Most pool owners keep their chemicals balanced and use a hand skimmer when necessary to fish out leaves, twigs and other yard waste. But sometimes, big storms can bring all sorts of dirt and debris that can end up in a pool.

After one of these major weather events, or even after an infestation of algae, you may hope that your skimmer system can get your pool water clean again. But what if a few days go by, and it isn’t happening? Does this mean it’s time to manually vacuum your pool?

If you want to clean the bottom of your pool using your skimmer, you’ll need to gather the following materials:

• A vacuum head—otherwise known as a vac head.
• A telescopic pole that is long enough to reach even the deepest parts of your pool.
• A vacuum hose that also can reach every part of your swimming pool.

You may want to use a skimmer … Read Full Post »

You finally did it—you got a pool installed in your backyard. And you were incredibly glad you did, since it’s a nice way to cool off at the end of a long day. Then, your power bill came and your jaw dropped. You had run the pool pump all day, every day, and now you’re wondering: When is the best time to run a pool pump in the summer?

Like some questions, the answer isn’t entirely straightforward. Depending on your situation, you could choose to run your pump at night only, you may decide to switch to a different sized component to save money or you could find that running your pump all day long is preferible.

Homeowners want to do what’s right and keep their pools pristine, but they often don’t quite realize what they’re getting into, or ways to cut costs while still maintaining your pool. Let’s explore how to … Read Full Post »

Closing your pool for the season? Why would you? Sure, the weather gets colder in the south over the winter, but it’s not freezing like in northern states. Even if you don’t plan on really using your pool, “closing” it seems like a lot of unnecessary work.

That’s what you thought—until last year.

This past winter, you neglected your pool in the off-season, and in the spring you paid for it—literally. Your backyard oasis sustained damage and cleaning that needed to be addressed before you could swim again.

You don’t want that to happen again this year, but you’re not quite sure exactly how to winterize your pool.

In this post, we’ll share expert advice with you on closing a pool for the season so you can dive in when the temperatures heat up again.

Why Maintain Your Pool During Winter?

Before we go into more detail about what pool owners need to do during the … Read Full Post »

If you live in the southern United States, you probably find solace in your pool during the warmer months of the year. Some days, it can seem like the only way to enjoy time outdoors is to spend the day cooling off in your home’s backyard pool.

Still, though, as much as we use our backyard pools, it’s easy to take them for granted. Especially during the summer months, we want to assume our pools will be clean and ready to use at a moment’s notice. While it’s safe to assume the pool’s filter will keep it clean, many homeowners overlook the fact that the filter itself needs to be cleaned periodically. 

How To Clean Pool Cartridge Filters

In this post, we’ll discuss the types of filters you might be using in your pool, how they function and how and when you should clean your filters. Read on to learn the dos … Read Full Post »

What do many prospective homebuyers look for in a backyard? A swimming pool! Whether you’ve just moved into a new house with a pool or recently had one installed, you know that having a pool requires regular time and attention. First-time pool owners can easily feel overwhelmed with all the details, including what chemicals are needed to maintain a pool. Once you learn the basics, you’ll feel more confident understanding how to maintain your pool yourself.

Pool Maintenance For Beginners

The three Cs of pool care are circulation, cleaning and chemicals. Pay attention to each of these areas on a consistent basis and you’ll be able to prevent any issues before they become costly problems. Before we explore each of these areas, let’s talk about the tools you’ll need to get the job done.

What Equipment Do I Need?

The first thing you’ll want to get is a pool cover. A cover is effective in … Read Full Post »

Your existing pool is a place where everyone goes to hang out. Just thinking about it makes you smile; you and your family have made quite a few good memories playing in or around it. And while the pool itself has been great, a little upgrade never hurt anyone. Adding a waterfall to a pool, for example, and other yard enhancements are a feasible addition that can really make your backyard stand out from the rest.

Can You Add a Waterfall to an Existing Pool?

The good news is it’s definitely doable. So if you’re willing to take on a backyard project, we’ve got some tips to help you out. Before you do, ask yourself: Is a waterfall the right decision for you and your home? There are many things to take into consideration when thinking about adding this feature to your pool.

Benefits Of A Waterfall

One of the more obvious benefits … Read Full Post »