Safety Pool Covers

We've got you covered 

Pool owners are a disciplined bunch.  They spend all summer cleaning and protecting their pool so that family and friends can enjoy the benefits.  They labor in the hot sun to make sure chemicals are balanced.  They rack up countless hours keeping a watchful and protective eye on children and pets to make sure they don't fall into the pool unexpectedly.  After putting in all those hours during the summer months, it is only natural to want to take a break once fall arrives to usher in winter.
But don't put your feet up just yet!  Is your pool properly winterized and covered with one of our Arctic Armor Safety Covers?

Closing Your In-Ground Pool

Ten steps to close down swim season

It’s tough to imagine, but with Labor Day upon us and temperatures beginning to drop, pool owners everywhere have to start thinking about closing their pool for winter.  And while the project isn’t that tough of an assignment, doing it incorrectly or failing to do it at all is a nearly foolproof way to create a lot of extra work and repair when spring rolls back around.

To help you out we’ve put together a quick checklist that many of our customers find to be helpful.  Give it a read – we think it is helpful.  And let us suggest that while you’re reading through it that you run a mental checklist to make sure you’ve got the necessary products on hand before you get going.  If you’re running low or don’t have something you think you’ll need, visit our winterizing accessories page to get in stock.  

Warm Your Pool; Selecting a Pool Heater

Heat it up 

Extending your pool season is always a good idea.  Not only will the kids get to splash into the fall season, everyone will get the benefit of a warm pool to continue their work out regimen, gain physical activity hours and add more quality family time.

Ping Pong; Unleash Indoor Fun

History

Did you know that table tennis has been in existence for more than 125 years?  Its first competitive games being played in England in the 1880’s, the game, known to many as Ping Pong, is one of the few games universally played and understood by so many people in so many countries.  Not only is table tennis popular because of the simple rules, it's played a role in diplomatic discussions, recreational league tournaments and, beginning in 1988, was added to the Olympics. 

Game On With a Game Table

Is it time for a game table?

Fewer hours of sunshine often translates to more time spent inside.  But indoor time doesn’t have to translate into screen time.  In recent years, families have invested in gaming tables for their home, allowing them to gather together for hours of competitive fun and memory making.  In the past, gaming tables like air hockey, tabletop pool, soccer and foosball carried a heavy price tag and required a great deal of open space, or even a dedicated room in a home.  But while the price of gas, energy and food may have increased in recent years, the cost of family fun has become much more affordable.  

Closing Your Above Ground Pool

Seven steps to close down swim season

I hate to bring this up, but someone has to.  It’s nearly time to take action.  Yep, it is almost time to shut down your pool for the winter.  People who do it properly can tell you how enjoyable it makes opening the pool back up in the spring.  For those of us who have done it wrong, we likely won’t make that mistake again.  Shutting down your pool the right way for the winter translates into a much quicker and smooth opening in the spring.  Check out these basics steps below as you prepare to shut things down:

Pool Workouts

Get fit in the ease and comfort of a pool

Before starting any workout routine, a visit to your regular doctor is always a good idea.  

Also, If you don't know how to swim, please start with swimming lessons before venturing into a water fitness program.  Classes are offered regularly at recreational centers and health clubs with a choice of individual, or group lessons.  If you've already mastered the life-saving skill of swimming, please prepare yourself with the proper basic equipment necessary to begin. 

Just Keep Swimming

The benefits of water fitness

Swimming has always been a leisure activity, even before being a competitive sport or its admission into the olympics, it's been used as a way to relax and have a good time.  Here are some reasons to just keep swimming your way to a plethora of benefits.

August and Algae

The month without a holiday needs your attention.

Not until after the month of August has graced us with humidity and heat, will you need close down the pool.  Or if you live in the South, you may stay open for business.  Until then, enjoy and create some sort of August holiday or tradition, an event that neighbors, friends, church members or fellow co-workers can attend.  Host a family reunion or a back-to-school pool party.  Make it center around your pool and stretch out the last few weeks of summer.  There are several weeks left of humid, sun-filled, hot days.

Here are some things to remember for the month of August; amid all the celebration.  Treat your pool right, protect it from going green, yellow or black.  Yes, algae comes in several different colors.

Summer Break Blues?

Do not let summer go without a fight!

July ends.  August begins.  It’s an annual event, yet still, it catches people off guard.  We look up and August is nearly over.  Schools are back in session, leaves are falling and we begin the prep work required for the winter hibernation season that awaits.

STOP! It doesn’t have to be that way this season. Your head doesn’t need to hit the pillow in late September with the wishful regret of unfulfilled pool memories.

Selecting an Above Ground Pool Liner

Choosing a pool liner?

Life is full of simple truths. For example, you can’t drive without tires and you can’t swim without pool liners.  Here’s the good news: choosing a liner to keep the water in your pool is much easier than paying a visit to the local tire store.  Selecting the right liner can help protect your pool for years to come and, with proper chemical balance and routine maintenance, will bring added durability to your investment.

Healthy Indoor Relaxation

Relax your way to health; invest in a sauna.

Have you ever wanted to improve your health by exploring additional avenues, possibly even high-tech options?  An infrared sauna may be a great addition to a balanced diet, daily vitamin and of course, healthy sleep habits.  

The benefits include:

~Relieving sore joints 
~Removing harmful toxins
~Decreasing chronic health problems and side-effects
~Burning calories

Pool Safety

Steps for safe swimming 

It is true that swimming is a favorite, relaxing and fun outdoor, or indoor activity.  It is also true that it can be dangerous if safety requirements are not met.  True yet again is the fact that May and June are the most dangerous months for swimming or boating.

Many things contribute to these statistics.

-The excitement of opening the pool at the first sign of spring/summer may cause some to overlook key safety measures.

-The fact that the majority of swimmers have taken the winter off, which usually deteriorates their skill set, while increasing their courage or excitability.

-Pool safety equipment may be broken or failing.

-Parents or caregivers may be relaxed or distracted, which surprisingly is the leading cause of dangerous water-related incidents.

Opening Your Pool For Summer

It has been said that one day away from your pool is one day too long.  While we’re not sure who actually said that, you can probably identify with the statement.

Important steps to prepare your pool for a big splash.

Protect Your Party Guests From Bug Bites

Plant Herbs - Deter pests from your patio or backyard

Herbs have multiple uses and natural properties.  Not only will herbs add lushness to your landscape, they supply many needs as well.  Use them in your best recipes, as medicine, or as a sunburn remedy.  Another benefit is their ability to naturally repel mosquitos and other flying pests.  Plant a border of herbs and enjoy their scent when the breeze blows.

Easy Poolside Party Foods

Things to consider before choosing food for your party:

Temperature - Dairy foods and dips can spoil easily in high temperatures.

Utensils - Using one utensil will allow guests to stand. 

Preparation/clean up - Guests and hosts enjoy an easy prep/clean up.

Quantity/cost - Choose foods can you mass quantify, with the least cost.

Natural Pest Repellent - The Safe Alternative

Guide to essential oil and herbal pest repellent

It’s always a good idea to enjoy the warm sunshine of spring and summer on a patio, at a pool party, or a family barbecue.  Unfortunately, there are many flying, crawling, and biting pests that attempt to ruin fun by feasting on you, or your food. 

Here are some alternative, great-smelling, safe ideas to win the battle of the buzz; and this isn’t a rumor.  

Salt-Friendly Pools

As little as five years ago, had you tried to use salt chlorination in your pool instead of chlorine, you would have voided your pool manufacturers’ warranty and set yourself up for serious rust-related problems down the road. But as the saying goes: the times they are changing. And fast!

Today, potential pool buyers that want to avoid chlorine and instead go with the more economical and less skin-irritating solution of salt-chlorination have a vast selection of pools to choose from. We currently offer seven models designed for buyers that prefer saltwater versus chlorine.

The History of Swimwear

Ever wonder how the swimsuit evolved?

350 B.C - Like many other things, the Greeks were the first to use a bathing costume for leisure swimming. They later used togas.

1800 - A new form of transportation exploded in the travel industry: the railroad. This new innovation offered the ability to explore more territory and with exploring came adventure and leisure swimming.

Proper Swimwear Care

Whether you’re sunbathing, swimming in an above ground or in-ground pool, enjoying an indoor pool fitness class, or just wading with the kids in the pool, most likely you’ve worn swimwear. Has your swimsuit done its job by keeping you covered? The question is reciprocal, are you taking care of your swimwear; ensuring its life and functionality? Here is a guide to help you nurture the important, easily overlooked, small things.

Summer Pool Games

Whether you’re celebrating the opening of your pool, having a birthday party, throwing a neighborhood shin-dig or organizing a family reunion, you’ll be needing some ideas to pass time and cool off as the summer heats up your backyard pool.

 Regardless of age, everyone’s sure to enjoy a pool game. As a participant or a spectator, laughter is sure to ensue. Get ahead by gathering a few supplies in preparation for the arrival of fun.

Sunburn Remedies

  

We’ve all been there, light skin, dark skin and everything in between. We’ve had that day where you told yourself it would be okay to forgo the application of sunscreen. The dreaded decision that made changing clothes, sleeping, washing your face and even taking a shower feel slightly more like torture than hygiene maintenance. For these days when we forget to apply or reapply, feel we had enough base tan to manage, or we just plumb ran out of SPF, here are some tips to nurse assaulted skin back to health and help take the sting out of the memory.

Items you’ll need for this toolkit:

Sunburn Prevention

Several decades ago, a suntan was a highly sought after look. Since then, research has shown that this suntanned look is not only age-speeding, it’s cancer-causing. Suntan lotion companies switched their focus from sun-baking suntan oils to suntan prevention products, which include SPF protection from dangerous UVA & UVB rays.

Five Common Pool Problems

Blizzards, get behind us. Early sunsets, be gone. Time to come home, leaves. So good to see you again, feathered friends!
As winter disappears into your rearview mirror, it is time to set your sights straight ahead - to your pool. Whether your pool is used as the epicenter of neighborhood gatherings or just a haven of relaxation for your family, there is something that every pool owner can agree on: missing one day in the pool because of a problem is one day too many.
Refer to the list below for five common issues with swimming pools and where to begin fixing them so you don’t have to give up more pool time than needed.

Top 10 Ways to use your Noodle!

Take control of the noodle population, create memories with the family, have the best party games and even construct unique crafts, just by using your noodle!

1.  Construct a Race Car Track or Marble Slide

Fun for the neighbors, party friends, or the kiddos, this is sure to be a competitive highlight of any gathering. Slice the pool noodle evenly from top to bottom revealing the hallowed out center track. Create signs indicating start and finish. Use an old shoe box or plastic bin for the finish line, or allow the cars and marbles to roll freely. Add a theme of Pixar’s Cars or even Nascar to spice it up a bit.

Learn to Swim at Any Age

We’ve all had the experience of heading into the pool, uneasy of what may happen. For some of us, we can’t remember it. For others, we have a vivid recollection of this momentous event, and still there are others who haven’t yet conquered this important survival skill. Like anything else in life, it’s never too late to learn.

After all, we started swimming before we were born. Here are a few activities to help anyone, at any age, enjoy the process of learning to swim. Not all experiences will be the same as we’re all genetically unique beings, so don’t be frustrated with yourself, or your little ones. It may take awhile to warm up to being in the water. Also, it’s highly recommended beginning this process in a safe pool area, not at the beach where currents and waves are a significant factor that may hinder learning by instilling fear.

Progressive Strategies to Start Swimming With Confidence.

Metal or Resin - What’s the Best Pool For Me?

So you’ve made your first decision and it’s a good one. Choosing an above-ground pool

is a much more affordable option when compared to the alternative. The above-ground

variety also offers more flexibility since they can be taken down, moved and reassembled

at almost any location.

But how do you choose which material is right for your pool? Aluminum, steel and resin

all offer unique benefits. Let’s break it all down in five easy steps: