Just because you already have a pool, it doesn’t mean you can’t renovate your pool or add any number of impressive new features. Pool Renovation and Pool Remodeling can include items such as installing custom lighting, waterfalls, spas, custom rock features, and so much more. Giving your pool a face lift can mean the difference between a bland outdoor play place and your own private resort.

If you’re considering pool renovating or pool remodeling for your swimming pool, you’ve come to the right place.Challenger Pools is the company you’ll want to call to make sure the job is done right, the first time. And, with our 10 year warranty on quartz and lifetime warranty on pebble finishes, you can relax and enjoy it all!

When it comes to price, we’re hard to beat. Our size gives us incredible buying strength with our pool and equipment suppliers, and we pass those savings on to you! Rest assured though, that we’ll never sacrifice quality. Cody didn’t get to be a large pool builder by being as good as everyone else… we did it by being better.

Cody Pools Tampa FL serves Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Brandon, and Clearwater in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Pasco and their surrounding areas. We have over 32,000 pools built in the Tampa Bay area!Call us today at 813-886-9119 for a free estimate.

Address:
6846 N Dale Mabry
Tampa, FL 33614
Directions to our Tampa office

Phone: 813.886.9119 • Fax: 813.884.1829
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8-5 • Saturday 9-4 • Sunday Closed

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It’s official, fall is here. Today marks the first day of the fall for this crazy year of 2020. Enjoying our homes to the fullest has never been such a priority in our lives as this year has. This fall, we want to provide some tips on how to make your backyard cozy and comfortable as we head into the winter and the holidays. A few simple additions can really make it more enjoyable for the upcoming months.

Add a fire pit: Fire gives the perfect atmosphere for a chilly night and brings everyone together for great conversation while still enjoying the outdoors. In addition to providing heat to keep you and your guests comfortable it’s the perfect way to make a yummy smore’s treat.

Hang string lights: Hanging string lights throughout the seating area creates a wonderful atmosphere. It gives a warm glow which provides a relaxing and comforting ambiance to the cooler season. Not only does it provide a great vibe to your gathering area in your backyard it also provides safety. Lighting to see the walkways make sure you and your guests stay safe and don’t trip over anything they can’t see in the dark.

Add some new cushions and pillows: Add some fall colors with new cushions and pillows in your seating area. Not only will this provide comfort and warmth but will bring some great color and pop to the area.

Add an area rug: This can also provide some great color and add energy to the area. It also brings comfort and warmth. Outdoor rugs are ideal as they won’t create mildew and mold from the outside moisture.

Candles: Candles always an additional comfortable and relaxing ambiance. So simple and easy, it’s a must.

Decor: Add some fun pumpkin or fall décor to add to the feel. Or add in some potted plants to sit next to. Any additional details you can add to provide a fall feel and provide comfort will pay off and help you enjoy your backyard to its fullest this fall.

Updating your backyard throughout the year can help you enjoy your space to the fullest and this time of year is especially fun for us Florida folks. Get outdoors, enjoy the cooler area and make your backyard more comfortable and enjoyable than ever.

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Adding the right landscaping to your backyard swimming pool can provide a feeling of relaxation and comfort. It can add a bit more privacy and lighten the mood to make your backyard feel like a true oasis. With the right native plants, it can be a low maintenance and low cost job if you do it right. We do however recommend a professional landscaper to help if you aren’t into the work, but if you’re up for it, there is no reason why you couldn’t tackle some beautiful landscaping to your pool and surrounding area. Below we provide to great tips to get you moving in the right direction.

First thing we suggest is to think about the function of your landscape design. Take some time to consider and think about these important elements before moving forward.

Safety – If you have kids or pets, or often entertain your friends and family, safety is an important factor to consider. Think of fencing, non-slip surfaces and certain lighting needs as part of your design elements.

Privacy – Can you see into your neighbors dining room or even enjoy what they watch on their evening tv station? Privacy may be something to consider when you have a pool or use your backyard often. Fences are a typical first thought but vines, larger tree, shade structures etc. can also be a beautiful design option.

Function & Aesthetics – An easy pool entrance and clear deck is important to consider, so removing any large obstacles such as boulders, rocks, tree roots, sharp edges, etc. Also consider your aesthetics by reviewing your pools shape and theme type you are wanting overall. For example, are going for the natural, tropical, oasis, round edges look or more of a modern, sharp edge, clean look? Consider lighting, foliage and fencing when deciding on your theme.

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Low-maintenance plants and foliage

When choosing foliage consider plants that require little to no maintenance. You don’t want to take up a lot of your time trimming, fertilizing and cleaning up after your pool landscaping. Consider native plants to your area and plants that love full sun, this will also help reduce maintenance and care of the plants.

Ensure you don’t select foliage that shed leaves, seeds, or other debris that can fall into your pool. Also, fruit trees and other insect-attracting plants can bug swimmers. If you’re starting from scratch with your plant landscaping, know the types of shrubs, flowers and trees that do best in your region.

Stick with simple, easy to maintain plants.

Check out what USDA hardiness zone you live in, write down the plants and trees that thrive in your zone, and choose those that fit your desired look.

Fencing

Children and privacy tend to be the main reasons pool owners add a fence. The type of fence you chose depends on aesthetic preference, but options include aluminum, wood, and PVC, which can be molded into a variety of styles. Know whether or not you have a saltwater or chlorine pool before adding a fence, because salt can corrode some fencing materials. For an extra decorative touch, vines like jasmine, trumpet vine, and bougainvillea work well to weave over fences.

Lighting

Lighting not only adds beauty but, more importantly safety. From light paths, to tree lights, spotlights and even string patio lights can provide a relaxing and beautiful atmosphere to your backyard swimming pool.

For energy efficiency, low-voltage LED systems can be used for landscape lighting to light stairs or paths. Solar lights are also easy to maintain and will remain lit into the evening around the pool. Other lighting options can include fire elements like fire pits, bowls, and more for entertaining and heat. It’s an active, breathing source of light that doubles as a stunning accent piece.

Shade Structures

Many pool owners add gazebos, arbors, pergolas, pool houses, and other shade structures to pool areas. Pool houses and guest cabanas are also popular options and give swimmers a place to relax when they’re not in the pool. They also provide shade, dry areas from rain, and provide great cook-out/eating areas as well.

Stone walkways

Make a stone slab walkway and bring the grass and deck together in a beautiful pattern. This can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose. You only need enough stones to reach from the door to your pool. And they help keep your pool deck and water cleaner.

Comfort, style, convenience and fun are all part of the landscaping decision process. So enjoy an make educated decisions so you can enjoy it for years to come.

For some inspiration, check out our Pool Gallery.

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You decide to take a quick dip in your backyard swimming pool and notice the water is a bit lower than normal. Now, it’s normal for your pool to lose water to evaporation, splashing and even to backwashing. A ¼-1/2 inch is about normal every few days, however if you are noticing a significant difference, closer to 2” of loss, leak detection may be something you want to look more into.

There can also be a few other things that may raise red flags that you may have a potential leak besides noticing the water levels, which is the most obvious.

• Have your water bills increased? Often pool owners have automatic fill devices and by keeping the pool filled they can hide a leak.
• Is there water under your pool equipment?
• Is there algae growth around your pool?

Before calling a leak detection company, we recommend you take a few simply steps to review your pool and areas surrounding to see what you can find yourself.

However, if you wait too long, a minor leak can lead to big problems in your pool and on your property. Along with fixing the leak, you may find that you have some major work to do in your yard to get it cleaned up. That’s why early leak detection is so important. When you detect a leak early, you can get it repaired before it becomes a major problem. If you can’t detect a leak yourself but suspect there’s a leak or other problem with your pool, your best bet is to reach out to an expert so that you can get the help you need sooner than later.

Check the obvious first. Pool leaks can occur anywhere in or outside your pool. Before searching for the leak in your pool, make sure you check your entire filter system area, including the pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, etc.

Also check for any wet areas around the pool? Check the ground for moisture. Walk around the pool, and by the pool and the equipment. Check for wet soil and sunken or eroding areas.

If you have an in-ground pool, leaks can also occur by cracked piping underground. If you suspect this, call a local pool professional to pressure test the lines for possible cracks.

However, there are two things you can do on your own to determine a leak. They are call the Bucket Leak Detection and the Ink Method. See how to do these below:

Bucket Leak Detection:

Place a bucket filled with pool water on a pool step, ideally on the second step. Weight it down with a rock or brick, so it stays still and won’t move. Mark the water level on both the inside and the outside of the bucket. Make sure the water levels are the same inside the bucket as the pool water level on the outside the bucket, this can be a bit challenging but do the best you can. 24 hours later, come back and check the marks. If there’s a greater drop in the line on the outside of the bucket, a leak in the pool is indicated. Be sure to do this twice, once with the pump on, then again with the pump off.

With the pump-on, if the water level in the pool is greater with water circulating under pressure, the leak is most likely somewhere in your pool’s plumbing.

Ink Method:

Go to the area where you think the leak might be. Move slowly and try not to disturb the water.

Put a drop or two of dye test solution near a suspected leak point close to the pool wall. Do this with the pump shut off and the water still. See if the dye is sucked into the crack, gap or tear. If the leak is near, you will see the dye move towards the leak source like a current.

If you suspect your leak is at the bottom of your pool, put on those goggles and do the same thing. The reason you don’t want to disturb the water is because you don’t want the dye running wild.

Remember, if pool leak detection—or any other pool maintenance task—becomes too difficult, or you’re not sure you’re getting the right results, you always have the option to call in a pro.

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Heating your swimming pool gives you a higher return on your investment simply by allowing you to swim more often. Most people find swimming in water between 82° and 84°F in temperature most comfortable and enjoyable. The temperature of your pool water will naturally fluctuate with the weather and in warmer climates it can only get up to 75 degrees, even in the summer months! Therefore, a heater is essential to maintaining the optimal swimming temperature to enjoy your pool to the fullest.

So, what are your pool heating options?

Your options include heat pumps, gas heaters (of several varieties), solar heaters, conventional electric models and more, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Different methods are best suited for different types of swimming pools. Therefore, when shopping for a heater, you should consider both the features of the heater itself and the environment in which the heater would operate.

 

Air-Source Heat Pumps

With low operating costs and energy efficient, air-source heat pumps are steadily growing in popularity. Heat pumps transfer heat from the air to your swimming pool using electricity. They are most effective in warmer climate areas and when used on a regular basis. We have found that air-source heat pumps greatly benefit consumers who live in climates where the average air temperature exceeds 60°F (15.5°C) and consumers who use their swimming pools year-round. So, this option is perfect for most Florida residents!

Advantages of Air-Source Heat Pumps

• Are energy efficient
• Low operating costs. For example, heat pumps typically cost between $50 and $150 per month to operate.
• Typical life span is 10 years.
• Only using electricity to transfer energy and emit no pollution, they are very environmentally friendly
• Some air-source heat pumps can be used to both heat and cool your swimming pool.

Disadvantages of Air-Source Heat Pumps

• Heat pumps have high upfront costs, with many available for purchase for between $2,000 and $4,000.
• Heat pumps offer slower heating than gas heaters.
• Air-source heat pumps operate less efficiently in lower temperatures.

 

Water-Source Heat Pumps

Water-source heat pumps embrace newer technology, and therefore are not as widely used as other types of heating systems. They are, however, growing in popularity, as they have high efficiency and low operating costs. We have found that water-source heat pumps greatly benefit consumers who live in climates where the average air temperature is below 60°F (15.5°C) and consumers who use their swimming pools year-round. A water-source swimming pool heat pump, also referred to as a geothermal heat pump, transfers heat from a water-source to your swimming pool water.

Water-Source Systems

Because many types of bodies of water exist, many types of water-source heat pumps exist. Some common water-source systems are a deep ground well. It consists of two deep wells: one that supplies water to the heat pump and one that returns water back to the ground.

Advantages of Water-Source Heat Pumps

• Are energy efficient
• Low operating costs. For example, heat pumps typically cost between $50 and $150 per month to operate.
• Water-source heat pumps operate independently of air temperature.
• Typical life span is 10 years.
• Only using electricity to transfer energy and emit no pollution, they are very environmentally friendly

Disadvantages of Water-Source Heat Pumps

• Heat pumps have high upfront costs, with many available for purchase for between $2,000 and $4,000.
• Heat pumps offer slower heating than gas heaters.

Solar Heaters

Solar energy plays a dominant role in environmentally friendly products in the pool industry. Solar swimming pool heating systems obtain their heat from the sun. Because solar heaters depend on the sun to heat swimming pools, they mostly benefit consumers who live in very sunny areas.

Advantages of Solar Heaters

• Because solar heaters operate with the swimming pool circulation pump, they have no additional operating costs.
• Environmentally friendly: a clean energy source and they emit no pollutants.
• Typical life span is 25 years.
• Solar energy systems are energy-efficient, as they require no additional electricity to operate.
• Solar heaters can be used to both heat and cool your swimming pool.

Disadvantages of Solar Heaters

• While solar energy is free, a solar heater is the most expensive of heating systems to purchase, with prices varying between $4,000 and $7,000.
• Can’t heat a swimming pool during the night.
• Slower heating time.
• Solar panels take up a lot of space.

 

Electric Resistance Heaters

Electric resistance heaters use electric currents to create heat. Because electric resistance heaters consume large amounts of electricity, they are primarily used to heat spas and small therapy pools and are rarely used to heat swimming pools.

Advantages of Electric Resistance Heaters

• Prices can be found for under $2,000
• Operate independently of air temperature.
• Environmentally friendly because they do not pollute air.
• Take up very little space.

Disadvantages of Electric Resistance Heaters

• They require large amounts of electricity.
• Require heavy-duty electrical wiring to install.

 

Gas heaters have been the primary way of heating swimming pool for decades, since gas prices were so low. However, as gas prices increase throughout the years, consumers have begun searching for more affordable ways to heat their pools, and, as a result, other heating methods have increased in popularity. However, gas heaters are still very beneficial in colder climates. Also, they are more ideal for swimming pool owners who live in climates where the temperature is below 60°F (15.5°C) and swimming pool owners who only heat their swimming pools a few times each year.

Advantages of Gas Heaters

• Prices can be found for under $1,500
• Fast heating.
• Operate independently of air temperature.

Disadvantages of Gas Heaters

• The least efficient heating method.
• Very expensive to operate due to raised gas prices.
• Typical life span is 5 years.
• Not environmentally friendly.

Each method provides several benefits, but there’s one pool heating solution that proves to be efficient, resilient and intuitive—a heat pump pool heater. Homeowners looking to extend their pool seasons, while staying cost-efficient and environmentally conscious, are turning to heat pump pool heaters to solve their heating needs. There are additional options but this one seems to be the best option for year-round pool swimmers.

 

READ MORE >>> How do I know if my pool is safe from the Coronavirus? 

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A saltwater pool is a great place to take a swim and enjoy the sun. However, saltwater pools also offer additional health benefits that range from soothing your skin to decreasing your stress levels. They are perfect for those who are looking for something different than the average swimming pool. Saltwater provides numerous benefits, but there are also a few disadvantages you may want to consider before taking the leap. Below we layout the advantages AND disadvantages for you to help you decide what is right for you and your family.

The biggest advantages of a saltwater pool are:

Less Maintenance
With a saltwater system, pool maintenance is much simpler. Saltwater pools still require some chlorine, but it’s minimal. With these pools, the salt cells will produce any chlorine as needed, but you will still want to monitor chlorine levels periodically to ensure everything is working properly. Additionally, cleaning your saltwater pool is only required about once a year, where you drain the pool, change the filter, and scrub.

Easier on the Eyes and Skin
Because they have lower chlorine levels, salt-water pools are much gentler on the eyes and skin. With lower chlorine levels, people that are sensitive to chlorine will have fewer irritations.

Softer Water
Like rainwater or water softeners, saltwater pools make water feel smooth and silky as opposed to the abrasive feel of chlorinated water. This many find desirable.

More Cost Effective
Though expensive upfront because of the purchase of a saltwater generator, saltwater pools are actually more cost effective in the long run. With saltwater pools, homeowners can forgo buying pool chemicals on a regular basis as well as regular maintenance fees compared to the regular chlorinated pool.

Disadvantages of Saltwater Pools:

Costs More
Salt-water pools require a larger initial investment up front, making them more expensive to build than traditional chlorine pools. Though it’s likely that with the money you save on chlorine, the saltwater system will pay for itself. A starting fee of a few thousand dollars can steer some people away from choosing it. The initial expenses to set up a saltwater pool can cost between $1,000 and $5,000, not including the cost of construction for the actual pool. This price can vary depending on the size of your pool, i.e., the bigger the pool, the more water you have and the more salt needed to add to the water. However, once the pool is set up and running, you’ll spend less money on it than a chlorinated pool. During the summer you can expect to spend $20 to $30 for the whole season. Upkeep of a chlorinated pool is much more expensive, and will cost about $50 to $60 a month depending on the size of your pool and the amount of time it’s used.

More Complex
Salt-water pools are more complex than traditional pools.  With modern electric saltwater systems, any problems that occur are likely to require the assistance of a technician.

Salt Can be Very Damaging
Salt can cause damage to certain materials, so you may have to avoid using specific types of heaters, fixtures, underwater lighting, liners and even some types of masonry work.

Making a Final Decision
If you can afford the extra cost up front, a salt-water pool can offer significant benefits you don’t get from traditional chlorinated pools. When it comes to making a choice, however, you should consider how often you and your family will actually use your pool, especially if you live in a region that enjoys fewer warm weather days. This should help you determine if a salt-water pool is right for you and your family.

 

READ MORE >>> How do I know if my pool is safe from the Coronavirus? 

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Did you know that your swimming pool can lose about a quarter of an inch of water each day? On top of that, wind, humidity and sunlight can drastically increase these water loss rates.

You may wake up one morning and notice that the water level looks lower than usual in your backyard pool. Do you wonder what could be the cause? More than likely it is a result of evaporation. But how can you be so sure?

We’ve compiled a list of water evaporation causes that you might find helpful in determining the cause of your pool water loss–also a few ideas to help decrease evaporation.

Evaporation occurs whenever you expose wind or air to the surface of your pool. So in short, this applies to every pool, all the time. Water molecules rise to the surface, form into a vapor and eventually get released into the air. Heated pools on cool nights experience evaporation more rapidly.

Exposure to Sunlight

Does your pool get direct sunlight daily throughout the day? A fully exposed pool means more water evaporation. Exposure. The more your pool is exposed to the sun and wind, the more evaporation you’ll see. Also unscreened pools will lose more than a screened pool. However, we don’t expect all pool owners to build a pool enclosure as this an expensive add-on, but keep in mind that fences, structures, even trees near the location of a pool helps lower the amount of evaporation that occurs in pools.

Lack of Humidity

If you happen to live in an area where there is little to no humidity, water evaporation would be the main cause of water loss. Here’s how evaporation works. Evaporation can be compared to that of a sponge. The drier the heat, the more water is absorbed. An environment with higher humidity will lose less water. An environment with lower humidity will result in water evaporation.

Temperature

A summer’s intense heat can be a huge contributor to the water loss in your pool. The intense heat during the day mixed with the cooler weather at night is the perfect recipe for evaporation. Here’s an easy explanation on why this water evaporation occurs. The difference in temperature between your pool water and the outside air is what causes evaporation. Imagine your pool as a pot of water on the stove; as the water starts to heat up, contact with air causes steam, which causes evaporation to occur.

Want to help decrease your evaporation?

Now that we know the cause of evaporation, what can we do to decrease it? A few simple and inexpensive ways to help decrease your water evaporation in your swimming pool would be to use a solar cover, reduce your water temperature, and/or add landscaping/windbreaks.

A solar cover is a great way to shield pool water and decrease water evaporation. In fact, a solar cover can reduce water evaporation up to 95% when used regularly. This is why it’s suggested first, it’s the most effective.

Reduce your water temperature and make it a bit on the chilly side. This can be a simple step, especially during the hotter months of summer. Make that jump in the pool refreshing!

Add additional landscape, trees, bushes and the like, to block the wind and help break it. Even outdoor furniture and fencing will help reduce evaporation.

So now that you know water evaporation is caused by exposure, humidity and water temperature you can do your best to minimize it by using a solar cover, reducing your water temperature and adding landscape and/or windbreaks.

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Covid-19 hit the world out of nowhere. The entire world has had to learn and share what they know. Unfortunately, not all information we see on the web is accurate. So, we choose to learn and take the advice from an expert, Roberta Lavin, a professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee’s College of Nursing.

The covid-19 virus is transmitted via tiny droplets of spit and mucus that may be expelled when coughing and sneezing. These droplets can speed undetected from person to person, causing an infection after the virus enters a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth, thus “It’s actually a respiratory virus,” Lavin says.

Although this method of transmission is most common, science it still debating the specifics of this new, Coronavirus. “The question remains about all the modes of transmission, which we don’t know at this point. However, it’s not believed that it’s transmitted by water,” Lavin says.

Pools with suggested chlorine levels would frankly kill the virus. So, if you maintain your pool properly, the disinfecting chemicals should be enough to inactivate the virus.

The CDC reported on March 10 that “there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”

While covid-19 is still ongoing spread throughout the world and your community, we encourage you to take the steps necessary to ensure health and safety:

• Everyone should follow local and state guidance that may determine when and how recreational water facilities may operate.
• Individuals should continue to protect themselves and others at recreational water venues both in and out of the water – for example, by practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene.
• In addition to ensuring water safety and quality, owners and operators of community pools, hot tubs, spas, and water play areas should follow the interim guidance for businesses and employers for cleaning and disinfecting their community facilities.

With this ‘new normal’ of covis-19 still spreading, what does this mean for summertime swimming?

If you own your own backyard swimming pool, we recommend only allowing your household members to utilize the pool. Being around other people while using the pool and its amenities is a different concern that if the water contains the virus. Maintaining your distance from others, is the key to safety. As well as touching the railings, ladders, etc. to enter and/or exit the pool.

Public pools are closed at this time because of these concerns.

Resources: CDC.gov, swimmingpool.com, usms.org

READ >>> Preparing Your Pool for a Hurricane

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Keeping mice, skunks, chipmunks, ducks, geese, snakes, frogs, squirrels, insects, spiders, lizards, raccoons and bats (yes, even bats) out of your swimming pool can be an interesting task to tackle. It can often become humorous at times, so we are here to offer you some quick and easy tips and ways to keep them at bay.

Use a pool cover, a solar pool cover is even better! Not only will this help keep ducks and geese form enjoying your pool water, but it will also help keep your water warmer while saving you money on your water and electric bill. That’s a win, win!

The next is where we start to add some humor and cleverness. When you are not using your pool, use an animal-theme pool cleaner. Birds and rodents are easily intimidated by anything that is colorful and moving. It also adds a nice touch to your backyard pool decor, especially if you have a young family.

As we move on to the next tip that will help keep critters out of your pool, we continue to focus on animal décor, well because it works. Spoil your kids and or mate and give them fun colorful large inflatable rafts in the shape of all kinds of animals. The bright colors and sizes will scare off ducks, geese and other birds. Inflatable rafts that float in the swimming pool, look like an animal, is colorful and big… this is the most popular duck deterrent customers year-after-year.

Another idea would be to install a fence or screen around your pool. Fences will help with larger animals, but screens help with most with keeping critters out of your pool. Smaller critters will still be able to get once in a while, but this would help a great deal to keep them away.

We continue on to different ways to keep those critters out of your yard by installing an automatic sprinkler system. Many sprinkler systems are motion-activated or infrared light beams that detect movement. So as soon as a critter enters your yard they can be simply scared away by a few sprinkles of water. You can do this even if you don’t have grass or landscape you need to water regularly, it can be used only to scare off the animals if you prefer. It’s common that with this type of system you barely need to use it because the animals have learned to stay out of your yard.

Smaller bugs can always be a bummer when you are trying to relax and enjoy your pool or can even put a big damper on your social gatherings. A simple step of placing citronella candles throughout the backyard area would help keep them at bay. This is a great temporary solution to help minimize the bugs.

Another great idea to not have grass planted near your pool. This will also help minimize the bugs and crawlers from entering your pool that could be only a foot or so away. This also leads us into maintaining your landscape often. It helps to minimize the bugs and critters from gathering.

And last but not least, don’t feed the birds and squirrels. Some may enjoy the beauty of nature and watching them I your bird feeders, etc. but this will only bring them back more and more. Eliminating any food source for animals and critters will help.

There are many ways to help lessen the critters and bugs around your pool, we have offered a few good ones above. Whether you decide to try them all or just a few you should notice a difference in the amount of creatures roaming your yard.

 

We would love to hear your feedback on the suggestions above or ideas you may know about. Comment below!

Read more >>> Simple Steps to Maintaining Your Pool While on Vacation

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Solar pool covers can be one of the most useful tools that a pool owner can have at their fingertips. They help save time, money and energy.

If you have owned a pool cover for some time or you are new to this subject, I am sure the information we are proving below can at least teach you something new and useful about solar pool covers.

What IS a solar pool cover?

Did you know that 75% of heat loss in your pool water is due to evaporation? Imagine having a cover on your pool and then making it solar…Oh yeah, now we are talking! The covers trap heat and reduce evaporation. It also helps keep out debris, leaves and such.

Solar pool covers or also known as solar blankets, is made up of a thin, lightweight sheet made from a special plastic that is UV resistant. The covers are typically double sided, with a smooth side and a ‘bubble wrap’ side.

How DOES a solar cover work? 

Most days in Florida are filled with a lot of sunshine that give your pool water natural solar heat. With that sunshine however, can also come rain in the bling of an eye. Either way, it doesn’t provide enough heat for a steady, comfortable swim year-round.

A common purchase to fix this is a pool heat pump — they’re a reliable source for on demand heat. However, even with the best pool heater, evaporation is still a major problem.

But….if you use a solar pool cover, the story ends differently. The solar pool cover creates a barrier between the water’s surface and the air. This keeping it in and making it warm. Without the cover you water easily evaporates while also burning away chemicals and heat, along with your pocketbook.

How to use a solar pool cover

Using a solar pool cover is a very easy and simple process. The most important thing you can ensure is correctly placing the cover on the pool. The best way to make this happen is to do a few simple adjustments. If you are using a brand-new cover out of the package it may need some customizing. Typically, they won’t fit your pool perfectly. So, simply grab a pair of scissors and shape the cover to fit snug around the surface of the water and it’s edging. Be sure to lay the ‘bubble-wrap’ side down, facing the water. This ensures the cover with indeed, float.

Your pool cover should span the length and width of your water and your water only. To be clear, you don’t want any extra cover draped onto any of the ledges, as this greatly reduces the cover’s effectiveness and allows for evaporation.

That’s it! Now you can place and remove the cover as needed with no other custom needs. 

When to use a solar pool cover

Basically, the best time to use a solar pool cover is anytime you’re not swimming. This will help maintain your water level and keep your pool water to a nice heated swimming temperature. Especially during the nighttime when temperatures are most likely to drop.

Benefits of using a solar pool cover

A few simple but HUGE benefits to using a solar pool cover are:

• Smaller water bill – using your solar pool cover will reduce the amount of natural water evaporation, which means you don’t need to add water to your pool as often.
• Less chemical use – because of the reduced evaporation this also leads to less chemical evaporation, so you don’t need to add chemicals as often.
• Less pool maintenance: Solar pool covers help keep out debris such as leaves, branches and animals, so you won’t have to clean up as often.
• Last but actually the best part, you can swim year-round in warm, comfortable, clean water!

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