Outdoors Pools

If you have a pool, you’re no stranger to the work that goes behind maintaining it year after year. One of the most important parts that keeps your pool running in top shape is your pool filter. There are a handful of different filter types from which you can choose depending on your personal preferences. If you are planning to use a sand filter for your above ground pool, it’s important to choose the right size.

As an avid fan of hair products, I know a ton of different conditioning treatments for my hair. As a swimming enthusiast, I had absolutely no idea that pool conditioners are a thing, too. We all know that conditioners are supposed to make the quality of the intended object improve. However, pools are pools. So, what is a pool conditioner supposed to condition? The water’s already clean, so….what’s going on here?

Pool liners are what separate your pool’s water from the rest of the world. They are a mainstay when it comes to your pool’s ability to contain water well. In fact, you kind of need to have a pool liner that’s fully functional in order to properly swim in your pool. When you have a hole in your liner, it’s normal to have a need to patch things up. It’s clear that you are going to need to fix holes, but how big is too big to fix?

People don’t always realize this when they’re bathing, but pools require a lot of electricity to make things work. Pools have to have that current running so that their vacuums work, so that things are heated, and so their pumps work. They tend to put a lot of stress on breakers. Sometimes, it may be too much for older breakers. That’s why you should know what size breaker you need for a typical pool pump.

After a long day working, the thought of easing into a hot tub and letting the high-powered jets massage your muscles is appealing. You want to kick back and relax while the bubbles soothe your worries away. In order to enjoy that luxury, you need to have a hot tub. Maybe you are replacing an old hot tub, or perhaps this will be your first time taking the plunge. You need to know your best options for buying the right hot tub at the best time.

A  hot tub is one of the most luxurious ways to relax during the colder months, but where should you have it installed? Can you put a hot tub on gravel?

When I first felt a pool jet on my feet, I remember feeling it like was the best thing ever. As I started to learn about pools, I realized that jets aren’t always just there to feel nice. They also can carry certain roles in pool cleanliness as well as water refreshing. I was surprised, though, to hear that pool jets need to face a certain way. But, which way are your pool jets supposed to face?

Vinyl pool liners are an amazingly affordable way to ensure that your home has a safe pool that you can swim in. As one of the most popular pool liner materials on the market, it’s easy to see why people enjoy them. Unfortunately, they do have the drawback of having to be pre-made. But, does that mean you also can’t paint them? Is customization really off-limits?

Hot tubs are great for relaxing after a long hard day at work. They can also be beneficial for fibromyalgia, low back pain, and arthritis. But the damage that can be caused by your hot tub freezing in the winter is not so good. Because water expands to around 10% of its volume when it freezes, pipes and other equipment can crack or break due to the expansion. But there are many ways you can keep your hot tub from freezing.

Nothing is worse as a proud pool owner than the sight of murky, green pool water. The sight of green pool water can dissuade anyone from swimming, and it can be quite concerning. As unappealing as it looks, is it safe to swim in green pool water?

Saltwater pools are more popular than ever before, and rightfully so. They offer a more eco-friendly alternative to bleach for your pool’s sanitation, and also make you feel like you are in the middle of the ocean. Though saltwater pools are hip and trendy AF, there are a lot of questions to ask about how to filter them. I mean, can a regular sand filter work?

Ah, there’s nothing like a day in the pool. The sun is shining, the water is cool, the pool pump is making a loud buzzing noise…Wait. The pool pump isn’t supposed to sound like a loud motor having a temper tantrum. Pool pumps are supposed to be (kind of) quiet. When your pump is getting as loud as a nightclub on a hot day, you need to get to the bottom of whatever is causing it.

Adding a relaxing element to your home is as easy as putting in a swim spa or pool. Swim spas are similar to a pool, but also hold many characteristics of a hot tub. Because of that, many builder-owners set their eyes on a swim spa to boost their home’s value.

Adding tile to your pool can create a stunning showpiece in your backyard. Not only are glass and ceramic tiles beautiful to look at, but they are strong, long-lasting, and very low maintenance. Pool tiles can transform the entire look of your pool with just one simple installation.

Installing a swimming pool is no small endeavor. It is also the kind of decision that requires some thought, planning, and information. There are safety considerations to consider along with deciding on what type of pool, and the impact that installing a swimming pool may or may not have on your property. One question that may likely surface is regarding property taxes and does an above-ground pool increase property taxes.

When you have a pool of your own, water temperature matters quite a bit. You don’t want it to be too cold, but you might still want it to give you some feeling of refreshment. If you want to have a warmer pool, you might have considered getting solar pool heating for it. It’s definitely an option, but that doesn’t always mean it’s right for you. You might even be wondering whether it’s even worth the price tag…

If you’re considering installing a saltwater pool in your backyard, you likely have a lot of questions. Saltwater pools serve as an alternative to traditional chlorine pools, and although you don’t have to manually add chlorine to a saltwater pool, they still contain chlorine. They have a much smaller amount, which is produced by a salt chlorine generator. This filtering system turns salt into chlorine, to effectively clean a saltwater pool.

Intex above ground pools is a cost-effective alternative to traditional in-ground pools. Intex above ground pools come in varying shapes and sizes to fit many different yard space and budget.

You have your home, but you want to create a perfect little oasis that you can escape to when you want to relax. This usually includes a nice hot tub you can take a dip in to draw a close to the day or night. But, as with any big-ticket purchase, you need to make sure you’re making an informed purchase. That means you need to know what brands you should steer clear of.

If you’ve ever splashed around in an outdoor pool, you already know how different the air can feel once you swam. It’s not unusual for people to worry about it being too cold to swim. The area’s air temperature will affect your swimming pool’s temperature and your health. Ever wonder when it is too cold to swim?

I’ll be honest. There are so many different terms that you can learn when it comes to pool talk, it kind of shocks me. (See what I did there?) When I first heard about swim spas, I assumed that they were the same things as pools. Believe it or not, they aren’t. Swim spas and pools are different, and if you’re looking into getting one, it’s good to know what you should expect.

When you swim in almost any pool, you’ll end up tracking some small amount of dirt into the pool’s water. It’s just the way things are. If you have an outdoor pool in a windy area, you might also get some dirt blown in after a particularly strong gust of wind. Obviously, that’s pretty gross. So, how can you clean dirt that’s managed to settle at the bottom of your pool?

Having your own private pool on your property is an amazing bonus, and likely makes you one of the most popular neighbors on the block in the summertime. Maintaining a pool, however, can be a bit costly when you use a professional cleaning service. This is why many pool owners try their best to treat and clean pools without the help of professionals. But sometimes regular pool maintenance is not enough, and your pool can look dirty or stained. When you notice your pool tile is starting to stain, how do you clean it?

If you are a pool owner, you know that there are numerous different maintenance tasks to keep up with in order to ensure that your swimming pool remains clean and functional. One of these important maintenance tasks that helps keep your pool’s filter system in proper working order is known as backwashing.

The typical sand pool filter holds 250 pounds of sand or more at any given time. This can be a lot of materials to handle at once, which is why it’s important to know what you can do with it once it’s time to replace it.

Maintaining a pool is never easy—at least, when it comes to the tedium and actually keeping on top of it. At times, you might even have your tools fail you while you’re trying to work on the upkeep. Keeping things working smoothly can be difficult, especially if you noticed that your pool pump loses pressure after a few minutes of work. What causes this to happen, anyway?

Building a pool can be challenging. And some properties aren’t fit for pool installation. So, can you put a pool liner on wet sand, or is it too risky? Here is everything you need to know.

A swimming pool adds value, character, and a wealth of fun opportunities to any home. A heated pool takes it even further by allowing you to enjoy the pool and swim when it’s cool out. Naturally, many builder-owners set their eyes on a pool heater, but how much does one cost?

When it comes to finishing and waterproofing the inside of your new or remodeled swimming pool, you have a number of different options to choose from. While standard plaster – which consists of cement, sand, and additives – is the most popular, Pebble Technology International (PTI) offers several distinct textures of pool finishes.

A temporary pool can be an exciting addition to your yard during the hot summer months. It offers a fun way to cool down, enjoy the season, and spend time with family and friends. But before you purchase a temporary pool, you might be wondering: Do you need a permit?

As the weather gets cooler, it’s time for many people to start taking care of basic pool maintenance and repairs. Many people assume that in-ground pools need to be drained during the winter months, but the opposite is actually true. 

There is much more to owning a pool than enjoying a refreshing dip on hot summer days. To keep your pool water and equipment in tip-top shape you must properly treat your pool by balancing various chemical levels. More specifically, your pool should maintain a pH between 7.2 and 7.8 and an alkalinity level between 80 and 120 ppm.

Swimming pools are beloved fixtures of modern homes, but they don’t run properly unless they have effective filtration systems. The average residential pool can circulate its entire volume of water every six hours, which means the average pool filter can turn over 36 gallons of water per minute.

A pool is always a great addition to any home. However, owning a pool comes with a set of responsibilities. For regular maintenance, a pool needs to be cleaned.

When you first become a pool owner, the first thing that becomes apparent is that you are going to need a lesson in chemistry. There are so many chemicals that you are going to have to get acquainted with. You might already know that you’re going to need some form of chlorine, but did you ever wonder why people are talking about bleach? Is that even meant for pools?

Pools are great for when you want to cool off during the summer. They’re also excellent for those who love low-impact exercises. However, many people are not fond of the amount of chlorine that goes into regular swimming pools. To bypass the potential health effects of exposure to chlorine, people choose to install a saltwater pool, but at what cost?

Endless pools or swim spas have gained quite some popularities in recent years. Naturally, homeowners begin to ask the question about pricing. How much does an endless pool cost?

Any above-ground pool can become uneven over time, due to faulty installation or because the ground under it shifts or settles. Even a slight loss of balance can result in wasted water and damage to the pool’s structure. In extreme cases, the walls may collapse, resulting in serious injury or death. This is why it’s important to level your pool.

Your pool is your oasis. You want it to be cool, calm, and relaxing. But you also want it to be beautiful all year long. So, refinish the surface to match your house with the best color for a pool deck.

Swimming pools are a great way to cool down during the hot summer months. However, it’s not always easy to know when you should add a shock treatment and how much is too much. Can you put too much shock in a pool?

A swimming pool is high maintenance, but it is worth the work for the luxury it affords in hot weather. It is critical that you consistently add chlorine and shock the water to kill germs. So, why is it that the chlorine in your pool simply disappears?

If there is one thing that I’ve learned by doing tons of writing and research on the topic of pool liners, it’s that they tear. And when they usually do, it tends to be when water is in the pool. The most obvious way to patch up a pool liner would be to drain the pool. But, what if you don’t want to drain your pool? Can you patch a wet pool?

Got a swimming pool? Where do you drain it? There are many situations that warrant draining your pool, such as winterization or significant algae, but you should always consider the ecosystem before draining or leveling the water in your pool.

Pool pumps are a necessary part of swimming pool health, and they help sanitize the water. However, they can run into trouble and fail to operate properly if the capacitor is outdated or damaged. So, how can you tell if a pool pump capacitor is bad?

Saltwater pools are all the rage these days, and part of the reason for it deals with the way that they work with plants. Having a little plant life breathes an eco-friendly freshness into your spa area. Of course, you will have to pick the right plants. Saltwater pools tend to salinate the area around them, so it’s important to know what type of plants work well around them.

You want a fantastic pool in your backyard. But the layout of your property may not allow for the design you created. So, what do you do when sewer lines get in the way? And can you install a pool close to the sewage line or not?

Intex pools are one of the most affordable types of pools on the market. They’re above-ground pools that are durable and at the same time,  relatively easy to maintain. However, they tend to have one major snag. Sometimes, they end up being uneven. When this happens, you need to know what to do…and if you’re at risk of something worse.

Pools from time to time will need maintenance. Most simple repairs and cleaning tasks can be fixed with the water still in the pool. However, for larger issues, you may need to drain it. If you have to call out a professional to drain your pool, you may be wondering if you can just leave it empty until the next time you need to use it.

Anyone who’s ever bathed in a poorly-maintained pool will tell you that an unsanitary pool is a serious threat to your health. That’s why most new pool owners tend to delve deep into their pool maintenance research. One of the more difficult issues to discuss is the topic of adding bleach to a pool in order to keep it sanitary. So, how much is enough…and how much is too much?

Whether purchasing a hot tub to entertain or as an exercise solution, there are several considerations to keep in mind. If you’ve looked at different styles and models, remember that you should also consider the size. Use this as a guide to determine the hot tub you need for your backyard or home. 

Having an inground pool can be an awesome feeling, but will an inground pool increase property taxes? It is a question you have to ask yourself anytime you make home improvements. With this informational guide, you will have that answer.

Do you have a gas pool heater that you’d like to power using propane? Propane-powered gas pool heaters are great for heating up pools in a short amount of time. They’re especially ideal if you only use your pool occasionally, since they only have to run when you’re using it. But what size propane tank is needed to fuel a gas pool heater?

Fiberglass pools have such a popular following. They are sturdier than typical vinyl or Intex. They also tend to work well with people who want to customize them with bells and whistles. As a person who gets the need to be customized, I understand the love people have for adding a coat of paint to their pool walls. We know it’s cool with concrete, but can you add flair to your fiberglass too?

When you first start reading up on all the bits and bobs surrounding pool maintenance, it becomes clear that salt is a thing. Like, big time. There are tons of different types of salt that are used in keeping our water’s conditions good to go. For example, most people don’t even realize that pool salt is different from the salt used to soften water. Check out the differences between the two…

After you’ve bought a brand-new hot tub for your backyard space, your next most important decision is to decide where you’re going to put it. Not only must the location be sturdy enough to support the hot tub, but you also want to ensure that it looks appealing and complements your landscaping to create a tranquil, outdoor sanctuary.

There are few ways more fun to beat the summer heat than to jump into your swimming pool. If you’re lucky enough to have a pool, then you know how much fun they can be. However, you also know how much work they can be, especially with dirty water. One of the best ways to take your water from dirty to clean is to add a pool clarifier.

A solar cover is a great addition to your heated or non-heated pool. If your pool has a heater, you will have to retain all the heat you can. If it is heated, saving heat with a solar cover is a great way to save money.

Pools and spas are, in my opinion, some of the best outdoor fixtures that a home can include. But without electricity, these fixtures wouldn’t be the wonderful luxuries we know today, as many of their features require electricity. Pumps, lights, and heaters are all pool components that require electricity.

When it comes to your pool’s ability to stay safe for swimming, few things are as important as water sanitation. That’s why doing regular pool shock treatments is one of the most important things that you can do for your pool. Most pool owners have a schedule they stay by. Ideally, it’s a schedule that’s filled with sunshine. But, if you live in a rainy area, you need to be aware of whether it’s smart to shock a pool in the rain.

There are many reasons why you may need to drain your pool. You may want to add fresh water or prevent overflow from an impending storm. While it is possible to drain water out of your pool without a pump, adding a pump to the process can make things faster and easier.