Outdoors Pools

Hot tubs are great for relaxing after a long hard day at work. They can also be beneficial for fibromyalgia, low back pain, and arthritis. But the damage that can be caused by your hot tub freezing in the winter is not so good. Because water expands to around 10% of its volume when it freezes, pipes and other equipment can crack or break due to the expansion. But there are many ways you can keep your hot tub from freezing.

The color of your pool water can tell a lot about your pool’s health. That’s why we all naturally gravitate towards pools that have rich blues, crystal clear hues, and maybe a little turquoise in them. One color no one wants to see in a pool is brown. That’s a major ick right there, and it’s enough to have people run in the opposite direction. So, what is brown pool water doing in your pool?

As tempting as it may be, you can overcrowd your koi pond if you put too many plants in it. Ideally, you should leave at least 40% to 50% of the surface and substrate free of plants. The pond will be hard for the koi to navigate if over 60% of the pond features plants.

When you are ready to go for a swim in your pool, there is nothing better than seeing the sun reflected in its crystal clear surface. However, over time you may begin to notice stains beginning to build up in your pool to dull its shine. A quick acid wash could restore the beauty of your pool, but will it damage your fiberglass pool?

In recent years, our society has been on a march towards the “chemicals are bad” style of life. Saltwater pools’ popularity are a sign of it, really. The thing is, saltwater pools are not exactly easy to care for. That’s why people like to have chlorine pools. Though rare, you’ll hear of saltwater pool owners who want to convert their gig into chlorine. Is that even a thing?

Summer is here, and you’re ecstatic because your new pool is ready to use. Then you notice that one side of the pool has more water than the other. This indicates that the ground beneath your pool isn’t precisely level. You will need to re-level your pool since it’s hazardous to swim in it under these conditions. But how do you do it without draining it?

There are many reasons why you may need to drain your pool. You may want to add fresh water or prevent overflow from an impending storm. While it is possible to drain water out of your pool without a pump, adding a pump to the process can make things faster and easier.

A swimming pool is high maintenance, but it is worth the work for the luxury it affords in hot weather. It is critical that you consistently add chlorine and shock the water to kill germs. So, why is it that the chlorine in your pool simply disappears?

A pool is always a great addition to any home. However, owning a pool comes with a set of responsibilities. For regular maintenance, a pool needs to be cleaned.

A swimming pool makes a residential property so much better for a variety of reasons, and one that comes equipped with an LED light is even more ideal. An LED pool light will ensure the pool can be safely used 24 hours a day, and it will also boost the pool’s visual appeal as well.

Saltwater pools are more popular than ever before, and rightfully so. They offer a more eco-friendly alternative to bleach for your pool’s sanitation, and also make you feel like you are in the middle of the ocean. Though saltwater pools are hip and trendy AF, there are a lot of questions to ask about how to filter them. I mean, can a regular sand filter work?

Whether purchasing a hot tub to entertain or as an exercise solution, there are several considerations to keep in mind. If you’ve looked at different styles and models, remember that you should also consider the size. Use this as a guide to determine the hot tub you need for your backyard or home. 

The typical sand pool filter holds 250 pounds of sand or more at any given time. This can be a lot of materials to handle at once, which is why it’s important to know what you can do with it once it’s time to replace it.

Whether you’re considering installing an above ground pool or inground pool, it’s important that you know about the various types of liners you have to choose from. When it comes to inground pools, the liner simply refers to the material that the pool is constructed out of – whether it be fiberglass, concrete, or vinyl.

Your pool served you well this summer. Now, it’s time to take several steps to prepare it for the offseason. Winterizing your pool isn’t hard. There are a few steps to follow to get the job done right. Next year, when the scorching hot weather returns, you’ll be glad you did. 

Pool filters serve a single purpose: get rid of impurities in the pool. Plain and simple, right? Well, sometimes what they are supposed to do isn’t the thing that they are doing. If you recently noticed your pool filter burping out sand, it’s clear something isn’t right. It’s not supposed to do that! But, why is it blowing out sand like it’s going out of style?

When you swim in almost any pool, you’ll end up tracking some small amount of dirt into the pool’s water. It’s just the way things are. If you have an outdoor pool in a windy area, you might also get some dirt blown in after a particularly strong gust of wind. Obviously, that’s pretty gross. So, how can you clean dirt that’s managed to settle at the bottom of your pool?

Buying the right pool furniture is critical when you are trying to create the perfect vibe for your backyard oasis. A pool is a great way to create an elegant and tranquil atmosphere, but without the right furniture, a pool can look drab and shabby. So, when you are shopping for pool furniture, you want to make sure you buy something long-lasting and chic. But what is the best material for pool furniture?

A swimming pool is a luxury, and while it requires a lot of maintenance, it’s worth every penny. However, the sight of green water in your pool can thwart any plans that you have of swimming laps or leisurely floating. Many frustrated homeowners have asked themselves the question: why does my pool keep turning green?

Pool plaster is the most popular pool resurfacing option for concrete pools. Part of its success is its time-tested results as well as the wide range of different colors that it comes in. If you love customization, then you might want to know what the most popular pool paster colors are. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Maintaining a pool is never easy—at least, when it comes to the tedium and actually keeping on top of it. At times, you might even have your tools fail you while you’re trying to work on the upkeep. Keeping things working smoothly can be difficult, especially if you noticed that your pool pump loses pressure after a few minutes of work. What causes this to happen, anyway?

It’s currently the best time for a pool day in my neighborhood. We all love to splash and play in the sun, but it’s important to realize how much water can evaporate during these hot days of the year. Conserving water is a smart (and earth-friendly) way to avoid higher bills. Having a cover that helps keep water in your pool, therefore, is a must.

A deck is a fun escape and a way to add value to your backyard, especially if you add other luxuries. It is natural to picture yourself living a life of leisure in a hot tub on your deck. Countless homeowners have asked themselves the question; can I add a hot tub to my deck?

When you first start reading up on all the bits and bobs surrounding pool maintenance, it becomes clear that salt is a thing. Like, big time. There are tons of different types of salt that are used in keeping our water’s conditions good to go. For example, most people don’t even realize that pool salt is different from the salt used to soften water. Check out the differences between the two…

You have your home, but you want to create a perfect little oasis that you can escape to when you want to relax. This usually includes a nice hot tub you can take a dip in to draw a close to the day or night. But, as with any big-ticket purchase, you need to make sure you’re making an informed purchase. That means you need to know what brands you should steer clear of.

There is much more to owning a pool than enjoying a refreshing dip on hot summer days. To keep your pool water and equipment in tip-top shape you must properly treat your pool by balancing various chemical levels. More specifically, your pool should maintain a pH between 7.2 and 7.8 and an alkalinity level between 80 and 120 ppm.

When it comes to finishing and waterproofing the inside of your new or remodeled swimming pool, you have a number of different options to choose from. While standard plaster – which consists of cement, sand, and additives – is the most popular, Pebble Technology International (PTI) offers several distinct textures of pool finishes.

When I first felt a pool jet on my feet, I remember feeling it like was the best thing ever. As I started to learn about pools, I realized that jets aren’t always just there to feel nice. They also can carry certain roles in pool cleanliness as well as water refreshing. I was surprised, though, to hear that pool jets need to face a certain way. But, which way are your pool jets supposed to face?

Owning a pool is already a luxurious thing in this day and age, but have you ever experienced what it’s like to have a pool with a slide? It’s an amazing thing indeed. Unfortunately, buying a pool slide is going to be a little difficult. We’re going to show you how to cut costs and keep things safe while you make your own.

There are very few things more relaxing than lounging in your own private hot tub, whether you’re enjoying a romantic evening or soothing your aching muscles. Despite the host of benefits that come with owning a hot tub, the perceived costs often prevent many homeowners from buying one in the first place. If you’re considering installing a hot tub in your outdoor space, you’re likely asking yourself: Are hot tubs expensive to run?

Adding tile to your pool can create a stunning showpiece in your backyard. Not only are glass and ceramic tiles beautiful to look at, but they are strong, long-lasting, and very low maintenance. Pool tiles can transform the entire look of your pool with just one simple installation.

If there is one thing that I’ve learned by doing tons of writing and research on the topic of pool liners, it’s that they tear. And when they usually do, it tends to be when water is in the pool. The most obvious way to patch up a pool liner would be to drain the pool. But, what if you don’t want to drain your pool? Can you patch a wet pool?

Endless pools or swim spas have gained quite some popularities in recent years. Naturally, homeowners begin to ask the question about pricing. How much does an endless pool cost?

A swimming pool can be a terrific investment due to the value it adds and just how useful it is. If you have a swimming pool at home, you can use it for exercising or cooling down during the summer. Unfortunately, there’s also a chance that your swimming pool may largely go unused.

Swimming pools are a great way to cool down during the hot summer months. However, it’s not always easy to know when you should add a shock treatment and how much is too much. Can you put too much shock in a pool?

Anyone who’s ever bathed in a poorly-maintained pool will tell you that an unsanitary pool is a serious threat to your health. That’s why most new pool owners tend to delve deep into their pool maintenance research. One of the more difficult issues to discuss is the topic of adding bleach to a pool in order to keep it sanitary. So, how much is enough…and how much is too much?

Nothing is worse as a proud pool owner than the sight of murky, green pool water. The sight of green pool water can dissuade anyone from swimming, and it can be quite concerning. As unappealing as it looks, is it safe to swim in green pool water?

Imagine the following moment: you’re in your pool, enjoying the jets. Then, the jets stop working and your pool lights shut off. Your breaker has tripped. You run over, untrip the breaker switch, and get back in. Within a matter of minutes, you can’t enjoy your pool anymore. The breaker tripped again. Your GFCI breaker is supposed to protect your system. So, what’s going on?

Pools from time to time will need maintenance. Most simple repairs and cleaning tasks can be fixed with the water still in the pool. However, for larger issues, you may need to drain it. If you have to call out a professional to drain your pool, you may be wondering if you can just leave it empty until the next time you need to use it.

If you have a pool, you’re no stranger to the work that goes behind maintaining it year after year. One of the most important parts that keeps your pool running in top shape is your pool filter. There are a handful of different filter types from which you can choose depending on your personal preferences. If you are planning to use a sand filter for your above ground pool, it’s important to choose the right size.

Adding a relaxing element to your home is as easy as putting in a swim spa or pool. Swim spas are similar to a pool, but also hold many characteristics of a hot tub. Because of that, many builder-owners set their eyes on a swim spa to boost their home’s value.

A pool pump is the swimming pool’s lifeblood that keeps the water circulating, filtered, and safe to swim in. If it were not for this machine, the swimming pool would be a breeding ground for bacteria. Other contaminants would take over the crystal clear water that the whole family enjoys.

Saltwater pools are all the rage these days, and part of the reason for it deals with the way that they work with plants. Having a little plant life breathes an eco-friendly freshness into your spa area. Of course, you will have to pick the right plants. Saltwater pools tend to salinate the area around them, so it’s important to know what type of plants work well around them.

As an avid fan of hair products, I know a ton of different conditioning treatments for my hair. As a swimming enthusiast, I had absolutely no idea that pool conditioners are a thing, too. We all know that conditioners are supposed to make the quality of the intended object improve. However, pools are pools. So, what is a pool conditioner supposed to condition? The water’s already clean, so….what’s going on here?

Vinyl pool liners are an amazingly affordable way to ensure that your home has a safe pool that you can swim in. As one of the most popular pool liner materials on the market, it’s easy to see why people enjoy them. Unfortunately, they do have the drawback of having to be pre-made. But, does that mean you also can’t paint them? Is customization really off-limits?

Frequent shocks are required for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is to keep the hot tub clean. There are a few additional explanations listed below:

When you first become a pool owner, the first thing that becomes apparent is that you are going to need a lesson in chemistry. There are so many chemicals that you are going to have to get acquainted with. You might already know that you’re going to need some form of chlorine, but did you ever wonder why people are talking about bleach? Is that even meant for pools?

As the weather gets cooler, it’s time for many people to start taking care of basic pool maintenance and repairs. Many people assume that in-ground pools need to be drained during the winter months, but the opposite is actually true. 

If you’re like me, there are few things that are as fun as feeling the pool jets running near your body. Pool jets aren’t just a fun thing, either. They are meant to help stir up the water and improve the overall flow of your pool. Preventing stagnant water is a major issue in pool upkeep. So, what should you do if your pool jets suddenly go kaput?

Ah, there’s nothing like a day in the pool. The sun is shining, the water is cool, the pool pump is making a loud buzzing noise…Wait. The pool pump isn’t supposed to sound like a loud motor having a temper tantrum. Pool pumps are supposed to be (kind of) quiet. When your pump is getting as loud as a nightclub on a hot day, you need to get to the bottom of whatever is causing it.

Frogs are not the first thing people think of when they are about to become a pool owner. However, they can prove to be a bit of a pest for people in certain parts of the country. When frogs see your pool, they’re going to want to hop in. Unfortunately, chlorine and pool water isn’t good for them. How long can they survive in it?

Pool liners are what separate your pool’s water from the rest of the world. They are a mainstay when it comes to your pool’s ability to contain water well. In fact, you kind of need to have a pool liner that’s fully functional in order to properly swim in your pool. When you have a hole in your liner, it’s normal to have a need to patch things up. It’s clear that you are going to need to fix holes, but how big is too big to fix?

Depending on where you live, a swimming pool can make summer months much more enjoyable and an excellent way to cool off. In fact, during the pandemic, pool manufacturers and installers saw a major increase in demand with everyone stuck at home. Heaters, pumps, and building materials were out of stock for months, but the demand still remains consistent.

Swimming pools are just as relaxing and enjoyable as they are sometimes high maintenance. Maintenance and repairs are a part of owning a home with a pool, but unexpected damage means unexpected costs. Pool surfaces are susceptible to damage, and builder-owners are left wondering how much they’ll have to spend this time.

If you’re considering installing a saltwater pool in your backyard, you likely have a lot of questions. Saltwater pools serve as an alternative to traditional chlorine pools, and although you don’t have to manually add chlorine to a saltwater pool, they still contain chlorine. They have a much smaller amount, which is produced by a salt chlorine generator. This filtering system turns salt into chlorine, to effectively clean a saltwater pool.

Pool covers are always made out to be flimsy things. In the past, that was just the way things were. Today, things are a bit different. Your pool cover can turn a pool into a fully covered sidewalk…if you get the right type. While they are not quite common, you can now buy pool covers you can walk on. The question is, which ones are the best walkable pool covers on the market?

Fiberglass pools have such a popular following. They are sturdier than typical vinyl or Intex. They also tend to work well with people who want to customize them with bells and whistles. As a person who gets the need to be customized, I understand the love people have for adding a coat of paint to their pool walls. We know it’s cool with concrete, but can you add flair to your fiberglass too?

Intex pools are one of the most affordable types of pools on the market. They’re above-ground pools that are durable and at the same time,  relatively easy to maintain. However, they tend to have one major snag. Sometimes, they end up being uneven. When this happens, you need to know what to do…and if you’re at risk of something worse.

I’ll be honest. There are so many different terms that you can learn when it comes to pool talk, it kind of shocks me. (See what I did there?) When I first heard about swim spas, I assumed that they were the same things as pools. Believe it or not, they aren’t. Swim spas and pools are different, and if you’re looking into getting one, it’s good to know what you should expect.

Above ground pools are one of the most popular add-ons for backyards, and it doesn’t take an Einstein to figure out why. Pools rule! And above ground pools are the most affordable type. Traditionally, these are put on a grassy part of your backyard ontop of sand. But, what if you want to put it on something like concrete?