Swimming Pools & Spas

Buying an in-ground swimming pool is something you want to plan and research carefully before you spend any money. A permanent feature like this will be costly, so you will want to make sure it is...

Older swimming pools will start to look beat up, dirty and dingy with time. Coping cracks, sinks and separates. The decking gets stained and cracked. Tile cracks, grout gets ugly and the whole...

At least once a week, you will need to vacuum an in-ground pool. Debris and dirt from the bottom of feet will make its way into the pool, which must be removed to keep the water clean. If the...

When the weather starts to give way to warm spring months, you will be eager to get the pool open for the summer swimming season. You will need some supplies and a little time to get the pool open...

Maintaining and regulating the pH levels of your pool is essential in order to have a safe and healthy swimming experience. The ideal pH level for your swimming pool is somewhere between 7.2 and...

Adding a swimming pool to your yard is a big decision. Inground pools are expensive, and permanent. Before investing in one, consider how many months a year it can be used, how costly it will be...

When it comes to building a backyard pool, fiberglass instead of concrete is a great alternative. If you've seen the large pool shells on display at pool-supply stores, you may be somewhat...

Installing an in-ground pool is one of the more challenging outdoor building projects. Not only does it require heavy excavation of your landscape, but there are several decisions you need to...

Installation of a used hot tub or spa requires planning and setting priorities. Hot tub specialist Terry Tamminen says before installing a hot tub, consider your budget; how the hot tub will be...

Burning eyes, faded swimsuits and corroded pool equipment and liners are all possible side effects of using traditional chlorine pool sanitation. Finding an alternative way to keep your pool water...

There are several reasons why pool water might be cloudy, but if your pool water is clean and well filtered, then chances are that the cloudiness may be a PH issue. Pool water should be maintained...

Commercial pools and some residential pools have drains installed on the bottoms that make emptying the water a simple matter of using the pool pump to cycle out water. Vinyl pools, however, most...

From time to time, an inground pool filter needs cleaning. This could be when the pump gauge is close to redlining, or when the sand in the pump is dirty. If the pool water level is high, for...

Maintaining proper hot tub chemistry is a big deal; bacteria thrive in warm water, and the last thing you want is to have you and your guests become ill while doing something that's supposed to be...

Depending on the brand and design of your pool filter, this can be a task completed within an hour or an all-day affair. The sand in your pool filter makes a tremendous difference in how much you...

Building your own inground pool is a major project that takes a certain amount of knowledge in building a pool. You have to do your research and create a budget that you will be able to adhere to....

Keeping your swimming pool full of clear water requires a delicate balance of the chemical content of your pool. Depending on what problems you are having with your water, there is likely one or...

Saltwater, or saline, pools are an alternative to traditional chlorine pools. Instead of keeping bacteria and algae away by using a lot of chlorine---which smells, burns your eyes and can be hard...

A good pool alarm system is essential for a few reasons. It can alert you when someone is in your pool when they are not supposed to be. Since it is your responsibility to secure your pool,...

Cleaning an in-ground pool requires a considerable amount of time each week during the swimming season. Plan on devoting at least a couple of hours each week to the task. Create a swimmer-friendly...

Pond weeds are one of the most irritating aspects of owning a pond. They can completely choke up the pond, rendering it useless. However, with the use of herbicides and other cleaning methods, it...

Pool toys take up an inordinate amount of room and your backyard pool deck can be littered with pool toys, making it look like a balloon massacre at a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kids need...

Intex swimming pools are a very popular because they are simple to set up and do not require a great deal of care or maintenance. Additionally, because they come in a wide variety of size options...

Swimming pools provide homeowners with hours of entertainment and exercise during the warm weather months. Above ground pools need as much care as in ground pools and one area that needs the most...

To keep your pool sanitary and safe to swim in, you want to ensure its chlorine concentration stays above 1 part per million (ppm) to prevent algae and other similar organisms from growing in it....

Opening an in-ground pool in preparation for summer takes time, energy and money. It entails removing the cover, cleaning everything, reinstalling ladders, the diving board, refilling the pool,...

Having a pool in your yard is not always a pleasure. Regular maintenance is a requirement, and even then the unexpected can happen, such as waking up to the sight of green water in your pool. If...

Today, pool installation no longer requires the help of a professional contractor. You can install your own pool in just a few days or weeks and also add some sweat equity to your home. However,...

Phosphates are minerals and a vital source of nutrition for plants, including algae. According to Health Canada, algae are not hazardous by themselves, but they reduce the effectiveness of pool...

While it is relatively easy to find a home to rent in almost any area, finding a home for rent with a swimming pool may prove to be a bit more challenging. Depending on the geographic area in...

Pond netting can protect your fish from predators, such as raccoons, cats, dogs and predatory birds like blue herons and egrets. Pond netting also prevents leaves and other debris from falling...

After owning your pool for some time you may notice that your pool pump hoses are showing wear and need to be replaced, or maybe you are installing your pool for the first time and need to install...

Regular maintenance of your inground swimming pool is necessary. One of the most important parts of maintenance is shocking your pool. Most swimming pool manufacturers recommend using granular...

Lithium hypo-chloride shock is a stable primary oxidizing sanitizer, a chlorine alternative for hot tubs, spas and pools. It is chlorine-based, but does not have a strong chlorine odor. Lithium...

The best way to be frugal with both time and money in cleaning a pool is not to let it get dirty in the first place. Keep the right balance of chemicals, empty baskets and filters, and scoop out...

If you have a pool that you sanitize by adding chlorine directly to the water and you've decided you'd like to try a saline system instead, you can install a saline chlorine generator in just a...

If the water in your pool looks dirty even after you've skimmed the bugs, leaves and other debris from the surface and used chemical cleaners, your pool's filter is probably due for a new...

Cleaning a pool liner is simple, but there are certain cleaners and procedures that make the process easier. With the right materials, any pool liner can be easily cleaned and maintained. To...

Swimming at night can be enjoyable in an in-ground pool with built-in light fixtures that illuminate your pool. After some time, however, the light bulbs will burn out and you will need to replace...

Your in-ground swimming pool provides lots of enjoyment for your family during the hot, summer months, but you're the one who needs to commit to regularly care for and maintain it so it keeps its...

You need to ensure that the level of free chlorine in your pool stays high enough to keep it sanitary and safe to swim in. Free chlorine levels in your pool should be at least one part per million...

A swimming pool is a wonderful addition to any home. But a pool requires routine cleaning and maintenance to ensure you always have sparkling clear water and stop any serious problems before they...

A swimming pool is a fun addition to your yard, but it will need to be kept clean. Water that has turned green is filled with algae and bacteria, and this makes it unsafe to swim in if it is left...

Installing a pool liner is a simple yet difficult process. Even though there are few steps and materials necessary to complete the job, it requires a lot of work. One of the most important parts...

A hot tub can be a source of pleasure and relaxation, but it can also be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that cause illnesses like Legionnaires' disease (see Reference 1). That is why it is...

To ensure your pool is safe to swim in, you need to sanitize the water with a chemical such as chlorine or bromine. Chlorine is the most commonly used sanitizing chemical, and maintaining a level...

Common household bleach and purpose-manufactured liquid chlorine (sometimes known as shock) share the same active ingredient. Both sanitizers can be used to effectively treat and maintain swimming...

Many swimming pools are now being designed and built with fountains, hot tubs and water falls. How well the landscaping is done for these pools with water features can make the difference between...

To make your pool safe for swimming, you need to ensure the water remains sanitary. Keeping the chlorine levels in your pool above 1 part per million (ppm) will oxygenate the water sufficiently to...