Solar breeze is the newest robotic pool cleaner to date. Solar breeze operates on solar power and battery backup alone. This cleaner skims the surface of your pool and has the ability to drop chemicals when needed too. There is no need for pool pumps to operate this little beauty and it costs next to nothing to run it.

Swimming pools are a great addition to any backyard but they can also be a costly one. While you may think the bulk of your spending is over once that pool is completely installed, you may be surprised to find that the cost of maintaining your pool can also add up. The good news is that there are ways to save money and still keep your pool safe and clean. We've got tips to help you keep your pool crystal clear for a lot less money.

Running Your Equipment

We have had our pool for a full year now and we are really pleased with how easy it is to maintain it. We thought we would spend most of our time hauling out hoses, backwashing filters and testing the water. We did have to do all those things, but it didn't take nearly as long as we expected!

Are you considering a backyard swimming pool but worried about all the maintenance involved? While a swimming pool does require some work to keep up, it's not nearly as much effort as it used to be. With the introduction of many automated devices, you can spend less time maintaining your pool and more time enjoying it. We've got a rundown of pool maintenance throughout the year so you can decide if a backyard pool is the right choice for your family.

Fall

Salt water pools are becoming more common in backyards today, due to their many benefits. However, a common misconception with salt water pools is that they are virtually maintenance free, due to the salt water chlorinator that converts salt into chlorine gas to keep pool water safe and clean. However, salt water pools, like other types of swimming pools do require regular maintenance to keep them sanitized and operating at peak efficiency.

I was a little apprehensive about installing a swimming pool in my backyard. I remember the swimming pool we had when I was a kid, and I can still see my mom out there every day, skimming the pool, checking the water and adding chemicals. Weekends were often spent brushing down the pool walls and cleaning out the debris before we could ever jump in the water. I wasn't sure I wanted to be tied to my swimming pool the way my parents were.

When we began thinking about a backyard pool, I admit I was worried. I mean, you hear about all these sicknesses that show up in public pools all the time. If that can happen even with a full time staff working there, how were we going to keep our water safe for our kids? I had visions of diarrhea and other sicknesses taking over our household for the summer.

Your pool filter plays an important role in keeping your water safe and clean for swimming. However, that filter only works as well as the maintenance you put into it. That means you are going to have to stick with a regular schedule of backwashing to keep your pool filter running at peak efficiency. The good news is that the pool will let you know when the filter needs work. When the pressure gauge starts to read 8-10 pounds above the clean starting pressure, it's time to roll up the sleeves and get to backwashing.

Installing your swimming pool is only the initial step of pool ownership. Once that thing is filled with water, you will need to put in the time and effort to ensure both the water and the pool remain safe for swimming. Problems in a pool can become quite costly and difficult to resolve. It is better by far to head those problems off at the pass with some basic preventative measures. Just like your body needs a yearly visit to the doctor to stay healthy, your swimming pool requires regular check-ups to keep it motoring along as well.

Balance is an important element of life, but it is also essential for a clean, healthy swimming pool. We are talking about the chemical balance of your pool, of course, which depends on you to maintain at an even keel. A good balance of chemicals ensures your water remains clean and safe for swimming and prevents a host of problems like algae infestations. Here are four tips to help keep your pool water balanced so it is ready for swimming all summer long.