Author: Storm Bennett

Transform Your Home with An Above Ground Pool

Transform Your Home

Spending some quality time in the pool is an exceptional experience and perhaps, one of the most relaxing physical exercise there is to relieve stress. But do you still have to visit a specific location to find an inground swimming pool? Well then, you do not need to go out to places in order to rejuvenate yourself anymore. Are you looking for a way to transform your home?

You have the above ground pools to your rescue! These pools are equipped with almost all the features an authentic swimming pool has to offer, in fact, more. With an above ground pool installed in your home, you are able to have fun and save money because it’s user-friendly, and requires less maintenance.

The above ground pools are smaller in size and so, you need to use fewer chemicals to keep them in a good shape. However, smaller in size doesn’t mean these swimming pools offer any less fun.

You can install it in a day at a relatively lower cost, unlike the inground swimming pools that can’t be installed without digging a large hole in the ground. On top of it, above ground pools are equipped with a sanitizing power system. Actually, the same that is used in the big swimming pools. So as to keep the water inside the crystal clear and clean.

Rio, Mundo, and Krystal are the highly-recommended above ground swimming pools in Cincinnati, Ohio. They feature improved stability, soil-resistance, and can prevent warping.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Hot-Tub In The Summer

Your Hot-Tub in the Summer

In the middle of the summer heat, the last thing that you want to do is sit in warm hot-tub water. But, if you want to get the most out of your hot tub, you should not restrict yourself to only using it during the colder months.

Your hot tub doesn’t have to be hot. Full stop. Yes, you read that correctly. You can actually use your hot-tub to cool off in the summer.

This might seem odd at first, but you’ll find that dip in your hot-tub during summer can be a relaxing experience.

Here are some easy tips on how to enjoy your hot tub in the middle of summer:

Lower the temperature of your spa

This might seem like a simple tip that goes without saying but many people don’t realize that their hot-tub can be made cool just by changing the temperature.

If you set the water temperature to somewhere between 82-85 degree Fahrenheit, the water will feel cool to the touch.

Be conscientious of when you cover your spa

On sunny days, you should keep your spa covered when you’re not using it. While covered, the insulation will keep the water cool and won’t allow it to absorb the heat around it.

At night, when it’s cool, run the spa with the cover off. Natural evaporation will lower the temperature of the water and make it the perfect temperature to relax in.

Turn the heater off

If where you live gets too hot or humid, you can turn off the heater of your spa completely. This will ensure that your spa stays cool enough for you to enjoy.

Summertime mode

Check to see if your spa has a summertime mode setting. This setting will reduce the filter time in your spa. Too much circulation will increase the temperature of your spa.

Need help finding the perfect spa for you? Don’t hesitate to contact us!

How To Properly Take Care of Your Outdoor Furniture

Your Outdoor Furniture

High winds, dirt, grime, and cold can damage your outdoor furniture, and as a result, you may need to purchase new pieces within only a few years.

Use the following step-by-step guide to help you protect your patio furniture so that you can have a great backyard retreat year after year.

Clean Your Patio Furniture

This step depends on what sort of material your furniture is made of. Metal furniture requires very little cleaning. You can simply spray with a bit of water or mild soap and you should see a clean surface.

Hardwood furniture can last longer once you clean it with penetrating oil to help resist moisture.

Wicker is probably the most difficult material to clean: Spray it with a hose, and for more difficult cases, use a soft brush and mild soap to work out stubborn areas of moss or mildew.

Cushions, canvases, or vinyl covers for outdoor furniture also require cleaning — make sure you allow enough time for it to dry before storing.

Protect with Vinyl Covers

Vinyl covers should be used during foul weather or the off-season. Water-resistant patio table covers with UV protection to help prevent fading are optimal when protecting your outdoor table. Covers that protect both chairs and tables are available, so check the size for what you might need.

Store Your Items During Harsh Weather

For those living in areas that have more harsh winters, storage is the best option. When storing tables, consider also storing them with outdoor table covers on them to prevent damage from moving and from any unwanted moisture from the storage space. Definitely consider storing wooden furniture or furniture with any type of tiling or mosaics, as the fluctuations in temperature can cause damage to these types of pieces.

Have any questions about patio furniture or looking to replace your set? Contact us today!

4 Precautions to Take To Keep Your Pool Safe

Keep Your Pool Safe

Pool Safety is an important topic to discuss when considering getting a pool for your home. Here is our list of important precautions to take to keep your pool safe this summer.

Supervise at all times

When the little ones head to the pool, be sure to apply sunscreen and remind them not to run. The most important pool safety factor is supervision. Someone with CPR/first-aid knowledge is also important in case of emergencies. Training can be obtained via classes at your local hospital, YMCA or through the Red Cross, to name a few options.

When the pool isn’t in use, a pool safety cover can be used to prevent any accidents from occurring.

Know the facts about flotation devices

Flotation devices can help kids mobility in the pool and give parents peace of mind, but they don’t ensure safety, so be sure to remain watchful. Some swim experts even discourage the use of “floaties,” noting that they may give children false confidence. Water wings and other floatation devices can be dangerous.

Ramp up pool party security

When it comes to pool parties, hiring a lifeguard can add a layer of safety. A lifeguard can make up for that reduced caution. To find one for hire, inquire at your local community pool or call a private lifeguard company.

Be aware of dry/secondary drowning

Lately, there’s been a push in awareness of dry drowning and secondary drowning. Dry drowning happens when water a child has breathed in causes their vocal cords to spasm and close up. Secondary drowning occurs after swimming or bathing from water inhaled into the lungs, causing trouble breathing.

Have any questions about pools or pool safety? Contact us here!

3 Ways To Keep Your Grill in Top Shape

Keep Your Grill in Top Shape

Like any good relationship, you need to put some work into the one you have to keep your grill in top shape. It doesn’t matter if you’re dealing with a top-of-line model or a cheap knock-off, with proper maintenance, any grill is bound to keep working a long time.

Cleaning the Grill Grate

After getting a fire going, the first order of business is cleaning the grill grate. The grill grate will see the most action and because of this—and the fact that food will come into direct contact with it—most of your cleaning attention should be focused here.

If you haven’t already, invest in a good grill brush with a long handle and firm bristles or scouring pad.

Oiling the Grate

After cleaning the grate, the question is: “To oil, or not to oil.”

Oiling your grill grate helps prevent food from sticking when cooking. To do this, dip a wadded paper towel in a little oil and, using tongs, wipe the oil evenly over the grate. Be careful not to use too much oil, because that’s a sure fire way to start a good flare-up—a little goes a long way here.

Cleaning your Grill

Cleaning the grill grate and the ash out is very important, the rest of the grill—not so much. About once a month take a rag and some cleaner to the outside of the grill. Actually, this will keep it looking nice and shiny. Like a good cast iron pan, grilling over and over seasons the inside of your grill.

Have more questions about how to keep your grill in great shape? Contact us here!

How To Conserve Pool Water

Conserve Pool Water

Swimming pools can be water wasters, but they don’t have to be. With some simple practices like turning down the heat, and prohibiting cannonballs, your pool doesn’t need to be a water hog.

Reducing your swimming pool water needs is easy, but it can cost a few dollars. With some simple steps, you can conserve pool water and be able to tell anyone who asks how your pool actually saves water!

Backwash Less

Many pool owners backwash too often, every week for example. Let your pressure gauge be your guide – backwash when the pressure is 9-10 lbs above the clean pressure. Bumping a DE Filter (backwashing only for 10 seconds) will extend the time between backwashing. Using a Sand Filter Cleaner will help to extend sand filter cycles or time between backwashes.

Use Pool Covers

Any type of pool cover will reduce evaporation, heat loss and will save pool water. Even mesh safety covers reduce evaporation water loss by nearly 50%. Solar blankets are an easy way to both add heat to the pool (up to 10° for a sunny pool), and also reduce evaporation by over 80%. The best way to stop pool evaporative water loss is to use an automatic pool cover.

Sun Shades

Adding some shade to your pool can drastically reduce the sun’s evaporative effects. Shade can come from installing a Pergola or pool house on one end, planting fast-growing evergreens, or installing Sun Sail type shades to keep your water from evaporating so fast. Especially in the sunny south, shading the pool for at least a portion of the day is one way to conserve pool water.

Wind Blocks

The wind is the largest heat thief of your pool, and when it takes heat off the surface, it takes some water along with it. Hedges, fences, windscreens and such can make a big difference if you have prevailing winds, mostly coming from one direction. You can’t completely shield your pool from wind, but every little bit will help to prevent pool water loss.

Have any questions about how to save money on your pool? Contact us here!

Everything You Should Know About Saltwater Pools

Saltwater Pools

Getting a pool always comes with the big question, saltwater or chlorine?

Today we’ll be discussing the pros and cons of specifically using saltwater in your pools versus only chlorine.

Saltwater Pools use the Exact Same Chlorine

Saltwater systems make chlorine, the exact same chlorine that is released from pool chlorine products. In a saltwater pool, when H2O + NaOCl are run through the salt cell, the electric charge breaks apart molecules to create chlorine (Cl) and a few other byproducts, which are generally reabsorbed. The chlorine that is instantly created, hypochlorous acid, is the same exact chlorine that is released from chlorine tablets, liquid chlorine, or granular chlorine.

Saltwater Pools do have Benefits

You can’t taste the salt, but it can make the water feel softer
Less storage and handling of hazardous chlorine products
Breakpoint chlorination inside the cell reduces chloramines constantly
Easily raise or lower chlorine levels, and view status on a digital display

Saltwater Pools are not Maintenance Free Pools

You still have to monitor the system, and test for salt, chlorine and stabilizer levels
You still have to maintain good water balance; saltwater pool pH and Alkalinity rises rapidly
Salt cells need cleaning to remove scale, although some systems do it automatically
Salt cells last about 5 yrs; salt system parts like boards, sensors and switches may last longer

You may Still Need to Use Chlorine Products

To raise the chlorine level very fast for shock treatments
To maintain chlorine level during pump, filter or salt system equipment problems
To clear the water during opening or closing the pool, or for treating various water problems

Saltwater can attack Soft & Shiny Surfaces

Galvanic corrosion can oxidize chrome surfaces in the pool, although sacrificial anodes can be used
Salt residue can slowly corrode soft coping stones or stone decks, although sealers can be used

Have any more questions about saltwater pools? Contact us here!

3 Ways To Keep Your Patio Furniture Looking New

Patio Furniture

Patio furniture can turn your backyard into the perfect entertainment space, but maintaining that new look of outdoor furniture is difficult when facing the elements. Whether hauling out your tired and true patio furniture or shopping for new pieces to add to your backyard for any season, here are some ways to help keep your patio furniture looking new.

Furniture covers

Furniture covers are a great way to extend the life of any outdoor living set. Covers protect your furniture all day and night from sun or storm. The fear of fading will no longer be a problem with a furniture cover since it protects from the sun. Covers also come in a large variety of shapes and sizes to fit any backyard piece.

Regular cleaning

By cleaning your furniture on a regular basis you are able to not only extend the life of your furniture but also keep it looking new. For the most part, basic cleaning for outdoor furniture can be soapy water, but any wicker pieces should be washed with water alone.

Keep Your Patio Furniture

Winter can take a toll on patio furniture. The cold can cause furniture to crack and if it gets wet mold and mildew can be a major problem. Finding storage for your pieces during the winter can allow them to last many more seasons. If you are unable to find storage, use a furniture cover, but make sure it is waterproof to prevent mold and mildew build-up.

Using these steps will help keep your furniture looking spotless giving you a beautiful outdoor space to relax and entertain all summer. If you’re in need of the perfect patio furniture, contact us for more information.