Swimming pool maintenance does not need to be a hassle or bothersome, there are ways you can keep your swimming pool clean and in pristine condition.  In-ground swimming pools do not need hours and hours of maintenance if you have a swimming pool cover.  Investing in a swimming pool cover can save families time and money and further add to the enjoyment of owning a pool.

During the months that a swimming pool is not used, simply running a pump and filter should take care of any maintenance.  If the temperature of a swimming pool drops below 40° F, the pump should automatically come on to keep the pool from freezing over.   However, by covering the swimming pool the warmth is retained, further ensuring your swimming pool will not freeze up during colder weather months.

There is no doubt that owning a swimming pool can be a large responsibility, but a swimming pool cover can keep the pool much cleaner.  Without a cover, water can evaporate, along with expensive cleaning chemicals as well.  Some forms of algae require sunlight to grow so by having your swimming pool covered you eliminate algae from taking over the swimming pool.

Most of the energy consumed by a swimming pool comes from heating and cleaning, by covering your swimming pool you drastically reduce the energy required for both tasks.  You can also find several different types of solar swimming pool covers to help heat your swimming pool by using the energy from the sun.  Having a solar swimming pool cover can save you thousands of dollars over time because you do not have to go to the expense of heating the pool manually.

Getting a swimming pool set up for the summer time can be especially time consuming.  Dirt and debris can become problematic and require days of scrubbing and cleaning before the swimming pool is adequate for summer use.  If you drain the pool in the fall and cover it up during the winter, it can save you time and making owning a swimming pool easy and more pleasant.

All over the United States, you will find that in-ground swimming pools are more popular than above ground swimming pools.  While a bit more costly, an in-ground swimming pool is also more aesthetically pleasing and will actually improve the resale value of a home if a homeowner ever decides to sell the property.

You will want to know how to maintain you swimming pool and keep it spotless, and in this article we will cover the basics of how to clean an in-ground swimming pool.  There is no need to be intimidated or let the task of choosing swimming pool cleaning supplies confuse you, there is an extensive selection available from pool supply stores designed to take out the guess work.

There are a few alternatives you may want to look into when planning which swimming pool supplies to purchase.  If you know someone who has an in-ground swimming pool, you can start by talking to them about cleaning and what products they use.  You can also gain feedback and information from the sales people at the local pool supply store.

You can search the internet and find forums which talk about the many options to consider when purchasing swimming pool supplies.  Some people prefer to use traditional cleaning supplies while others prefer to use an automatic swimming pool cleaner which saves valuable time.

Another consideration would be what cleaning tools to use, whether it would be manual or automatic.  Sometimes it is a good idea to have a set of both, if the automatic cleaners ever malfunction; you always have the manual ones to fall back on.

Sometimes using manual cleaning tools is a better option for those who are trying to save money.  With manual swimming pool cleaning tools, you do not have to use electricity and there is no chance for the tools breaking or becoming inoperable.  When taking everything into consideration about cleaning and maintaining your swimming pool, you can formulate a plan that will keep your swimming pool in pristine condition all summer long.

A swimming pool must contain certain low levels of viruses and bacteria to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and pathogens.  Algae, bacteria and insect larvae can also enter the swimming pool through no fault of the swimmers and cause diseases to spread from person-to-person.  Because of the recent mortgage crisis in the US, many people have had to abandon their homes and as a result, swimming pools have been left with standing water.  The results are the swimming pool turns green with algae and becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

There are also other waterborne diseases which can occur from bacteria like Cryptosporidium (crypto), Giardia, E. coli and Shigella.   The crypto bacteria is a major germ that is responsible for outbreaks in swimming pools and spas, the bacteria can be chlorine resistant and present a problem in even the cleanest swimming pools. 

Giardia is another nasty bug that if left unchecked can wreak havoc on swimming pools.  Using a good filtration system and chemicals will take care of any major problems.  Practicing good swimming pool sanitation can and does prevent needless outbreaks of many different types of bacteria and pathogens and should always be observed with a home swimming pool.

Swimming pool pumps and mechanical filters are a good way to filter many pathogens out of the water.  Chemical disinfectants such as bromine, salt, sodium hydochlorite and hypochlorus acid are used to keep the water clean and pathogen-free.  The chemicals are also used to turn the water into a blue-green color.

There are also chemical free, electronic water sanitation cleaners that are both ECO friendly and a healthful alternative to use of chlorine.  These types of systems produce no harmful byproducts and the water left over can be used for irrigation purposes.

There are many different chemicals and alternative methods one can use to keep a home swimming pool pest and pathogen free.  Whichever method is used, it is important to always perform regular cleaning and sanitation.  Keeping your swimming pool clean will allow you and your family to experience a happy and healthy summer.

With the hot weather rapidly approaching and summer vacation looming, parents are wondering what types of activities will keep their child busy and entertained.  Aside from the old school favorites such as hide-n-seek, tag and others, there are also a great number of entertaining games kids can play in the family swimming pool.

A game called “Get Dressed,” can be great fun for kids of all ages and is easy and fun.  With a small group of people, the game can involve everyone and with a larger crowd, it can be an “up-front” game and perfect for adults and kids alike.

The more players that participate in the game, the more fun it can be, but it can also work with as little as two players.  Each person needs to have a t-shirt, socks, shorts, bathing suits and whatever other clothing they intend on wearing and using.

Have all the participants line up at one end of the swimming pool.  Ask someone who is not playing to take all of the participants clothing and bring them to the opposite end of the swimming pool.  Have that person wet the clothing and mix up the pile, sinking it to the bottom of the pool.  That person now gets out of the swimming pool and acts as a judge telling players to get ready, set and GO!

When the judge tells players to “get dressed,” the people must race over to the other side of the swimming pool and find their shirt, put it on and race back to the other side of the swimming pool.  The judge announces which item to find next, the player swims back to the pile finds their belonging, puts it on and swims back to the other side again, until fully clothed. 

It is important to note that lightweight shorts are easier to get off and on than heavier weight jeans or longer pants.  The first person to find all of their clothing, get dressed and be back at the other side of the swimming pool is the winner.

If the host wants too, they can arrange for each person to win a prize such as sand toys, squirt guns, cheap sunglasses, sunblock and other novelty sun-and-fun related items.  This can be a great activity for any age and is the perfect way to incorporate a day of games in the fun and sun.

Exercising in a swimming pool is a fun way to engage in low-impact physical fitness.  Because bodies are buoyant in water, exercising is a low-impact activity, causes less muscle strain and soreness because a body is protected by the water.

Water exercises are the best form of exercise for people who have arthritis and other types of bone, muscle or joint pain.  Exercising in the water will improve cardiovascular fitness and swimming minimizes the stress and impact on joints and muscles.  Circulation is also improved, whether through floating or doing laps, swimming is a great exercise for the heart and circulatory system.

Water offers resistance no matter which type of moves are made, in turn movement elevates the heart rate, and all of this is done in an environment which provides less stress on the body.  The healthful benefits of swimming and exercising in water are plentiful; swimming on a regular basis is endurance, enhances muscle tone and increases cardiovascular fitness.  Swimming is an activity anyone can enjoy regardless of personal fitness level.

 Over time, the intensity of swimming exercises can be increased and a person can do this set to their own pace.  Another added benefit of exercise is the body produces chemicals that stimulate the body and mind, which provides an energy boost. 

 Developing a regular routine of swimming allow a person to get much-needed exercise while enjoying a swimming pool.  The key to making the most of swimming exercises is to develop a pattern or routine of participating or incorporating the exercises into everyday life. What makes swimming so exceptional is that an exercise routine can be switched up from session to session, helping a person to find a routine that is both enjoyable and easy to stick to. 

A person who is considering a routine of water exercises should consult with a physician before beginning the program.