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While it offers protection for your pool during the winter months, a pool cover can sustain weather-related damage that will reduce its effectiveness and longevity. Holes, tears or rips in the cover can allow dirty water and other debris into your pool. These elements can degrade the water quality in your pool, soil tile or other decorative surfaces or damage the filtration system. Addressing issues such as ice, water and leaf buildup can reduce the possibility of damage.
Shower valves that supplies both a showerhead and a tub spout require some type of diverter. When functioning properly, a diverter allows the user to direct the water in whichever direction she likes -- to the showerhead or to the tub spout. If the diverter is not working properly, however, it may block all or a portion of the water from reaching one of its destinations.
Most dogs are fairly good swimmers, especially water dogs with bodies built for swimming such as the Labrador or golden retriever, poodle, Portugese water dog or Irish water spaniel. Some breeds, however, don't take to the water so well. The bulldog, for example, has a lot of muscle and very little fat, so it must work much harder to stay afloat.
What better time to enjoy the steamy relaxation of a hot tub than when the wind is howling and the snow is flying? If you take care of your hot tub, there's no reason you can't take advantage of it during a cold winter -- and if you're smart about it, it shouldn't cost a fortune, either. If you want to forget about your tub until spring, however, you'll still have to prepare it for winter.
Pool plumbing is a little bit different than regular home plumbing. Find out if you can Roto-Rooter a pool drain with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional with over twenty years of experience in this free video clip.
Draining your pool uphill requires the careful use of something called a submersible pump. Drain a pool uphill with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional with over twenty years of experience in this free video clip.
Shock and Clear Shock are two methods used to maintain the chemistry of swimming pool water. Learn about the difference between Shock and Clear Shock for a swimming pool with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional with over twenty years of experience in this free video clip.
Draining a pool connected to a sewer may be something you need to do if the chemistry has gotten out of balance. Drain a pool connected to a sewer with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional with over twenty years of experience in this free video clip.
A green cleaning a hot tub can be cleaned quite effectively by using just a few key products. Learn about a green clean process for a hot tub with help from a home cleaning professional in this free video clip.
Hot tub jets may begin leaking for an unfortunately large number of reasons. Find out more about repairing a leaking hot tub jet with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional in this free video clip.
Even the most expensive hot tub cover isn't going to last forever. Find out how to replace a hot tub cover with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional in this free video clip.
Acrylic is a great tool to keep around, especially if you want to seal those cracks in your hot tub. Seal cracks in a hot tub with acrylic with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional in this free video clip.
Keeping a hot tub germ-free requires you to use the appropriate tools in the best possible ways. Keep a hot tub germ-free with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional in this free video clip.
Installing and replacing a hot tub pump seal doesn't require years of training and experience. Install and replace a hot tub pump seal with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional in this free video clip.
Replacing hot tub siding can help give an old unit a fresh new appearance. Find out how to properly replace hot tub siding with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional in this free video clip.
How you'll go about repairing hot tub jets depends largely on what is wrong with them in the first place. Repair hot tub jets with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional in this free video clip.
Repairing a hot tub circuit board is always something that you have to do with a certain degree of caution. Find out how to properly repair a hot tub circuit board with help from a swimming pool and spa industry professional in this free video clip.
A pool light gasket needs to be replaced in a very safe and secure way, as the light itself is hooked up to electricity. Replace a pool light gasket with help from an experienced swimming pool and spa industry professional in this free video clip.
A pool vacuum needs to be connected in a very particular way if it is going to have any hope of doing a good job. Connect a pool vacuum with help from an experienced swimming pool and spa industry professional in this free video clip.
De-calcifying a hot tub can help get the water chemistry back in order. De-calcify a hot tub with help from a hot tub professional in this free video clip.
Disconnecting a hot tub requires a certain degree of caution so that you don't damage the tub, the electrical system or hurt yourself. Find out how to disconnect a hot tub with help from a hot tub professional in this free video clip.
High density foam for hot tubs has a number of clear benefits that you should be aware of. Learn about high density foam for hot tubs with help from a hot tub professional in this free video clip.
The first thing you need to do when emptying a hot tub is shut off the circuit breaker. Learn about the proper way to empty a hot tub with help from a hot tub professional in this free video clip.
Tree sap has a tendency to slowly build up on a hot tub cover over time. Clean tree sap from a hot tub cover with help from a hot tub professional in this free video clip.
Water chemistry is extremely important to the longevity of your hot tub. Learn about things that will absolutely ruin a hot tub with help from a hot tub professional in this free video clip.
Cleaning a hot tub is going to require that you have access to a few very particular tools. Clean a hot tub the proper way with help from a hot tub professional in this free video clip.
Ceramic tile work is intended to add a touch of character and artistry to your swimming pool. Owners can use tiles to create a wide array of objects and designs that reflect their individual styles, tastes and personalities. Ambitious types who are up to the challenge of building their own ceramic tile swimming pool will find that it's no easy task, although the spoils of victory do include an eye-catching addition to the backyard, which they can relax in all summer long.
You can enhance a shallow swimming pool with the rugged, organic beauty and tranquil rushing sounds of a rock fountain. A simple rock fountain requires basic construction skills, takes only a few hours to build and uses materials found at most aquarium, garden and hardware stores. Rock fountains work well in pools or pool sections used for ornamentation, dipping or light swimming, but for safety reasons they should not be installed in areas used for diving or water sports.
Installing a hot tub provides a space for relaxation before or after a swim. Placement of the hot tub is easiest by leaving all walls of the pool intact and setting the hot tub back a few feet. The hot tub can be added on a different level at poolside. Or, it can be installed adjacent to the pool space so that you can simply move into the hot tub quickly. In your hot tub design, however, be sure to make choices that prevent risks for cracks to the walls of a swimming pool.
It is necessary to marble dust your swimming pool when the old finish becomes discolored or worn. The marble dust is also known as plaster or marcite. White marble dust is one of the most popular colors, according to Pools of Perfection. It reflects the blue sky during the day and results in a sparkling and inviting pool area. Applying the marble dust yourself is possible if you rent the correct tools and work quickly. This is a money-saving project that you can do yourself in a couple of days.
Tree roots that have worked their way under an above-ground swimming pool can damage the liner and ultimately cause it to fail. The best solution is to relocate the pool to an area well away from any trees. If that isn’t possible, the tree roots can be removed, but this may cause serious damage to the tree. Depending on the size and number of the roots, removing them may even kill the tree.
Hot tub thermostats establish and monitor the water temperature while the hot tub is in use. These thermostats usually have high and low temperature limits that correspond to safe water temperatures and are preset at the factory to a comfortable level. If you wish to bypass the thermostat on a hot tub, however, the process is simple. Remember that very high water temperatures may be unsafe and are not recommended for more than a few minutes at a time.
Building a deck around a hot tub involves measuring and cutting wood to construct a sturdy wooden frame around the tub. This frame is then covered with lumber that supports the decking itself by running under the decking slats at 90 degrees to the slats. With the frame's support posts cemented firmly into the ground, you can build a low-level deck for a hot tub that will stand firmly around your tub for many years, in all weather.
There's nothing like relaxing in a hot tub, especially if it's homemade and customized. Once the tub has been set up, you'll need to wire it safely before it can be used. Most hot tubs require 220-volt circuits to operate. One of the circuits runs the pump and jets in the tub, while another runs the heater. Wiring a homemade tub up to an outdoor circuit breaker will keep it operating safely.
Perhaps you've gone to replace your pool light only to find a thick grease inside the housing. Like many machine and electronic devices, the lighting assembly has grease put in for lubricant and non-corrosive purposes. In assemblies with moving parts, like a kitchen mixer, for instance, these lubricants also protect against friction during operation. This lubricant may wear out over time, drying out and becoming gunky.
Hot tubs are typically heavy: Their internal sidewalls must be thick enough to support the outward pressure of hundreds of gallons of water when full, and the frames that buttress the inside of the case have to hold the entire tub structure off the ground. When filled with water and two humans, the average 8-foot-by-8-foot hot tub weighs approximately 5,000 lbs. A deck built to support a hot tub must, therefore, be sturdy and well-braced.
The proper installation of a fiberglass swimming pool can lead to years of enjoyment without the high cost of traditional inground pools. A poured-concrete pool requires installation of a ground drain, feeder lines and pump. Because of these requirements, the area for the pool is restricted and the cost higher. A pre-fabricated fiberglass pool requires no ground drain, and most models have an external, above-ground pump, similar to those used for above-ground or temporary swimming pool setups. While professional installation is suggested, it can be a do-it-yourself project with the proper tools.
Pool lighting systems are connected to a GFCI breaker designed to carry 100 amps for most residential installations. When that maximum load is exceeded, the circuit breaks open, and the breaker trips, which cuts off power to your pool lights. Often the problem can be resolved by resetting the breaker; but if the breaker trips repeatedly or will not reset, the problem may be with the GFCI breaker itself or your pool’s lighting system.
Structural support is needed directly under a hot tub on decking because the tub and its occupants can easily weight 5,000 pounds. Water weighs 8 pounds per gallon, and each person in the tub drives the weight up further. By bracing the decking with support underneath, you can prevent sagging of the deck flooring over time. It's vital to install support posts on concrete footings to ensure continual pressure at the right points. Setting wooden posts or columns directly on dirt will cause them to sink or decay.
A center drain in an above-ground pool helps provide water circulation in an environment without natural movement. Installing a center drain, or main drain, requires accessing the ground beneath a pool – always move a pool before retrofitting a center drain, or install the drain before installing a new pool. You must also install a pool pump before installing the main drain. The pump sucks water from the pool through the drain and returns it after filtering it.
Hot tubs offer warm alternatives to outdoor pools, or a place to relax outside when there isn't space for a full-size swimming pool. Like pools, hot tubs rely on pumps driven by electric motors to circulate water, allowing it to be filtered and heated. Connecting a hot tub motor is part of the initial installation process, and a way to give a hot tub new life if the motor fails but the rest of the pump assembly, plumbing and wiring are intact.
An electric fountain is an elegant feature that amplifies the character of your swimming pool. Whether you are looking for a fun way to cool off in the summertime or to give the pool a purpose in the off season, these devices are sure to entertain. Since there are many styles of ornamental fountain heads to choose from, everyone’s personal fountain is sure to be a special creation. Although a custom-made fountain is relatively simple to build and install, its ornate water show will trick guests into thinking otherwise.
Fiberglass swimming pools come factory-manufactured and are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles, allowing a homeowner to choose the one that fits his outdoor space. Installing the pool is a relatively straightforward procedure, provided you excavate the ground beforehand. Because these pools are pre-assembled, you have to insert the shell in the trench and then hook up the system. Consult the pool dig diagram provided by your manufacturer to determine the size of the trench for the pool. Ensure the selected site is slightly elevated and level.
A hot tub provides a place to relax and adds value to a home. An in-ground hot tub is more difficult to install than an above-ground option, but it may be considered more attractive.
Relaxing in your hot tub can be an effective way to get rid of stress at the end of a long day. A hot tub that's used frequently can become dirty over time. If you have hard water, your hot tub is susceptible to calcium stains that leave the inner area of the shell stained with a cloudy, white film. You can clean and decalcify your hot tub using simple ingredients from home to make it look cleaner and run more efficiently.
A traditional Finnish sauna is an insulated, steam-proof hut made of heat-resistant wood that can withstand temperatures up to roughly 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Building a Finnish sauna in your backyard is actually doable even for the amateur wood builder. The easiest and most reliable path to building your own Finnish sauna is to order a pre-cut sauna kit or sauna material package. This allows you to concentrate on assembling the sauna and reduces the entire process to about 20 hours of labor.
A hot tub requires routine maintenance to ensure it circulates clean, heated water. A pump pulls out water in the tub through the plumbing for heating and filtration, thereby playing a vital role in the tub’s operation. The pump uses suction created by a shaft that rotates at a high speed. A seal on the pump shaft prevents water from entering the motor portion of the pump. However, you can remove a damaged shaft seal and replace it with a new piece if water backs up into the electrical part of the pump.
While some people appreciate the sleek and obviously man-made look of poured concrete pools, others desire pools that mesh better with the landscape. If you want to give your pool an earthy feel or turn the space into an eco-oasis, one effective means of doing so is adding artificial rocks to the pool area. Dressing up your existing pool with artificial rocks can be a relatively simple process.
An above-ground of pool is an inexpensive way to enjoy a swimming pool at home. However, if the ground was not leveled correctly during the initial setup, the process must be redone correctly. Otherwise, the leaning may cause the pool pump not to function correctly and lead to the pool collapsing on the weak side.
Fiberglass pools of all models have a protective coating called gel coat applied to the surface during the manufacturing process. The fiberglass pool's coating, typically, is durable; but certain chemicals can dull, damage and even completely remove the protective coating, which will leave the fiberglass pool susceptible to permanent damage.
