omniscapes5675fe53

To Create and Build Dreams: The Omni Pools & Scapes Story

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 20:38:19 GMT

At Omni Pools & Scapes, our vision is simple but powerful: To Create and Build Dreams.

Not just pools. Not just backyards. But thoughtfully designed outdoor environments built on trust, expertise, and decades of earned experience.

Our story is one of craftsmanship, resilience, and constant evolution—shaped by real-world challenges, hard lessons, and a commitment to doing things the right way, even when the industry shifts.

Built on Experience, Not Trends

Omni Pools & Scapes was founded by Amy and Jason Craycraft, industry veterans with nearly 30 years of hands-on construction and outdoor living experience. From the very beginning, Omni was built on a belief that quality, education, and integrity matter more than shortcuts or hype .

Long before Omni Pools & Scapes existed by name, its foundation was being formed through large-scale concrete work, complex project management, and nationally recognized craftsmanship. Jason’s early career overseeing millions of square feet of concrete installations—and earning certifications such as ACI, ICPI, OSHA Safety, CPO, and CPB—set a technical standard that still defines Omni projects today. Many of those early projects continue to be used by manufacturers for training and education across the industry.

Learning Through Cycles—and Emerging Stronger

Like every long-standing construction company, Omni has navigated multiple market cycles. During the housing market crash of 2008, the business didn’t retreat—it adapted . That period became a proving ground, refining Omni’s focus on high-end residential hardscapes, premium materials, and disciplined operations.

Years later, during the COVID-era construction boom, Omni experienced rapid growth alongside the rest of the industry. But growth at scale comes with lessons. Supply chain disruptions, labor challenges, and an influx of inexperienced competitors forced the entire pool industry into unfamiliar territory.

Omni chose to treat that period as an education—not an exception.

Today, Omni is one of the few companies still consistently installing pools post-COVID , not because of luck, but because of what was learned through trial, error, and honest self-evaluation. Systems were tightened. Processes improved. Training became more rigorous. Decisions became more intentional.

We didn’t just survive the boom—we grew wiser because of it .

Setting the Standard for Integrated Outdoor Living

In 2017, Omni identified a major gap in the market: homeowners were overwhelmed by juggling multiple contractors for pools, hardscapes, landscaping, and project coordination.

Omni Pools & Scapes was launched to solve that problem.

As one of the first companies in Central Ohio to offer fully integrated, design-build outdoor living , Omni brought everything under one roof—design, engineering, construction, and project management. The result? Better communication, clearer timelines, higher accountability, and a dramatically improved client experience.

To date, Omni has completed:

800+ residential projects
100+ commercial installations
Projects ranging from $5,000 to $1.5 million

Credentials Earned, Not Claimed

Omni’s reputation is built on performance, not marketing claims. That commitment has earned national recognition, including:

�� Most Valuable Partner – Leisure Pools International (2023)
�� Best Growth Award – Leisure Pools International (2022)
�� Best Business to Work For – 2023 & 2024
�� Largest Single-Owned Partner – Quality Pool Supply (2024)

Omni’s work and leadership have been featured in Pool Magazine, Landscape Management, CityScene, Concrete Decor, Outdoor Living Trends , and other industry publications.

Innovation, Education & the Future of Omni

Omni believes the future of outdoor living belongs to companies willing to invest in education, technology, and people .

That’s why Omni actively leverages advanced operational systems like LeanScaper , improving efficiency, training, workflow consistency, communication, and technology integration—including AI-supported processes. These tools help ensure that every project benefits from lessons learned before it ever begins.

Omni is also proud to be an Elite Dealer with Leisure Pools , offering Kevlar-reinforced fiberglass pool systems engineered for durability, performance, and long-term value

A Vision That Guides Everything We Do

At its core, Omni Pools & Scapes is about more than construction. It’s about leadership, accountability, and continuously raising the bar—for clients, partners, and the industry as a whole.

Our mission reflects that commitment:

To transform outdoor living through innovation, education, integrity, and world-class client experiences—creating meaningful spaces that enrich families, elevate communities, and set new industry standards.

Because dreams deserve more than promises.
They deserve experience, resilience, and a team that’s still standing—stronger—when the dust settles.

Ready to Dive In?

If you’re dreaming of cannonballs, cocktails by the water, and the ultimate backyard upgrade, let’s make it happen. Call Omni Pools & Scapes today and let’s start designing your personal paradise.

Call us today to schedule your free consultation

Or click here to fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you shortly

Introducing Leisure Pools Columbus

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:53:25 GMT

A New Era of Fiberglass Pools in Central Ohio

For years, Omni Pools & Scapes has been transforming backyards across Central Ohio with thoughtful design, reliable construction, and a commitment to quality that homeowners have come to trust. We’re excited to announce the next evolution of that mission: the official launch of Leisure Pools Columbus —Central Ohio’s only Elite Dealer for Leisure Pools .

This new division represents far more than a name change. It marks a significant step forward in bringing homeowners the highest quality fiberglass pools in the world , paired with the expert craftsmanship of a proven local team.

Why Launch Leisure Pools Columbus?

As Omni Pools & Scapes grew, so did demand for fiberglass pools that offered more than the industry standard—pools that provided beauty and unmatched long-term durability.

Homeowners were asking for:

Higher-quality materials
Faster and more consistent installation
Stronger warranties
A pool that would stay beautiful for decades

We knew that to exceed those expectations, we needed a product built to a different standard—one backed by technology and engineering you simply can’t find anywhere else. That’s why we partnered with Leisure Pools , one of the world’s leading fiberglass pool manufacturers, known for innovation, precision, and unmatched quality. And through that partnership, Leisure Pools Columbus was born .

What Makes Leisure Pools Columbus Different?

1. Exclusive Elite Dealer Status in Central Ohio

We are proud to be the region’s only Elite Dealer for Leisure Pools . This designation is awarded only to companies that demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship, customer experience, and a proven track record of delivering premium results. For homeowners, this means:

Access to the most advanced fiberglass pools available
Priority product availability
A deeper level of manufacturer support
A trusted partner from design to installation and beyond

2. Pools Reinforced with Trademarked Composite Armour

Unlike any other fiberglass pool on the market, Leisure Pools are crafted with 100% vinyl ester resin in every layer. Creating a watertight, flexible, and incredibly strong shell. The exclusive Composite Armour™ core is a patented blend of carbon and basalt fiber with Kevlar® reinforcement —the same material used in aviation, military armor, and high-performance sporting equipment.

This technology adds extraordinary structural strength, ensuring long-term durability that other fiberglass pools simply cannot match.

3. Backed by a Lifetime Structural Warranty

These pools aren't just beautiful—they’re engineered to last a lifetime. Every pool comes with a Lifetime Structural Warranty from the manufacturer, giving homeowners unparalleled peace of mind. Plus, every pool also carries a Lifetime Osmosis Warranty , so your investment is protected inside and out, for life.

4. Local Expertise Meets Global Standards

While the engineering behind these pools is world-leading, the installation, design, and customer experience remain 100% local. Our Columbus team delivers:

Customized backyard design
White-glove service
Skilled installation
On-site support throughout the process

The launch of Leisure Pools Columbus allows us to offer the best of both worlds: local craftsmanship backed by globally recognized quality.

How This Benefits Central Ohio Homeowners

Launching Leisure Pools Columbus means we can now deliver:

Faster Installations - Fiberglass pools are a streamlined, efficient solution—allowing you to enjoy your backyard transformation without lengthy delays.
Higher Long-Term Value - Kevlar® reinforcement and lifetime warranties provide durability for generations, protecting your investment.
Design Freedom - With dozens of models, shapes, and sizes, homeowners can choose a pool that fits their lifestyle, aesthetic, and property layout.
Improved Backyard Experience - With Omni’s award-winning design and finishing services, the pool becomes the centerpiece of a personalized, resort-style retreat.

What’s Next for Our Customers

Leisure Pools Columbus is now open and accepting design consultations for Spring 2026. If you're considering a fiberglass pool—or if you’re ready to upgrade your outdoor living experience—our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Whether you want something modern and sleek, family-friendly, luxurious, or low maintenance, we can help you bring your backyard vision to life.

Ready to Explore What's Possible?

We invite you to schedule a design consultation and discover how Leisure Pools Columbus can transform your space with the world’s strongest fiberglass pools and Central Ohio’s most trusted local experts.

Your dream backyard starts here-where local craftsmanship meets world-class engineering.

Ready to Dive In?

Call us today to schedule your free consultation

Or click here to fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you shortly

Off-Season Pool Building Tips

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 17:48:54 GMT

When you picture your dream pool, you probably imagine summer sunshine, sparkling blue water, and friends and family gathered in the backyard. What most people don’t realize, though, is that the best time to bring that dream to life isn’t in the summer—it’s in the fall and winter.

As a trusted Columbus pool builder, we see it all the time: homeowners wait until the first warm day to call about a pool, but by then, they’re already behind. If you want to be swimming by Memorial Day, you need to start planning your pool construction timeline around Thanksgiving. Here’s why the cooler months are the smartest—and most cost-effective—time to get started.

1. Skip the Summer Rush

Summer is peak season for pool builders, which means long waitlists, packed schedules, and higher demand for materials. Starting in fall or winter means you’ll have more of your builder’s attention, shorter timelines, and often even better pricing. With demand for custom pools rising every year, building in the off-season makes your project stress-free from the start.

2. Cooler Weather, Smoother Construction

Extreme heat can slow construction crews down and even damage materials like concrete and plaster. Cooler weather creates ideal working conditions. The materials cure better, crews work longer hours comfortably, and the entire process flows more smoothly. That means your pool is built with precision and quality.

3. Faster Permits, Fewer Delays

One of the biggest holdups in pool construction is permitting. In the busy spring and summer months, applications can take 6–8 weeks or longer. Starting in the fall means approvals often come through much faster, inspections are easier to schedule, and your project keeps moving without frustrating red tape.

4. Be Ready to Dive In by Spring

When you start early, you’re not stuck watching construction crews in June—you’re already enjoying your backyard oasis. By spring, your pool is complete, your landscaping is ready, and you’re stepping into a finished outdoor retreat the moment warm weather arrives.

5. Take Advantage of Off-Season Savings

Fall and winter often come with lower labor rates and material costs. Many suppliers and builders offer discounts during slower months, so smart homeowners can save thousands just by starting their project early.

6. Time to Design the Whole Experience

A pool is just the centerpiece of your outdoor lifestyle. Fall and winter give you space to plan every detail—whether that’s a fire pit, an outdoor kitchen, or a custom landscape design. Instead of rushing decisions, you get time to create a custom pool design that truly reflects your lifestyle.

7. Less Disruption, More Peace of Mind

Construction in the off-season means you’re not giving up your backyard during prime entertaining months. By the time spring rolls around, everything is complete and ready for you to enjoy.

The Smartest Season to Start

Building a pool isn’t just about water—it’s about creating a space where life happens. Fall and winter give you the time, space, and clarity to do it right.

At Omni Pools & Scapes, we design every pool to be a reflection of your lifestyle—elegant, functional, and ready when you are. If you’re looking for a trusted Columbus pool builder, now is the perfect time to start. Let’s begin designing your dream pool today, so when summer arrives, all that’s left to do is dive in!

Ready to Dive In?

Call us today to schedule your free consultation

Or click here to fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you shortly

5 Things We Want You to Know Before Installing a Pool

jcraycraft@omniscapes.net (JASON CRAYCRAFT) — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:32:53 GMT

At Omni Pools & Scapes, we love building dream backyards. But before we break ground (literally), there are a few things we wish every client knew. Think of this as your poolside pre-game checklist—minus the sunscreen (but seriously, wear sunscreen).

1. Not All Pools Are Created Equal

You’ve got options, and they’re all fabulous in their own way—like the Real Housewives of Backyard Luxury:

Concrete: The show pony of pools—customizable, glamorous, and a little high-maintenance. You’ll need to re-plaster every 8-12 years, but hey, beauty has its price.
Vinyl: Flexible and budget friendly. But like your favorite pair of flip-flops, the liner will eventually wear out and need replacing.
Fiberglass: Lowest maintenance, smooth surface, and fastest installation. Somewhat limited in shapes and sizes, but when you find one you love, it’s a match made in pool heaven.

 Pro Tip: Do your homework—or just call us. We’ll help you pick the perfect pool for your space and lifestyle.

2. Budget Like a Boss

We get it—everyone loves a good deal. But building a pool isn’t like buying a kiddie pool from aisle 12 at the hardware store.

Inground pool construction is about far more than a hole in the ground filled with water. You’re investing in craftsmanship, engineering, design, and enduring materials—all of which work together to create a space that adds joy and value for years to come.

Yes, you can buy a single paver for $3.99. But that doesn’t calculate warranted manufacturer materials, sub-base, drainage, lighting, or the skilled labor required to install it properly.

Bottom line: Be realistic about your budget. Our goal is to maximize your investment so we’ll help you make smart choices and ensure you understand where every dollar is going.

3. It’s Not a Weekend Project

We wish we could snap our fingers and poof—instant backyard oasis. But great things take time, and your dream pool is no exception.

Here’s a (very simplified) timeline:

Design: This project is a big investment, so we want to make sure every single detail is considered. That means we take the time to build out both 2D drawings and 3D renderings to ensure your design is exactly how you envision it.
Permits: Bureaucracy is a buzzkill, but it’s necessary. We coordinate with local municipalities to ensure all plans meet code and zoning requirements. But permit approvals take time and unfortunately, we’re at the mercy of the city, so patience here is key.
Custom Pool Creation: Whether it’s fiberglass, vinyl, or concrete, your pool is made to order featuring your selected shape, size, and color.
Installation: We’re talking excavation, plumbing, electrical, backfilling, and more. Then we move on to patios, pergolas, landscaping, fire pits, and all the pretty stuff.

So yes, it’ll take a while. But trust us—it’s worth the wait.

4. It’s Going to Get Messy

We’re not going to sugarcoat it: your yard will look like a construction zone before it becomes a resort. There will be dirt. There will be mud. There may even be a rogue wheelbarrow or two.

But hang in there. The mess is temporary. The memories you’ll make in your new pool? Those are forever.

5. Pools Need Love, Too

Owning a pool is kind of like adopting a golden retriever—it’s fun, rewarding, and yes, it requires regular care.

You’ll need to:

Balance chemicals
Clean debris
Check filters

But don’t worry—we’ll teach you everything you need to know, and we’re always just a phone call away if you need backup.

Ready to Dive In?

Call us today to schedule your free consultation

Or click here to fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you shortly

Winterizing Your Pool: A Comprehensive Guide by Omni Pools & Scapes

jcraycraft@omniscapes.net (JASON CRAYCRAFT) — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 20:15:46 GMT

As the leaves fall and temperatures drop, December marks the time to think about closing your pool for the winter season. Here at Omni Pools & Scapes, we understand that proper winterization is crucial for protecting your pool and ensuring it's ready for use come spring. Here's your step-by-step guide to shutting down your pool the right way:

Why Winterize Your Pool?

Winterizing your pool isn't just a tradition; it's essential for:

Preventing Damage : Ice can expand and crack your pool's structure or equipment.
Avoiding Algae and Bacteria : Cold weather doesn't kill all microorganisms, so proper chemical treatment is necessary.
Maintaining Water Quality : Ensuring your pool water remains balanced during winter minimizes the effort needed to reopen it.

Step-by-Step Winterization Process:

Balance the Water Chemistry: Test for pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels. Adjust as necessary to keep your water in balance, which helps in preventing algae and scale during the off-season.
Clean the Pool Thoroughly: Remove leaves, debris, and vacuum the pool to leave it clean. Brush the walls to dislodge any dirt or algae.
Clean or backwash your filter to ensure it's not clogged with debris from the season.
Lower the Water Level: For pools in colder climates like Ohio, lower the water level below the skimmer and return lines to prevent ice damage. However, for pools with an auto-cover, maintain a level that doesn't interfere with the cover's ability to seal.
Drain and Store Equipment: Drain the pump, filter, heater, and any other equipment to protect from freezing temperatures. Follow manufacturer guidelines for storage.
Remove and store ladders, diving boards, and other accessories in a dry place to prevent rust or damage.
Add Winterizing Chemicals: Use a winterizing kit or add chemicals separately to prevent algae growth and maintain water clarity. This typically includes: Shock treatment to kill off any remaining algae and bacteria.
Algaecide to prevent growth during winter.
Sequestering agents to prevent staining from metals in the water.
Install the Pool Cover: For above-ground pools, a solid cover is essential. For in-ground pools, mesh or solid covers can be used, depending on your preference for water management during winter.
Ensure the cover is secure and tight to keep out debris and to minimize water accumulation on top.
Circulate Water One Last Time: Run your pump with the winterizing chemicals to distribute them evenly. Then, shut down your system.
Protect Against Freeze: Use pool antifreeze in skimmer and return lines to prevent freezing and damage.
Consider a pool heater or invest in a freeze protection system if you live in an area with extreme cold snaps.

Post-Winterization Maintenance:

Regular Check-Ups : Even with a cover, check your pool periodically for snow or ice accumulation that might weigh down or damage the cover.
Monitor Water Level : If using a mesh cover, ensure the water level remains below the skimmer to allow for snow and rain accumulation without overflow.

Professional Winterization Services:

For many, the complexity of properly winterizing a pool makes professional services an attractive option. Omni Pools & Scapes offers:

Expert Handling : From chemical balancing to equipment protection, we ensure every step is taken with precision.
Peace of Mind : Professional winterization can extend the life of your pool and equipment, saving on repair costs.

Conclusion:

Winterizing your pool is about more than just closing it down; it's about preservation. By following these steps, you're not only safeguarding your investment but also setting the stage for a smooth and easy pool opening next spring. If you're in Columbus, Ohio, and surrounding areas, let Omni Pools & Scapes take care of the details, so you can enjoy the winter holidays worry-free.

For more information or to schedule your pool's winterization, visit www.omnipoolsandscapes.com . Let's prepare your pool for a cozy winter rest, ensuring it's ready to sparkle once more when summer returns.

Elevating Your Outdoor Space with Hardscapes

jcraycraft@omniscapes.net (JASON CRAYCRAFT) — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 20:07:33 GMT

At Omni Pools & Scapes, we believe that the beauty of a well-designed pool area extends beyond the water itself. Hardscaping plays a pivotal role in defining the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your outdoor living space. Let's explore how to integrate hardscapes to elevate your backyard into a true outdoor masterpiece.

What is Hardscaping?

Hardscaping refers to the non-living features of your landscape, like pathways, patios , retaining walls , and outdoor kitchens . These elements provide structure, facilitate movement, and create focal points or areas for leisure and entertainment.

The Role of Hardscaping in Pool Design

Functional Aesthetics : Patios : A well-designed patio around your pool can serve as a deck for sunbathing , a dance floor for parties, or a dining area for al fresco meals. Choose materials that complement your pool's style, whether it's natural stone for a rustic feel or sleek concrete for modern elegance.
Walkways : These guide guests around your pool safely while adding to the overall design. They can be made of pavers, gravel, or even wood, depending on the ambiance you wish to create.
Defining Spaces : Outdoor Kitchens : Imagine walking from your pool to a fully functional kitchen area. Hardscaping here includes countertops, grills, and seating, turning your backyard into an entertainment zone.
Fire Features : From fire pits to outdoor fireplaces , these elements not only extend your pool season into cooler months but also serve as a gathering spot for nighttime enjoyment.
Water Management : Retaining Walls : Useful for managing water flow, preventing erosion, and creating multi-level landscapes that add depth and interest.
Drainage Systems : Properly designed hardscapes can incorporate elegant solutions for water drainage, ensuring your pool area remains pristine and functional.

Design Tips for Hardscaping

Cohesion with Landscape : Your hardscaping should blend with the softscape (plants, trees). For example, if you have a lush garden, natural stone might be the best choice for paths and patios.
Material Selection : Consider durability, maintenance, and local climate. Materials like pavers or flagstone can withstand Ohio’s weather, while wood might require more upkeep but offers warmth.
Layering for Interest : Use different heights and materials to create a dynamic space. Steps, raised planters, or a pergola can add layers to your design.
Lighting : Incorporate hardscape lighting not just for safety but to highlight your architectural features. This can transform your pool area into a nighttime spectacle.

The Omni Pools & Scapes Approach

Custom Design : We tailor each project to your lifestyle, ensuring that your hardscapes are not only beautiful but also serve your needs. Whether you're an avid entertainer or seeking a tranquil retreat, our designs reflect that.
Quality Craftsmanship : Our team uses premium materials and techniques to ensure longevity and beauty. We consider the wear and tear of Ohio's seasons in every design choice.
Integrated Solutions : From concept to completion, we integrate hardscaping with your pool and overall landscape design for a cohesive look. This includes planning for future maintenance and upgrades.

Conclusion

Hardscaping is not just about adding elements; it's about creating an environment that enhances your pool's usability and its visual impact. With Omni Pools & Scapes, your backyard transformation goes beyond the pool; it's about crafting an entire outdoor living experience.

Ready to redefine your outdoor space? Visit us at www.omnipoolsandscapes.com to explore hardscaping options that will complement your pool and elevate your home's outdoor aesthetic.

Understanding Pool Water Chemistry

jcraycraft@omniscapes.net (JASON CRAYCRAFT) — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 19:56:34 GMT

As you dive into the joy of pool ownership, maintaining the right water chemistry is crucial for ensuring your swimming experience is both safe and enjoyable. At Omni Pools & Scapes, we believe that knowledge is power, especially when it comes to the health of your pool. Here's an in-depth look at pool water chemistry to help you keep your pool in pristine condition.

The Basics of Pool Chemistry

pH Levels : The pH scale measures how acidic or basic your pool water is, with a range of 7.2 to 7.8 being ideal for human comfort and effective sanitation. Too low, and you risk corrosion and skin irritation; too high, and you might face issues with scale formation and reduced chlorine efficiency.
Chlorine : This is your primary sanitizer, killing off bacteria, algae, and other pathogens. The recommended free chlorine level is between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm (parts per million). Chlorine levels need regular testing, especially after heavy use or weather events like rain.

Additional Chemical Balancers

Alkalinity : Total alkalinity acts as a buffer for pH, helping to keep it stable. Aim for 80-120 ppm. If alkalinity is off, pH swings can become frequent, making maintenance a challenge.
Calcium Hardness : This affects the clarity of the water and the longevity of your pool's surfaces. The ideal range is 200 to 400 ppm. Too low, and water could become corrosive; too high, and you'll see scale buildup.
Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer) : This protects chlorine from being broken down by UV rays. Levels should be between 30 and 50 ppm. Without enough stabilizer, your chlorine will dissipate too quickly, especially in sunny areas like Columbus.

Why Balancing is Essential

Balanced water chemistry:

Protects Your Investment : Prevents damage to pool walls, equipment, and surfaces.
Ensures Swimmer Comfort : Reduces the risk of eye irritation, skin rash, and other discomforts.
Keeps the Pool Clear : Balanced water results in a clearer, more inviting pool, free from cloudy water or algae blooms.

Common Problems and Solutions

Cloudy Water : Could be due to imbalanced pH, low sanitizer levels, or high calcium hardness. Test and adjust chemical levels accordingly.
Green Water : Indicates algae growth, often resulting from low chlorine levels or inadequate circulation. Shock the pool with chlorine, clean filters, and possibly use an algaecide.
Scale Formation : Occurs when calcium hardness and pH are too high. Use a scale inhibitor and adjust these levels.

Testing and Maintenance

Regular Testing : Use test strips or a liquid reagent test kit weekly, or after heavy use. Consider investing in a digital tester for more accurate readings over time.
Chemical Adjustments : Adjust chemicals gradually; sudden changes can shock the system, leading to further imbalance.
Circulation : Ensure your pool's filtration system runs enough to circulate all the water through the filter at least once per day.

Professional Insight

While DIY testing and maintenance are part of pool ownership, professional help can be invaluable:

Seasonal Openings and Closings : Have Omni Pools & Scapes handle these critical times to ensure your pool starts and ends the season correctly.
Regular Check-Ups : We can provide periodic professional analysis and maintenance, ensuring your pool chemistry remains balanced year-round.

Conclusion

Understanding and managing your pool's water chemistry is like being the conductor of an orchestra, where each element must harmonize for the perfect performance. It involves vigilance, knowledge, and sometimes professional assistance. At Omni Pools & Scapes, we're here to guide you through this process, ensuring your pool remains a clear, safe, and inviting oasis for all your summer activities.

For more information or to schedule a professional pool service , visit us at www.omnipoolsandscapes.com . Keep the chemistry right, and your pool will be the gem of your backyard for years to come.

The Art of Poolside Living: Creating Your Personal Oasis

jcraycraft@omniscapes.net (JASON CRAYCRAFT) — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 19:50:54 GMT

In the heart of summer, your backyard should be more than just a place; it should be an experience. At Omni Pools & Scapes, we believe in turning your backyard into a personal oasis where every day feels like a vacation. Here’s how you can achieve that with thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship.

Designing Your Dream Escape

Imagine waking up each morning to the gentle sound of water cascading down a custom-designed waterfall into your sparkling pool. Your pool isn't just a place to swim; it's an extension of your living space. We envision incorporating elements like:

Natural Integration : Blending your pool with the existing landscape, using native stone, lush greenery, and perhaps even a small bridge over a lazy river section, to create a seamless transition from home to nature.
Ambient Lighting : As the sun sets, your pool area transforms with the glow of LED lights. These aren't just for safety; they're for setting the mood, from vibrant party lights to serene, underwater illumination that makes night swimming magical.

A Hub for Entertainment

Your pool should be the centerpiece of your social life. Picture this:

The Ultimate Poolside Lounge : With custom-built cabanas draped in light fabric for shade, equipped with comfortable seating, and perhaps a hammock or two for that ultimate relaxation.
Culinary Delights : An outdoor kitchen where you can grill, mix cocktails, and dine al fresco. It's not just food; it's an experience, enhanced by the backdrop of your pool and the laughter of friends and family.

A Touch of Luxury

Luxury isn't just about cost; it's about the details that make your poolside living extraordinary:

Infinity Edges : Giving the illusion of water extending to the horizon, these design features are not only stunning but also symbolize the endless possibilities of your summer days.
Pool House Elegance : A pool house doesn't just provide storage; it can serve as a changing room, a bar, or even a small guest house, complete with indoor-outdoor flow for that guest who wants to stay by the pool all day.

Sustainability Meets Style

In this era, luxury also means being kind to our planet:

Eco-Friendly Features : We can incorporate solar heating, energy-efficient pumps, and natural filtration systems that not only save on bills but also on environmental impact.
Natural Water Features : Water fountains and waterfalls can be designed to recycle water, reducing waste while adding to the tranquility of your space.

Community and Connection

Your pool isn't just for you; it's a place where community thrives:

Neighborhood Gatherings : With an inviting pool area, your backyard becomes the go-to spot for neighborhood events, fostering connections and creating memories.

Conclusion

At Omni Pools & Scapes, we don't just build pools; we craft experiences. Your backyard can be your personal retreat, your family's playground, and your social hub. It's about more than water; it's about creating a lifestyle where every moment by the pool is cherished.

Let's discuss how we can transform your backyard into a sanctuary of relaxation, entertainment, and luxury. Visit www.omnipoolsandscapes.com to start your journey to poolside living done right.

The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Pool Design

jcraycraft@omniscapes.net (JASON CRAYCRAFT) — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 19:35:49 GMT

As we step into August, the peak of summer, many homeowners are not just dreaming of a pool, but an eco-friendly one that aligns with their commitment to sustainability. At Omni Pools & Scapes, we're dedicated to merging luxury with environmental consciousness. Here's how you can make your pool not only a centerpiece for summer fun but also a statement of your eco-responsibility.

1. Solar Heating Systems

Efficiency : Solar pool heaters use the sun’s energy, significantly reducing your reliance on gas or electric heaters.
Implementation : We can integrate solar panels into your pool design, or even use pool covers that absorb solar energy. This doesn't just heat your pool; it can also reduce evaporation, saving water.

2. Eco-Conscious Materials

Natural Stone : Using local, natural stones not only reduces transportation emissions but also blends beautifully with the environment.
Glass Tiles : Recycled glass tiles are increasingly popular, offering vibrant colors and a high-end look, all while being environmentally friendly.
Sustainable Decking : Composite decking made from recycled materials is durable, low maintenance, and eco-friendly.

3. Water Conservation Techniques

Smart Pool Covers : Automated covers can minimize water loss through evaporation by up to 95%.
Water Features With Pumps : Features like waterfalls or fountains can be designed to recirculate water, reducing waste.
Rainwater Harvesting : Integrating a system to collect and filter rainwater for pool use can dramatically cut down on the use of treated water.

4. Energy-Saving Equipment

Variable Speed Pumps : These consume up to 90% less energy than single-speed pumps, adjusting flow based on your pool's needs.
LED Lighting : Swapping traditional bulbs for LEDs not only saves energy but also lasts longer and can be set to automatically turn off during daylight hours.

5. Landscaping for Efficiency

Native Plants : Surrounding your pool with native flora reduces the need for watering and helps maintain local ecosystems.
Windbreaks : Planting or constructing windbreaks can decrease water evaporation and protect your pool area from debris.

6. Chemical-Free Cleaning

Natural Filtration : Systems like ozone or saltwater chlorination can reduce chemical usage, offering a cleaner swim and less environmental impact.

7. Making a Statement with Design

Infinity Edges : While a luxury feature, infinity pools can be designed to recycle water, reducing spillage and maintaining the pool's aesthetic appeal.
Eco-Features as Design Elements : Showcasing your pool’s green technology in its design can be both educational and inspiring for others.

Why Choose Omni Pools & Scapes for Your Eco-Pool?

Experience : With years in the industry, we know how to blend eco-friendly practices with luxurious design seamlessly.
Customization : Every pool we build is tailored not just to your aesthetic preferences but also to your environmental values.
Full-Service : From design to maintenance, we offer solutions that keep your pool eco-friendly throughout its life.

Conclusion

An eco-friendly pool is not just a trend; it's a commitment to a more sustainable lifestyle. As you enjoy your summer, consider how your backyard retreat could also contribute positively to the planet. Contact Omni Pools & Scapes today, and let's design a pool that's not only a source of joy and relaxation but also a model of environmental responsibility.

Visit us at www.omnipoolsandscapes.com to start planning your green oasis.

Dive into Luxury: Why an In-Ground Pool is Your Ultimate Summer Investment

jcraycraft@omniscapes.net (JASON CRAYCRAFT) — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 19:20:11 GMT

Summer is the season of sunshine, relaxation, and what better way to enjoy it than with your own in-ground pool in your backyard? Here at Omni Pools & Scapes, we understand that a pool isn't just a luxury; it's an extension of your home and lifestyle. Let's explore why investing in a custom in-ground swimming pool could be one of the best decisions you make for your Columbus, Ohio home.

1. Customization Beyond Compare

Every home has its unique character, and your pool should reflect that. Omni Pools & Scapes specializes in creating custom in-ground pools that cater to your personal taste, whether you envision a sleek modern design or a tropical oasis. We offer:

Material Variety: Choose from vinyl , fiberglass , concrete , or Biodesign . Each has its benefits, from the affordability and quick installation of fiberglass to the endless design possibilities with concrete.
Personalized Features: Waterfalls , LED lighting , in-pool seating, and even swim-up bars can be tailored to your desires. Your pool doesn't just become a swimming area; it transforms into a multi-functional entertainment space.

2. Enhanced Property Value

A well-designed pool can significantly boost your home's value. Here's how:

Curb Appeal: A beautifully crafted pool adds undeniable allure to your property, making it stand out in real estate listings or neighborhood gatherings.
Market Demand: Pools are a sought-after feature, especially in areas like Columbus where summers can be hot, making your home more attractive to potential buyers.

3. A Lifestyle Upgrade

Owning a pool means:

Health Benefits: Swimming is a low-impact exercise, great for all ages, promoting fitness in a fun way.
Family and Social Hub: It becomes the natural gathering spot for family fun or social events. Picture poolside barbecues or evening swims under the stars.
Relaxation and Stress Relief: There’s something inherently calming about water. A pool invites moments of solitude or meditation, providing a private retreat right at home.

4. Year-Round Enjoyment

At Omni Pools & Scapes, we design pools that you can enjoy beyond the summer:

Heated Options: Extend your swimming season into the cooler months with a heating system, turning crisp fall and spring days into opportunities for a swim.
Design for All Seasons: With thoughtful landscaping and features like fire pits or hot tubs integrated into your pool area, your backyard becomes a year-round entertainment zone.

5. Quality and Craftsmanship

Choosing Omni Pools & Scapes means you benefit from:

Expertise: Over a decade of experience in custom pool design and installation in the Columbus area.
Premium Materials: We use only the best materials for longevity and beauty, ensuring your pool remains an asset for years.
Comprehensive Services: From design to installation, maintenance, and even covers, we handle everything with professionalism and attention to detail.

Conclusion

Investing in an in-ground pool from Omni Pools & Scapes is not just about adding a water feature to your backyard; it's about enriching your life with luxury, convenience, and joy. Whether for relaxation, family gatherings, or as an investment in your property, a custom pool could be the key to unlocking a new level of home enjoyment. Visit our design studio or contact us ( www.omnipoolsandscapes.com ) to start dreaming up your perfect pool today!

Tips for Creating the Perfect Outdoor Entertainment Space

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:12:27 GMT

Your backyard is more than just a patch of grass - it’s a canvas for creating your own outdoor oasis and private retreat. Whether you love hosting summer barbecues, cozying up by the fire pit on chilly evenings, or simply relaxing in the fresh air, a well-designed outdoor entertainment space can enhance your lifestyle and add value to your home.

Keep reading for some expert tips for Omni Pools & Scapes, central Ohio’s premier outdoor living specialists, to help you create the perfect outdoor space to entertain your friends and family this summer!

1. Define Your Space: Start by defining the purpose of your outdoor space. Do you want a dining area, a lounge space, a pool area, a combination of all of the above? Consider the size of your backyard and how you can best utilize the available space to accommodate your wants and needs.

2. Choose the Right Flooring: The flooring of your outdoor space entertainment area sets the foundation for the entire space! Consider options like a composite wood deck, a natural stone paver patio, or even an artificial turf lawn for low maintenance green space. There are many options to choose from depending on the aesthetic and type of space you are going for!

3. Create Zones: To make your outdoor space more functional, consider creating distinct zones for different activities. For example, you could have a cooking area with built-in grill and countertop, a dining area with a table and chairs, and a lounge area with comfortable seating and a fire pit. This allows you to entertain your guests seamlessly, with each zone serving a different purpose.

4. Add Lighting: Outdoor Lighting is essential for creating ambiance and extending the usability of your outdoor space into the evening and night hours. Consider installing string lights for a cozy glow, path lights for safety and spotlights to highlight key features like trees or water features.

5. Incorporate Greenery: Plants and landscaping can add beauty and tranquility to your outdoor space. Consider adding a mix of trees, shrubs, and flowers to create a lush, inviting environment. You can also add potted plants and hanging baskets to add color and texture to your space!

6. Accessorize: Finally, don’t forget to accessorize your outdoor space with comfortable outdoor furniture, cushions, rugs, and decor items like lanterns, candles, and throw pillows. These finishing touches can make your outdoor space feel like an extension of your indoor living area!

Creating the perfect outdoor entertainment space in your backyard is all about thoughtful planning and design. By considering your needs, the available space, and incorporating these helpful tips, you can create a backyard retreat that you’ll be enjoying for years and years to come!

If adding a luxury, custom designed pool or beautiful deck or patio would elevate your outdoor space, we’d love to chat with you! Contact us today to get started on making your backyard the one you’ve been dreaming of.

Tee off at Home With a Backyard Putting Green

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 16:41:15 GMT

It’s hard not to have golf on the brain over the course of the month of May here in Central Ohio, since Dublin famously hosts the Memorial Tournament every year! Now imagine stepping out into your backyard taking a deep breath of fresh air, and walking onto your very own putting green. For us golf enthusiasts, having a backyard putting green is the ultimate luxury. Not only does it provide a convenient way to practice your putting skills, but it also adds a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.

Let’s continue down this golf theme and explore some of the benefits of installing your very own backyard putting green!

Convenience

With a backyard putting green, you can practice your putting skills anytime, right in the comfort of your own home. No need to drive to the golf course or wait for a tee time - your putting green is always ready and waiting for you. Having to go to a golf course takes a lot of time and effort out of your day, but having a putting green in your own backyard means you can easily dedicate fifteen minutes a day to practice your golfing skills. This convenience can lead to consistency in your practice, which can lead to leveling up your golf game.

Entertainment

A backyard putting green is not just for serious practice - it’s also a great source of entertainment for family and friends! Host putting competitions, challenge your guests to a friendly game, or simply enjoy a relaxing happy hour with the addition of putting. A backyard putting green is fun for everyone!

Aesthetic Appeal

A well-designed putting green can enhance the beauty of your backyard and add value to your property. Whether you prefer a simple, synthetic green or a more elaborate, custom-designed green, Omni Pools & Scapes can design and create a putting green that perfectly complements your existing outdoor space and fit the size, shape, and design you need. Plus, with our newly renovated Design Studio, it’s easy to visualize your project and check out material options in person!

Year-Round Use:

Synthetic putting greens require minimal maintenance and can withstand all types of weather conditions, allowing you to enjoy it anytime of the year! Golfing is a great form of exercise, and having a putting green at home that can be utilized any time of the year encourages you to get outside and be active. It’s a great and fun way to stay fit and enjoy the great outdoors.

Create your own personal practice area with a backyard putting green from Omni Pools & Scapes, Central Ohio’s premier outdoor living specialists! Whether you’re a seasoned golfer looking to improve your game or you simply want to add a unique, exciting feature to your backyard, a putting green is a perfect addition to any outdoor space. Contact us today to turn your backyard into a golfer’s paradise!

Keep Your Pool Pristine This Summer: 8 Essential Pool Maintenance Tips

Tue, 28 May 2024 21:11:30 GMT

As the temperature rises and the sunny days grow longer and more frequent, your pool becomes the heart of your backyard oasis. To ensure your pool stays clean, safe, and ready for endless summer fun, it’s important to follow a regular maintenance routine. Check out some tips from our pool experts here at Omni Pools & Scapes to keep your pool in pristine condition all summer long.

1. Skim and Scrub Regularly: Leaves, insects, and debris can accumulate on the surface of your pool, making it look unappealing and clogging your filters. Use a skimmer to remove debris daily and scrub the walls and tiles weekly to prevent algae buildup.

2. Check and Maintain Water Levels: Your pool’s water level can fluctuate due to evaporation, splash-out, or backwashing. Ensure the water level stays within the recommended range by using a garden hose to add water when necessary.

3. Monitor and Balance Chemical Levels: Proper chemical balance is crucial for keeping your pool water clean and safe. Test the water regularly using a pool testing kit and adjust the pH, chlorine, and alkalinity levels as needed to prevent algae growth and maintain water clarity.

4. Shock the Pool: Shocking your pool regularly helps eliminate bacteria, algae, and other contaminants that regular chlorine treatments may not remove. If shocking your pool becomes a necessity, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific pool size and type of shock treatment.

5. Clean the Filters: Your pool filters play a vital role in keeping the water clean and clear. Check and clean the filter regularly and replace them as recommended to ensure optimal performance.

6. Inspect and Maintain Pool Equipment: Regularly inspect your pool pump, heater, and other equipment for signs of wear or damage. Ensure they are clean and functioning properly to avoid costly repairs and maintain efficient operation.

7. Keep an Eye on Water Temperature: Warmer water temperatures can promote algae growth and increase the need for chlorine. Consider using a pool cover to maintain a consistent water temperature and reduce evaporation.

8. Schedule Professional Maintenance: While regular maintenance tasks can keep your pool in good condition, it’s also important to schedule professional maintenance at least once a year. A professional can inspect your pool for any hidden issues and ensure it is operating at its best.

By following these summer pool maintenance tips, you can enjoy a clean, safe, and beautiful pool all season long! Dive into summer with confidence, knowing your pool is well-maintained and ready for endless hours of refreshing fun!

Water Safety Month: 10 Tips to Stay Safe While Having Fun in the Sun!

Fri, 24 May 2024 20:12:56 GMT

As the weather warms up and families start to spend more time outdoors, it’s crucial to prioritize safety - especially around bodies of water including pools. May is National Water Safety Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to review and enhance your home pool safety measure. At Omni Pools & Scapes, we’re committed to not only creating beautiful outdoor spaces, but also ensuring that they are safe havens for relaxation and fun.

Here are some essential tips to keep your pool area safe for every member of your family - especially kids and pets!

`1. Fence it Off: Install a secure fence around your pool area with a self-latching gate. This barrier can prevent young children and pets from accessing the pool area unsupervised.

2. Invest in Secure Pool Covers: Use a pool cover that is strong enough to support the weight of a child or pet. Ensure that it is properly secured and not easily removed.

3. Supervision is Key: Always supervise children when they are in or around the pool! Even if your children are older and experienced swimmers, it’s best to be cautious when it comes to enjoying the water.

4. Swimming Lessons: Investing in swimming lessons is a great way for your children to learn essential water safety skills.

5. Learn CPR: While we hope you never have to use it, knowing CPR can save lives in emergency situations. Taking a course can help you be prepared for any pool-related emergencies.

6. Remove Temptations: Keep toys, floats, and other items that may be attractive or tempting for your kids to venture into the pool or pool area when unsupervised.

7. Proper Drain Covers: Ensure your pool’s drain covers are compliant with safety standards to prevent entrapment accidents or injury.

8. Alarms and Safety Devices: Consider installing pool alarms or gate alarms to alert you if someone enters the pool area without supervision.

9. Emergency Preparedness: Have rescue equipment, such as a life preserver or shepherd’s hook, nearby in case of emergencies.

10. Regular Maintenance: Keeping your pool regularly cleaned and maintained will help to keep potential hazards at bay!

Remember, ensuring a safe pool environment is an ongoing commitment. By following these safety tips and staying vigilant, you can enjoy a safe and fun-filled summer around your pool. Stay safe, and happy swimming!

A Deep Dive into Incorporating Sustainability into Your Landscape Design

Mon, 06 May 2024 13:20:38 GMT

Sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it’s an important way of life. At Omni Pools & Scapes we believe that sustainable landscape design is not only beneficial for the environment but also for you as a homeowner - as it creates stunning outdoor spaces that can enhance your lifestyle. In this blog, we will dive into some of the key features and benefits of sustainable landscape design.

Native Plants:

Incorporating native plants into your landscape design is an important cornerstone of sustainability. Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, requiring less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than exotic species. They also provide a habitat and food for local wildlife, which supports biodiversity.

Water Conservation:

Water is a precious resource and sustainable landscape design focuses on minimizing water usage through various techniques. Choosing landscaping that reduces water waste helps us be good stewards of our natural resources.

Permeable Surfaces:

Traditional hardscape materials such as concrete and asphalt prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground, which can lead to runoff and water pollution. Permeable surfaces, such as gravel and permeable pavers, allow rainwater to soak into the soil, replenishing groundwater and reducing runoff

Energy-Efficient Lighting:

Outdoor lighting is a must for safety and ambiance, but it can consume a lot of energy. Sustainable landscape design incorporates energy-efficient LED lighting and solar powered lights to reduce electricity consumption and minimize your carbon footprint.

Sustainable Materials:

When selecting materials for hardscapes, such as patios, walkways, and retaining walls, choose sustainable options like reclaimed wood, composite wood, or natural stone. These materials have less environmental impact and add a unique, eco-friendly touch to your outdoor space! The “natural” look is very trendy when it comes to outdoor design.

Wildlife Habitat:

Part of creating a sustainable landscape is also creating a space that is welcoming and safe for local wildlife. Incorporating features such as bird feeds, bird baths, and native plants will help to attract birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Not only are they pretty to see when you look outside, they also are vital to controlling the ecosystem.

Composting and Mulching:

Composting organic waste and using mulch in your landscape design helps to improve soil health, retain moisture, and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. It’s a simple yet effective way to recycle nutrients and minimize waste!

Chemical-Free Maintenance

Finally, avoiding hard chemical pesticides and fertilizers is an important piece to sustainable landscaping. Using organic or natural alternatives are not only safer for the environment, but they are also safer for you and your family.

By incorporating these principles into your landscaping, you can create a beautiful, functional outdoor space that is beneficial to both you and the environment. At Omni Pools & Scapes, we are committed to helping you design and create sustainable outdoor spaces that will not only look beautiful for years to come, but help build a better and greener future.

Illuminate Your Outdoor Oasis - Tips for Selecting the Right Pool Lighting

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 13:21:47 GMT

As a pool owner, you want to enjoy your backyard oasis at any time of the day - whether it’s sunny outside or not! By selecting the proper lighting, you can enjoy relaxing in your pool and the surrounding poolside area 24/7.

1. Understand Your Lighting Needs

There are a few things to consider when it comes to what you need out of your pool lighting:

Ambiance: What kind of mood do you want to create? Soft, warm lights are a good fit for a relaxing, tranquil type of aesthetic while brighter lights may be more functional.

Safety: It’s important that your lighting ensures that you can safely enjoy your pool area. Make sure that walkways, pool edges, and steps are properly lit.

Highlight Features: Does your pool boast a stunning water feature? If so, you may want to choose lighting that draws attention to that!

2. Choose the Right Type of Lighting

There are a few different options to choose from when selecting your pool lighting. Each has

Led Lights: Energy efficient and long lasting, LED lights are a very popular choice for pool lighting. Plus, they offer a variety of color options to go with your design and aesthetic.

Solar Lights: Environmentally friendly and easy to install, solar lights are a great option if your outdoor area has plenty of sunlight.

Fiber Optic Lights: These type of lights provide a soft underwater glow and are perfect for creating a magical, almost ethereal ambiance in your pool.

3. Consider Automation and Control

Smart Lighting: Opt for smart lighting systems that allow you to control your lights remotely. This feature is convenient and allows you to customize your lighting according to your needs.

Timers: Set timers to turn your lights on and off automatically, saving energy and ensuring your pool area is always well-lit when needed.

4. Ensure Proper Installation:

Safety First: Hire a professional, such as our team at Omni Pools & Scapes, to install your lighting to ensure it meets safety standards and is properly grounded.

Waterproofing: Ensure that all lighting fixtures are waterproof to prevent damage and ensure longevity.

Selecting the right lighting for your pool can transform your pool area into a stunning retreat that is not only safe, but also inviting. By understanding your lighting needs, choosing the right type of lighting, and ensuring proper installation, you can create the perfect pool area that is as beautiful and functional at night as it is during the day.

Paws and Play: The Benefits of Artificial Turf for Pet Friendly Homes

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:41:26 GMT

When it comes to pet-friendly landscaping options, artificial turf is a game changer, offering many advantages for both pets and their owners. At Omni Pools & Scapes, we understand the importance of creating a safe and enjoyable environment for your furry friends, which is why we highly recommend artificial turf as a pet-friendly solution. Keep reading as we dive into the advantages of artificial turf!

What is artificial turf, exactly?

Artificial turf is a surface of synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. Much like how carpet is made, these fibers are then attached to a backing material.

The Advantages of Artificial Turf

Durability.
Artificial turf is created to withstand heavy foot traffic, making it perfect for pets who love to run and play. Natural grass tends to become worn and patchy over time, especially in areas that see lots of movement and play. Artificial turf, on the other hand, maintains its lush appearance and stays resilient even in high-traffic areas.
Easy Maintenance
Say goodbye to mowing, watering, and fertilizing! Artificial turf requires minimal maintenance, saving you time, effort, and money. Maintaining a beautiful natural lawn may prove challenging with pets, but artificial turf makes it easy - simply remove any pet waste and rinse the turf occasionally to keep it looking fresh and clean.
Pet-Friendly Materials
High-quality artificial turf consists of non-toxic materials that are safe for pets and children to play on. Unlike natural grass, it is also resistant to pests (such as fleas and tickets) creating a healthier environment for your furry friends.
No More Muddy Messes
For many pet owners, one of the biggest pros to choosing artificial turf for their lawn is the elimination of dirt and mud being tracked into the house. WIth an artificial turf lawn, pets can play outside without getting covered in mud, which keeps your home cleaner and more hygienic. Plus it saves the hassle and headache of wiping your pet’s paws before they come inside!
All-Weather Use
Unlike natural grass, which as we discussed above can become muddy and unusable after rain, artificial turf remains functional in all weather conditions.
Reduced Allergens
Artificial turf does not produce pollen, making it an ideal choice for both pets and owners with outdoor related allergies. It also eliminates the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which is a huge win for you and your pet’s health and safety!
Cost-Effective
While the initial cost of installing it may be higher than natural grass, artificial turf is long term investment that can save you money on water bills, lawn care equipment, and maintenance over time.
Enhanced Aesthetic
Artificial turf lawn provides a consistently green and manicured appearance, enhancing the overall look of your outdoor space - even if you have a four legged friend who enjoys running and playing around your lawn! It can be customized to fit any area, creating a cohesive and attractive landscaping design.

At Omni Pools & Scapes, we offer high quality artificial turf installation in the Central Ohio area to create a beautiful, low maintenance backyard for both you and your furry companions. Contact us today to learn more and to see if artificial turf is a good fit for you.

Deck Out Your Backyard With A Composite Deck: A Complete Guide

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 13:00:00 GMT

When it comes to elevating your outdoor living spaces, few additions can rival the elegance, durability, and low maintenance of composite wood decks. In this blog, we’re exploring composite decks and why they are a great choice when it comes to sprucing up your outdoor space!

What are composite decks exactly?

At first glance, composite decking looks similar to traditional wood decking. However, it is crafted from a recycled blend of wood fibers and plastics, maintaining the natural look of wood without the major negatives, such as rotting, warping, and splintering. Because of how it is made, a composite deck remains beautiful and functional for many years.

The Benefits of Composite Decks

Durability: Composite decks are built to withstand the elements, allowing them to last through various weather conditions and climates. They are also resistant to fading, staining, and scratching, ensuring that your deck looks just as good as it did the day you installed it!
Low Maintenance: Wood decks require regular staining and sealing to protect it from the wear and tear of the elements and everyday life. With composite decking, all you really need to worry about is sweeping or hosing off any dirt or debris that may accumulate over time. It’s as easy as that!
Sustainability: Being environmentally conscious is a big factor for many people when it comes to their home renovation projects. Composite decking is one of the most environmentally friendly choices when it comes to building your deck since it is made from recycled materials! By going this route, you are helping to reduce waste and protect the planet.
Versatility: With a wide range of colors and finishes to choose from, composite decks can be customized to suit any style or aesthetic you wish! From classic wood looks to more modern designs, there are many options to choose from to perfectly suit your needs.
Safety: Composite decks are made to be slip resistant, making them a safe choice for families with children or pets! Additionally, composite decks do not splinter.

Composite decks are a smart and stylish choice to elevate your outdoor space and are built to last for years to come. If you are ready to learn more and get started on decking out your backyard, contact Omni Pools & Scapes today! We’re here to make your outdoor living dreams a reality.

Take the DIY Plunge: A Deep Dive into Do It Yourself Pools

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 14:13:05 GMT

Do it yourself home improvement projects are all the rage! Homeowners enjoy going the DIY route for a multitude of reasons, from saving money to being able to work on and complete the project on their own time to feeling the satisfaction of completing a project with their own skills and labor.

DIY projects are even taking the pool market by storm. Many homeowners are opting for the DIY route by purchasing fiberglass pool kits and taking care of the installation on their own. While this is quite the project to take on, there are many benefits to choosing to self-install your pool.

We’re taking a deep dive into DIY pools and some of the benefits of going this route. Keep reading to learn more and see if you’re ready to take the “do it yourself” plunge with your dream pool project!

DIY Fiberglass Pools Save You Money

The cost saving factor of a DIY pool is perhaps one of the most motivating benefits for homeowners. The biggest reason why DIY saves you money is the fact that you do not have to pay a professional company to handle installation. When you choose to go the DIY route, you become the contractor and installer, which means you will handle excavation and installation.

Choosing a fiberglass pool for your DIY project will also save you money. Fiberglass pools are known for their durability and longevity, saving you money over time as you do not have to worry about replacing liners like you do with vinyl pools or having to spend on a multitude of chemicals to protect the pool from erosion over time like you do with concrete pools!

DIY - Do It Your Way

One of the biggest reasons why homeowners enjoy DIY projects is because they get to do things their way. From design to installation, you call all the shots when you choose to DIY your pool! This is a great option for homeowners who have a specific style, timeline, and process in mind. Every step of your project is up to you - giving you the space and freedom to truly ensure that the final result is everything you’ve been dreaming of.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

While they require a lot of hard work, patience, and dedication, DIY projects are very satisfying once finished. It feels good to work together with family or friends to complete such a big project! While your finished pool will certainly be a space where memories are made, the DIY process is also something you will always remember. From sitting down with your family to envision and plan your dream pool to doing the work to get it installed, you’ll enjoy being able to look at your finished project and remember the time put in to make it a reality.

Start Now - Be Ready for Summer!

Another great advantage of choosing to do your pool project is being able to do it on your own timeline. As the weather warms up and we get closer to spring and summer in Central Ohio, many pool companies will begin to get busier and their schedules will start to fill. This means that you may not be guaranteed to have your pool installed and finished before the beginning of the summer! When you handle your pool’s installation, you get to dictate how and when your project gets finished. If you start the DIY process now you’ll be able to enjoy your beautiful pool all summer long!

Ready to take the plunge and get started on your DIY pool project? Contact us today, we’d love to help you get started on this exciting journey!

Is Your Backyard Photo Ready?

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:08:05 GMT

As the warmer weather approaches and spring and summer is just around the corner, so are the outdoor events - such as graduation parties, family bbqs, and more! These fun events not only bring life long memories, they also bring an abundance of photo opportunities. Is your backyard photo ready? Let’s talk ways you can make your space the perfect backdrop for your life celebrations!

Go Green

One of the first things that people notice about outdoor spaces is the look of your lawn. Unsightly dead patches of grass and a poorly manicured lawn can ruin a photo. If maintaining a healthy lawn is something that you struggle with, artificial turf/synthetic grass may be a good option! Not only is it extremely low maintenance, it also can save you on water costs.

Incorporate Flowers

There are few things more picturesque than vibrant flowers! Not only do they make a great backdrop for your photos, they also bring color and personality to your outdoor space. Consider adding flowerbeds to your outdoor space to beautify it! If you already have added flowers to your space, consider giving your florals a face lift by adding retaining walls or additional landscape to really level it up.

What about Hardscapes?

Adding a patio or deck not only gives you more living space in your backyard, it also can make it look much more “complete” visually. Styling your patio and deck with outdoor furniture, surrounding landscaping, hanging flowers and plants, and outdoor fireplaces will help you go the extra mile in creating photo opportunities! Taking care in making walkways to your patio picturesque with carefully selected pavers and well maintained paths is another way to make these spaces really pop on camera.

Ready to get your backyard photo ready?

Whether you are looking to just update your landscaping or you’re ready to take on a bigger project with adding a patio, deck, artificial turf, or even a pool, Omni Pools & Scapes is here to help. We are Central Ohio’s leading outdoor living specialists and our team is passionate about making your outdoor living dreams into a reality!

The Advantages of Artificial Turf

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 12:50:57 GMT

It’s time to talk turf! Have you been dreaming about the beauty of a fresh, healthy lawn without the hassle of upkeep? Imagine sitting on your porch or patio, sipping your favorite drink and looking out at your low-maintenance lawn. Your grass is not marred by weeds, brown spots, or overgrown conditions. For today’s busy home- and commercial property-owners, a green lawn with very low maintenance can be a dream come true.

What is Artificial Turf/Synthetic Grass Exactly?

Artificial turf is a material that is man made, comprised of fibers that are formed to look just like grass. Artificial turf is commonly used on sports fields and putting greens and it is gaining popularity in commercial and residential lawns. Artificial turf is made in the same way that carpeting is - by stitching blades of green fiber piles of varying heights to give it a more natural look. Newer technology has made artificial turf look more and more realistic, so you can barely notice the difference between synthetic grass and natural grass visually.

What are the benefits of choosing artificial turf?

The most obvious benefit of artificial turf is the fact that it is very low maintenance. An artificial turf lawn does not require the upkeep that natural grass does, such as regular lawn cutting and watering. This, in turn, saves you money. With an artificial turf lawn, you no longer need to spend money on lawn care equipment or water usage (which makes it a very eco-friendly option.)

It is also a healthy option if you have pets or small children, as artificial turf does not require any chemicals or pesticides to maintain. It’s also soft and comfortable, making it a great option for your four legged friends and kiddos to run around on.

Plus, artificial turf lawns look beautiful no matter the season or weather and it lasts much longer than natural grass lawns. Patches of dead grass can ruin the look of a well manicured lawn, but with synthetic grass you never need to worry about that. Choosing artificial turf ensures that you will have a manicured, stunning lawn all year round, with little effort.

Ready to learn to get started on the lawn of your dreams?

With our experience in the industry of synthetic grass, Omni Pools & Scapes has unmatched expertise and is the leader of the artificial grass industry in Ohio. We work hard to continually improve our products and our processes so we can provide the best service available.

We want to help you achieve your dreams when it comes to your residential or commercial landscaping. Call us today to find out how we can transform the way you think about your lawn forever!

Outdoor Lighting: Beautifying Your Outdoor Landscaping at Night

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 12:41:24 GMT

Having well-lit areas in your yard is not only a matter of aesthetics but also a matter of safety. At Omni Pools & Scapes, our landscaping professionals can recommend, design, and install a lighting system that will keep your yard both safe and beautiful at any time of the day or night. In this blog, we’re shining a light on the benefits to outdoor lighting and sharing our insights on landscape lighting design and installation.

Outdoor Lighting Pairs Style With Functionality

When it comes to outdoor lighting, you may think of it as a way to highlight your favorite parts of your home and landscaping. While this is certainly an aspect, outdoor lighting actually serves an important role in keeping you and your home safe! Properly illuminating your outdoor spaces can play a role in home security by deterring would-be thieves or strangers from entering your property. Ensuring that driveways and walkways are sufficiently lit will also help to keep you, your family, and guests safe when navigating at night.

Boosts Curb Appeal

Well planned lighting is absolutely essential when it comes to curb appeal. Carefully choosing the correct fixtures and design can highlight the architecture of your home, your home’s entrance, or the beautiful landscaping surrounding your home. If you have a patio or deck, outdoor lighting can create an appealing ambiance to those spaces as well.

Allows You to Enjoy Your Outdoor Space Anytime

Landscape lighting gives you the ability to enjoy your outdoor living spaces even after the sun goes down! Whether you want to relax on your patio and read a book in the evening or you are planning to host outdoor pool parties that go into the night, outdoor lighting can help create the perfect atmosphere for your night time activities!

Current Options Are Energy Efficient

Landscape lighting is now more energy efficient than ever! With modern LED light options, solar powered lights, and smart lighting systems, you can effectively light your outdoor hardscapes while keeping your energy bill low. At Omni Pools & Scapes, we help walk you through the many different options to choose from and help you in choosing the best, most energy efficient design for your space.

Outdoor Lighting Sets the Mood

If a relaxing poolside area is on your dream design list, lighting can help you achieve that goal by helping to set the ambiance! Or maybe you are planning a beautiful garden that you want to show off and enjoy any time of the day. Whatever your outdoor hardscaping dreams are, the proper lighting will add a sense of elegance and beauty.

Elevating your Outdoor Space With A Deck or Patio

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 12:52:07 GMT

As the weather warms up, you may be starting to consider ways to elevate your outdoor living space for the spring and summer. When it comes to additions to spruce up your outdoor living area while giving you more space for entertainment and relaxation, a deck or patio is a great place to start. Omni Pools & Scapes is the five-star rated design & installation company for custom wood decks and patios in Columbus, Ohio. Keep reading for why a patio or deck would be a wise investment when it comes to improving your home’s outdoor space!

Patios and Decks Increase the Value of A Home

Investing in a quality patio or deck will not only benefit you in the present, but it will also benefit you in the future by adding value to your home. Many buyers are looking for a beautiful and functional outdoor space when searching for a home to purchase.

More Livable Space Year-Round

If you choose to go with a covered patio or deck, you can utilize that space year round. This added space will help to entertain more guests, add more areas for activities for the family, and if you choose to add an outdoor kitchen or grilling space, it will increase your home cooking capacity! Some homeowners choose to store their outdoor furniture on their covered patios or decks year round as well.

Improves Overall Outdoor Aesthetic

Adding a patio or deck is not only functional, but it also boosts the visual look of your home! You can also go the extra mile to improving your outdoor aesthetic by adding beautiful landscaping and lighting around the patio or deck.

Endless Design Options

With patios and decks, there are a multitude of design options to choose from to suit your style and preferences. For instance, there are many different materials to choose from for a patio - including stamped concrete, porcelain tiles, pavers, and natural stone. No matter your home design style tastes, we can create a patio or deck that perfectly fits your vibe!

Low Maintenance

When it comes to outdoor living space additions, patios and decks are relatively low maintenance. Choosing the right materials will help to ensure that keeping your patio or deck clean takes minimal time and effort.

Makes Outdoor Living Fun

Does starting your morning with a cup of coffee on your patio sound appealing? Or what about a fun summer night sharing a meal with your family on your deck? Patios and decks can be a space where you and your loved ones create beautiful memories and enjoy time spent together!

Ready to get started on planning your new patio or deck? Contact Omni Pools & Scapes - we would embark on this journey with you!

Our 2024 Pool and Landscape Trend Predictions

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 12:51:13 GMT

The new year is already in full swing and it’s time to look ahead at some of the trends we think will be huge in 2024. As your outdoor living specialists, we make sure to stay in tune with the current trends to help you create beautiful, on-trend spaces!

Pool Trends:

Pool Finishes that Change the Appearance of Water Color

When it comes to your home or commercial space’s landscaping, you obviously want it to look beautiful while benefiting your space in a way that aligns with its specific needs. Sometimes, beautiful spaces require a lot of upkeep to maintain. However, choosing more eco-friendly options can cut down on the amount and type of labor and maintenance you need! Eco-friendly and sustainable landscapes often focus on using plants native to the environment. Native plants attract native pollinators and insects, which play an important role in the upkeep of a healthy ecosystem. When the ecosystem is healthy, your landscaping will benefit greatly - with little to no work on your end!

Tanning Ledges/Sun Shelfs

A tanning ledge or sun shelf in a pool is a very shallow shelf in the pool designed for you to be in and enjoy the water without needing to swim or be completely submerged. People usually use these ledges or shelves to relax and tan or give children a shallow place to splash and play. Some pool owners even opt to make their tanning ledges large enough for pool-safe furniture to be partially submerged - giving you a luxury resort feel in the comfort of your own home!

Simplistic Designs

In the last few years, clean lines and minimalism has been huge in interior design trends. This year, we think that this simplistic approach will translate into pool design as well! It sounds simple, but we predict that streamlined square and rectangular pools will be all the rage this year. Along with simpler pools themselves, we could see the outdoor living spaces around the pool to be more minimalist as well. This not only creates a “clean” aesthetic, it also creates less work for you as the homeowner!

Natural Elements

A pool is your own personal oasis and the space surrounding it should reflect that. Lush, green space can transform your pool into the perfect escape. Natural elements, such as stone, woodwork, and green landscaping will help to create a beautiful yet natural feeling escape.

Stunning Nightscapes

When you build your dream pool, you’ll want to be able to enjoy it 24/7! In 2024, we predict that the look of your pool and pool area at night will be a big focus. From immersive LED lighting to poolside firepits, creating a space with beautiful ambiance to be enjoyed during the day and at night is sure to be popular this year!

Smart Pools

Tech is everywhere - even in your pool! Smart tech can help make owning a pool convenient and worry-free. Smart pools can anticipate your needs by auto adjusting pool temperature, managing lighting, and even monitoring pool filtration systems.

Landscaping Trend Predictions:

Eco-friendly and Sustainable Landscaping

We started to see the rise of eco-friendly and sustainable landscaping in 2023 and we believe that it will still continue to be prioritized this year! By using native plants and being more intentional about what fertilizers to use, you can create a beautiful space more responsibly.

Vibrant Colors

When it comes to your outdoor space, you may want it to stand out and truly look and feel like a backyard oasis! Choosing bright, colorful plants and flowers can help you achieve this 2024 trend.

Contrasting Color Pavers

Create some eye-catching interest and contrast by using different colored pavers in your landscaping. Playing with the colors of your pavers can not only add a unique element visually, but can also tie in other aspects of your space!

Low Maintenance Landscapes

When you lead a busy lifestyle and can only see the new year getting busier, it’s easy to let your landscaping become a low priority. That’s why we predict that low maintenance landscaping is going to be huge this year! By choosing plants, such as evergreen shrubs and easy to care for grasses, you can make your landscape beautiful with minimal effort.

Night Spaces

We already mentioned that night spaces will be huge for pools and poolside spaces, but we think this trend will also apply to your landscaping! Strategic lighting on raised garden beds and beautifully lit outdoor living areas will transform your backyard into a 24/7 hangout spot.

Going Green: 4 Benefits to Eco-Friendly Landscaping

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:09:12 GMT

Eco Friendly landscaping refers to landscaping that benefits and sustains the environment through erosion control, promoting soil health, and creating a space that is healthy for you and local wildlife.

Less Work, More Reward

Reduced Water Usage

One of the main goals of eco-friendly and sustainable landscaping is prioritizing and improving soil health. Choosing the right plants used in your landscaping can help ensure that your soil is filled with proper nutrients, minerals, and organic material. That will help the soil retain moisture better, reducing run-off and puddle accumulation. This not only will help you save money when it comes to watering your landscaping, but it will also help keep your space looking beautiful.

Less Pesticides and Chemical Usage

Healthy, nutrient rich soil can also cut down on your pesticides or fertilizer use! Healthy, happy soil that is dense in those nutrients, minerals, and organic material will have a better chance of feeding the plants in your landscaping, which lowers your needs for fertilizer and pesticides.

Lower Energy Costs

Choosing to focus on green landscaping can result in lowering your energy cost! By choosing the right plants and trees in your landscaping, you can improve shade coverage to your home and outdoor living space, which will result in less energy usage in the warm weather months.

Are you feeling inspired to make your outdoor space more green this year? We would love to chat! Contact us today to discuss your outdoor living project and determine how you can make your space not only more environmentally friendly, but more beautiful too!

5 Reasons Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Get Started on Your Pool

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 18:30:32 GMT

You may be thinking, “Really? Even though we’re in the middle of the winter?”

Truthfully, there is no time like the present to get started on the custom pool of your dreams - no matter the time of the year. We’ve rounded up five reasons why now is the perfect time to get

You Don’t Have to Wait for Warm Weather to Start

Yes, you read that right! You can start digging for your pool no matter the season. The winter cold is not a deterrent when it comes to beginning the process of building your pool. In fact, the biggest weather-related factor for digging for a pool is rain. Most people don’t realize that they can start digging for their pool even in the winter, so choosing to start now means you get to beat the rush too!

You’ll Have More Time to Plan

Sometimes it feels like the winter drags on and on, doesn’t it? Take advantage of that feeling by giving yourself plenty of time to plan your pool! Starting the planning process early and in the off season gives you a longer timeline to weigh the pros and cons of different design aspects, different materials, and more. If you wait until spring to begin the process, you may rush those important details for the sake of getting your pool finished in time for the summer.

Permits Can Take Time

Installing a pool requires the proper permits and if applicable, permission from your HOA. Generally, permit offices may be overwhelmed with permit requests in the spring. Beginning the permit request process in the winter may help expedite this process, which means you’ll get to begin the building process quicker!

Get A Jump Start on Landscaping

Once your pool is installed, you’ll probably want to begin landscaping the area around it to make it truly look and feel like a backyard oasis. If you finish your pool before the beginning of spring, that gives you the whole spring season to let the landscaping grow and flourish before the summer! That way when summer comes around, your pool scape will look and feel complete.

Swim All Summer Long

It’s a no brainer that you will want to enjoy your pool all summer long! If you wait until early spring to start construction, there’s no guarantee that it will be done by the beginning or middle of the summer. If you get a jump start on planning this winter, you’ll have plenty of time. How amazing will it feel when it is finished before the summer even starts?

If you’re ready to get started on planning and constructing your custom pool, give us a call. We’d love to hear about your vision and make your dreams a reality!

Sustainable Luxury: Tips for an Environmentally Friendly Pool and Outdoor Space

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 13:55:56 GMT

In today's world, sustainability is a lifestyle choice that extends to every corner of our lives, including our backyards. Creating an eco-friendly pool and landscape is about being kind to the environment through a sustainably designed paradise that you can enjoy with peace of mind! Omni Pools & Scapes can help achieve this harmonious blend of green living and luxurious outdoor spaces. How? Well, keep reading earth lover!

Eco-Friendly Tip 1: Pool Heating Solutions

One of the key aspects of a sustainable pool is how you heat it. Traditional heating methods can be energy-intensive, but there are greener alternatives.

Solar pool heaters harness the power of the sun to warm your pool. They're effective, have lower operating costs, and reduce your carbon footprint.

Heat pumps utilize the air or water source to heat the pool, offering energy efficiency and reduced utility bills.

Eco-Friendly Tip 2: Water Conservation Techniques

Water is a precious resource, and conserving it is a cornerstone of eco-friendly design.

Investing in a pool cover reduces water evaporation by up to 70%, further helping to maintain the pool’s temperature. Pool covers also keep debris out of the pool, thus keeping the filter cleaner for longer.

Water-saving filtration systems require less water for backwashing. Some of the latest filtration systems come with automatic backwashing features that are programmed to backwash only when necessary, using the optimal amount of water.

Eco-Friendly Tip 3: Sustainable Materials for Hardscapes

Among the popular hardscaping choices, natural stone and certain paver options stand out for their eco-friendly attributes.

Natural stone patios don't require extensive processing or chemical treatments, minimizing its environmental footprint. It is also incredibly durable, which means it doesn’t need to be replaced often.

Stone driveways allow for water permeability, promoting proper drainage and reducing runoff, a vital aspect of sustainable landscaping.

By choosing sustainable heating options, water conservation techniques, and environmentally friendly materials, you're not only building a beautiful backyard oasis but also contributing to a greener world. If you're ready to transform your backyard into a sustainable paradise, Omni Pools & Scapes will happily assist you in designing and implementing eco-friendly outdoor living solutions that align with your vision and values.

Choosing Your Perfect Outdoor Fireplace: Style, Materials, and Must-Have Features

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 13:54:07 GMT

The charm of an outdoor fireplace can't be overstated. As a central feature in your backyard, it not only provides warmth but also transforms the entire ambiance of your outdoor living space. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential considerations for selecting the perfect outdoor fireplace that not only meets your needs but also adds elegance and value to your home.

Material Matters: What to Consider for Longevity and Style

When it comes to outdoor fireplaces, the right material is key. You want something that withstands the elements and complements your outdoor décor.

Natural Stone: Offers a classic, durable option with various color choices.
Porcelain: Provides a traditional look and can be customized in different patterns.
Stamped Concrete: A modern choice that’s highly versatile and low maintenance.

Each material has its unique qualities and can significantly impact the overall look and longevity of your fireplace.

Designing for Function and Flair: What Fits Your Outdoor Space?

The design of your outdoor fireplace should match the size and style of your backyard. For larger spaces, consider a statement fireplace that serves as the focal point. In smaller areas, a compact, corner fireplace might be more appropriate. Think about functionality – do you want it for warmth, cooking, or simply as a decorative element?

Adding Value to Your Home with the Right Fireplace Features

An outdoor fireplace can be more than just a heat source but an investment in your property. Opt for features like adjustable flame control or a built-in seating area. Consider ease of use – gas fireplaces offer convenience, while wood-burning ones provide a traditional experience. Innovative features like smokeless designs or integrated lighting can enhance the usability and aesthetic appeal of your fireplace.

Envisioning your dream outdoor space starts with the right choices. An outdoor fireplace not only enhances your enjoyment of your backyard but can also increase your home's value. With a variety of materials, designs, and features available, it's important to get expert advice tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

Dive into Value: How a Pool Can Enhance Your Home's Worth

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 16:38:57 GMT

Ever dreamt of having a pool in your backyard? Luckily, it's a dream that has huge payoffs! At Omni Pools and Scapes, we specialize in turning your outdoor space into a value-adding feature. With pools potentially increasing home values by about 7%, let’s explore how a pool installation can be a game-changer for your property.

1. Year-Round Resort Living, Right at Home

Creating a personal oasis for you and the family turns your backyard into a year-round vacation spot. A beautifully designed pool area with elegant hardscaping provides a serene escape, boosting your home's aesthetic appeal and functionality. Whether it's for hosting gatherings, enjoying family time, or simply unwinding after a long day, a pool area serves as an extension of your living space, adding both beauty and practicality to your home.This everyday resort-style living is not just a perk for you but also a major draw for potential buyers.

2. Competitive Edge in the Real Estate Market

Stand out in the housing market! When it comes time to sell, a home with a pool can have a distinct advantage - homes with pools often attract more interest, leading to a faster sale. A well-maintained pool can be a major selling point, setting your property apart from others in the neighborhood. With the average value increase of around 7%, a pool can be a wise investment that not only pays off in the present with daily enjoyment but also in the future as a lucrative selling feature.

3. Eco-Friendly and Economical

In terms of resource utilization, having a pool encourages families to enjoy staycations, reducing the need for frequent travel and its associated expenses as well as environmental impacts. This localized recreation is not only more eco-friendly but also more cost-effective in the long run, allowing families to enjoy resort-like experiences without leaving the comfort of their home.

Our pool and hardscape services are here to create experiences that are not only memorable, but also add lasting value to your home and to the families who will come after. Together, we’ll work to make your dream of owning a pool a reality, enhancing both your lifestyle and your property's worth. Itching to learn more about how a pool can create a multifunctional living environment that brings joy and wellness? Read all about it in our associated blogs just below!

3 Steps to Overcoming Common Landscape Lighting Challenges

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 14:08:13 GMT

Transforming your outdoor space with landscape lighting can add a magical touch to your property, but like any home improvement project, it can come with a set of challenges. In this blog post, we'll address common problems homeowners face when choosing outdoor lighting and provide practical solutions to ensure your nightlife dreams become a radiant reality.

Lighting Design

Many homeowners struggle with the design aspect of landscape lighting, not knowing where to place lights for optimal effect. At Omni, our experts offer personalized design consultations where we assess your outdoor space, taking into account architectural features, landscape elements, and desired focal points. By strategically placing lights, we can enhance the aesthetics of your property while ensuring proper illumination and a harmonious atmosphere.

The Perfect Fixtures

We get it - with a multitude of lighting fixtures available, you may find it overwhelming to select the right ones for your home’s specific needs and style. Our team provides guidance on light selection based on the intended purpose and the design theme you desire. Whether it's path lights or accent lights, we help you choose fixtures that not only complement your landscape but also meet your functional requirements.

Easy Automation and Control

Some homeowners may desire a well-lit landscape but don’t want to waste time worrying about the many options for advanced control. We offer smart lighting solutions that allow you to control your landscape lights through mobile apps, timers, or voice commands. This not only adds convenience but also enables you to create dynamic lighting scenes for different occasions.

We at Omni Pools and Scapes believe that landscape lighting should not only meet your aesthetic goals but also address practical concerns. By offering personalized design consultations and expert guidance, we strive to make your landscape lighting project a stress-free and illuminating success. Our team is here to overcome any challenges and create a captivating outdoor ambiance for your home!

Our Guide to Maintaining Algae-Free Hardscape Surfaces

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 15:16:30 GMT

A lush, green backyard oasis is what every homeowner dreams of, but when that dream turns into an unwanted growth of moss or algae on hardscape surfaces, it can be a cause for concern. Fear not! At Omni, we understand the challenges homeowners face in maintaining their outdoor spaces, and we're here to guide you through effective solutions to address and prevent moss and algae growth on your hardscape surfaces.

Before delving into the solutions, let's understand what we're dealing with. Moss and algae are common nuisances that thrive in damp, shaded areas. Fortunately, preventing this issue and enforcing long-term protective measures aren’t complicated tasks.

Prevention Tip 1: Sunlight Exposure

One of the most effective ways to prevent moss and algae growth is to increase sunlight exposure. Trim overhanging branches and foliage to allow more sunlight to reach hardscape surfaces. This not only discourages growth but also enhances the overall aesthetics of your outdoor space.

Prevention Tip 2: Seal Surfaces

Consider sealing your hardscape surfaces. Sealants create a protective barrier that inhibits the growth of moss and algae. Consult with our experts to choose the right sealant for your specific hardscape materials.

Prevention Tip 3: Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning disrupts the unwanted greens’ growth cycle, keeping your hardscape pristine. Use a stiff brush, water, and mild detergent to scrub away any organic matter that may provide a breeding ground for moss and algae.

Removal Tip 1: Power Washing

Power washing is an effective method to remove existing moss and algae. Adjust the pressure to avoid damage to delicate surfaces, and use a detergent specifically formulated for this purpose. It's a quick and efficient way to restore the original beauty of your hardscape.

Removal Tip 2: Vinegar Solution

For a natural and eco-friendly approach, mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Apply the solution to affected areas, scrub with a brush, and rinse thoroughly. The acidity of vinegar helps break down moss and algae, leaving your hardscape clean as can be!

Removal Tip 3: Pressure Steam Cleaning

An easy solution most of us have in our closets, high-temperature steamers not only remove moss and algae but also kill spores, preventing regrowth. Exercise caution on delicate surfaces and test a small area first.

When implementing these tactical approaches, it's essential to consider the type of hardscape material you have, as some methods may be more suitable for certain surfaces than others. Remember, a little proactive care goes a long way in maintaining a hardscape that stands the test of time. If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Regular communication and education about proper maintenance practices ensure our customers’ satisfaction and is our top priority!

Unlock the Benefits of Owning a Pool Year-Round

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 15:58:16 GMT

Has your family ever considered having a swimming pool in the backyard but thought it was only possible during the summer months? When it comes to pools, the common perception is that they are a luxury of hot weather. However, at Omni Pools and Scapes, we shatter that stereotype. In fact, pools can be enjoyed throughout the entire year, providing numerous advantages beyond the typical summer splash. Let’s explore the practical and family-friendly benefits of a year-round pool, and discover how you can turn your backyard asset into an all-season resort!

Fall Retreat

As summer bids farewell, fall steps in with vibrant foliage. This season is an excellent time to make use of your pool. The moderate temperatures make for comfortable swims, without the intensity of the heat, while the changing colors of autumn create a stunning backdrop. Your pool also becomes an extension of your living space. Whether it's hosting a barbecue, reading a book by the water, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee on a crisp morning, your poolside can be a versatile and inviting space.

Winter Oasis

Yes, you read that right – winter! With a pool heating system, your pool can transform into a cozy haven during the colder months. Can’t you just picture the sight of steam rising from the water as you enjoy a warm swim on a winter day? It's not just about swimming either; the warmth of a heated pool in winter can have therapeutic effects such as relieving muscle tension and joint pain, making your winter pool day a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

Spring Renewal

Ah, spring - where nature awakens and flowers bloom. It’s the season of instant refreshment. Taking an early spring swim allows you to embrace the changing seasons, providing a revitalizing and invigorating experience. For our social butterflies, a spring poolside also offers the perfect setting for a weekend barbecue, while my solo souls can simply enjoy a quiet swim and reading session amid the blossoming surroundings; setting a positive tone for the rest of the year.

A year-round pool can enhance your day-to-day lifestyle that extends beyond the warmer months. The beauty lies in the flexibility it offers for a space that caters to the unique needs and preferences of you and your loved ones. With the right pool design and climate control systems, you can create an inviting atmosphere that every member of your family will enjoy, ensuring a safe and enjoyable swimming experience throughout the year.

Patio Paver Types and Essential Considerations Before Installation

Tue, 23 May 2023 19:48:47 GMT

If you’re looking for an upgrade to your home, giving your backyard a complete makeover or your family is outgrowing the space indoors, installing a paver patio can be a solution. In order to sustain the fulfillment and enjoyment factor of your family, it’s important to introduce something new that is still at home but is now outdoors coexisting with nature.

Instead of thinking about getting a new bigger house, it may be a lot cheaper, not to mention, easier, to expand the space you already have in your own backyard. There are infinite design possibilities depending on your family lifestyle’s needs and future needs.

Considerations Before Initiating Paver Patio Design Process

Whether you’re in a relationship, have a family, or are single, having a long-term vision of future possibilities is very important when it comes to a Patio Paver installation. Sure, you can buy some bricks or stonework and go the DIY route, but generally, that option isn’t very sustainable – before long, you’ll find yourself wanting to redo it all over again.

What do you plan on installing: A swimming pool , fire pit , seating area, covered area for weather protection, barbecue/kitchen, walking path, and large activity space, especially for children. Keep these things in mind and even if you can’t afford it right now, you can start with what you can yet, allowing for expansion in the future. Otherwise, if it’s not planned, then you’ll end up with an ad-hoc feel, or worse, unable to expand.

Popular Patio Pavement Types

Stone Pavers:

If you’re looking for a more luxurious and attractive patio, using stone pavers is a great choice. Flat stones are what the Romans used to lay on their streets and courtyards centuries ago and even to this day, the design is as evergreen as ever.

Although a bit more pricey, nothing compares to the look and feel of minerals by mother nature over thousands of years of natural formation. Stone pavers have to be dug out of the earth at stone quarries, hence the higher acquisition cost. Over time, it’s natural for any pavement to crack and as for stone – not to worry, replacements and adjustments are very simple.

Brick Pavers:

Brick pavers are also made of a mixture of raw materials, but are limited to Clay and Shale – hence, the alternative name, Clay Pavers. What makes this patio pavement option so popular is depth of warmness that comes with it and due to the nature of using raw materials, their true colors remain for a very long time.

Although limited in color variance from limited types of raw material, brick color range from light, moderate and darker earthy tones. If these are the colors you’re looking for and want to stick with raw materials, the Brick Pavers option is great!

Concrete Pavers:

What makes concrete pavers so popular is the ability for customization at a much more affordable price point. If you’re not too concerned with using only 100% raw materials, then concrete pavers can make a very compelling choice.

Since concrete can be stamped and colored, the possibilities are endless. The only limitation is what stamps and colors are available through your manufacturer and color fading (if not sealed properly). However, there is bound to be enough to enhance your house’s architecture in a very attractive way – whether if it’s your backyard patio or front entry walkway.

Conclusion

Concrete pavers are very strong but over time, especially during colder climates, there may be cracks are difficult to repair. Bricks are easier to replace and provide a long lasting color. Stone pavers give you more of an organic and luxurious feel but will cost a bit more.

No matter which option you choose, expanding your outdoor space for additional activities is smart and sustainable for years to come, and all with the added benefit of increasing your home value. If you’re in the Columbus, Ohio area, feel free to schedule a design consultation to spark your imagination and create the dream outdoor lifestyle that you’ve been craving.

How to Store Holiday Decorations

Mon, 22 May 2023 19:44:24 GMT

Christmas is over, and soon enough, you’ll be taking your holiday decorations down once again. When you went to take them out this year, did you find yourself frustrated as you dealt with tangled lights, missing pieces, or items that simply didn’t work?

While you can’t eliminate all of the potential hassles that come along with decorating for Christmas, you can take some steps to minimize them. Here are some tips on how to store holiday decorations to make things easier next December:

Wrap Your Lights

You already know that wrapping your lights will make them less likely to tangle, but if you’re like many of us, you store them in a heap anyway. Why do we do that? This year, do it the right way: Use some of the cardboard that came with the gifts that you received, and use it as a base to wrap your lights around.

Wrap them in a single layer. That way, the lights won’t rub against each other or end up tangled up anyway. While the lights are wrapped, plug them in for a minute so you can easily find any lights that are out. Replace these now, while you are thinking of it. (If you remember, check them again next year before unwrapping the lights; having them flat and organized makes the unlit bulbs much easier to locate.)

Protect Your Wreath From Dust

If you are using an artificial wreath on your front door, you’ll want to protect it from dust and mildew so that you can use it again next year. First, shake it off well when you take it down from the door. This will dislodge any dirt, grime, and little spiders who may have found your wreath to be a lovely hiding place.

Lay it down on a table or other flat surface in your garage, preferably in the vicinity of a heater, so that any snow will melt and any moisture will dissipate. Once it’s dry, gentle vacuuming will remove any remaining cobwebs. Wrapping your wreath in tissue or packing paper will help absorb any remaining moisture that might contribute to mildew. Finally, pack it away carefully in a cardboard box or a plastic tub until next year.

Highlight Your Home

Maybe you’re more interested in the look of your house than the look of your front yard. But a front yard that’s unkempt or poorly designed can detract from the beauty of your home. A neatly manicured lawn and some well-chosen plants can be used to highlight the best features of your home without pulling all of the focus onto the yard.

For instance, you can opt for a durable grass that can hold its own, like Kentucky bluegrass, zoysia, or centipede grass. Plant some simple boxwood shrubs to create a border-defining hedge that looks neat and tidy, but not overwhelming. Then place some brightly colored flowers, like daylilies or allium, close to the house to draw the eyes in that direction.

Make Friends With Your Label Maker

Or, if you don’t have a label maker, with your Sharpie marker. Everything seasonal that you store in your garage or closet should be well-labeled. Don’t just go with generic, “Christmas decorations,” either; be specific! Next December, when you’re standing in your cold garage looking for the Christmas lights and the blow-up Santa, you won’t want to waste time rummaging through boxes. Instead, you’ll be able to see exactly what you need. So do yourself a favor and label your containers well now, to save time next year.

Enjoying Your Outdoor Living Space in the Fall in Columbus, OH

Mon, 22 May 2023 19:42:44 GMT

With the winter chill settling in over the Columbus, Ohio, area, you might be feeling as though your outdoor living space is largely ready to be forgotten about until spring. There is still time to get some good use out of it, however! In fact, depending on what you have in your yard, you might be able to enjoy using it even through the winter. For now, let’s take a look at some ways you can enjoy your hardscaping and outdoor living elements through the fall.

Build a Fire to Keep Warm

Do you have a fire pit , an outdoor kitchen with a fireplace, or some other place to build a fire? This is going to be the best way to keep warm while spending afternoons or even an occasional evening enjoying the great outdoors. Filling your fireplace or fire pit with a roaring fire will draw your family, friends, and neighbors to the backyard. Roast marshmallows or hotdogs, or simply sit around keeping warm and telling stories. These are the types of experiences that your family will remember for years to come.

Cook Dinner Al Fresco

If you have an outdoor kitchen, don’t feel as though it’s too late in the year to use it. With the holidays coming up, you might really appreciate having that outside oven to bake a turkey or a couple of pies. Or you can hang out outdoors with your family while cooking dinner on a random weeknight. Bundle up the little ones and have an impromptu game of soccer or football while you keep an eye on the food, then eat outside after you’re all warm and toasty from the running around.

Upgrade Your Seating

Making your outdoor seating more cozy will boost its appeal in the colder months. Soft blankets, fluffy pillows, and some supportive seat cushions will make you more comfortable when the temperature dips. One trick: Open up zippered pillow covers and add some shredded Styrofoam. This material absorbs heat, so as you sit against them, they’ll stay a bit warm, which will, in turn, help you stay warmer.

If you currently have hard chairs or a picnic table outside, you might find that it’s suitable during hot months but too uncomfortable during the chillier weather. Invest in some indoor/outdoor cushions to make it more inviting at any time of year.

Of course, if you are going to be keeping your outdoor furniture on the patio or deck during the winter, you’ll want to make sure that you winterize it soon. Wood furniture should be sealed. Lightweight plastic and wrought iron furniture should be brought in, because both are sensitive to the wet and freezing elements. Cast aluminum furniture should be fine without any special treatment; just make sure it can’t blow away during winter storms!

Add Lighting

While you might be perfectly fine with no extra lighting until 9:00 pm in the summer months, by this time of year, the sun might set before you’re even done with dinner. Adding some extra lighting accessories will help you make the most of the evenings; even if it’s warm enough to sit comfortably, nobody will want to sit in the complete darkness. You can purchase some outdoor lighting to make it as bright as you want. For a romantic and fun way to add a little light to your yard, consider twinkle lights or candles (electric or traditional).

Invite Friends Over

The fall months are all about coziness, so don’t hesitate to invite your friends and neighbors over to revel in the season with you. Have a Sunday afternoon touch football game and follow it with spiced cider around the fire. Or host a full dinner on a night that isn’t too cold; cook it indoors or out, but serve it on the patio or deck.

If your children are young, have them invite their friends over for hot cocoa enjoyed on the deck one Saturday morning; that is sure to draw smiles. Invite their parents, too; you can enjoy coffee and chat while the little ones play.

If you don’t have the outdoor living space of your dreams, Omni Pools & Scapes can help you change that. We work with Columbus-area homeowners to put down pavers , build patios, install outdoor kitchens , and so much more.

There’s no need to wait until summer; we can come out any time of year to take a look at your property and make suggestions for your outdoor living project. We want to help you expand your home to embrace your outside property, as well. Contact us today to schedule your consultation appointment.

Upfront Costs vs. Maintenance for Inground Swimming Pools

Sat, 20 May 2023 19:52:09 GMT

You might have already made the decision to have an inground swimming pool installed on your property. Now, it’s time to decide what type of pool you are going to go with. Two popular options are fiberglass and vinyl inground swimming pools . When you’re trying to decide between the two, you will probably want to consider things like cost and maintenance. Then, you can decide which type of inground swimming pool might be right for you and your family.

What is the Most Affordable Swimming Pool Type to Install?

You might already know that installing any type of swimming pool on your property will require an investment. This is even more true with inground swimming pools, which are more expensive than most above-ground options. However, if you’re hoping to stick to a fairly reasonable budget when installing an inground swimming pool, you could be curious about which option is going to be the most affordable.

Generally, pools with vinyl liners are more affordable than fiberglass swimming pools. However, even though the upfront costs might be cheaper with these swimming pools, you’ll probably spend more over the lifetime of your pool if you choose a vinyl pool. This is because these vinyl liners do have to be replaced every few years.

Also, be aware that even though fiberglass pools are usually more expensive than pools with vinyl liners, the cost difference might not be as significant as you think. Both pool options are typically more affordable than standard concrete pools.

How Else Can You Reduce Swimming Pool Installation Costs?

Since the upfront installation cost of installing a fiberglass pool does cost more in most cases, you could be wondering if there is anything that you can do to keep this cost down. In addition to the construction of the pool, there are other things that impact the pricing as well, such as the design and the size.

You will obviously want to make sure that the pool is large enough that you and your family members can all enjoy it. You may even want to make sure that there is extra space for when you invite guests over. However, your pool might not have to be as large as you think. Since you will not have to share it with the public, even a smaller pool might be just fine. In fact, it might be ideal to go with a smaller size; not only will it be cheaper and easier to install and maintain, but it will not take up as much space in your yard, either.

If cutting down on costs is important to you, then you might want to opt for a simple design, too. Freeform pools or pools with custom shapes are typically on the more expensive side, for example. Opting for a simple, classic style can help you keep your costs down, regardless of if you choose fiberglass, vinyl or even concrete .

Which Pools are Easier and Cheaper to Maintain?

You probably want your pool to be a fun addition to your household, not something that you’re going to regret or that is going to put you in a financial bind. You don’t just have to worry about the cost of your swimming pool when you first install it; you also have to think about how much it will cost for you to maintain your pool over the years. Many families find that having a swimming pool fits comfortably into their budgets, but you will want to be aware of and prepared for the expenses so that you can take care of and truly enjoy your swimming pool.

Lifetime expenses are typically higher for pools with vinyl liners. No matter how careful you are with your pool liner, it will have to be replaced in a few years. Over time, the cost of replacing pool liners can really add up. Fiberglass pools typically last for years with little maintenance needed. In fact, many manufacturers of fiberglass pool shells even offer lifetime warranties on their products.

How Can You Reduce Pool Maintenance Costs?

If you choose a pool with a vinyl liner, you could be concerned about just how much money you will have to shell out to pay for swimming pool maintenance over the years. Being careful about things like keeping pets out of the pool is important. After all, pet claws can easily scratch your pool liner, causing it to have to be replaced a lot more quickly.

Even if you choose a fiberglass pool that has lower maintenance costs over time, you’ll still have costs for pool maintenance. If you would like to reduce these costs, there are ways that you can do so.

For example, you might choose to use a pool service like Omni Pools to help you with keeping your fiberglass or vinyl pool clean. Learning how to do some of the work yourself can help you save on these costs. It might take a little bit of time and research to determine how to use pool chemicals properly and how to clean your pool efficiently and effectively, you may find that it is worth it so that you can enjoy reduced costs.

You can often purchase accessories for taking care of your pool for less, too. Buying chemicals for your pool in bulk might be a great idea, for example; you may be able to find them on sale at the end of the summer, for example, and stocking up will help you score the lowest price on chemicals for next year and will help you avoid running out.

Since installing a swimming pool is a big decision, it’s important to choose the right type of swimming pool. The tips above will help you with making your decision, but you’ll probably also want to consult a professional. If you live in central Ohio, contact us at Omni Pools & Scapes today so that we can talk to you about your different pool installation options.

Your Backyard Oasis Starts with Hardscape & Landscape Design

Sat, 20 May 2023 19:49:29 GMT

For a backyard oasis, there are three things you must consider when designing your very own paradise; landscaping, plantscaping, and hardscaping make all the difference in turning a plain backyard into a lush oasis for entertaining! Consider these ten design elements before starting your patio and backyard renovations.

This backyard has it all! Beautiful plants, a great view, natural stone pavers, and a gorgeous pool make this a backyard oasis that you won’t want to leave.

Backyard Oasis Design Element One: Create Your Own Lush Living Masterpiece!

A great landscaping design flows seamlessly with your home’s architectural structure; blending nature and home into a cohesive element. Hiring a professional landscaping team will ensure that you get the plants and structural elements that work best in your yard installed. If you choose to DIY, check out these ten rules for landscaping projects.

Plantscaping involves adding colorful touches to your landscape plans with gorgeous flowers that not only have eye-popping color but smell delicious as well! A professional plantscaper will install retainment walls, terracing, and drainage support, so you can grow plants in even the harshest conditions! Consider hiring a pro so you can learn all the tricks of the trade. If you choose to DIY, you can always check out these plantscaping tutorials !

Backyard Oasis Design Element Three: Create Natural Flow With a Water Feature!

When incorporated into your backyard renovation plans, a water feature is definitely an asset you don’t want to leave out. Water features provide the soft sound of bubbling fountains or flowing streams for a more natural feel within your oasis. Choose to install a water feature like a birdbath or pond yourself with at-home DIY water feature tutorials .

If you opt to hire a professional, make sure you have the chance to view their previous water feature designs so you don’t get stuck with a system that doesn’t work. Many professional water feature installers can even incorporate a water feature into your backyard oasis in sustainable ways that use recyclable water!

Backyard Oasis Element Four: Step Up Your Backyard With Patio Pavers

Brick and stone patio pavers add appeal to your backyard and provide a safe stepping pathway for guests and family members. Patio Pavers offer charm and elegance to your backyard when laid down with precision and stylized design. You will love the diverse pathway and patio options you can create for your backyard with pavers.

If you are going to install paver patios yourself, prepare for a lot of work, but it is work that will be worth it! Hiring a professional paver service will be the easier choice, but be sure the company you hire has a clear idea of your design before they start the process of laying down the paver foundation!

Backyard Oasis Element Five: if Patio Pavers Are Not Your Style, Install Decorative Stamped Concrete.

Decorative stamped concrete is a gorgeous alternative to expensive flagstone or cobblestone backyard patios. Stamped concrete has tons of designs, colors and textures you can choose from which actually makes it a more versatile product than stone lay-ins. For more information on decorative concrete check out these advantages of stamped concrete methods.

Backyard Oasis Element Six: What’s Cookin? An Outdoor Kitchen!

An outdoor kitchen really cinches the process of making your backyard into a functional oasis. Cool summer nights are the perfect time for backyard bbq’s and cookouts with neighbors. A backyard kitchen has everything your indoor kitchen provides, but can also be outfitted with a grill and outdoor cooking utensils.

Add in a bar for your guests to talk to you while you show them your grill master skills and you will never want to cook indoors again! Usually it is best to hire an outdoor kitchen installation professional who can implement a stone surrounding for your outdoor kitchen; nothing quite beats the look of natural cut stone when paired with stainless steel appliances! If you choose to DIY, make sure you read these outdoor kitchen tips before you begin your project!

Backyard Oasis Element Seven: Warm Up Your Nights With a Custom Outdoor Fireplace

There are not many activities that are more romantic and intimate than sitting near your outdoor fireplace while stargazing in your own backyard. Forget about everything as you let the flame and heat melt away your stresses of the day. An outdoor fireplace or custom build fire-pit not only enhance the relaxation potential in your backyard, they also add beauty and value to your home, so if you ever decide to sell you will have installed an investment worthy project.

Backyard Oasis Element Eight: Make a Picturesque Setting With Lighting Accents!

We all know the pesky little boogers known as stink bugs. They have shield shaped body, protruded mouth suckers and straight antennae – they are not pretty bugs and can leave a sick nasty odor behind. Last year, Ohio faced a stink bug invasion during the fall that was unlike any other. Stink bugs lay their eggs during the summer, so your best bet is to take preventative measures in the warm weather months to battle the invasive bug.

Backyard Oasis Element Nine: Create a Perfect Picnic Table

Eating in the backyard can be an adventure and who doesn’t love a picnic. You can keep it simple with a plain picnic table and bench or create a rustic seating area surrounded by topiaries and flowers. If you choose to get fancy, sleek black and chrome tables look great against an outdoor fireplace!

Backyard Oasis Element Number Ten: Your Backyard Makeover Should Reflect Your Personality

Whether you like a style that is simple and classic, bold and strong designs or artistic, bright and funky; your backyard oasis should reflect your style and personality. Add in charming touches that you pick out just for decoration to show off your taste and decorative skill! From backyard sculptures to sports team flags – you can choose your backyard oasis decor! Hey, you might even decide to recycle some thrift store finds into a unique flower planter! Just stay creative and inspired!

Can Stamped Concrete Save Me Money?

Fri, 19 May 2023 19:45:47 GMT

If you are considering having a hardscape put in on your property, it’s important for you to think about all of the possible options. When it comes to driveways , walkways, and patios , there are many choices to pick from, including natural stones , pavers, bricks, and concrete. You’ll want to keep in mind the visual appeal of your chosen material, as well as its durability and cost.

Many homeowners choose stamped concrete to complement their homes and to create a lovely outdoor walking, parking, or sitting area. Stamped concrete is cost-effective and makes sense in many cases. Here are some of the ways that stamped concrete can be a financially savvy choice:

Get the Look of More Expensive Without the Cost

Stamped concrete can be designed to mimic more expensive hardscaping materials, such as cobblestone, flagstone or brick. Because nearly any color and texture can be integrated into your concrete, you can enjoy an upscale-looking patio or pool deck for less.

Maintenance Costs Are Lower

Once you have your hardscape installed, you might want to just enjoy using it without worrying about upkeep. Stamped concrete requires less maintenance than stone or brick. You won’t have to worry about weeds popping up between pavers, and there won’t be any separation between the grout lines. Have it installed and forget about it, for the most part!

Raise Your Home’s Value

If you are planning on putting your house on the market, then a customized patio, walkway, pool deck or driveway can make a great first impression. Your hardscaping will show potential buyers that you take pride in home-ownership, which allows them to feel confident that you have taken good care of the rest of the house, as well. Since maintenance is low on a stamped concrete area, this is a boon for buyers who don’t have a lot of time to devote to yardwork, too!

Enjoy Other Benefits as Well

There are other benefits to having stamped concrete patios and walkways installed, too. For example, you will have excellent traction, and you won’t have to worry about slips and falls when the material is wet, which makes it ideal for pool decks. Also, the concrete is durable and will stand up to the heavy use that a patio or driveway can get.

If you are thinking about having a hardscape put in, stamped concrete definitely deserves serious consideration. If you have questions about concrete or any other hardscaping materials, our landscaping team will be able to answer them.

Inground Swimming Pool Upgrades to Consider

Thu, 18 May 2023 19:51:54 GMT

It’s still a few months away from swimming season. But that means that this is the best time to think about upgrades and improvements to your inground swimming pool . If you get started on the changes now, you’ll be able to unveil your new and improved pool just in time for the summer swimming season. How should you improve your pool before the next swimming season? Take a look at some inground swimming pool upgrade options that can make your pool more fun and functional.

An Automatic Leveler

Evaporation causes the water level of the pool to drop over time, which means that the missing water needs to be replaced. Automatic levelers automatically refill the pool when water evaporates, keeping the water level even. Automatic levelers are commonly installed in newer pools, but if your pool is older, it may not have one. This upgrade will make your pool maintenance easier and ensure that you always have the right water level when it’s time to swim.

Waterline Tiles

If you want to give your pool a whole new look, but without installing a whole new pool, new waterline tiles are the answer. If you currently have stone or pebble finishes above the waterline, tile can give your pool a more modern and contemporary appearance.

You have plenty of options when it comes to choosing waterline tiles. Glass, porcelain, and ceramic tiles are popular choices. Choose a color that complements the color of the trim on your house, or choose a colorful glass mosaic pattern to make the pool pop and draw the eye to your new waterline. Many homeowners opt for blue tiles, which can give the water in the pool a deeper blue color, but you could also take a page out of the hotel and spa playbook and choose white mosaic tiles. If you’ve ever looked at the photos of a luxury hotel pool and wondered how they get they get that pure sky-blue color in the water, white mosaic tiles are the secret, and you can bring it to your home’s pool.

LED Lights

Speaking of color, if you want to be able to change the color in your pool, installing LED lights is an easy way to do that. Colorful LED lights create a fun ambiance in the pool, perfect for pool parties and celebrations, and the right lighting can turn an ordinary pool into a true showpiece.

Even if colored light isn’t your thing, white lights can improve the swimming experience, especially at night. Lights also make night swimming safer for yourself, your family, and your guests. And LED lights are more eco-friendly, last longer, and cost less in electricity than older incandescent pool lights, so a pool light upgrade makes your pool more functional and more fun at the same time.

Energy Efficient Pool Pump

A new pool pump isn’t the kind of upgrade that you’re likely to want to show off to your friends, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider it. Owning and maintaining a pool can be worthwhile, but it can also be expensive. If you’re looking to make pool ownership more affordable, installing a more energy-efficient could be the answer. Over the course of a few years, the energy savings will pay for the cost of buying and installing the new pump.

What’s more, newer and more energy-efficient pumps are also quieter, which means that it will be easier to relax and enjoy your time by the pool without noisy mechanical interruptions.

Automatic Pool Cover

If you have children or pets, or if other people’s children or pets could possibly access your pool area, an automatic pool cover is an upgrade that can make your pool area safer by making sure that the pool is entirely off-limits when no one is using it. On top of that, automatic covers also improve the chemical efficiency in your pool, and if the pool is heated, they improve heat efficiency as well.

But there’s more. If you ever plan on selling your home, you should know that pools can be a liability for sellers – buyers often hesitate to consider homes with pools. And the main reason that they hesitate is because of the perceived safety risks inherent in owning a pool. Adding an automatic pool cover reduces some of that perceived risk, making buyers more willing to consider making an offer on the home. After all, many people do actually want a pool, they just don’t want to worry about the safety of their children and pets or being held responsible for the safety of neighboring children and pets. An automatic pool cover solves that problem and adds value to your home in the process.

Deck Resurfacing

If you’re tired of looking at your pool deck, resurfacing can give your old deck a fresh new look. And you don’t have to tear out all of the concrete and repour to get that new look before this summer. Instead, you can choose from a variety of concrete overlay products that can be applied to the existing concrete surface to create a new look.

You can add color and texture to your deck, and many pool deck concrete overlays include sand and other additives that make the surface more slip-resistant, which also increases safety and makes your pool deck more accessible. Additionally, you can choose from concrete overlay products that are resistant to UV exposure, pool chemicals, abrasion, and freeze-thaw conditions. So your new pool surface won’t just look great right after its installed, it can continue to look great for years to come. Some overlays are applied with trowels, stamps, or stencils, while others are simply sprayed on. Deck resurfacing now makes sense because you’ll have plenty of time before the summer swim season arrives. But if you do put it off, you still don’t have to worry – some deck resurfacing products are made to dry very quickly, so you may be able to get it done in as little as one day.

These are some of the many ways to get your pool and pool area ready for the swim season. The off-season is the best time to consider upgrades. Contact Omni Pools & Scapes to find out more and to talk about your custom pool project.

Outdoor Kitchens – Ten Ways to Keep Bugs at Bay

Thu, 18 May 2023 19:49:11 GMT

Having Problems with Bugs?

Once you have invested in an outdoor kitchen , you will want to be spending a lot of your free time cooking up a storm outside. The beauty of a natural stone kitchen with stainless steel appliances is unbeatable and truly gives your patio the perfect polished finish. Cooking outside has a downfall though… it can lead to one little irritating problem – pests!

We have come up with ten ways to naturally eliminate outdoor kitchen bugs so you can have the best cookouts on the block with no worries of bugs crawling over the countertops! Use our ten natural insect repellant tips to keep your outdoor kitchen bug free, the way you want it to be!

Pest Prevention Tip One: Concoct a Homemade Natural Bug Spray That Works!

One place you don’t want bugs is…well on your skin! Bug bites can be irritating and itchy! Create a made-at-home natural bug repellent that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. Protect yourself and your family from bites and chemicals by whipping up a batch of bug spray with natural essential oils. Not only will this recipe smell better than store-bought products, but it is also safer for your family and the environment!

Pest Prevention Tip Two: Plant a Natural Insect Repelling Herb Garden!

Certain plants are natural insect repellents and double as herbs you can use in your outdoor kitchen while cooking! How cool is that?! Start an herb garden box with herbs that have natural repellants for insects! You will keep the pesky bugs at bay and spice up your kitchen!

This gorgeous lavender and marigold garden set up not only enhances the aesthetics of your backyard, but will also deter pests from entering the outdoor kitchen!

Herbs that turn off insects include: Lavender, Peppermint, Marigolds, Lemongrass and Lemon balm. If you decide to plant Lemon balm, make sure you keep it in a container because it spreads quick! You can use these herbs to ward off bugs and you can even crush them up and apply directly to your skin for bite prevention!

Pest Prevention Tip Three: Use Citronella to Your Advantage!

Citronella has a delicious lemony scent that naturally repels mosquitos and other bugs. You can plant citronella as a deterrent or light up your outdoor area with citronella tiki torches. The citronella plant can grow up to four feet high and is actually very pretty.

Pest Prevention Tip Four: Bet Ya Didn’t Know That Catnip Prevents Roaches and Mosquitoes!

Yep, you read that right. Catnip isn’t just for kitties, it can keep roaches away. It also serves as great mosquito repellent, with some studies suggesting that it is more effective than chemical laden deet! You can plant catnip in a container or garden box.

It’s a very pretty plant and looks great planted in small clay pots set upon your outdoor kitchen’s counters. If you have cats, be mindful of where you plant the catnip because your kitty will most likely want to roll around in their favorite grass! Plant separate from other herbs or plants that you don’t want the cat getting in to!

Did you know catnip prevents mosquitos and roaches from bugging up your outdoor kitchen?

Pest Prevention Tip Five: Fly Busters the Natural Way!

Flies are not only gross they are annoying when cooking and eating outside. Nobody wants to taste the delicious summer salad you spent so much time chopping when a fly lands on it. To control flies outside you can use something as simple as water in a zip lock baggie. Check out the video below to get ideas on how to make your own natural fly repellent! Use water and hot pepper spice mix to spray around the corners of outdoor kitchen counters to deter pesky flyers!

Pest Prevention Tip Six: Got Ants? The Solution is Simple!

Ants form a working line that can seem endless. They love summertime picnics just as much as you! The ants march to get into your outdoor kitchen space is over though. Just follow a few easy steps to rid your outdoor space of ants. First, always try to keep the area clean of crumbs and sticky ingredients. Wipe spills up and get rid of sticky spots.

You can set out cucumber peels or slices near the ant’s entryway and deter them from the kitchen because ants have a natural aversion to cucumber. Use lemon juice, cinnamon, coffee grounds, citrus oil or cayenne pepper near the ant hill to stop ants from crossing a certain area. Check out these cool tips on ant prevention for your outdoor kitchen. The video below shows a natural ant killer that uses household product Borax! Check it out!

Pest Prevention Tip Seven: Stink Bugs Just Stink!

Pest Prevention Tip Eight: Install a Bat Box!

This can seem a little creepy at first, but bats are truly natures bug eliminator! Especially when it comes to mosquitoes! Bat boxes are relatively easy to install and can be set out of the way in your backyard. You may be surprised at how much fun you’ll have watching the tiny winged creatures creeping out at dusk to eat all the mosquitoes out for blood lust!

One bat can eat up to 12,000 mosquitoes in one night! You can hire someone to build a bat box for you or DIY.

Pest Prevention Tip Nine: Don’t Get Stung! Make a Wasp Catcher for Your Outdoor Kitchen Surroundings

Wasps can make their nests just about anywhere and sometimes their choice ends up being inconvenient and unsafe for your family. Instead of using toxic wasp sprays, try a natural remedy to catch wasps. Protect your family from the sting of a wasp and from the sting of toxins!

Prevention Tip Ten: Don’t Stress the Pests! Enjoy the Beauty of Your Outdoor Kitchen!

You should be able to enjoy your outdoor kitchen for most everyday of the year. Don’t let summer pests stop you from cooking outside. Use our tips to naturally prevent bugs and protect yourself from bites and stings. Whether you have a roach problem, mosquitoes or stink bugs – there is always a natural solution to ride your backyard of pests!

Enjoying your outdoor kitchen should be a breeze, if you follow our tips on bug prevention you might always want to dine outside!

The Best Backyard for Kids

Tue, 16 May 2023 19:46:40 GMT

The start of school is approaching quickly and we all know how much energy the kids have after sitting inside a classroom all day. Beat the after-school blues with a great kid-friendly backyard that will get your kids out from in front of the television and outside playing!

Follow Our Ten Awesome Backyard Additions That Make Your Yard the Best in the Neighborhood!

1. For the Balanced Child!

Create a balance beam to add a challenging course of balance in your backyard. Use recycled posts and pallet boards for a DIY solution.

2. New Heights for Kids!

Build your kids their very own climbing wall. Place a sand pit or mats at the bottom for safety and watch your kids grow to new heights with a rock climbing challenge.

3. Inspire Music Making!

This awesome drum station is extremely easy to set up and is fun for kids of all ages! And it sounds great in the rain!

4. Outdoor Checkers – A Game You Will Even Enjoy!

Create a place for special awareness and competitive edge with an outdoor checkers course. Use recycled brick and pavement pieces to create your own awesome outdoor checkers board. You can even turn this into a chess station as kids get older!

This pallet recycled swing is perfect for after-school reading and naps. Easy to make and precious, you and your kid will love this DIY backyard swing!

6. Outdoor Art for the Creative Kid Heart!

This cool outdoor chalkboard is fun and will give your child a creative outlet. The rain will wash away the old chalk drawings or you can simply hose it down for new creations on the daily.

7. Backyard Forts!

There is no place a kid enjoys more than their very own backyard fort. Put your own imagination to good use and connect with your inner child to design the perfect fort for your little ones.

8. Old School Swinging

A good old tire swing can’t be beat. Install one in your backyard for a fun day swinging with the kids. Makes for a great photo opportunity too!

9. Inspire Adventure and Balance with a Slackline!

Build a backyard slackline that the whole family can enjoy! A slackline promotes concentration, balance, core and breathing awareness – plus, it is a super fun activity!

10. King of the Mountain!

Get old tires, paint them bright colors and create a mountain of fun for your kids!

How Much Does Pool Maintenance Cost?

Tue, 16 May 2023 19:41:30 GMT

You might have dreamed about having a pool installed in your backyard for a long time. Now that you finally have one, you have to focus on pool maintenance. One big concern that you might have is the cost of pool maintenance. This guide can help you understand a little more about how much pool maintenance costs, why it’s important, and why you should seek the help of a professional when taking care of your pool.

What Impacts Pricing for Pool Maintenance?

If you’re wondering how much pool maintenance costs, you’ll need to call a pool maintenance company like Omni Pools & Scapes for an estimate. Costs vary widely, and talking to a professional is the best way to get an accurate quote. These are some of the things that can impact pricing:

The size of your pool is one of the biggest factors that can affect pricing. A larger pool requires more time and effort for cleaning, and more chemicals have to be used to keep the water clean and sanitary for swimming. Larger pools also often have multiple pumps and filters that have to be cared for.
Believe it not, the shape of your pool can impact pricing, too. A rectangular pool is typically easier and less expensive to maintain than a custom-shaped pool.
If you neglect your pool, you can expect to pay more for your next maintenance visit. Having your pool maintained and cleaned on a regular basis and keeping up with skimming and other basic tasks in-between cleanings can help you keep costs low.
Generally, saltwater pools are cheaper to maintain than chlorine pools. After all, salt is cheaper than pool chemicals. However, saltwater pools can be prone to corrosion, and if this occurs, you may incur additional costs to handle the problem.
Of course, the pool maintenance company that you choose will impact pricing. You probably will not want to go with the cheapest company that you can find, though. Although you should compare pricing to find an affordable pool maintenance option, you should also make sure that you hire a pool maintenance company that does a great job.

Why is Regular Pool Maintenance So Important?

It’s easy to slack off on pool maintenance . You and your family might be busy, or you might want to spend your spare time swimming in your pool instead of taking care of it. It’s important to stay on top of regular maintenance for your pool for these important reasons:

A swimming pool is a big investment. Your family might have spent a lot of money when you had your swimming pool installed. It’s important to take good care of it so that you can get your money’s worth out of it.
If your pool is properly installed and cared for, you shouldn’t have to worry about too many problems. If you neglect your pool, though, you may have to pay for costly repairs later. If your pool filter becomes clogged and dirty, for example, it may have to be repaired or replaced.
You and your family will probably want to cool off in your pool all summer long. If it’s not properly maintained, though, you won’t be able to use it. After all, the water could become too dirty and unpleasant for swimming.
A neglected pool is an eyesore. If your pool is properly cleaned, maintained and landscaped, on the other hand, it can actually add aesthetic value to your property.
If your pool isn’t kept clean, it could attract pests, such as mosquitoes. Not only can this make hanging out by the pool a lot less comfortable, but it can pose an annoyance for you and your family when you’re otherwise spending time outside. It can even be dangerous due to the diseases that mosquitoes can carry.

Why Should You Hire a Professional for Pool Maintenance?

If you’re a homeowner who prefers DIY projects, you might be thinking about taking care of pool maintenance yourself. Of course, you can skim the pool to get rid of debris and handle other basic tasks, but you’ll want to rely on a pool service for the big stuff. These are some of the reasons why professional pool maintenance is typically the best option:

Pool maintenance is a bigger job than many people realize. You might not have the time to take care of your pool properly, or you might not want to spend your weekends cleaning and taking care of your pool. If you hire a professional, you don’t have to worry about handling anything except for light cleaning. Then, you’ll have more time to spend actually enjoying your pool.
You may not notice problems with your pool if you aren’t experienced with pool maintenance. Catching problems with your filter, liner or other parts of your pool early is important, and a professional can help you ensure that your pool is in great shape.
If there is a problem with your pool, you might not know how to fix it yourself. When a professional comes out for maintenance, though, he or she might be able to fix the problem on the spot.
Getting the chemicals right in your pool can be tough if you don’t have any experience. If you use the wrong amount of chemicals, though, your pool could be dangerous or uncomfortable to swim in. If you use too much, it could irritate your skin and eyes. If you don’t use enough, then your pool water will not be as clean and sanitary as it should be for safe swimming.
The cost of having a professional come out to clean your pool might not be as expensive as you think. If you call around for pricing, you may find an option that easily fits in your family’s budget.

Pool maintenance is an important part of pool ownership. If you’d like to find out more about the benefits of professional pool maintenance and what your pool maintenance crew will do to take care of your pool, contact Omni Pools & Scapes . We can also give you an estimate for our professional pool cleaning services .

How Much Does a Paver Patio Really Cost?

Mon, 15 May 2023 19:44:02 GMT

Calculating the overall cost of a home addition like a paver patio can be a tricky thing. Cost is about more than just the price of installation or the price of materials. This is an addition that will be part of your home for years to come.

How much will you need to put into maintaining and repairing it over the years? How long will it last? What benefits will it bring over that same period of time? Will it add to your home’s value if you decide to sell? Calculating the true cost of adding a paver patio to your home means taking all of these factors into account.

While only a consultation with your Omni Pools & Scapes professional landscaper will tell you the exact dollar amount that your paver patio will cost, here are some considerations to keep in mind about the value of the patio.

Durability

Typically, paver patios are very strong structures – sometimes stronger than the foundation of the house. This durability is an important thing to consider when thinking about the cost of a paver patio. A concrete patio may start to crumble in a few years, and a wooden deck may eventually begin to rot. But chances are that by the time a wooden or concrete structure needs to be removed or replaced, a paver patio will still be standing strong.

This durability comes from the way that paver patios are made. Usually, paving stones are stones made of concrete, brick, or natural stones. The stones are placed in an interlocking pattern that has many joints, making them more flexible and durable than other types of patios.

Because paver patios are made up of many smaller parts rather than one or a few large parts, even if damage occurs to one part, it doesn’t have to affect the entire structure. For this reason, paver patios can actually be quite a good deal for the price, outlasting patios made from other materials.

Maintenance

Paver patios are also relatively low-maintenance, as far as patio materials go. The pigments in paving stones are distributed within the thickness of the stone, which means that if a stone gets a small chip, it won’t be as noticeable. This also means that the colors won’t fade the way that tinted concrete or painted wood can. They’ll remain vibrant long after installation.

Cleaning a paver patio is as simple as using a broom or blower to clean off dirt and debris. Most stains can be treated with the application of water and gentle soap, although some stubborn stains, like grease, oil, or rust, may require special cleansers. If you want to make maintenance and cleaning even easier, you can have a sealant applied that will protect the stones from stains and environmental wear and tear. In general, paver patio maintenance is simple and low-cost. You won’t have to spend a lot of time and money to keep your paver patio looking great.

Seasonal Adaptability

Even if you’re not planning to move anytime soon, it’s still worth considering whether a planned addition to your home will actually add value to your home. Some additions do not. For example, installing new wall-to-wall carpeting is not usually a profitable upgrade because many people do not prefer carpet in their homes. So how do home buyers view paver patios ?

There is evidence to suggest that an attractive and well-maintained patio can really add value to a house. It’s an additional living space that’s low-cost, functional, and easy to manage. Because a paver patio is simple to maintain and tends to last a very long time, there’s a good chance that if you install one, it will still be attractive and in good shape by the time you decide that you want to sell the house, even if that time is still years away.

A less durable or more difficult to maintain patio may be breaking down by the time you want to sell, which could either detract from your home’s value or necessitate spending money to remove or repair the patio before you can sell. If you’re looking for a patio that adds long-term value, a paver patio is a good bet.

Of course, you’ll want to make sure that your paver patio is a good fit for your property. A too-large patio in a too-small yard, or vice versa, will look like it doesn’t belong and pose practical problems that might affect the value of your property. But working with Omni Pools & Scapes will help ensure that you choose a paver patio design that complements the space and meets your needs will help ensure that you end up with a patio that meets your current needs and adds value for potential buyers in the future.

Installing any home addition, even a patio, is a big decision, and you should take the time to consider all of your options before making a decision. In some cases, a paver patio might have a higher up-front cost than other types of patios, but the benefits of this type of patio, including durability, adaptability, low maintenance costs, and long-term value, mean that a paver patio is definitely an option that should be on your radar. Contact Omni Pools & Scapes to learn more about our patios and to schedule your free consultation.

What’s the Best Material for a Patio?

Sat, 13 May 2023 19:53:14 GMT

Adding a patio to your backyard is a great way to create an outdoor living space. A nice patio provides the perfect spot for grilling during the summer or lounging with family and friends on a nice evening. If you are planning to add a patio sometime soon, though, you could be unsure of which material is best. Patios can be created from lots of different materials, but these are some of the best and most popular. Carefully assess the pros and cons of each option, and you can soon install a patio that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.

PAVERS

Another popular option to explore is to have your paver patio made from stone, concrete, or brick pavers. Since you can choose from pavers that are made from different materials and that come in all different styles and colors, the possibilities are practically endless. You can opt for a simple, clean look, or you can choose decorative pavers to create a more high-end patio area.

Because a patio that is made from pavers is more flexible, you don’t have to worry about cracks being much of an issue. If just a few of your pavers are cracked, stained, or otherwise damaged, you can swap out the affected pavers without disrupting the rest of the patio. This makes repairs quick, easy, and affordable. General, day-to-day care of your paver patio should be a breeze, too.

You can also add to your paver patio pretty easily. If you find that your patio is not big enough to accommodate a larger patio set or an outdoor kitchen , for example, you can simply add additional pavers to expand the space.

Of course, as with any patio material, there are a few downsides to patios that are made from pavers. For one thing, installation can take significantly longer than with concrete or stamped concrete. Because of this, plan ahead for your installation project. Unlike with concrete or stamped concrete patios , though, you do not have to worry about a drying process. Instead, you should be able to make use of your new paver patio as soon as the installation is completed.

You also have to worry about weeds growing in between your pavers. Applying the appropriate chemicals can help you prevent weeds from growing, though, allowing you to enjoy your paver patio without worrying about additional chores.

STAMPED CONCRETE

If you like the benefits of a concrete patio but would like to take things up a notch, consider a stamped concrete patio. Many people like stamped concrete because of its appearance. If you have been thinking about installing a tile patio, for example, you may find that stamped concrete is a budget-friendly alternative. You can choose from a variety of patterns, colors and styles, which can give your patio a very high-end aesthetic. You might be surprised by the beautiful, classy look that can be created at a budget-friendly price.

Like a standard concrete patio, your stamped concrete patio should be easy to clean and take care of. Stains might not be as visible on a stamped concrete patio due to the design, but you should still take care to clean up stains quickly. Having the appropriate finish added to your stamped concrete patio will help you protect it from stains and will leave it looking shiny and beautiful. Also, as with any type of concrete patio, it’s necessary to take care of cracks and other imperfections quickly if you want to keep your patio looking great and prevent the issues from getting more serious.

CONCRETE

When you think of your average patio, you might think about a simple patio that is made from poured concrete. For many years, this was the most popular material for patio installations. Naturally, this is true for a number of reasons.

For one thing, when you look into pricing for your project, you might find that a standard concrete patio is going to be the most affordable. Additionally, your average concrete patio can be poured quite quickly; although you will have to wait for it to dry, you may find that this is one of your fastest options for getting your patio project completed.

Concrete patios are easy to clean and take care of. If you get in the habit of sweeping it, you can keep dust, leaves and debris at bay. A leaf blower can be handy for big or particularly messy concrete patios, too. When your concrete patio needs a deeper clean, you can spray it off with a water hose or pressure washer. A deck brush and a mix of gentle detergent and water can also be used to clean it. Be aware that concrete patios can stain if you aren’t careful, so make sure that you clean up spills quickly to prevent them from being permanent.

Typically, concrete patios last for a long time, particularly if the area is prepared properly before the concrete is poured and if the concrete is mixed and poured the right way. Lines, cracks and other imperfections may form over time, though; you will want to work with a concrete pouring service to have these imperfections repaired to preserve the integrity of your patio.

Some people dislike the look of concrete patios. A properly poured patio should look neat and tidy, but it will not be very decorative. You can add an outdoor rug, a few plants or other decorative items to spruce it up and add a nice aesthetic.

No matter what material you choose, you will probably find that adding a patio is the perfect way to spruce up your backyard. Then, you can add various features to improve your patio even more; for example, you may want to add an outdoor fireplace or fire pit for warmth and atmosphere, or you can install an entire outdoor kitchen for preparing delicious meals. If you need help with installing your patio and sprucing up your outdoor living space , Contact Omni Pools & Scapes to find out how we can help.

The Best Ways to Remove Ice and Snow This Winter

Fri, 12 May 2023 19:42:22 GMT

Old Man Winter has arrived in Ohio. While we provide snow and ice removal services to our commercial clients, most homeowners choose to manage their own wintry weather effects. While our winters can be beautiful, they can also be inconvenient and, in some cases, dangerous. Read on to learn about how you can most effectively remove snow and ice accumulation from your patio, deck, driveway, stairs, and more.

Removing Snow and Ice From Your Pavers

If you have a paver patio , driveway , walkway, or another outdoor area, you might be concerned about how you can keep it free of snow and ice. The basic rules here are that you don’t want to do anything that will chip the pavers or cause cracking.

Shoveling is fine, but a plastic shovel is recommended. A heavy metal shovel can cause small chips on the edges of the pavers. The same theory goes for a snow plow. Make sure that you have a rubber blade on your plow. Also, if it’s been a while since your pavers were installed, make sure they are still level. If they aren’t, a snowplow can cause some damage.

It is fine to use a snowblower on your pavers. If the end of yours is metal, consider putting a plastic cover on it for the same reasons listed above.

Finally, you need to be careful with de-icing salts. You can use them, but it’s important to wash them away once the freeze is over. Salt is corrosive and can cause pitting or even cracking over time. Calcium magnesium acetate is an alternative to salt that you might consider. It is less corrosive and it won’t kill your plants in the spring. It’s also safe if your pet walks on it, which is not necessarily true for rock salt.

Removing Snow and Ice From Your Wooden Deck

If you have a wooden deck, you’ll want to try to keep it free from ice and snow to minimize slipperiness and, if it is unsealed, to protect it from water damage.

You can shovel your deck. Use a plastic shovel (because a metal shovel can damage the boards) and shovel in the same direction that the planks are laid. You don’t want to shovel “across the grain,” because you can easily nick a board if it is not perfectly level or if your shovel slips in between the grooves. If the snow is light, you can also use a broom to simply sweep it away. This is probably the least labor-intense option.

If you need to use something to melt ice, be aware that salt can erode your deck. You can still use it if you have to, but you should rinse it away as soon as feasible. Sand is less corrosive, but it can still be abrasive because of its rough texture, so that isn’t recommended.

Removing Snow and Ice From Your Concrete Driveway

If you are not lucky enough to have a radiant heat driveway, you will need to get outside and remove the snow and ice yourself. As with the other ground materials discussed so far, it’s best to use a plastic shovel if you are planning on shoveling it yourself. While a concrete driveway seems tough, a metal shovel can damage it.

You can use a snowblower to make quick work of your driveway, or you can plow it with your own plow or hire someone to remove the snow for you. The other alternative is to use salt or another chemical de-icer. The same caveats apply: Be sure to rinse it off of the surface of the driveway to prevent corrosion.

Tips To Prevent Snow and Ice Buildup

The best way to reduce the amount of time you spend wrestling with the elements is to prevent a lot of snow and ice from accumulating in the first place. Here are some tips for preventing a lot of slippery buildup:

Shovel often and early. During a storm, as long as it is safe to do so, go out every couple of hours to remove the snow from your outdoor surfaces. You can use a broom if the snow is light. Otherwise, use a plastic shovel.

Use de-icer. Sprinkling or spraying de-icer on your stairs can help keep them safe to step on. Go out and break up any ice that freezes frequently.

Sprinkle sand on non-wood surfaces. You can use sand to improve traction. Note that sand will not melt ice. It will only make it less slippery.

Don’t use kitty litter. You might read or hear the tip to sprinkle kitty litter on ice to increase traction. It’s best not to do this, because it will be messy once the snow melts later. Sand will sweep away easily, but kitty litter will not.

Wait it out. If it is very icy out to the point that it is unsafe, you might simply need to wait it out for a while. Don’t put yourself at risk if you don’t have to.

If you want to talk about landscaping or hardscaping services in Ohio, contact Omni Pools & Scapes. We can help you assess your needs and come up with a plan that will help you achieve the outdoor living space of your dreams.

7 Must-Do’s To Achieve The Perfect Garden Design

Mon, 08 May 2023 19:49:56 GMT

Whether your yard needs a good clean-up, fence repairs, new plantings, or a complete garden makeover, there are seven landscaping must-do’s to achieve the perfect garden design. So if you have never taken on a landscape design project before or are looking for new ways to achieve a more desirable outcome with your garden, then these seven tips are sure to get you on the right track.

With so many options from hardscapes to softscapes, plant types, drainage, soil types, seasonal influences, local planting codes, and ongoing maintenance requirements, it can be overwhelming for many to know the best way to approach the whole landscaping process. However, it may help to know that many of the same principles that are used to renovate the inside of your home can be used as a guide for your designs outside.

Here are seven tips used by professionals that are sure to help any landscaping beginner.

Tip 1 – Make a List

First Thing – Make a list. Draw up 2 columns – your ‘needs’ in one column and your ‘wants’ in the other. This will help you learn what is a must-have and what may be flexible to include in your landscape design.

For example, do your kids need a play space? Are you wanting to grow vegetables? Would installing an outdoor kitchen or firepit benefit your family or property value? Create some designs or sketches with the ideas of where you would like things.

This is an important and great way for beginners to organize their landscape design ideas. These do not need to be master plans, just ideas. You can easily play around and change the designs as your ideas unfold until you are ready to commence with the final design.

Tip 2 – Study the Natural Cycles in Your Garden

Take note of the natural cycles in your garden during the day and in the different seasons. Things like wind patterns, the sun’s movement through your yard, shaded from the summer heat, gardens that might be exposed to frost or excessive rainfall. If you are thinking of placing a patio on the side of your house that gets a lot of afternoon sun, particularly in the summer, it may be too hot to enjoy at dinner time.

Excessively windy spots can quickly extinguish a fire pit. Make sure your design will take into account the natural cycles not only at the different times of day but also throughout season changes. You may need to consider getting some professional assistance if these aspects present any issues.

Tip 3 – Think Through Your Design Ideas

Avoid coming to quick conclusions about your yard designs and instead, take the time to sit with and think through your ideas thoroughly. Here are two options that can help you avoid costly design mistakes.

Spend time just sitting in the different areas of your garden and visualizing how your ideas will interact and work together from multiple perspectives.

Call a professional landscaping design consultant to overlook your ideas and offer you sound advice on what may or may not work, and any other aspects you may not have considered.

Tip 4 – Start Small

Even though many landscaping transformation television shows complete portray the outdoor makeovers being completed in just three days, keep in mind that they have expert landscape designers and a large crew, which can create unrealistic expectations for many landscape design beginners.

Developing your plan slowly and doing it properly is an important part of creating a landscape design with a real purpose. And one that you will be able to enjoy for many years to come. If you take too many shortcuts because you are in a hurry, you may find yourself being sloppy in your workmanship. So start small and take the time needed; you can even do it in sections so that you are happy with the final results.

Tip 5 – Create a Theme, Style or Feature

A good landscape design will have a theme style or a feature that creates visual impact. Garden styles like Japanese, tropical, country garden and beachy are all great ideas. Mass planting of certain plant types, particularly flowering species are also visually appealing when in season. Garden features like a tree, statue, koi ponds and other water features are always a real winner with not only family and friends, but also the local wildlife.

Tip 6 – Focus on Creating Balance and Cohesion

The most difficult principle in landscape design for many beginners is creating balance and cohesion in their design that will give their yard a belongs-together look. There may be variations in color, shape and size of various elements but by creating cohesion in the design style it will allow the space to flow and function in a harmonious way which will only serve to enhance your garden’s appeal.

Tip 7 – Be Flexible

This is quite important. Unless you’re strongly fixed on an idea, be open and flexible to change. Often, things we may find ourselves fixed on can easily fall out of style or may not function the best in the overall design. Sometimes what we really like one day may not reflect what we like in a year from now. Be completely honest and realistic with your wants and needs in the design so you can achieve the perfect landscape design for your garden.

If you still find it all a little overwhelming or you would like to get a professional opinion in creating your perfect garden landscape design, then the expert team at Omni Pools & Scapes can help! With over 20+ years experience in the field, they can help you achieve the perfect landscape design to suit any size yard or budget.

Ohio Omni Pools & Scapes is the number one choice for landscaping and hardscaping design services in Columbus Ohio. Call today and book your FREE consultation appointment.

How to Care for Your Outdoor Kitchen

Mon, 08 May 2023 19:47:51 GMT

Having an outdoor kitchen is a luxury that many of our clients simply love. During the summer, an outdoor kitchen allows you to cook a meal without heating up the entire house in the process. And during the winter, many of our clients really appreciate having the extra room to prepare holiday feasts.

One question that we’re asked quite often is how to care for the outdoor kitchen throughout the year. We think you’ll find that it’s easier than you might expect to keep this outdoor living area in good condition. Here are some tips:

Keep the Kitchen Clean

Just as you need to keep your indoor kitchen clean, you need to keep your outdoor kitchen clean. You can use the same products that you would use in the house. Remember that if you leave something sticky on your indoor counters, you’re likely to find a trail of ants sneaking in during warm weather.

This problem is amplified when the kitchen is outside, to begin with! For this reason, as well as for reasons having to do with good hygiene and food safety, it’s important to keep up with the same level of cleanliness outdoors as you do indoors.

Winterize Your Water Sources

During the spring, summer, and fall months, this is not an issue, but during the winter, you will need to be careful about not letting your pipes freeze. Be sure that your pipes are properly winterized. During very cold weather, turn off the water source to the outdoor kitchen and drain the water out. If you decide to use the kitchen during the winter months, simply turn on the water, then drain and winterize again when you’re done.

Bring in Your Chemicals

Again, this is not typically an issue during the warmer months, but if the temperature will dip below freezing, you’ll want to bring in any chemicals and cleansers that you normally store in your outdoor kitchen. In general, you can use the kitchen during the winter months, but you do need to be mindful of what you’re storing out there, because freezing can cause chemical containers to burst and leak, creating a potentially hazardous situation for children and pets, not to mention waste.

If you are interested in having an outdoor kitchen installed on your patio or other outdoor living area , please give us a call to schedule a free consultation . We’d love to go over your options with you, so that you can enjoy cooking outdoors in your very own custom outdoor cooking space.

Landscaping Around an Inground Swimming Pool

Sun, 07 May 2023 19:51:38 GMT

Landscaping

If you envision yourself floating around in your inground swimming pool next summer, your vision probably doesn’t end at the edge of the water. Imagine the rest of your surroundings. Is there a paver pool deck ? Lighting ? What types of plants do you have nearby? Deciding to have a swimming pool installed might be the first step to achieving your dreams for your outdoor living space. But there is a lot more to think about when it comes to landscaping and decorating your pool area.

Landscaping: Flora and Fauna

If your mental picture of your pool includes lush plants surrounding it, you’ll want to add grasses, flowers, and maybe even a few bushes or small trees. Before you decide what you want, think about whether your main goal is to provide privacy or add visual interest. You might want both of these things, of course.

If you are looking for privacy, you will, of course, want to choose plants that are tall and filled in. Hedges can provide this benefit easily. You could plant manicured or more wild-looking bushes around part or all of the perimeter of the pool deck. Bamboo is another option. River Cane is actually native to Ohio and could do well in your yard.

Planting leafy and flowering plants around the area will add texture and color. Perennials will come back year after year, saving you the trouble of replanting them. Annuals will need to be added each spring. You can change up what you plant each year to create a new look each time. You might also choose ornamental grasses, too. One thing you should avoid is choosing plants that will end up shedding a lot of leaves at the end of the summer when you are still using the pool.

Hardscaping: Pavers and Stamped Concrete

You will want some type of pool deck for your inground swimming pool. While a wooden deck is good for an above-ground pool, they are generally not desired for an inground pool. You will want to think about a patio made of pavers or stamped concrete.

Pavers come in many different styles and are quite versatile. If one becomes damaged, you can generally replace it without disrupting the rest of the patio. In addition, they flex, making it unlikely that they will suffer significant damage due to temperature fluctuations.

Stamped concrete also comes in a wide variety of styles. It has the benefit of being slip-resistant, which is a nice feature to have near a swimming pool. It won’t sink and will stay level for many years. It is also one of the most affordable types of patio to have installed.

Your landscaping specialist can talk to you about the various options available when it comes to building the pool patio that is perfect for you.

Lighting: What Are Your Options?

Adding lighting to your pool not only adds to the ambiance and atmosphere but also allows you to swim and entertain after sunset. There are a lot of different options you could consider:

Install permanent light fixtures on the patio . These might be something like lamp posts or if you have a nearby covered area, lighting installed in the ceiling.
Use temporary lighting . Set up tiki torches, lanterns, or other types of temporary lighting that you can bring in during the winter and turn on manually when you are using the pool after dark. Another attractive and popular option is to install twinkling or solid strings of bulbs overhead. Just make sure they are secured well.
Have underwater lighting installed . There are different types of lighting that you can have installed under the water. You might want colored lighting or simple white lighting.
Have above-water pool lighting installed . You might choose to have lights installed at the edge of your pool. Again, this can be done in various colors or in white.

The best time to decide on permanent lighting is when you have your pool installed. Talk to your swimming pool professional to learn about the options available.

Seating and Outdoor Living Areas

When you step out of your pool, you will want a place to sit comfortably outside. This is also the place where you will host your friends and family. Consider whether you would like to serve meals outside. You might want to have your patio covered in one section to allow for outdoor seating even if the weather is drizzly or if you and your guests want to get out of the sun. An outdoor kitchen would give you a place to cook while watching your family enjoy the pool, and an outdoor fireplace or fire pit could be the perfect place to end the day after a long afternoon spent swimming.

A poolside spa is another option to consider. Spend chilly nights warming up in your own built-in hot tub. These are also great for sore muscles at any time of year. Choose something small and intimate or a larger spa fit for entertaining. It’s up to you!

Your Omni Pools & Scapes swimming pool specialist can help you decide not only what type of pool to get but also what you can do with the rest of your yard and outdoor space to make it exactly what you want. Your vision might begin with the pool, but they don’t have to end there.

Whether you imagine yourself sipping drinks at your own poolside bar, cooking up s’mores in your fireplace after spending the day having fun in the sun, or simply lounging under a covered patio when it’s time to enjoy some shade on a hot summer day, we can assist you in making it happen.

Are Stamped Concrete Patios More Durable Than Pavers?

Sun, 07 May 2023 19:41:48 GMT

If you’re choosing a new outdoor living space for your home, are you better off getting a stamped concrete patio or a paver patio ? It’s a good idea to educate yourself about their various properties, especially durability.

Here are some things you should know about these popular patio surfaces:

What Is Stamped Concrete?
What Are Pavers?
Aesthetic Benefits
Installation Cost
Maintenance/Repair
Durability – Stay tuned below to learn more about the features of stamped concrete patios versus traditional pavers.

Stamped Concrete Patio Basics

Just when you think you know a material, expert designers come up with something new. Concrete has been around forever (ask the Romans), but the idea of beautifying concrete so that it’s an attractive patio material is a relatively recent development.

Stamped concrete is a concrete surface that has been treated or “stamped” to resemble other materials such as stone, tile, and brick. Also known as “textured” or “imprinted” concrete, it shares many of the same attributes as its unadorned cousin, but with a presentation that’s sophisticated and foot-friendly.

Depending on the design, a stamped concrete patio might resemble stone or brick, and it will feel far different than what one might think of when they picture traditional concrete.

Just The Facts About Pavers

The idea of pavers – interlocking stones covering the ground – has been around almost as long as concrete. And like concrete, pavers are popular in both public and private settings. Streets and sidewalks are often made up of pavers, and they’re appropriate for patios, driveways, and pool decks .

Pavers (also known as paving stones) are individual flooring units that are laid together to create the surface used for a patio or driveway. They can be made from a number of different materials such as clay (which make up bricks), natural stones, and classic concrete. Whenever you see a driveway or pool deck that’s adorned with interlocking bricks or tiles, those are pavers.

Attractiveness

Now that you know the basics when it comes to pavers and stamped concrete, you might be wondering how they look. They look great! Both pavers and stamped concrete are constructed with aesthetics in mind, but there are some significant differences.

Both materials can be customized in dozens of different ways. Many people appreciate the fact that, as a single surface, a stamped concrete patio enjoys a continuity of design that compliments any type of home. Pavers, however, can be constructed from several different materials and shapes creating an endless array of patterns and styles. It’s the dramatic quality of pavers that make them the preferred choice of many designers.

Regardless of the type of home you may have, installing a new patio of either stamped concrete or pavers can give your yard the kind of “wow” effect that’s the dream of every homeowner. Your new patio will impress your neighbors at the next meet n’ greet, and do wonders for your home’s resale value too.

Installation Costs

Among the least expensive options available for a patio or deck is slab concrete. Also known as poured concrete, slab is as simple as it comes. It’s a hard sturdy base of concrete that’s usually about 4 inches thick.

Stamped concrete is much more than just a poured concrete product. The process of creating the customized surface requires professional skill and craftsmanship that goes beyond the needs of traditional concrete, so plan for your new investment wisely.

Because pavers can be constructed from so many different types of stones and clay, the price range is vast, depending on the availability of the desired materials. On average, the most popular styles of pavers will cost more than stamped concrete. Home Advisor has a helpful rundown of the expected installation costs here .

Of course, there’s more than installation expenses when it comes to determining the price of a new patio. You’ll also need to consider the expenses associated with regular maintenance and repairs, as well as your new patio’s lifespan. That’s why durability is at the forefront of your mind: the longer your patio lasts, the more you’ll see a return on investment.

Maintenance and Repair Considerations

So you’ve got your new patio. That means the work’s done, right? Not so fast! Whether you opt for stamped concrete or pavers, they’ll need to be properly maintained for you to get the most use out of them. A stamped concrete patio will need to be sealed upon installation and resealed every year to retain its fresh appearance.

If damage were to occur, it will be in the form of cracks, and that applies to both pavers and concrete. One of the benefits of pavers is if a tile or brick is broken or cracked, it can be easily replaced. By comparison, repairing or replacing damaged concrete is going to be far more expensive and labor-intensive.

You should expect years of high-quality service from both materials, but they can each suffer wear and tear in different ways. If you have a patio of colored concrete, the coloration may fade after a number of years. Because pavers are usually made of natural stone or clay, their color will remain intact. Also, be mindful of any pavers that start to come loose as they can become a tripping hazard.

Which Material is The Most Durable?

The greatest advantage pavers have in terms of durability is the fact that repairing them doesn’t require installing a new patio. With regular maintenance, and taking care to replace damaged pavers when necessary, a paver patio can last as long as 50 years, or in some cases, a lifetime!

Repairing stamped concrete is far more complicated than replacing a couple of pavers, so if a stamped concrete patio starts to develop some cracks, you might have to think about a replacement. That being said, a quality stamped concrete patio can last decades, maybe even longer!

Other surfaces usually require far more effort and expense to install and maintain, so any time you’re upgrading your home with pavers or stamped concrete, you’re making an economical commitment to maintaining your home’s long-term value and appearance.

Conclusion

A patio or deck made from pavers offers similar benefits to one that is made of stamped concrete. Both are stylish and highly durable. Stamped concrete is usually less expensive to install and is still a very attractive and cost-effective option for improving the look of your backyard.

Ultimately, the best choice of material is the one that you think best suits your tastes, style, and budget. Either way, adorning your yard with a new paver or stamped concrete patio is an excellent way to make your home more enjoyable while increasing its resale value.

Sources

https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/pavers-vs-concrete/

Should You Hire a Swimming Pool Contractor or DIY?

Sat, 06 May 2023 19:51:19 GMT

If you’re into do-it-yourself projects, you could be hoping to take care of your pool without the help of a professional. There are some things that you can do yourself, but for many situations, working with a professional swimming pool contractor is the better idea.

Getting Permits and Inspections for a New Swimming Pool

If you’re having a swimming pool installed soon, you’re going to need to go through the proper permit and inspection process. Allowing the installer who is putting in your pool to handle this process for you makes things much easier. Then, you can avoid making mistakes that might cause you to get denied for your permit or that might cause problems during the inspection process.

For those who have a little bit of extra time to spare and who want to save money, though, it is possible to apply for your own permits and inspections when installing a swimming pool. Someone from your local building code office should be able to provide you with more information about this process. If you do choose to apply for your own permits or make arrangements for the inspection, make sure that you take the time to do it right to avoid problems with getting approved for your permits and to avoid failing your inspection.

Installing Your New Pool

Installing your own pool is a huge project to undertake, and it’s something that is almost always best left to the professionals. Working with excavation equipment and installing the pool can take many hours of labor, and if you don’t do it properly, you could have serious problems with your swimming pool.

A professional will help you with each step of the process, from choosing the right type of pool — from fiberglass and vinyl to other options — to picking the area of your yard where you will install it. The professional installers will use the necessary excavation equipment and will carefully install your pool.

Adding Landscaping Around Your Pool

In addition to installing a pool, you may want to landscape the area around it. Adding the right trees, bushes and flowers can help you create a tropical oasis for you and your family to enjoy. Additionally, installing a pool fence around your pool will help you prevent anyone from getting into your pool without your permission, will help protect you from liability issues, and will help you comply with Ohio’s state laws.

Many pool installers, such as Omni Pools & Scapes, offer pool fencing installation services. You may want to work with a professional to have your fencing installed. However, if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you can try planting your own plants around your pool to save money and get involved in the project.

Opening Your Pool for the Summer

After a chilly Ohio winter, you’ll probably be ready to open up your pool for the summer. After your pool has been out of use all winter, though, the process of getting it ready for use again can be pretty complicated.

First, you’ll need to carefully inspect your pool to make sure that there is no damage from the previous summer or winter weather. Catching any problems with your pool now and addressing them will allow you to enjoy your pool all summer long.

Additionally, you’ll need to add the right chemicals to your pool so that the water will be safe and sanitary to swim in. This part can be pretty challenging since you’ll have to add the perfect balance of chemicals based on your pool size, the condition of the water that’s in your pool, and more.

For this, you may want to hire a Ohio swimming pool contractor. Your swimming pool contractor will be able to fix any problems with your pool and will work to create the perfect balance of chemicals. This will allow you to start using your swimming pool a lot more quickly and can help you prevent pool-related problems this summer.

Handling Basic Cleaning and Maintenance

Many pool owners opt for professional pool cleaning and maintenance services to keep their swimming pools clean and ready for use. You should consider using a weekly pool service to keep the chemicals in your pool properly balanced and to keep your pool sparkling and clean.

However, this is one task that you might be able to keep up with yourself if you have the time and inclination. Using test strips to check the balance of chemicals in your pool will help you know when to add more chlorine or other chemicals. Your pump should do a lot of the work to keep your pool clean, but you may need to use a pool vacuum and a skimmer regularly to get rid of dirt, debris, and algae. Also, if at any point you find that your water is getting murky or your chemicals are off, it’s wise to call in a pro promptly to avoid larger problems.

Dealing With Leaks

If your swimming pool has a leak, it’s important to address the problem right away. If the problem isn’t addressed, then the leak may just get worse. In the meantime, water will be wasted and your yard could even become flooded.

There are patch kits for vinyl pool liners and other DIY solutions that you can try. These shouldn’t be used for more than just a temporary fix, though. When it comes to repairing pool leaks, you’re better off hiring a professional for the job so that you can make sure that it’s done right.

Installing a New Pool Pump

Having a properly functioning pool pump is essential. If you’re having problems with your pool pump, you’ll probably want to hire a swimming pool contractor. Then, for one thing, the contractor can let you know if your pump can potentially be repaired, which can save you a lot of money.

If not, he or she can help you choose the right pool pump for your swimming pool. You can also get help with installing the pool pump. Since it’s such an important component of your swimming pool system, it’s essential to make sure that it’s installed right.

As a pool owner, there are some maintenance tasks that you can do on your own. Overall, though, it’s key to work with a swimming pool contractor for help with most matters. Not only will this help you make sure that your pool is installed and maintained properly, but it can save you a lot of time and hard work, too. Then, you can focus on enjoying your swimming pool instead of just taking care of it. For more information about installing a new pool or taking care of your existing pool, contact Omni Pools & Scapes today.

Top 5 Reasons to Own a Pool

Sat, 06 May 2023 19:51:01 GMT

Swimming Pools – you see them in the hotels and resorts, on TV, and throughout the neighborhood. One thing that remains consistent is wherever you see them, kids are laughing, and adults are having fun.

Is it worth buying your family a pool for your backyard?

Here are five reasons that may have you take the “dive” and turn your boring backyard into a paradise steps away!

1. Family Memories

We hear parents say, “I wish our kids would hang out with us”; maybe you just need to add water! The time you can spend with your family in the backyard will be endless with an in-ground swimming pool. Add in a fire pit, hot tub, and outdoor kitchen, and you may never have to book an out-of-town vacation again. Family and friends will love the invitation to hang out at your swimming pool; whether it’s a late-night dip or a family BBQ by the pool, the memories you make will be endless.

2. Exercise

Aquatic exercise is a low-impact activity that takes the pressure off your bones, joints, and muscles. Water also offers natural resistance, which can help strengthen your muscles. Aquatic exercise has several health benefits, such as improved heart health, reduced stress, and improved muscular endurance and strength. A swimming pool in the backyard may just be what the Doctor ordered! Source: Mayo Clinic

3. Better Sleep

We all want a good night’s sleep… not only for us but our kids. Nothing wears out kids and helps them fall asleep before the movie ends – then a day in the pool! The time in the pool – even if you are “playing” and not doing laps, will help you sleep. Even with a heated pool, the cooler temperature makes your body work harder to stay warm, making it a great solution for a good night’s sleep. Want to wake up fast? Take a dip in the pool first thing in the morning. Nothing better than starting the day and ending the day in the pool.

4. A party close to home

A resort in your backyard steps away! Mix in the patio furniture with a grill, and you have an instant pool party. The teenagers will want to hang out at home, and the younger kids will think you are the life of the party. No need to pack up the suitcases and spend all that money on a trip – just walk out the backdoor to your own personal paradise.

5. Increase the perceived value of your home

Under the right circumstances, according to Houselogic, a pool could boost your home value by 7%.

Here are some of the conditions:

You live in a higher-end neighborhood.
The pool doesn’t take up the whole backyard
The pool style fits with your home and is well maintained.
You can find a buyer who wants a pool with their home.

Bottom line, if you’re thinking about adding a pool, don’t look at it as an investment in your home; instead, look at it as investing in your lifestyle!

Amazing Ideas for Landscaping Your Front Yard

Sat, 06 May 2023 19:45:28 GMT

You can drive through certain neighborhoods and get a feel for the quality of the homes simply by looking from the street. If a house has good curb appeal, it gives off a great impression. This is something that many homeowners strive toward, but not all achieve it.

Whether you are putting your home on the market or simply want to feel great as you pull into your home sweet home, here are some ways that you can boost your home’s curb appeal:

A Fresh Coat of Paint Can Work Wonders

Do you know how painting a room makes it look brand new? The same goes for the outside of your home. You don’t necessarily have to paint the whole thing, either; simply rolling or brushing a fresh coat of paint on your front door, the trim and the shutters can make a big difference. Choose a color that is eye-catching, but make sure that it complements the other color or colors on your house.

Decorate the Front Porch or Steps

If you didn’t paint the door, give it a good cleaning. Wipe off the fingerprints and knock down any spiderwebs that have accumulated over the summer. Give the area a thorough sweeping, and hit it with the hose or even a power-sprayer if necessary.

Now, go and get out your fall decorations. If you don’t have any, simple is often better: Set out pots of pretty mums or a few bright orange pumpkins. Also, add a seasonal wreath to the front door. If you have a rocking chair or porch swing, consider adding an accessory or two in seasonal colors.

Get a New Mailbox

If your mailbox has seen better days, it’s time to spring for a new one. Go ahead and choose something simple, or pick a design that will complement your home and meshes with your personal style. One caveat: If everyone else on your street has a certain type of mailbox, don’t buck tradition. In this case, not conforming could actually lower your overall curb appeal.

Install Outdoor Lighting

Having a well-lit entry will boost your home’s curb appeal once the sun goes down, and with the lengthening nights, this is very important! Clean out your existing light fixtures if you’re not planning on replacing them. Removing a season’s worth of dead insects, dust and grime can brighten things up considerably! Change any dim or burnt-out bulbs, too.

If you don’t have lighting on your walkway, consider installing pretty post lamps. If you can’t or don’t want to hard-wire lamps, you can always use solar lighting, but remember that they won’t be as bright as electrical lighting.

Add Visual Interest

If you have garden beds, you can spruce them up and get them ready for the winter. Go ahead and plant your fall bulbs now, trim back any bushes, and add mulch as needed in order to winterize your garden. Also, consider adding a small fountain, a windchime or a birdbath in order to add some visual appeal to visitors who come up to the front door.

Boosting your home’s curb appeal does not have to cost a lot of money or take too much time. Maintaining your property and keeping up with the raking, trimming and mowing, as well as the sweeping, will keep things looking nice throughout the year. Choose one small project at a time as you work to make your home one that gives a great first impression.

Top 10 Materials to Consider for a New Backyard Patio

Fri, 05 May 2023 19:50:14 GMT

Whether you’re having a backyard barbecue, enjoying the sunrise, or playing scorekeeper for your children’s soccer game; the patio is a rejuvenating aspect of your property. Unless of course, your kids ruin it. Like this picture of a kid that got ahold of some baby oil and let loose on a new concrete paved patio. If you are contemplating putting in a paver patio , you will want to understand which materials are good for you and why .

1. Concrete Pavers

Concrete patio pavers are a favorite among homeowners because they are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, textures, finishes, and maneuverability. If you are not willing to hire a professional landscaper, you may want to check out this DIY video by Ron Hazelton

The price to Install is $6 – $10 a square ft.
Or check out this article on how to install concrete pavers yourself .

2. Stamped Concrete

If you love the idea of various stones and the versatility of concrete, you will want to consider stamped concrete pavers for your patio.

The price to Install is $11 – $13 a square ft.
Your professional landscaper can design it to look like natural stone, gravel, brick… just about anything you can think of!

3. Brick Pavers

Brick Patio Pavers work well with many different types of houses, because of their uniform shape. Bricks come in many different styles and quality, such as eco brick. Thinking of an outdoor firepit? Keep in mind installing paver patios and fire pits will take some planning and effort.

The price to Install is: $8 – $10 a square ft.

4. Flagstone

If you are looking for an interesting, varied pattern; consider flagstone pavers. Once sealed, it’s cool underfoot and really has a distinguished appearance.

The price to Install is: $16 – $20 a square ft.
Talk to your landscaper about the options available; flagstone patio pavers can be put down on sand, or they can be adhered with mortar.

5. Pea Gravel

While not technically a patio paver material, pea gravel can be integrated into concrete pavers or simply left as a patio material in their own right.

The price to Install is: $.25 – $1 a square ft.
Pea gravel is a flexible, versatile option that can be great for patios that tend to collect water.

6. Slate

If you love the look of natural stone, but can’t afford the high prices of flagstone, you might consider slate patio pavers. While the installation process and the general appeal is similar to that of flagstone, the price is much lower. Usually, slate comes in square or rectangular tiles.

The price to Install to: $16 – $20 a square ft.

7. Rubber Tiles

Rubber tiles have a few good advantages for the new DIY’er

They are inexpensive
The tiles snap together, no difficult instructions needed.
They come in several finishes, and can fit your ideas.
They are a fairly new material, be innovative!

The price to Install is: $2 – $7 a square ft. (Really depends on the quality)

8. Decomposed Granite

Granite is a natural stone that is often found as a kitchen countertop material. It also makes a great patio material once it decomposes. It can be used as mulch or mixed with resin to create a sturdy, non-eroding patio cover. Find out more about how you can use decomposed granite in your landscaping or hardscaping plan.

The price to Install is: $4 – $6 a square ft.

9. Wood

Between regular timber and wood alternatives, there are several options for those who enjoy the look of wood. You will need to keep your climate and the location of the patio in mind, as patios that get very wet (and stay that way) might not do well with wood or wood-based material. Still, it’s a good material to keep in mind if you enjoy a rustic appearance on your outdoor living area.

10. Recycled Material

If you pride yourself on being green or being a salvage king or queen, you might be interested in salvaging materials to use as your own recycled patio pavers. You could scavenge old concrete, brick or natural stone from construction or demolition sites, or just by asking around to people who you know are putting new hardscapes in their own yards. This could make a great DIY project, and the appearance is bound to be one-of-a-kind. make sure you correctly seal your paver patio.

Prices Vary but are Relatively Inexpensive

Your professional landscaper or hardscape company can give you some great advice regarding whether a particular paver collection is appropriate for your unique project. Keep your options and your mind open as you consider various patio pavers!

How to Keep Your Pool Maintained All Winter Long

Thu, 04 May 2023 19:52:48 GMT

You might not think much about your swimming pool during the chilly Ohio winters, but proper pool maintenance is important all year long. By focusing on proper pool maintenance during the winter, you can protect your investment and ensure that your pool is ready to use when the winter warms up. These are some of the steps that you can take if winter pool maintenance is important to you and your family.

Have Your Pool Checked Out

Now is not a bad idea to have your swimming pool checked out by a professional. If you and your family experienced any problems with your pool during the summer, such as if you think there is something wrong with your pool filter or if your pool liner is damaged, then you may want to have the problem assessed and repaired right now.

After all, if you can get your pool in tip-top shape now, you will be able to put it to use as soon as the weather warms up instead of having to wait to have it repaired. You can also make sure that your pool is in good enough shape that it will make it through the winter without any major problems.

Even if you don’t choose to repair your pool before winter, you will at least have an idea of what is wrong with it. Then, you can budget and plan for any repairs that will need to be done in the springtime, which will help you avoid any nasty, expensive surprises when you least expect them.

Drain Out Some of the Water

You probably don’t want to drain all of the water out of your swimming pool for the winter. After all, you might not want to waste water when re-opening your pool for the spring and summer in a few months. However, you may want to think about draining a little bit of water out of your pool. You can drain the water so that the water line falls a few inches below the pool skimmer to prevent freezing. It is also important to drain any water out of your pool heater, pump and filter. This will help you protect these valuable, important parts from freezing-related damage during the winter.

Add the Right Products

As a pool owner, you probably already know that using the right chemicals and products can help you keep your pool in great shape. It’s not just important to maintain the right chemical levels in your pool when you and your family are using it; it’s also smart to add the right chemicals during the winter months, too.

An algaecide will help you prevent algae from growing in your swimming pool on warmer winter and early spring days. You will also need to make sure that chlorine levels are right for keeping your pool water nice and clean. Avoid adding too much chlorine, though, since this could bleach your pool liner over the long winter. Also, remember to check your pool’s chemical levels at least once in the middle of the winter; you might find that you will need to add additional chemicals to keep your pool clean and algae-free until it’s time to reopen it. Remember that your swimming pool professional will be able to help you with these maintenance tasks.

Keep Your Pool Covered

As a pool owner, you should know about the value of a good pool cover. If you don’t already have one, it’s worth it to look for a good-quality pool cover as soon as you can. Make sure that it’s the right size for your pool; it should fit snugly and securely but should cover the entire pool. Also, make sure that it’s thick and durable; you probably will not want to replace your pool cover too frequently if you can avoid it, and you’ll want to make sure that it does a good job of protecting your pool. Lastly, look for a pool cover that is easy to put on and take off; you will be happy that you made this a priority later on.

As soon as you close your pool for the winter, it’s time to put your pool cover on. The pool cover will help prevent snow, ice and rainwater from filling your pool. It will help you keep the chemical levels in your pool where they should be, and it will help you avoid having to clean limbs and debris from your pool throughout the winter months.

Although you might hope to put your pool cover on and forget about your pool until the weather warms up, you will need to check the cover from time to time. If you don’t clean it off throughout the winter, you have to worry about limbs, snow and debris adding too much weight and causing damage to the liner. Luckily, quickly cleaning it a few times throughout the season should keep it in good shape.

Also, remember that you can use your pool cover during other times of the year, too. For example, even after you reopen your pool for the summer, you can cover it with your pool cover when it’s not in use. This helps with safety, prevent water evaporation and helps keep your pool nice and clean.

Open Your Pool as Soon as Possible

You might be looking forward to enjoying your pool when the weather warms up, but you might not have thought ahead much about opening your pool. It’s smart to go ahead and stock up on chemicals and other essentials now so that you can open your pool for the season as soon as the time comes.

Believe it or not, it’s actually best to open your pool as soon as the temperatures start to rise in the late spring. Not only will this allow you and your family to get more enjoyment out of your swimming pool, but it will also help prevent algae growth once temperatures start to rise.

Preparing your pool for winter and keeping it in good shape until summer might seem challenging, but it’s not as hard as you might think. If you need help with taking care of your swimming pool this winter or any time of year, contact us at Omni Pools & Scapes. We help with everything from installing your dream pool to maintaining and repairing your existing pool.

How to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 19:45:01 GMT

A beautiful front yard serves a variety of purposes. It creates a welcoming space that visitors see when they arrive at your home. It gives you an attractive view for your enjoyment when you look out the window of your home.

It increases your curb appeal, giving your home more value. And those are just the most obvious benefits of having a nicely landscaped front yard. You can also use landscaping features to give yourself more privacy, define the borders of your property, and express your taste and style. Take a look at some amazing landscaping ideas that will help you transform your front yard.

Choose a Theme

One way to create a front yard that looks pulled-together and attractive is to choose a theme for the space. This makes it easier to choose plants, hardscape designs, furniture, and accessories that all complement each other.

For example, in Ohio, you’ll want to choose plants that flourish in this part of the country . You might choose a theme that features just one or two colors. Or you could go with a whimsical fairy garden theme. Plant bonsai trees, cherry tomatoes, and heirloom roses. Install cobblestone walkways and a wishing well, then adorn your yard with garden gnomes and strings of lights that twinkle at night.

Think about your interests and the aesthetics that appeal most to you, and think about how you could translate that into a front yard design. There are many possible landscaping themes that you can use to create a unique and attractive front yard that you’ll love showing off.

Go Native

You want a beautiful front yard, but you don’t want to have to put in too much time caring for and nurturing fussy plants. Not everyone has a green thumb, but that’s not necessarily a problem. The trick to putting together a combination of trees, grass, and plants in your yard that look great but don’t require a lot of work is to choose plants that thrive on their own in the type of soil and climate that exists in your front yard. In other words, you should choose native plants .

Choosing plants that are native to Ohio has other benefits besides saving you trouble. Native plants save water because the plants are already well-suited for the normal rainfall patterns in your area. Often, you can also avoid fertilizers and pesticides as well, for the same reasons – these plants already grow well in the local soil and with the local wildlife. Native plants also attract native birds and butterflies, which can be a wonderful addition to your yard.

If you’re not sure what types of plants, grasses, and trees are native to your area, Omni Pools & Scapes can help. Our landscaping professionals are familiar with the plants that are best suited to your local area and will be able to help you decide which ones will work best in your front yard. Call us today for a free consultation!

Is an Outdoor Kitchen Worth It?

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 19:43:20 GMT

You might have seen homes with beautiful outdoor kitchens online or in your favorite home and garden magazines, but you may have never thought about building an outdoor kitchen of your own. You might have spent a lot of time and money creating the perfect indoor kitchen, so it might not seem worth it to build another kitchen outside, too. However, an outdoor kitchen is an excellent investment for many homeowners. If you’re wondering if this project is worth the cost and effort, consider these key reasons to consider it.

An Outdoor Kitchen Can Improve the Aesthetic of Your Yard

A beautiful outdoor kitchen can make your backyard look better than ever. Many outdoor kitchens are very stylish, and with the right design, you can seriously improve the aesthetic of your yard. If possible, choose high-end finishes such as beautifully finished wood for an island or bar, natural stone countertops, and tile backsplashes. Many outdoor appliances and grills look great, too; stainless steel holds up well against the elements and lasts for a long time without the concern of rust, and its shiny finish looks high-end.

Create More Space for Entertaining With an Outdoor Kitchen

Raking leaves is a big job, and it might be something that you dread during the fall. Don’t be tempted to let the leaves pile up in your yard, though, even if you like the seasonal look that they lend to your property… until they begin to rot, that is. Stray leaves can make your lawn look bad and can cause the grass to die as they decay.

Of course, you don’t just have to worry about dead leaves littering your lawn. They can find their way onto your driveway, walkways, patios and porches, causing a messy look. If they fill your gutters, they can prevent the water from flowing through them properly. Make sure you clean your gutters regularly, and use a rake, leaf blower, and broom to get remove from around your property. If you do it regularly throughout the season, you can prevent the leaves from piling up.

Outdoor Kitchens Keep the Mess Outside

You might enjoy cooking delicious meals for your family, but one part that you might not appreciate as much is the clean-up. An outdoor kitchen makes this easy. You don’t have to worry about cooking smells filling your home, and you can easily spray the area down with a water hose to get rid of spills. You can even add a sink and a dishwasher to your outdoor kitchen to make clean-up that much easier. If you host a party, you can prevent guests from tracking dirt or leaving garbage throughout your home by encouraging everyone to spend time outside. When the party’s over, you can sweep or spray off the area without dedicating a lot of time to chores.

An Outdoor Kitchen Can Encourage Your Family to Spend More Time Outside

If you feel like you spend a little too much time on the couch or if you worry that your kids are getting in too much screen time, you could be wondering how you can encourage your family to spend more time out of the house. Setting up an outdoor kitchen is one way to do this. When you’re cooking and dining outside, you and your family can enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. Plus, you might find that you’re tempted to jump in the pool or throw a football back and forth when you’re done. Soon, your family might spend more time outdoors than ever before.

An Outdoor Kitchen Can Help You Prepare Healthier Meals

Grilling is a much healthier cooking method than frying, and it’s tasty, too. If you’d like to prepare healthy meals for you and your family, creating an outdoor kitchen is a good way to encourage yourself to use your grill. Then, you can try out new recipes on meats, vegetables and even fruits, all while preparing health-conscious meals.

Your New Kitchen Might Reduce Your Utility Bills

When you fire up your stove or turn on your oven indoors during the steamy Ohio summers, it can instantly make your kitchen uncomfortably hot. Then, your air conditioning unit has to work overtime to bring your home back down to a comfortable temperature.

You can avoid heating up your kitchen in the first place by cooking outdoors. This can help you reduce your household energy consumption, resulting in lower electric bills. In addition, you won’t have to worry about the discomfort of an overly warm house.

An Outdoor Kitchen Can Make Make Playtime More Convenient

You may already like to spend a lot of time outdoors, whether you’re watching your kids play, hanging out by the pool or working in your garden. You may not like having to walk inside every time that you want to grab a cold drink or a snack, and you won’t have to once you set up your outdoor kitchen. With an outdoor refrigerator, you can keep bottled water and a few cold brews close at hand, and you can stash your favorite summertime snacks in a convenient spot for you and your family.

Your Outdoor Kitchen Might Raise Your Home’s Value

Outdoor kitchens are incredibly popular these days, and many people actually look for homes with great outdoor spaces when shopping their options. If you’re hoping to make your home more desirable and valuable, adding an outdoor kitchen is a good idea. You and your family can get a lot of enjoyment out of it now, and you can enjoy the boost in value later if you put it on the market.

Save Money With Your Outdoor Kitchen

If you and your family spend a lot of money dining out or going out for entertainment, you could be hoping to trim your budget. If you create the perfect outdoor living space, you may find that you and your loved ones will spend more time cooking, dining and hanging out at home. After all, you will probably enjoy your home more than ever! Since restaurant meals can get expensive, particularly for a family, this is a good way to reduce costs.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to improve your home, consider looking outdoors. An outdoor kitchen installation could be just the addition that your property needs. For help with planning your project, contact Omni Pools & Scapes . We’ll help you create the outdoor kitchen of your dreams, and we can help you with improving your outdoor living space in other ways, too.

What is Stamped Concrete?

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 19:43:45 GMT

If you are considering changing the way your landscaping and hardscaping looks and feels, you have a lot of options. Many Ohio property owners are choosing stamped concrete as an alternative to pavers or stones. But what is stamped concrete?

As the name implies, stamped concrete is concrete that is stamped with a pattern. It might look like brick, stone, tile, slate, or wood. The options are virtually limitless. At Omni Pools & Scapes , we can use stamped concrete to accentuate your walkway, sidewalk, patio , pool deck , or driveway.

The outdoor living space is becoming increasingly important as people recognize the benefits of spending some time outside and away from electronics. A stamped concrete hardscape can give you an economical and attractive place to set up your patio table and chairs or to go for a meandering walk around your property.

Whether stamped concrete is the right choice for you is an individual decision. Your Omni Pools & Scapes landscaping professional can talk you through all of the options so you can make a completely informed choice. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your residential or commercial landscaping project.

How Much Does Stamped Concrete Cost?

When you are looking for a hardscaping material, one of your concerns is likely to be your budget. The scope of your project will determine the cost; the more hardscaping you need, the more you will likely need to invest in your outdoor renovations. For the most part, stamped concrete costs more than plain concrete but less than stone or brick pavers. This is not an exact answer; in some situations, stamped concrete might be more or less expensive than comparable materials.

There are different types of stamped concrete. If you have one stamp pattern being used and just one color, it will be more economical than if you wanted a more complex stamp pattern and several different colors. Your landscaper can tell you the different price points of the various patterns available.

The best way to find out how much your project will cost is to contact Omni Pools & Scapes for a free consultation. Without seeing how large your property is, the slope you are working with, existing landscaping, and so on, it would be nearly impossible to give you an accurate price quote.

Does Stamped Concrete Require a Lot of Maintenance?

The good news about stamped concrete patios is that they don’t require much maintenance. This is a consideration to keep in mind if you are on a budget or anticipate being on a budget in the future. Stamped concrete is just as durable as plain concrete so it will hold up well for years.

To keep your stamped concrete hardscaping looking good, you should sweep it regularly and wash it occasionally with a push broom. You can also pressure-wash it if you’d rather do that. Your outdoor flooring will be sealed when it is installed, so you can ask your installer how often you should have it resealed. The first winter after you have the concrete sealed, it is best to avoid de-icing salts if possible, as this can cause you to have to reseal it sooner than you otherwise would.

What Are the Benefits of Stamped Concrete?

Installing any type of hardscaping outside your home or commercial property offers several benefits, and using stamped concrete has some benefits of its own. Here are some reasons to consider having this type of hardscaping installed:

Stamped concrete boosts your curb appeal at a lower cost than stones would cost. If you are trying to mimic a slate or stone patio or walkway, you will probably find that stamped concrete is less expensive and still has the same visual appeal.
Stamped concrete can raise the value of your home . When it comes time to put your house on the market, you might find that customized hardscaping helps you to sell it more quickly and possibly even for a higher price. Homebuyers like to see upgrades and many look for features that make outdoor entertaining easier.
You won’t have to pull weeds between the stones . One big advantage to having stamped concrete installed rather than paver stones is that weeds won’t pop through.
Stamped concrete lasts a long time . You will not have to replace your hardscaping for many years, which makes it an economical choice over the long term.

How Can I Decide if Stamped Concrete is Right for My Project?

Omni Pools & Scapes offers a free consultation to property owners in the greater Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati areas. One of our experienced landscapers can talk to you about your project and help you decide whether stamped concrete is the right material for your home or commercial property. Contact us today to learn more about the various materials we use and to schedule your free consultation appointment.

How to Have Green Landscaping

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 19:48:09 GMT

If you are planting flowers and trees in your backyard, you might assume that you’re doing something good for the environment. While that very well may be the case, some of the landscaping practices that homeowners take part in can actually have a detrimental effect. If you are looking for green landscaping alternatives, you may have switched from harmful fertilizers to more natural types, such as organic manure, and have also probably cut out harmful insecticides as well.

In addition to these measures, however, is there more you can do to reduce your carbon footprint through your landscaping choices? Yes, there is! Here are some tips on green landscaping to keep in mind:

When it comes to green landscaping, taking care to use items and plants that you already have, as well as materials that have been used before, is a great first step. In addition, take advantage of the natural qualities of both your plants and trees and the environment and your climate.

Consider Your Climate

Where you live will have a big effect on the types of plants that you should be planting as well as how certain landscaping techniques will work. For example, if you live in the desert, then planting trees that require a lot of water isn’t going to be very environmentally friendly.

On the other hand, if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain in the summer, these same plants may do very well with very little intervention on your part. The best way to figure out what to plant is to consider what grows natively in your area. If you can find it in the forest, then it will likely do well in your backyard without the use of harmful fertilizers and other chemicals.

Use Plants and Trees as Natural Shade and Windbreaking

As you design your garden, you’ll want to use the trees to your advantage. For example, if the summer sun is strong where you are, planting trees where they can shade the southern side of your home will help keep it cooler during the hot afternoons. This can reduce the amount of air conditioning (and electricity!) that you use to keep your home comfortable.

If you are in an area with cold winters, then using evergreen trees to break up the wind headed toward your home can have the opposite effect in keeping your home warmer in the winter, reducing your oil, electricity or natural gas consumption. Planting shrubbery around the perimeter of your home can help provide a layer of insulation which will keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Choose Green Landscaping Materials

Your landscape is made up of more than just trees, flowers and grasses. As you choose hard materials for your garden, walkways and other areas of your landscape, remember that using recycled materials is usually better than using new materials. If you want to use stones, look for a company who uses stones gathered inland rather than those gathered near the water.

Recycled concrete is more eco-friendly than new concrete, as not only does it help keep old concrete out of landfills, but it doesn’t require the process needed to make concrete in the first place. Avoid treated wood products if you can; if you need to use wood mulch, avoid the type that is artificially dyed.

Use Solar Power

Finally, when picking out lighting for your front and back yards, utilize the sun whenever possible. Solar powered lights won’t raise your electric bill. Of course, they won’t be as bright as electrical lights, and won’t be as effective during the winter and periods of cloudiness and rain, so a combination of solar lights and traditional lights will probably be necessary.

When it comes to green landscaping, taking care to use items and plants that you already have, as well as materials that have been used before, is a great first step. In addition, take advantages of the natural qualities of both your plants and trees and the environment and your climate.

Christmas Light Safety Tips

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:46:25 GMT

This time of year, many of us are stringing up Christmas lights. The debate over whether flashing colors, twinkling white lights, or icicles are the way to go, but one thing remains the same: Not following basic safety rules when installing your lights can lead to injury.. or worse! Whether you are putting up one string around your porch or in a competition for the best-lit house in your neighborhood, here are some Christmas light safety tips to keep in mind:

Be Careful With That Ladder

You’re probably going to need to use a ladder to put your lights up. Safe ladder use is slightly different in the winter than in the summer because you may have to contend with ice, snow, and wind. If it’s bad out, save the light stringing for another day. You should be good to go if the ground is dry and ice-free and the wind isn’t kicking up a fuss.

Have someone help you so that you can always keep three points of contact on your ladder: If you are using one hand to string lights, then both feet need to be firmly on the rungs. If you are actively climbing, then you need to have your hands free to hold onto the ladder.

Never stand on the top rung of a ladder, and make sure it’s in good working order before you begin. If you don’t feel stable, then you probably aren’t, so if things seem shaky or wobbly at any point, carefully descend and re-place your ladder on more even ground.

Prevent House Fires

Improperly installing or using your lighting could lead to fires. Don’t overload your circuits: Read the manual that comes with the lights to see how many strings can be safely connected. Be sure that you are using an outlet that will be able to support the required electrical load; if the breaker flips, then you have too many lights connected or plugged into one socket.

Also, even perfectly wired lights can cause a fire if there is an electrical malfunction, so don’t leave your lights on overnight or when you aren’t home. If you are home and awake, you’ll be able to detect a problem when it first occurs, saving your property and maybe even your life.

Be Careful on the Roof

It should go without saying that if the roof is snow- or ice-covered, you should not be up there, but every year, many people visit emergency rooms due to falling off of slippery roofs. Only venture up if the roof is dry and if you are sure that it will support you. Watch out for any soft spots; remember that ice accumulating under shingles can cause soft spots in the wood. You might find this out by climbing on the roof before you detect a leak in your house, so tread carefully.

Decorating for the winter holidays can be an exciting and fun part of your neighborhood or family tradition. Just keep basic safety tips in mind so that you can enjoy the holiday in one piece!

How to Keep Your Lawn and Garden Tools in Good Condition

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 19:46:08 GMT

Spring is about to start, and it will soon be time to get out all of your yard and garden tools. If you are like many of us, nothing pertaining to your garden has seen the light of day since last fall. In some cases, you’ll have some repairs and maybe even some replacing to do, but most of your equipment should be emerging from your garage or shed relatively unscathed. Here are some great pointers on keeping your lawn and garden tools in good condition throughout the spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Do Basic Maintenance Before You Use Your Tools

For your lawnmower and trimmer, this means checking and changing the oil and, if you didn’t do it in the fall, draining the gasoline before adding new gas. Inspect the belts, sharpen the blades, and check the pressure on the tires, if applicable. Scrub any dirt off of your tools before trying to start them up or using them.

Troubleshoot Any Problems That You’re Having With Your Lawnmower

There are some common problems that might be the issue if you’re having trouble getting your mower to start after being stored for several months. You can check out this article on points to go through on your lawnmower, featured on Angie’s List.

Store Your Tools Properly Between Uses

While you just got done with storing your tools for the long haul, there are some things that you can do to keep everything in good condition even when storing from week to week. For example, make sure that you wipe down your equipment after each use so it’s clean and dry. Also, be sure to store your tools in a dry area of the garage or shed to protect them from those spring showers!

Don’t Neglect Your Smaller Tools!

Your hand tools didn’t cost as much as your mower or trimmer, but it’s still frustrating to have to replace them prematurely. Wipe them down after each use, removing all dirt and moisture. Be sure to hang them properly or store them where they will be safe from being stepped on or banging against other tools. This will help to prevent dents and dings.

Keeping your yard equipment in good condition means that it will serve you longer, which is something you want from every investment that you make. It also means that lawn care will be easier and go more quickly, which might not seem as important in the early days of spring, when you might be itching to get out and get your hands dirty, but will be appreciated during the longer, hotter days of summer. Do what you can now to maintain your garden tools, and you will reap the benefits of a beautifully kept lawn and garden!

How Does An Inground Swimming Pool Add Value to a Home?

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 19:41:13 GMT

There are plenty of benefits that accompany investing in an inground swimming pool . As you do your research, you’ll have plenty of questions — and one of the first is “Will an inground swimming pool add value to my home?”

The answer is a resounding yes, and it does so in a variety of ways:

An inground pool adds a unique feature that will make your home stand out in today’s competitive housing market.
Advancements in inground pool technology mean more options to suit your family’s lifestyle and budget.
Pools offer a great opportunity for exercise, entertainment, and quality time spent with your loved ones.
With your own private pool, you’ll have a peaceful place to relieve stress and relax in the sunshine or enjoy a night swim before bed.
Enjoy fabulous staycations with all the comforts of home.

A gorgeous inground swimming pool adds more than monetary value to your property, it also gives you and your family a whole host of other benefits. Read on for even more reasons to invest in building the pool you’ve always wanted!

A Swimming Pool Adds Value to a Home by Standing Out

According to the experts at Money.com , properties with pools are more valuable and in demand now more than ever before. Homebuyers are searching for houses that have all the amenities, like an upgraded kitchen, smart home technology, and a stunning pool.

Exactly how much additional monetary value a new pool will add to your market price depends on a range of factors. The well-respected real estate firm Redfin points out a few to consider:

Your location and climate
The materials used
Landscaping and lighting
Patio and decking
Outdoor upgrades such as water features, an outdoor kitchen, or firepit

Being able to build your pool from scratch means that you can truly customize every aspect — the only limit is your imagination. Solar and electric heaters extend the amount of time per year that you’re able to enjoy your beautiful pool.

Adding a custom spa also adds value to your property by increasing the usability throughout the seasons and offering beneficial aqua therapy for chronic injuries. Invest in high-quality materials to ensure that you get the most enjoyment from your pool for many years to come.

A Pool Includes Today’s Trends

Because there’s such a soaring demand for new pools, the industry is enjoying a golden age of development. You don’t have to settle for the old-fashioned look from your childhood, as there’s now a nearly endless combination of materials and products to choose from.

Another major consideration for your project is which type of pool to build. Here are the three top options to consider:

But which one is the smartest choice for your property and budget? Below are a few more details to help you decide which pool will work best for you.

Fiberglass

Made from a molded chemical compound, fiberglass pools are available in several shapes and sizes. They can be gel coated in various colors, and their special finishes add an additional layer of luxury to any backyard setup.

Fiberglass pools are also manufactured with an “anti-algae agent,” say the pros at Poolonomics , and help keep your water nice and warm. Easy to maintain, these are specifically designed to last 50 years or more. Since they’re pre-formed, installation is of a fiberglass pool is simple.

Vinyl

Vinyl pools are versatile, cost-effective, and can be configured in many different ways. The underlying structure will last for many years, but the somewhat fragile liners have to be replaced around every 10 years.

It’s also important to make sure these pools are serviced with specially formulated cleansers, as normal pool chemicals can corrode the vinyl. The liners are soft on feet and swimsuits, and mold and algae resistant.

This is a great choice for a busy family, with a moderate budget, that’s ready for years of poolside fun. You can also incorporate fun technology into your new pool design, like tanning ledges, built-in water features, or a hidden grotto with LED lights.

Concrete

As a concrete pool is built entirely from scratch, it is typically the most expensive, yet customizable option. Concrete is also somewhat high maintenance, and you’ll need to stay on top of regular water testing and maintenance to keep the water clear and free of algae. Don’t forget about keeping it free of bugs!

These pools are built to last as long as they are properly cared for. Tiled pools are quite enduring and offer a luxurious and artistic appearance. At the same time, concrete pools do take the longest to install, but since all of the work is custom, you’ll be able to design the dream pool you always wanted.

A Pool Provides Fitness for The Whole Family

Swimming is also recommended as a great exercise for all ages, as it offers all the benefits of cardio without the impact of jogging and other sports. If you have kids, they’ll love hanging by the pool all day, having their friends over for a swim, and inventing new games.

Pool workouts can also burn more calories than land-loving workouts because of the water-resistance. Healthline suggests water exercise is especially beneficial for those with arthritis or other joint issues (but always check with your doctor before beginning any exercise routine).

Many parents love the summer months, knowing their children are at home, getting plenty of exercise, spending time with family, and tiring themselves out in a healthy way. The end result, hopefully, is a better night’s sleep for the entire family!

If your children don’t already know how to swim, having your own pool ensures that they can learn in a safe and protected environment. Installing safety fencing if you have very small children or pets is an infinitely wise idea.

A Pool Can Help You Find Your Peace

The pool and spa industry has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years, as more people have moved to working remotely. An invigorating afternoon swim is leaps and bounds better than a boring coffee break.

You might be working from home more often, but life, in general, can still be very stressful, especially if you’re a career-minded professional. Simply being in or near water has a noticeably relaxing effect.

The US Masters Swimming Association states that exercising in a pool increases serotonin and other proteins and neurotransmitters that help you feel happier. The rhythmic motion of breathing and moving your body also has a meditative effect.

One of the best parts about having a private pool is being able to get in and enjoy it any time of the day or night. After a long day or social event, a quiet evening dip before bed can help you wind down and achieve deeper sleep.

Create a Staycation Paradise

While everyone loves to take a vacation and get away from their worries for a while, it’s not always possible to travel long distances. In today’s uncertain world, long-planned cruises and flights can change suddenly — but your glorious backyard oasis is always there for you and your family to enjoy.

Invite your beloved friends and neighbors over for barbecues, baby showers, birthday parties, and any other special occasions. Spend time together safely outdoors in your magnificent and one-of-a-kind, private poolside paradise.

Conclusion

Installing an inground swimming pool is a big investment, but one that’s totally worth it in the long run. While an elegant and well-built inground swimming pool adds value to your home by making it more attractive to buyers, it also offers a mountain of other benefits and advantages that are less tangible.

Sources

Updating Your Home’s Exterior on a Budget

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:46:59 GMT

Spring will be springing later this month, and there’s something about the fresh air and crocuses that make us want to spruce up the house. Many of us will be focusing on spring cleaning this month, but our updating and cleaning up shouldn’t be limited to just the inside of the house. A limited budget isn’t any reason to neglect putting a few special touches on the exterior as well. Come home to a nice welcome by trying some of these budget-friendly tips on sprucing up your home’s exterior.

Give It a Good Washing

You can rent a pressure washer for a moderate price. Depending on what’s available in your area, you might spend $50 to $80 renting an electric or gas-powered pressure washer. If your home’s exterior is in good condition but looks grimy, then a good washing can really make a difference. Make sure that your read the directions on your washer carefully.

If your house was built prior to 1978 and you think it might be painted with lead paint, then do not use a pressure washer; in this case, contact a professional to have the paint tested.

Get Out Your Paint Brushes

It might be overwhelming to paint the entire house, but you can always make things look lighter, brighter and newer by simply painting the wood trim around the windows and doors. You can also paint the door or replace it.

A brightly painted door can give your home an unexpected pop of color. Choose something that complements or contrasts with the house’s color. Remember, even if you decide you don’t like it, it’s easy (and inexpensive) enough to simply paint over it again, so feel free to experiment!

Mow, Trim & Clip

Decorating for the winter holidays can be an exciting and fun part of your neighborhood or family tradition. Just keep basic safety tips in mind so that you can enjoy the holiday in one piece!

Add Some Charming Touches

If you have a front porch, a couple of rocking chairs and a small table invite someone to stop by and have a glass of iced tea. Some walkway lighting or a small fountain can also boost your home’s curb appeal. Think about what you already have, or scout out some yard sales to find pieces that will complement your home’s exterior.

Making your house look nice doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Basic cleaning up is often necessary after the long winter, and it can make a world of difference. From there, just a few small, inexpensive touches can make you and visitors feel welcome and make a great first impression.

Decorating the Outside of Your Home for Fall

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 19:47:35 GMT

Several holidays and happenings take place during the fall, so between these festive occasions and the changes in color all around us, fall is a great time to spruce up and decorate the outside of your home. During the spring and summer, when everything is in bloom, outdoor decorating can, for the most part, handle itself once you have your garden planted, and as long as you keep it maintained.

Once fall arrives, however, most of the plants in the garden stop blooming, and you might not know what to do in order to keep your home looking welcoming from the outside. Here are some hints on decorating the outside of your home for fall:

Line Your Front Entry With Pumpkins and Gourds

These fall harvest beauties are plentiful this time of year, and they’ll stay fresh and pretty on your porch step once the temperatures dip. Don’t feel like you have to stick to orange; pumpkins and gourds come in all colors, from white to black, purple and green, and everything in between.

You can go a few different ways with this: Buy pumpkins in various sizes and create an attractively asymmetrical design, or try to buy an even number of pumpkins that are roughly the same size, lining them up neatly in pairs, step by step.

You can also carve the pumpkins as October winds to a close, and nestle gourds in between them. Don’t feel like you have to stick to smiling jack o’lanterns; try some of these geometric designs, as featured on BHG.com.

Fill Your Planters

Now that your planters are no longer sporting brightly colored flowers, you can use them in other ways in your front entry. One option is to use fall-friendly flowers, such as mums. Another is to create a cornucopia effect: Fill the planters with floral foam, then cover that with a variety of fall’s best. First put down burlap, hay, moss or some other versatile covering.

Some possibilities to go on top of your first layer include small branches full of gorgeous foliage, dried pods and a variety of “fall picks” from your local craft store. You can also fill your empty planters with small gourds and pumpkins, Indian corn or other seasonal items that you can pick up from your local pick-your-own farm.

Don’t Forget a Wreath

You will want to welcome fall as well as your guests by putting out an attractively seasonal wreath. Buy one at a craft store or one of the season’s craft fairs, or make your own. Use hay, burlap, raffia or any other material that brings out the essence of autumn. Pinecones, pressed leaves, berry branches, twine, nuts, cinnamon sticks and evergreen branches can all be combined to make a delightful wreath.

Another idea is to make (or purchase) a wreath made out of birdseed to help sustain our feathered friends. This is probably something that should be hung away from the front door, however, unless you want to be sweeping up birdseed (as well as other evidence of your little visitors) from your porch each day!

Decorating the outside of your home for fall also includes basic maintenance, such as removing fallen leaves from the walkways regularly and sweeping away whatever dust and dirt blows onto your front porch or step. Keep up your home’s curb appeal by creating a welcoming atmosphere as you decorate for the seasons.

What Should I Do With My Landscaping in the Fall?

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 19:43:03 GMT

Now that summer is over, you might be looking forward to the cooler temperatures of fall. You might also be happy to get a break from cutting the grass and pulling weeds from your flower beds, but this doesn’t mean that your work is done. You probably want to keep your yard looking great all fall and winter long, and you might be concerned about preparing your lawn for next year’s grass and flowers, too. Luckily, these tips can help you prepare your landscaping for the fall and winter seasons.

Aerate Your Lawn

Fall is the perfect time to aerate your lawn. This helps with moving oxygen, nutrients, and water around in the soil. It also helps make very compact soil much easier to work with. Aerating your lawn makes it easier to plant grass and helps you ensure that your grass is beautiful, healthy, and strong when it grows.

Remove Leaves

Of course, you don’t just have to worry about dead leaves littering your lawn. They can find their way onto your driveway, walkways, patios, and porches, causing a messy look. If they fill your gutters, they can prevent the water from flowing through them properly. Make sure you clean your gutters regularly and use a rake, leaf blower, and broom to get remove from around your property. If you do it regularly throughout the season, you can prevent the leaves from piling up.

Add Mulch

Now is a great time to add mulch to your flower beds and the area around your house. This helps add a little bit of color to a drab, dead lawn, for one thing. Best of all, though, mulch can help protect your plants’ roots from the cold temperatures, helping them survive through the fall and winter. Plus, you’ll probably find that mulch is a good addition all year long, since it can help plants retain nutrients and moisture and can help prevent weeds from growing.

Remove Dead Annuals

The annuals that you planted around your yard might have looked nice all spring and summer long, but it’s time to get rid of them now. Old, dead annuals only make your lawn look more depressing and dull during the fall and winter months. Plus, by removing them now, you can make room for any annuals that you might be hoping to plant next year.

Trim Your Perennials

If you have any sensitive perennials that will not do well in the colder weather, such as exotic flowers or trees that thrive in warmer temperatures, you’ll need to pack them up and move them indoors. Be careful not to damage their root systems when transferring them to a pot.

Bring in Very Sensitive Plants

Although your perennials might not look their best during the winter months, you can make them look better by trimming and pruning them. Not only will this help you prevent them from looking messy, but it will help you keep them healthy until spring.

Drain Your Pond and Water Features

If you have a small pond on your property, you may want to drain the water and clean the pond out before the freezing temperatures hit. If you have fish in your pond, you will obviously need to make other arrangements for them, such as by putting them in an indoor fish tank until you refill your pond. Alternatively, you can enjoy your pond all year long if you add pond heaters, which are designed to keep the water just warm enough that it will not freeze.

Water fountains and other water features can be damaged by the colder temperatures of fall and winter, too. Drain the water out of these features until spring to prevent them from cracking due to the expanding, freezing water.

Add Cold Weather-friendly Plants

Of course, you don’t have to add any plants to your landscaping during the fall. If you are missing the color of your lawn, though, you do have options. Adding evergreen shrubs is always a good idea; they’re generally hardy and easy to take care of, and they look great when planted around the perimeter of the house or in your flowerbeds. They will add a nice touch of greenery to your yard all year long.

Plants that thrive in cooler temperatures, such as mums or poinsettias, are other options. Be aware that these plants probably will not do well when temperatures rise again, unless you provide them with special care.

Invest in a Fireplace or Fire Pit

Even though the weather can get pretty chilly in Ohio during the fall, you might still want to spend time outdoors. Luckily, there is a solution: adding a fireplace or fire pit. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit will help improve the look of your outdoor living space instantly and will provide a nice, cozy glow. Plus, it’ll help keep your patio or other outdoor living space that much warmer on chilly nights. Just make sure that you use your fire pit or outdoor fireplace safely to prevent any accidents.

Now is the time to start preparing your lawn for the cooler weather. The tips above can help you get started, and you can contact Omni Pools & Scapes for help with landscaping, hardscaping and adding outdoor features like fall-friendly fireplaces and fire pits. We also perform grounds maintenance year-round for commercial properties. Call us today to learn more about our services.

What to Do About Spring Yard Flooding

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 19:47:18 GMT

According to Punxsutawney Phil, spokes groundhog for Mother Nature, we should have only a few weeks of winter left this year. What a relief! You know what comes next: budding crocuses, blooming trees, fresh spring breezes… and soon enough, April showers. While April showers do bring May flowers, they also often bring another, not-so-nice effect: Yard flooding.

If your yard tends to get flooded in the spring, you’re not alone. Between the rain and the runoff from melting snow, March through early May is often a squishy, mushy, muddy time for many of us in the Ohio area. This can lead to plant death and destruction as well as a flooded basement. If you are dreading the start of spring due to your annual flooded yard, here are some tips:

Clean Your Gutters

Hopefully, you did this before the winter, but it’s time to do it again. Any leaves or branches that were blown down during snowstorms or by heavy gusts of wind may have landed in your gutters. When gutters get clogged and the heavy rains of spring come, they’re likely to overflow, causing a wall of rain to beat down just inches away from your foundation.

It’s a great way to end up with a water-filled trench that’s too close to your house for comfort. Choose a day when there’s no snow on the ground, and use your ladder to check and clean out the gutters.

Add Rain Leader Drains

Once your gutters are empty and clean, take a look at your downspout. If you have a divot in the soil at the base of the pipe, then you have another great spot for standing water to accumulate. Adding a rain leader drain can distribute the water 10 feet or more away from your home. It might end up creating a different flooded area, but at least it won’t be seeping into your basement.

You can also have a rain-collecting system put in; this will allow you to use collected rainwater for watering your garden later. Also, elaborate drainage systems can work wonders. If you’re looking for something less complicated, though, then a drain running three or four yards away from your foundation is a great start.

Consider Getting the Yard Graded

If you often have flooding problems, then having the yard sloped away from your house will eliminate or greatly reduce the problem. Most of the grading is done close to your foundation, but if your property is uneven or puddles form in various areas, then you can have the whole thing sloped slightly. The water will run away from your home, and you’ll enjoy a much drier yard and garden, even during the wettest of springs.

Taking these precautions can be much less expensive than dealing with water damage later. Call Omni Pools & Scapes to find out more about how you can prevent spring flooding.

The Best Maintenance-Friendly Landscaping Ideas

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 19:42:03 GMT

Everyone enjoys luscious, well-maintained yards, but who’s got the time these days to maintain them? Updating your front or back area with maintenance-friendly landscaping will save time and money, and create a valuable new living space for you and your family. If you’re planning on selling your home, an attractive, low-maintenance outdoor oasis, and great curb appeal is a huge plus for homebuyers.

Here are some of the best and most recommended tips & tricks for creating a practically maintenance-free yet beautiful yard with affordable landscaping elements:

Mulch is your friend
Plantscaping is perfect
The meadow approach
River rocks and gravel
Give artificial grass a chance
Xeriscape and native grass
Movable pots with perennial flowers & succulents

Give yourself the gift of more time to enjoy the good life with these ideas for the best in low-maintenance landscaping!

The Perks of Mulching

Spending time outside is beneficial to both body and soul. Creating worry-free outdoor areas with mulch is a fabulous low-maintenance yard concept – it’s easy to take care of, creates visual appeal, and increases the value of your home.

The most popular kinds of mulch are made from a variety of wood chips, small rubber pellets, natural home compost like coffee grounds, or a mix of cardboard and seaweed. Out in nature, beneficial mulch is created from fallen leaves, plant debris, and other decaying organic matter that provides valuable nutrients for the soil.

The experts at Country Living recommend that you rake fallen leaves quickly in the fall to prevent wet leaves from rotting the ground cover beneath and to create new mulch for the future. In the spring, putting down a hefty amount of mulch around your in-ground plants will help prevent the growth of pesky weeds.

Mulch also has several other important benefits, such as protecting plants from harsh weather extremes by regulating the temperature of the soil, reducing bacterial and fungal diseases, and generally improving the health and growth of your beautiful plants.

Plantscaping Is Key

A key element to a low-maintenance outdoor paradise is selecting the right plants for your localized weather. Study the weather cycles of your area and the flora that grows well in your climate with little extra work. Find seeds or cuttings from the naturally thriving plants in your neighborhood, or a knowledgeable local nursery.

You can create charming, easy-to-care-for beds of local plants with stone or wood borders and lots of mulch. Some homeowners also lay down weed-blocking landscaping fabric before adding mulch – this porous material keeps weeds to a minimum and helps keep your garden areas looking amazing.

It’s always a good idea to add plants that attract butterflies or help local bee colonies. The Old Farmer’s Almanac suggests planting milkweed, goldenrod, blueberry bushes, and mint to provide nourishment for a variety of colorful flying critters. Bees are crucial to the food chain, and the local honey they produce is excellent for fighting plant-based allergies. These important furry fliers love fruit trees, crocus, and calendula, as well as herbs like oregano and rosemary, which are super easy to grow.

Make it a Meadow

This trendy and eco-friendly concept is beloved by master gardeners because it’s so much better for the local environment. Verdant green expanses are lovely and welcoming, but unfortunately, they demand a huge amount of time, energy, and water – time that could be better spent having fun with your loved ones. The non-profit site Conservation Tools has some fascinating background info on why you should convert your lawn into a natural meadow that can thrive without irrigation or fertilizers.

Meadows offer a visually appealing habitat for birds and beneficial insects, as well as improves air and water quality. For a tidy meadow your neighborhood will adore, Rideau Island Master Gardeners suggest using the “ layered plant communities” method:

Limit Plant Selection to between five and seven hearty species, with “approximately 65% grasses” to “35% flowering plants.”
Pick plant varieties that thrive in your region.
Plant a dense base layer to increase biodiversity and prevent weeds – ferns and clover are very popular choices and work with many climates.
Arrange flowers in groups for changing seasonal colors.
Build a structural layer with “tall native perennials” – plants that come back every year.
Create a focal point with a natural feature or piece of art.

Low Water is Low Maintenance

According to National Geographic , Xeriscaping is “the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation.” It’s perfect for dry areas as well as being better for public health and the local environment overall – irrigation causes runoff of toxic fertilizers to seep into groundwater that communities use for drinking.

Xeriscaping also utilizes native grasses, which root deep and are nearly indestructible. These hearty grasses thrive freely in your neighborhood, in both cool and warm weather, and need very little water other than whatever the environment provides. Other plants used for xeriscaping include cacti, agave, juniper (what gin is made from), and lavender. Herbs like thyme, sage, and oregano also do well and add a wonderful scent to the air!

Movable Container Gardening

This is a tried and true method for having a lovely yard with very low maintenance. Decorative pots can be used in many ways, filled with a vast selection of easy-to-care-for plants, and moved around whenever you get the whim to take the best advantage of light during the changing seasons.

Some perennial plants and colorful flowers that thrive in container gardens include:

Lavender
Verbena
Creeping Zinnias
Hibiscus
Amsonia
Baptisia
Astrantia

And of course, succulents. As a popular, colorful, & low-maintenance plant, succulents are extremely hard to kill and do well in nearly any environment. They are drought-resistant and eye-catching, with their plump leaves and stems. Burro’s Tail, jade plants, aloe vera, roseum, and zebra plants are all lovely succulent choices for potting and keeping your yard as low-maintenance as possible.

Conclusion

There are dozens of maintenance-friendly landscaping ideas to consider, including those mentioned above, to help you create the yard of your dreams and increase your property value and curb appeal. You’ll also be able to spend more time outdoors with your friends and loved ones having fun, instead of spending endless hours on yard work. A little investment in a low-maintenance landscape now means a lot more relaxation later!

Sources

5 Ways to Keep Bugs Out of Your Pool

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:52:25 GMT

When your pool is not being used or isn’t being cleaned often enough, you might find some bugs drowning or swimming in it. The most common insects attracted to standing bodies of water are mosquitoes, water boatmen, and backswimmers. If you get these bugs in your pool, the treatment chemicals for your pool are insufficient to get rid of them. To achieve a clean pool, you can take a few steps to ensure the filters are functioning and the chemicals are optimal. Below, we will list the main bad guy ‘pool bugs’, followed by 5 steps to make sure your pool is adequately cared for.

Keeping Bugs out of the Pool

Regular Pool Maintenance: The Key to a Beautiful Pool

From skimming leaves to balancing chemicals, pool upkeep can quickly turn into a chore. With Omni Pools & Scapes, you can relax and enjoy your pool or spa to the fullest by using our cleaning and maintenance services.

We offer regular service on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. These visits take 45 to 90 minutes and get your pool in tip-top shape. Includes:

Skimming
Vacuuming
Brushing walls, floor, and any trouble areas
Emptying baskets
Cleaning the filter
Checking and maintaining equipment
Testing and balancing pH levels

Need Pool Service or Repairs?

Fill out the form below or call us today at

614-300-7666 .

Pool maintenance, properly executed, can save you thousands of dollars in pool and equipment repairs. Making sure to clean the sticks and leaves out of your basket filter can prevent your primary filter from being overwhelmed. Checking the pH levels can keep your pool a pristine blue while also preventing chemical wear and tear on your equipment. Remember that an acidic pool will create chemical etchings on the metal components of your pool and an alkali, or basic pool will cloud the water and make it harder for your filters to function. Trimming back trees and bushes will keep the bugs from hiding near your pool, and subsequently falling in. Sweeping and picking up around your pool will not only make it less hospitable for bugs but also keep your pool a safe and pleasant place to play.

Above-ground vs In-ground Swimming Pools

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:40:43 GMT

If you would love to see your family swimming and enjoying your backyard living space, a swimming pool is exactly what you need. Swimming pools come in many different designs and with various options, but the first question you will need to answer is whether you want to have an in-ground or an above-ground swimming pool. These are two very different investments, so it’s important to know the pros and cons of both types. Read on to learn more about what to expect from each type of pool so you can make the decision that is right for you.

Are Swimming Pools Permanent or Temporary?

When you picture a swimming pool in your yard, you probably envision using it for many years, perhaps even many decades. An in-ground pool, depending on the materials used, should do exactly that. It’s common for this type of pool to last 20 years or more, so it’s possible that your grandchildren will swim in the same pool that your children are currently swimming in. The installation process involves leveling the yard (if needed), digging a large hole, preparing the site for the pool, actually installing the pool, then installing any accessories (such as a heater) and filling it.

An above-ground pool, however, is considered a temporary structure. It goes up in a matter of a couple of days and while you might need the ground level first, it will not permanently alter the landscape of your yard. It will probably last around 10 years, at which time the structure will begin to become less stable. When the pool has lived its life, it can be easily removed and, after some time, the grass will grow back and you will not be able to tell that there was ever a pool in that place.

If you are looking for a long-term investment, an in-ground pool would make the most sense. If, however, you think you’d only like to use the pool for a handful of years and then would like it removed, an above-ground pool might be the best choice for you.

Which Type of Pool Provides More Customization Options?

If you are looking for a custom-designed pool, then an in-ground swimming pool is going to be the only real option. These come in virtually any shape you can imagine and with a wide range of features, from internal lighting to waterfalls. They also come in various depths; you can have a pool that is the same depth throughout or you can choose to have one side much deeper to create a safe area for diving. Your Ohio swimming pool contractor will be able to go over all of the many options with you.

An above-ground pool, however, generally comes in oval and round shapes, and there are several standard sizes to choose from. The depth is usually about four feet (some are a bit deeper) and diving is not ever going to be safe in this type of pool. There are not many special features to choose from. When it comes to an above-ground pool, what you see in the catalog or in a design studio is what you will get.

How Much Do These Swimming Pools Cost?

If you are operating on a tight budget, then an above-ground pool might make the best choice. They are substantially less expensive than an in-ground swimming pool, mainly because they are quick and easy to install and because the ground doesn’t have to be permanently modified (outside of leveling in some cases). With that being said, keep in mind that the cost of an above-ground pool (which will probably be in the $5-10K range) will not include any decking, which might be just as expensive, if not more expensive, than the pool itself.

An in-ground pool will cost several times more than an above-ground pool, but the final cost will include the grading, landscaping, and decking. It will also include the electric work needed to hook up the pool to your power system. When it comes to maintenance, the routine cleaning and chemical balancing will be about the same for both types of pools. Do keep in mind that liners on both types of pools will need to be replaced and that concrete pools will need to be resurfaced every decade or two, which can add to the overall cost.

What Impact Will Your Pool Have on Resale Value?

In general, an above-ground pool is not usually seen as a long-term investment and will not raise the value of your property. It might actually be detrimental to the value of the property because the new owners might not want to deal with having it removed right away or at some point in the near future. Also, some people find above-ground pools to be unattractive.

In-ground swimming pools do raise the value of a home, particularly in areas where swimming pools are common and desired. They look attractive, provide space for entertaining, and last for a long time, so new owners are not likely to have to worry about replacing or removing it in the near future.

Omni Pools & Scapes designs and installs custom in-ground swimming pools in Ohio. Contact us if you would like to talk about your future swimming pool needs.