Here are some ways to keep from getting holes in your liner. One of the more obvious things is to make sure no rocks, bottles, chairs, or anything that could end up cutting the liner are thrown in. Another thing to keep in mind is your maintenance equipment. If the metal on your brush, net, or anything else you use is damaged inspect them thoroughly for metal shards or rough parts. If this has happened to your equipment you can either sand/grind it down or put duct tape on it. It really works and it keeps you from having to buy more equipment. Also when you brush your pool, make sure that you don't drag or push the brush against the walls of your pool when you are brushing the bottom. Be sure and always leave a brush or net on your pool pole so the pole itself does not damage the liner by mistake. Some families have pets that like to swim in the pool. If this is your case, you should train your dog to climb out of the pool at your shallow end steps or ladder. However, if a dog panics and can't find the steps, either from being thrown in the pool or gets tired of swimming, they tend to scratch at the wall to climb out.

If you are diabetic, you know that the doctor recommends that you do not take long, hot showers or baths. A Hot Tub or Spa is very therapeutic, but you don't want to cause additional problems while trying to relieve sore muscles or pain. To get the therapeutic benefits from a Hot Tub or Spa, you do not have to have the water temperature over 100 degrees. Most people can get relief from staying in the Spa for 30 minutes at a much lower temperature, around 98 or 99 degrees. Since it is so close to your body temperature you can stay in the Spa longer. The relief will come from the movement of the water as well as relaxing sound of the movement of the water.

Before using a Hot Tub or Spa, please be sure that this is acceptable in your individual case with your primary care doctor

Green is the buzz word now. Everyone is going green, including Mickey Mouse. Just stroll through the Disney Store and take a look around. He is there and he is colored green.There are a few things that you can do to make your pool an eco-friendly green pool.

Tip #1 There are high efficiency pumps available that will help you to use less energy. These pumps are automated and know when to cut back on electricity, saving the earth and your money at the same time. The high efficiency pumps for inground pools can be viewed here: http://www.royalswimmingpools.com/ING-pumpfilter.htm#pump

But, if you replace your pump before it quits it is not 'being green'. The idea behind being green is also recycling and not wasting. The green idea here is to keep your current pump, but put a timer on it and run it fewer hours per day. You have to keep it running enough to filter the water properly so that your pool doesn't turn green though.

Tip #2 For people that have a heated pool, turn on the heater only when you are going to use the pool and use a solar cover to retain the heat that you have already generated. You may find that you won't have to use the heater as often! Solar covers can be found here: http://www.royalswimmingpools.com/solar_blanket.htm

Tip #3 Use more chemicals in your pool. Huh? Did she really say that? Yes. Use more than just chlorine in your pool. Check your pool's chemicals as outlined in our weekly maintenance program. Having all of your chemicals balanced will result in less chlorine use. If some of your chemical levels are too high it can prematurely age your vinyl liner that will lead in replacing it too soon and causing waste. Here is a link to our easy to read instructions: http://www.royalswimmingpools.com/program.htm

Tip #4 Close your pool as soon as it is to cold to swim. Closing your pool will allow you to shut the pump off completely and cut chemical use. Pick your type pool from this link: http://www.royalswimmingpools.com/winter.htm

Have a great summer and enjoy your green pool!

Whenever we have friends and family over, they always want to see our pool. So, what can you do to make your pool special during the winter months and you can't swim? We are in the south and have a mild enough climate that we can leave our pool ?open' or operational all year without having to cover it. Having fiber optic lights on your pool gives you soft calming colors that change automatically that will showcase your pool. The perimeter lighting outlines the shape of your pool and they can be synchronized to change colors at the same the interior pool lights change.

Another quick way to showcase your pool, whether it is an aboveground or inground pool, is to have a floating fountain. They are inexpensive and easy to install. They also look pretty at night with only a white light on in the pool. If you don't have a light installed in your inground pool, you can define the shape of your pool (or flower gardens) with tealights. You can purchase a bag of 50 for $1 at most dollar stores. Place the tealights in small, clear tealight holders. The candles will burn for 2-4 hours. You will not want to do this if small children or pets will be in the backyard unattended.

If you can, have your patio furniture uncovered and light a small table with an inexpensive white candle. (Place it in a hurricane lantern if it is a little windy outside). Outline a path to the area with cheap tealight candles inside tealight holders. To make luminaries, buy some white bags, place about 1" of sand or pebbles in the bottom of the bag and put the candle holders is the center.

When someone decides to get an in ground pool for their yard, the first thing to decide is what type of pool. You can choose between a gunite, fiberglass, or vinyl liner pool. All three choices come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

While the different types of in ground pools have many differences, one of the biggest is the cost. A gunite/concrete pool is the most expensive to install and will require a professional pool installer. A gunite pool will last a very long time but the surface may need to be re-plastered or painted every 10-15 years. A fiberglass pool will also require a professional installer. The advantage of a fiberglass pool is the ability to install it quickly. Fiberglass pools are limited in the size and shape. A fiberglass pool is subject to staining and cracking and can never be drained without the proper equipment. Vinyl liner in ground pools have become very popular over the last 50 years with professional pool builders and do-it-yourself homeowners as well. You can call your local pool builder for a turn key pool project or purchase a pool kit and build it yourself and save money. You can build a vinyl liner swimming pool to any size or shape with all the options like a diving board, lights, and even a spillover spa for a fraction of the cost you would spend for a gunite swimming pool.

If price is a determining factor on your choice of pool, then a vinyl liner swimming pool is the way to go. Another advantage to getting a vinyl liner swimming pool is that when you do have to replace your vinyl liner after 7-12 years; if you choose a different liner pattern it looks like you have a completely different pool. Thereare a variety of different liner designs and colors available.