Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool refinishing is very expensive. Refinishing a pool professionally can be very expensive. However, for much less, it is possible to replaster a pool on your own. It takes a few professional...

Repainting the interior of a swimming pool yourself can save you money when done correctly. But you should consider several things before making a final decision whether to do it yourself or hire...

You added chlorine. The pH is perfect. You skim and vacuum daily. But the pride of your backyard, the pool, just seems to be dull and lifeless. It is time to paint your pool. Years of harsh...

You've determined a repair patch is necessary in the plaster pool, because you see a spot where loose plaster is no longer bonded to the surface. How fortunate you are: not only will you save...

Water balance, which means the correct pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness levels, is critical in the fight against algae. Although these water properties themselves cannot kill the algae, levels...

The cost of a pool liner can run anywhere between $500 to almost $2,000, and this doesn't even begin to cover installation. Even though most places suggest hiring someone to replace an inground...

Is there an obvious puddle or wet spot in the grass or on the concrete somewhere around the pool perimeter? If there is, then your leak is most likely very close to that location. If there is no...

A sand filter contains a number of individual parts that work collectively to remove dirt and debris from your pool. At the bottom of the tank is a series of slotted fingers also known as...

Replastering a pool on your own is hard work both from a physical and mental standpoint. Trial and error is certainly a part of the process. Yet replastering a pool on your own is personally...

Most people delight in spending lazy summer days around the family swimming pool. In-ground pools are an excellent long-term investment that bring considerable joy to most neighborhoods. However,...

You love the feel of a hot tub's warmth and the soothing massage of the water jets. Unfortunately, you just can't handle the big price tag. So, why not build one yourself. You have many different...

Algae can sometimes show up in a backyard swimming pool as an unexpected and uninvited visitor. It can quickly take over a pool and appear in various colors such as green, yellow, brown or black....

Sometimes leaves from nearby trees can land in an above ground pool, especially in the fall of the year. Their quick removal is essential for good pool maintenance. Leaves left in the pool for too...

Designed for outdoor use, a hot tub provides warm water therapy that makes the installation of one worthwhile even though it may seems a bit challenging. Significant preparation is necessary in...

A vinyl swimming pool liner can last in some pools for up to fifteen years; however, eventually they all need to be replaced. The solid blue color liner has branched out into a multitude of...

Clean water is what everyone likes to swim and relax in when using the backyard pool. This water clarity depends on things like the amount of filtering, bather load and chemical additions. What's...

Priming is the term used to describe when air is purged from a pump, allowing water to move freely through it. Priming is essential to pool and spa pumps. A pump may need to be primed for several...

Pool filter sand requires changing every three to four years, depending on the usage and care given to the pool. The correct type of sand is #20 silica sand, which has a grain size of between...

Swimming pool filters remove dirt and debris from the water. The most common type of filter uses #20 silica sand as the filtering media. Grains of sand have jagged edges that snag particles as...

Assembly of an aboveground pool goes from the ground up, so to disassemble one, we must think in reverse. Ladders, stairs, pool alarm systems, hanging lights and any other pool accessory that is...

Imagine yourself with a pina collada relaxing on a float in your newly built in-ground swimming pool. Swimming pool construction is believed to be a job only for pool companies who build them. Did...

The decision to remove an inground swimming pool can be difficult. It's a costly process that requires a lot of preparation, heavy equipment and hard work. There is probably a local government...

A leaking main drain in an in-ground swimming pool is often a pool repair technician's worst nightmare. It usually means draining the pool completely and breaking through the plaster and concrete...

A manually operated pool vacuum is a common way for swimming pool owners to keep their pools sparkling clean. Vacuuming is a part of the weekly maintenance that is necessary to ensure that all...

Chlorine used to be the primary way of sanitizing pool water until the early 1980s, when a chlorine alternative named Baquacil was developed and introduced into the marketplace. This alternative...

Pool vacuum systems are made for both in-ground and above-ground pools. These systems are designed to alleviate the monotony of vacuuming and are programmed to vacuum the entire floor of the pool...

When setting up an above ground swimming pool, one of the most important things to remember is to be tree-free. Leaves and flowering buds that find their way into your pool is like ringing the...

A pool pump is an important part of the overall filtration system and requires correct sizing and installation to be effective. For above ground pools up to and including a 24-foot round, a...

The filter for your swimming pool removes dirt and particles from the water in order to keep it clear. Selection of a brand-name, properly sized system is crucial for proper performance. Placing...

Leveling the ground to install a new above ground pool is the absolute correct way of starting the project. If your pool is already up and it either started out unlevel or shifted into that...

Your swimming pool depends on a combination of your diligent maintenance and an appropriately sized and fully functional filter system. Sand filters are and have historically been the overwhelming...

The cause of a pool problem, such as cloudy water, can be the result of one thing or a combination of factors. Improper backwashing, chemical imbalance, chlorine addition at the wrong time, poor...

Moving an above ground pool requires physical work but do not forget about doing some paperwork as well. Remember to write down or mark where parts came from so that reassembly will go smoothly. A...

In order for you to have a pool that you and your family look forward to being in, the filtering system must be functional to remove accumulated debris. Regular maintenance and chemical additions...

At the heart of any pool filtering system, such as a sand filter, the driving force behind it is an appropriately sized pool pump. The power that the pump generates pushes the pool water through...

There comes a time in the life of a sand filter when even the best maintenance can no longer help the sand inside. After about three to four years, the individual grains of sand have become worn...

A new business is a risk that careful analysis of demographics can help you understand. In order for your dream of owning your own business to become a reality, you must do some homework prior to...

Part of the American dream is to be able to own your own business and be your own boss. In order to make that dream a reality, a number of factors must come together. Planning is probably the most...

From time to time, your backyard swimming pool may wrestle with a bout of algae. This condition can occur because of neglect, imbalanced water, broken equipment, vacations or not enough sanitizer....

There are several reasons for taking an above ground pool down, but regardless of why you are doing it, the concern is how to do it. When you take the pool apart, it is important to do it in the...

In order to have a great looking pool, you need to perform proper weekly maintenance. Part of this means checking chemical balance, emptying skimmer and pump baskets and vacuuming leaves and any...

So you want to install a sand filter? If you are strong, patient and handy you can do it yourself and save some money on labor while doing it.

Whether you are about to set up a new pool, or replace the liner in your existing pool, this is the time to add some additional cushioning to go under that liner. The product to use is Happy...

The pump and filter system associated with an above ground swimming pool is the first line of defense in maintaining clear and clean water. Without it, the pool would quickly turn unusable. In...

When it comes to having a clean-looking pool with clear water, the filtering system is critical. A sand filter can trap very fine particles and prevent them from returning to the pool. The...

You are about to install a 27-foot above ground swimming pool, but before you do there are a number of factors that you must consider. This is the time to do all of your planning so that once you...

Your new spa can provide you and your family with many hours of relaxation. Addressing water quality issues, both initially and on a weekly basis will keep it safe to use. It is not difficult to...

Good filtration is one of the keys to having a successful pool that is clear and sparkling. A sand filter is one of several types of filtering systems that can accomplish this. Although all parts...

This is a step by step article to install a new liner on your existing pool

How to Change a Pool and Spa Light Bulb. This can be done without calling a pro out. Most the time when you call a service tech out they will sell you a new light when all you really needed was a...