May is National Water Safety Month
Water Safety Month
As a swimming pool owner, you know that safety is without a doubt the most important thing to remember, especially if you have young kids using your pool. While it’s crucial to be aware of water safety all year long, according to Safe Kids USA, drowning incidents increase by 89 percent from May through August. That’s why May has been named National Water Safety Month, which reminds parents, educators, kids and professionals about the importance of playing it safe in the pool.
What’s National Water Safety Month all about?
The month-long effort is headed by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, the American Red Cross, the National Recreation & Park Association and the World Waterpark Association. All of these organizations are dedicated to ensuring that Americans enjoy safe, fun aquatic activities, at waterparks and resorts or in public swimming pools. Read more…
Arizona Landscaping Ideas
Unique Landscaping in Arizona
Many Arizona homeowners are overwhelmed by the task of landscaping their properties. They aren’t sure how to get plants to grow in the desert’s dry climate without using a lot of water. Fortunately, there are many unique plants native to this desert environment that can survive drought conditions. When paired with well-designed hardscape features such as a pool, fire pit or built-in grill you can have the landscape of your dreams.
Whether one is looking for basic backyard landscaping or a complete landscape and pool project – Unique Landscapes is your leading expert for landscaping in Arizona! Unique Companies continues to be your area specialist for all aspects of landscaping, landscape design and pool construction. Arizona has always been a prime location for outdoor living, with our mild winters, hot summers, and overall desire for living outdoors. Most Arizonans maintain this strong design to be outside, entertain outdoors and showcase their backyard landscaping.
It seems that “keeping up with Jones’” mentality has a large effect on what people desire to see in a typical landscape project. Unique Landscapes specializes in all aspects of your complete Arizona landscape construction needs. We have lived and worked in the Phoenix area for over 12 years, we understand all the local niches, the HOA’s, the city requirements for permitting and engineering, etc. Read more…
Unique Companies Continues to Rank Among The Top Landscape Companies in the Phoenix
Unique Landscapes by Griffin is proud to announce that “Ranking Arizona” has named it the number three in Real Estate-Residential Landscape, Design/Build, and Unique Custom Pools is the number four Real Estate-Residential Pool Builders in the state for the 2013 opinion poll.
Ranking Arizona’s The Best of Arizona Business is the outcome of the largest business opinion poll in Arizona and identifies more than 200 different business and leisure categories based on quality of product, service and customer satisfaction. Arizona Business Magazine publishes the ranking yearly with polling from the previous year.
Pool and Spa and Landscape by Unique
“We are honored to be recognized one of Arizona’s top landscape and pool design companies by Arizona Business Magazine,” said the owner Chris Griffin. “We believe that the success of our company is due to our commitment to our customers, our reliable service and our quality team.”Arizona businesses have great respect for ‘Ranking Arizona’ and know that it’s a huge honor to be voted ‘best of the best’ among businesses throughout our state, “We are grateful for the continued support of our clients and our employees,” said Griffin.
Cast your vote for Unique Landscapes by Griffin and Unique Custom Pools in ‘Ranking Arizona’ 2014 poll
You probably already know that Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools is one of the best Arizona-based pool and landscaping company, with a heritage of more than 11 years of providing beautiful backyard landscaping environments to thousands of residential homes in Phoenix and other surrounding cities.
Unique Companies build everything from swimming pools to complete backyard environments, allowing you to enjoy ‘Outdoor Living’ in Arizona to the fullest! Our experienced, friendly pool designers and staff are well-versed in all facets of Arizona landscaping, new pool construction, custom spas, outdoor kitchens, ramadas & pergolas, fireplaces & stone travertine patios and pavers installation. We take pride in designing beautiful and functional swimming pools & landscape environments to fit your needs. We then build them to meet your “detail-oriented” expectations and our high professional standards and specifications. Unique Companies continues to rank among the top landscape companies in the Phoenix area. Read more…
Problems In Pool Construction
4 Common Pool Building Mistakes and How-To Avoid Them
Unique talks to customers about the importance of accounting for crucial pool building components such as correct elevation, soil and plumbing and the cost-benefits of taking preventative steps to ensure a long-lasting, problem-free pool.
1. Improper soil
The problem: Soil testing can be an expensive and extensive step, so it’s tempting for builders to skip it in fear that the added time and cost will turn away customers. The majority of pool builders put a clause in their contracts stating that homeowners are responsible for the soil condition on site. However, the risks involved with not obtaining soil information should not be taken lightly. The pool might crack, float out of the ground or migrate down a slope. It might leak and flood the home or a neighbor’s yard. Fixing the problem can mean virtually ripping the whole thing out and rebuilding it—an expensive and decidedly unpleasant set of measures.
The solution: Don’t take shortcuts. After the pool is excavated, test the dirt using a soil analysis professional, even if it means higher costs.
2. Poor plumbing
The problem: Problems include improper pump sizing, improper number and placement of skimmers, and faulty sizing and placement of pipes. National consensus standards for pool construction did not exist until 1991, when the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) first approved standards developed by APSP. That means that over the past 40 years, builders and owners were mixing and matching various building standards. The effects of improper plumbing include poor water circulation and filtration, which can lead to problems such as high electrical and chemical costs and water discoloration.
The solution: Educate yourself on the industry standards for pool hydraulics. Read more…
What Is The Safest Way To Protect Your Pool?
Staying Safe Around Swimming Pools
A swimming pool can be a great source of family fun. But it’s important to make safety a priority to protect children and others in and around the water.
A PERMANENT POOL FENCE around you’re pool is the most common and provides the best physical barrier because it completely seals off the pool – permanently. A pool fence is THE most important backup you can have in place to direct supervision of a child near the pool. In fact, most cities require permanent fences around pools at homes where children 6 years old and younger are living.
The pros and cons of a permanent pool fence include:
PROS:
- Accepted in all municipality cities for its primary pool barrier ordinance.
- The pool fence is a permanent structure that’s designed to go around the pool so the pool area is completely isolated from the rest of the house and property when not in use and under supervision.
- The gate’s ability to spring close itself and LOCK itself is extremely important to a successful system.
- Design: Ironwork can be decorative and attractive and compliment the pool
CONS:
- A gate that does not lock automatically is at severe risk with small children around the house. Just one forgetful person, child or adult, leaving the gate unclosed could result in a drowning incident which makes the pool fence completely useless.
- Design: Hinders and blocks the view and can rust and then need to be replaced
Check out our unique glass pool fences.
A REMOVABLE POOL FENCE is another good way to provide a physical barrier because it completely encloses the pool but can be taken down when necessary. The removable pool fence can be installed quickly and is generally made out of vinyl posts with mesh see-through gates.
The pros and cons of a removable pool fence include: Read more…
Tips For Protecting Plants From Frost
We are now experiencing the colder winter months in the Valley, and we want to take the time to give you some important tips to protect your plants from frost to keep your backyard looking great! Keep in mind that anytime there is a threat of frost, you need to take precautionary measures to protect plants from exposure to cold temperatures.
The easiest way to protect against frost is by covering your plants. Almost anything will work, but old blankets, sheets, and burlap sacks are best. When covering plants, loosely drape them and secure with rocks, or bricks. The lighter covers can simply be placed directly over the plants, but heavier covers may require some type of support to prevent the plants from becoming crushed under the weight. Covering garden plants in the evening will help retain heat and protect them from freezing. However, it is important that the covers are removed once the sun comes out the following morning; otherwise, the plants may fall victim to suffocation. Read more…
What You Should Know About Heating Your Pool
There are 3 ways to heat your pool:
- Gas heat, which is what most people have to rapidly heat their spa.
- Electrical heat, which is more energy efficient, but slow and steady.
- Solar heat, which is the most efficient, most practical and virtually FREE way to heat your pool for the life of the system which is 15 to 30 years with proper maintenance.
Gas Heat – this option is usually included with Unique Custom Pools spa installation which can also be used to heat your pool. 
We’ve had customers use this heater to warm up their pool up to 85 degrees for a February swim party (Super Bowl parties, etc), but this can easily run you $300 – $500 for the month! Our gas heaters usually come with a price tag of around $2000, completely installed and programmed, plus any gas line runs which can easily get up to $1000 quickly. This is probably the way to go for most people who may or may not heat a pool for a few days in the off season. It’s a small investment that can be done quickly with little notice. Read more…
Canadians Investing in Arizona Property
Due to the large inventory of homes and record low prices, this is a great time for Canadians to consider buying a home in Arizona.
Phoenix and other warmer climate cities in Arizona are becoming popular locations among Canadians looking for a second home, a vacation home, investment property or a retirement home. They are drawn by the weak U.S. dollar, the all time low interest rates and aggressive lenders, property prices taking a dive and a slew of foreclosures. All of which lead to affordable investment opportunities. This has created an attractive market for Canadian buyers.
Many people love to live and vacation in Arizona because of the year-round fun in the sun. Compared to the cooler climates in Canada, the dry air and warm winters, make lounging by the pool, family picnics under palm trees, and outdoor entertaining enjoyable for our visitors from the North. Read more…
Made in The Shade - A Cool New Product
What is it? It’s a PARASOLEIL!
Unique Custom Shade by Parasoliel
This is an amazing product that can be installed over the top of Unique’s custom pergolas for some additional shading & light distribution. It comes in many different patterns & thicknesses and can be used for multiple other applications (like privacy panels, fencing, gates, etc.) With different metals that are used, there are endless options for an incredible highly custom look!
Born and made in the USA, Parasoleil stands behind the design, green certification adding toward LEED points, and structural integrity of each pattern and product for low-maintenance overhead shade panels, architectural privacy screens, ornamental metalwork gates and railings and more. The copper and other metals that are used age beautifully and will compliment the pergola structure which it is mounted on. It is recyclable and will never rust or have to be maintained from sun damage. It is thin enough to be flexible and easily produced and installed to any application, but strong enough to withstand heavy winds.
A Unique New Product
The Parasoleil design team makes sure each project is specified with the best structural support and design integrity, so that the installation is designed to last more than twenty years without maintenance. The custom perforated panels are made from powdercoated aluminum, patina aged copper, cor-ten steel, and more. Together with the “Unique” style they offer and beautiful shadows they produce, Parasoleil has caught our interest and we highly recommend them for a Unique custom shade.
Crystal Clear Water... Without Lifting A Finger
Automated Chemical Control
Adding chemical automation to your pool can take the headaches, backaches and overall mess out of keeping your pool’s water chemistry in harmony. If you are unfamiliar, chemical automation is the automatic monitoring and control of the sanitizer and pH levels in pool water.
Better Water, More Savings and Less Hassle
Besides automatically maintaining clean and safe water, chemical automation can help prevent harmful corrosion, scaling and bacterial growth from occurring in your pool. Automating your chemical management can also generate significant savings on the cost of chemicals, maintenance and repairs. Plus, keeping your water properly balanced and sanitized makes your pool much more inviting.
Perfect Water Without The Work
Products like Pentair’s IntelliChem® Chemical Controller act as the “brain” of your pool’s chemical management and handle all of your pool’s chemical monitoring and adjustments. These type of chemical controllers automatically monitor, record and display your pool’s pH and sanitizer levels and deliver just the right amount of chemicals at just the right time to achieve consistent water chemistry.
