Protect your inground swimming pool from damage by working with your swimming pool professional to winterize it. Winter can wreak havoc on your swimming pool equipment, filters and the structure itself if you don’t take the steps to winterize it. Also, taking steps now will make the pool opening easier next season. Swimming pool technicians find that improper winterization causes most of the damage they see when summer rolls around.

Clean the pool as your first step then balance the water chemistry. You will be checking, and bringing into the correct levels, the total alkalinity, pH and calcium hardness. This is necessary to protect the pool from staining. After the chemicals have been balanced the winter chemical kit will be added. This kit keeps the water blue and clean.

Floating dispensers that release chemicals should not be used because if they become stuck against a wall it will stain and bleach the color out of it – for this reason, chlorine tablets shouldn’t be used when winterizing.

Because frozen water expands, it can damage the pool plumbing, filter system and the pool itself. When closing the pool for the season, water will be drained from the plumbing and the water level of the pool itself will be lowered below the level of the filters. Even if you live in the warm areas of the country, there is no predicting whether a freeze can happen and as such, precautions need to be taken. The water will need to be blown out from the plumbing lines with a shop vac.

Once the pool has been cleaned, the chemicals balanced, the water blown out of lines, now is the time to install the swimming pool cover. Purchase a hard cover that is also dark colored. A high quality swimming pool cover keep sunlight out of the water and this will prevent algae growth. The cover will also keep dirt and debris from the water. Air pillows will keep the cover from sinking into the pool water is an advisable practice. Check your pool periodically throughout the winter season to keep water and ice from building up and dragging the cover into the water. Use your shop vac to clear off any melted snow or ice. You will also want to remove any fallen leaves, branches or other debris t keep the cover from falling in.

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If you’re like most folks out there when you set out to design a pool, safety really isn’t a major concern. It’s not that you discount it. Rather it’s considered something to be dealt with after the pool is in. You’ll put up fencing, install nonslip surfaces when the patio is laid, hang out the “pool rules” sign, etc. However, what you may not know, is that there are measures that you can take right now during the design process to ensure that the risk of accidents is cut to a minimum.

For instance did you know that over the last handful of decades to cut costs more contractors are digging shallower deep ends? Well it’s true, and as a result of this trend diving board accidents from people crashing into the pool bottom have increased dramatically. Broken teeth, broken noses, and even broken necks are the risk that you take if you don’t have your pool dug deep enough. So do some research to find out what a safe depth is.

Then you for sure may want to take a look at what’s available now in the form of new state of the art fiber optics lighting technology for swimming pools. Fiber optics uses glass cables to transmit light through the switch box and into the pool, so all electrical wiring and the risk of shock that it carries is completely eliminated. This is a huge step up, and it also means the switch box for controlling the pool lights can be installed directly in the side of the pool for easy access because it’s “completely electricity free”.

Then something that you for sure don’t want to find out the hard way about, is that glass, and pools simply don’t mix. All it takes is for someone to drop one glass container, and you can have a huge safety problem on your hands because it’s so difficult to clean up in an outdoor setting. Then if any of the broken glass shards makes it’s way into the pool itself, the problem is even bigger. Particularly if the glass is clear. So consider installing a wood deck were plan on placing your tables and chairs.

New high-tech electronic monitoring systems are also creating a huge buzz now, and once you see how they operate you’ll understand why. Body heat and motion sensors can guard your date and backyard area when you’re not around, and they also function in any kind of weather. They also tell the difference between a small child and animal, so you don’t have to worry about false alarms. Then another handy feature, is that these systems can be programmed to call you on your phone if you have an intruder.

Then if you’re planning on having an aboveground pool installed then you really should include a fold-up safety ladder in your plans. They look and function just like any other normal aboveground pool ladder when they’re being used, and they only cost a little bit more. The difference here though, is that once you’re through, and ready to head inside, the ladder folds up to prevent a child of climbing in when you’re not there.

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Use caution when reading this article because you may start reaping the benefits of going solar, such as saving time, the environment and money. Solar blankets are like the perfect storm when you need to cut heating costs, get more use from your pool and keep debris from getting in your pool. We can help you choose the perfect solar pool cover and not pay too much.

You can find solar pool covers in a variety of shapes and sizes as well as many different materials. Online stores have everything from custom fit, high end covers to generic one-size-fits-all covers. When deciding on a solar pool blanket, make sure you choose a dark cover. This may go against your natural instinct – after all, you think you would want more of the sun’s rays to get in, but really you want the sun to heat the cover and keep the water from evaporating.

There is also debate over whether you require a custom-fit cover when you can simply purchase a generic cover provided that it fits your pool. The only real reason you’ll have to spend a lot of cash on a custom-fit cover is if you are going after the aesthetic appeal of having a perfect looking cover. Otherwise, you can just go for one that completely covers your pool. Provided that you have a cover that is a good, durable material, you’ll be fine. In The Swim produces a great solar pool blanket for the price. You are should expect to pay around $100-$150 for a quality cover designed to last you several years. A solar pool cover is really a long term investment. Yes, you’ll have to fork out some cash up front, but you’re going to spend less every month on your energy bills and this will really accumulate as time passes. If you already use a pool heater but you do not have a cover, then you’re wasting even more money. Would you heat your home but leave the windows open? Well, doing that with your pool is the same thing.

Another must-have is a solar pool reel. It is really an inexpensive item that will help you load and unload your cover onto the pool. Imagine trying to take off a large vinyl or plastic cover that’s covered in water for your large pool alone. It would be near impossible! Put money into the reel and you will be thanking me. A solar pool cover reel will lengthen the existence of your solar blanket keeping it in great condition whenever it’s not being used. You are looking to boost the length of time you get in your pool, right? Well then buy a solar pool cover reel which means you are not wasting time managing a cumbersome solar pool cover.

Going solar is also easy way capitalize on government programs. See what opportunities there are in your area as each state and province have different rules. You might want to research before you buy and will ikely have to apply for the rebates on your own, but this is another small step that can make your solar pool cover well worth it.

Taking note of these few pointers can save you plenty of cash on your power bill over the life of your pool. Think of all the bonus time and cash you can anticipate if you invest in a solar pool blanket!

To find out exactly how slashed my energy bill, visit my website about solar powered swimming pools.

Are you a pool owner? Have you mastered the proper way in cleaning and maintaining your pool to its sanitation? You might think it’s not possible, but it is. As a pool owner, you should have heard about pool cleaners that can help sanitize your swimming pools. But if you plan to get a pool and you have hesitations when it comes to after pool party session, don’t worry about it. There are different pools cleaners in which you can install and use to clean your pool. Hence, do not get a pool if you don’t have a pool cleaner.

The first thing you need to consider when buying a pool cleaner is the style of your pool. There are different pool cleaners that work best with inground pools and some work best on aboveground pools.

Anything that brushes and cleans a pool floor for inground and aboveground would work as a pool cleaner. A popular brand for pool cleaners is Hayward, which helps brush off debris from pools. This type of brand has a circulation system that helps move water from the bottom part of the pool. One other pool cleaner is the dirt devil which removes dirt and pebbles from your pool. This dirt devil is effective in cleaning and doesn’t even produce a sound. Asides from the common aboveground pool cleaners, a pool rover is also a popular use for pool cleaning. Pool rovers are automatic pool cleaners that filtrates water. It is easy to use since you only need to throw the machine in a pool. Rovers thoroughly rub off dirt on a pool floor.

For inground pools, pool cleaners like in-ground dirt blaster works better for its surface. Usually, pool cleaners for inground pools have a hose attached to them. Another pool cleaner for inground pools are wall scrubbers. These wall scrubbers have brushes and powerful suction to create more traction in the pool. And robotic pool cleaners are the most popular pool cleaner for inground pools because of its sensors and its timer, making the robot stop in an adjustable period. Most robotic pool cleaners have a thick brush that thoroughly cleans tiles, dirt, debris that is stuck in filter bags.

There are a lot of pool cleaners available in the market. The only thing you need to think of when purchasing a pool cleaner is how it will clean your pool. You need to make sure you’re buying the right one by asking the right people who can tell which one will work best for your swimming pool.

Learn more about above ground swimming pools. Stop by Steven Clark’s site where you can find out all about pools plus info on pool pumps.