Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Of course you want to keep your pool water sparkling clean, but it takes more than chemicals and skimming the water. Backwashing your pool filter is just as important, and saves electricity and pump life as well. Three types of swimming pool filtration systems exist: cartridge, diatomaceous Earth and sand. Dirty water flows through these filtration systems, where dirt and debris become trapped. Cartridges don't require backwashing; the pool owner simply removes the filter media and rinses it off before replacing. Sand and DE filters, on the other hand, perform best when water is forced through the filter system in…
Swimming pools add a clean and controlled environment for exercising during the summer. Above-ground pools come in kits that the homeowner can assemble, and do not require you to dig a large hole and pour concrete. Many homeowners want to bury their above-ground pool to make it appear to be an in-ground pool. This is not safe because the walls of these pools are not strong enough to withstand the weight of fill material. Above-ground pools installed in a space cut out of a slope can have a small amount of backfill around them, however, to prevent soil erosion.
Anyone can grill food over an open campfire. However, if you really enjoy cooking your own food outdoors, you may have your sights set on building an outdoor barbecue. Whether you are planning a permanent grill, a smoker or even an outdoor oven, you need to know how to make a chimney. The first step to build a chimney is to lay the chimney blocks.
Marbelite is a colored finishing plaster with a cement base used for coating concrete or gunite pool surfaces. Marbelite is applied in a single day to avoid creating any appearance of joints in the surface. Once installed, the material creates a marbled-looking surface after water is added to the pool, increasing the attractiveness of the pool while adding to its value.
Aboveground pools are bargains compared with in-ground pools, particularly in areas where the ground freezes and thaws over the course of winter. Aboveground pools are smaller, so they cost less by using less water and chemicals. Outfitting an aboveground pool can be just as expensive as outfitting an in-ground or inside pool, though. If you have a sturdy ladder and access to some leftover PVC water pipe and other salvage construction material, you can fabricate your own swank pool slide for a fraction of what one from a pool supply might cost. Measurements will vary with pool size and configuration.
Above-ground swimming pools are an option where soil conditions, such as thick stone, or other considerations make installing a pool in the ground difficult or impossible. Above-ground pools typically have a raised platform around them and may have lights installed on the perimeter. All above-ground pools must have a water filtering system, which uses a pump powered by an electric motor to remove contaminants from the water. All electrical outlets around an above-ground pool must be properly grounded to prevent any current from reaching the water. Each element should be grounded separately.
Believe it or not, the Skylark was at one point the basis for Buick’s most famed muscle car, the GS. Even though it never had the power of its big brother, the Skylark held its own, peaking at 285 horsepower in 1970. By time the 1980s rolled around, emission regulations and fuel prices slowly converted the Skylark into a fuel sipping family ride. The 1989 Skylark had three engines available: 2.3-liter, 2.5-liter and 3.3-liter. The 2.5-liter “iron duke” engine was the base level, while the 2.3-liter “quad four” and the 3.3-liter engines were options. Opening the Skylark’s cooling system and…
Backyard swimming pools provide hours of summertime entertainment, but are fraught with debris issues. This debris sometimes includes pebbles and small stones, which enter the pool on the bottom of your feet or are accidentally kicked in from the surrounding ground or deck. Draining the pebbles with the correct type of vacuum is the most effective way to remove them and other unwanted debris from the pool floor.
Tape measure 2-foot wooden stakes Rubber mallet Twine Spray paint Backhoe (hired) Garden spade
One of the perks of living in an area with year-round warm weather is the ability to swim outside practically any time -- if you make the right choices planning your own pool, you'll be able to enjoy this same luxury. Installing a pool is more complicated than digging a hole in the ground, though, and if you want to enjoy it year-round, you need to plan carefully. Neglecting to do so may leave you stranded on dry land or swimming laps indoors at the local gym instead of diving into your backyard deep end.
Dreadlocks make up a thick hairstyle consisting of individual strands of hair locked together to form larger strands. For people with dreadlocks, a swimming cap is a useful accessory for protecting your hairstyle in the water. No swimming cap is 100 percent waterproof, but these thin caps keep dreadlocks out your face and out of the water.
Without an operating skimmer in your above-ground pool, leaves, sticks, bugs and other debris will be left to float on the surface. Generally, a surface pool skimmer comes in two parts: the holding cup and the floating basket. After a few years of use, you may notice your skimmer becoming full of algae and discolored. You can replace a surface skimmer in less than an hour without draining any water out of the pool.
A pool's backflush valve is responsible for pushing water through the pool filter so debris gets removed from the water supply. The valve helps clean the filter by running water in reverse through it to remove accumulated dirt. A pool's valve system needs regular inspection to ensure that everything works properly. The backflush valve is not the only valve a pool relies on, but it is quickly identifiable if you need to locate it.
In-ground swimming pools are more than just holes in the ground with water. Various components of the pool's maintenance system require electricity. These must be carefully protected from the water to avoid a severe electric shock to anyone in the pool. The National Electric Code carefully outlines the exact requirements for installing electricity around an in-ground swimming pool. Unless this is carefully followed, you or your family members could be injured or killed.
In-ground swimming pools feature many benefits, but if they're poorly maintained they may not last as long as you'd expect. For example, they can crack, pit and become unusable. If you own a pool you can retrofit it with a liner to look like new without having to sink an enormous amount of money into the project. Much of the work is within the capabilities of a backyard handyman.
A swimming pool diverter valve controls the path the water in your filtration system takes. The purpose of the valve is to control the flow of water between the skimmers, the main pump and the drain. With proper maintenance, a diverter valve will give you many years of service. This includes keeping the valve properly lubricated. The average do-it-yourselfer can install a new valve in just a short time with some basic tools found in most home toolboxes.
Accidentally dropping detergent or a bar of soap in your pool can be disastrous as soap bubbles form and the pH of your pool gets thrown off balance. Before your pool can return to normal operating condition, the soap needs to be completely removed. Once the soap is gone, you can add the necessary chemicals to restore the pool's alkalinity and mineral levels, which are essential to returning your pool's pH to an appropriate level.
African music is also commonly referred to as Manding music. In Manding fingerstyle technique, the players use their hands to strike, pluck and perform various complex rhythms on a string instrument called a kora. These techniques can be learned with enough practice and the proper education about the styles and methods involved. Manding music is also commonly known as Mandingo.
Adding a swimming pool to your home creates a new way to enjoy your outdoor space and cool off in summer. But even the most basic permanent pools have special installation requirements. In particular, local zoning and building codes specify where you can add a pool and what type of wiring you or the installer must use to ensure safety.
While most users find stock heat sinks and fans sufficient for their CPU cooling needs, hard-core overclocking users occasionally turn to a more powerful cooling solution. Liquid-based cooling systems come in many different styles, generally falling into two categories: the presealed “closed loop” systems and the home-built “open loop” systems. Each offers some advantages, depending on your level of technical ability as well as your cooling requirements.
The most common shape for a 26-foot pool is an oval. This type of above-ground pool takes careful planning, but the basic pool assembly isn't different than any other above-ground swimming pool. One person can do the assembly, but it goes faster if you have several people helping you. Before you begin, contact your utility company to mark where any buried lines are on your property. Obtain any building permits you need before you start the pool assembly.
The concrete edging, also referred to as “coping,” around the rim of your fiberglass in-ground pool does more than just make the pool look pretty. The edging also helps your pool hold its shape and gives swimmers something to grasp when hoisting themselves in and out of the pool. Without proper care, the concrete edging will become cracked or damaged. This cracked edging can be removed, but you must be careful to avoid damaging the rest of the pool.
Painting the bottom of a pool black doesn’t just add a different aesthetic quality. A black pool bottom attracts the sun’s rays, which heat the bottom of the pool, which warms the water. If you have an above-ground pool that you want to turn into a black-bottom pool, you can do so by using the proper paint.
The Robo-Kleen electric pool cleaner drives along the bottom of an above-ground swimming pool vacuuming up leaves, stones and other debris. The unit is powered by a standard 120-volt power supply and is preconfigured to find its way around circular and oval shaped pools. Repairing the Robo-Kleen if it has problems cleaning the pool is often relatively straightforward. No special tools are required.
The main drain in a pool or spa, referred to as a skimmer, is a submerged suction system that circulates and drains water. The main drain in a pool or spa is larger than home drains and covered for the safety of individuals. Some pools and spas have several main drains, which all require a cover.
Without sophisticated draining devices and circulation systems, swimming pools would be unable to clean and maintain healthy water. Likewise, the primary reasons for installing a drainage system is to sufficiently clean, sanitize and empty pools. These drainage systems contain a combination of main drains or inlets, skimmers, overflow gutters and return fittings to achieve these tasks.
The Virginia Unified Statewide Building Code treats the removal of most in-ground swimming pools as demolition projects. The state may require you to obtain a demolition permit for the project. In-ground pool removal is usually not a do-it-yourself project. The contractor hired for the job handles permits and related paperwork.
The initial goal when an above ground pool starts to buckle from the pressure of excess snow is to protect the pool from further damage. Pool covers are not made to withstand an unsupported load of snow. The cover should float on the water so the pressure is equalized. When a pool is properly covered, the cover is supported by the water underneath and no downward pressure is exerted on the frame. But when the cover experiences an overload of pressure, the pool walls can start to buckle. Winter is not always the best time to address repairs immediately. But…
False rock facades applied to the edges of a swimming pool help create an environment of retreat and relaxation in your backyard pool. Using stone veneer makes the process a straightforward one that requires preparation of the surface and proper installation for a durable finish. When installing stone veneer around a swimming pool, it is important to use veneer designed for exposure to water and pool chemicals, as well as a waterproof mortar and masonry sealant.
The "eyeball" fitting is actually the return valve in the water filtration system in an above-ground swimming pool. It returns clean water to the pool after it has been removed by the skimmer and filtered, and can be adjusted so that it points nearly straight up or nearly straight down and all points in between. It also can move side to side. Its positioning can have a profound effect on the cleanliness of your pool's water.
Above-ground pools are less expensive to purchase, install and maintain then in-ground pools. These attributes make them perfect for homeowners who want the perks of owning a pool, without the high price tag. Several factors determine whether a homeowner should purchase a soft or hard-sided above-ground pool.
A pool water leveler is an accessory that you can install in your pool to ensure the water level is always where you want it to be. A transmitter and a float that contains a receiver monitor the water level. When the pool water level gets below the level you specify, the leveler automatically refills it. If you notice that the water leveler isn’t performing how you would like it, try performing some small troubleshooting fixes before you call your pool dealer.
As with above-ground pools, warm months provide the most favorable conditions for swimming in an in-ground pool. Installing a heating system on an in-ground pool can extend swimming seasons well into the colder months and maybe even allow for year-round enjoyment. As climate conditions can vary from region to region, some heating systems work better in warmer climates than others.
Expansion joints have a variety of other names, including relief joints and control joints. They consist of long cut lines in concrete surfaces, such as swimming pool decks. They often have a wooden strip installed along their length. Their purpose is to allow the concrete to expand and contract with fluctuating temperatures, preventing cracks from developing in the pool deck surface. If the expansion joints deteriorate, homeowners can repair them using a patch product that reseals the joints.
Grounding an aluminum pool enclosure protects people using the pool from electric shock and provides an outlet for energy surges in case of lighting strikes or short circuits. The key components of a grounding circuit are a secure attachment point to the aluminum framing of the enclosure, a conductive wire and a rod that provides the actual ground. Connecting all components correctly ensures a path with little to no resist and keeps all parts held tight. Loose grounding components can cause the enclosure to lose its grounding connection and endanger people using the pool.
Pool valves are vital to the filtering systems that make the pools safe to swim in. If you ever do your own swimming-pool maintenance, be familiar with the types of valves you're working with -- so that you know what to look for when cleaning, replacing or troubleshooting them. Multiple valve-types exist in many swimming pools, and identifying them requires some observation.
When it comes to heating your Pentair pool, you have some options to choose from depending on the efficiency you want, your budget and what you want your pool to look like. You do not have to buy your heating supplies directly from Pentair, but the company does provide several heating options. Once you have decided what kind of heating device you want, you might be able to install it yourself.
Bas-reliefs dating back to 850 B.C. depict soldiers crossing streams by swimming with the aid of inflated goat skins, using the hand-over-hand stroke and vertical kick. Mosaics from Middle Eastern civilizations depict what looks like a dog-paddle swimming activity. Swimming, over the years, has evolved to include a number of different strokes including the freestyle stroke and butterfly stroke.
Among the various lighting options for inground pools, fiber-optic lights typically offer the most design possibilities. They're ideal for creating colorful effects for your pool area, but are also effective in tying together the pool and surrounding landscape elements. Fiber-optic lighting may also be a safer choice because the cables carry light instead electricity, which allows you to place the electrical components away from the water. Several different types of fiber-optic pool lighting are available, so you can create the ideal look for your pool.
Sand is essential to the installation of an above-ground swimming pool. It provides a soft sub-surface and redistributes the water weight to the proper places along the pool’s walls. So, while it may seem a hassle at the time, there are some definite advantages. For those that are adamantly opposed to using sand, there are some alternatives available.
Aluminum ladders are made for both in-ground and above-ground swimming pools and can be purchased from retailers that supply pool ladders. With other materials becoming available, pool owners may be encouraged to look at other options. If aluminum is still the ladder of choice, pool owners should be aware of what that purchase may entail.
The concrete and water portion of a pool doesn’t require any grounding; it's the electrical equipment that helps light the pool and keep it clean that make grounding necessary. To meet electrical codes and make your pool safe for use, your pool equipment must meet grounding requirements for your area.
An in-ground pool adds social and recreational space to your outdoor environment, gives you exercise options and provides an aesthetically appealing home feature. Pools also pose problems. Children, the elderly and those with bad legs may have difficulty getting into or out of a pool without steps. Drop-in steps for pools allow you to add a staircase rather than a ladder to your pool without undertaking expensive and time-consuming construction.
Salt water pool systems offer conveniences for homeowners. They eliminate the discomfort associated with normal chlorination systems and they are easy to maintain. But one of the biggest grievances of salt water systems, as expressed by homeowners, is that it causes accelerated corrosion. Salt and other factors can contribute to this damage. It's best to replace copper pool pipes with plastic ones when you're dealing with any type of chlorination system. Otherwise, you may need to replace them when copper begins leaching into and discoloring your pool water.
A slide is a fun addition to your above-ground pool, but before installing one, you should be aware of the safety concerns and codes that apply. The guidelines for slides in above-ground pools are the same as for in-ground pools. The main difference between the two types is the length of the slide and ladder. Any slide that can fit in your pool and adhere to clearance guidelines is appropriate, unless it explicitly states it is not made for an above-ground pool. A gently sloping slide manufactured specifically for above-ground pools is best.
When installing a pool it's necessary not only to calculate how much space is necessary for the structure itself, but also how much space to leave around it. The swimming and lounging experience is directly impacted by how much room is available around the perimeter of the pool for leisure. Some people when planning to add a swimming pool may not realize that they are likely to spend more time around it than inside it.
For many homeowners and kids, a backyard swimming pool is a dream come true. But contracting, constructing and maintaining a poured-concrete pool can be quite burdensome. Preformed fiberglass and vinyl liner pools offer easier and cheaper options for an inground pool. Fiberglass pools tend to be limited in size and depth. On the other hand, vinyl liners can be made to order so you can choose a greater depth.
Adding a swimming pool or pond to your property contributes aesthetic and practical value to your outdoor space. However, maintaining a swimming pool or pond requires a good deal of work and knowledge of aquatic environments. For instance, a thermocline, or area of drastic temperature change, may occur within your swimming pool or pond. It’s important to know exactly what this means and how it affects your aquatic environment.
Whether you have an above-ground pool or an in-ground pool, you should clean your swimming pool at least once a week. Cleaning the pool removes impurities from the water and cleans debris floating on the surface, leaving behind clean water for swimming. It is possible to use an above-ground pool cleaner for an in-ground pool because the two are fairly similar.
A sloped roof is the most common type of roof on houses. The angle of the slope allows water and debris to run off, which keeps weight from accumulating in one spot and weakening the roof’s structure. In some instances, though, a flat roof also provides a workable roofing option. Though a flat roof does not have as much of an angle as a sloping roof, you must level the flat roof with some slope to avoid pooling water and accumulating debris.
