Yes!!!  This is something we get asked a lot.  When Sunnyview Pools provides you with a quote for your project we always come out to your home to assess everything.  One of the big factors is access into your backyard because of course if we can not fit one of our machines in your backyard, that means extra man power and time to accomplish the job!  We use a great tool for such situations which is a conveyor belt system which can get through very tight spaces.  

The way the market is going today, realtors are saying yes, a pool can add some great value!  With the price of everything going up, we are finding more and more people are preferring to make their home their vacation get away, rather than spending so much time and money on a home away from home!  Why not transform your backyard into something you would instead pay top dollar to get away from?  

This is again based upon an individual’s preference, but stone is always a great option because there are many different options with stone in terms of texture, size and layout.  A stone decking around your pool will not crack, and will move with the ground.  Not only that, but if there happens to be some damage done to the stone work, it is easy to fix or replace areas because they are installed by individual piece.

This really depends on what style of concrete you choose.  If you go with a broom finish look (plain concrete), this tends to be nice around a pool because it does not have to be sealed, and therefore keeps a sort of rough texture that does not become slippery when wet.  If you decided to go with a stamped concrete look which should be sealed, then yes, this tends to be more slippery than a plain concrete finish.  Our company adds in a special “grit” in our sealing material which gives the concrete more of a texture rather than being slippery.  We find this really helps especially when the concrete gets wet.  Always proceed with caution around a pool regardless of the material!

This is something that is a constant debate.  Which is better, concrete or stone?  
At Sunnyview Pools we think both are great options, and both also come with a big difference in price tags.  Our preference is concrete.  With concrete you have a large variety of colour options and design.  You can even use concrete to mimic different materials such as stone, and can give it a really natural look as well.
Sunnyview Pools includes 2 coats of sealer in your pool price.  We believe in sealing the concrete well to ensure it lasts long, by way of keeping the chemicals out of the material, while also looking it’s very best.  

We don’t recommend that you walk around on your winter safety cover.  Can they withstand the weight?  Yes of course!  In fact they are built strong enough to handle the weight of several adults just in case of a situation where a child has wandered onto the safety cover and needs to be retrieved.

Sunnyview Pools highly recommends the winter safety cover, and in fact, we have it built into our pool cost!  Even if our clients tell us they don’t have children, we still always recommend the safety cover and explain the importance of it.  The peace of mind knowing that your pool is completely covered and can not be accessed by any children or animals who may be wandering about.  Not to mention in the spring/summer months when you open your pool, you won’t be finding any dead critters who may have entered your pool.  Please strongly consider having this cover installed when you close your pool.  The peace of mind is worth every penny!

The cover should be washed off with a hose to remove anything that may have built up over the winter months.  Drain anything if necessary.  Before you fold and put the cover away, make sure it is clean and completely dry.

No it will not ruin your safety cover if you are cautious and check the cover regularly, especially if you live in an area that is heavily wooded.  A lot of debris will inhibit the normal flow for drainage, therefore important to keep the area as clear as possible.

We think it is a good idea to remove large amounts of snow off of the safety cover as carefully as you can so that you don’t damage the cover.  You should also remove any large amount of water that is on top of the safety cover by draining it carefully.  After you have done that, we recommend that you adjust the straps to prevent this from happening again.  If you are not diligent in your care for the safety cover in the winter months, it could cause permanent damage to the cover.  To drain the water, just loosen the straps the run through the draining points and tighten the straps away from those points.  It is normal to have a little bit of water on top of the cover without worry as it will just evaporate anyway.

Sunnyview Pools recommends that you check to make sure your pool has the proper level of sanitizer before closing it for the winter months.  If you do this, it will ensure that when you open your pool for the summer season, the water will be clear.  If the cover is still on after the temperature reaches about 15-16 degrees celcius, you might have to add more chemicals to keep the water looking clear.

That is a question many people wonder about when closing their pool with the winter safety cover.  It is important to ensure the tension is where it should be to have it working most effectively.  When you are putting in on at first adjust the tension to about half compression, to keep the cover tight and help with water drainage.  You should make sure to check this often, as well as the straps to make sure it is where it should be.

The water should be kept about 12″ from the top of the pool wall

All you have to do is turn off the power, disconnect the water and discharge lines.  Tilt the heat pump toward the fittings to ensure all the water in the heat exchange and drained out completely.

This is a device that is installed in a time clock.  It turns the heater on 30 min after the circulation pump turns on, and turns it off 30 min before the pump turns off. This prevents damage to the plumbing lines by allowing the water to cool down first.  Because we use ALL Hayward products, this is a feature already included.  It dissipates the heat automatically, therefore does not need a switch.

LED lights are typically not measured in brightness.  The whole purpose of the coloured lighting is for an effect on the swimming pool, and your entire backyard.  It is the equivalent of 225 watts.  You can be guaranteed that the lights are bright and vibrant!

Of course you can!  When the lights are turned on and off between 10-15 seconds, each light will go to the first color show that has been programmed.

On average they last up to 50,000 hours!

LED’s are the newest form of energy efficient lighting.  It stands for “Light emitting diode” which is a semiconductor device that converts electricity into light.  They are on a circuit, and that circuit controls colour and intensity.

A general guideline is about 8-10hrs/day.  on cooler days, or when fall is approaching, you can really cut your time to about 4-6hrs/day.  There are a few factors that determine the time, as we said this is just a general guideline without looking into how many gallons your pools holds, horsepower of your pump, and what type of filter you have.

It really isn’t that hard!  All you need to do is make sure the electrical to the pump is turned off.  Make sure the pump is completely drained (it will do so if required once drain plugs are removed).  If you need further assistance, ask us!

You sure do!  If you don’t have one, debris will clog in the pump and stop all moving water.  Always make sure to clean your strainer basket AS WELL AS your skimmer basket to ensure there is always constant water flow, therefore preventing your pump from over working itself.

The Hayward in-ground pumps have a vaccumm chamber that must be filled with water in order to create a vaccuum, to take the water out of your pool.  The housing stays full of water while the pump is turned on, and remains pretty much the same when it is turned off as well.  Hayward 2-speed pumps will turn on to a pre-selected speed, but sometimes it will turn on to “high” and then make its way down to a low speed.
All Hayward in-ground pool pumps have a diffuser in them which allows for the self priming.  As the air is taken out of the system, bubbles will start to form.  You will know when the self prime has occurred because the bubbles will stop and the pump basket will now be full of water. 
Thes Hayward pumps for your in-ground pool are very simple and easy to understand and operate.  They do require lots of water supply from your pool, without any air from the suction lines.

Yes.  There is a cost to have your fiberglass pool shipped to your home.  The actual cost is dependent upon the distance from the warehouse, and the size of pool you have chosen.  If the fiberglass pool is over a certain width (rules vary from region to region), then it may require a freight charge AS WELL AS a police escort charge to ensure the pool is delivered safely.

Sunnyview Pools does not do the landscaping at your property, however, we do have a great landscaping team that we work with!  If you have chosen to get your pool installed by Sunnyview Pools, then you have also made the choice for a one stop shop!  We do our very best to provide you with the services you need, without all the headaches of having to do the research and find the qualified people yourself.  We have that covered!!  Contact us for more information on what we offer today!

A pool installation on average, for a vinyl liner pool, is about 1 week.  If you have gone ahead with the fiberglass option then you are looking at about 3-4 days from start to finish!  

Always keep a nice clean, balanced pool to avoid this from happening.  The filter might be clogged up with dirt, or minerals, which causes the pressure to rise.  Try to maintain clean grids by cleaning them out as much as possible (at least one time per season, we recommend a couple times).  It may require an acid bath or just a grease clean.  This will get everything cleaned up nicely allowing for a nice area to filter again.

Depending on your pool size, what sorts of features you have, how large they are, the type of equipment you have, you savings could be quite a bit.  It is estimated that the cost you pay for energy efficient equipment compared to standard equipment can be made back with the first year of operation… that’s a great savings!  It is estimated that your savings will be anywhere from $800-$1200 annually!!!

It can make a big difference!!!  Depending on how big your pool is and what sort of equipment you are using for heating and filtration, for example, these pieces can stay running all day to filter your water!  With that being said, even a small amount of saving now, can be a HUGE amount of savings in the long run.  Energy efficiency is key when owning a pool.  It’s great to know you have invested a great sum of money into something that will not cost you a whole lot more on your monthly bills.

The reason you are finding your pump is loud is because it has an internal cooling fan.  Please keep in mind where you are locating the pump so that it does not become a bother. Also, make sure the pumps suction lines are not higher than the pump or this can also cause some noise.

Of course! Safety is a big priority at Sunnyview Pools and we take very seriously the importance of locating any underground utilities that we might encounter when installing your pool. By getting professional and private locates done ahead of time, we will be able to help you redesign your pool layout if the current design has us digging within 1 metre of any underground utilities.

You should fill your in-ground pool to ⅓-½ the way up the pool skimmer entrance This allows anything floating on the surface of your pool to float inside and get trapped in the filter. The filter works best when the skimmer is not completely underwater.

If you have a pool with no skimmer, you could fill to 12 inches from the top, or fill to a few inches above the top stair, or final rung of your ladder. Any more water might result in an overflow after heavy rains or a vigorous cannonball contest. If this is your first time filling this pool, it may be best to err on the low side. If you decide you need more water later, you can always run a garden hose into it for a few hours to top it up to your preferred height.

The amount of water you need will be the volume of the pool space, minus a foot or so from the surface. Most water supply companies would be happy to help you calculate the volume of water you will require, should you need help. Rectangular pools are the easiest, you simply multiply the length of the pool, by the width of the pool, by the height of water you would like. You will need 1,000 litres of water for every cubic metre of pool space.

If you do your homework ahead of time, there should be no “hidden costs” and no surprises. Make sure you tack on an extra 20% into your budget just in case you need it. The list below includes some things that you might not have thought about when planning your pool:

– getting locates (whoever is doing the digging should pay for this)
– de-watering services in case you dig below the water table
– re-designing fees if you dig down to bedrock or encounter large boulders
– fencing
– extra concrete
– extra gravel
– hauling away excavated dirt
– retaining walls
– electrical
– delivery fees for pool equipment
– water delivery
– professional landscaping or pool design

Talk to your pool company about all of these items, as some may not be applicable to your geographic area or pool design.

Your pool filter should be kept very clean. You will need to clean it “as often needed”, which can be as much as once per week in areas with lots of deciduous trees (leaves fall into the pool), or can be a little as once per month for areas with little debris falling into the pool. It helps to keep your pool covered at night and even to set up an owl decoy to discourage songbirds from perching (and pooping) near your pool.

The best filters are cartridge filters, as they provide maximum flow while wasting little water to do so. They need to be cleaned as little as a few times per year. They might need extra cleaning after heavy storms and are, like all filters, dependant on the condition of your pool. These filters work best when cleaned every 4-6 months. You can easily remember to do this by doing it every time you get your oil changed on your car.

For extra cleaning, try soaking dirty filters in a 10% solution of muriatic acid or trisodium phosphate. Always handle these chemicals with care and use eye protection and hand protection. Rinse when finished and let it dry before putting them back in the pool.

Maintenance is a huge part of keeping any pool clean, healthy and fun. It might be a bit of work if you can’t hire a pool-boy to do it for you, but the results of your daily efforts can be rewarding! The key is staying on top of it.

Here’s how to maintain your pool:

1) Sanitation – Your sanitizer (whether salt, chlorine, or bromine) must be kept at the proper levels at all times. Make sure to shock your pool regularily, and shock it weekly during the month of August, when algae is most likely to grow. Using salt-chlorine generators is an easy way to regulate the sanitizer in the water, and the generator will keep a consistent level of chlorine in the pool.
2) Flow – moving water is less likely to have algae grow in it. Circulating the water in your pool allows the pool water to keep moving, and also allows particulate to be filtered out when it passes through the circulation system.
3) Regular Use – Swim in your pool as much as possible. Swimming will stir up particulate in the water and make it easier for the dirt and debris to enter the skimmer. Swimming also increases water movement, making it harder for algae to grow.
4) Filters – Keep an eye on the state of the filters and change filters as per the manufactureres instructions. This keep the water moving well and coming out clear!
5) Additional chemicals – A weekly algaecide, although not a necessity, will do wonders to help you keep the algae at bay!

Here’s a few extra tips to help you keep your pool looking it’s best:

1) Check the chemicals in the pool 1-2 times per week (summer) and every two weeks in the winter. You are checking for pH. pH is an indication of the acidity of the water. The lower the pH, the more acidic the water, and the less chlorine required. That being said, you don’t want too low a pH. The optimal levels are between 7.2 and 7.8 (on a scale of 1-14). As pH rises, the acidity drops, and the chlorine becomes less and less effective at sanitizing the pool, and as such you will need to add more chlorine to make up for it. For example a pool with a pH of 8 has only 10% chlorine activity. You will need to add 10 times as much chlorine as usual to achieve adequate sanitation. You can easily see that if you control pH properly, you will be able to save money on chlorine!
2) Clean the skimmer, leaf basket, filter, lint pot and anything else that is easily accessible, at least once a week. The skimmer takes in water from the surface and removes any floating debris before it gets a chance to sink to the bottom. Everything in the pool must enter through the surface, and the more effient the skimmer is, the more dirt you will be able to remove.
3) Check the water level everytime you are outside. This is a good habit to get into because the water level can fluctuate either up or down depending if last nights activities included a heavy rainfall or a vigorous cannonball competition. Your water needs to be at a height that intercepts the face of the skimmer. The skimmer is used to collect debris from the surface, and the water level must be as such that the surface water is always able to enter the skimmer. If the water is too low, the pump will overheat and burn out. If the water is too high, the skimmer door will close and, although the pump will likely not burn out, the debris from the surface will not be filtered out.
4) Check your inline- or deck-chlorinator for the appropriate amount of chlorine (tablets or pucks) and to ensure there is no clogging.
5) Make sure your Ozonator light is still on and the system is working. Ozone and UV together can reduce the requirement for chlorine in the pool. They are a worthwhile investment and produce great results. There are a few different types and have different installations and instructions, so be sure to research them before selecting the one that fits your pool best.
6) Clean your Chlorine Generator Cell (for salt-water pools). The function of the cell depends on the cleanliness of the pool as well as the pool chemistry. Extra tip: if you can taste the salt, then you’ve added too much, and the pH will be high.
7) Wipe the liner weekly where the surface of the water meets the liner. This is a place where algae and dirt can build up (think about the dirty ring you can sometimes get in your bathtub or toilet). Take a soft brush or cloth and wipe the liner all the way around the pool. This is an easy chore for kids to do!
8) Store your chemicals properly. This means: in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight, and of course out of reach of children. Keep other chemicals away from the pool. Organics from bird poop and other animal droppings can cause algael blooms, as the algae feed on organic matter.
9) Shock your pool appropriately. Shocking is the addition of extra chlorine. This doesn’t need to happen on any regular basis, and the pool should be left for at least 12 hours before being used again. If you have an ozone system, shock it by running the ozone pump for 24 hours.
10) Check gates and fences to keep your family and your neighbours safe. Every year in the US, 300 toddlers drown in swimming pools. Make sure that you latch the gate properly after using the pool, or install a functional self-latching mechanism.
11) Pay attention to your pool. Is the in-pool cleaning system working correctly? Is the bottom visible and the water clear? Are there any obstructions on the drain? Is the hose cleaner free of kinks and twists? Are there any funny smells? When was the last time the filter was cleaned? Are there any cracks in the perimter of the pool? (If yes, you can caulk it with silicon) Is the liner in good shape?

About ten people drown every day in the United States in non-boating related incidents. Of those, about 300 will be toddlers under the age of 5. Water safety is highly important, not only for your family, but for your neighbours too. Most municipalities, if not all, specify that the pool must be able to be closed off when not in use. This is a safety measure in place to prevent accidental drownings. The easiest way to do this for an in-ground pool is to simply fence it off and have a latchable gate for access. Above-groud pools can easily have the deck fenced and gated as well. Most fences cost $5-$10 per foot. If your backyard is already fenced around the sides and the back, you should be able to gate across the side lawns inbetween you and your neighbours.

There are all sorts of fence types available to suit your price range and to match your style. Wooden fences can be built beautifully and provide an incredible amount of privacy, whereas a rod-iron fence might just look stunning in your backyard and be able to provide you with a view of the pool at all times so you can monitor your kids playing.

At Sunnyview Pools, we can turn any backyard into an oasis. The smaller the backyard, the more limited the pool choices, but we can still make many great options work for you!

But even if you have a small backyard, we can help you design your pool to make it work! A few feet of space should be left along at least one edge of your pool so you can easily access the pool for repairs. Think about any access that you might need to items behind the pool, such as fences, sheds or gardens that could end up being separated from the house by the pool. Fiberglass pools come in pre-fabricated shells, they are less easy to custom make, and typically range from 10’x20’ to 18’x43’. Your fiberglass pool will probably be limited in size anyway due to the specifications of the width allowance on your local roads. But of course with all the manufacturers out there, you’re bound to find one that fits your needs and your backyard.

Concrete pools can be fitted into any backyard, as they are completely customizable. Vinyl liners are also customizable (although it’s easier to purchase standard-size vinyl liners). Keep in mind that if you have children, it might be nice to retain a little bit of lawn in the backyard where they can still play.

Use an internet search engine to view examples of pools in small backyards to give you ideas, and of course give us a call; we’d be glad to help you out!

A cheap vinyl liner will last 3 years. You can purchase pools nowadays from places like Walmart. And believe us, you get what you pay for. A good quality vinyl liner can last 7-10 years and should cost you a few thousand dollars.

You can make your liner last longer by getting the right people to install it. Should the liner tear upon installation, your pool company should replace the entire thing at no cost. Also, adding the right amount of sanitizing chemicals to your pool will extend the life of the vinyl liner. Over-chlorinating can cause your liner to fail faster than it otherwise would have.

Your dog might like a nice refreshing dip in the pool, but those claws of his can cause quite a bit of damage to your liner when he’s climbing out of the pool. If you have a dog who likes to swim, make sure you have shallow steps where he can walk in and out from as he pleases, instead of scrambling up a ladder.

Never bring sharp objects into the pool. I know your kids might like to bring all their toys into the pool, but make sure to sort out which ones are “pool-safe” ahead of time so that you don’t end up with a $2,000 repair job and a month without a pool!

You can purchase a simple DIY patch kit for minor repairs (both dry and wet patch kits exist) They will contain small vinyl circles upon which you apply an adhesive (usually supplied in the kit). Always follow the instructions on the kit. If the rip is underwater, no need to empty the pool, just put on your snorkel gear and dive in. Pre-glue the back of the patch and place it evenly over the tear, making sure to smooth it down completely. You can still swim in the pool, but remember to follow the instructions on your kit before touching it again.

Absolutely! If you would like a vinyl liner pool or a concrete pool, you can have absolutely anything your heart desires. Sunnyview can work with you one-on-one to custom-make the pool of your dreams. You can have shallow, deep, rectangular, square, round, oval, bean-shaped, or any combination thereof! We suggest selecting a shape that fits your landscape and matches the architechure of your house. Think about whether you want waterfalls, water spouts, water slides, diving boards, steps and ladders. Browse our website or the internet for pictures of pools and decide on some designs that you think are best. Give us a call and we can help you from there!

Fiberglass pools come pre-fabricated, and although there are lots of designs to choose from, they are not customizable and often have width restrictions due to transport via road.

Chlorine combines with water to create disinfectant chemicals. This is why we use it. But chlorine also combines with organic materials such as urine, sunscreen and body oils. This combination creates chloramines, which build up over time and create a very strong chlorine smell. Chloramines, although they contribute to sanitation efforts, are also responsible for eye and skin irritations. If there is enough chlorine available in the water, the production of chloramines is limited. When the regular chlorine starts being used up, chloramines will start to form. Every once in a while a pool will require “shocking” to get rid of the chloramines. This entails adding 5-10 times as much chlorine as usual, to oxidize chloramines and boost regular chlorine levels.

In a saltwater pool, the electrolysis system will continuously destroy chloramines and supply the pool with fresh chlorine. Though a saltwater pool will still need to be monitored for proper chemical levels, it will rarely require “shocking”.

The chlorinator cell uses electrolysis to attract calcium and other minerals to a pair of parallel titanium plates, either solid or mesh. These plates are coated with a platinum transition metal, such as iridium or ruthenium. As the salt water travels through the pool’s circulation system, it passes through the cell, between the plates. A low-voltage current (electrolysis) breaks the salt and water into hydrogen gas plus hypochlorous acid. The hydrogen gas bubbles to the surface and leaves the pool, and the acid remains behind to disinfect the pool and gets recycled. In order for a salt generator to work, the salt conventration in the pool must be at least 3,000 ppm (salt in the ocean is 35,000 ppm).

Think of the pool system like your water softener. People who live in an area with hard drinking water will know this very well. The hardness in the water (Calcium and magnesium) precipitates out onto the plates of the cell. The cell will eventually get a build-up of calcium (scale), and it will require a bit of maintenance. Clean the cell with a mild acidic solution which will remove the scale and improve the effectiveness of the system. Overuse, not having enough salt, or using too strong an acid wash can all strip the metal coating from the plates of the cell. If this happens, the entire cell will need to be replaced.

We sure do! Read through our FAQ section on salt water pools and then give us a call. We’d be more than happy to help you figure out which type of sanitation will suit you and your pool best.

Yes! There are a few different chemical options for keeping your pool healthy and clean:
– chlorine
– bromine
– saltwater
– bio-filtration

The purpose of a pool sanitation system is to reduce the levels of micro-organisms to safe levels. A sanitiser which eliminates 99.9% of micro-organisms it is said to have reduced the micro-organisms to safe levels. Failure to sanitize your pool can result in algael blooms, cloudy water, and the chance that accidental ingestion of pool water could cause sickness.

If implemented properly, chlorine, bromine, salt water and bio-filtration systems all achieve proper sanitation . Chlorine and bromine are often outfitted with other chemicals that serve a secondary purpose. In addition to killing micro-organisms, they also oxidize organic material in the water (oxidizing can be thought of as similar to burning, at a microscopic level). Some targeted organic material includes, body oils, sunscreen, sweat and urine.

Four different sanitizers are outlined below. Not sure which is best for you? Give Sunnyview a call and we’d be happy to help you.


Chlorine is the most common. It’s readily available, it’s cheap and boy is it ever easy to use. It comes most often in solid form (small pucks) and can be bought at your local pool company as well as most big box stores that have an outdoors section. Put a few chlorine pucks into a slotted floater and they dissolve on their own. Replace as necessary. Of course you still have to monitor the pool to make sure you’ve put the right amount in for the size of pool you have, but other than that, chlorine is a great way to go. There are two downsides to chlorine: (1) after a while your bathing suits will need to be replaced, as chlorine will slowly eat away at the elastic bits, (2) the by-products of chlorine mixing with organics in your pool (called chloramines) can cause eye and skin irritations. It’s best not to open your eyes under water, if you want to see underwater, wear a mask or goggles.


Bromine is similar to, but more effective than, chlorine. Bromine is more stable at higher temperatures, more potent at higher pH’s and produce by-products with fewer odour issues. When bromine reacts with organics, bromamine is produced. Bromamine is a stronger sanitizer than chloramine, and it also produces a softer odour than chloramines. A few drawbacks: bromine is not as readily available as chlorine and it is roughly 40% more expensive.


Saltwater is also a smart option, though less common. Saltwater pools are not chlorine-free. Salt actually works to produce chlorine! The salt (NaCl) and the pool water (H2O) pass through the electrolysis cell and form two compounds: HClO and NaClO. The HClO (Hypochlourous Acid) reacts to produce HCl (Hydrochloric Acid), whic is the sanitising agent and the NaClO reacts to form NaOH (sodium hydroxide) and is converted back into salt. Salt levels in a salt water pool are much less than that of the ocean. Salt pools have levels around 3,000 parts per million (this means that there is 3,000 portions of salt for every 1,000,000 portions of water), in other words, roughly a 1:330 ratio of salt to water. The concentration of salt in the oceans is around 35,000 ppm (or 1:30 ratio of salt to water), much more concentrated.

Salt is added to the pool and mixed in with a large pool broom until it dissolves. It is important not to over-salt the pool, as it reduces the effectiveness of the chlorinator cell.

UV disinfection systems can be added to salt water pools to help with the sanitation process, as well as adding acids to neutralize pool alkalinity. Cyanuric acid or sulphuric acid can be used for this.

In general, salt water pools require less maintenance than other pools, but will have a higher capital cost due to the installation of the chlorine generator cell, and a high cost should the cell require replacing. One drawback to saltwater pools is the corrosive nature of salt. Should the salt concentration become higher than 6,000 ppm, it will start to corrode any metals or poorly sealed rocks, and breakdown handrails, liners and lights.

Fiberglass pools are easier to install than vinyl pools, but both are not too difficult if you know what you’re doing. The vinyl liner is extremely pliable and it requires considerable fitting and adjustment during the installation, whereas fiberglass pools come in a stiff, yet flexible, shell, which is popped into place as easy as 1-2-3! The installation of the pool is not the most difficult part; getting the details of the design figured out can be the hardest part. Once all the plans are in place, Sunnyview Pools will be able to install your pool in no time!

Typically, yes, although it’s your pool and you can do what you want with it. Sanitation can eliminate algeal blooms, make your water clear and beautiful, and also prevent sickness from accidental ingestion of harmful bacteria that may build-up in your pool over time. We always recommend sanitizing your swimming pool. There are a few ways you can sanitize your pool: adding chemicals, such as chlorine or bromine, using a salt water electrolysis system, and pumping your pool water through a living plant filtration system. See the next few FAQ Answers about sanitation, or give Sunnyview Pools a call for more details.

Fiberglass pools are easier to install than vinyl pools, but both are not too difficult if you know what you’re doing. The vinyl liner is extremely pliable and it requires considerable fitting and adjustment during the installation, whereas fiberglass pools come in a stiff, yet flexible, shell, which is popped into place as easy as 1-2-3! The installation of the pool is not the most difficult part; getting the details of the design figured out can be the hardest part. Once all tha plans are in place, Sunnyview Pools will be able to install you pool in no time!

A pool company should charge you for the work that they do. Any pool will require some design, ordering/shipping, installation, and some landscaping as well. Your pool company should be able to help you in each stage of the project. Some pool companies, like Sunnyview, have the expert staff to see the project from start to finish. Other pool companies, who have less expertise, will have to hire sub-contractors to conduct some (or even most) of the work for them. The more work that gets sub-contracted out, the more your pool will cost.

A fiberglass pool is manufactured offsite in a factory that uses gel and resin to glue fiberglass sheets together inside a pre-made mold. There are many styles of fiberglass pools to choose from, but cannot usually be custom-made. They come no wider than 16 feet, because most roads have a width limit, and your fiberglass pool will need to be delivered to your home in a big truck. The fiberglass pool is essentially a shell. Which contains all the stairs and steps you will need. It is already the right colour, and all Sunnyview Pools needs to do is pop it in place once we have prepared your yard to receive it.

Your fiberglass pool is flexible and very strong. It takes about a week to prepare your yard and install it, it requires minimal maintenance, and may need replacing after 15 years. A fiberglass pool is an excellent choice and can look just as good as a concrete pool, with a bit of professional landscaping.

A concrete pool is completely cutom-made to fit your desires, budget and yard, and it is built on site by Sunnyview Pools. Sunnyview Pools excavates the space, forms and fits the foundation and walls with rebar, electrical and plumbing. Then the concrete gets poured, and gets a gorgeous gunite finish, which smooths the concrete into a beautiful surface. The gunite finish is slightly rougher than the fiberglass finish, and as such it will require more maintenance, but will not need complete refurbishing for 20-30 years. Concrete pools are often the lovliest of pools money can buy. With their cutom design, they can be made to fit in perfectly with the landscape.

Our commitment, honesty and integrity in our workmanship allows us the privilege of installing 3 different types of in-ground swimming pools. Vinyl liner swimming pools, concrete swimming pools, and fiberglass pools are our expertise! With over 13 years of experience installing swimming pools and 20 years of experience in concrete and landscaping, along with our landscape designer, we will come up with a great swimming pool design for you that will flow perfectly in your backyard.

The first step in building a pool is deciding how much you wish to spend on it. There are numerous options available for budgets of all sizes.  Once your budget is firm (with a little bit of wiggle room!) then you can move on to the fun part: Selecting the pool that best fits your lifestyle, your needs and of course one that fits in your backyard! There are a few different types of pools and numerous decking and landscaping options available. Here’s where Sunnyview Pools can help. Call us, (519) 404-6777 or email us, contact@sunnyviewpools.com and we’ll send a representative to your home to help you with this exciting step!

If you have already planned out what kind of pool you want, how big and where it’s going to be, you could start considering your pool at the same time.  Your lawn might be getting torn up a little anyway if you have other machinery on site for your house , so one or more piles of dirt will go unnoticed.  

If you are going to build the entire pool during the construction of your house, remember to coordinate a schedule between the house builders and your pool company so they don’t get in each other’s way.

Another option is to ask the pool builder and general contractor to work together.  The general contractor can hire the pool company temporarily and coordinate schedules and resources in a way where everyone can work efficiently and safely too.

Any kind of pool can be built in any area.  All you need is the right amount of space, and the right permits and safety features that your municipality requires.  Sunnyview Pools will take care of all of that extra time consuming headache for you!

Most municipalities have a by-law that says that all pools must be enclosed in a lockable fenced area.  This means you must have the entire pool area fenced in with latch-able gate.  If you have a house in town and your entire backyard is fenced, then you only need to have gates on your side lawns.  The house acts as part of the fence.

If you have an above ground pool, you simply need to have a latched gate that leads onto the decking.  The rest of the yard can be open.  The idea behind these laws is to prevent a toddler or child from accessing your pool by themselves and drowning.

Every 5 years, or sometimes less a concrete pool will require a complete cleaning.  This typically is done when the pool is drained and a mild acid detergent is scrubbed into the walls and floor.  This removes any build-up of algae that might be lingering around in your pool.  Acid washes decrease that chance that you will have an algal bloom occur in your pool.

Fiberglass pools are pre-fabricated offsite by a manufacturer that specializes in creating fiberglass shells from pre-made molds. The cost of the pool is relatively inexpensive, and the cost of the installation is also quite low as there is not as much physical labour involved compared to installing a concrete pool.

 

In the unlikely event that a fiberglass pool requires some repair, the fiberglass can be buffed and repaired easily and cheaply. Sunnyview Pools can provide you with the materials to Do-It-Yourself, or we can pop in and repair your fiberglass pool for you!

Of course! Safety is a big priority at Sunnyview Pools and we take very seriously the importance of locating any underground utilities that we might encounter when installing your pool. By getting professional and private locates done ahead of time, we will be able to help you redesign your pool layout if the current design has us digging within 1 metre of any underground utilities.

You sure can. But we’ll be bringing in heavy equipment to install your pool anyway. We might as well excavate the hole ourselves, as it doesn’t take too long. That way we know it’s going to be a perfect fit, and you don’t have to worry about a thing. Unless you have your own digging equipment, you will probably only save five hundred dollars by doing it yourself.

Fiberglass

 

A fiberglass pool is manufactured offsite as a pre-fabricated shell. It gets shipped to your home where your pool company will prepare your backyard and install it for you. There are many pros with this type of pool and it is ideal for people who wish for a simple, elegant and low maintenance pool.

 

PROS:

Low Maintenance – Non-porous fiberglass shell reduces algae growth and amount of chemicals required for sanitation.

Low Lifetime Costs – No liner to replace, no acid washing, no resurfacing required. One installation cost with little maintenance. Fiberglass is strong, flexible and UV resistant!

Long Lifespan – A well taken care of fiberglass pool can easily last 20-30 years!

Smooth Surface – Feels great on the hands and feet!

Built-in Steps and Seats – Fiberglass shell comes with steps and seats already incorporated!

Short Installation Time – 3-5 weeks

 

CONS:

Limited Shape, Design, Size – Since the fiberglass shells are pre-fabricated, the customer is limited by the selection of molds available with the manufacturer. Since the shells are made offsite, they must be small enough to transport via roads. Most municipalities have a 16-foot load width restriction. This is why fiberglass pools are typically not made wider than 16 feet.

Mismatched Repairs – In the unlikely event that a repair is required, it is possible that the particular finish on your fiberglass pool is not available in a generic patch kit.

High Initial Cost – Fiberglass pools run on par with concrete pools for initial cost, which is at least $5,000 more than your typical vinyl liner pool.

Vinyl

 

Vinyl liners can be outfitted into an above- or in-ground pool, made into any shape and size you require, and are easily replaced or patched when damaged. They are silky smooth and come in a variety of beautiful natural colours. Vinyl is definitely a great way to go for all styles of pool!

 

 

PROS:

Low Initial Cost – Vinyl is typically the lowest initial cost of all three types of in-ground pools.

Unlimited Shape, Design, Size – There are no restrictions on the dimensions of a vinyl liner pool. The depth, width and length are all negotiable!

Smooth Surface – Feels great on the hands and feet!

 

CONS:

Higher Lifetime Cost – A vinyl liner will require replacing about every 10 years. You can extend the life of your liner to 15 years by taking good care of it. Replacing a vinyl liner will cost roughly $3,000, plus a water refill. Although some liner manufacturers provide 20 year warranties, be sure to read the fine print!

Delicate – Vinyl liners are only 20-30 mil (20-30 thousandths of an inch), which can be torn easily with sharp objects, or even the toenails of your dog! Be sure to take good care of your liner and it will last you a long time.

Lower Resale Value – The first question a potential home-buyer asks you about your vinyl pool, is “how old is that liner?” If it’s more than a few years old, the home-buyer will often ask for you to replace it prior to purchase.

Concrete/Gunite

 

Concrete pools are the “filet mignon” of the pool world. They look sharp, natural, and are completely customizable to fit your lifestyle and your outdoor living space. Large and bold, or sweet and petite, the sky is the limit when you chose a concrete pool!

 

PROS:

Unlimited Shape, Design and Size – A concrete pool can seriously be as big as you want, in any shape, size or depth, limited only by your imagination.

Absolutely Gorgeous – There is nothing like a beautiful concrete pool, curvy and round with vanishing edges and a trickling waterfall. Immaculate stonework, using tiles, cobbles, pebbles, flag-stone and field-stone, with brick or stone retaining walls, textured concrete decking, and anything else under the sun! All in perfect harmony with the landscape in your backyard. All electrical and plumbing can be completely hidden in the custom made design of your personal backyard oasis.

CONS:

Higher Lifetime Cost – Concrete pools require refurbishment every 10-20 years or so to keep them looking their best. This can cost a pretty penny ($8,000 or more, depending on the pool)

Higher Chemical Use – Due to the porous and rougher nature of the pool, more algae will grow and as such the pool will require a higher amount of sanitizer and filtration to combat growth.

Rougher Surface – The surface of the concrete will be smooth to the touch… but not as smooth as a vinyl liner or fiberglass pool.

Higher Maintenance – Because the concrete pool is more porous (has a rougher surface at the microscopic level) than other types of pools, more algae will be able to grow and the pool will require frequent sweeping to keep the pool in tip-top shape. A great option for keeping a bright clean pool is to invest in a robotic pool cleaner, such as the Polaris P93 Robotic Pool Cleaner (See section about pool cleaning for more details).

Longer Installation Time – Expect your backyard beauty to take 2-4 months to complete. But trust me, the wait is worth it.

Don’t forget that a beautiful pool deck and a bit of professional landscaping goes a long way to make your backyard look exactly the way you want it to. With all the concrete work and textiles available these days, it’s easy to get something that looks like it was pulled straight out of a magazine!

 

 

Absolutely! There used to be an old myth about fiberglass pools being unable to survive the freezing temperatures of our North American climate. However, this thinking is false. Ice will not damage the surface of the fiberglass, and its’ flexible nature allows it to expand and contract much more than any other pool type!

Our commitment, honesty and integrity in our workmanship allows us the privilege of installing 3 different types of in-ground swimming pools. Vinyl liner swimming pools, concrete swimming pools, and fiberglass pools are our expertise! With over 13 years of experience installing swimming pools and 20 years of experience in concrete and landscaping, along with our landscape designer, we will come up with a great swimming pool design for you that will flow perfectly in your backyard.

With all the different types and sizes of pools available these days, it’s quite easy to get your own little piece of aquatic heaven for the right price! Pools range from affordable to extravagant and everywhere in between. You know your budget the best so make sure to ask lots of questions about how much your pool will cost you. By being proactive about getting all your expenses straight, you can make good decisions about your pool, which will leave you (and your pocket!) happy with the final result.
Some things to keep in mind while planning your pool budget:
– The deeper you go, the higher the cost
– Underwater lighting
– Heaters 
– Robotic pool cleaners
– Water features 
– Landscaping, decking & patios
– Patio furniture
Also, remember to keep your eyes peeled for sales on patio furniture!  No pool is complete without a couple of reclining chairs and a margarita or two!