— Save money, gain peace of mind, and enjoy greater convenience

Investing in an automatic swimming pool cover delivers benefits on five important fronts: safety, convenience, pool cleanliness, water conservation, and energy efficiency. Collectively, these benefits can maximize the lifespan and the value of your backyard oasis and help you save money on pool ownership.

—No room for a pool? A spa can serve as the centerpiece of your backyard retreat

A soak in warm, bubbly spa water can be a delight to both mind and body. That’s the goal of thousands of homeowners across the country who build a swimming pool-spa combination to enjoy.

But while you, too, may crave the relaxation and hydrotherapy benefits that a spa brings—what if your home lacks the outdoor room for a full swimming pool?

—Comparing earplug materials and choices to achieve the best fit and most effective protection

Guest blog: Alex Pop, Say What Hearing

You protect your eyes when swimming by wearing goggles, so why not protect your ears with earplugs?

If you spend much time in a swimming pool or the ocean, your best bet is to use earplugs to guard against swimmer’s ear, surfer’s ear, and other ear infections. This guide will help you will find the right pair of earplugs to fit your ears and your swimming needs.

—See beautiful concrete pools that “rise above” construction challenges with added style and function

While most concrete (gunite or shotcrete) pools are constructed beneath the ground, did you know that some are built partially—or even entirely—above it?

On-ground and semi on-ground pool designs achieve an inventive, multi-level aesthetic that’s popular with homeowners striving for an inspired outdoor addition. The out-of-ground pool concept also provides a solution for backyards with certain construction challenges.

—Steer clear of these missteps after major wind, rain, and flooding hits your pool

Powerful storms and hurricanes create headlines and can cause catastrophic damage. Along with your home, your backyard can get hit hard by high winds and torrents of rain that leave your pool in need of serious care and possibly some repairs.

—You may save time and negotiate a better deal by building your gunite pool in the fall or winter

Hands-down, spring is the busiest time for building inground swimming pools—but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best time to build your new backyard oasis.

—Good circulation, filtration, water chemistry, and maintenance can prevent algae blooms

It’s a fact of life: The microscopic spores that grow into algae are virtually everywhere outdoors.

Spores constantly enter your backyard swimming pool via the wind, the rain, on swimsuits, or even attached to previously spore-contaminated pool-cleaning equipment. While they are typically invisible to the naked eye, they won’t be if your pool environment allows them to sprout into tiny plant colonies.