Pool Chemicals: Why are they Necessary?

Chemical Treatments are Necessary if you Want a Sparkling Pool

If you didn’t add the proper pool chemicals on a regular basis, your pool would start to become cloudy and murky and the water would become a home to algae and disease-carrying bacteria. It certainly would not be a pretty picture. Therefore, if you want to maintain a pool that is clean, sparkling and safe for swimmers, you need to add swimming pool chemicals on a regular basis.

How Chlorine Works

Probably the most popular pool chemical is chlorine. When you add the chemical to the pool water, it breaks down into a number of chemicals to kill harmful bacteria. The pool disinfectant destroys the cells of microorganisms, thereby oxidizing the cells and making them unable to cause any harm. After oxidizing the cells, the chlorine molecules stop working and no longer are able to do their job of disinfecting the water. Therefore, one must add chlorine on a regular basis. Chlorine can be purchased in granular, liquid and tablet form, with tablets dispensed through an in-line or floating feeder.

How Bromine Works

Another swimming pool chemical, bromine, works differently than chlorine when it comes to sanitizing the pool. This chemical, when added to pool water, forms hypobromous acid, which is the main ingredient that kills harmful bacteria in the pool, acting as an oxidizer as well as a sanitizer. But, unlike chlorine, the chemical still remains active, even after killing the contaminants in the water. Therefore, the disinfectant continues to work longer than chlorine and therefore does not need to be added as often. Usually, the substance is distributed through a chemical feeder.

Measuring your Pool’s pH

For any chemical to work effectively in your pool, the water has to be kept at the right pH. The pH level is a way to gauge the acidity or alkalinity of the water. A preferred range is between 7.4 to 7.6 ppm or parts per million, which is a measurement for chemical concentration. If the pH level is lower, then the water will be acidic and therefore more corrosive to metal. On the other hand, if the pH is on the higher end of the scale, then disinfectants, such as chlorine, will not be able to work effectively. To restore the pH to its proper range, you need to add acid to the water if the pH is too high and you’ll want to include soda ash when the water’s pH is lower or the water is more acidic. HTH pool chemicals can help in this regard as they include products that are designed for maintaining a clear and safe pool.

When to Add Chemicals

When distributing chlorine in your pool, you’ll want to be sure to add it in the evening. Without a stabilizer, chlorine will last less than half a day, with much of the loss caused by the sun’s UV rays. Therefore, it’s best to add chlorine when the sun goes down. To maintain a pool that is continually clean and clear, include a shock treatment on a weekly basis as well. Give your pool a chlorinated booster shot, so to speak, to eradicate any algae or bacteria.

Chemical treatments are necessary if you want to maintain a pool that is an enjoyment to own. Take a look online. You can obtain chemicals for your pool that are dependable and at an affordable price.
photo credit: Son of Groucho

What to Look for when Choosing a Pool Service

Expectations

The sanitation and hygiene of your swimming pool is a priority; therefore, sometimes finding a pool service can be challenging task with respect keeping your pool clean on a regular basis. Before you canvas the yellow pages looking for a company then, take some time to decide what you expect from a pool service before investing any hard-earned money in the maintenance of your pool.

Service Plans

A pool service typically offers a number of service plans which involve cleaning the pool once or twice a week. Maintenance offerings also entail inspections, one-time cleaning, replacement of filter cartridges, vacation cleaning, chemical delivery, new pool start-up services, repairing automatic pool cleaners and the sales of pool supplies. Most pool service technicians clean pools ranging from approximately 5,000 to around 250,000 gallons in size.

Trained and Certified

Therefore, look for a pool service that has employees who are certified to clean pools and can supply you with several references with respect to their service. Don’t hire a pool service whose employees work as subcontractors. Make certain they’re certified and direct employees of the company.

Pool Service Offerings

Also, make sure the company has a variety of offerings with respect to maintenance. In other words, they should be able to offer you one of the following services:

–Weekly chemical and filter service and cleaning;

–Weekly full service and maintenance for any type of pool;

–Bi-weekly service and maintenance for any type of pool; and

–Delivery and supply of pool equipment

Other Criteria to Consider when Choosing a Company

In addition, a pool service should be licensed and insured to cover both residential and commercial accounts. It’s preferable too to choose one where there are no initial fees or contracts to sign and that offers billing on a monthly basis. If you can find one who will undertake a detailed analysis of the condition of your pool’s water, then that is good too as it will help you determine the best maintenance plan to select with respect to caring for your pool on a regular basis.

Making an Assessment of your Pool’s Water

Analyzing the pool’s water for pH, calcium hardness, metals, phosphates, dissolved solids and determining the saturation index will better assist in facilitating a service plan that will maintain the cleanliness and overall condition of your pool’s system. Therefore, testing the components in the water first can save time and reduce total maintenance costs while keeping the water in premium condition.

Summation

The pool service you select  should be a reliable and established company in your community. It should be a company that can inspect and analyze your above ground swimming pool’s water and make the appropriate recommendations with regards to cleaning and treatment. Make sure you obtain references from other customers who have used the company and that the employees are certified technicians. Keeping this information in mind as you shop for a pool service can reap successful results in the care of your swimming pool and help keep it in pristine shape for many years to come.

photo credit: St.A.

Above Ground Pool Decks: What to Consider Before You Buy

Above ground swimming pools are a great way to relax in the summer when you just need to unwind after a long day at work. Above ground pool decks are one of the best things that you can add on your pool. If you’re thinking about getting one soon, then you’ll want to read this article.

We’ll discuss some of the main things that you’ll want to think about when you’re choosing an above ground pool deck, including safety issues and maintenance. After reading this article, you should be able to find the right deck for your pool.

Safety Issues for Above Ground Pool Decking
Some of the first things that you want to think about when you’re considering which deck to get is how safe is it. Here is a list of things to think about when you’re comparing decks:

• Construction materials – what is the deck made of? If you’re not getting above ground pool deck designs so that you can specify the materials that your deck will be made of, you’ll want to take a look at how the decking will hold up to exposure to UV and pool chemicals. You also want to be sure that the materials are designed to hold up to use over time, and have a good stress rating. After all, they’re going to be holding your and your loved ones’ weight on a regular basis. If you are getting your own above ground pool deck plans made, then be sure to discuss the materials with your planner.
• Gate – Make sure that stairways up to the deck come with a gate that can be locked. This is essential if you have little kids to protect and keep out of the pool when you’re not there.
• Railing – You want to be sure that when you slip, you are going to end up head first in the pool. A railing will help to keep you out of the pool in such an event.
• Hardware – Are the connecting joints and hardware that does the connecting made of high quality and long lasting materials? You don’t want your support structure giving out on you while you’re up on the deck. Remember that the pool water will likely be dripping down on all surfaces of the deck. So they’ll need to be able to stand up against pool chemicals as well.

How to Maintain Above Ground Pool Decks

If you have an above ground pool with deck, you’re going to want to take a look at the manufacturer’s suggestions on how to clean and maintain your deck. But in most cases, rinsing the decking with clean water once or twice throughout the season, and then one last time when you’re shutting down the pool is usually a good rule of thumb to follow.

You’ll also want to inspect your deck periodically, or have it inspected, as the years go by, to make sure that no maintenance issues have occurred. And if they have, you’ll be able to get them taken care of quickly before the problem worsens. A good schedule for this would be to do it at the beginning of every season as you start to get your pool ready for the coming swimming season.

Conclusion

Now that you know some of the issues that you’ll want to be thinking about with respect to above ground pool decks, you’ll be able to make a great decision about which one to go with to keep you family safe and swimming all season!

photo credit: Gamma-Ray Productions

The Quickest Ways to Ruin Your Pool Accessories

You have a great above ground swimming pool and you take care of it. But what about your pool accessories?  You pay good money to get a typical swimming pool accessory. If you want to find out what the quickest ways to ruin them are, then you’ll want to read this article. Specifically we’ll discuss how not to care for them, improper storage methods and negative effects of dirty pool accessories on your pool.

After reading this article, you should be able to see why you should take care of your accessories.

How Not to Care for Above Ground Pool Accessories
One of the worst things that you can do to your accessories is to leave them floating in the pool when you’re done swimming. This leaves them exposed to the negative effects of both your pool chemicals, while also leaving them unprotected from the harmful effects of UV rays from the sun. Only slightly better is to remove them from the pool but still leaving them out. This at least gets them out of the active effects of the pool chemicals.

What Not to Do When You Store Your Pool Accessory

When you do go to putting your pool accessories away, whether at the end of the day or the end of the season, if you haven’t cleaned them off with clean water, and then dried them off, you’re simply asking for mold and mildew to form on them. This is especially true at the end of the season. They’ll stay wet longer which gives mildew that much more opportunity to grow.

What Dirty Swimming Pool Accessories Do to Your Pool

If you didn’t take the time to clean your accessories at the end of the season, and then the next season rolls around, imagine what will be going into your pool if you don’t take the time to clean them. All the mold and mildew that built up over the cold season will go straight into the pool. Obviously the pool chemicals will handle this, but it will use them up faster. This will cost more money to replace the chemicals sooner.

Conclusion

Take the time to look at your pool accessories’ manufacturers recommended cleaning methods. By not taking the time to properly care for your pool accessories, you’ll shorten their useful time, and cost yourself more money replacing them sooner.

photo credit: jessicafm

Take the Solar Pool Cover Quiz

Overview

Are you thinking about getting a solar pool cover for your above ground swimming pool? If so take a few moments to take this quiz about above ground pool solar covers to see if one might be right for you.

When should I use my solar pool cover?

1. I only need to use my cover when it’s cold out.
2. I only need to use it on cloudy days.
3. I should use it all the time.
4. I live in a warm climate and don’t have any use for pool solar covers.

Answer: 3 – use your cover all the time. Swimming pool solar covers help to reduce heating needs at all times, and also help to keep the pool cleaner by keeping debris out.

Why do I need a solar pool cover reel?

1. Reels help to keep your pool cover stored safely when not covering the pool.
2. Reels help you be able to manage a cover by yourself.
3. A solar pool cover reel extends the life of the cover.
4. All of the above.

Answer: 4 – all of the above. Pool covers should be stored safely so that they are less likely to be damaged when not in use, and can be awkward to manage with only one person. Safe storage helps to extend the life of the cover.

How can I store pool solar covers during the day?

1. Just pull the cover off and put it on the ground.
2. Use a solar pool cover reel to safely store it when not in use.
3. Place the cover in a solar saddle on the side of the pool while swimming.
4. Both 2 and 3.

Answer: 4 – Use a reel or a solar saddle to safely store the cover when you’re swimming in the pool.

How do swimming pool solar covers save me money?

1. My heating bill will be lower since the cover will heat the pool up to 10 degrees warmer.
2. I’ll need fewer pool chemicals to keep the pool clean if I use my solar cover for pool regularly.
3. Both 1 and 2.
4. None of the above.

Answer: 3 – Using a solar cover will lower your pool heating costs and keep the pool cleaner.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve taken this little quiz, you should have a good idea on the benefits of adding a solar cover for pool to above ground swimming pools. You know how swimming pool solar covers will save you money and the different ways of taking care of it. So take the next step and add one to your pool.

photo credit: jasminejennyjen

How to Maintain Your Swimming Pool Accessories

Overview
If you are looking for a good way to keep your swimming pool accessories maintained, then this article should help you. The best way to keep your swimming pools accessories in good shape is to have an effective way to clean and store them when they’re not in use.

Cleaning your Swimming Pool Accessory
When you’re not using your swimming pool accessories, it’s important to keep them clean. Cleaning them will have several important benefits. First and foremost is that this will help to extend their useful lifetime so that you will be able to get the most enjoyment from them.

Just as your above ground swimming pool has a liner that has been treated to withstand the effects of pool chemicals, your pool accessories will also be affected by those chemicals. So when you know that they won’t be in use for an extended period, be sure to rinse them off and make sure that they’re dry before being put away.

Cleaning them off before storage for the night or the week or the off season will also benefit you and your pool. When you go to use then the next time, they will still be clean, and so should introduce the minimum of foreign particles and bacteria to your pool, which will help keep the pool clean as well.

Storing Your Swimming Pool Accessory
The next best thing to do to help maintain your swimming pool accessories is to make sure that you have a covered storage area for them. When you’re not using them, if they’re not baking out in the sun, they will last much longer if they are not exposed unnecessarily to extra UV rays.

Plus as mentioned above, if you store them in a cabinet or locker, they will have less dirt and dust collecting on them when they are not in use. And having a place to keep your swimming pool accessories will help to keep the pool area looking clean and inviting, so that when you come home after a hard day at work, you will know where your favorite pool accessory is and you can jump right in.

Reaping the Benefits
Keeping your swimming pool accessories clean takes a bit of effort, but the benefits are definitely worth it. You keep your accessories in good shape longer. Your pool stays cleaner. And your pool area is more inviting.  Doing the maintenance regularly will keep your enjoyment level of your above ground swimming pool high.

photo credit: Stig Nygaard

Swimming Pool Chemicals

Once you’ve gotten your above ground swimming pool picked out, another important thing to think about is the swimming pool chemicals that you are going to use to keep your pool clean and safe to use. And there are many choices to make about what kind of cleaning system you should use.

One of the first things to think about is who is going to be using the pool on a regular basis. Do they have sensitive skin or other health issues to consider with regard to your pool cleaning system. Many people are sensitive to the old style chloride and bromide chemicals. These days there are tons of alternatives. You can use products that replace those swimming pool chemicals completely such as an Ionizer or Ozonator system. Or you can combine a cholrine system with a mineral purifyier such as Nature2.

The old style pool chemicals work by inhibiting bacterial growth in the pool. The chlorine is used up in the process of neutralizing these bacteria. This is why it is important to recharge the chemicals on a regular basis. But as everyone knows who has gone to a pool, these chemicals tend to dry out the skin and hair, and irritate the eyes and nose of swimmers.

The newer methods such as the Ionizer and the Ozonator are a great way to reduce the need for chlorine pool chemicals. Ionizers release silver and/or copper into the water. These two metals typically don’t cause any irritation to people, but are very tough on bacteria. Ozonators usually create ozone by using UV light, or Corona discharge. Ozone is very reactive and bacteria are not able to withstand coming into contact with the Ozone. With both of these methods, you will still likely want to continue to use chlorine as part of your pool cleaner system. However, you will be able to greatly reduce the amount. And this will allow your sensitive pool users to be much more comfortable.

All these methods mentioned require one final step to complete the process. This is the process of adding pool shock to your pool. When your swimming pool chemical has done its duty and reacted with some bacteria, the resulting material is still in the pool. The pool shock removes the spent chemicals from the pool. And these pool cleaners have both a chlorine and chlorine free option to them as well.
Hopefully, this information will help you to make the right decisions about what kind of swimming pool chemicals to use to help you maximize the enjoyment for all your pool users. (And remember to keep the ducks out of the pool.)

photo credit: TheTruthAbout…

Welcome to Above Ground Swimming Pools

Welcome to the site about above-ground swimming pools. This site contains everything you need to know, or might like to learn about above ground swimming pools, from pool accessories and maintenance

products such as cleaning supplies and pool chemicals, to comparisons between above ground pools and inground pools. If you have questions about pool floats, pool filters, pool liners, etc., this is the place to find the answers.

Whether you’re trying to decide if you should have your old above ground pool repaired, or if you’re looking into getting a new one installed, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find the information you’re looking for to make a decision about issues of safety regarding pool slides and other pool toys for your kids, what kind of swimming pool chemicals are right for you, and whether the above ground pool ladders you’ve been looking for will go with the pool you’re thinking of getting.

To use this site, all you have to do is click on a link under Categories on the right hand side. That will take you to the article on that particular topic. After you’ve reviewed the article or post, if you have any comments that you might want to add, just click on the comment link at the bottom of the article and you’ll be able to enter in your comments.

Every page will have the Category list of articles so that you can easily browse around to find the information you’re looking for. If you’re not sure what article might cover the topic you’re interested in, just enter the key word for that topic in the search field. A list of related topics will come up for you to choose from. So, for example, if you wanted to find articles on solar pool covers, you would just type that into the search field and click the search button. The list of articles and posts that talked about them would come up.

We will be growing our site over the next few months, so check back with us often. We plan on adding features such as the history of pools, and future tech corner talking on what to expect in terms of innovations in the field of above ground swimming pools. If there’s a feature that you’d like to see discussed on our site, please feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to look into adding it to the site.

Thanks for visiting!

photo credit: plasticrevolver