There are so many reasons to go swimming. Cooling off is just one of them. Spending time with your family and friends and having much-needed fun and exercise is right at the top of the list. Lets take a look at the different types of swimming pools that you can choose from when it is time to indulge in this refreshing past time. Above-Ground Swimming Pools When it comes to choosing a swimming pool, some families choose the above-ground variety. Why is this? One reason is that an above-ground pool generally costs less. The less money you spend on your pool, the more money you can spend on fun pool accessories, and deck space if you like! Another reason is that above-ground pools are quick and easy to install. Not to mention, if you decide to move locations sometime in the future, you may want to take your swimming pool with you. At times people just want to move their pool to another location within their yard. You have this option, if you have an above ground pool. The one downside is it is a bit more work to keep an above ground pool clean and clear. Once you find a good program for cleaning and chemicals, most people find it to be worth the effort. In-Ground Swimming Pools When it comes to swimming pools, many people go with the in-ground variety. There are many reasons for this. One reason is that there are so many different shapes and sizes to choose from. You can go with kidney-shaped, rectangular, L-shaped, oval and free-form for example. Another reason to go with an in-ground pool is that it will raise the value of your house in some areas, especially southern states. Although the initial cost is greater, most homeowners find the cost to be worth it and the maintenance is less once you get it up and running. When you have an in-ground pool built on your property, you have the luxury of selecting tile colors, plaster colors and choosing any size and shape that you wish. Looking at swimming pools, you can see some people even build a mini water park in their back yards with slides, built in jump ledges, lazy rivers and a sport court with  water volleyball and water basketball. Some of these swimming pools are nothing short of incredible! Infinity Swimming Pools Are you living in the lap of luxury? Perhaps you are if you are looking into getting an infinity pool. What exactly is an infinity pool? An infinity pool essentially has one edge that is vanishing. Also known as a zero-edge pool, it appears to simply disappear into the horizon. The dramatic effect can be breathtaking when paired with the right setting. An infinity pool has somewhat of a mystifying effect. Think of it like this. The pool water moves in a waterfall effect, then moves downward seemingly into thin air. How does it work anyway? An infinity pool is similar to a waterfall that has a single lower level that acts as kind of a catch basin. The water is captured in a lower pool, then it gets pumped back into the upper pool again. The ideal spot to place an infinity pool is somewhere with an incredible view of natural scenery. For example, if you are positioned at the top of a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, an infinity pool would be perfect for your home. Anywhere that you want your swimming pool to blend in as much as possible with its natural surroundings calls for an infinity pool. Lap Swimming Pools Some people want to have a swimming pool for fitness purposes. For folks such as these, a lap pool is perfect. Lap pools are designed in a long and narrow shape. Ideally, they measure at least 45 feet long, and are rectangular in shape. The popularity of lap pools date back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. It is no wonder that some people today rely on lap pools to help stay physically fit. The heating, building and maintenance of a lap pool is much like other pools. However, some lap pools are upgraded, in that they allow the swimmer to continuously swim in one place. This is made possible by a strong artificial current that is generated by a machine. These kinds of pools are less conducive to water sports and  Temporary Swimming Pools Lets face it, not everyone can afford a “real” swimming pool. Perhaps this is why backyards of America are so often decorated with temporary swimming pools. Do you know what a temporary above-ground swimming pool looks like? Now, we aren't talking about a molded baby pool here. Generally they are constructed of vinyl, these portable pools can be put up at the beginning of the summer and taken down at the end of the season. They still require a filtration system, but generally, only cost a couple of hundred bucks and are sold at family discount stores. You can also search on the internet to find pools made from everything from a metal container for watering livestock to pallets and tarps. These would fall in the "very temporary" category! Conclusion Whether your budget is big or small, and your taste is fancy or very simple, a swimming pool is your best friend in keeping cool, getting exercise and having much-needed fun this season. Dunn-Rite Pool Products & Pool Accessories 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Pool Fountains - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball

Swimming pool safety refers to everything from the equipment being used to keep the pool area safe to how everyone behaves in and around the pool. With proper safety measure taken you will reduce your risk of potential dangers in and around your swimming pool. Swimming Pool Supervision The best way to prevent injuries and accidents is with supervision. It's important to pay attention at all times when people are in the pool. Not only do you need to pay attention when children are in the water, but in party situations, look out for any intoxicated individuals who could fall in. Learn to Swim Making sure the family's swimming skills are good can be important for pool safety. Even after your kids have learned how to swim, they still need supervision and big kids shouldn't be left to swim alone. Until kids build up swimming skills, some extra help in the pool, such as arm floaties or an inflatable vest, can be beneficial for extra buoyancy. Swimming pools don't leave much room for error when it comes to kids, so it's always better to err on the side of caution. Establish Rules Establishing rules is for everyone's safety. For example, kids need to learn why it's dangerous to run around on the pool deck. Not all toys may be used in the pool. Be sure that anyone who uses your pool is aware of the rules and remind yourself that everyone will need reminders from time to time about the rules. Clear and consistent rules will help everyone to know what the expectations are prior to jumping in! Secure Your Pool When Not in Use One big tip for pool safety is to secure the pool when you aren't using it. Fences: Surround the pool with four-sided isolation fencing with a self-latching and self-closing gate that a child can’t reach. A four-sided isolation fence can reduce a child's risk of drowning by up to 83%. Fences can help keep critters out and small children from wandering into the pool area. Alarms: Installing a fence is only half the battle. It’s easy for kids to figure out how to open gates and find their way into the pool area. A gate alarm can sound when the connection between the gate and fence is broken. You can also take it a step further by installing an alarm on the door that leads to the pool area. This gives you time before your child even reaches the pool. The last line of defense can be a pool alarm, which will sound if there is movement in the water detected. The age of your kids, location and desires will all have an impact on which of these you will need to install. Pool Covers: If you want a barrier for when no one will actually need access to the pool, consider a pool cover. There are many different kinds of pool covers and if you are looking for safety, make sure you pick the right one. Solar pool covers are more for heating the pool and won’t withstand a pet's or your kid's weight. Mesh covers can still hold the weight and let sunlight into your pool along with water. Solid covers don’t allow any dirt in your pool and while you may think a solid cover is safer, it can pool water in the middle of the cover. This makes removing the cover dangerous and it can also pose a drowning hazard, which is what you are trying to prevent with pool safety. What to Use in the Pool There is some pool safety equipment you want to have when the pool is in use. Float Lines: Stretch the line across the water from side to side and if anyone has trouble staying afloat, they can hold on to the line. Consider more lines to have one for the shallow end and one for the deep end. Life Preserver: If someone is having trouble, you can toss a life preserver to help him or her stay afloat. Pool Safety Hook: Just like a life preserver, a pool safety hook can give someone struggling something to hold onto and keep them from going under the water. A pool hook can also be helpful for pulling small animals from the water when they need help escaping. Critter Escape Ramp: It’s no fun to retrieve animals from your pool. A small critter can be pulled into the filtration system and cause a blockage and damage your equipment. You can help animals get out of your pool by placing escape ramps around the perimeter of the pool. Pool Toys: Only use toys that are designed for the pool. Makeshift volleyball or basketball sets that are not designed for pool use can be dangerous. Look instead for  pool volleyball or pool basketball sets that are designed specifically for the swimming pool. By following some basic rules you can have some peace of mind when it comes to having a swimming pool in your backyard. Dunn-Rite Pool Products & Pool Accessories 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Pool Fountains - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball

The leaves are turning colors, cluttering the pool and clogging the filters. Memories of sunny days, family fun, poolside cookouts and the simple pleasures of summer are coming to a close. Many pool owners live in warmer climates and won't close their pool for the winter. Fall pool maintenance prepares the components of the pool for freezing weather so they won't suffer in the cold winters. It keeps pools in warmer areas going strong and helps to sneak in a few more weeks of fun if you get a warm fall. Here's what you should know. Fall Swimming Pool Maintenance Basics Inside your in ground pool is a filter system, the skimmers and returns system, and the water. Leaving water in the pool in winter prevents cracks in the walls. Cleaning the systems keeps the water alkaline and at the proper pH level. When these things are done you have clean and clear water. Above ground pools include a filter lasting about three to five years, the other maybe 25 called a “permanent” pool. They are smaller and hold less water. The filtering and skimming systems are not integrated. The pool owner is responsible for cleaning and chemically maintaining the water. Empty the Swimming Pool By this, we mean clear out the pool toys like the Clear Hoop, water volleyball or any floats you've had in the swimming pool. Using your telescoping skimmer net, remove leaves and other debris. Above ground and in-ground pool owners will do this regularly, so as not to leave any debris behind which could lead to bacteria that could cause illness. Test The Swimming Pool Water You wouldn't put cheap oil in your car, because it might gunk up the motor. Testing the swimming pool water is a vital part of pool maintenance year round in both above ground and in-ground pools. You'll need the proper testing materials to check the pH level of the water, the alkalinity and the sanitizer or chlorine levels. Pool experts tell us that the pH level of pool water is ideally, 7.4 to 7.6. Its alkalinity should be 100 to 150 parts per million or ppm. One hundred twenty is ideal. Your pool maintenance professional will tell you the proper level of chlorine for your type of swimming pool as it varies depending on the type of chlorine. Cycle the water through the system for three to four days before adding the winter algaecide to kill the green goo. Tip: You'll need to shock the pool following a storm or a lot of people swimming. Shock the pool at night, because the sun will evaporate the chlorine before it can clean the water. Run the pump for eight hours minimum so it can completely circulate through the system. Note: Algaecide and chlorine should not be used together. The chlorine kills algae as well, but cancels out the algaecide. Chlorine evaporates in sunlight, where algaecide doesn't. Add algaecide after the chlorine is down to about five percent. Clean The Swimming Pool Brushing the walls and bottom of the pool removes algae, bacteria, and/or silt buildups. It also removes the remains of personal grooming products like shampoo, perfume, sunscreen and makeup. This should be done once a week for both above ground and in ground pools no matter what the season. The difference between fall pool maintenance and seasonal maintenance is the deep cleaning. In spring and summer, above ground and in ground pool owners might brush the pool walls and bottom but not scrub, leaving it to the chemicals to keep the pool viable. Drain The Swimming Pool The goal is to prevent water from getting into an in ground pools filter and pump systems. Drain the water until it's beneath the tile to empty water from these systems and prevent the plumbing from freezing. Contact a pool professional for this so no damage is done to the systems. Covers are a smart idea for pool owners: They keep the water from evaporating. They reduce the need for as much chemicals in the water. Heat retention. Any pool cover, but especially a solar cover, keeps heat in the pool both on cooler days. If the pool is heated, then the heat will stay in. Safety! A swimming pool cover can be an added layer of security for keeping little ones out of the pool. Dunn-Rite Pool Products & Pool Accessories 3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality. Pool Fountains - Combo Units - Pool Volleyball - Pool Basketball