Safety Measures for a Hot Tub
If you want a comfortable home spa, installing a hot tub is a great idea. It offers relaxation and soothes your tired muscles. However, you should be careful about the usage as carelessness can give rise to untoward incidents. Hot tub accidents are more common than you imagine. The causes of such accidents and safety measures are discussed below.
Hot-tub accidents
There are several near-fatal hot tub drowning accidents reported each year and most often the victims are children. Children should not be left unattended as they can drown even in a small depth of water. There are some safety measures with regard to a tub that should be followed carefully, especially when you have children in the house.
Surprisingly, the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the American Association of Pediatrics has not provided specific regulations regarding children’s usage. Despite this, parents should allow their kids to use only under supervision to prevent dangerous accidents. For instance, there are suction elements in the hot tub, which upon entangling the hair of the child, can cause drowning.
Safety rules for children
Infants and toddlers should not be allowed inside; rather they should be kept away from the room where the hot-tub is present. A convenient option is put up a fence around. It might not be a nice look for your hot-tub but it will protect your child from mishaps of any kind.
Older children can be allowed in for some time but not more than a span of ten to twenty minutes. But the temperature level should be checked before allowing children into the hot-tub. The ideal temperature level is 102-104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also put locking covers around so that children do not get access into the tub. Older models should be replaced in case there are children around as the single drain outlet of such models are even more dangerous. Dome-shaped drain covers should be used, which reduce the suction pressures of the flat drains.
Other safety measures
It is recommended not to enter a tub if you have an open sore as the hot water spreads the infection fast. This happens especially when you have not checked the sanitizer level carefully. Make sure that the optimal temperature level is maintained. It should not exceed 104 degree Fahrenheit as a very high temperature puts pressure on the cardiovascular system.
It is advisable not to use a tub that is not provided with an anti-entrapment drain cover. Absence of this kind of a drain cover can cause severe accidents. According to the Spa Safety Act, every tub should be provided with the anti-entrapment drain cover. It is also recommended not to use the spa during severe weather conditions like tornadoes and electrical storms.
A number of accidents related to irresponsible use of tubs have been reported, which makes it vital for owners to take safety seriously. Abide by the safety measures carefully to get maximum enjoyment without any anxieties.
For more information on hot tub Toronto, Ontario, Canada or swim spas Toronto, Ontario, Canada, contact a swimming pool specialist at Bonavista Pools.
Swimming Pool Pumps – Facts You Need To Know
Owning that well designed swimming pool at home is not complete without a good pump to keep it clean and free from harmful organisms. The pool pump serves as the heart of your pool. It keeps algae at bay, thus maintaining a clean, blue color of your pool.
When you buy your pump, you should not be amazed when you see a wide array of sizes, shapes, designs as well as varying capacities and features on the market. Bear in mind that the size of the machine does not determine its effectiveness in cleaning up your pool. The bigger pump does not mean it’s always better. Make sure, however, that you should consider the style and size of the product as each brand and model has specific sizes, designs and styles.
Majority of pool pump products indicate their capacity. Take note of the capacity because each pump has its particular size of pool to work for. Knowing the area of your swimming pool before you buy a product is greatly advised as you will be asked by the seller of the size when you look for a particular product. Get the one that can do the job of pumping water in your pool either hourly or minute. If you are not sure about which product to get, ask the seller.
Take note as well that all pumps have a filter or straining basket that is used to catch debris such as sticks, leaves, toys or anything that is left in your pool. These baskets have different shapes and sizes as well. You can choose to get a see-through basket so that you can see if it has been clogged with debris.
Most buyers of pumps take into consideration the energy efficiency rating of the product. This is important to factor in when you select one because you can save up on electric consumption with an energy-efficient product. Most expensive products, though, are more efficient than cheap ones. It would be wise to invest in a pool pump that is rather expensive than one that is cheap but it can’t last longer for pool cleaning purposes.
Buying a great pool pump is useless when you have an inefficient filtration system. Before you get one that can last long, make sure that your filtration system is not defective. Bear in mind that good water circulation is what a pump can only give to your pool to make it clean and clear.
Getting the best pool pump for your swimming pool is a challenging thing to do. Read swimming pool pumps reviews at Swimmingpoolpumpsreviewed.com for you to get an idea of the best products today!
Has Your Swimming Pool Sprung A Leak?
You’ve been wondering if your eyes are playing tricks on you or if your pool water is really going down. If this is your first year as a pool owner, you may not realize how fast the water evaporates. You may think it’s a leak rather than simple evaporation but how can you tell?
A simple test of evaporation is to grab a bucket and fit it about halfway with water and mark the waterline with a pen (in the pool AND in the bucket). Set the bucket next to the pool, turn off the pool pump for a couple of days and keep swimmers out of the water.
Come back in a couple of days and compare the water level in the pool to the water level of the bucket. If the difference between the waterline in the pool and the bucket is similar, the cause of water loss in the pool is evaporation and nothing to lose any sleep over.
If you notice that the pool water has dropped a discernible amount compared to the water in the bucket, you should contact a pool service technician. The technician is trained to look for leaks in areas like where the ladder is bolted to the wall, the sides of the pool, around the drain, lights and the tiles – areas you cannot get to without proper training and tools.
If you think you are experiencing a leak, you should contact a maintenance as soon as possible to prevent any permanent damaged caused by a leak.
Robbi Hess is a writer/editor/blogger with more than 20 years experience as a writer on assignment. She is a professional writer on assignment who has served on the staff of newspapers, magazines and with book publishers. You can see more about her at http://www.robbihess.com or http://www.lipsticking.com
Tips to Find a Good Swim Instructor For Your Child
If you are too busy with your work in the office, you may get difficulty to spend your time to teach your child to swim. The best solution that you can take for solving this problem is to look for a good swim instructor for your child. You have to be very careful in the selection process and make sure that you choose a professional and trusted swim instructor. By checking out the following tips, you will know how to find a good swim instructor for your child.
The first thing that you have to do is to search for the information from your family or friends who have children. They may know where to find a good swim instructor to teach your child swimming. Also, you can ask about their experience so that you will know more about the instructor.
Secondly, you can try to go to local swimming clubs in your area. Try to ask them if they have swimming lesson so that you can get your child to join the class there.
Thirdly, you need to watch the way the instructor teaches the children. Just come to the swimming class and check out whether the children having a good time, enjoying the lesson, and so forth. Just make sure that the instructor can be really care of the children so that you will feel safe to get your children joining the class.
Fourthly, you have to talk with the instructor you like. It is important for you to know the lesson that will be learned by your child. Besides, you need to know the schedule of the swimming class so that you can choose the convenient time for your child.
Lastly, you can search for the information about a good instructor from the local swim coaches. They may know the information about it since they often attend many swim competition. Thus, they may know a good swim instructor for your child.
In the swim class, the instructor must be aware about the cleanliness of the pool. Therefore, the pool needs to be cleaned regularly. One of the perfect options for leaning the pool is Hayward pool cleaners. For further information about it you can take a look at the review from http://poolvacuumcleaner.org.
Discount Portable Spa – What Should I Expect?
A spa is a type of hot tub that comes in various sizes. These days people are looking portable spas because you have the option of taking the spa with you when you move and of course if you want some mobility that is also possible.
Just as the stationary spas need maintenance, the portable ones also do. These should come with a water treatment chemical kit which will help maintain a level of safety through keeping the water clean. Also, water filters will keep things such as dirt, insects and leaves out.
In addition, accessories such as massage units, bubble jets, additional seating options and underwater lighting are nice luxuries to have. After all didn’t you get a spa to pamper yourself in the first place. The slightly larger units usually have a 6-7 feet diameter and accommodate up to 5-6 people simultaneously. These features and others will depend on which company’s products you go with and the model you choose.
The usual in the ground or fixed spas retail around $3000 with the more expensive units costing upwards of $5000. The portable options are cheaper and retail between $900 and $1500. Understandably the price range will vary by models and if you choose to add upgrades.
This is a great deal where you can take advantage of the cheaper portable spas in comparison to the stationary ones. You can choose to use these whenever you want and keep them away when not in use or during the off-season. This will prolong the life of your spa and keep it relatively easy to clean. The main pros of owning the fixed or stationary spas is the reduction or elimination of setup time and also the greater durability.
So where should you start your search? You are already on the right path. Look for articles, product reviews and sales on discount portable spas. Try to seek out companies that specialize in spas and hot tubs. Don’t go for companies that only spas as part of a larger suite of products. Try to find direct merchants or factory outlets rather than going to a retail store. When it comes to larger purchases such as hot tubs, you can cut costs by shopping around. You can also find coupons online for company websites and also in industry or trade magazines. Expect to spend 1 to 2 weeks at the minimum to figure out what you want and then finding the best deals on it.
Looking for a good 3 person hot tub or a 4 person hot tub?
Start your search online and visit http://www.234personhottub.com
Maintenance For Your Above Ground Swimming Pool
Not all of us are financially capable of providing our family with luxurious things like a swimming pool at home. But who said that swimming is just for affluent families? With the existence of above ground swimming pools, it is possible for all of us to enjoy a dip in the pool anytime we want. It is a great investment for families especially for those who have kids because it is a wonderful way to keep your kids happy and amused.
During hot summer days, keep them cool by taking a dip in the pool and you can trick them to exercise without their knowledge just by letting then swim. But to keep all the happiness in the air, you have to make sure that the water they are plunging in is clean and safe. So how do we take good care of our above ground swimming pools?
There are two procedures in maintaining the water in your pool clean and safe. First is to check the filtration system and then the pool chemicals. You do not need to fret with the filtration system since it comes with the pool upon purchase. The filter will be the one responsible for keeping you pool free from dirt, sand and other debris. The filter of an above ground is usually skimmer and it also helps remove other debris such as leaves and bugs. If you want to guarantee your pool’s cleanliness and sanitation then you might want to replace the filter once in a while to ensure these things.
When it comes to the second procedure, we all know that chlorine is the main chemical used in swimming pools. It keeps algae from growing in the pool and keeps your pool free from bacteria. Luckily, pool chemicals are available in swimming pool stores.
Cleaning your pool is not burden, you just need to find the right product and have a little patience.
Written by David Sweeney. Find the latest info on pool pumps as well as Hayward pool pumps
Pool Covers – Safe and Functional
Pool cover is one pool supply you must not neglect to have most especially if you are living in an area where you experience harsh winters and autumn season which brings numerous colorful falling leaves. This sound investment will help keep your swimming pool free from debris and leaves when not in use and therefore reducing the amount of time you spend cleaning your pool and keeping it sparkling like new.
There are several kinds of pool cover and you will find one that will fit your pool’s size and shape, you can even find one that will make your pool pleasing to look at, at the same time even when it’s covered or you can have one custom made just for you at a surprisingly fair price.
There are solar pool covers that will not only keep your pool from leaves and dirt but keep it heated as well, making you save a lot on the cost of heating up your pool. One drawback here is of course you need the full blast of the sun for it to work. Another convenient pool cover is the safety cover that will help keep your kids and your pet safe from falling over especially when they let their curiosity get the better of them and explore the pool on their own.
Last is the winter cover which is as it name suggests, a good cover up when winter season comes along and the freezing weather restricts you from enjoying your favorite water activities.
Visit my website to see more about swimming pool supplies.
Winter Pool Covers
Looking for winter pool covers? It is a really good investment if you want to extend the protection of your pool. Not only is it easy to install and take care of, it’s also very effective in providing your pool the quality of shelter that it needs. There are different types of covers that you can choose from. Whether you have an above ground or an in-ground pool, you can find the perfect size for you to use.
But why even consider getting a winter pool cover? Aside from the obvious fact that it provides your pool protection, it also cuts off the additional expenses during the extreme months when your pool is virtually useless and just a liability. During winter, not only are they useless, but it will cost more if you have your pool cleaned once summer starts again. There’s the test of de-clogging the pipes and refilling the pool with water and spending on expensive chemicals. If you want to avoid that, the winter pool covers are a cheaper and a really convenient alternative.
They are made from a high quality material which is proven to last for years. You don’t have to do any special maintenance actions to make sure it’s in its best condition. Plus, backed with its warranty, it can last you at least 10 years before you even need to consider getting a new one.
So winter pool covers are really a big help not only to your pool but also to your pocket. And there are a lot of online sources already if you want to get more information or purchase one online.
Read more about winter pool covers here before making up your mind.
A Few Secondary Benefits That Solar Pool Covers Offer the Home Pool Owner
Primary benefits of solar pool covers are:
- solar pool covers have built in solar heating properties and actually contribute positively to warming the pool water.
- They also prevent evaporation which is a natural process with a cooling effect on the water.
- They work very well with your solar pool heating system helping to maintain consistently warm temperatures.
Secondary benefits of pool solar covers are:
- A solar pool cover extends the length of your swimming season. For chilly locations, it will stop heat loss and retain the pool warmth generated by your pool heating system the previous day by preventing the usual nightly drop in temperature. If you are someone who loves an early morning dip, the water in your pool will certainly be much warmer than the water in your neighbor’s uncovered pool.
- A solar pool cover drastically reduces water-loss caused by evaporation. Evaporation is a process that removes water from your pool steadily throughout the day. Those weekly or bi-weekly top-ups that you previously had to do become a thing of the past. Now, only infrequent topping up will be needed especially when the pool is being enjoyed to its fullest.
- Pool solar covers cut down on work around the pool because it prevents leaves, insects and other debris from falling into the pool. This will reduce the amount of pool cleaning you need to do.
- Pool solar covers save you money. Firstly, you will not be topping-up pool water levels as often, your water bill will definitely be lower. Secondly, your pool chemical bill will decrease. Evaporation constantly throws off the chlorine balance (or whatever pool chemical you use) in your pool. You have to monitor chemical levels constantly and keep adding more to ensure water hygiene is good. With a pool solar cover, water loss decreases to such an extent that you need to adjust chemical levels far less often.
- A solar pool cover will also improve safety around your pool. Even if your swimming pool is fenced, the gate can accidentally be left unlatched with potentially tragic consequences for small children and animals. it will provide an additional measure of safety giving you more peace of mind.
A solar swimming pool cover really does make a difference and is well worth the investment as it improves the overall effectiveness of your solar pool heating system which, and this is more to the point, will make for a great swimming experience even when the weather is cold!
The Solar Pool Heat experience is something worth actively pursuing. For more information about all aspects and benefits of swimming pool solar heating and solar pool accessories including solar pool covers visit my website at http://www.solar-poolheat.com.
Pool Water Chemistry Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Maintaining good quality water is crucial in order to get maximum enjoyment from your pool and keep maintenance issues to a minimum. And while every pool is different, this guide to pool water chemistry will teach you what to look for and help you avoid common mistakes which can cause problems with your water.
What is pH?
Simply speaking, pH is a measure of how acidic or how alkaline your water is. On this scale that runs from “0″ to “14″, a reading of “7″ indicates that your water is neutral (neither acidic nor alkaline). As the reading gets below “7″, the water becomes increasingly acidic and as it rises above “7″, it becomes increasingly alkaline. The recommended pH is slightly alkaline, or 7.4-7.6.
The pH levels in a pool can also impact your plaster. Water with low pH levels (below 7.0) may erode the protective covering from the plaster surface. Water that has high pH levels (above 8.0) may contribute to the formation of scale and stains. In addition, your chlorine will be more effective in killing germs and eliminating algae when your pH is in the proper range.
Salt chlorination raises the pH of your water. If you don’t add enough muriatic acid to your pool water on weekly basis, you will develop scale. Scale will appear as white streaks and encrustations on your pool plaster. This will be especially troublesome on colored plaster pools.
Other water chemistry factors
Calcium – Maintaining good calcium levels is important for both your pool water and your plaster. Too much calcium may cause deposits and too little may cause your plaster to weaken.
Alkalinity – Your total alkalinity should be tested on a regular basis by a pool chemical store. Proper total alkalinity promotes stable pH readings and will eliminate drastic changes in pH that will consequently affect water quality.
Tips for maintaining great water in your pool:
Test water regularly – Contrary to popular opinion, you cannot determine the condition of your pool water by looking at it. Regular weekly testing of your water and monthly testing by your pool chemical store is the only reliable way to maintain good health of your pool water.
Maintain proper water levels – Failure to maintain the proper water level can cause all sorts of problems. Too little water (near the bottom of your tile line) may cause the pump to draw air and lose its prime.
Regularly clean your pump strainer basket – Keeping your strainer basket clean is a sure way to ensure your pump can adequately refresh your water supply and keep it clean. If ignored, debris can clog the impeller and the pump will not perform properly.
Clean your chlorinator cell – When the cell becomes encrusted with calcium and other minerals dissolved in your water, the chlorinator will not work.
Clean your filter elements – Like with pump strainers, dirty or clogged filter elements can shut your whole system down.
Follow these tips and you will have no problems maintaining good water chemistry and ultimately good water quality that you and your friends and family can enjoy.
Charles Elfert is the President of Pleasure Aquatech Pools and has been building swimming pools for more than 30 years.
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