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• Lemongrass
• Mint
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Catnip
• Bay leaves
• Lemon Balm

1. Get right to the deck: Before you actually take a peek at your pool, look at the surroundings. Your pool deck may need a good scrub. Check for bushes and plants that may have grown too close to the pool.
2. Check your tools: Do you need to purchase new tools and pool chemicals? If you don’t, make sure to check all expiration dates on bottles and containers.
3. Inspect the pool: Check underwater lights, the filter, pump, tile and anything else on your list that may or may not have been damaged from the winter season.
4. Test the water: Before adding any chemicals you think your pool may need, make sure to test the water first.

How many types of pool pumps are on the market and how do I choose which one is best for me?
That’s a great question because having the correct pump for your pool can make all the difference in how much you need to maintain your water.
Here are the three main types of pumps:

• Single-speed pump: Offers one speed and is usually controlled by a timer. While the timer does the work for you, there isn’t an option to lower the speed to save energy costs.
• Two-speed pump: Has a high speed and low-speed switch that can help you control energy costs.
• Variable-speed pumps: Allows you to change the flow rate of the water.

We recommend in-ground equipment from Hayward.
Have more questions about pool pumps, give us a call at (317) 650-5131.

My family is looking to buy a home soon with a pool in the backyard. What are some items we should look for during the process?

We’re excited to hear your family is interested in purchasing a new home (and pool). Many homeowners believe pools add value to their property and provide an outdoor space for families to make memories. 

While you’re on the hunt, here are a few things to ask:

– What was the estimate monthly maintenance charge for the pool?

– How old is the pool?

– When was the last time the pool has been cleaned/maintained?

– Is a pool fence required for safety?

Additionally, once you’ve discovered a home you’d like to put an offer on, you’ll want to find an inspector familiar with pool maintenance. 

• Swimming can give you a full body workout
• Great way to destress as many believe the water has a calming effect
• A gentle swim can burn as many as 200 calories in 30 minutes
• Lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease
• Increase energy levels
• A form of exercise that doesn’t require much sweating

• If you have an animal that requires outside time, you’ll want to install a fence around your pool to prevent them from entering at unwanted times
• Pets should safely enter the pool using a pet-safe ladder
• You may want to equip your pool with an alarm just in case your furry friend finds their way into the backyard without your knowledge.

A pool party can come to an end fast if bees show up uninvited. It turns out, most bees are attracted to pools because they want to quench their thirst. Luckily, there are a couple of ways to make sure they don’t crash the party.
Bring out the plants. While bees normally love plants, they aren’t friends with all of them – including mint and lemongrass. Feel free to plant these near your pool to act as a natural repellant.
Use dryer sheets. As mentioned before, certain smells can be a real turn off for bees. We use dryer sheets to give our clothes a fresh smell, but bees hate them. Place the dryer sheets in cups around the pool to keep bees away. Be sure to change them once they lose their scent.

Pool safety for children is a major concern for parents but there are a handful of things you can do to keep your family safe.
Teach your children to swim. Expose your children to the water at an early age (with adult supervision) through swimming lessons and fun water activities. The more they are acquainted with the water, the less curious they will be about wanting to run into the pool when no one is looking.
Say no to drains. Show your children what a pool drain looks like and explain to them why they should not go near them. Many pools have strong suction that helps circulate water. Hair, loose items and swim suits can get stuck in the drain if you’re nearby too long. Be sure all drains are covered.
Find the best barriers and door locks. Pool fences and special locks should be installed near your pool and on the doors that help access the pool. This will keep children out when the pool is not in use.
Learn CPR. You never know when an emergency could happen. As an adult supervising children in a pool, knowing how to perform CPR correctly could save a life.

There is a good reason why everyone is throwing tennis balls into their swimming pools. Not only are they the star of the show during a tennis match, they can also help you clean your swimming pool.
Sure, you can use traditional chemicals, but tennis balls can help give your pool a little scrub when you’re not in the mood to do it yourself. The rough exterior of the tennis balls will soak up dirt and oil that don’t belong in the pool – like sunscreens, lotions and hair products that have made their way into the water.
All you’ll need to do is toss in a tennis ball or two and let them work their magic.

There are so many great reasons why swimming is good for your body. Here are just a few:
1. It incorporates both cardio and strength training into your workout, but it’s not hard on your joints.
Unless you’re cheating and touching the bottom of the pool during your workout, you have to be moving at all times or you’ll sink. Plus, because water is so much denser than air, it provides your muscles with constant resistance. Not to mention, you could have a crazy intense workout in the pool and be right back in the water the next day – because swimming is such a low-impact workout. So, not only is it good for injured athletes or those with fragile joints, it’s even great for those who want to work hard without feeling like their body has been through the ringer the next day
2. It’s great for your lungs, so it makes you a better runner.
Because we can’t breathe underwater, our body learns to use oxygen more efficiently when we’re swimming – adapting to take in more fresh air with every breath, and expel more carbon dioxide with every exhalation. This can allow for lower resting heart rates, lower blood pressure, and endurance capacity, which can make it easier to train for longer running exercises that require a lot of endurance.
3. It eases stress and makes you biologically younger.
We know that exercise in general produces endorphins that make you feel happy and energized, but swimming can boost your mood even more. When you’re underwater, you can’t hear or see much of anything, so the sensory overload that we experience on a daily basis is reduced significantly. Plus, according to a study done by Indiana University, even all the way up to your 70^th birthday, swimming can positively affect blood pressure, cholesterol levels, cardiovascular performance, central nervous system health, cognitive functioning, muscle mass, and blood chemistry, making frequent swimmers biologically up to 20 years younger than their actual age.