Archive for the 'Pools & Spas' Category

Aug 04 2010

Setting Up With Above Ground Pool Supplies

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

Owning an above ground pool sounds so easy. In reality, it’s a little complicated. It’s not as if you can just put up a pool in the background, stick a hose in it, turn on a spigot and start swimming a few days later. Pools are more than an oversized water bowl. If you’re going to make your back yard into a summer oasis, you’re going to find yourself walking the aisles of a retailer or shopping for above ground pool supplies online.


Above ground pool supplies run the gamut–they range from obvious necessities like pool liners to optional items like floating solar water heating devices. Even a smart shopper can find himself or herself running up a rather high bill for his or her above ground pool supplies. That’s why it’s a good idea to do what you can to hold down expenses. Here are a few recommendations for getting the right supplies at the right prices.


First, remember that you don’t want to ever make the common mistake of sacrificing quality in order to save a few dollars. That’s true whether you’re buying your pool chemicals or picking up a pool cover. In almost every case, the cheapest options have low price tags for a reason–they aren’t of the best quality.


It always makes sense to look at the lowest priced above ground pool supplies. There’s nothing wrong with trying to save money, after all. However, you should move on to better products if you aren’t looking at a good deal on a high-quality product. If you do opt to go with low-grade merchandise, be prepared to spend more money on your pool in the long run. You’ll be replacing your pool liners years before you would had you purchased a good liner. You’ll be draining the pool to make repairs when you should be enjoying a swim. You’ll be watching people struggle to get in and out of the pool, perhaps even slipping and injuring themselves, on a cheap ladder because you desperately wanted to save a few bucks with plastic instead of stainless steal.


It’s also a good idea to purchase your above ground pool supplies from a reputable dealer that carries recognized brands. Mystery products may offer mystery quality, even if they’re built from the right materials. Dealing with a retailer or website that has been in the business for several years also decreases the chance that anyone will attempt to take advantage of you.


You’re not going to enjoy that first swim until you’ve done your shopping. You will have a long list of above ground pool supplies to purchase, if you don’t already. While you do your shopping, try to deal with known businesses and make a point of purchasing top quality products. When you do things right the first time, you won’t find yourself doing them again and again!

To find out more about the above ground pool supplies you’ll need, including things like covers, heaters, swimming pool steps steps and more, be sure to visit our website at SwimmingPoolSteps.net

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Jul 30 2010

Buy a Pool Thermometer

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

If you have purchased a house with a garden and swimming pool, you will always ensure that not only your house remains in a good condition but also your garden and swimming pool is kept well maintained. Just like the garden, your swimming pool is also a place where you will spend time with your family and friends. So, buying a thermometer for the pool is not a bad idea especially because you don’t want to see people jumping into the pool and out of it because the water is ice cold.


One cannot always judge the temperature of the water by dipping a finger into the pool. It is better to install a pool thermometer so that everyone visiting the pool knows the exact temperature of the water. Installation of the thermometer is very useful, if you have kids who would be using the pool. There are different types of thermometers available in the market which can be used in the pool. The analogue ones have mercury which indicates the temperature. It allows you to measure the temperature of the water deep in the water so you know how cold or hot the water is in the pool. The digital thermometers are easy to read because the number appears on the screen and one does not have to read minutely as it is done with an analogue thermometer. The digital thermometer is battery operated and gives faster readings as compared to an analogue thermometer.


You can also find floating thermometers in the market which are available in the shape of a duck or a penguin. You simply throw the thermometer into the pool and it floats on water and also shows the temperature at the same time. It is very reasonably priced in the market and you can buy one for $10. There are many online shops which offer these different types of thermometers, but I would not advise you to shop from one. There have been instances where people have not found the thermometer they bought online to be of good quality. So, it is better to go to the market and have a look at one before buying it. However, this isn’t always the case. In order to avoid getting a shady product, you will want to make sure you read reviews as well as compare different models and prices to get the best deal.

Buy a new pool thermometer only after having a look at all the different available models in the market and then select the one which best fits your budget.

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Jul 25 2010

Enjoy Your Pool With a Jandy Legacy Millivolt

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

Pools are wonderful places to be in. People spend a significant amount of money for the construction and maintenance of swimming pools. But the sad part is that we can only enjoy our pools when the water temperature is at a comfortable level. More often than not, the temperature is just too cold for comfort.


During times like this, you will not be using your pool and are wasting the money you have invested in it. There is a solution, though. You can purchase a Jandy Legacy Millivolt pool heater. With this pool heater, you can finally enjoy your pool all year round.


The Jandy Legacy Heater LRZM (Millivolt) has an easy on/off temperature switch control. With this, you need not worry about being a technical whiz just so that you can enjoy a relaxing dip in your pool. You can focus on the fun and forget about the technical aspects of heating your pool.


Unlike other pool heaters, the Jandy Millivolt Heater is built to last. No more worries about frequent maintenance and costly repairs. You did not buy a pool heater in order to have problems, you bought one to have a relaxing break with your family all year round.


Jandy’s pool heaters are loaded with technologically advanced and user-friendly features so you get the best deal for your money. Usually, technologically advanced features are seldom user-friendly. But with the Jandy pool heater, you get the best of both worlds.


A mechanical thermostat allows you to easily set the temperature of your spa or pool so that you can go ahead with the fun without getting stuck in the user’s manual. You do not have to set a knob again when the water becomes too hot and then again when the water becomes cold. Just set it to a particular temperature level and then forget about it.


The Jandy Legacy Heater LRZM (Millivolt) has polymer headers with CPVC 2/2.5″ universal union connections. This allows for efficient water flow and heating. Polymer headers mean that you do not have to worry about rust. It is also a durable material.


So, utilize your pool all throughout the year with a Jandy Millivolt heater. Go get one and your pool will be a much better place to relax. Your family will thank you for it.

Don has been around for a long time and if you want some excellent insight on the jandy millivolt heater, check it out here http://PoolSay.com

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Jul 17 2010

Is it Time to Look For a Replacement Swimming Pool Pump?

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

When you think about all the tasks that a swimming pool pump has to carry out, it’s not surprising that quite often things go wrong.


A pump’s daily life is made up of forcing all the water in a pool through a series of pipes, through a debris skimmer, then through the restrictions of the filter system, and back into the pool. That’s a lot of energy required for jobs that are done mostly quietly and out of sight.


Because the pump does its job out of sight it’s often out of mind as well. So when a pump plays up, that little workhorse can be a huge annoyance.


The main things that go wrong are the pump becomes noisy, leaks water, turns off after short use, doesn’t pump at all or sucks air but no water.
The causes may be noisy bearings due to wear or lack of lubrication, clogged flow pipes or filter, loose or broken fittings at pump connections or loose debris basket lid.


Simply loose connections or blockages are easily remedied, but noise or shut off may not be so simple. It may be time to get a replacement pump. Depending on the size of your pool, before you set off after a new pool pump, consider that most pools actually have a pump that’s oversize for the job required and so the energy or electricity bill is going to be oversize as well.


If you have only a pool, consider getting a pump closer to the minimum size needed. However, if you have a pool and spa combination, you should get a pump closer to the high end of your range.


Working out just what’s required is a bit technical but here is the way to determine exactly what your minimum needs will be if you are a little mathematically minded.


Look up the size of your pool in gallons. The formula for rectangular pools is length times width times average depth times 7.5. The formula for circular pools is the radius squared times the average depth times 5.9. The formula for oval pools is the long diameter times the short diameter times the average depth times 5.9.


You also need to know often you want your water is circulated. Most pools are completely filtered every eight to twelve hours.


The more use your pool gets, the more often you’ll need to do a complete filtration. Because pool pumps are measured in gallons per minute, multiply the time by 60 to convert it to minutes.
To determine the minimum flow rate you need for your pool, divide the volume by the turnover time. For example, a 27,000-gallon pool that turns over every 10 hours would need a unit capable of pumping 45 gallons per minute.


So it’s not that hard and you’ll know whether you have a pump that’s too big or too small. If it is time for a replacement pump, consider the Pentair Whisperflo pool pump. Not only is it quiet but it is extremely efficient and economical.

You can get more details of the Pentair Whisperflo pool pump at http://www.poolpumpsupplies.com. If your pool is an above ground pool, then you probably do have a pump that is oversize in horse power and using too much energy. Another way to conserve power usage is to let the pump do most of its work overnight and turn down the amount of water circulated in winter months.


There are lots more pumps and lots more information at my Pool Pump site – Pool Pump Supplies. The size and type of pump is there, no matter if your pool is in ground, above ground or a bubbling spa.

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Jun 28 2010

Top Quality Indoor Pool Pumps With Hayward Pool Pumps

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

Finding a good durable pool pump can be very tricky. Because the thing is, you can never really tell of the product really is as durable as they claim it to be unless you actually purchase the item and install it in your pool. And if you happen to land on a substandard product, then you end up wasting hundreds of hard earned dollars. But did you know that buying those do not have to be a trial and error process anymore? How? This is by simply turning to well trusted brands in the industry. So if you are one of those who are on that search for the same product, then read on and learn about Hayward pool pumps – the one brand that can answer all your needs.


One of the most important things that you should consider when buying indoor Hayward pool pumps is its warranty period. You should always make sure that you can fully make use of the manufacturer’s warranty period because repairs and replacements can cost you quite a lot of money. Hence, go out a check if the distributors that you are purchasing your pool pumps from do offer the manufacturer’s full warranty and not just a fraction of it. Aside from that, there are always the chances of getting imitations so purchase only from trusted distributors that can give you the real thing.


One of the best places to shop for Hayward pool pumps is through online websites. This is because this allows you to shop right at the comfort of your own homes. Most online stores feature already their complete product catalog where all you need to do is browse through it, make that order, pay online and in no time, your product will be shipped straight to your door steps in just a matter of days. And you need not worry about making these purchases online. Given that you turn to trusted online distributors, then rest assured that your products will be shipped and are really as good as the website advertises them to be.


The great thing about online distributors is that they can offer clients a wide variety of Hayward pool pump models and sizes. Most of the hard to find pool pumps and pool accessories can easily be found in online stores. Aside from that, finding these products are as easy as a click of a button so it really is very convenient. Remember, with investments as huge as these, it is imperative that you turn to the most trusted brands that the market can offer today.

Written by Scott Collins. Find the most recent information on hayward pool pumps as well as saunas.

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Jun 02 2010

Sta-Rite Pool Filters – Your Way to a Hygienic Pool

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

Owning a swimming pool is every home owner’s dream. In order to make your swim a pleasant experience you have to make sure the water is free from debris and fine particulates. There had been an instance when a 5-year old drowned in a Hotel pool in Omaha just because his mother couldn’t find her son in the murky water. Dirty pool water also causes a host of diseases and it is certainly a big turn off.


Pool filters are an indispensable part of any pool’s operation. Quality pool filters like Sta-rite pool filters packs performance with durability and gives you a clean swimming pool. Choosing a new filter for your pool can be a daunting task. There are so many types, sizes and capacities of pool filters. Basically there are three distinct types of pool filters. Each one is suitable for specific type of aquatic setups.


Sand filters – This type of filter is basically a tank almost 2/3 filled with specially graded sand. It has an inlet which brings in the water and diffuses it on top of the sand bed through a diffuser. The water percolates through the sand. Any dirt and debris is trapped within the sand grains. When the water reaches the bottom of the filter tank it is let out through the laterals into the pool.


Cartridge filters – These employ a paper-type cartridge inside a cylindrical tank. Unfiltered water comes in through an inlet, which soaks through the outside of the paper cartridge into its interior. Dirt and debris remains outside the cartridge and clean filtered water inside the cartridge is let out in to the pool through the outlet. These filters need to be cleaned once or twice a year.


Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filters – This type of filter is basically a canister which has a network of fingers or tubes and a lot of plates inside it. These fingers and plates are coated with DE (a fine white powder of crushed sea fossils or diatoms) which traps dirt and debris from the water that passes through it. This is the most advanced type of pool filter and the quality of its filtration is the best among the three types.


Sta-Rite pool filters have a wide range of all these three type of filters. They come in different sizes and prices. You can pick and choose from this range of filters at poolsupply4less.com and that too at discounted prices.

Now you can get all the details regarding pool cleaners and you’ll even find articles about sta rite pool pumps by visiting my website at http://www.poolproducts4less.com.

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Mar 28 2010

A Great Sauna Right in Your Own Home

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

You do not need to wait and plan for a trip to a spa resort or drive over to your local sports club in order to enjoy the benefits of great saunas. It is possible to have the same therapeutic experience right in your own home. You can find saunas that are portable and easy to install within the confines of your home. This way, you can go for a detoxification session anytime you want to. De-stress and cleanse your system on your own or with the rest of the family depending on the size of sauna you choose. The kind of sauna that you need to buy is one that fits the kind of usage you intend.


There are various types of great saunas that you can choose from. There are portable saunas that can fit right in your backyard. You can actually choose to customize the sauna model of your choice to fit the space available to you. There are smaller saunas that could fit a couple of people and there are those that are big enough to fit an entire group. You can also choose the kind of heating element to install in your sauna. Heaters placed inside saunas could include heated volcanic rocks, ceramic or metal elements that emit far infrared energy, and incandescent infrared heat lamps. There are saunas that use heat from steam coming from water poured onto heated rocks and there are those that use simply the dry heat coming from the rocks themselves.


Whichever type of heating mechanism you choose, you are sure to experience the various health benefits of sitting in a sauna. Having one right in your own home will give you instant access to such a therapeutic experience without the added cost or stress of driving to a commercial facility.

If you would like more helpful Sauna information then quickly head over to http://saunasforyou.com where you will find helpful sauna tips, advice and resources to include home saunas, portable saunas and more great sauna information.

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Mar 27 2010

Best Swimming Pool Maintenance Innovation

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

Maintaining a swimming pool used to be a herculean task. Even if the pool owner has all the chemicals, tools and scrubs needed to keep his pool in tip top condition, there would be some factor that cannot be remedied by these measures. Take for example leaves falling on the pool cannot be prevented by these maintenance supplies.


Even if he has a state of the art filtration, this cannot do anything to dead cat floating on the water. Worse it cannot prevent wayward children or pets from falling into them. To prevent these things from ruining the swimming pool, the best solution may be a robot pool keeper which will guard it 24/7. But no such thing is invented yet.


What has been invented and could be the best thing that could keep the water clean and safe at all times are pool covers. These are simple yet practical solutions to every pool perennial problem of undesirable intrusion either by falling leaves which rot in the pool water and hasten algae and bacteria growth, dead pets which has accidentally drowned while the pool owner were not looking.


Most importantly, it is the best assurance that beloved young children will not tiptoe and fall into them. Pool covers are like lid covers, this time it is a cover for the whole pool. As such, no falling leaves or dead cat can go into them. Children and pets can be saved as pool covers are designed to hold heavy loads. Covers are the ever ready safety nets. The ultimate benefit is that the water beneath it is kept clean and ready for the next swimming hotel.

Compare and look at different pool supplies on my website.

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Feb 25 2010

Hot Tub Heater – When it Comes Time to Replace It – Consider a More Efficient Model

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

Once you have made your hot tub purchase, you will need to establish some kind of maintenance program. A key element of this program revolves around the heater. By maintaining a strict program of cleaning and servicing with chemicals and the like, the hot tub heater is likely to last significantly longer. However, you may at some point be faced with the prospect of heater replacement for any number of reasons.

Given rising energy costs, you may be interested in installing a heater that is more energy efficient. For the frequent hot tub user, a new and efficient heater can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run. If you make the determination to keep your current spa and decide to go for a new heater, get started soon because energy prices are only likely to increase over time.

Your options are limited mostly to gas or electric heaters. Each heater, regardless of the manufacturer, should be rated for energy efficiency. Check with your local dealer or reseller to help make the comparisons.  Another more expensive (at least initially) option is a solar powered heater. Depending on the brand or age of your spa, this may not be a feasible option. If you are really interested in going “green,” check out some of the newer models by Caldera, Bullfrog, CalSpa and the like for solar solutions. You may end up with a heater system that is integrated with your overall home solar solution.

If you have limited your heater choices to gas or electric, you will need to do a little investigating on your own. Generally speaking, gas is a more cost effective solution than electricity. However, due to the make of your hot tub, an electric heater may be your only choice. In that case shop around for the most efficient and least expensive heater that you can install on your spa. You will also need to factor in the amount of water that you are heating and the frequency that you use your tub to make a final choice.

Do you want to keep your hot tub’s water in an always heated state? Are you patient enough to wait for the water to heat up or do you want instant gratification? The answers to these questions and more will help you determine the appropriate heater for your tub.

For ease of use, electric heaters are a quick and easy solution.  The choices are simple for the kind of connection — 110 volt or 220 volt.  The outlets in most cases are held within the construction of the tub itself. Repairs to electric heaters, as a general rule, are quite easy. For frequent soakers, propane and gas heaters are thought to be more cost effective with only a few exceptions.

If you do encounter heater problems, always check to see if you hot tub is under warranty. Some of the newer high-end hot tub manufactures will include extended warranties that cover some parts for up to ten years. Likewise, with Caldera and Bull Frog hot tubs, for example, you will most likely have a heater that has a modern and highly efficient heat-transfer mechanism

Just knowing a little about heaters and other hot tub elements will help you appropriately assess your specific needs. Review what you want out of your hot tub and make your heater decision accordingly.

Jenn Lund writes more about the Hot Tub Heater at http://www.HotTubResearch.com

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Feb 24 2010

How to Buy a Whirlpool Tub

Published by N.Y. Remodeler under Pools & Spas

Hot tubs are also called “whirlpool” because of the cycle of the water when being drained. But there is also a corporation called Whirlpool that makes hot tubs in addition to other kitchen and home appliances. They have been in this business since 1911 and they have explored a myriad of household solutions, thus the existence of their appliances today.

Like what you would do for any other appliance, you should scrutinize the features of the hot tub you are choosing. Before buying, contemplate of the benefits of using that brand. Here is a guide for you when choosing Whirlpool tub:

Step 1: Be a little picky on its assimilated tub system. When you are using this kind of tub, usually the water is forced out through air and up to 8 jets to massage your body. This is different from air-jets. Air-jets have small jets all over the tub so you have an all-body massage. The one from Whirlpool only targets specific areas. Choose one that will work well for your comfort.

Step 2: Know the size of tub you are getting. That will depend on where you intend to place the machine. If you are using it for outdoor use such as an alcove you have at home, you can go for the bigger models. Also scrutinize the wirings. Does it need a platform or a deck? Should it be surrounded with tiles? These things will cost you more so you should be prepared for the additional expenses.

Step 3: The size has to fit your body too. If you intend to use this as a family tub, it should accommodate the number of your family members. You can go to showrooms and test it. Make sure it can support your back properly. Some people purchase tubs with smaller back rests so they end up with freezing upper body part.

Step 4: Also scrutinize the additional features. What types of jets were used? Some models use advanced jets that can really project water and massage your body. Some have sensors that will immediately stop motor from running when it notices that it water is stuck. You should also look for those with slip resistant features so you can get in and out of the tub effortlessly.

Step 5: Know your budget. Before buying, already have a clear idea of how much tubs cost. It depends on the size and the features but the simple ones costs $1,000 and soars to more than $15,000 for the more upscale ones.

For more tips and reviews on hot tub pump, please visit http://www.HotTubPump.org now.

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