Many pool owners use bleach as a temporary solution to raise their chlorine levels, but the chlorine in bleach is somewhat unstable and occasionally raises the chlorine level too much. If you have over-chlorinated your pool with bleach, use a chlorine neutralizer to bring the levels back down to a s

Chlorine is one of the four main chemicals that should be tested two to three times weekly in pool water. The proper chlorine level in a swimming pool is between 1.0 ppm (parts per million) and 3.0 ppm, ideally 2.0 ppm. Maintaining a proper chlorine level is extremely important, because chlorine kee

Since buying a fiberglass pool will be among one of your biggest purchases as a homeowner, you want to make sure you buy from one of the top fiberglass pool manufacturers. Learning about where to buy fiberglass pools may seem intimidating, as all fiberglass swimming pool companies will often make th

Best Patio Furniture honors the year's top patio furniture brands and manufacturers. Here, we present the five finalists -- as nominated by our readers. But don't simply go by looks or familiar name alone. Hint: there are some familiar names from last year's contest, along with some n

If you have never owned a hot tub, the thought of maintaining one may seem overwhelming. In reality, maintenance is quite simple. A few minutes a week are all that is needed so that you and your family will enjoy using your hot tub for years to come. From the exterior to the interior to water chemis

Opening your swimming pool for the season is exciting, and you might have the urge to rush through the process. In doing so, you cause yourself more work than is necessary, though. For example, removing your round pool cover in haste can cause leaves and other debris to fall into the water. This req

There are many concrete sealers available on the market that protect masonry from water and other factors that may cause it to crack, chip or otherwise deteriorate. Concrete blocks, because they are not solid, can be more vulnerable to these types of damage than poured concrete. For this reason, con

Bubbles, or frothy foam, are a common hot tub problem. They're caused by having too many solids, such as water-care chemicals, dissolved in the tub's water. These solids, which also include things such as laundry detergent residue, hair care products and body lotions or creams that shed from people,

Finding a good contractor can be a daunting experience and somewhat intimidating if you don't know what you're doing. The most important thing you can do is to take the time to research and qualify your contractor to ease your stress and ensure that the job will be successful.The process t

Thinking of setting a space for your spa? But do you feel you are running really short of facilities when setting a spa in your home?

Every swimming pool needs to utilize the use of a sanitizer to kill bacteria and germs that prevent your pool from staying clean and clear. Many pool owners choose to operate their pools with a chlorine based system. For those looking for an alternative to the odors and harsh irritations of chlorine

The third annual Dwell on Design event was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center June 5-8, 2008. Jam-packed into the four-day design fest hosted by [i]Dwell[/i] magazine were conferences, exhibits, home tours and parties revolving around modern architecture and design. What we experienced: a pre

Determining the size of your central air conditioner is important to minimize the cost of the unit, lower your energy bills and make sure the unit has enough capacity to keep your home cool. The cooling power of an air conditioner is measured in British thermal units (Btu). If the AC unit is too sma

Diatomaceous earth pool filters are popular among pool owners as they require little maintenance and provide maximum results. However, when the pressure on your DE filter raises 8 to 10 lbs. per square inch over the clean starting pressure, the filter must be backwashed. Backwashing allows the filte

Maytag claims their Atlantis series can handle large amounts of laundry like this.altrendo travel/Stockbyte/Getty ImagesMaytag claims that their Atlantis line of washers and dryers are built to last for years of dependability. Maytag is a very well known company in the area of home...

A formal garden pond provides a focal point to any formal garden or outdoor area. Designed to provide visual display and functional appeal, the pond holds more than outside beauty, it can hold plants and fish as well. Showcased in a prized rose garden or tucked away in backyard in the city, a formal

Gophers are burrowing mammals typically between 6 and 12 inches in long. They build extensive tunnel systems that can cause major damage to your lawn and garden. Gophers also feed on various plants, both above and below ground. Among the plants they eat are: carrots, potatoes, alfalfa, dandelions an

Basic pool maintenance for the average size above ground swimming pool is fairly straightforward once you get into a maintenance routine. The key to crystal clear water is steady maintenance. A few weeks of neglect to your pool will wind up costing more money and time than it would if you regularly

A method of cooking meats and vegetables with smoke and steam, smoking infuses rich flavors and moisture resulting in foods that are not dry and bland. Smoking involves using wood chips of different aromas and seasonings for your meat and vegetables. You can even use your oven as a smoker if you don

This article is the second in a series about the elemental landscaping that surrounds and provides the setting for an in-ground swimming pool. The first article identified the factors that effect pool location and size. This article describes the quite complex process of designing the pool levels so