The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with certain drain cover manufacturers, announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of drain covers manufactured and installed in public and residential inground pools and inground spas after December 2008. The recalled drain covers were incorrectly rated by independent third party laboratories to handle the flow of water through the cover as specified by VGBA.

Drain cover manufacturers are cooperating fully with the CPSC in this voluntary recall. To help consumers find out if they are affected, we have provided a website, apsp.org/draincoverrecall and drain cover manufacturers have set up a hotline, 866-478-3521 to answer questions. For a complete list of drain cover manufacturers affected by the recall visit,CPSC.gov.

This is a limited recall. The vast majority of inground pools and inground spas are not affected by the recall. Only certain drain covers manufactured and installed AFTER December 2008 are subject to the recall. Except for kiddie/wading pools and in-ground spas, retrofit or replacement of installed covers is not required in pools with multiple drain systems or gravity drainage systems or for covers installed before December 19, 2008. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for both consumers and professionals are provided at apsp.org/draincoverrecall.

Is it time to clean your filter? We found this helpful video on YouTube. If you want to make sure all components of your pool are well maintained, let Crown Pools provide you with affordable weekly pool service.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The importance of in-ground swimming pool pumps cannot be overstated as they are essential for keeping pool water clean. Yet, with so many different brands and models of in-ground pool pumps available on the market today, knowing which one will work best for your pool is not always easy. However, simply by considering a few points before you set out to purchase a new pool pump, you will make the selection process far easier, as you will have a much clearer idea of which swimming pool pumps will provide you with the best results so you can enjoy crystal-clear, healthy pool water all season long.

In-ground swimming pool pumps are powered by electricity and play a vital role in keeping pool water clean and safe for swimming. They do this by circulating the pool water through the pool’s filter where the water is cleansed of debris and potentially harmful contaminants. Then the pump propels the clean water back into the swimming pool. Without a pump to serve this purpose, your pool would quickly become dirty and cloudy as various pollutants and debris would accumulate in the water. This result would not only be unsightly, it could also be dangerous, as the pool water would likely become a breeding ground for bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.

Proper water circulation as provided by in-ground pool pumps is also beneficial in other respects as well. For instance, good water circulation in the pool allows for more even distribution of chemicals throughout the water. At the same time, by keeping the water moving, swimming pool pumps discourage insects such as mosquitoes from laying their eggs in the water, which can be a nuisance as well as a health risk. By providing so many important benefits, in-ground swimming pool pumps are absolutely essential for proper pool maintenance.

When you are ready to purchase a new pump for your in-ground swimming pool, you need to take the size of your pool and the capacity of the available pumps into account. Different swimming pool pumps are designed for pools of different volumes and will only provide peak performance if they are matched to pools of the proper size. Your pool pump should be able to pump the entire volume of your pool’s water within eight hours. If it is not powerful enough to do so, the water will not be properly circulated or cleaned. The gallons of water pumped per minute, referred to as a pump’s GPM, will help you determine whether or not a particular pump will be a good match for your pool.

Once you have narrowed down your options to swimming pool pumps of the right power and capability for your pool, it’s time to consider quality and durability. Naturally, you will want to invest in a piece of equipment that not only offers peak performance, but that will also last for many years to come. One way to ensure that you receive good quality is to stick with trusted brand names that are solidly established in the pool supply industry. Hayward pool pumps, for example, have been available for many years and are known for their reliability, superior construction and top-notch performance. With Hayward pool pumps and other pumps from top brand names, you can feel confident that you are purchasing first-class equipment.

Another way to ensure that you will end up with a pump that will last for many years is to look at the specifics of each model’s construction. In-ground pool pumps with corrosion-proof and weather-resistant housing will be able to withstand extreme weather conditions and will keep the pump’s internal elements well protected. Again, Pentair and Hayward pool pumps as well as pumps from other top manufacturers are very likely to feature rugged design and other great features that will enhance their durability and extend their life span.

Last but not least, when you are checking out the many available models of in-ground pool pumps, you need to consider factors such as efficiency and the noise level associated with operation. Energy-efficient in-ground pool pumps naturally require less electricity to operate, providing greener and money-saving options. Also, pump models that minimize turbulence will also provide quieter operation so you can enjoy your swimming pool without the unnecessary intrusion of a noisy pump motor.

Although there are a multitude of different swimming pool pumps available for you to choose from, the process of purchasing a new pump doesn’t need to be overwhelming or difficult. Selecting the right pump for your swimming pool is simply a matter of knowing your individual preferences as well as the requirements of your particular in-ground pool. When you keep all of the above factors and considerations in mind, you can feel confident that you will find and purchase a swimming pool pump that will provide you with excellent and reliable water circulation for many seasons to come.

Your own in-ground pool is a beautiful addition to your yard. Here are just a few of the many benefits of in-ground pool ownership:

1. Enhance your landscaping. Pool contractors can help you design beautiful pool areas to complement your landscaping.
2. A pool may increase your house’s resale value, since buyers are often drawn to homes with luxurious amenities like in-ground pools.
3. A pool provides a fun way to exercise. Swimming laps or doing pool aerobics are just two fun, low-impact cardiovascular workouts.
4. A pool provides an opportunity for family time. Instead of sitting in front of the television all weekend, you and your family can spend the weekend swimming, playing pool basketball and soaking up the sun.
5. A pool helps reduce stress. You can enjoy the gentle ripples in your pool whether you’re just taking a dip, floating in an inflatable lounger, or swimming at the end of a long day.
6. Everyone loves a pool party. Investing in an in-ground swimming pool can make your home a preferred gathering place for friends and family.
7. For children, time at the pool requires adult supervision, so you will know where your kids and their friends are spending their free time — in your own backyard.
8. Cool off on hot days. On a blisteringly hot day, nothing feels better than taking a dip in cool water. As your family begins to favor the pool over air conditioning to escape the summer heat, you may even notice a shrinking electricity bill.
9. Add a bit of romance. Isn’t there something special about spending a moonlit evening in the pool with your partner?
10. Get a good deal. Pools are more affordable than you might think, so you won’t have to break the bank to enjoy the water.

A swimming pool can be a fine place for your family and friends to gather in comfort and luxury. For a relatively small initial investment, you too can reap the benefits of pool ownership for years to come.

If you have any type of swimming pool you will need to protect your swimming pool cover from the winter elements. Otherwise it could be damaged or possibly even destroyed. In some areas where the temperature drops below freezing your pool cover is prone to more damage because of ice and other conditions cause by this type of weather.

There are many ways to avoid these types of things from happening by simply just learning how to properly take care of your pool cover after it is installed by you or a swimming pool service professional. The most common mistake is that pool owners will think that once the cover is installed that is it for the season until spring comes around again.  This is completely false and in fact there is a lot more to do to your pool cover during the winter.

How To Protect Your Swimming Pool Cover From Winter:

These are what we call the ” top five winter pool cover care tips”. These five tips will hep you protect the swimming pool cover from the elements as we described above. If you feel that you can not do the work described below it may be best of you sign a service contract with a local pool company so that they can come and take care of you cover in the winter.

These tips will be for above ground pools as well as in ground pools. If you have a “portable pool” you may be able to follow some of the above ground pool tips and apply or adapt them to your situation.

How To Remove Ice and Water From A Pool Cover:

The best way to remove ice and water from the swimming pool cover is to use a pump. You will have to wait for a warm day when the ice melts and then pump off the cover. It is never a good idea to try to remove ice from the pool cover because it has sharp edges and if you drop the ice, it will cut a whole or gash though the cover.

The best way to prevent large build ups of ice is to keep the water level on top of the pool cover to a minimum. You will want to keep an inch of water on top of the pool cover to keep it from blowing during heavy winds.
How To Protect Your Pool Cover From Wind Damage:

Heavy winds and rain can blow the pool cover around and even completely off of the swimming pool. When this happens the cover could tear, rip or possibly even be shredded into pieces if it is windy enough. You can protect this from happening by taking a few easy steps.

We will first explain how to secure an Above ground swimming pool.

You will want to do three things to totally protect your above ground swimming pool cover from the wind.The first thing you will want to do is make sure the cable and the winch are totally tight and secure.

The second thing you will want to do is to use either pool clips that clip onto the railing of the pool or use bleach bottles full of sand and hand them from several places on the pool cover, some may say this is not professional but it actually works much better than pool clips.

Third, you should protect the cover from wind by adding a few hundred gallons of water on top of the cover. That may sound like a lot of water but its only about 10 minutes or less of running the garden hose,. You also have to remember that the pool cover is large and this water will spread out.  A hundred gallons actually won’t seem like much after you add it, but it will be enough to hold the cover in place.
Protecting your in-ground pool cover from wind:

If you have an in-ground pool cover you can follow most of the steps that we had mentioned on the above ground how to. You will not need a cable or winch but you will be able to use coffee cans, bricks, boards and much more to hold down your pool cover then water bags that pop and rip year after year.

You will also just want to keep a small amount of water on top of the in-ground pool cover as well to make sure that the pool cover stays on place and does not lift off on windy days.
How To Protect Your Pool Cover From Leaves & Tree Branches:

Every year when the pool guys go to take off the pool cover, the cover has holes in it because of some type of tree branch or leaves that have destroyed the cover. There are two things you can do to protect your pool from being damaged by the winter and the trees.

First, hire a professional tree specialist to remove any overhanging tree limbs that may land in your pool of they were to somehow break off the tree. Dead tree limbs are a #1 cause of holes in swimming pool covers during the course of the winter, closely followed by seam rips.

Second, buy a swimming pool leaf net that installs on top of your pool cover. This leaf net is made from mesh so the water drains right through but the leaves are stopped. Once the leaves have all fallen you can remove the net.
How To Make Sure Your Pool Cover Doesn’t Blow Off The Pool:

The number one thing that happens to all new swimming pool owners during their first winter season is that the pool cover blows off of the pool. Now, this also happens to a lot of seasoned pool owners as well as professional swimming pool companies. This can all be avoided by simply just making sure to tuck of of your straight edge corners under the cover making all the edges round in a sense. After you do that you will want to make sure that the corners are all weighed down worth water bags or objects heavy enough.

How To Pump The Water Off With A Pump:

If you have a swimming pool cover pump you will want to drain the pool cover as we mentioned in the steps above, but it’s not that easy to drain the pool cover off if you have leaves and other debris on the cover. What usually happens is that the pump impeller or the pump filter will get clogged and the pump will stop pumping. This can happen over and over again until the pool owner gets frustrated enough and just gives up.

The best way to avoid frustration and keep that pump pumping with out getting clogged is to take the pump and place it inside of a 5 gallon bucket that has a few holes drilled into it. You will then take this bucket with the pump in it and place it on the pool cover. This will stop the big leaves and other debris from clogging your pump.
Bonus Protection Tips For Safety Swimming Pool Cover Owners:

If you have a loop-loc, Meyco, Merlin or any other type of safety pool cover you will want to know about these three top tips to protect the cover from damage which could result in an expensive repair bill. Here is what you want to do to protect your swimming pool safety cover during the winter.

First, make sure that are the safety cover springs are tight and the cover is not sagging. If the cover springs are loose that could cause them to pop off and then one by one the cover will have less support and that will eventually lead to tears or rips in the seams of the cover.

Second, protect your safety pool cover is to make sure that you don’t lower the water too much when you are closing your pool.  A low water level will  cause your pool cover to stretch if ice or snow weight down the cover during the winter. Just lower the water a few inches below the skimmer and keep an eye on it.

Third, make sure that the water level in your swimming pool stays at a safe height.  As mentioned above, if you remove to much water from your swimming pool cover you could damage your cover.

To prepare in adavance for heavy rain, set a pump on the step of the pool before closing it . If the water level becomes too high you can turn on the pump on to remove some excess.

By properly protecting your in-ground swimming pool cover from the winter elements, you can and will save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on costly swimming pool covers and safety swimming pool cover repair.