Saltwater types of swimming pools boast their natural sanitizing process aside from the beauty and comfort they provide for the bathers. However, just like any type of pool water system, the water as well as the pool facility itself need to be properly cleaned and maintained in order to continuously enjoy the pleasure and benefits of a well-cared-for pool.

In swimming pool care, proper and regular cleaning is a must in order to get the full benefits and advantage of owning a swimming pool regardless of its type. Aside from cleaning the pool and the water, proper maintenance of the water chemistry should also be kept and managed on a regular basis as this would be the usual cause of water problems that will eventually lead to the need for general pool cleaning.

When maintaining a saltwater pool, always remember that although it uses salt in the water, the methods used in cleaning is definitely similar with that of chlorinated types of pool water.

When talking about pool cleaning, there are different ways in how to deal with each problem. For example, a green pool needs to be chlorinated or shocked first before the water is suctioned out of the pool in order to get a clear view on what you are dealing although some may do other methods. Basically, all you need to do is find out which cleaning technique is more convenient for you.

Here is a simple step by step guide on how to clean your saltwater pool:

1. Throw some chlorine or pool shock product in the water a day before your scheduled maintenance in order to clear the water in case of water problems. Cloudy, dark or green water will become clearer by using these products which can greatly aid you as you work through the pool.

2. Use a skimmer net to get anything that floats on the surface of the water and those that are at the bottom of the pool floor. Do this until your pool is clear of debris to make way for your pool vacuum cleaner.

3. Get your vacuum head and attach it to the pool pole so you can finish any leftover dirt or debris in the pool. At this point, most of the debris are just small pieces that are not caught by the skimmer net so there’s no need to worry that they may get stuck in the vacuum hose. Constantly check your filter bag or skimmer basket to make sure that you can remove any clogging that can affect the performance of the pool vacuum cleaner.

4. Scrub the pool thoroughly to get rid of slimy substances that are constantly building on the pool tiles. Make sure that you do this more often to avoid any injuries from pool accidents.

Disinfect the water by using the saltwater chlorination system. Let the pool pump run for 12 hours or as needed before using the pool. You can either leave it open or cover it with a pool cover to keep it clean for a longer period of time.

I write for Pool Prodigy about salt water pool maintenance and how to maintain a pool for everyone.

In old pool filters, leaks often occur whenever a vent screw goes missing. Water escapes from the vent and starts to drip.

Whenever this occurs, pond water gets polluted again due to presence of contaminants in water that drips from the filter. However, tightening the screws seals the leak and prevents water from escaping from the filter equipment. But people have to keep a watch to ensure sealing. The new cartridge filters, however, do not make use of screws as there are no vents. The filter is made of plastic outer layer with a cartridge fitted within it. There is no scope left for any leaks.

This form of new cleaning equipment is made by manufacturers like Astral, Hayward, Jacuzzi and others. It completely nullifies the need to fix leakages and vents. The only necessity is to clean the cartridge element whenever clogging takes place. The filament of this filtering medium has been enabled to deposit dirt particles, algae, microbes and minerals. So, all form of impurities is forced to decompose and deposit on the surface of cartridges. Cleaning of the impurity can be executed with flushing jets of water on the dirt-coagulated filament.

Swimming Pool filters of this grade has enhanced the cleaning capacity of pool equipment. People have started to adopt this form of accessories and are slowly replacing their old filters with the new ones. So, there is no question of leaks and breaks now. The accessories can be used and reused after cleaning. The user can stay free from tensions of sealing vents and possible occurrence of leaks.

The new cartridge filters are made of plastic and are sealed from all ends. There are no leaks to be found and the question of sealing vents as in traditional filters is completely nullified. For more information on filter cartridges, visit: http://www.poolfilters.biz/faq.

Are solar pool covers really effective? Many people stand by the statement that solar pool covers do really work under the right conditions. The purpose of solar pool covers or solar blankets is to transfer the heat to the water in your swimming pool to keep it warm during cold weather or during at night. Learn more about owning a solar pool cover in this information and understand why it is a good move.

As stated above, the conditions have to be right for the solar blanket to work effectively. These solar pool covers absorb sunlight and the heat absorbed is transferred to the water in the swimming pool. This will keep the water warm, which is great for night swimming.

The solar blankets are designed to absorb maximum sunlight. It is tinted blue and has air pockets to absorb heat effectively. For the optimum benefit from solar pool covers, the pool should be exposed to at least 5 hours of sunlight every day. The water will heat up as much as 1 degree after 5 hours of exposure. With continuous exposure to sunlight, the water will continuously be heated every single day.

During the night when the water is cool, solar blankets are effective in trapping the heat in the water. This keeps the water warm during the night. This is great because it does not only keep the heat within the water but also prevents the pool chemicals from evaporating.

But not every owner of swimming pool has a solar pool cover. This is either because people do not have a clue of the benefits of these solar covers or they do not want to add more chores to their pool maintenance. For most people, cleaning the pool is a chore in itself and this can be a challenging task in itself. Adding more tasks with the solar cover makes the chore more difficult.

In this time of austerity, however, it is best to save the money intended for heating the water in your swimming pool. To save costs on pool heating, it is best to use the solar covers instead.

Fortunately, there are solar cover reels that make the job easier. There is an automatic reel model available in most hardware or pool accessory shops that you can hook up to a water hose. With this device, you will have minimal work. This investment on a solar cover and reel is worth every cent with the savings you will have from the pool heating costs.

Paul De Vizard has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in home improvement, diet, fitness and weight loss, you can also check out his latest website Swimming Pool Cover which reviews and lists Information on all types of Solar Panels Pools.

As much as pool needs equipment such as filters, pumps, cleaners and others, pool chemicals are also a must in every above ground or inground swimming pools. These chemicals are necessary in maintenance and beautification.

Pool chemicals particularly chlorine is the one responsible in killing germs and bacteria in the water and revealing its clean and clear appearance. With proper utilization, chemical gives a lot of benefits to your pool but beware of its danger.

Most cases of accidents at home are resulting from exposure to harmful chemicals. As an owner, you should be responsible enough in handling pool supplies at home. Here are some points to remember in using pool chemicals:

• Estimate the accurate amount to be added by calculating the size of your pool. The amount of chemical needed depends on its size. This means the larger your pool is, the larger the amount of chemical that is needed.
  
• Use proper tools in using. If possible purchase gloves and containers that you’ll need in pouring chlorine and other chemicals.
  
• Avoid skin and eye contact with. When exposed to skin and eyes, chemicals can cause allergic reactions and infections.
  
• Keep them out from reach of children. They are harmful especially for children who are not aware enough of these products. If not stored properly it can poison anyone who can accidentally drink it or use it.
  
• Safety of your family should be your number one concern when it comes to the utilization of pool supplies especially with pool chemicals. Your desire to maintain the good performance and appearance of your pool should not sacrifice the security of your loved-ones.

Jasmine Boulsen is a Biochemistry graduate and is currently working for Overnight Pools an online swimming pool supplies company that offers high-quality pool chemical and inground swimming pools.

In the past pool chemicals consisted of industry standard chlorine. While chlorine didn’t smell the greatest and burned the eyes and skin sometimes and it wasn’t that great for the environment but it did kill the bacteria in your spa and pools. Today, there are myriad alternatives to keeping your pool clean and bacteria free and there are alternatives to chemicals. Here are a couple of options to keep your pool clean:

1. Electronic water purification is a way that cleans your pool by ionizing the water. There are water systems that generate copper and silver ions that purify the water. The method was perfected and used by NASA as a way to purify the water for the astronauts. Electronic water purification eliminates the need to use pool chemicals and even though there may be a bigger upfront cost to install an ionization system, in the long run it may be less expensive than buying chemicals. Also with the automated system, it may eliminate the need to test the water daily.
   
2. Ozonators – or ozone generators are another popular choice for pool and spa owners. While an ozone generator doesn’t completely eliminate the need for pool chemicals, they reduce the amount of chemicals needed to keep the water free of bacteria.
   
3. Salt – using salt to keep a pool clean isn’t a new technology but it is gaining popularity with many pool owners. With a salt-based pool cleaning system, table salt, a power pack and cell are used to keep the pool clean. The water passes through the cell where it’s converted into a natural sanitizer to purify the pool. After, the agents used to sanitize, reverts back to salt. Using a salt-based purification system gets rid of viruses, algae and bacteria in the water and are environmentally friendly.

When you’re installing your pool you might want to talk to your contractor to see what type of pool cleaning system they recommend. Shop around and ask friends and family what kind of systems they use and how they perform for them.

Robbi Hess is a writer/editor/blogger with more than 20 years experience as a writer on assignment. She is a professional writer on assignment who has served on the staff of newspapers, magazines and with book publishers. You can see more about her at http://www.robbihess.com or http://www.lipsticking.com

Winterizing your above ground swimming pool entails following a sequence of important steps such as cleaning the pool thoroughly, balancing the chemicals in the water properly, and lowering the water level to below the returns and skimmer. Beyond this point, there are a dizzying array of winterizing accessories that could be used to keep your pool in good shape until winter is over. The high volume of items on the market can make a pool owner feel overwhelmed and confused. In essence, once the water has been prepared properly and you are ready to top it all off with a winter pool cover, there are really only three winterizing accessories about which you should be concerned.

Air Pillows

If the climate in which you live experiences freezing winter air temperatures, the first accessory you’ll need is an air pillow. Air pillows take on the pressure that freezing water creates and protect your pool’s walls and liner. As pool water freezes and expands, it will freeze inward on the air pillow rather than outward on your pool walls. Air pillows are placed under the winter cover in the center of the pool on the surface of the water. To prevent the air pillow from moving around under the winter cover, you’ll want to use heavy-duty string or twine to tie it to two sides of your pool wall.

Cover Pumps

Next, you’ll want a pool cover pump to drain the water that collects on your pool cover throughout the winter months. If accumulated water is not removed by a cover pump as it builds up, the weight of that excess water can damage your winter cover or pull the cover into the water below. Either way, you’ll have a messy situation to deal with. Cover pumps are available in manual models and automatic models. Manual cover pumps require that you monitor the pump’s progress and unplug it when the water is drained. Automatic cover pumps, which are generally preferred by pool owners, sense and automatically start when water is detected on the cover and turn off automatically once the water has been drained.

Bags, Seal, or Clips

Finally, you’ll want to consider effective ways to prevent your winter pool cover from being blown around on breezy days, exposing your pool to the elements and ruining the hard work you put into winterizing. There are many options available for keeping a winter cover in place, including wall bags, winter cover seal, and cover clips. Pool cover wall bags are designed especially for above ground pools and are placed around the inside edge of your pool, attached to the winter cover’s cable. Wall bags should be filled only three quarters full with water to ensure enough room is available for the water if it should freeze and expand. Winter cover seal is a second method for keeping your pool cover in place, and while it looks very much like a large roll of plastic wrap, it’s really a tough poly blend film loaded with UV inhibitors. Winter cover seal is wrapped around the covered pool several times to create a tight seal, which prevents wind as well as dirt from getting under the cover and causing damage and premature wear and tear. Cover clips are a third option for securing your winter cover. Cover clips are exactly that — handy fasteners that hold your pool cover in place. They grip your top rail like a clothes pin and remain securely fastened through the winter season.

Keeping the winterizing of your above ground swimming pool as straightforward as possible will make the process less tedious and drawn out. A good quality air pillow, a manual or automatic cover pump, and a means of securing your winter cover to the pool are really the only essential accessories you need to go along with your winter pool cover. You’ll find that you don’t need any more than this to prepare your pool for winter and ensure that it stays in great shape until next season.

Trey Collier is owner of BackyardCityPools.com – North America’s finest resource for quality pool supplies, including a wide selection of superior Winter Pool Cover Accessories.

Is it a long time since you cleaned your pool? Is the dirt and debris in your pool bothering you? It is time to give your pool a ‘shock’. Well, do not get surprised, shocking is a chemical oxidation process to clean your pool water, by breaking down soluble wastes. Purchasing right chlorine pool supplies is an important prerequisite in cleaning a pool through ‘shocking’ it. Some of the effective pool supplies are discussed below:

Chlorine: Chlorine is one of the most powerful cleaning agents effective for ‘shocking’. It can quickly merge with other foreign elements and remove them. In order to get the maximum result, remove the chlorine after a ‘shocking’ process.

Replacing used chlorine is an important step you should take to prevent any health hazard, especially, problems pertaining with skin. One more reason to change it regularly is because it gets evaporated quickly by sunlight.

Content: Make sure to check chlorine content of your pool. If the level is below 7 parts per million, it is time to replenish to prevent bacterial and fungal infection. Pool shock is very important to prevent these hazards. Chlorine forms an important part of pool supplies which would help to cleanse the water from harmful bacteria and fungi.

Application of Lithium hypochlorite: The conventional way to apply chlorine is simply adding or pouring it with equal distribution. Lithium hypochlorite is a prevailing chlorinating product for ‘shocking’. It would help to speedily increase chlorine ratio of pool. It does not have a stabilizing agent, indicating its capacity to dissolve quickly.

Calcium hypochlorite: Calcium hypochlorite is another strong agent chlorinating agent, and is very effective in shocking process. It acts very quickly, and positive results can be seen faster.

Dichlor: Dichlor is another cleaning agent which uses sodium as a stabilizing agent. This agent should be preferably be used during a hot period. You should wait for sometime after adding this product, before going for swimming.

Non-chlorinated shock: Chlorine is reactive to its surrounding elements. Using this property of chlorine, you can also opt for non-chlorinated shocks by just refurbishing existing chlorine molecules which are already present in the pool. A powerful agent is required to unbind these molecules, commonly known as chloramines. Potassium mono-sulfate is commonly used for restoring the power of chlorine.

Chlorine and its agents are one of the most important components of a pool supply. You should purchase them for a reputed and reliable vendor to get utmost results. PoolProducts4Less.com is your trusted partner for finest pool supplies at sing prices.

Now you can get all the details regarding above ground pool supplies and you’ll even find articles about pool cleaners at www.poolproducts4less.com.

When you own a swimming pool, having the right tools on hand to take care of it is of paramount importance. And because the cleanliness of your pool has such a profound effect on its overall health (not to mention the enjoyment you get out of using it), a high-quality pool vacuum may be the most important tool you own. Having the right vacuum can mean having a spotless pool even in bad weather, and even if the pool gets heavy use.

But choosing the proper vacuum for your pool isn’t like choosing the color of your new toothbrush. It’s a major purchase, so you’ll need to spend some time on the decision if you want to make the right choice. Here’s what you should look for.

Automatic or manual? Like automobile transmissions, pool vacuums come in both automatic and manually-operated varieties. A manual vacuum, of course, is one you operate yourself. An automatic vacuum is similar to those robot vacuum cleaners some people get for their homes: It swims around the pool by itself, vacuuming the pool bottom autonomously.

What kind of head? Most handheld vacuums feature an extending pole with the vacuum head attached. Your cleaning methods and the kind of pool you have will determine the kind of vacuum head you buy. For instance: If your pool has a fiberglass or vinyl layer, you may want to buy a head with plenty of attachments. But if you don’t spend a lot of time vacuuming your pool, you may want to consider buying a weighted head. Because it’s weighed down with sand or lead, it’s easier to scrub the bottom of the pool. Thus, stubborn stains will be easier to tackle.

Make sure the head is flexible. A flexible head is more suited to scrubbing steps, ladders and corners.

Ask a professional. Because pool service contractors use pool vacuums in their everyday work, they’ll be in a perfect position to give you advice on buying your own.

D. Michael Kirby is a freelance writer who writes about home improvement, travel and technology. One of his clients is APCO Pools, the premier pool maintenance contracting firm serving the greater Philadelphia area. Visit APCO here: http://www.apcopools.com

As a pool owner, you have the responsibility of knowing about salt water filter systems. Simply put, these are filtration systems that utilize three important components to ensure that the pool water is fit to be swam in by humans. These components include real salt, a salt cell and a control box, all of which work together to naturally produce chlorine through the process known as electrolysis.

Also, these filtration systems are eco-friendly and cost-efficient, thus, explaining their desirability among an increasing number of pool owners. On one hand, the system transforms the salt from chlorine and then back into salt at the end of the process. On the other hand, there is very little maintenance costs involved with the system. Indeed, if you don’t have one of these filtration systems for your pool, no matter its size, then you should start considering its installation.

Such a recommendation is based on the many benefits that salt water filter systems bring to the owners. You will observe that these benefits are a reiteration of the above mentioned reasons for their popularity but you can agree that these points cannot be overemphasized.

First and foremost, a salt water filter system significantly eliminates the necessity for other kinds of pool chemicals. Many aspects of life will benefit from such a benefit. Your pocket will appreciate the savings from the lesser need to purchase additional chemicals to treat the pool water. Your planet – no, let’s make that our planet – can be better because there are fewer toxic chemicals being dumped on it.

Your health will be safe from all those potentially harmful chemicals coming into contact with your skin. Many individuals even think of taking a swim in the pool as taking a bath in a sea of chemicals. You will even love the softer feel of filtered water around your skin.

If you have children and pets around the house, your peace of mind goes up by notches because there are fewer chemicals that may come into their hands and paws. Indeed, many children and pets have been known to suffer from serious health difficulties because of exposure to these chemicals particularly when ingested.

But just like all products, the salt water filter systems have their share of disadvantages, too. For one thing, the costs can be on the expensive side specifically starting at several thousand dollars. You may find that it is a costly initial investment to make, never mind the abovementioned benefits.

For another thing, it does not mean that you will have lesser to no need for the addition of chlorine into the pool for additional purification of the water. Thus, if you are concerned about the health effects of chlorine, a salt water filter system may not be for you.

Most disturbing about the demerits of salt water filter systems is that it promotes corrosion. You will observe corrosion of the pool fittings as well as buildup on the pool tile. Such an effect may require hundreds of dollars to counteract.

So, is a salt water filter system better than the traditional methods? Well, the answer ultimately depends on your needs, budget and preferences for a pool filtration system. Ask the staff of the pool supply store about your options and then make your decision to go for or to avoid salt water filter systems.

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Have you been reading 4 person hot tub reviews, wondering which hot tub you should purchase? It definitely can be tough to make up your mind, even after reading all the reviews out there. Before you make your final decision, it’s a great idea to know some of the basic options you can choose from. Here is a closer look at four types of hot tubs that you may want to consider adding to your home.

Acrylic Above Ground

Acrylic above ground ones are an option you can choose from if you are looking for a great hot tub for home use. In fact, you’ll read a lot of great reviews about this type. The acrylic above ground options happen to be the most popular option out there today. They are made with a foam or fiberglass structure and a shell made from acrylic. These types of hot tubs take up quite a bit of space and they can cost you between $3000 to $10,000, depending on the one you choose.

Portable

Another option that you have if you want a spa is portable one. These happen to be the least expensive option. Since they are portable, you can easily take them with you when you move and when you are not using the tub, it is easy to store away as well. Of course, there are a few cons you’ll find out about if you read reviews about these as well. Although they are cheaper, they aren’t quite as durable as other options and they don’t look as nice either. The temperature in the tub drops a lot faster as well.

In Ground

If you really want to lay out some money, in ground hot tubs are the way to go. They are the most expensive option you have, since installation takes quite a bit of work. When you install an in ground one, you’ll increase home value. Another benefit is that it holds the heat better than other spas, since it is in the ground. Of course, it is expensive and you have to have it installed by a professional, which can be a big drawback.

Wooden

For those that want a more rustic look, wooden spas make an excellent choice as well. They look beautiful and the woods smell wonderful with the warm water as well. Of course, a look at 4 person spa reviews will show you that they require a whole lot of maintenance, which can become a problem if you don’t have a lot of time to invest into the spa. There is a smaller selection to choose from as well if you go this route.

Looking for the best or 4 person hot tub or two person hot tubs is easier than you think.