Author: Sara May

Pool and Spa Equipment

Vinyl Pool Liners: Is Thicker Better?

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21 Foot Round - Pebbles Beaded 25 Gauge  21' Rolling Rock J-Hook 48  21 Foot Round - Under The Sea

Is this the year for replacing your vinyl pool liner?  Are you wondering whether you should spend the extra money to purchase a thicker liner?  The thickness of pool liners is measured in mil or gauge units.  A mil is exactly equal to .001 inch and can be measured using a micrometer.  A 20 mil liner, then, will measure .020 of an inch thick.  A gauge is not an exact measurement, and the same number may vary in thickness depending on manufacturer, but it is roughly the same size as a mil.

Spending the extra money for a thicker pool liner depends on how your pool is used.  If your pool is enjoyed heavily over the course of a season and tends to take much abuse by the swimmers who use it, choosing a pool liner that measures 28 mil thick, or close to it, may be worth the extra cost.  Thicker pool liners offer better UV protection, too.

No matter how thick your vinyl pool liner, make sure the one you choose fits your pool properly.  Also, be sure to maintain proper chemical balance in your pool’s water.  Proper fit and chemical balance are two of the most important factors that can affect how long your vinyl pool liner will last.

Pool and Spa Chemicals, Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool and Spa Safety

Keep the P and Poo Out of Your Pool: Tips for Healthy Pools

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Pool Signs

Pool signs, like the one above, are a funny way to remind those who swim in our pools that the pool water is not a bathroom.  Contamination of water, though, can be a serious problem.  If a pool’s pH level is out of balance, the chlorine is unable to effectively kill harmful germs that are introduced into the water by swimmers.  Everything from dirt to sun to leaves and other debris can alter the pH level of pool water, so checking the pH level on a regular basis and adjusting the chemical balance as necessary is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy pool.

In addition to ensuring that there are always correct levels of chemicals in your pool’s water, you should insist that all swimmers follow these three rules to avoid contaminating the pool water:

  • Never swim when you are sick.  Germs can be spread to others in the pool.
  • Avoid swallowing pool water or getting water in your mouth.
  • Keep yourself clean.  Take a shower and soap up before taking a swim, and don’t forget to wash your hands after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper.  Even the smallest amount of contamination on your body can be transferred to pool water and cause illness in others.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control)

Being a diligent pool owner will help prevent the spread of germs and illnesses and keep your swimming pool a healthy place for everyone to enjoy.

Use the following easy-to-read charts when determining proper chemical balance and adjusting pH levels:

Pool and Spa Safety

Add This to Your Pool Safety Checklist

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Did you know that children are 8 times more likely to drown or experience submersion accidents in swimming pools if they do not know how to swim (Consumer Product Safety Commission)?  One more step in helping to prevent swimming pool accidents is to ensure that the children (and adults) who will be using the swimming pool know how to swim.

Whether you and your children need to learn to swim from scratch or just need to strengthen your skills, now is the time to get started.  Indoor pools are common at many local YMCAs, YWCAs, or community centers, and year round lessons are usually available to adults and children of all skill levels.  Contact them today for schedule information.

Swim lessons are important for safety, but they are also great fun and provide access to one of the best forms of exercise.  Parents and caregivers should keep in mind, though, that even if children are taking lessons and may be considered strong swimmers, they can still experience swimming pool accidents.  Responsible adult supervision should always be available when kids are in the pool.

Pool and Spa Safety

Take Pool Safety Beyond the Basics

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Pool Safety Alarm

Owning a swimming pool, whether it is an above ground pool or an in ground pool, means taking responsibility for the safety of children and pets who live on or near your property.  There’s more to pool safety, though, than equipping your swimming pool with safety features like anti-entrapment drain covers, safety covers, pool alarms, and pool fences.  Even with every available safety device installed, there is still no guarantee that a child will never experience a pool-related injury or accident in your backyard pool, or in a pool owned by a neighbor or family member.

Everything from bumps and scrapes to submersion and drowning accidents are possible in a swimming pool, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected by getting trained in CPR and first aid.  Your local chapter of the American Red Cross probably offers courses regularly, and the best time to schedule one is now, before the swimming season begins.

Equipping your swimming pool with safety barriers and devices is a vital step in helping to prevent the worst kind of swimming pool accidents.  Equipping yourself, though, with the skills and knowledge to handle any degree of pool-related injury or accident takes you to an even higher level of responsible pool ownership.

Pool and Spa Maintenance

One Simple Home Design Tip That Also Applies to Pools

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Every design guru knows that a coat of paint goes a long way in sprucing up any room of the house.  But, this advice also applies to the swimming pool and pool deck.  Pools and pool decks discolor and fade over time due to the effects of weathering, algae,Hi-Build Epoxy Swimming Pool Paint ultraviolet rays, and chlorine.

Before you open your pool for the season this year, perk up the appearance of your pool and pool deck with a coat or two of swimming pool paint and deck paint.  Be sure to use paints specifically designed for pools and pool decks, though.  You’ll be impressed with the results that a little paint can create.