Author: Sara May

Pool and Spa Chemicals, Pool Opening

Don’t Jump In: Think Ahead, Buy Quality, Save Money

Comment

bathing suits,children,enjoyment,friends,girls,holding hands,jumping,kids,persons,Photographs,pools,seasons,smiles,smiling,summer,swimming,swimming pools,swimming suits,swimsuits,together

Longing to jump into the warmer days of summer?  Even if there’s snow outside your window, it’s not too early to start thinking ahead to spring and opening your swimming pool.  In fact, now is the best time to take inventory of your existing pool supplies and stock up while prices remain low.  As we move closer to spring and summer, lower winter prices will begin to melt away.

Don’t jump in when it comes to buying your pool chemicals, though.  Pool chemicals are a necessity for every swimmingSwimming Pool Chemicals pool, but not all pool chemicals are of the same quality.  Cheaper chemicals can stain your pool and create excessive foaming and cloudy water.  Because cheaper chemicals are often watered down, you need to use more of it, too, which ends up costing you more over time.

Take some time now to select your pool chemicals for the upcoming swimming season.  Look for chemicals that are highly concentrated so less is required.  Look also for chemicals that use only the purest ingredients to ensure crystal clear water.  You may pay a little more up front, but better quality chemicals will last longer and save you money.

Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool Opening

Don’t Get Bugged by Spring Pool Cleaning

Comment

Hayward Aqua Bug Automatic Pool Cleaner

If you own a manual pool cleaner for your above ground pool, then you will agree that spring cleaning is one of the worst parts of getting the pool ready to open each season.  Automatic pool cleaners are often pricey, so many pool owners opt for the manual variety and the extra effort.

An affordable option that above ground pool owners should consider is the Aqua Bug automatic pool cleaner by Hayward.  The Aqua Bug installs easily in ten minutes and works with the existing filtration system.  Unlike other automatic pool cleaners, the Aqua bug uses no debris bags, requires no booster pump, and is pretty cute, too.

Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Pool and Spa Chemicals, Pool and Spa Maintenance

Reduce Indoor Pool Energy Costs by 70 Percent

1 Comment

backs,divers,diving,females,leisure,persons,Photographs,pools,recreation,swimmers,swimming,swimming pools,women

Indoor pools may offer water-lovers a welcome relief from cold or stormy weather, but maintaining an indoor pool can cause an unwelcome increase in energy costs.  Heat loss through evaporation accounts for a whopping 70% of the energy consumed by an indoor pool, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).  With evaporation left unchecked, other problems arise such as excess chemical consumption, an overabundance of humidity, and building maintenance problems related to humidity. 

Dealing with the humidity from an indoor pool means installing a ventilation system that replaces indoor air with unconditioned air from outside.  The cost of running such a ventilation system to keep humidity at bay can be steep.  But all of the problems associated with water evaporation from an indoor pool can be significantly reduced with the use of pool covers.

Pool covers reduce evaporation dramatically, and as a result, energy costs can be lowered by as much as 70%, according to the DOE.  Additionally, pool covers keep chemical consumption at a minimum, and humidity levels are kept in check.  Lower humidity levels reduce the need to ventilate the air, which decreases energy costs even further.

Use pool covers only when the pool is not in use.  Pool covers should be removed from a pool completely before swimmers enter the water.

Pool and Spa Safety

Getting Kids Involved in Pool Safety Can Be Fun

Comment

Practice Pool Safety

Keeping kids safe around swimming pools means helping them understand what activities and behaviors are acceptable and fun, and which ones are unsafe and to be avoided.  A smart way to prepare for the upcoming swimming season is to take time now to work with kids on pool safety issues.

A fun approach to pool safety can be found with kid-friendly activities on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safely website.  The CPSC’s Pool Safely campaign aims to increase pool safety awareness by providing information to families, industry professionals, and state and local officials.

With help from parents, even the youngest tots can start to learn how to stay safe around swimming pools at home and at public facilities.  Adults should never assume, though, that older kids know how to recognize pool dangers.  Making sure kids of all ages understand the dangers that exist around swimming pools will empower them to make the right choices.  And, thanks to the CPSC’s Pool Safely campaign, learning about pool safety can be fun.

Pool and Spa Safety

Don’t Skimp on Safety: Pool Alarms Alone Don’t Cut It

Comment

Swimming Pool Alarms Help To Save Lives

Are you planning on constructing a new pool in the upcoming year?  If you live in Tennessee, you are legally required as of January 2011 to have a proper pool alarm installed before your pool can pass inspection.  Even if you don’t live in Tennessee, having a pool alarm is just simply a good idea.  There’s no doubt that children and pets benefit from an extra measure of safety around the backyard swimming pool.

Pool alarms alone will not prevent accidental drownings and submersion accidents, though.  Responsible homeowners approach pool safety from a number of angles.  Pool alarms, pool fences, safety covers, AND reliable adult supervision work together to maintain a safe and fun pool environment.