Tips for Pool Cleaning and Maintenance

A swimming pool is an all time favorite for many, especially when the weather is hot and humid. Using swimming pools may be very easy but the cleaning and maintaining of a swimming pool is quite tiresome. However, nothing is impossible and there are many pool cleaning and pool maintenance service centers and equipment that can help you to have a pristine and healthy pool. On the other hand, if you choose to maintain your pool on a regular basis without any assistance, here are a few valuable tips that will go a long way.

1. Pool vacuuming every week is mandatory to reduce chemicals that are added to the water. Choosing pool vacuums is easy depending on the type of pool you have. Remember to clean the filter after each vacuuming session. If you don't clean the filters regularly, then the water that enters your pool may get muddy or dirty. Ideally the filters had to be cleaned and serviced after every 50 operations.

2. The walls and sides of the pool should be carefully brushed so that algae and calcium formation is minimized. Depending on the material of the pool wall, the equipment should be selected. For instance, fiberglass and vinyl walls require soft brushes while concrete walls will require a hard brush. Muriatic acid or a pumice stone will be a great assistance.

3. Pool heaters should be maintained meticulously since calcium tends to scale up the tubes of the heater and hinder the adequate heating of the water. If this problem happens, then the assistance of a professional is the best choice since the heater may have to be dismantled and cleaned and re installed.

4. Checking the water level and maintaining that level is also important. During the swimming season, normally a lot of water gets lost due to wear and tear and also due to evaporation. You can check the water level from time to time when you are using the skimmer to remove debris from the pool. Always maintain the exact water level in the pool.

If you are able to cope with such pool cleaning and pool maintenance services by yourself then you can save around $100 a month each time you want clean your pool. It is quite easy to maintain a swimming pool, though initially you may feel it quite tiresome. Gradually pool cleaning can become an interesting chore like all other household chores.

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Swim Spa Safety Tips

Although swim spas that are located in a public facility, like a resort, are well regulated, they can still pose a safety hazard if you don't observe basic precautions. The same can be said for a swim spa that you have at home, too. Most precautions are common sense; however, a few require some knowledge of how a spa works to uphold. Never allow children around spas unsupervised to prevent accidental drowning, and always ensure that you are placing your spa in an approved area - most neighborhoods require that all bodies of water are contained inside of a fence that is at least six feet high. The bars of the fence will need to be a certain distance from one another, as well; these measurements can vary according to the area that you live in.

One of the most important things to remember about using a swim spa is that you should never consume any alcoholic beverages while you're in the hot water. Refrain from drinking immediately prior to entering your spa, as well. Hot water does not mix well with alcohol, because both the heat and the alcohol work to expand your arteries - they also raise the temperature of your body. Additionally, you don't want to risk falling asleep in the water. Although it may be tempting to bring a drink in to help you relax more, it really is not a good idea. This is especially true if you are going to be using the spa without any other adults present.

Like a swimming pool, you will need to regularly maintain your swim spa so that it remains a sanitary place to relax and swim. This includes testing the water chemistry, and adding any needed chemicals. You don't want to create a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and other fungi. Additionally, the electrical components will need to be regularly monitored to ensure that they aren't broken, or at risk for becoming a fire hazard.

On a final note, make sure you always listen to your body when you're using swim spas. They are an excellent way to relax after a long day; however, some people cannot stay in the hot water for very long before their body starts to send distress signals. It's a good idea to consult with your doctor prior to using a swim spa on a regular basis to ensure that your body is able to take the heat. Some individuals, such as those with heart disease and blood pressure problems, are at a higher risk for something going wrong in the spa.

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Fixing Common Pool Problems

Swimming pools offer fun and relaxation, when the summer heat might normally make life miserable. Unfortunately, pools require maintenance to keep them attractive and clean. Occasionally, consistent maintenance habits aren't enough to prevent problems from occurring. If you've noticed any of the following problems, there are a few things you can do on your own to return things to normal.

When water appears foamy

Sometimes, pool owners may notice that their water appears somewhat foamy. Foam can come from many different sources; however, most often, it is caused by dissolved skin cream, shampoo, soft water or an algaecide. Although this problem tends to be much more common in hot tubs, which host more people in smaller amounts of water; it can also occur in smaller swimming pools. Typically, you will notice the foam building along the sides of the pool. When this occurs, the first step is to balance the water. Normally, this should solve the problem; however, if it fails to make a difference, you can purchase a de-foamer at a pool supply store.

When water looks milky or cloudy

Murky water is a common problem associated with outdoor pools. Unfortunately, determining the cause can be somewhat difficult, since several different things could be to blame. Before you call in a professional, try the following in the correct order.

Check disinfectant chemical levels; add more disinfectant if they appear to be low. If the pool contains adequate chlorine, check to ensure that the pump is functioning correctly. Look for a triggered circuit breaker or loose wire that might prevent it from operating. Look closely at your hair and lint strainers to ensure that they are not clogged. Check to ensure that the strainer lid isn't loose.

When water looks somewhat green

Green or blue-green water is typically caused by algae; however, it can also be caused by the presence of trace metals. Often, this occurs when copper leaches from heating elements or old, corroded pipes. If you've treated the pool for algae, but the color hasn't changed; try using a sequestering or chelating agent.

When the water contains sand

After a while, swimmers may track dirt or sand into the pool; however, normally the filter will remove most of it. If it isn't doing the job, it may be because the pump is over-sized or the lateral is cracked. This can be a big problem, because sand can cause serious damage to sensitive pool components. Unfortunately, you will need to call a professional to address a problem of this magnitude; however, the cost shouldn't be too high as long as you don't wait until serious damage occurs.

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Make a Splash: Build Your Own Swimming Pool

To many people indoor swimming pools conjure up the idea of fun, relaxation, and family time. Still, there are many misconceptions about building one's own pool; it is too difficult, and costly to name a few. To clear up these mistaken beliefs, building it yourself will actually save you money, while getting you the pool that you have always wanted.

To start, do some research and ask around, find friends and neighbours who have indoor swimming pools, find out what they like or dislike about them. Draw up a plan of how you want it to look; do you want it above or in ground? Do you want it attached to the house, or to have its own separate pool house? Putting all this on paper is the best way to map out where everything from where seats to windows will go in the design scheme. Graph paper is the best in these projects because it is easy to draw scale and dimensions on them.

There is also the question of seating; will those be built into the deck or pool area? Will there be a hot tub or spa added; what about a small one for the young swimmers, or adding a slide in the pool?

For a pool that is above ground, consider building a deck around it so that it won't resemble a free standing barrel. The best option is to place the pool into a low-level deck.

This takes considerable planning because you have to plan the deck around the pool; you can't just have the deck, and then cut a hole in it and place the pool in it. Add to the atmosphere by incorporating potted plants, and flowers to make a lovely landscaping scheme.

For ground pools, don't start digging and hope that the pool will fit, measure how deep and wide the pool is and then start to dig. Ground pools have to be built on level surfaces, and reinforced with concrete slabs.

Legal issues are another thing to consider when building a pool. Look into local building laws in your area and read up on issues involving height limitations and fences and pad locks. Pools are very tempting for little ones to climb into; having a pool cover adds an extra deterrent for them.

Adding a pool is an investment, since it will add value to the home. Having your own pool encourages a healthy lifestyle and helps relieve stress, improves circulation, and is great cardiovascular exercise. No matter what kind of pool you choose, as long as you have a plan and have done your research, building one can be a rewarding project.

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Keeping Your Hot Tub in Good Condition

When you come home from a long day at work, or a particularly strenuous day at school, all you want to do is probably to relax and worry about nothing at all. A good, long bath can do the trick-but nothing can help a person unwind like a hot tub can. There are many reasons why we constantly flock to spas and salons which offer spa services. They are warm, bubbling, and can even be a fun outing option with friends; slipping into one make it seem like we are dissolving our worries off into the water. The increasing popularity of having hot tubs at home is great news for aficionados of the device everywhere. Now, instead of driving miles, waiting in line, and awkwardly sharing the pool with strangers, we are able to install one at home and enjoy it with ease and comfort.

However, this ease does not come without certain burdens. Having our own hot tub at home means that we would need to take measures to maintain it in a good condition. Getting one can be quite an investment-standard, good models usually run around $5,000-and proper care would ensure that the tub would last longer and work better.

The best way to keep our spa working properly is by regularly cleaning it. One thing to remember is not to overdo it; use a soft, non-abrasive cleaner, and remove dirt with a scrubber or rag. Used in small quantities, baking soda can be a great remedy for build-ups of dirt or soap which are harder to clean. Finish up your cleaning routine with a coat of sheen to keep your spa looking tip-top. Most hot tubs would have a vinyl cover on them, and this too must be cared for regularly.

Wash with water, scrub with a sponge dipped in a mild soap before rinsing. This would help prevent the accumulation of dirt which would be harder to clean. Periodically draining the tub's water also helps prevent the building up of residual soaps or dirt.

Once you have cleaned the outer shell of your spa, it is time to get into the nooks and crannies. Spa filters are used to make sure that the water in the tub stays clean and clear. They also need to be cleaned regularly, as they can become clogged. Once a month, hose down the filter and thoroughly clean the filter. There are certain products in the market which can help clean such filters. With proper maintenance, you will be able to get the most out of your hot tub.

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Polaris Pool Cleaners - The Best Choice You Will Ever Make!

The Polaris swimming Pool Cleaner Company is the one of the most successful companies within the pool cleaning industry; they manufacture trademark brand Polaris. This company manufactures different models and types of cleaners. Different kinds of dirt and debris from your pool are removed with these cleaners. They also sanitize the water to leave you with that fresh, sparkling alluring look.

Most of the cleaners within the industry now can be considered automatic. They operate without your supervision since they are self-programmable and can easily can be set up. Your just set up the appliances, sit and relax; and these machines will wade through the water and remove that dirty scum.

What gives these cleaners the cutting edge above the other brands? I will tell you, they will also clean the surfaces of your swimming pool to minimize any accumulation of bacteria and other microbes in addition to the water.

There are three types of Polaris pool cleaners available: the pressure-side lagoon cleaners, suction-side and robotic pond cleaners. Each type employs a different mechanism for application but each achieves the same result which is to clean the swimming pool fast conveniently leaving it safe to swim.

The most popular models are: Polaris 280; Polaris 360 and Polaris 380. These models are of the pressure-side type. Each of these models have the following similarities:

1. Can clean any kind of surface 2. Includes its own filter bag 3. 31-foot hose kit 4. Circulates clean filtered water throughout your pool while cleaning

Each of these models do have distinct design characteristics. One major difference is that the Polaris 280 and Polaris 380 both require a separate booster pump while Polaris 360 does not. It should be noted that there are several other differences between these models. These differences illustrate the uniqueness of each model; in other words each model does has its pros and cons but can be applied to unique situations.

Are you worried about the maintenance of these machines? This is easy as 'a walk in park'. You just contact the company and give them some information about your pool. A friendly sales representative will recommend suitable cleaners to use. Most of parts of these cleaners are replaceable and easily accessible.

Once you are a swimming pool owner; having one of these cleaners is a must. It will remove the slimy stuff in the pool sides. Leaving your pool clean with that refreshing look and most importantly leaving you stress free!

Stop Feeding Algae in Your Swimming Pool