Swimming Pool Accessory Reviews
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As a pool and spa professional there are a number of products that I have encountered over the years that stand out as being specifically useful, innovative or helpful
to have - and for whatever reason, not commonplace. This page is to help pool and spa owners by connecting them with useful products for their pool that they might not
have been aware of. These range from things as simple as test strips or deep leaf nets and range up to automation systems for total backyard control.
Why pool owners use tiny, 1" deep leaf nets I will never know. If you want to stop playing around and start skimming leaves off your pool like a pro then you need a leaf net that a professional would use. This Professional Quality Leaf Net
is extremely heavy duty and almost 20" wide to make quick and easy work of skimming your pool. It also comes with a lifetime guarantee making this purchase a "no
brainer" for any pool owner.
Every pool owner should have a tube of this Teflon Based Lubricant
. This product should be added to every o-ring and rubber gasket on your pool system at minimum once per year. This includes valves, unions, pump O-rings and any
other rubber gasket in your pool system. It is extremely important that a pool specific product like this teflon based lubricant is used and never petroleum based
lubricants like vaseline.
It is very useful to have the ability to test for phosphates in your swimming pool. These Pool & Spa Phosphate Test Strips
work in one minute and will tell you whether you have a problem with algae-feeding phosphates in your water. This is not something that is tested for with your
average pool chemistry test strips or with regular water lab testing. If you have phosphates in your water, even in smaller levels, you will be unable to maintain
your water clarity and keep algae at bay. Phosphates are like an unlimited all-you-can-eat buffet for organic growth in your pool and you need to reduce phosphate
levels in order for your chlorine sanitizer to do its job.
More of a design upgrade than a "must have" for any pool owner, these S.R Smith Artisan Series Pool Hand Rail
pair are something unique and very uncommon you can use to upgrade the look of your pool. In the world of pool ladder and handrails there are very few options out
there, almost none, making these an interesting option to consider if you really want your pool to look different.
These Skimmer Socks
are meant to help capture smaller debris in your skimmer basket - like pollen, silt, pine needles and small pieces of leaves that would otherwise end up passing
through the pump before being captured by the filter. These skimmer socks are a smart addition to almost any pool and should be considered requisite equipment for
pools surrounded by pine trees. Pine needle pass through the mesh of skimmer and pump strainer baskets and can cause the impeller of the pump to jam. For pools with
pine needle problems these skimmer socks are a life saver.
If you have been reading on this website for a while you have probably encountered a few references to Sacrificial Anodes
and Galvanic Corrosion. To prevent the damaging
effects of this electromechanical process every swimming pool should have a sacrificial anode installed in the pump room. This is the 1.5" Sacrificial Anode
version as well as Anti-Electrolysis Weights
that should go in the skimmer basket on your pool. You can also get anti-electrolysis anodes that Bolt To Your Ladder
or handrails in the pool. Ideally you should have all of these sacrificial anodes installed on your pool for maximum protection against damage from galvanic
corrosion. Typically speaking they will need to replaced once every 3 years or when they have reduced in size by half - whichever comes first.
Lounging by the pool listening to your favorite music is great but you can avoid the concern for your phone getting wet with this handy Portable Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker
.
Float around in the pool with this in the cupholder or just leave it on the coping ledge instead of bringing your expensive phone to the pool.
Using a solar blanket on your pool should be a no-brainer for chemical and heat efficiency as well as water conservation as they vastly reduce evaporation due to the reduced surface area of the pool exposed to wind. Solar blankets are difficult to manage and a solar blanket roller helps with this but leaves a little to be desired in terms of functionality. The first time I encountered this roller in a backyard I was immediately impressed with its design and ease of use. I was shocked to learn at a later time just how affordable they are if your order one online. Everyone should have this Solar Cover Blanket Reel
which is suitable for pools up to 20x40' in size.
There is no reason that you (or me) needs to pull dead and bloated critters from your pool including rabbits, frogs, mice, squirrels etc. This product is the Froglog
floating lifesaver raft and is the last chance to escape for any critters that find themselves treading water in your pool. Place next to your skimmer just before the
water reaches your skimmer for optimal performance.
There are few things more important to pool ownership than to check the water chemistry levels regularly and make balance adjustments as needed. In order to do this efficiently and effectively you will need a reliable way to test the water like with this Taylor water test kit
.
While there are many versions of at home testing available for pool and spa water, each of them has their advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day the most
reliable water analysis you can do at home is with a titration kit like this. Test strips are not scientifically accurate for pH measurements and can often develop
erroneous readings for other chemical values. Even if you use a water lab regularly having this set at home can help you to find problems as they are developing and
before you have a full grown algae bloom on your hands!
Swimming Pool Steve Wants To Hear From You!
What items do you use on or around your swimming pool that really improve the quality of pool ownership for you? If you have a suggestion for this ongoing list of
handy items to have for pool and spa owners then please Email Steve with your pictures and suggestions.
If you are looking around this website but have not visited the section on 50 video reviews of pool equipment installations then
you should be sure to check it out - if you own a pool then you are almost certain to learn about a deficiency in your pool system from these reviews.
Top content from www.SwimmingPoolSteve.com
Pool and spa chemistry crash course
New pool owner guide
The Swimming Pool Steve blog
Have a question - ask Steve
Swimming Pool Steve is an award winning, second generation swimming pool and spa specialist from Ontario Canada. With over 10,000,000 views on the Swimming Pool Steve YouTube Channel, winner of the 2018 Pool & Spa Industry Leadership award and author of hundreds of pool and spa articles both online and in print Steve is committed to helping pool and spa owners as well as pool and spa industry workers learn more about the technical side of building, renovating, repairing and maintaining all types of swimming pools and spas. Follow Swimming Pool Steve on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Endorsed Brands From Swimming Pool Steve
The following links and products are to affiliates of the Swimming Pool Steve website. These are brands, products and services hand selected by Steve for endorsement. Please note that these endorsements can include monetary compensation, affiliate links and referral fees to Swimming Pool Steve, however there is zero additional cost to you should you use one of these products or services. Income generated from these links helps to keep this pool and spa resource available for everyone. To have your product or service considered for listing here as an endorsed brand email SwimmingPoolSteve@gmail.com.
Amazon Disclosure Statement - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
www.ClearComfort.com
Clear Comfort's patented hydroxyl-based advanced oxidation systems (AOP) represent the pinnacle of water care technology available to pool and spa owners. To put a complex technology simply, if you are looking for the best possible water care system for your pool or spa then you are looking for a Clear Comfort AOP system.
- Swimming Pool Steve
www.PoolPartsToGo.com
New Black + Decker variable speed pumps are available online from www.PoolPartsToGo.com and they are a drop in replacement for many popular pump models including Pentair Superflo and Hayward Super Pumps. With an adjustable platform base, union connections included and a very strong warranty these pumps offer an impressive value to pool owners.
- Swimming Pool Steve
www.PoolSupplyWarehouse.com
Pool Supply Warehouse has a large stock of swimming pool equipment, chemicals, maintenance items and consumables needed for caring for your swimming pool. They offer fast shipping and by shopping with this retailer you are helping to support Swimming Pool Steve directly.
- Swimming Pool Steve
www.PoolSuppliesCanada.ca
When it comes to ordering pool and spa supplies online in Canada www.PoolSuppliesCanada.ca is by far the best option. They carry everything from chemicals to replacement pumps to entire pool kits, with free shipping options and more "in stock" items than any other Canadian online retailer.
- Swimming Pool Steve