Swimming Pool Info

According to estimates by the National Spa and Pool Institute (NSPI), about seven million American homes have a swimming pool. Here are some common questions and answers for owners and prospective owners.

1. What can you do to help prevent a drowning?

2. How effective are alarms? What sort of alarms work best?

3. How do you write a contract to build a swimming pool?

4. How do you hire a contractor?

5. What should you know about during the pool construction process?

6. How can you save money on energy costs with outdoor swimming pools?

7. How can you save money on energy costs with an indoor pool?

8. What should the water temperature be? Is there a difference for casual versus competitive swimming?

9. Swimming pool heater questions, including:
   • How much does heating cost?
   • What size heater do you need?
   • What sort of heater should you use -- a traditional gas heater or a heat pump heater?

10. Should you consider a solar heater?

11. Where can you obtain a solar collector?

12. What should you know about pool covers? What are the different types and which should you use? When should you use one?

13. Where can you obtain a cover?

14. Why does chlorine kill algae?

15. What should you know about safe handling and storage of the chemicals?

16. How can you keep bees away?

17. Where can you buy swimming pool supplies?

Swimming Pool Supplies

Safe Pool Play for the Wee Ones
A "listmania" list of recommendations from Amazon.com.

Pool Maintenance Manual
The authoritative guidebook on pool care. Some say it has too much information.

What Color Is Your Swimming Pool?
A popular introductory guide with the basics on everything from the construction of pools, cleaning routines, water treatment, simple repairs, to pool safety.

Homeowner's Handbook of Solar Water Heating Systems
Although out of print, this book on building or buying solar heating systems can usually be found used.