Synopses & Reviews
Pools & Spas Pools & Spas can turn a dream into your backyard reality with great ideas and practical advice.
Aboveground and in-ground installations
Infinity-edge pools, swim spas, and accessories
Materials, equipment, financing, and more
Decking and landscaping
Extras such as saunas, waterfalls, and fountains
Over 300 gorgeous photographs and illustrations
Review
"...a great research tool for homeowners planning a new pool....."
--Home & Design
Finalist for an Ippy Award (Independent Publisher Book Award)and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award.
Review
Finalist for an Ippy Award (Independent Publisher Book Award)and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award.
Review
"...a great research tool for homeowners planning a new pool....."
--Home & Design
Synopsis
From pool and spa concepts and design to landscaping and maintenance.
Synopsis
From pool selection and installation to landscaping. Includes choosing a pool site, hiring a contractor, and different pool and spa types. 262 color photographs and 53 full-color illustrations.
Synopsis
Over 300 color photos offer a look at an inviting array of the latest pool and spa designs for the home. Practical advice is provided on how to choose a pool site, work with a contractor, and landscape around a new pool.
Synopsis
Creative Homeowner helps turn a dream into a reality with
Pools & Spas: Ideas for Planning, Designing, and Landscaping. This book offers ideas and advice through the complete process from pool/spa selection to creating an attractive environment. Over 300 inviting color photos and illustratioins show the many options from infinity-edge pools to indoor swim spas; from built-ins to attractive aboveground pools. Valuable advice is included on site selection, materials, financing, and more. As the crowning touch,
Pools & Spas suggests ideas to create the ideal setting for the new pool or spa using decks, patios, and landscapes.
Synopsis
Pools & Spas: Ideas for Planning, Designing, and Landscaping, offers ideas and advice through the complete process from pool/spa selection to creating an attractive landscaping environment. Over 300 inviting color photos and illustrations show the many options from infinity-edge pools to indoor swim spas; from built-ins to attractive above-ground pools. Valuable advice is included on site selection, materials, financing, and more.
About the Author
Francis J. Donegan, from Verona, New Jersey, has been an editor and writer in the home improvement field for more than 20 years. Fran has been a staff editor at national home improvement magazines and has produced countless articles as well as a previous book,
Paint Your Home (1997, Readers Digest). He is currently the managing editor at Creative Homeowner.
David Short, from Newington, New Hampshire, has been designing and building residential and commercial pools and spas for over 30 years. He is one of the owners of Custom Pools, Inc., a family-owned business and member of the Master Pools Guild. Custom Pools has designed over 3,000 pools - from New England to the Middle East.
Table of Contents
Pools & SpasTable of Contents
Introduction...8
Planning Your Pool and Spa GETTING YOUR FEET WET...12Uses for Your Pool and Spa 14 A Recreation Center An Exercise Center A Relaxation Center
Create a Plan...17 Survey Maps Items to Include in a Plan
Adding the Pool or Spa on your Plan...25 Practical Realities
Financing the Project...32 Other Cost Considerations Getting the Money
Hiring a Contractor...32 Ask Friends for References Find Your Own Check Them Out Collect Estimates The Contract
Pool and Spa Styles DIVING IN...38In-Ground Pools...40 Concrete Vinyl Fiberglass
Aboveground Pools...44Spas and Hot Tubs...45 In-Ground Spas Aboveground Spas Spa Installation Considerations Hot Tubs Buying a Spa or Hot Tub Swim Spas
Pool and Spa Plumbing...52 Working with PVC Piping
Pool and Spa Equipment POOL GEAR...54Skimmers, Drains, and Inlets...56 Main Drain
Pumps...59 Sizing the Pump
Filters...60 Cartridge Filters Diatomaceous Earth Filters Sand Filters Sizing Filters
Heaters...66 Gas Heaters Heat Pumps Solar Heaters Electric-Resistance and Oil Heaters Sizing Heaters for Pools Sizing Heaters for Spas
Pool and Spa Covers...70 Maintenance Covers Safety Covers Spa Covers
Accessories and Fun Stuff ENHANCING THE EXPERIENCE...76Timers and Remote Controls...78 Electromechanical and Mechanical Timers Remote Controls
Diving Boards and More...80 Slides Ladders and Rails
Automatic Pool Cleaners...82 Booster Pump Systems Skimmer Systems In-Floor Systems
Other Fun Stuff...84Pool Lighting...86 Standard Voltage Low-Voltage and Fiber Optics
Pool Chemistry Made EasySPARKLING WATER...88Clean Water: The Basics...90 Chlorine Bromine Other Ways to Disinfect
Your Pool or Spa Water Balance...96 pH Levels Total Alkalinity Calcium Hardness Total Dissolved Solids
Other Things in the Water...100
The ABCs of Building Pools and Spas CREATING YOUR DREAM...102Concrete Pools...106 Molding the Shape and Reinforcing the Walls Spraying the Gunite Curing and Finishing the Pool Filling the Pool
Vinyl Pools...114 Constructing Walls and Support Installing the Liner Finishing and Filling the Pool Fiberglass PoolsÉ117 Installing the Shell Filling the Pool
Aboveground Pools...119 Preparing the Pool Area Assembling the Pool System Installing the Liner
Spas...121 Portable Spas
Equipment...124 Installing Equipment
Routine Maintenance and Care POOL KEEPING...126Routine Pool Maintenance...128 Daily Maintenance Water Testing Adding Chemicals Weekly Maintenance Shocking, or Superchlorinating
Spa Maintenance...135
Equipment Maintenance...137 Maintaining the Pump Maintaining the Filter
Opening Your Pool for the Season...142Closing Your Pool for the Season...143Pool Repairs...144 Indoor Pools and Spas
Landscaping and Water Features AROUND THE POOL...146Successful Landscape Design...148 Professional Help Creating the Plan
The Pool Decking...150 Concrete Other Surface Materials
Fences...151 Design Options Erecting Fences
Patios and Decks...154 Patio Design Deck Design
Paths and Their Design...158 Path Surfaces Installing Paths
Landscape Lighting...162 Low-Voltage Lighting Systems
Retaining Walls...164 Materials for Retaining Walls
Plantings...166 Hardiness and Heat Zones Soil Considerations Soil Texture
Trees and Shrubs...170 Choose the Right One Determine Its Purpose Consider Unusual Shapes Planting Trees and Shrubs
Hedges...177 Consider the Rate of Growth Planting a Hedge
Ponds...180 Flexible Pond Liners Preformed Pond Shells Other Options Edgings Adding Plants and Fish
Waterfalls...182 Shaping a Waterfall Designing a Stream
Fountains...184 Types of Fountains
Using Your Pool and Spa Safely WORRY-FREE FUN...186Safety and Children...188 All Eyes Teach Children to Swim Reduce Hazardous Conditions Use Pool or Spa Covers Install Fences and Gates Fence Specifications Gates Fencing for Aboveground Pools
Safety for Everyone...196 Pool Equipment and Accessories Diving and Sliding with Caution
A Healthy Habit SOOTHING SAUNAS...200Sauna Rooms...203 Construction Heaters
Planning Your Sauna...206 Accessories
Resource Guide...208
Glossary...216
Index...218
Photo Credits...223