Create an awesome pool party this summer
Tarson Pools and Spas Guide to Pool Party Planning!
Throwing a great pool party is on most pool owners' summer to-do lists. This year we’ve decided to give you some of our own great tips for making your summer pool party a must-attend event! You can still have a great pool party and Social Distance! We do recommend to abide by State Rules no gathering larger than 10 people*. There is also no evidence that COVID can spread through a well-treated pool read our article here.
Safety first! Make sure all your pool deck and areas are clean and in good repair. Chemicals should be put away and you and your family should be current on all water safety rules. You can read our blog post on those here.
What is the theme of your event? A simple backyard BBQ, an evening dinner by the pool, or a more casual family event? Is this a fun kid-friendly event or an intimate gathering of adults?
For a children-friendly event be sure to provide your guests with little swimmers, towels, sunscreen, and pool game options like diving sticks. Some guests will bring their own but it never hurts to have extras on hand.
For an adult theme, the pool party considers the ambiance of the event. Maybe something simple and airy like this would work. If the party is more of an evening affair consider floating candles or pool lights.
Get creative with the invitations to your pool party. Don’t just call people to invite them, give them something special to look forward to.
Now the party is planned and the guests are invited! Making sure your guests are comfortable is the next order of
business. Plan that not all guests will be swimming, some may want to sit and chat. Be sure you have provided plenty of seating and space to relax near the pool for those who won’t be getting in the water. We do sell a great line of patio furniture if you are looking around for some comfortable seating! You can find our patio furniture line here.
The shade will be important as well! An umbrella or seating in parts of your backyard that are naturally shaded will make your guests more comfortable. We offer a full line of retractable awnings if your backyard offers no natural shade. You don’t want sunburned guests to leave your party.
What will all your party-goers be eating and drinking? Plan your snacks and meals accordingly. Since it’s summer be sure to provide plenty of water and hydrating beverages. If you are having a kid-friendly party make the finger foods really pop by adding a cute theme throughout. We recommend for finger foods to spike with toothpicks in order for guest to limit touching other food! Candy that is wrapped is also ideal! Here are some ideas:
For an adult pool party consider adding in theme ideas where they make sense. Adults might not like a shark-filled with fruit but maybe a signature cocktail or mocktail is more fitting. You can also add other elements that will make the day special and memorable like these napkin rings. It’s the small details that will have your guests raving!
Not all pool parties need to be structured events either. Sometimes unplanned guests make the best memories. However, you choose to throw your pool parties this summer know that we are always happy to help keep your pool sparkling clean and safe for all your guests. Stop into any of our six locations or give us a call at 315-291-8800. Remember we offer free water testing at all our locations. Please be safe, wash 🧼 your hands, and keep your distance!
The Therapeutic Uses of the family spa
Muscle relief is one of the most often thought of therapeutic uses for spas, but did you know owning a hot tub can help you get a better night’s sleep and other healthy results?
Therapeutic Results:
- A Better Night’s Sleep:
The National Sleep Foundation, which offers sleep-related education and research, included this in a Facebook post on Healthy Sleep Tips: “Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as a warm soak in a whirlpool bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.”
- Rejuvenation & Better Circulation:
Warm water or Hydrotherapy promotes stress release and can ease minor aches and pains. The heat of the water helps increase blood circulation which is essential to getting your body the vitamins, nutrients, and oxygen it needs to function. Relaxing in a hot tub can increase vasodilatation which allows vitamins and minerals to more easily flow through the bloodstream, helping soothe sore and overworked muscles.
- A Bonded Family:
These days with activities and tech gadgets ruling our days as well as our children’s owning a hot tub can be a great way to bond together as a family without distractions. A hot tub offers a place to connect and relax as a family. Parents can remove stress from their day and the kids love to play. Having trouble connecting with your teen? The family hot tub can offer a great time to talk with your teens without the distraction of computers, cell phones, and video games.
- Less Anxiety:
In the early 1900s, mental institutions in the United States used whirlpool tubs and other forms of hydrotherapy to calm agitated, out-of-control patients. According to “A History of Somatic Therapies,” published by the Veterans Administration Mental Illness Research and Clinical Center, doctors in the 1920s were able to document positive physiological changes when patients were treated with submersion in a special whirlpool tub. The water flow and temperature were adjusted by an attendant, and notable changes in blood pressure, pulse, and respiration were observed and documented in the agitated patients. Similarly, whirlpool therapy can alleviate the stress and anxiety you may be experiencing from work or family issues. A demanding career and the search for a healthy balance between work and family are reasons to use a day spa to help you unwind. The day-spa experience can be created at home with a whirlpool tub, aromatherapy sea salts, candles, and soft music while you soak and relax. (source Livestrong.com)
Stay-At-Home Backyard Treat - Camp Fire Cone
If you haven’t yet tried Campfire Cones before, you, my friend, are missing out! Though they are “campfire” cones, you do not need a campfire to make this delicious treat! Campfire Cones can be made on the grill and in the oven in addition to the option to heat them over a campfire.
The method for making these Campfire Cones is pretty simple. You’ll start with an ice cream cone. You use any type of cone, but for the best tasting, a waffle cone is preferred. You can skip some steps, but you can add peanut butter or banana or both!! Then stuff it with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips. Once it’s stuffed to the brim, wrap it into a tin foil to prep it for heating.
As mentioned, you can heat them in the oven, grill them, or if you’ve got a campfire going, you can heat them over the campfire. When you unwrap the cones, the peanut butter, chocolate, and marshmallows will be melted to gooey perfection! You can change them up however you’d like – perhaps by adding sliced bananas or strawberries. Instead of chocolate chips you could use peanut butter chips or even butterscotch or caramel chips. Fill ’em with whatever you’d like! This is a special dessert treat that the adults and kids will love.
Help the longevity of your pool with proper balancing
A number of factors determine the longevity of your pool liner. The average life of an in-ground pool liner is about 8-10 years. With good care, you can increase their longevity, even 20 years or more. Assuming that the liner fits and was installed correctly, the most important factor is water chemistry. Keep the water in balance and properly sanitized. It might sound simple, but keep the pool clean! Usually, your pool only needs a few minutes per day, but it is an important few minutes. THE most important factor that determines the life of your pool liner is water chemistry.
Special coating protects vinyl liners that make them withstand the extreme sun, temperatures and constant exposure to treated water but you can help maintain your liner life by following these steps:
– Keep Proper pH levels: Proper pH levels are between 7.2 and 7.6, which should be tested daily. When your pH level drops below 7.0 this can cause your liner to discolor, swell and create unwanted wrinkles. Having a pool with a higher than 7.6 pH level accelerates the aging process of your pool.
– Careful with Chlorine: Chlorine abuse is major cause of liner degradation. Keeping your pool’s chlorine level too low will not kill enough of the bacteria in the water. While chlorine levels that are kept too high can attack your liner and cause bleaching. It is important to note that if you are using granular chlorine dissolve it completely in a bucket of water first before putting it into your pool. Never allow chlorine to come in contact with your liner before it has been dissolved. It is a best practice to run your circulating pump for a minimum of four hours after the addition of chemicals.
– Water Levels: Although your pool liner is coated to protect against the sun, it is extremely important to keep your pool full of water at all times. When the water level of your pool gets low it exposes your liner to the sun that can lead to drying out and shrinking.
– Keep your Liner Clean: Your pool will develop a “bathtub” ring above the water line. It is important to keep this area clean as these contaminants that include body oils, suntan lotions and airborne contaminants can get “baked” onto your liner causing it to crack and dry out. To clean this area you should talk with us about what products will work best for your liner. DO NOT use CLR or household cleaning products.
– Chemicals: More is not better when it comes to chemicals. Do not add more chemicals than needed to your pool. This can cause your pool liner to disintegrate and also can be very expensive.