Blog - Phoenix Landscaping Design & Pool Builders, Remodeling | Phoenix Landscaping Design & Pool Builders, Remodeling

April 22, 2020

It’s Time To Begin Creating Your New Normal With A UNIQUE Outdoor Living Space

This outdoor living space will meet all of your needs for relaxing and entertaining. It is that perfect space outside your home that always makes you feel like you are on vacation.

As we are reaching the end of 30 days of sheltering in place, Arizonans are reminded of a prime benefit to living in the Valley of the Sun. We have fantastic weather, which has allowed us to be outdoors when much of the country is stuck indoors due to rotten weather. But it has also brought clarity to the areas that are lacking in many outdoor living spaces. What was once fine for a quick dinner outdoors or a few hours in the pool, is not really meeting the needs of a family who is on a long-term, somewhat forced staycation. Fortunately, there is an entire team of folks at the UNIQUE Companies who are prepared to help you turn your so-so outdoor spaces into a resort-quality experience. Your new outdoor living space will ease boredom, provide a space for physical fitness and activity, and provide the illusion of freedom that many of us are longing to find. To get the ball rolling, call 480-969-1911 to schedule a free consultation, which can be done remotely if that works best for you.

Where To Begin

Your UNIQUE swimming pool is the perfect place to spend your summertime. Your kids will love the rock slide, water feature, and grotto almost as much as you do. It is like having a resort in your own backyard.

When you begin to think about creating the perfect outdoor space at your Phoenix home or upgrading what you already have, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Especially with all of the current issues and added stress. You can find yourself trying to plan for every possibility and circumstance, which after the last few weeks, is more challenging than you ever imagined. Instead of stressing over what you might want or need in the future, think of creating a wish list, much like you did as a child when your birthday rolled around. Imagine all of the fun and functional features that will add to your enjoyment of your yard for many years to come. Please consider some of our most popular features, which we have detailed below.

It’s Going to Get Very Hot, Very Soon!

After hours of fun in the sun, retiring to your ramada is a great way to relax and enjoy the afternoon. We can include features like a fireplace, outdoor kitchen, big screen TV and more.

One of the biggest challenges of Phoenix in the summer is the intense heat. But spending those hot summer days in your UNIQUE custom swimming pool will be much more comfortable and enjoyable. And the fun features are almost unlimited. Some of our most popular features to consider include:

And while all of this might sound great, you could be starting to worry about the care and maintenance of this new fantastic feature in your backyard. But never fear. The team at UNIQUE has all of that covered for you as well. We can integrate many automatic systems that will provide everything you need, including:

Automatic filtration and cleaning
Salt chlorination/ozone/pH management
Chemical monitoring and dispensing
Integration with your home automation system to keep you informed about the condition of your pool water and any needed maintenance

Time To Find Some Shade

Splash pads offer child-safe fun for younger children. Water jets, bubblers, and waterfalls all add to the fun without creating the hazards associated with standing water.

After hours of fun in the pool, you are sure to be ready for a quiet place to relax and enjoy some shade. And there is no better place to do that than in your outdoor living room. Think of this as an open-air family room with great views and plenty of fresh air. And if you are a fan of dining al fresco, you can even add a kitchen and dining area to your ramada. And each of these spaces can be as simple or as luxurious as you desire. We have created chef-quality outdoor kitchens, complete outdoor living spaces with big-screen TVs and audio systems, and outdoor dining for you and 20 of your closest friends. Just tell us what you envision as the perfect backdrop to host your friends and family or just to enjoy a day of private relaxation.

Safe Water Play Space For the Children

Clearly, kids of all ages love planning on splash pads. And all of your outdoor toys fill the summer with endless opportunities for fun and entertainment.

If your children are still young, and the thought of a swimming pool instantly fills you with stress, we have the solution. A splash pad is the perfect child-friendly and child-safe way for kids of all ages to enjoy cool summertime fun. These features have NO STANDING WATER and can include jets, fountains, and an endless number of water toys. And all of the care and maintenance of this fun play space can be set up to function using automation, much like a swimming pool. The water is filtered, chemically sanitized and maintained in a holding tank that is safely buried underground. And the non-slip surface can be custom shaped to make the most of the space in your yard. And while you might think of this as a play space for younger children, we promise that children of every age love spending hours enjoying the fun on a UNIQUE splash pad.

Every great outdoor living space begins with a plan. And the best way to get the most from your investment is to trust the UNIQUE team of professionals who have decades of experience turning their client’s dreams into reality. We offer a free initial consultation. So that you can get to know your designer and begin to discuss ideas and options to create your perfect outdoor space to enjoy this summer and for many years to come. Just click here or call 480-969-1911 to schedule an appointment in person or virtually with a member of the UNIQUE design team.

April 15, 2020

All You Need To Know About Maintaining Your UNIQUE Pool During The Pandemic

Well balanced pool water always looks crystal clear and inviting. But the greatest benefit is that it reduces the time you will invest in caring for your pool.

With temperatures warming up in Phoenix, the swimming season will be here before you know it. But this year, many aspects of daily life have changed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Governor Ducey has recently issued a stay-at-home order and closed schools for the rest of the school year. Life in the spring of 2020 is definitely going to be different from any other before. And all of this news means that families are going to be enjoying a great deal of quality time together this spring and summer. So you want to be sure that your UNIQUE swimming pool is ready for endless hours of fun, relaxation, and fostering a feeling of normalcy for your children.

A lot has change for your children in the past few weeks. Providing a fun and normal activity like playing in the swimming pool will provide more than just entertainment. It will provide feelings of comfort, safety, and normalcy.

Even if you are using a swimming pool service to maintain your pool, there are a few tips and essential information that you should know. As we have learned over the last few weeks, things change, and services, while not expected to stop, could be forced to alter their regular schedule. So be prepared to invest a few minutes a day to pool care. That is the best way to know that your family will be able to jump into perfectly clear, clean water and enjoy a favorite family past time even during this uncertain time.

Regular Pool Chemistry Checks

In the warmer months, it is best to check your pool water at least twice each week. This allows you to make small adjustments and corrections to keep the water balanced and your family happily enjoying your pool. Remember, when it comes to making chemical changes to your pool water, smaller is always better. Also, for saltwater systems, be sure to clean your salt cell once each month. This schedule will keep your chlorine production at an optimum level and help ensure crystal clear pool water.

Your family will enjoy endless hours of fun and relaxation in your UNIQUE pool this season as long as you invest a small amount of time in cleaning and maintaining the water chemistry.

pH Numbers To Remember

When To Make A Change

When you find that your pool needs chemicals, always add them after the sun sets. This is the best way to get the most out of the chemicals and the money that you are spending on them. The blazing Arizona sun causes pool chemicals to evaporate quickly, and that decreases their effectiveness in correcting your pool water chemistry.

Backwash Efficiently

Most homeowners have a tenancy to backwash their sand or DE filters too often. Typically, units require backwashing only when the pressure gauge is between 8-10 psi. Backwashing more frequently provides no benefit and wastes a valuable natural resource.

Daily Care

Once your pool water in contaminated with algae, it can be challenging to eliminate it and get back to beautiful clear water. The best approach is to keep the water balanced to avoid algae growth.

Be sure to check your skimmer basket daily. Removing leaves and debris will help to avoid over stressing your pump. And it will ensure maximum water circulation to keep your pool water clean and fresh. Brushing the walls of your pool and the floor will remove any algae and dirt that is adhered to the finish surface. In the case of algae, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Algae can be very difficult to eliminate once it takes hold in your pool. And finally, be sure that your pool pump is running for 8 hours each day in the warmer months. This water circulation and filtration is the critical piece to achieving the low maintenance swimming pool that we all want to own.

Should you have any questions or concerns about the care and maintenance of your UNIQUE swimming pool, please give us a call at 480-969-1911. Our team of professionals will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with any information that you need to keep your UNIQUE pool in peak condition this swim season.

April 9, 2020

Adding A Water Feature To Your UNIQUE Desert Oasis

The right water feature blends seamlessly into the natural desert surroundings while providing interest and ambiance.

Many homeowners believe that living in the desert means a landscape full of cactus, agave, and rock, as well as the absence of water. However, when designed and installed correctly, a water feature can provide a much-needed escape from the dry heat of a desert summer. The pros at UNIQUE have mastered the process of seamlessly integrating various types of water features into every style of landscape that you can imagine. And in each case, the finished product adds to the beauty, tranquility, and function of the outdoor living space. To learn more about water feature options for your valley home, click here or call 480-969-1911 to schedule a free consultation.

Making A Big Splash

This beautiful round spa is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate after a long day.

By far, one of the most fun and desired water features in most homes in Phoenix is a swimming pool. Not only are the visual options almost unlimited with styles, including freeform, architectural, and classic, but so are the fun and functional features. Rock waterfalls, water slides, grottos, pot-shaped waterfalls, sheer descent waterfalls, fountains, deck jets, and more can be included in the pool of your choice. All of these fantastic in pool water features provide the soothing sound of moving water. And a greater enjoyment of this cool and refreshing place to enjoy summer evenings, weekends, or any time you just want to relax and cool off.

Don’t Forget The Therapeutic Value Of A Spa

Your water feature can be as UNIQUE and modern as you like. This feature sits next to a fireplace and makes great use of the space along the privacy wall.

While you will get an amazing amount of use and enjoyment from your swimming pool in the summer months, most homeowners don’t use their pools in the winter. But that is the perfect time to enjoy the warmth and therapeutic value of a custom spa. Chris Griffin, owner of UNIQUE and a certified Genesis Pool Designer, will customize your spa to focus on total body relaxation and rejuvenation. Or you can even request a particular focus area, type of jet, or other feature that will take your spa and relaxation time to the next level. And the best part of your UNIQUE spa is that is can be seamlessly integrated into most home automation packages. So push a button on your smartphone when you are on your way home, and your spa is ready and waiting for you when you arrive.

This water feature provides the calming sound of moving water without the dangers related to a pond of standing water.

If you are more interested in looking at and listening to the water than getting into it, a stand-alone water feature is a perfect option for your desert oasis. As a full-service landscape and pool company, our in-house masonry team custom builds all of our water features. If you can imagine it, our team can build it. And in many cases, we might already have completed a very similar project. Our past creations include:

The UNIQUE design team will listen to your vision, help you to finalize the details, offer suggestions and options, and provide countless pictures to help you select your utterly UNIQUE water feature.

Child Safe Water Features

This UNIQUE child-safe water place space offers unlimited options for kids of all ages. And parents love having a remote to control the fun from indoors

The safety of your children and pets is as essential to the UNIQUE team as it is to you. And with your little ones and furry children in mind, we have perfected a few very child and pet safe water feature options for your enjoyment. The first is similar to a stand-alone water feature. Our bubbling rocks incorporate large natural stones and water into one element that eliminates access to standing water. The catch basins for these features are completely filled with small natural stones. When the water erupts from the rocks like a small geyser, it immediately begins to trickle through the small stones, leaving no standing water to create a safety hazard. You will be able to enjoy the sound and interest of a water feature without the added stress of danger for your little loved ones.