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

Editorial Review
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.

Customer Reviews

What Color Is Your Swimming Pool?

2008-08-12
This is a good book if you need to know the basics about a pool. But it's not real technical, it did not provide enough information no how to get or keep the chemicals correct in the pool. But if you're like me and did not know anything about your pool it is a very good starter guide for you.

Good advice for pool maintenance

2007-09-15
This book quickly answered some vexing questions I have had for some time concerning the correction of imbalances in my pool water. It clearly explains what steps are needed to put things right. Good value for money!

Basic but good

2007-08-16
Middle of the road. I preferred the Ultimate pool guide, but as a newcomer to pools this book also helped me understand a lot.

Layman's Guide

2005-08-11
This book was written in layman's terms. Everything was explained in easy to follow step by step directions. I feel much more in control of my pool after reading this book. I will definitely keep it around as a reference book.

Good Introduction To Pool And Spa Maintenance

2005-07-16
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.

A fine homeowner's guide to maintaining a trouble-free pool

2004-03-10
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.

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.

A Tremendous Help 2003-10-01
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.

Completely Unhelpful 2003-07-15
This is only useful as a general overview of what pools and spas are and what to consider when purchasing/installing one. The rest of the advice on how to maintain your pool is basically "call a professional". Specific pool problems are identified and discussed but practical, applicable solutions are not. This is quite possibly the worst "help" book I've ever read and I'm sorry I bought it.

Good Basic Primer 2003-06-17
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.