Swimming Pools & Spas

Swimming pools are one of the best summer spots for taking a break, having fun, and exercising. Even though they are engineered for easy cleaning and maintenance, keeping the water sparkling and...

Chlorine is a chemical used in most swimming pools to disinfect the water. Unfortunately, prolonged exposure to strong doses of the chemical can be detrimental to your health. Whether your...

Most pool owners know they need to periodically "shock" the pool to bring sterilization back to a base level. Shocking a pool means adding a large quantity of sanitizer, as such chlorine or...

In a pool, water pressure comes from the water's weight. The pressure is a function of the water depth, not the pool shape. If you start out with the density of water, you can easily calculate...

Having a swimming pool is a great way to stay cool in the summer, but there's some work that goes into making sure that pool is a safe place. Chlorine is a chemical added to pool water to keep it...

Installing an in-ground pool on your property can be a costly but worthwhile investment. To preserve the fun and relaxation you and your family experience with your pool, you must properly protect...

A jacuzzi spa provides a relaxing haven at the end of the day for soaking tired muscles. Jacuzzi spas, also called whirlpools or hot tubs, are available in a range of sizes to meet special space...

If you are constantly adding water to your spa, there is a good possibility the shell has a crack. Over time, cracks can occur from temperature changes or even movements in the ground. There is...

Most problems with your pool can be traced back to the pump. The pump is an important piece of mechanical equipment because it keeps water circulating and helps to keep the water clean. Whether...

Pool maintenance is more than just cleaning the pool. There are mechanical systems that need to be looked after to ensure that the pool is running for years to come. If you notice a problem with...

Having a hot tub or spa tub is perfect for relaxing or entertaining friends. However, these tubs can be a breeding ground for bacteria, and over-chlorinating will not eliminate it. Most people are...

Having a swimming pool is a rewarding experience filled with opportunities for family fun, recreation and entertainment, as well as the additional tasks associated with maintenance. However, only...

Swimming pool skimmers help to collect leaves in the pool, filter debris, and helps keep the pool healthy and clear. The swimming pool skimmer is designed to discharge water from a pressure...

Sweat bees are bees that are attracted to human sweat. Sweat bees are relatively small and often make their homes in wood. All bees, including sweat bees need to search and collect water. They...

Tired of chlorine stinging your eyes and wreaking havoc on your hair? Then it's time for you to get rid of your chlorine-based pool for a saltwater pool. Saline based pools are environmentally...

Algae--small plants that have no roots and turn crystal clear water into a green, brown, yellow or black slimy mess--can be a hassle for pool-owners. Algae can be found floating in the water or...

If you have always wanted a pool in your backyard but worried about the expense, an Easy Set Pool can be an excellent alternative to a professionally installed above-ground or in-ground pool. Some...

Closing your swimming pool and sand filter can be a daunting task; it signifies the end of summer and the colder weather approaching. It's important that your pool has balanced water and be closed...

Properly closing an above ground swimming pool for the season isn't a good idea, it's a necessity. Save money and extend the life of your pool by doing it the right way.

The filter is one of the most important parts of your inground pool system. You want to have the cleanest water possible for your family, so make sure you know how to operate your filter...

Sand can be a nuisance when it gets into a pool. It can cause the pool filter to get clogged faster. It also can feel uncomfortable on the bottom of your feet when you are in the pool. Sand...

A small pool is a nice way to cool off quickly in the summer, or to add an accent to a flower or rock garden. However, small pools, simply because they are small, require a little extra care than...

The pH level in a swimming pool is the measurement of acid in your pool. Swimming pool pH levels are measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with 0 indicating a strong acid base and 14 indicating a...

Pools are a great outdoor attraction, providing both beauty and amusement for the entire family. Most tiles used in a pool are already sealed. This is especially true if they are ceramic tiles....

When it comes to disinfecting swimming pools, it comes down to two options: chlorine or bromine. The traditional chlorine is still more widely used because of its commercial availability and ease...

Hard-water stains are fairly common on fiberglass pools. Aside from being an annoyance, they diminish the beauty of the swimming pool. Proper maintenance of the swimming pool will help prevent...

Algae is a single-celled plant that is a common problem in swimming pools. Algae comes in a variety of colors and forms and is adaptable to almost any condition. Although most forms are harmless,...

The SoftSwim Pool Program is a non-chlorine treatment for swimming pools that leaves the water incredibly soft and gentle on the skin, hair and eyes. The SoftSwim products are liquid, so they do...

Pool alkalinity can change rapidly with improper maintenance. Properly caring for you pool will help to ensure that your pool water does not become drastically out of balance. This is accomplished...

When your pool water is healthy, crystal clear and the pool water is inviting, you are maintaining your pool properly. Caring for your pool is relatively simple. A proper pH balance is neither too...

A pool heater is responsible for heating the water; this process extends your swimming time through the cooler season. The water heater is installed and positioned outside the pool between the...

Chlorine is used in pools because it kills algae and bacteria. When chlorine levels are low, the pool becomes green and murky. This is a result of the water being "hungry." The water goes after...

You can prevent harmful contaminants from invading your pool by raising the level of free chlorine in the water. Shocking a pool describes a process of raising the amount of free chlorine to 10...

Liquid chlorine is used in pools as a disinfectant. Its ability to kill off any bacteria as well as algae organisms that threaten to turn water green makes it an important part of weekly pool...

Over time, you may find that the grout around your pool tile has begun to crack and lift. Exposure to the elements, chlorine, and sun may have faded the color of your grout and left you with tile...

Adding a solar water heater to a pool can reduce the need for wasteful and expensive electrical heating elements. A solar water panel uses sunlight to warm a continuous flow of water through black...

Pool water seems to be disappearing faster than you can refill it? For anyone with a pool leaks can be a hassle. Over time, almost any pool is certain to experience a leak, and finding them can be...

Leaks are inevitable with inflatable pools. Discovering a leak in an inflatable pool can sometimes be tricky. Luckily, there are a couple do-it-yourself methods that can help you discover where...

Winter has ended, the warm weather finally approaches again, and the family cannot wait to splash about in the pool; however, there's only one problem with this picture: There's no water in the...

Think you have a leak in your pool but not sure how to determine where it is? Over time, most pools will develop a leak somewhere. Luckily, there are a few easy steps you can take to locate the...

Proper backwashing of your pools sand filter is one way to keep it filtering properly, and to ensure it does not build up dangerous amounts of pressure. Sand filters use sand to filter your pools...

Sometimes large amounts minerals like iron in pool water cause the water to change colors and stain the pool walls. They can even discolor hair and nails. The colors vary from brown, red, black...

Pools are great for relaxation and exercise, but the chemicals used to keep them clean and safe might not be so safe for the environment. In many areas, it is illegal to release chlorinated pool...

A soft-side water bed is made of one or multiple water-containing mattresses inside a foam frame, which sits upon a deck, usually made of wood or metal, for stability. These solid decks are...

Hot tubs, like swimming pools, rely on free chlorine to kill algae and bacteria. The chlorine attacks the water molecules, displacing some of the oxygen, which then kills the anaerobic organisms...

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...

Salt water pools, while harmless to humans, can be damaging to pool equipment and vinyl siding. The effect of saline water against the skin leaves it feeling soft and refreshed, but salt water...

When it comes to pool cleaning and maintenance, ozone emerges as the favorite over chlorine. Europeans used it for more than 100 years in hospitals to refine water and to contain odor. Like...

Above-ground pools are a less expensive alternative to in-ground pools. However, during the colder months, the question always exists of what to do with the above-ground pool. For pools with...

Because spas need to be run continuously throughout the day to maintain a specified high temperature, the spa components have a tendency to wear down. There are a variety of common problems that...