Reef Tropical Pool & Landscape

Outdoor living spaces on Florida properties can be as much of a selling point as a remodeled kitchen - if you know how to showcase your landscape at the time of sale. Buyers expect to spend their time relaxing on the back patio with views of the water, or kicking up their feet poolside while they gaze at the golf course beyond their property.

Landscape enhancements that spruce up a landscape will help a house sell. Whether you are a homeowner who wants to move on quickly, or a realtor who’s focused on closing, you’ll want to partner with a landscape provider that can prepare the grounds for sale time, then maintain the property prior to showings. What should you expect? Here are 5 ways to improve the landscape - and the chances of selling.

Your pool is losing water, and you’re not sure why.

Is it a leak? Could there be a problem with the plumbing? Is the South Florida heat causing water to evaporate—and how much water loss is too much? If you’re examining your swimming pool and asking any of these questions, it’s a good idea to call your pool maintenance provider to find out whether there is a deeper issue.

Low water level in the pool is a common reason for customers to call us, and we can identify the problem quickly. We urge property owners to reach out to us right away if they suspect their pool is losing water. That way, we can diagnose and fix any issues before they become costly repairs.

If your pool is “seeing green” and you’re wondering how you can get algae out of your pool—and why it’s happening in the first place!—you’re certainly not alone. And let’s face it, no one wants to plunge into a pool with green-tinged water or telltale dark spots on the walls that indicate black mold.

The challenge is, because of the tropical climate in South Florida and The Keys, all plants (including bacteria) are constantly growing. The moist, warm air is a ripe environment for algae. Not to mention, there are a number of factors within your pool that can cause algae. Remember, your pool is a delicate system that demands proper balance for clean, healthy water.

So, why is their algae in your pool water, and what can you do to get rid of it? Let’s talk about some common algae triggers and how a pool professional can take care of the problem.  

Shade trees provide reprieve from the South Florida sun—they cool down your landscape and make outdoor spaces more enjoyable, even during the hottest times of day. Not to mention, shade trees are beautiful specimens! They introduce character, texture and color to the landscape year-round.

We’re fortunate in South Florida to have a variety of shade trees that thrive in our acidic soils. You’ll find a range of flowering trees with showy, vibrant color—and plenty of non-flowering shade trees that offer other fine qualities: textured bark, eye-catching foliage and interesting branches.

Since we already shared the top 10 flowering trees, let’s get to know the best shade trees for South Florida. It’s time to think beyond the classic palm tree and consider some of these picks, several of which are natives.

Now is the time when snowbirds are planning their escape—they’re preparing for warmer days, balmy evenings by the pool, and plenty of time outdoors in the Florida sun. South Florida property owners who winter here want to make the most of their experience during the season.

Landscape enhancements that are performed now roll out the welcome mat. That includes putting down fresh mulch, replacing plants that have weathered damage, cleaning up the landscape (leaves, debris), and popping fresh flowers into beds. Not to mention, South Florida got hit hard in early fall with tropical storms, so some properties might require more attention than usual to prepare the landscape for time in South Florida this winter.

Not sure where to begin? Here are some practical landscape enhancements for your South Florida property that will get your grounds in shape so you can relax and enjoy your outdoor paradise. (We recommend doing these landscape enhancements now so you can enjoy them while you’re here!)

Let’s face it—you lose pride in your pool when the surface looks shabby, not chic. If you gaze into the water and see a pool floor that looks like it has fallen on hard times—it’s just not inviting.

The reality is, most plaster pool surfaces are designed to last about 10 years. After that, the surface can show common signs of aging that are aesthetically unappealing, uncomfortable for swimmers, and degrading to the value of your pool and overall property.

But, there’s hope! There are a number of cutting-edge, modern options for pool resurfacing that will give your pool and space the updated look and feel you deserve. As a premium pool design, installation and service provider in South Florida, Reef Tropical has the opportunity to create and care for high-end luxury pools. Unfortunately, we also run into a lot of pools with poor construction, inadequate pool service and general issues that degrade the pool surface. The good news is, we partner with pool owners to help them breathe new life—and more value—into their pool/spa environments. It’s amazing how resurfacing a pool can elevate the entire experience you gain from your outdoor living space!

Whether your pool surface needs attention, or you want to update the look, there are options.

First, here are five sure signs that it’s time to resurface you swimming pool. And, we’ll share somepool surfacing options that are clients are loving. (We bet you’ll feel the same way.)

A pool technician arrives at your property to perform routine service—weekly pool cleaning for residences, and service three to five times a week for commercial properties. You see the pool cleaner take various measurements and then add some liquids and powder chemicals to the pool water. You might be wondering, “What is that stuff?” “Are those chemicals safe?” “How long should I wait to swim after the pool cleaner leaves?”

These are questions that our Certified Pool Operators (CPO) get often when they’re in the field servicing pools and spas. Ultimately, people want to know: Is my pool water safe? And, more specifically, some families are concerned about the health of babies, young children, pets or individuals with skin conditions that could be aggravated by chemicals.

We think these are important questions to ask your pool professional. As a wise consumer, it’s good to know exactly what is in your pool water—you need the truth.

The good news: When a trained, experienced CPO is cleaning your pool on a routine basis (as determined by the pool’s use and typical bather load), the water is safe for swimming. Pool water is healthy, well-balanced, clean and comfortable.

Let’s get more specific now and answer the question concerning what chemicals we add to pool water, what they do, and what other pool water safety concerns you should know about.

Mother nature gave us a stern reminder of who’s really in charge when the catastrophic Category 4 Hurricane Irma hit land, devastating South Florida properties.

Many who have lived or visited The Keys for decades say this was the worst storm they experienced in their lifetime. Ninety percent of homes suffered some type of damage, according to a report issued by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA). Irma destroyed 25% of houses in the Florida Keys, with 65% of homes weathering significant damage.

Now that the winds have died down and flood waters are settling, we face an overwhelming hurricane cleanup task that demands assistance from qualified, experienced professionals who can be on call around the clock.

The Florida Keys are a sought-after destination for tourists and property owners who own vacation homes in South Florida and appreciate the area’s stunningly beautiful environment. The beaches, the oceanfront homes, the luxury living and tropical climate make The Keys a true paradise. But nature isn’t perfect—hurricanes are a reality here, and you want to protect your pool and landscape from damage.

With hurricane-force winds, coconuts from your amazing palm tree become missiles and flying patio furniture can break through windows. Pools without proper overflows installed can flood.

The good news: You can prevent further property damage and protect your landscape and your pool during hurricane season by taking some precautions.

Let’s face it, no one can do it all. Building a house is your priority, but what’s outside is critical for boosting property value and providing the lifestyle homeowners seek in South Florida. By outsourcing pool and landscape design and installation—including pool and spa construction, landscape design and installation— you can save time and resources.

Reef Tropical has partnered with general contractors in South Florida for 20 years, and there is virtually no pool, spa or landscape issue we haven’t dealt with in our market. That’s why sophisticated general contractors including Coastal Construction, Suffolk Construction and Brodson Construction, among others, rely on our team to manage specific tasks related to the pool or landscape, or to take those components of their property developments from conception to completion. (Most turn the keys over to us because they know we are the pros in this space.) We specialize in creating and maintaining an outdoor entertainment area.