Reduce the pool’s chemical consumption by 35%-60%
• Reduce cleaning time by keeping dirt and other debris out of the pool.

Using a Solar Pool Heater is another way that you can take advantage of the sun’s free energy. Solar Heaters are extremely efficient, inexpensive to operate, and are the ultimate in environmental friendliness. When combined with a solar pool cover, Your Solar Pool Heater will maintain a comfortable water temperature well into the cooler months.

Most solar pool heating systems include the following:

• A solar collector – the device through which pool water is circulated to be heated by the sun
• A filter – removes debris before water is pumped through the collector
• A pump – circulates water through the filter and collector and back to the pool
• A flow control valve – automatic or manual device that diverts pool water through the solar collector.

An Example of a solar pool heating system: Pool water is pumped through the filter and then through the solar collector(s), where it is heated before it is returned to the pool. In hot climates, the collector(s) can also be used to cool the pool during peak summer months by circulating the water through the collector(s) at night. Another way to save energy is by using a Pool Filter Timer. Automating a pool’s filter operation pays for itself in energy savings within the first month or two. Except for during times of heavy use, most pools only need to filter 12 hours per day. Pool Filter Timers save money on electricity and chemicals. Most Pool Filter Timers are rugged, weather proof and have up to 50 settings to allow you to make your pool turn on and off whenever you want. Most Pool Timers are easy to program.

Installing and Operating a Swimming Pool Pump for Energy Efficiency

You can save energy and maintain a comfortable swimming pool temperature by using a smaller, higher efficiency pump and by operating it less. In a study of 120 pools by the Center for Energy Conservation at Florida Atlantic University, some pool owners saved as much as 75% of their original pumping bill when they used these energy conservation measures. These savings represent a typical pool in Florida. The average pool pump energy bill is probably higher in Florida than in many other areas of the country because of the long swimming season. While the absolute savings here will be greater there than elsewhere, the percentage savings should apply nationwide. Note that the savings for the combination of measures are not simply the sum of savings for the individual measures. When both are implemented, the energy use is 60% of 40% of the original use-percent savings.The Florida study shows that a 0.75 horsepower or smaller pump is generally sufficient for residential pools. Smaller pumps, which cost less, can be used if you decrease the pool circulation system’s hydraulic resistance by doing the following:

• Substituting a large filter (rated to at least 50% higher than the pool’s design flow rate)
• Increasing the diameter or decreasing the length of the pipes, or replacing abrupt 90-degree elbow pipes with 45-degree ones or flexible pipes.
• By decreasing the pool circulation system’s hydraulic resistance, you can reduce the pump’s electricity use by up to 40%.

References from the US Department of Energy

About the Author: Trey Collier is owner of BackyardCityPools.com – North America’s finest resource for quality pool supplies, including a wide selection of solar pool covers, solar heaters, and pool pumps.

What you include in your outdoor kitchen will depend on your budget and how much you enjoy grilling and outdoor dining. Cost ranges from about $2,500 for the basics: a high quality free standing grill and patio dining set, to well over $25,000 for a top of the line built in grill, bar, sink, service center, and more. More elaborate outdoor kitchens include automatic dishwashers and special wine refrigerators. Outdoor “cabinetry” is stocked with top quality grilling accessories, grilling spices, and wine tools, and all indoor cooking necessities are included, right down to the paper towel holder.

The heart of the outdoor kitchen is the grill, and experts recommend purchasing the best you can afford. Top of the line outdoor grills made of high grade stainless steel, such as Lynx grills and Twin Eagles grills, come with lifetime warranties and provide professional grade heat output, restaurant style searing marks, and special amenities, including griddles and side burners for whipping up breakfast alfresco on the weekends. These upscale grills are fueled by gas or propane. Budget conscious homeowners will find fueling with bottled propane the least expensive choice with no need for running costly gas lines from the house to the outdoor cooking area.

Efficient layout is just as important when building an outdoor kitchen as it is with indoor kitchen design. Grilling with ease makes the outdoor cooking experience all the more enjoyable. Design experts suggest that the grill and sink flank the food prep area, and that an outdoor refrigerator or food cooler be available to keep ingredients fresh as you assemble your meal. Providing for even the smallest storage space will cut down on trips inside to retrieve barbecuing accessories, cooking gear, and serving dishes. However, a short and easy path to your indoor kitchen may be an important consideration, especially if you often entertain large groups, requiring use of both cooking areas. Making the most of a pleasant view and providing shaded seating may also be important considerations.

About the author: Sue Capella is a Northern California writer/editor who enjoys writing about home and garden. Sue is a copywriter for Outdora, a retailer that specializes in heightening the outdoor experience.

Outdora is committed to customer service excellence and providing top of the line merchandise. Outdora offers an extensive inventory of high-end barbeque grills such as Twin Eagles and Lynx Grills.

Up until just a few years ago the only option regarding underwater lights was how bright do I want my lights and how many do I need. If you are currently planning to build a new swimming pool think about the many different lights which are available.

Today’s lighting include simple white lights (both standard incandescent and quartz halogen) white lights with plastic color lens, color changing lights (rotating color wheel inside unit) LED automatic color changing lights and fiberoptic pool and spa lights. Which style or type of light would be the best one to use?

Standard incandescent and quartz halogen lights are usually the most cost effective and will produce a clear white light. This type and style of lights are available in wattages ranging from 100W to 500W. Many building departments require 12 volt lights and a transformer as per code, if this is the case 100W and 300W lights are available in 12 Volt. High Watt lights such as 400W and 500W are only available in 120 volt and may not be allowed by code. Check with your local codes and building officials for the lighting requirements which will be accepted. These lights typically have available, plastic color lens which snap on over the glass lens to produce a nice underwater effect.

Fiberoptic lights are also available to illuminate your pool or spa. These units have a small wall fitting (usually about 2″ round), which have the fiberoptic cable attached. Most pools will require multiple fiberoptic lights for adequate lighting. The fiberoptic cable is run back to a light generating box which is placed away from the pool or spa. The light in the box sends a beam of light through the fiberoptic to the end of the strands located inside the pool or spa. One fiberoptic light box will typically operate many wall fittings, but, this will depend on the total amount of fiberoptic strands the box will operate.

Color changing lights are perhaps the most exciting item to become available for swimming pools and spas in the last few years. Lights are available which have a color wheel built into the light which is controlled by a small circuit board. Many newer style color changing lights are now available in LED. LED lights have no moving parts and offer many different light shows for your use. Typically these lights are controlled by turning off and on the lights to locate the light pattern or “show” which you would like to have.

Check out your options and choose the best light package for your new pool. Lighting is one feature which will in many cases turn an ordinary pool into a spectacular backyard oasis.

Ron Burr is a State of Florida licensed swimming pool contractor and has been active in the swimming pool industry for over 30 years. Ron is the owner of One Stop Pool Supplies http://www.onestoppoolsupplies.com a great place to shop for all your pool and spa needs.

Although these cleaners have proven to be very effective, many people have been hesitant to invest in one. The main reason being that they are typically higher priced than other types of pool cleaners. As the technology of these units has improved, the costs have gone down significantly. That is great news for pool owners. The time you save is definitely worth the expense.

These cleaners have so many advantages and features that make them the envy of pool owners everywhere. A robotic pool cleaner, once you put it in you pool and turn it on, will independently vacuum up all the debris, dirt, and green algae it comes in contact with on the bottom, walls, and the steps of your pool. It will even work around drains and ladders. The newer models are smart enough to be able to detect the size and the shape of your swimming pool. Some even have internal memories, and after the first cleaning will be able to recall your pool’s shapes and curves making subsequent cleanings even more effective. Finally, many robotic cleaners have self-progamming software that scans and calculates automatically the most effective pattern of cleaning that is needed.

Overall, a robotic pool cleaner is an effortless and efficient way to keep your pool crystal clean so that you can get on with enjoying your swimming pool. Now, you will have time to lounge by the pool with family and friends. Isn’t that the real reason we desire to have a pool in our backyard anyway?

About the author: Trey Collier is owner of BackyardCityPools.com – North America’s finest resource for quality pool supplies, including a wide selection of automatic and robotic pool cleaners

This site was designed by Carson Coots, a web designer offering web design and video production services in Austin, Texas.