American Houses

(NewsUSA) - Most people want to enjoy their pools, not spend time maintaining them. And with today's busy schedules, it's easier than ever to make mistakes, like running pool equipment too long or letting the water go green -- and not in the eco-friendly sense.

But automating pool functions can save up to 75 percent of a pool's annual energy costs, while also reducing chemical use and maintenance time. Pool owners can customize pool functions to their schedule. For example, someone may set their pool's filter pump to run longer or more often on weekends, when the pool experiences heavier use.


The pool experts at Hayward offer the following tips for Americans looking to enjoy their pools with minimum effort and maximum savings:

- Replace your pool's filter pump. A pool pump may be your home's second or third largest energy consumer after air conditioning units. But a multi-speed, energy-efficient pump can save up to 75 percent on your pool operating costs. Hayward recommends its Tristar 2-speed pump or Variable Speed pump that features up to eight programmable speeds. Owners can further reduce energy consumption by setting each action's time, speed and duration, or setting the pump to work during off-hours.

- Use a robotic cleaner. A robotic cleaner can quickly pay for itself, saving up to 94 percent of the energy used by a pressure cleaner and booster pump. The best models, like the TigerShark, use little energy themselves, operate independently from other pool functions and shut off after cleaning.

- Are you still flipping switches? Save energy by managing your pool and spa functions with automation. The new OnCommand automatic pool controls can be retrofitted to your pool for less than the price of your next big-screen TV. Program and control up to 4 functions such as your multi-speed filter pump, booster pump, pool/spa lights, heater or pool cleaner.

For more information, visit www.haywardnet.com

(NewsUSA) - You might not think about your pool too much after the end of summer, but what you do at the end of swimming season will determine your workload come spring. Properly winterizing your pool will make opening it easier, not to mention help prevent damage.

Poorly winterized pools may sustain freeze-thaw damage, broken equipment, underground drain damage and poor water quality in the spring. Every year, Americans spend thousands of dollars repairing pools that were not closed properly.


BioGuard, a company that supplies water treatment products for recreational and industrial use, offers the following tips for pool owners looking to properly close their pools:

* Conduct a final pool water test. Bring a water sample to your local BioGuard dealer to receive a quick, computerized water analysis. The water analysis will ensure that the water in your pool is balanced. After the dealer tests your water, he or she can recommend and provide the exact materials you need to close your pool for the winter, including information on protecting your pool surfaces and equipment.

* Brush the walls and floor of your pool and vacuum it thoroughly. Clean the skimmer basket and lint trap.

* Use a special filter cleaner to thoroughly clean the filter. A dirty filter can cake and harden over the winter, leaving a messy and difficult clean-up job.

* With the pump and filter on, add the appropriate amount of winter shock around the edges of the pool. Wait an hour, then add winter algaecide. Keep the pump and filter on for another hour.

* If you completely cover and close your pool, drain it to just below the return water lines. Also, drain your equipment and then add pool-winterizing anti-freeze to pipes and equipment. In colder climates, it may be advisable to remove the pump and filter, and store them in an enclosed structure. Consult your local BioGuard dealer for specific instructions.

* Finally, cover your pool to protect from winter winds, leaves, dirt and debris.

For more information, visit www.BioGuard.com or visit your local BioGuard dealer.

Some swimming pools, including every Kayak Pools Midwest above ground swimming pool, come complete with some form of pool decking that provides additional space for guests and pool accessories like chairs or tables. But when it comes time to provide even more space through intelligent swimming pool landscaping, your choices suddenly become exciting. And a little daunting.

There's a lot to consider--space, price, how the additional landscaping will be used--all considerations when choosing among the following three popular additions to swimming pool landscaping.

Gazebo: A traditional gazebo is an octagonal structure (eight sides) usually built of weatherproof wood materials and traditional roofing. Since gazebos tend to be taller rather than wider, they can provide simple shade, basic shelter, and make for an attractive addition to your swimming pool landscaping without eating up a significant amount of real estate. While more ornate styles and materials are available, a gazebo often represents the lowest cost-per-square-foot among the choices seen here.

Cabana: Think of a cabana as a gazebo that's been super-sized. It's a free-standing structure with a traditional, cedar or thatched-material roof, surrounded by walls that can be solid, draped or partially open to the outside air. Cabana's can be wooden, steel, or aluminum and often feature creature comforts such as electricity, fans, plumbing, ample seating, even television, stereos or refreshment bars . A cabana is a covered oasis adjacent to your swimming pool that adds flair and convenience to your swimming pool landscape. While the basic structure itself may only be slightly more expensive than a traditional gazebo, additional costs for additional comforts in a cabana can elevate the price. Elements can be added over time, however, to ease the size of your initial investment.

Patio: Spanish for "back garden" or "backyard", the patio is a versatile addition to swimming pool landscaping, simply because it can be built in a wide variety of shapes, and out of a wide variety of materials. Patios are usually made of poured concrete or stone slabs/bricks called "pavers". Laid over a firm base of gravel, sand and mortar, patios can be square, ovular, rectangular, narrow, wide--whatever the landscape demands or needs to add additional space for people, seating, barbecues, umbrellas, even decorative planters. Costs for patios can vary greatly based on the design and the materials you use--as well as whether or not you do the work yourself or hire a professional contractor.

No matter what the addition to your swimming pool landscaping, be sure to check with your local borough or township to verify the need for additional building permits, and if doing jobs yourself, remember that your handiwork must meet the same standards as local building codes.

If you have the backyard space for additional swimming pool landscaping, and need more alternatives for best using your backyard space, then consider the addition of a gazebo, cabana or patio to your backyard to add recreation space, flair and a little pizzazz to your swimming pool landscape.

About the Author: Lisa Sweet Kayak Pools Midwest Marketing Director 845 E. 65th St. Indianapolis, Indiana 46220 United State 800-315-2925 317-536-7909 kayakpoolsmidwest.com