Though the heat of the summer in Austin can be a real drain on exercising or any outdoor activity, the city is blessed with several public pools in which to cool off.

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Chlorination has been the traditional method of pool sanitation for decades?almost by default, since there were no alternatives for this crucial aspect of owning a swimming pool. However, for many pool owners, chlorination is an old and outdated pool sanitation method they?ve discarded in favor of maintaining a salt water pool.

Chlorine

So what?s the problem with chlorine, anyway? It does exactly what it needs to?kills algae and bacteria, keeping the pool attractive and more importantly, a safe and sanitary place to swim. A pool that doesn?t get regular chlorine treatments will quickly become clogged with thick green algae. Depending on where you live, and especially in a warm climate like Florida, an untreated pool can become a green, sludgy nightmare inside of a week?the chlorine is definitely important.

If you maintain a chlorinated pool, however, it?s not enough to dump chlorine in periodically and let the pool fend for itself. There are other chemicals to add too, as well as regular testing to keep an eye on water quality. For example, you must make sure there is enough free available chlorine (meaning chlorine that is active) in the water to keep up with sanitizing the water. This is usually done with the use of weekly chlorine tablets.

Another important aspect of this maintenance is PH levels?the acidity or alkalinity of the water. If the PH gets too high, the chlorine in the pool isn?t able to work as efficiently. However, if the PH drops too low, the water quickly becomes too acidic to swim in comfortably. Keeping the PH at the right level is somewhat difficult, because the range at which it?s ?just right? is very narrow and many factors, including rain, affect this.

Chlorine is important for sanitation, but for many people it?s also a source of irritation. The harsh chemicals that are added to pre-packaged pool chlorine irritate the skin and eyes, making swimming a highly unpleasant experience. It is important to note that it?s not the chlorine that?s the problem?in most cases it?s the chemicals which are added to the pre-packaged mix.

Salt Water

The main advantage of a salt water pool isn?t that it doesn?t use chlorine. In fact, a salt water pool does use chlorine to keep the water clean. The advantage is that the pool owner doesn?t add chlorine to the pool?that means no pre-packaged chlorine, and less irritation for people who are sensitive to the added chemicals. Salt water tends to be much softer than chlorinated water, so it?s much more pleasurable to swim in, and is much less harsh on your skin. In addition, a salt water pool usually has a much lower concentration of chlorine than a chlorinated pool.

Another important benefit is more of a long-term one. In the short term, converting from chlorine to a salt water pool will involve some cash outlay, since there are a few system components you?ll need to by. It?ll run approximately $1000-$1500 to convert a traditional chlorine system to a salt water system. Over two or three years, however, the money you spend is recouped due to not having to buy extra chlorine for the pool. Just a bag of salt which is much less expensive.

Just to be clear though, salt water pools do in fact use chlorine to sanitize and the water. So if you are not adding chlorine tablets or shock, how does that work?

It works because of the chemical composition of salt, which is made up of chlorine and sodium. Within the salt water system is a unit called a salt-chlorine generator, which uses electrolysis to generate chlorine by separating the sodium and chlorine molecules in the salt you add to the pool. As the generator unit separates out the chlorine, it?s returned to the pool, where it keeps the water clean and sanitary.

A well-maintained salt pool is an absolute delight to swim in, with softer, more comfortable water that doesn?t irritate. It doesn?t taste salty, either, as you might think, because it has such a low concentration of salt that it?s officially considered to be fresh water! In the ocean, the salt concentration is between 20,000 to 35,000 parts per million, whereas in a salt water pool, it?s just 3,000 to 6,000.

Finally, don?t be fooled into thinking that a salt water pool maintains itself. It doesn?t. You still need to check PH levels and carry out other maintenance tasks. However,you?ll benefit from lower maintenance costs and a more enjoyable swimming experience, which definitely makes it worthwhile.

When summer arrives, it?s time to get cool and enjoy the fun of summer.

Viking inground swimming pools and Viking inground spas have seemingly taken the country by storm. With their quality construction and second-to-none reputation for excellence, they are sought after by residents looking to improve the quality of their homes as well as business persons seeking to add color and splash to their commercial properties.Recently, the realm of television has embraced Viking inground swimming pools and Viking inground spas, highlighting them on a number of shows. Programs including Little People, Big World and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition have chosen Viking Pools above other competitors models.In the case of the former show, Little People, Big World, the Roloffs chose to install a Gulf Coast model pool in a fun, memorable way indicative of this highly popular TLC show. As for the latter program, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, a whopping fourteen Viking Pools have been donated to help make families wishes come true. (Such generosity further shows that Viking is more than a company; it s a partner with its clients and their communities.)Viking inground swimming pools and Viking inground spas are continuously improved; most recently, Viking Pools introduced an amazing process called Kaleido-Center. This process allows the interior of pools to be any of a wide variety of color schemes. Imagine being able to choose from over 86 million (no, that isn t a typo!) combinations of hues. With this kind of potential, the possibilities are, for all intents and purposes, endless. If you can dream up a shade, that shade can be the color of your Viking inground pool!Viking inground pools and Viking inground spas aren t merely innovative, though. They are also attractive and unique. Designs such as the newly-unveiled Trinidad model and the always-popular Chesapeake plan are clean, pleasing and intrinsically beautiful. In fact, Viking indoors pools and inground spas are impossible to ignore (and who would want to do so?) No wonder so many people who invest in them rave about spending more time outside than inside after the installation is complete!Midwest Pools USA, is proud to offer the broad line of Viking inground swimming pools as well as Viking inground spas. By fostering an affiliation with such a well-respected company, Midwest Pools USA hopes to advance its incredible relationship with customers across the country specifically in Michigan, South Carolina and North Carolina.Midwest Pools USA is also pleased to be connected with Viking because of Viking Pools commitment to continual quality and social concerns. Recently, Viking Pools even launched a green initiative, highlighting its eco-friendly inground pools and inground spas for consumers worried about how their pools and spas will affect the natural world around them. Such genuine concern for the well-being of clientele shows Viking Pools willingness to change its products to fit the needs of the marketplace.If you re ready to make one of the best investments for your home and your health it s time to contact Midwest Pools USA to discuss your options. Remember only select dealers have been allowed to partner with Viking Pools to sell Viking inground swimming pools and Viking inground spas. Don t be fooled by imitators spend your hard-earned dollars on a pool or spa that will give you decades of enjoyment. Choose Midwest Pools USA and Viking Pools today.

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During the hot summer months it can be great to own an above ground pool. They can be a lot of fun and provide a way to retreat from the hot summer temperatures when they reach into the triple digits. However, there are many things you need to consider before purchasing above ground pools. It is not as simple as constructing a poll in the back yard and filling it with water. You have to consider safety, maintenance, and cost of owning a swimming pool. It is much more complicated than owning a kiddy pool you can dump and use when needed.Safety Issues Should Be ConsideredIn many towns and cities there are specific rules you will have to follow about above ground pools. In most places you will either need a fence or a pool cover that won?t cave under the weight of an adult. You have to think about the fact that neighborhood children may try to get into the pool when you are not home. Pools can be a safety hazard for small children as well as animals. Even if your local law doesn?t require you to take safety measures, you will want to.You Must Complete MaintenanceMaintenance is always an issue when owning above ground pools. The pool will require regular cleanings and chemicals to prevent the growth of algae and bacteria. When you purchase an above ground pool you must be committed to following a regular maintenance schedule. If you don?t your poll can turn into a large pool of algae and can become a magnet for mosquitoes and other bugs. In this situation you may have a health hazard on your hands. However, with just a few hours of work each week you can enjoy a crystal clear beautiful pool.Cost Benefit AnalysisIf you are in search of a way to spend time with your family without breaking the bank an above ground pool may be just the thing. After your initial investment of purchasing the pool and setting it up, the cost of chemicals will be minimal. When compared to the cost of going out to the movies or arcade every weekend you may end up saving time and money on a weekly basis. In addition, your pool will be available for you to enjoy whenever you like without following someone else?s time schedule. Above ground pools last for years if they are properly maintained. You may end up saving money on family activities in the long run.As you can see there are many things to consider before purchasing above ground pools. However, in most cases the benefits will outweigh and risks or cost. An above ground pool can also add to the value of your property or home. When it comes time to sell you may find the increase in value is much more than the cost of purchasing or maintaining the pool. Whatever, your reason for wanting an above ground pool you will find there are many benefits to the purchase.

Swimming pools have not merely remained to be the accessories of rich. Considering the falling price and wide availability of support service providers, swimming pools have started to feature in the yards of the people representing diverse income groups today. For many they come as the healthy option for some private fun and relaxation. Now, given the range of pool service providers and experienced installers, for the inhabitants of Brampton, Ontario, Canada, getting a vinyl pool has never been easier.

The inconvenience of traveling to the beach and the crowded conditions of local pools are key factors in influencing the decision to buy a pool of your own. The health benefits pools offer are another consideration. Swimming is one of the best exercises because it benefits the entire body. Many different exercises can be performed in a pool, including a number specifically designed for arthritis sufferers. Without a doubt, a major factor in owning a pool is that it is just plain fun.
There are, however, some downsides to purchasing a pool. Besides the price of buying a pool, maintenance is also expensive. Whether the owner does the servicing himself or hires a pool service to come on a regular basis, the equipment and chemicals required to maintain a pool are costly and the process time-consuming.
There are two types of swimming pool for a private home: above-ground and in-ground. In-ground pools come in three main types, concrete, vinyl and fiberglass. They offer a variety of features and come in a range of prices. Different finishes, water features and hot tubs are available for all types of pools.
Concrete pools offer more design flexibility because they are custom built. The disadvantage of concrete pools is that they may take between 8 and 12 weeks to complete. Vinyl pools are typically pre-fabricated shapes of vinyl panels stretched over steel frames. They can be installed faster than concrete pools. Fiberglass pools are one-piece shells that are manufactured offsite and shipped directly to the owner. Once the hole is dug and leveled, the fiberglass pool is placed into the hole. Installation time is quicker than concrete pools and similar to vinyl. The best way to determine the advantages and disadvantages for each type and decide which is right for you is to consult with experts.
There are several options for controlling water temperature in the pool, including standard heated, solar heated, and non-heated traditional. For solar heated pools, location is very important, and the builder should install the pool where it will receive the most natural sunlight. For any pool, the color of the bottom dictates the temperature of the water. Dark colors attract and retain heat for a more comfortable water temperature, while a light colored pool bottom allows the heat to escape for cooler water.
It is very important to be aware of and fulfill all building regulations to ensure that the new pool is not a future problem. The homeowner and contractor confer should meet with the city’s zoning department for any codes related to building a pool. The neighborhood association, if applicable, should also be contacted regarding guidelines for any new construction on the property.
Above-ground swimming pools are less expensive than in-ground pools. Prices range from a few hundred dollars for the smaller, simpler pools to thousands of dollars for hard-sided above ground pools with decks and other features. In addition, they can be installed quickly either by a professional installer or by the pool owner. There are two main varieties of above-ground swimming pools, hard and soft-sided. Hard-sided pools are constructed of fiberglass or metal and are usually more expensive and more durable than soft sided models. Soft-sided models are made from latex, rubber or a similar material.
It is fun to own any type of pool and have guests over. Children love playing in the pool, but must be carefully supervised at all times to avoid accidents. Pool chemicals should be stored in a safe place that is inaccessible to children and pets. For optimum safety for everyone, all accessories, such as waterslides and diving boards, should be professionally installed. There should be safety barriers in the pool area, such as a fence and a pool cover, to prevent accidental drowning.

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