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Pool Care & Maintenance: Expert Guides

Smart Outdoor Living - Keep your yard looking its best.

JohnAlexander · 01/07/2026

Pool Stairs Cleaning: How to Remove Every Stain by Surface and Type

To clean pool stairs, scrub with a nylon brush and a diluted bleach solution (4 parts water to 1 part bleach) for algae, a wet...
JohnAlexander - 30/06/2026

The Pool Owner Guide: What Owning a Pool Actually Takes

Owning a pool comes down to running four systems at once. Water chemistry, circulation, surface cleaning, and safety....

The Pool Owner Guide: What Owning a Pool Actually Takes
JohnAlexander - 25/06/2026

Why Your Robotic Pool Cleaner Isn't Picking Up Sand and How to Fix It

Sand left on the pool floor after a cleaning cycle usually points to one of five causes, in...

Why Your Robotic Pool Cleaner Isn't Picking Up Sand and How to Fix It
JohnAlexander - 24/06/2026

Will Baking Soda Raise Pool pH? What to Actually Expect

Yes, baking soda will raise pool pH, but only a little, and often not until your alkalinity is...

Will Baking Soda Raise Pool pH? What to Actually Expect
Robotic pool cleaner runs on its own low-voltage motor

Are Robotic Pool Cleaners Energy Efficient? Real Numbers on Power Use and Savings

JohnAlexander

Are Robotic Pool Cleaners Energy Efficient? Real Numbers on Power Use and Savings

JohnAlexander
A family pool takes more debris than most pool cleaners are sized for

Best Pool Cleaners for Families with Kids and Pets

JohnAlexander

Best Pool Cleaners for Families with Kids and Pets

JohnAlexander
A cleaner leaves a visible track of its path as it works

What a Smart Navigation Pool Cleaner Is and How to Choose One

JohnAlexander

What a Smart Navigation Pool Cleaner Is and How to Choose One

JohnAlexander
A smart cleaner combines sensors underwater and app control above it

What Is a Smart Pool Cleaner? Features That Actually Matter

JohnAlexander

What Is a Smart Pool Cleaner? Features That Actually Matter

JohnAlexander
Standard pool grade #20 silica sand is what goes in a residential sand filter

What Kind of Sand for a Pool Filter? The 20 Silica Answer and What to Avoid

JohnAlexander

What Kind of Sand for a Pool Filter? The 20 Silica Answer and What to Avoid

JohnAlexander
What Is a Pool Sweep? A Complete Guide for Pool Owners

What Is a Pool Sweep? A Complete Guide for Pool Owners

JohnAlexander

What Is a Pool Sweep? A Complete Guide for Pool Owners

JohnAlexander
A typical residential sand filter installation next to the pool pump

How Does a Pool Sand Filter Work?

JohnAlexander

How Does a Pool Sand Filter Work?

JohnAlexander
A typical residential pool filter installed on the equipment pad

Pool Filter Types Explained: Sand, Cartridge, and DE Compared

JohnAlexander

Pool Filter Types Explained: Sand, Cartridge, and DE Compared

JohnAlexander
The four main types of pool vacuums at a glance

Types of Pool Vacuums Explained: Manual, Suction, Pressure, and Robotic

JohnAlexander

Types of Pool Vacuums Explained: Manual, Suction, Pressure, and Robotic

JohnAlexander
What Is a Pool Skimmer and How It Works in Pool Maintenance

What Is a Pool Skimmer and How It Works in Pool Maintenance

JohnAlexander

What Is a Pool Skimmer and How It Works in Pool Maintenance

JohnAlexander
Light tinting versus an established algae bloom

Is It Safe to Swim in Green Pool Water?

JohnAlexander

Is It Safe to Swim in Green Pool Water?

JohnAlexander
A typical mid-size above ground pool in a residential backyard

How Much Does an Above Ground Pool Cost? A Full Budget Breakdown

JohnAlexander

How Much Does an Above Ground Pool Cost? A Full Budget Breakdown

JohnAlexander