It’s happening again, the same as it does every year. The weather turns hot and people rush to buy affordable above ground swimming pools for their back gardens.

When the temperatures begin to rise, as they’ve been doing in the recent heat wave, people’s thoughts, naturally, turn toward ways that they can stay cool. SWimming pool suppliers struggle to cope with the increased demand.

This results in a list of customers who must wait for more swimming pools to be delivered. Something that is often overlooked is that the high demand at this time of year will often push the prices up.

What many people don’t realise is that the price of swimming pools in the off-season (winter) can often be incredibly low. This is the time of year when swimming pool suppliers do the least business and they will often offer exceptional discounts. It is well known in the swimming pool industry that various popular brands, like doughboy pools, are around 30% more expensive during the peak months of April, May and June than they are during January, February and March.

Another good reason to buy early is construction. There are many models of above ground swimming pools that can be easily constructed without any special skills. Some models of above ground swimming pool are best constructed by an experienced pool construction team. Inevitably these guys are always exceptionally busy during the peak months. This is another good reason why you should plan ahead and get your swimming pool during the off-peak season.

A few other considerations to bear in mind when thinking about swimming pool for your garden:

• Don’t overlook the need for swimming pool water treatment chemicals.
• Remember that you will also potentially need a good pool pump and filter system.
• It is a good idea to get the biggest pool that you can afford.
• Always get some advice from a reputable swimming pool supplier who has a lot of experience with above ground pools.

Technorati Tags: above ground, doughboy, pools, swimming

Tip:To make efficient use of your swimming pool chemicals, managing good water balance is the main factor

Before adding swimming pool chemicals it is important that you read and familiarise yourself with the workings of your spa / pool and support equipment. A clear, clean fresh spa or pool is only possible if you have good filtration and clear water flow

The first step in treatment is to ensure good water balance, which will create the right conditions for bather comfort, chemical efficiency and equipment protection. There are three major factors affecting water balance, they are pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness

Calcium hardness

Hardness is the measurement of calcium salts in the swimming pool or spa water and this will vary depending where you live. Low calcium hardness levels (soft water) can lead to corrosion of the materials of construction. Hard water (water high in calcium) can lead to limescale foriming in your pipes and equipment
Calcium Hardness Guide Measures
•    Ideal calcium hardness levels are between 100 – 200 ppm (mg/l).
•    When the level is below 75 ppm (mg/l), apply Hardness Plus
•    When the measurement exceeds 200 ppm (mg/l), apply Scale Inhibitor.

pH Measures

pH can range from 1 to 14 where 1 is very acid and 14 very alkaline It is essential to maintain spa water within the 7.2 – 7.6 range which, because it is slightly alkaline, will protect equipment from corrosion and provide the optimum conditions for the people enjoying the pool or spa and also ensures  the best sanitiser efficiency.
•    Ideal pH level for spas is between 7.2 – 7.6.
•    When the level is below use pH Plus
•    When the measurement is greater than 7.6 apply pH Minus
Note
pH can be tricky to manage in spas as the system water turns over fast, is very agitated and is at higher temperature than swimming pool systems. [All these factors

pH rises can be caused by this which causes chlorine products such as chlorine shock to lose effectiveness. Much higher doses of chlorine sanitisers such as will then be required. avoid this problem by using Bromine. Bromine works effectively over a wider pH range than chlorine Unlike chlorine, bromine keeps working in a spa for longer and so helps you minimise your spa chemicalsuse

Total Alkalinity

pH Changes are buffered by total alkalinity If TA levels are too low the pH will fluctuate widely.
If Total alkalinity is too high then water clarity can be affected but it also makes it difficult to make changes to water pH levels
•    optimum Total Alkalinity is 100 ppm (mg/l) When it is below 80mg/l use Alkalinity Plus
•    When Total Alkalinity is above 140mg/l remedy it with pH Minus to reduce it
You should definitely check your water balance on a regular basis as it is the basis for your other chemical treatments

Use Test strips to measure your water balance, they are very easy to use

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My family and I love swimming. Swimming is a great way to get an all over body work out and relax at the same time.

Although we like to visit our local, open air pool, we can only do so in th summer months when it is open. During the winter months we need to travel into the city to take a dip in the busy municipal pool. Some lucky friends, who live nearby, recently invested in a pool of their own and we’ve been inspired to do the same.

They chose an elliptical Doughboy pool for their back garden. I’d never heard of Doughboy before (except the Pillsbury Doughboy) but I have to say I’m mightily impressed by their swimming pools. Doughboy have been in the pool business since 1945 and they have really perfected the quality of their versatile and affordable swimming pools.

Doughboy pools are the most popular form of steel and resin swimming pool available in the UK today. They are tough, durable and affordable. Our neighbours told us that it had taken them less than a weekend to get their pool erected.  They included a heat pump pool heating system which makes the water so comfortable that the children never want to get out.

The Doughboy pools have a number of really neat feature like the facility to expand the depth so that, as the children grow, you can increase the depth of the water up to a maximum of 7 feet. They come with a top quality pool liner, a sand filter, power pump and even a skimmer. All you really need to add is a heater, if you don’t like swimming in cool water.

It’s easy to see why the Doughboy pool is the UKs most popular form of above ground pool. That’s it, I’ve convinced myself. I think I shall contact the suppliers and order one for our back garden then brace myself for the hoard of children who will, no doubt, descend on our house.

Technorati Tags: above ground pools, swimming, swimming pools