More outdoor living:

Buying pools and spas

Outdoor construction

Patio and outside living

Patio and garden furniture

Outdoor recreation

Buying pools and spas

Considering buying a new pool or spa for your backyard? If you are please read the information listed on this page. It is a great resource for learning more about pools and spas.

Maintain a clean clear swimming pool
By maintaining your pool properly with the right pool supplies, you can have clean, clear, and healthy water all year around. With a little regular investment of time to check the condition and chemical balance of your pool water, you'll save yourself a lot of work in the long run. By checking and adding needed chemicals to the water over the winter, you can rest assured that your pool will be inviting when you take the cover off for swimming season.

Some covers are strong enough to support the weight of people
Some pool covers fit into tracks along the sides of the pool, which prevents people and debris from falling into the water. They are strong enough to support the weight of several people. If you are concerned about liability, these are good options to consider. They come in manual, semi-automatic, and automatic models.

The seasonal pool cleaning checklist
Follow a seasonal pool cleaning checklist to keep your water fresh and healthy. Also, check pump baskets periodically for splits and cracks. You don't want debris to clog your impeller. A clogged impeller means reduced flow and poor filtration, just what you don't want! For daily cleaning try using automatic pool cleaners.

Determine the size of the hot tub you need
To determine the size of the hot tub you need, figure out how many people will be using it at one time. Hot tubs come in a variety of sizes with different seating capacities. Will you use your hot tub just for the family or for guests and entertaining your friends as well? You want your hot tub to be big enough for everyone to feel comfortable and be able to move about. Of course, the larger the tub, the more it costs. Figure your budget and your needs and buy the best you can afford to get the most from your money.

Using a pool heater
The swimming pool heater's pump can help keep pool temperatures consistently between 80 and 90 degrees. This is the preferred range for athletic training and physical therapy. Heater pumps are essential for people who enjoy using their pool all year long.
To help keep the heat inside the pool, try a solar blanket. They can be purchased along with your above ground pool heater. A solar blanket will prevent the heated pool water from dissipating as quickly as it would normally. A solar blanket also utilizes the sun's rays to aid in the heating of your pool, helping to reduce your heating and gas costs.