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Swimming Pool Supplies – How to Keep the Pool in Shape without Spending a Fortune

August 6th, 2009 · 4 Comments

There’s no doubt that swimming pools are a lot of fun for the family. If your family is fortunate enough to have a pool in their yard, you can count upon hours of fun (and exercise) for the entire family. Hanging out in the pool is, after all, the epitome of summer fun.

Unfortunately, caring for that swimming pool can wreak havoc on your budget if you’re not careful. Purchasing supplies can quickly eat up a family’s summer entertainment money. But you have to protect your investment in your pool, right? And who wants to swim in a pool that hasn’t been cared for?

Before you throw in the towel on the idea of maintaining a pool affordably, check out these ideas to keep the cost of pool supplies under control:

Look to the Web – If you’re tired of paying high prices at your local pool supply store, internet shopping may be the answer to your problems. Look for internet retailers that offer lower prices and free shipping. You can buy chemicals, test kits, filters, and even pumps from these websites.

Stock up at Clearance Sales – Some discount stores carry pool supplies on a seasonal basis. Once that season is starting to come to a close, retailers are pressured to get these products out of their stores. This pressure results in clearance sales that make pool supplies much more affordable. Stock up at the end of summer for next summer’s use.

Maintenance Tools – Take care to keep tools you need to maintain your pool on hand as you shop for supplies. A skimmer, for instance, works wonders towards keeping your pool free from leaves and dead bugs. You’ll also want to make sure that you purchase a new filter for your pool’s pump when it’s necessary.

Keep Equipment Running – If you’re blessed with the talent to repair your pool pump (or install a new one) yourself, you can purchase everything you need and maintain your pump yourself. However, if you can’t repair the pump on your own, don’t be tempted to save money by letting it fall into disrepair. Having it repaired by a professional will still be cheaper in the long run than trying to use chemicals alone to keep your pool clean.

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Tags: Saving Money

4 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Robert // Aug 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm

    Having a properly balanced pool is not difficult, but it does take work.

    I’m the pool operator at our local YMCA and keeping an 80,000 gallon pool balanced is pretty easy, once you all the elements in place and know what you’re doing. Get the right info. and apply what you know, with a little common sense, and it should fall into place.

    Chlorine 3.5-4.5, alkalinity 80-100, ph 7.6-7.8, not 7.2, hardness 150-250, not up to 400.

    You have to stay on top of it because the chlorine can go down in a matter of hours if no one properly checks it.

    Just be sure your getting the right info. The index most pool operators use comes from public water systems, not from pools.

    Also, be sure the public pool you attend follows the proper procedures for pool closures and decontamination.

    I know of a few that just scoop out what they can, check the chlorine, and call it good.

    Swimmer beware…

    Go to:

    http://www.clean-pool-and-spa.com/pool-water-maintenance.html

    http://www.clean-pool-and-spa.com/swimming-pool-maintenance-tips.html

    http://www.clean-pool-and-spa.com/swimming-pool-chlorine.html

    for great info

  • 2 Steven at Pool Restoration // Aug 11, 2009 at 11:03 am

    Good resources. Thanks.

    I do agree with Robert that maintaining a pool does not have to be difficult, but I would say that some learn some hard lessons when they don’t do their homework.

    Robert’s comments also makes me wary of my own local pool now too….

  • 3 Ted // Aug 13, 2009 at 10:21 pm

    If you are too busy doing other things and you can no longer clean your own pool, you may hire a private individual to clean the pool for you to make sure it is properly maintained.

  • 4 Peter // Nov 16, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    “caring for that swimming pool can wreak havoc on your budget if you’re not careful. Purchasing supplies can quickly eat up a family’s summer entertainment money.”
    I agree on that that’s why I suggest to invest in quality but efficient to use pool supplies where you can maintain your pool within your budget.

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