What Color Is Your Swimming Pool? A Homeowner's Guide to Troublefree Pool, Spa & HotTub Maintenance [Paperback]

Alan Sanderfoot (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 5, 2003

Clean, healthful, sparkling water - that's what a backyard swimming pool is all about. Professional pool maintenance crews can keep a swimming pool clean and its water crystal clear, but they cost a small fortune. Yet many pool owners who try the do-it-yourself approach find themselves plagued by a host of troubles. Cloudy water. Algae sprouting on the pool's walls and bottom. Pumps, pipes, and other equipment that corrode and deteriorate at an alarming rate. Funky odors.

That's where WHAT COLOR IS YOUR SWIMMING POOL? steps in. This classic time-tested resource for pool owners is back in a completely rewritten edition and with a new author. Alan E. Sanderfoot has updated the text to spotlight the latest swimming pool technology and has greatly expanded the range of information about hot tubs and spas.

This easy-to-use, easy-to-understand resource teaches pool owners everything they need to know about keeping a pool or spa beautiful and healthful. Sanderfoot starts with basics: water treatment and filtration systems. Then he moves on to the nitty gritty of how to select and care for filters, pumps, motors, and heaters. He explains the best way to clean a pool, how to make minor repairs yourself, and what to look for in pool covers and such pool accessories as automatic water monitors.

You'll find step-by-step directions for winterizing a pool, and for opening it up again in the spring. There is even a chapter on inexpensive things the owner can do to give the pool a face-lift. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR SWIMMING POOL? demonstrates how a little investment of time throughout the swimming pool season can prevent major problems and expenses down the road.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alan E. Sanderfoot, author of What Color Is Your Swimming Pool?, is the former editor and associate publisher of AQUA Magazine, the leading trade magazine for the pool and spa industry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; 3 edition (May 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580173098
• ISBN-13: 978-1580173094
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tremendous Help, October 1, 2003

By 

"dawnlarrabee" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Color Is Your Swimming Pool? A Homeowner's Guide to Troublefree Pool, Spa & HotTub Maintenance (Paperback)

My parents just purchased a house that included a swimming pool. Unfortunately, They knew nothing about maintaining a pool, so I gave them this book. This book simplified everything for them. With very little effort, they've been able to clean the pool, backwash the filter, and maintain the proper water chemistry thanks to this easy-to-follow guide. It's already saved them hundreds of dollars because they haven't had to hire a pool service company to maintain the pool. I recommend this book for anyone who already owns or who is considering purchasing a pool or spa--or has loved ones who do.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Basic Primer, June 17, 2003

By 

Robert K. Sischka (Flagstaff, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Color Is Your Swimming Pool? A Homeowner's Guide to Troublefree Pool, Spa & HotTub Maintenance (Paperback)

This book is good for the beginner. I would recommend it for someone who is looking at putting in a pool as it gives you the basics so you understand what they are talking about when you make your basic selections with your contractor and are given your basic pool care instructions. The daily maintenance information is simplified. I would have appreciated a more detailed explanation of daily care; however, the sections on closing a pool for the winter and opening up for the spring are nicely done. The author does recommend checking with your pool professional on issues that you don't understand or can't answer. This is not a book for someone who wants to eliminate going to the pool supply store and having them answer your questions. You'll just need them less with the information in this book.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction To Pool And Spa Maintenance, July 15, 2005

By 

Robert I. Hedges - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Color Is Your Swimming Pool? A Homeowner's Guide to Troublefree Pool, Spa & HotTub Maintenance (Paperback)

I own a home with a large spa in the basement. When I purchased the home, the spa was not filled with water, and since I had no experience maintaining pools or spas, I read this book to give me some general operating tips. Although the book is not written to explain details concerning all complex pool and spa maintenance procedures, it is an excellent introduction for the novice pool or spa owner.

It is true that the author sometimes refers the reader to a trained pool professional, but I think that is appropriate given the range of possible complications. He also recommends getting a periodic professional water analysis (most pool shops will do this free or at very reasonable cost) as the chemical sticks are good for only fairly basic information. One of the strengths of the book is the explanation of the basic applied chemistry involved in pool maintenance.

After reading this book and getting a water analysis, I have been confidently enjoying the hot tub. Overall, I recommend this book for all pool and spa owners, especially novices. People with a lot of experience with pools may desire a more advanced text, but I think this one works great for probably 99 percent of the pool and spa owners out there.