How do you find the best pool steps for you?

The model you need depends on the type of pool you have. There’s a model or variety that’s designed to work with concrete, fiberglass or vinyl respectively. Pool ladders are usually installed with above-ground or inflatable pools. Pool steps, on the other hand, are associated with in-ground swimming pools.

Some pool step varieties need to be installed at the time the pool is built. Others are more flexible and can be retrofitted (and even uninstalled) anytime after the pool has been constructed.

Some above-ground pools come with grooves in which a pool ladder can be attached. The grooves make the ladder installation more convenient. Before buying any pool ladders, make sure to inspect your pool for any of these grooves or latch points.

How many styles are there to choose from?

Classic pool ladders never go out of style, so to speak. These are usually made of stainless steel and are compatible with most types of pools. To enhance safety, steel pool ladders are equipped with rubber, non-slip steps.

Resin-molded pool steps are also timeless and very commonly used. These models emulate staircases and “wedding cakes”, which adds to their visual appeal.

Accessories and Enhancements

To an extra layer of security, get steps pool ladders that have anti-skid pads installed on them. This is especially important if you have kids that regularly use your pool. These pads help prevent you from falling or slipping while wet.

You could also install rubber grips on the hand railings. This is commonly used along with stainless steel pool ladders to keep swimmers from slipping and losing grip on the railings.

Do you have children in the house? You can install a small gate mechanism on your pool ladder to prevent kids from wandering into the pool without supervision. This is also especially handy in keeping animals and pets away from your swimming pool.

A Few Shopping Tips For You

When looking to buy a new set of pool steps, always check if it’s sturdy. Don’t hesitate to spend a little extra on durability and safety. The hand railings and the steps are there to make swimming safe for you and your family. Spending money on cheap, shoddy models could increase the risk of accidents around your pool. So shop wisely.

• Set up the pool on an even surface. You don’t want to set it up on an incline; you’ll have trouble keeping water in once it’s up. Also, you run the risk of scratching and even rupturing the flooring of the pool on embedded rocks and stones.
• Position it where it’s easy for your garden hose to reach it. You need to make sure of this before you even prop it up.
• Clean the surface before setting up the pool. Get rid of twigs, stones, pebbles, sharp objects, tools and other objects. These could rupture or rip the flooring of your pool. The best place to put your pool is over even garden grass.
• Cover the area using the ground cloth that comes in the package. This will give an extra layer of protection for the bottom of your pool. Press down on all parts of the cloth to make sure that there are no sharp objects left under it. Make sure it’s evenly spread out to fully accommodate the size of the pool.
• Find out where you want to place your filter. Make sure its cables can reach a suitable power source. Place it on stable and level ground. You want to keep it as steady as possible, and prevent it from toppling over.
• Unroll the pool over the cloth you just placed and spread it out evenly. Make sure that the bottom of the pool is as smooth and even as possible. Position the pool in such a way that the filter holes face the area where you plan to install your filter.
• Do not completely fill up the ring with air. Air expands a lot during hot weather. By filling up the ring completely with air (that it already looks tightly packed), there’s a chance it might rupture and damage your pool.
• Check the ring for leaks before filling the pool with water. You can do this by rubbing liquid soap over the seams. This should make it easier for you to see air bubbles.

An Intex Easy Set Pool is probably one of the best investments you’ll ever have to make. It’s the most cost-effective alternative to expensive in-ground swimming pools that are spreading around like wildfire. Affordable, easy to install, durable, great for parties and surprisingly portable regardless of size, Intex swimming pools are perfect for any family who wishes to have water fun during the summer months without spending too much.

Any Intex Easy Set Swimming Pool is durable and easy to maintain. However, there are things you can do to further extend the lifetime of your Intex pool and, thus, maximize your investment. Here are some tips and guidelines to keep in mind.

• When setting up your pool for use each year, be sure to check for rips in the liner or along the inflatable ring. Repair rips and small holes immediately and before you fill up the pool with water. This is much easier than trying to patch them up in a pool full of water.

• Check the plastic covers on the pool ladder legs. If they’ve come off, cover them with duct tape or thick plastic. Unprotected ladder legs can tear and rip your pool liner.

• Always be sure to set up the pool on a level surface. If you set up the pool on an uneven surface, chances are there will be too much pressure on the deeper end of the pool, which could cause the pool to burst at its seams.

• Clean out your pool filter every couple of days or so. An ordinary garden hose will suffice. If not maintained, you would have to replace the pool filter every couple of weeks. By simply squirting it with water, you’ll only have to replace it after at least a month.

• When the bottom of the pool starts to look a little bit dirty, vacuum all the dirt and small debris out. You’ll normally have to do this every couple of days or so.

• Shock the pool on a regular basis to maintain a good level of free chlorine in it. A single chlorine dispenser may not suffice.

• When preparing the pool for storage, make sure you drain it dry. Some water may not drain out through the opening that each Intex easy set swimming pool is equipped with. Use a small pump to thoroughly get rid of excess water. Using clean rags and paper towels wipe off residual water and store the pool in a dry place. Before storage, you may also leave the pool out under the sun so that excess water may evaporate.

Cleaning and maintaining swimming pools can be a hassle for most people. To help minimize the amount of cleaning you have to do, you can install a pool cover. One of the side benefits of having a swimming pool is the added layer of security and safety. And with an Intex Pool Cover, you know you’re in good hands.

Benefits of Using a Pool Cover

Let’s go over some of the reasons why you should definitely invest in a pool cover. First, pool covers help regulate the temperature of the water in your pool. On average, about 90% of the heat of a swimming pool is lost as the water evaporates. By covering the surface of the pool, you prevent the water from evaporating and the heat from escaping. With heat maintenance like this, you can even use your pool even beyond warm months.

Pool covers also prevent accidents, especially when there are children and pets in the house. Intex pool covers are very strong and durable, capable of supporting the weight of a full-grown adult when stretched out.

Pool covers also keep dirt, debris, small animals and insects out of the water. This, in turn, increases the longevity of your filters and pumps by preventing blockages caused when foreign objects enter them. By preventing dirt and debris from entering the pool, you make it easier to clean and maintain the pool.

How to Choose A Pool Cover

Pool covers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and even materials. Since backyard in-ground swimming pools became popular, there are many varieties to choose from. Here’s a short buying guide for you:

• Pool covers should be made of high-strength materials. You might want to go for a safety pool cover that meets the standards of the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and that it’s able to support at least the weight of a big child. More expensive brands are even designed to support the weight of an entire elephant.

• Some states and localities have requirements and regulations about swimming pool covers. Get hold of your local authorities to find out what yours are.

• Make sure that the pool cover’s length and width are greater than those of your pool. This will help you safely anchor your pool. You can also be assured that your pool is entirely covered. Intex swimming pool covers come with an anchor and strap for every couple of feet of the cover.

Intex Easy Set Pool Cover

The Intex Easy Set Pool Cover is one the best in the market today. They come in various shapes and sizes that are ready for use with all Intex pools. Intex pool covers come with drain holes to prevent water from accumulating on the surface of the cover. You no longer have to worry about the rain warping or ruining your pool cover.

Don’t let the size of a kiddie pool allow you to get complacent about pool safety, especially when it comes to small children. Toddlers can easily drown in just a few inches of water. Ironically though, 9 out of every 10 drownings happen while a child is being supervised. You really have to be on your toes 100% of the time.

Remember these pointers and tips to keep your children safe while using a plastic kiddie pool.

• Use your eyes, not your ears. Contrary to popular belief, drowning usually happens silently. It’s not always accompanied by screaming and thrashing.

• Communication among adults is crucial. If you need to leave the pool, make sure someone is there to take your place. Don’t assume they will take the responsibility immediately because you’re not there. You have to explicitly tell them that they are in charge while you’re gone.

• Make sure the bottom and the sides of your kiddie pool aren’t too slippery. This is often caused by the build-up of algae. Clean your pool often with baking soda or effective cleaning agents.

• Set a rule against rough play in the water. Kids love to play pretend and they can get a little bit rowdy. They can push one another underwater.

• Limit the number of kids in the pool at any given time. Let them take turns. Having too many people in the pool can potentially result in needless accidents.

• Learn CPR. You can easily take short lessons at your local Red Cross agency or through the various adult learning programs available across the country. If you have older children in the family, get them to learn CPR too.

• Get a Safety Turtle. It’s a device that you put around your child’s wrist that sets off an alarm when he or she falls into water.

• Keep the water in the pool sanitized. While it’s more economical to just leave the water in, throwing it out after use can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in medical bills. Also, make it a habit to always scrub the bottom and sides of your kiddie pool when not in use. Use disinfectants and cleaning agents to get rid of germs. If you’re a bit uneasy about introducing these chemicals to your kids, good old vinegar and baking soda should do the trick.

Wading pools do not usually come with their own filtration systems. Those that do are sometimes inadequate. Furthermore, manual cleaning is still more effective than automatic cleaning.

While many inflatable wading pools can easily be turned over and drained, many owners choose to conserve water and leave the water in for future use. This water needs to be cleaned and sanitized regularly to prevent health problems.

How To Keep Dirt Out of Your Pool

It’s a good idea to require your kids to take a quick shower and clean their feet before getting in the pool. This ensures that your kids won’t be playing in dirty water.

Make sure that the pool is covered when not in use (especially at night) to keep birds, small animals and insects from getting in them as well as preventing debris and leaves from accumulating in the water. Some pools come with their own covers; while for others, a simple tarp would suffice. Covering your pool also keeps the heat of the water in.

Skimming Your Pool

Immediately after use, you may find your kids wading pool a little bit dirty. Bugs, leaves and dirt may somehow end up in the water while your kids are using it. Using a simple pasta strainer, you can get rid of debris within minutes.

To deal with urine (just in case one of the kids have an “accident”), you can either replace the water or continue with regular cleaning. Remember that, contrary to popular belief, urine is sterile.

On the other hand, solid waste may call for “emergency evacuation procedures”. Feces are full of harmful bacteria. Immediately empty the pool and clean it using detergent and bleach. Spray on some disinfectants and leave it for a while under the sun. Afterwards, douse it with water to get some of the chemicals off before filling it up again.

Cleaning the Inside of the Pool

Though you can regularly skim the pool to keep it clean, any standing body of water will always stagnate in the long run. To prevent algae from building up, brush the insides of your pool with some Borax or detergent.

Don’t underestimate the power of vinegar and baking soda. If you’re a bit wary about using borax and commercial cleaning products, you can douse the pool with vinegar after brushing it. Leave it on for a while then rinse the vinegar out with water. Afterwards, line the sides of the pool with baking soda and leave it overnight (be sure to keep it covered). In the morning, your pool will be sparkling bright.

Here are some guidelines you need to remember when attempting to install above ground swimming pool steps.

• Use a pool ladder that’s appropriate for the size and depth of your pool. You also don’t want a ladder that’s too wide for your pool. Before installing pool steps, manually measure from the bottom to the top edge of your pool to get its correct height or depth.

• When using metal swimming pool ladders (i.e. aluminum or stainless steel), be sure to coat this with white powder or paint. This ensures that the handles do not get too hot in the summer (or in very hot weather). Install rubber grips on the rails to help pool users get out of the pool easily.

• Always clean the ladder cups before installing them. A regular garden hose should do a good job removing dirt and debris that might have collected in the cups.

• Thoroughly test the ladder when you’re done installing it. Repeatedly climb up and down the steps to make sure it’s safe for use. You shouldn’t worry about anything if you made sure that the ladder wedges are fitted properly and firmly tightened. If the ladder remains unsteady even after making sure of those steps, you may need to replace the ladder cups and wedges completely.

• Test your ladder by putting your full weight on it. If you notice the sides of your pool bending or flexing with your weight, adjust the angle so that it’s steeper (approaching an almost vertical position) to make sure that your weight will be supported by the ground on the external side of the ladder and not by the sides of the pool.

• Install ladders on both sides of your pool in the deeper end, for enhanced safety. Remember that pool ladders must have at least two steps below and one above the surface.

• Install a ladder even on the shallow end for young children to use.

• You may want to add horizontal rails at the bottom of the steps, a little below the waterline. Novice users and swimmers who are in trouble can hold on to this rail to keep themselves safe.

• To add more security to the ladder, make sure that its external side is anchored to the ground.

What The Barracuda G4 Pool Cleaner Does

Also known as the Barracuda Zodiac G4 Pool Cleaner, this baby amazingly removes dirt from any type of pool with ease. It removes any kind of dirt and debris – from rubble to humus to leaves to algae.

It comes with directional gills and a fender which helps it navigate and steer through your pool. The superior cleaning performance of a Barracuda pool cleaner comes from its advanced technological features that apply the physics of buoyancy, water propulsion and aquatic flow to produce the best and most thorough results. It also comes with a 2 year warranty on all parts, including the Barracuda patented Long-Life Diaphragm and Dual Durometer Disc which it uses to sweep the floor and walls of your pool.

Its parts are easy to deal with and Barracuda pool cleaner parts are readily available online and in local pool stores. They are easy to install and repair too as each Barracuda pool cleaner comes with a comprehensive and detailed owner’s manual that can guide you with the installation and troubleshooting every step of the way.

Why You Need To Buy One

Let me give you some reasons why you need to get your own Barracuda pool cleaner today.

• Barracuda pool cleaners are time-tested – It’s easy to install and yet it’s durable. It’s designed for maximum coverage. It comes with an anti-stick design that adds to its maneuverability and resilience.

• Barracuda pool cleaners are easy to install – Installation can be done in minutes. It ships out pre-assembled so that all you have to do is attach its disc and hose, and it’ll be ready to go in no time at all. You don’t need to use any tools to install this baby. The package includes an easy-to-follow installation video to guide you every step of the way.

+Barracuda pool cleaners are user-friendly – Each Barracuda pool cleaner comes with a self-adjusting valve for controlling the flow of water, which ensures peak performance no matter what the depth or size of the pool is.

• Barracuda pool cleaners are quiet – No noise to worry about. Other pool cleaners are equipped with flappers which cause them to make hammering noises. Barracuda pool cleaners are built to deliver maximum cleaning results with speed and efficiency, and without the noise.

Let’s have quick review of what the Polaris 280 Pool Cleaner has in store for us.

Polaris Pool Cleaner 280 Features

The Polaris 280 Automatic Pool Cleaner comes with double jets for more effective vacuum power and speedier cleaning. It can clean pool floors, walls and stairs with incredible efficiency and speed by scrubbing, vacuuming and sweeping at the same time, using its own separate booster pump.

The Polaris 280 Automatic Pool Cleaner works well with any surface types including fiberglass, concrete and vinyl. It comes with 31 feet of hose, allowing it to traverse the entire length and width of your pool without any problems. It also has a unique filter bag which can trap debris and dirt, enhancing the durability and longevity of your pool’s filtration system. This bag is large enough to contain pebbles, leaves and other large debris. It’s removable and replaceable too. You can also very easily clean it for reuse.

What Makes the Polaris 280 Pool Cleaner Awesome

With its double jets, it only takes 3 hours for the Polaris 280 to finish cleaning a full-sized in-ground pool. Because it runs on its own booster pump, it doesn’t depend on your swimming pool system, taking the stress off your equipment and filtration system and, consequently, improving its longevity. Its rapid cleaning power comes from its ability to multitask 3 cleaning jobs with each pass – it scrubs and sweeps as it vacuums.

With the Polaris 280 Automatic Pool Cleaner you can get maximum efficiency pool cleaning in a single machine. You can just sit back and watch as the Polaris 280 does what it’s built to do.

You don’t have to worry about problems with the Polaris 280 as most of its parts are replaceable. It also comes with an in-depth and detailed owner’s manual that can walk you through the installation with ease. It also contains steps and instructions you need to take in order to troubleshoot problems along with diagrams to guide you every step of the way.

Step 1: Find out what kind of spa pump you have. This is the best way to ensure that you get the correct replacement pump. You may need to remove the old unit first in order to make measurements and inspections. Another way to determine the type unit you have is to check its owner’s manual or by getting hold of the store that installed your spa. You need to match certain features with your old spa pump such as the horsepower (motor power), voltage requirements and pump speed.

Step 2: Upgrading. You can upgrade your old spa circulation pump to a better, more powerful one to increase its jet action. This isn’t a problem as long as your spa’s control and electrical service system can accommodate the additional power needs. For better assistance, you might want to contact a local pool store, the manufacturer of the spa pump itself or the store that installed your spa.

Step 3: Check the size of your PVC pipe. Diameters for PVC pipes are either 1.5 inches or 2 inches. To find out which size you need, use a tape measure. Make sure that the new pump spa has the same pipe size. Measuring the size of the pipe should be pretty easy but if you need assistance you can turn to your local pool store.

Step 4: Shop around for good spa pumps. There are a lot of spa pump brands out there. You can get a Magnetek spa pump, which are also conveniently available online. It may be better to purchase on from a local store since they may be able to install the spa pump for you for no extra charge. Be sure to ask every salesperson you meet a lot of questions to make sure you get the right spa pump.

Once you have your spa pump, the next step, of course, is to install it. Many spa owners can easily do the installation themselves but if you haven’t tried doing it yourself before, it would be best if you hired the services of a professional or sought the help of someone who has done spa pump installations before.