You bought a pool to relax, not to spend weekends skimming leaves, watching your water bill climb, and worrying about kids near the water. An automatic pool cover solves all three with the push of a button. Here are the five biggest benefits, plus how covers work and what they cost.

—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.

—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.

—How to protect against cryptosporidium and other chlorine-resistant organisms in your pool 

Have you noticed more news reports chronicling outbreaks of dangerous microorganisms in public swimming pools? One pathogen, in particular, cryptosporidium, has been rearing its ugly head with greater frequency, passing along—yuck—gastrointestinal distress and other aggravating side effects.

—Negotiate a better home purchase price with an in-depth pool inspection

Seeking a new home with outdoor space for keeping cool, entertaining, and exercising? Many people are, and for these reasons, some house hunters see the advantage of buying a home with an existing inground swimming pool. With a ready-made backyard resort, you can begin enjoying a private aquatic leisure center on move-in day.

—A must-have list for an environmentally friendly pool with lower power consumption

Would you like to enjoy the splash-tastic benefits of a backyard swimming pool that operates with superior energy efficiency?

You can have outdoor fun while championing smart energy use. Whether you already own a backyard retreat or plan to build one, the right line-up of energy-efficient pool equipment provides a double dip of benefits: It’s healthier for the environment and better for cutting your routine ownership costs.

—What ozonation is and five reasons it makes swimming safer and more comfortable

When it comes to your swimming pool, the ideal scenario is to enjoy a refreshing dip—without worrying about the havoc that chlorine might inflict on your skin, hair, lungs, and eyes.

Your swimming environment shouldn’t be an anchor around your neck. To ensure smooth sailing, all it takes is having the right technology on your backyard resort.