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Showing posts from November, 2025

Not sure which pool heater to buy?

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Start by considering your climate, pool size, and budget—then match those needs to the right heater type: gas, electric, heat pump, or solar. 🏊‍♂️ How to Choose the Right Pool Heater: A Friendly Guide for Pool Owners If you're a pool owner dreaming of warm swims beyond the summer months, a pool heater is your ticket to comfort. But with so many options—gas, electric, heat pump, solar—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Let’s break down the choices so you can make a confident, informed decision. 🔥 Types of Pool Heaters 1. Gas Pool Heaters Best for: Large pools, cold climates, quick heating Pros: Heats water fast (1–3°F per hour), works year-round Cons: Higher operating costs, requires natural gas or propane hookup Tip: Look for models with low NOx emissions for better energy efficiency 2. Electric Pool Heaters Best for: Small pools or spas Pros: Compact, easy to install Cons: Slow heating (1–3°F per day), high electricity costs, not ideal in cold weather Tip: Requires a 240V ou...

Winterizing Pools

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  Winterizing your swimming pool protects it from freeze damage, algae growth, and costly repairs—making spring reopening smoother and safer. Here’s how to do it right. ❄️ Why Winterize Your Pool? As temperatures drop below 65°F, pool owners should begin the winterization process. Cold weather can cause water to freeze and expand, cracking pipes, damaging equipment, and staining surfaces. Proper winterization: Prevents freeze damage to plumbing and surfaces Keeps water clean and balanced during the off-season Reduces algae and staining Extends the life of your pool and equipment Whether you have an inground or above-ground pool, the steps are similar—with a few key differences. 🧰 Supplies You’ll Need Pool brush, vacuum, and skimmer net Water testing kit Winter chemical kit (shock, algaecide, metal sequestrant) Rubber plugs or Gizmos for skimmers Air compressor or shop vac (for blowing out lines) Submersible pump (to lower water level) Winter pool cover or safety cover Air pillow...

Refreshing Your Pool

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💧Why Fall and Winter Are Ideal for a Drain and Refill As the swimming season winds down and temperatures drop, many pool owners shift their focus to winterization. But for some, fall and winter present a golden opportunity to refresh their pool water entirely. Draining and refilling your pool during the off-season can improve water quality, protect surfaces, and simplify next year’s maintenance. 🧠 Why Drain to Refresh? Over time, pool water accumulates dissolved solids—like calcium, stabilizers, and contaminants—that can’t be removed by filtration or chemical treatment alone. This buildup leads to: Cloudy water and scaling Reduced sanitizer effectiveness Staining and surface damage Unbalanced chemistry that’s hard to correct Draining and refilling gives your pool a clean slate, especially if your Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) or Cyanuric Acid (CYA) levels are too high. Fall and winter are ideal because: Lower demand on water supply compared to peak summer Cooler temperatures reduce e...

Chemical Safety

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  Pool chemical safety is critical to protecting swimmers, staff, and facilities. Mishandling these substances can lead to injuries, equipment damage, and even toxic incidents—yet most risks are preventable with proper protocols. Pool chemical safety is critical to protecting swimmers, staff, and facilities. Mishandling these substances can lead to injuries, equipment damage, and even toxic incidents—yet most risks are preventable with proper protocols. 🧪 Why Pool Chemical Safety Matters Pool chemicals like chlorine, bromine, algaecides, and pH balancers are essential for maintaining clean, safe water. They kill harmful pathogens such as E. coli , Giardia, and Cryptosporidium , and help prevent algae growth and equipment corrosion. But these same chemicals can pose serious hazards if mishandled: Eye and skin irritation Respiratory issues from fumes Chemical burns from spills Toxic gas release when incompatible chemicals are mixed   The CDC and EPA report thousands of pool che...