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What are the Best Pool Supplies for Keeping My Pool Free From Debris?

When you envision a fun-filled summer, we hope it includes a crystal clear pool with plenty of pool toys, games, and splashing. Unfortunately, leaves, twigs, dirt, and other outside debris can turn a nice swim into an unpleasant mess in no time. The good news? Keeping your pool free from debris can be done with the right combination of supplies and know-how. 

Here are some of the best pool supplies to help maintain a cleaner and clearer pool:

• Pool Chemicals & Test Kits: Pool chemicals and testing kits are a must for ensuring the water is safe to swim in and doesn’t get dirty or overrun with algae. The kits will tell you where you’re at, after which you can adjust the chemicals, as needed.
• Skimmer Nets & Leaf Rakes: Whether you need a fine mesh skimmer for small particles (like pollen and bugs) or something more heavy duty, we have plenty of options to explore.
• Pool Vacuum Systems: There are both manual and automatic pool vacuum options available, as well as plenty of attachments that ensure every area of your pool gets the cleaning attention it needs.
• Pool Brushes: We have nylon bristle brushes, steel-bristle brushes (for algae), corner brushes, and more, ensuring you can tackle any buildup in any spot.
• Pool Covers & Solar Covers: Our pool covers are durable and designed to keep out debris, prevent algae growth, help maintain pool temps, and more.

Pool needs can vary a bit based on the household, but whether you need only some of these items, all of them, or something different, we’re certain we can help you out. Ask us how you can keep your pool looking pristine with minimal effort. We’re happy to assist you.

How Do Chemical Dispensers & Floats Work To Keep Pool Chemicals Balanced?

Chemical dispensers and floats are essential tools for maintaining proper water chemistry in a pool. They work by gradually releasing chemicals like chlorine or bromine, so that your pool stays algae-free and crystal clear all season long. There’s a couple different ways these devices can work:

• Floating chemical dispensers are buoyant containers designed to hold chlorine or bromine tablets. As they float on the pool’s surface, water flows through adjustable vents, slowly dissolving the tablets and releasing chemicals at a controlled rate.
• Inline and offline chemical feeders are plumbed into the pool’s circulation system. Water passes through the feeder, dissolving chlorine or bromine tablets and dispersing the sanitizing agent into the pool. Inline feeders are installed directly in the plumbing system, while offline feeders connect externally via tubing.

Both systems help maintain consistent chlorine or bromine levels, preventing bacteria and algae growth while reducing the need for frequent manual chemical dosing. Regular monitoring with test kits ensures the balance remains optimal.

What’s the Best Way To Store Pool Brushes & Skimmer Nets During the Off-Season?

Pool brushes, skimmer nets, and all these other important pool supplies can serve you well for multiple years in a row, but you need to store them properly in the off-season to help ensure longevity. Here’s how to do just that…

When the swimming season is over, be sure to clean them thoroughly, using a garden hose to remove chlorine, dirt, debris, and the like, then let them dry completely.

Then, store them in a dry, temperature-controlled space like a garage or shed. Use hooks or a pegboard to hang brushes and skimmers to prevent warping or bristle damage, or store them in sealed bins and off the ground to keep critters from nesting.

Pretty simple, right? By taking just a bit of time at the end of your season, you can ensure you won’t open your pool supplies to find damaged or moldy pieces. But if you do? Just reach out – we’ll set you up right.

Pool Thermometers Near Me: How Do I Select the Right Thermometer for My Pool?

For most homeowners, nothing fancy is needed – in fact, a basic floating thermometer is a practical and solid choice that will do the job you need it to. These float on the water’s surface, are easy to read, and come in a variety of options to best suit your needs and preferences.

Whether you need a digital pool thermometer, something with a tether, something sleek and modern, or something more fun (we’re talking rubber duckers, tugboats, sharks, and more), we’ve got plenty of pool thermometer options for you to choose from.

What Do I Need To Do if My Pool Water Gets Cloudy or Green?

If your pool water turns cloudy or green, it’s typically a sign of imbalanced water chemistry, algae growth, or poor filtration. Follow these steps to restore clarity:*

• Test Your Water: Use a pool test kit or strips to check chlorine levels, pH, alkalinity, and stabilizer (CYA). If chlorine is low and phosphates are high, algae can thrive.
  
• Shock the Pool (for Green Water): If algae is present (green water), add pool shock (for the appropriate shock, check with us) at 3-5 times the normal dose with the pump running. Wait one hour and add the appropriate amount of an algaecide (Algae Complete or Banish). Continue to run the pump for at least 24 hours, brushing the walls and floor now and then to break up the algae.
  
• Adjust Water Chemistry: Study up and figure out where your pool levels need to be. If they’re not right, adjust the chemicals accordingly.
  
• Run the Filter Continuously: When the pool is messy, you want your filter working full-time to clear out the bad stuff, so keep the filter running continuously until the water clears. And if the filter is dirty, backwash it, clean the cartridges, or check DE levels, depending on the type of filter you have.
  
• Use a Clarifier or Flocculant (for Cloudy Water): Clarifiers help small particles bind together so the filter can catch them, while flocculant sinks debris to the bottom for easy vacuuming.  Flocculants such as Power Floc are used when the pool has a large amount of organic matter in the pool. Clarifiers like Natural Chemistry’s Clear are a great way to bring back the sparkle to the pool.
  
• Brush & Vacuum the Pool: Scrub walls, steps, and floor to remove any algae or buildup. Or manually vacuum if using a flocculant.Once things are clear, be sure to maintain, maintain, maintain. With some daily attention and weekly testing, you should be able to avoid cloudy or green pool water again throughout the season. Also, be sure to maintain proper chlorine levels, run the pump a minimum of 10-12 hours daily, regularly shock the pool (weekly or after heavy use/rain), and keep the filter clean.

If your pool remains green or cloudy despite these efforts, you may need professional water treatment or a deep filter cleaning.

*Follow product instructions on containers