Maintaining Your Pool & Spa
A private pool or hot tub is a luxury, and keeping it well-maintained and free of algae, scale, and debris is just part of the job for those who want it beautiful and sparkling. If you plan to do it yourself, there's lots to learn, like checking water quality with pH test kits, maintenance during swim season and winterizing. Also hot tub installation, filters, algaecides, and chlorinating systems.
Best Pool Cleaner / Vacuum: About.com Readers' Choice Awards 2012
If you own a swimming pool or spa, cleaning and maintenance is a big part of the package. If your pool isn't cleaned regularly, nobody will want to -- or should -- go swimming in a big green swamp of algae. Fortunately, several pool cleaners / vacuums are available and reasonably priced to make pool cleaning less of the back-breaking chore it...
Presenting the Winner, Best Pool Cleaner / Vacuum: Hayward
The votes have been counted and a winner has been announced! Best Pool Cleaner / Vacuum honors the year's top pool and spa cleaner and vacuum brands and manufacturers. We asked our voters to go beyond looks or familiar brand names when making a decision. Our list of hot tub and spa brands and manufacturers includes company websites to learn more...
About.com Readers' Choice Awards 2012: Best Pool Cleaner / Vacuum
The About.com Reader's Choice Awards 2012 honors the year's Best Pool Cleaner / Vacuum brands and manufacturers, as nominated and chosen by our readers. This would include manual, automatic and robotic styles for in-ground and above-ground swimming pools. Please include the name of the product, along with the brand or manufacturer when...
DIY Swimming Pool & Spa Cleaning and Maintenance
When trimming your budget, you look to the money you're forking over each month to have someone else do something that you could potentially do yourself. While many don't like the idea of venturing into unfamiliar waters, it certainly is possible to clean and maintain your swimming pool, spa or hot tub on your own. There's a big world out there...
Algae in Pools - Cleaning Pools: Algae Colors and Types - How to Destroy...
If you can think back to your science class you may recall that algae are one-celled plants. And if you happen to be an algae, you are not alone: there are more than 20,000 varieties.
In a swimming pool or spa, algae is that green, brown, yellow, black or pinkish slime that resembles fur growing on the steps and in corners - places where...
DE Pool Filter - What is a DE Pool Filter?
DE stands for diatomaceous earth, which is a fine white powder made from the chemically inert, fossilized (or skeletal) remains of billions of microscopic organisms called diatoms. There are three types of filters used for pools: sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth (DE). Many pool owners and pool maintenance workers consider DE filters to be...
Pool and Spa Brushes
Maintaining a pool or spa is something that you can definitely do-it-yourself, provided you have the right tools for the job. Cleaning your pool does not have to be a back-breaking chore if it's done regularly, on schedule -- before algae builds up. During swim season -- usually summer -- maintenance may take about 3-5 hours per week. If it...
How to Inspect for or Detect a Leak in Your Swimming Pool or Spa
Signs that a swimming pool or spa is leaking may or may not be obvious. If you suspect a leak, there are proven ways to inspect and detect. In the tome, The Ultimate Guide to Pool Maintenance , author Terry Tamminen suggests several methods for detecting leaks in pools and spas. Some he considers easy do-it-yourself methods, others he suggests...
What is a Pool Skimmer?
What is a pool skimmer and when should you use one? A skimmer is a box-like device through which debris and contaminants flow into the filter when the pump is activated.
Checking Outdoors for Leaks
Everyone has heard of ways to save water inside the house, but how about outside? Think about it: you have irrigation systems for your landscaping, hoses attached to spigots, swimming pools, spas - all potential sources of leaks. Find out how much water is used by an average U.S. household, along with ways to check for leaks and how to maintain your outdoor water sources to prevent future leaks a…
Water-Saving Tips for Swimming Pools & Spas
There's a big source of water consumption in your backyard -- it's called a swimming pool. While the World Water Council is not asking you to replace that big pit with a vegetable garden -- not yet, anyway -- there are several ways you can practice water conservation with your pool or spa. Get smart -- water smart -- by learning more about your pool or spa and the preventative steps you can take …
What's the Best Way to Clean Tile at the Swimming Pool Waterline?
What's the best way to clean the water line tile in your swimming pool? If you don't want to pay a pool service company to bead blast it clean, try a few of the do-it-yourself methods we recommend. A big benefit: you'll save money.
Three Steps to a Clean Swimming Pool Filter
Just three steps is all it takes to properly clean a cartridge pool filter. Get detailed instructions for rinsing the loose dirt, soaking it in a cartridge cleaner, and rinsing again. This cleaning method also works well for diatemacous earth (DE) filters.
Pool and Spa Electrical Code Requirements
Pool and spa electrical connections must be done according to code in your area. In most cases, a licensed electrician will do the installation for you. Electrical codes for pools and spa are in place to protect those who are in and around these areas. Learn more about pool code requirements in this piece from About.com Guide to Electrical, Tim Thiele.
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFIC) Can Save Your Life
We’ve all heard the terms GFCI or GFI outlets, but what in the world are they used for? Why would we buy outlets that cost between $5.00 and $10.00 when regular outlets only cost a dollar or two? Seems silly, right? Not so fast. GFCI’s are specifically designed to save your life. They automatically turn themselves off when there is a short circuit or there’s an unbalanced load to ground.
What to do When Your Pool Lights Don't Work
Electricity and water can be a dangerous combination. If your pool lights seem to have gone out, turn off the pool light switch and the power at your home's main circuit breaker. If it trips immediately, you have a short circuit and will need to hire an electrician to take over.
Removing Rust & Corrosion from Pool & Spa Hand Rails & Ladders
Spa and swimming pool hand rails and ladders are prone to corrosion and rust. Step 1: Remove them from your pool or spa. Read on for more steps in cleaning and maintaining your pool hand rails and ladders.
Book Review: "The Ultimate Guide to Pool Maintenance"
About.com Swimming Guide Matt Luebbers reviews the book <i>The Ultimate Guide to Pool Maintenance</i> by Terry Tamminen. Is it a worthwhile read? Find out.
Ways to Speed Up the Task of Removing Leaves From Swimming Pools
It's inevitable: leaves always manage to find their way into swimming pools and spas. Which means someone (you) has to remove them. Naturally, a leaf skimmer comes to mind, but how about using a leaf rake or Leaf Eater? Try one of these pieces of equipment to make a tedious task go much faster, allowing you more time to enjoy your clean and leaf-free pool or spa.
Pool Pros Rethinking Relationships with DIY Pool Owners
In a stressed economy, pool service professionals and stores are rethinking their relationships with pool-owning customers who are DIYers or who buy products online. This article from "Pool and Spa News" reveals why pool pros are becoming more accommodating with those who seek their advice.
Neighbor's Tree Ruins Your Pool: Who Pays?
The branches of a neighbor's eycalyptus tree have grown over a common wall. On a windy day, the tree sheds its leaves and litters the yard, stains the patio and clogs the pool pump. In this article from The Arizona Republic, find out how to handle the situation and who's responsible.
Preparing Your Pool for Hurricanes
Several steps can be taken to prepare and protect your swimming pool during hurricane season. Follow these suggestions to drain your pool quickly and prevent further flooding. From the <i>South Florida Sun-Sentinal</i>.