Frequently Asked Questions

Gunite pools are made from pressurized concrete poured or “shot” over a steel frame. Fiberglass pools are made of lightweight fiberglass that has been molded to a specific shape. See More 

We work with many financing companies; we recommend you reach out to any lenders you have a relationship with as well as a few pool specific lenders. See More

Our new pool department builds primarily within 60 miles of San Antonio. This includes the surrounding areas of Bulverde, Lake Hills, Boerne, Floresville, Pleasanton, New Braunfels and more.

The following items aid us in the design process- Survey, HOA approval, City Permit. We also recommend that the area has clear unobstructed Access for our machines and Power run to the area for the pools equipment pad.

We are happy to help with the following tasks: cleaning, repairs, remodeling. 

We do the work, you have the fun!

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Our pools are made with a transferrable warranty that covers the shell and structural integrity of the pool. See More

Absolutely, if you’re buying a property with an existing pool our team will be happy to come out and take a look to prevent any surprises with your new investment.  See More

How to Preform a Bucket Test to Check for Leaks

This test will also help you pinpoint if the leak is structural or in the plumbing. 

This is a 2-part, 48-hour test.  You will need to 1^st perform the test with the pool equipment ON and record your data.  Then, perform the 2^nd test with the pool equipment OFF and record your data.  Compare the result of the two and contact Gary Pools Repair for further assistance.

For this test, you will need-

• 5-gallon bucket
• A black sharpie
• A tape measure or ruler

 

NO pets or swimming allowed in the pool during the bucket test.

 

Testing with Pool Equipment ON (Plumbing)

1. Bring pool water to normal level.
2. Fill the 5-gallon bucket with the water from your pool until it is 1 inch from the top in the inside of your bucket.
3. Place the bucket on the first or second step inside your pool and mark the outside of your bucket.
4. It is a good idea to take pictures and write down what time/measurements of you bucket.
5. In 24 hours, come back and measure the inside of you bucket and the outside.
6. If the measurement for the outside of the bucket is greater than the measurement for the inside of the bucket, you most likely have a leak.

Testing with Pool Equipment OFF (Structural)

1. Bring pool water to normal level.
2. Fill the 5-gallon bucket with the water from your pool until it is 1 inch from the top in the inside of your bucket.
3. Place the bucket on the first or second step inside your pool and mark the outside of your bucket.
4. It is a good idea to take pictures and write down what time/measurements of you bucket.
5. In 24 hours, come back and measure the inside of you bucket and the outside.
6. If the measurement for the outside of the bucket is greater than the measurement for the inside of the bucket, you most likely have a leak.

If you have passed both tests, but still feel strongly you have a leak- You may call Gary pools for leak detection. We will ask for the results of the testing and move from there.

Additional Notes- Please keep these in mind when looking for water loss at your pool

• Check around your overall equipment area for water or damp areas
• Check around your yard coming from the equipment are towards your pool for wet spots on the ground
• Make notes of any cracks in the pool structure itself
• A sudden loss of Calcium, Cyanuric Acid (stabilizer), or salt
• Check your tile line for leaks or calcium deposits

Before a freeze you will want to insure you have water flowing through all of your pipes. Setting your pump to low speed and opening all valves will typically allow water flow sufficient to prevent water from freezing in your plumbing lines and equipment.

Modern pumps and automation systems have built in freeze protection and will automatically turn on your pump when the air temperature drops near freezing. This help but it is still recommended that you inspect your pool and equipment prior and during a freeze to make sure all is well.

An outdoor swimming pool, including an in-ground, above-ground or on-ground pool, hot tub or spa shall be surrounded by a barrier as follows:

Top of barrier: Must be at least 48 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool.     

 

Bottom of barrier: Maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as an above-ground pool, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the pool structure, or mounted on top of the pool structure. Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches.

 

Openings:  Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.

 

Solid barriers: (e.g., masonry or stone wall) May not contain indentations or protrusions except for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.

 

Fences:

Chain link: Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 2 ¼-inch square unless the fence has slats fastened at the top or the bottom which reduce the openings to not more than 1¾ inches.

Diagonal members: (e.g., lattice fence) Maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall not be more than 1¾ inches.

 

Gates: Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching. Locks may be used in conjunction with the self-latching device however are not permitted as a substitution for a self-latching device.

 

Self-latching device: The release mechanism of the self-latching device must be located at least 54” from the bottom of the gate OR the release mechanism must be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3 inches below the top of the gate and the gate and barrier must not have an opening greater than ½ inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism.

 

Dwelling wall used as barrier: Where a wall of a dwelling serves as part of the barrier, one of the following shall be provided:

1) the pool shall be equipped with a powered safety cover in compliance with ASTM F 1346; or

 

2) doors with direct access to the pool through that wall shall be equipped with an alarm which produces an audible warning when the door and/or its screen, if present, are opened (the alarm shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2017 and the deactivation switch(es) shall be located at least 54 inches above the threshold of the door); or

 

3) other means of protection, such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices, which are approved by the City, shall be acceptable if the degree of protection afforded is not less than the protection afforded by the described above. Self-closing doors with self-latching devices could be used in conjunction with door alarms to safeguard doors which give access to a swimming pool.

 

Door Alarms:

All doors that allow access to a swimming pool should be equipped with an audible alarm which sounds when the door and/or screen are opened.

Alarms should meet the requirements of UL 2017 General-Purpose Signaling Devices and Systems, Section 77 with the following features:

• Sound lasting for 30 seconds or more within 7 seconds after the door is opened.
• The alarm should be loud: at least 85 dBA (decibels) when measured 10 feet away from the alarm mechanism.
• The alarm sound should be distinct from other sounds in the house, such as the telephone, doorbell and smoke alarm.
• The alarm should have an automatic reset feature to temporarily deactivate the alarm for up to 15 seconds to allow adults to pass through house doors without setting off the alarm. The deactivation switch could be a touchpad (keypad) or a manual switch and should be located at least 54 inches above the threshold and out of the reach of children.