Simply click on the type of heater below to jump straight to that particular section.

Air Source Heat Pumps

How does it work: Once the air enters the unit it passes over a cold liquid refrigerant which heats up to become a gas – this gas is then compressed before going through a condenser which is where the pool water enters and exits. The water washes over the coil and is heated through conduction, the water then leaves the unit warm. The remaining gas is cooled to become a liquid and the process continues.

Click Here To View The Range
Works best for: Those in warmer environments who want a long lasting product

Cost: From £799.99
Back To Top

Electric Pool Heaters

How does it work: Through a metal resistor which acts as a heating element inside the pump. When an electrical current is applied the resistor heats up – as water enters the housing it washes over the resistor, heats up and then leaves the housing.

Click Here To View The Range
Works best for: Those with small pools or spas.

Cost: From £230.45
Back To Top

Natural & Propane Gas Heaters

How does it work: Natural or propane gas is burned inside a combustion chamber which has copper coils that carry the swimming pool water. The heat created from the burning gas heats the water which is then returned to the pool – the exhaust created leaves through a flue.

Click Here To View The Range
Works best for: Those wanting a fast method to heat their pool

Cost: From £1,856.00
Back To Top

Heat Exchanger

How does it work: The heat exchanger is plumbed into your domestic boiler and pipework from your swimming pool. Hot water from the boiler runs through the exchanger alongside a second set of pipes which carries swimming pool water – the heat from the boiler water is extracted and gradually heats the swimming pool water.

Click Here To View The Range
Works best for: Those searching for a low cost solution

Cost: From £215.00
Back To Top

Pool Oil Fired Boilers

How does it work: Operate similar to gas boilers – oil is burned inside the chamber which has coils carrying swimming pool water in and out. As the water comes in it is heated by the by the hot coils and returned to the swimming pool warm.

Click Here To View The Range
Works best for: Those looking for an easily installation with high efficiency

Cost: From £3,079.50
Back To Top

Solar Heating

How does it work: Solar panels are installed at the property in a suitable location e.g. house roof. The swimming pool water is pumped through a filter in order to remove any debris that may have collected – the water the is then pushed through the solar collectors which warm the water and then return it to the pool. This systems also has the added benefit of being able to cool the water at night if required.

Click Here To View The Range
Works best for: Those with areas exposed to the sun looking for a cheap energy efficient heater

Cost: From £229.99
Back To Top

1. Measure pH Levels & Adjust Alkalinity Before Closing

• Before closing your pool down for the winter months you need to make sure your pH/alkalinity levels are balanced.
• Adjust your pH levels to between 7.2 and 7.6 as this is a balanced level that will keep your water safe during the winter.
• To reduce the pH level add pool acid (at no more than 500mls at a time).
• To increase the pH level add soda ash or pH increaser.
• To increase the alkalinity add sodium bicarbonate or alkalinity increaser.
• The alkalinity levels can be lowered by increasing the pH levels.

You can adjust the pH levels by using a water balancer.

2. Shock Dose With Chlorine to Keep Water Clean & Safe

• Shock dosing your pool with chlorine will get your water ready for the winter.
• The recommended amount of chlorine for a shock dose is usually 3 to 6 times more than the usual dose.
• Keep your pump running for 6 to 12 hours after you distribute the chlorine.
• Swimmers and bathers should not enter the water until the level of chlorine has dropped to 3 ppm or less.
• Breakpoint chlorination must be reached in order for total oxidation to take place. This shock rips apart the molecular combinations and destroys chloramines.

Keep contaminates down using specially designed 'shock' chlorine.

3. Use Diluted Algaecide to Prevent Algae Growth

• Using chemicals such as algaecide will help you to preserve the water in your swimming pool so it is ready to use in the summer.
• You want to keep the water looking clear and blue so that while you aren't using the pool the area stays as clean as possible.
• Long life algaecide is a one-treatment solution to preventing algae from growing.
• You can buy algaecide with copper which works well on getting algae out of the walls.
• Most algaecides need to be diluted and you can use the scale on the side of the bottle to mix the right amount of the chemical with water.

You should use a copper free algaecide to prevent winter growth.

4. Use Testing Kits to Keep Calcium Hardrness at 200-400ppm

• When minerals such as calcium, sodium, and magnesium are dissolved, the measure of these minerals is called calcium hardness.
• To test the calcium hardness of the pool, take a sample of your pool water and use a test kit that includes a calcium buffer, calcium indicator, and calcium titrant solutions.
• Each test kit is different so follow the instructions on the back of the bottle, but most tests will require you to count the number of drops of titrant that you put into your water sample before it turns blue.
• The recommended level of calcium hardness is between 200 and 400 ppm.

Keep calcium levels between 200-400ppm using calcium hardness increaser.

5. Drain Water to 4-6" Below Skimmer Valve To Prevent Damage

• Before draining the water from your pool, ensure that you have no leaks and that all water is contained within the structure. Once this has been done, you can start to drain the area.
• Switch off your skimmer valve and drain the water level to around 4 to 6 inches below the bottom of the skimmer.
• Draining some of the water from your pool for winter means that your skimmers won't freeze up when the temperature lowers; something that could cause a lot of damage to your pool.

Catch any debris while draining your pool using a swimming pool skimmer.

Featured image: Flickr - Chloe Hague

Click on the page you require on the image above to take you to any of the five pages displayed.

After months of careful planning, we are delighted to announce the launch of our brand new website! We took all your feedback on board, and have made major changes to our site, improving the functionality and usability. So sit back and relax as we take you through some of the things that have changed...

New

• There is an overall cleaner look to the site, making it much more eye-catching and user friendly!
• The site is now fully responsive, providing optimal viewing and a smooth interaction experience for you regardless of whether you are using a laptop, MAC, Desktop PC, Mobile Phone, Tablet or iPad!
• We've included a completely new navigation bar at the top of the site, making it quicker for you to get to the section of your choice.
• Our new product review feature lets you see what others who have previously bought the item think – and once you have tried and tested it you can even add one yourself!
• Our logo design has also undergone a revamp, check it out above!

Improved!

We've updated every aspect of our site; here are some of the key improvements you'll notice:

• We now have a clearer search function.
• You can view what's in your basket easily, making it much clearer.
• Our opening hours are much clearer to see, making it easy for our customers to visit us.
• Product availability is much more obvious.

• Product images are bigger and you can get further information displayed by hovering over each product.
• There is also a completely new look to our 'Latest News' section.

Discounts

To celebrate the launch of our new site we're currently offering a 10% discount on all orders, all you need to do is enter the following code: OFFER10 at the checkout to redeem your voucher. We are also offering free delivery on all orders over £60*!

Don't forget to check out our Clearance Sale page where you're sure to find a bargain!

We're always interested in your feedback so if you love our new site as much as we do then make sure you get in contact and let us know!

*Excludes some postcodes, click here for terms & conditions.

Sources

Mobile image: Wikipedia
iPad image: Wikipedia
PC image: Wikipedia

Before you even get round to filling the pool in the first place, safety should be at the forefront of your mind. Invest in safety equipment such as a life belt so that if anyone gets into trouble then no one else will have to risk their life being a hero. Also make sure you have access to and from the water in terms of ladders and handrails. Everyone who is able to enjoy your pool should be able to exit the water as and when they please.

If you have small children who may run off in the direction of the water due to excitement, nets around the pool could be a wise investment. You will therefore have control of when they access the pool and you will be able to accompany them to make sure they are safe within the water. Pools however are a place for fun so always encourage the children to enjoy themselves but keep safety in mind.

When it comes to the pool water itself, you should be keeping an eye on the chemical levels to make sure that it is suitable for people to use in contact with. We supply a huge range of chemicals from some of the world’s leading brands. You should always investigate what the ideal levels for each chemical are and consult a professional who can advise on the best products to achieve these levels.

For friendly and helpful advice on creating a safe pool environment, call us today on 01494 483 652.

The Perfect Winter Warm Up

If the dropping temperatures are keeping you out of the water then a swimming pool heater is exactly what you need. A heated swimming pool is the perfect way to relax at the end of the day, you can choose natural propane or solar panels to keep your daily dip green and ensure every single day is perfect for a dive.

Put A Roof Over Your Head

If you’re worried about the rain then a pool enclosure can keep you dry while you’re getting wet! The Great British climate isn’t the most reliable but an enclosure can turn your outdoor pool into an indoor sanctuary without you having to sacrifice your living space! An enclosure helps to reduce the amount of heat being lost from your pool so your energy costs are reduced and the swimming season is extended to the entire year.

Let There Be Light

Add lights to your swimming pool so you can dive in whenever you want, night or day. With pool lighting your swimming schedule can continue long after the nights draw in and you can see where you’re going so you’ll never hit the wall in the dark!

Winter is the perfect time of year to upgrade your pool and treat it to some maintenance so you can be sure to get the most out of it. If you want to renovate your pool then get in touch with us today on 01494 483 652 and speak to an expert member of our team.

Reindeer Relay

Reindeer relay is a classic with a Christmas twist! Issue everyone with a pair of antlers and set them off, each swimmer will have a plastic bauble that the need to push from one end of the pool to the other using only their nose, if a swimmer uses their hands they’re sent back to the starting position and the swimmer who reaches the end first is the winner!

Find The Ornament

Find a festive trinket that will sink to the bottom of the pool and throw it in! The aim of the game is for the players to dive in and find the trinket as soon as possible, it’s harder than it sounds and it always ends in fun.

The Frozen Christmas Jumper

If you’re looking for a challenge for slightly older children all you need is a couple of old Christmas jumpers and a freezer. Wet the jumpers and place them in the freezer for a couple of days, when they comes out they will be frozen solid, divide the children into teams and issue each of them with a jumper and have them race to thaw them. The teams can use whatever they want to thaw the jumper e.g. the pool, a hose or their body heat and they have to switch person thawing every 15 seconds. The first team to thaw the jumper and wear it wins!

At The Swimming Pool Store we believe every season is perfect for some fun in the pool. If you’re indulging in some family pool games this holiday season remember to keep a close eye on the contestants and have some festive themed treats for the winters. For fantastic pool toys, cleaning chemicals and extras at competitive prices get in touch today on 01494 483 652 to speak to a dedicated member of our team.

Source: Featured Image: Wikipedia

The Essentials

Just like your vitamin tablets and morning coffee there are a couple of essential chemicals that help keep your hot tub happy and healthy: invest in some bromine tablets, pH increasers and decreasers, stain and sale controllers, chlorine tablets, spa shock and cleaning supplies to keep your maintenance easy.

When you initially fill your hot tub with water all you need to do is add your bromine to the filter and your spar shock according to the water volume. It is important to have your water tested so you can be sure of the proper amount of additional chemicals that need to be added. You can test your water yourself using a water treatment kit which is usually comprised of strips with colours and a key, the colours will correlate to instructions such as ‘raise pH’ or ‘add bromine’ to give you an indication of what needs to be done.

As a rule of thumb, to ensure optimum hot tub happiness all you need to do is make sure your filter is clean and your pH level should be kept steady between 7.2 and 7.6, follow these steps and it will always be the perfect time to dive right in.

If you’re itching to jump into the hot tub The Swimming Pool Store have everything you need to make sure your dip is clean and serene, simply browse our range of hot tub chemicals and products and buy simply and easily online. If you have any questions or queries get in touch today on 01494 483 652 to speak to a member of our team.

Apart from offering pool chemicals, covers, pumps, and supplies, the Swimming Pool Store is also proud to provide you with the best diving tips to help you enjoy yourself to the fullest.

1. Cannon Ball Jump
Easy to master, but never tires at being one of the most fun. Simply jump as high as possible into the air, tuck your knees to your chest and then wrap your arms tightly around your legs. Close your eyes and hold your breath as you plunge into the pool – be sure never to run up to the pool, as slipping on wet areas can be incredibly dangerous.

2. Lover's Tryst
Stand on the swimming board with your best friend or close relative. Hug him or her tightly and then dive into the water together.

3. Harry Potter Dive
Grab a ‘pool noodle’ and then stand with it at the edge of the swimming pool. Jump up and into the pool riding the noodle, do your best Harry Potter impression and be sure to have someone snap a photo mid-air!

4. Pike
Stand straight on the swimming board or at the edge of the pool. Jump as high as possible, pull your legs up until you form an "L" shape, and then reach your hands out to touch your toes. You can also jump with both legs out straight and your arms wrapped tightly or loosely around your thighs.

As well as inventive and daring dives, you can make the most of fun in the pool with our high-quality inflatables. We stock a wide range of inflatables including 73" Ride on Shark, 80" Ride on Jump Whale, 66" Ride On Crocodile, Fashion Lounger Lilo, and much more.

To make sure your kids and guests are entertained to the fullest, we offer you numerous fascinating swimming pool games and toys. These include the Pool Noodle, Weighted Swimming Hoops, Fast Attack Torpedo, Aqua Volleyball, H20 Alley, and the Eliminator Water Shooter.

You can also have a wonderful time with our Underwater Light Starship, Underwater Pool & Spa Light Show, Surf Riders, and Aqua Discs.

To know more about our pool toys, games, equipment, and other pool services, please do not contact us through phone or using our website’s online contact form.

1)      A strong smell of chemicals coming from the pool doesn’t mean it’s especially clean.

It’s pretty common for us to presume that a pool emitting a particularly potent ‘chlorine’ odour is very clean, due to an abundance of purifying chemicals. This however is not the case, as the odour actually comes from chloramines, formed when chlorine mixes with certain contaminants – a truly healthy pool shouldn’t really smell at all.

2)      Chlorine isn’t the cause of red or sore eyes after swimming.

In fact, this is more often than not the result of an improper pH balance whereby the water is either to alkaline or too acidic. It can also come from high levels of chloramine which, as mentioned, can be detected by their smell.

3)      Clean-looking pool water doesn’t necessarily mean it’s actually clean!

Unfortunately, we cannot tell just how clean a pool is solely by looking at it. Though clear water is a good indication (certainly in comparison to cloudy pool water) microorganisms can still live within the pool and thus a full course of chemical treatment should always be undertaken.

4)      Too much chlorine has nothing to do with hair turning green.

Often found in blonde swimmers and directly blamed on too much chlorine in the water, a green tinging of the hair is in fact nothing to do with the chemical. Instead, the fault lies with copper in the water, often used to keep outbreaks of algae under control but can also come from plumbing issues.

5)      Standard chlorine and chemicals are often not enough to kill all germs and contaminants that can cause illness.

Often a complete and thorough range of advanced chemicals are needed to ensure your pool is entirely, reliably healthy!

So there we have it, five facts you might not have known, and in fact considered the opposite to be true! Give us at The Swimming Pool Store for more on our cheap swimming pool chemicals today! The number to dial is; 01494483652.

Featured Image Source: stocksnap

Of course, whilst swimming pool lights can adorn your entire pool area with the kind of mesmerising visual luxury that has previously lead to hilarious fall accidents and an unreasonable amount of swearing, they also come complete with a swathe of other beneficial features. For example, they stand to save you a truly horrendous amount of money in comparison to their ordinary halogen counterparts. According to LED Running Cost in fact, six 300W halogen bulbs running for 12 hours a day would rack you up wallet quivering £788 over the course of a year. Your LED friends however, running for the same amount of time would cost a measly £36.79 a year. Which is quite a saving, we think you’ll agree.

Of course though, we really just want to see what these LED lights can actually do to your pool, how they can turn it from humdrum banality in a glorious festival of incandescence and in true SPS style of course, we have delivered. Below are just a couple of examples of the kind of luminescence you’ll be in for!

This spa type basin looks pretty incredible lined with blue LED lights, wouldn’t you agree? The original poster heralded this as ‘the perfect way to relax’, and we rather think they hit the nail on the head there.

And if you’re really after something different, why not make your pool look like someone had a rather messy run-in with the Yahoo logo in it! This vat of inviting purple is luxury swimming pool incarnate.

And lastly, there may be no better way to really control just how blue your water is than with the Swimming Pool Store’s LED swmming pool lights! Give us a call today to find out how to make your pool looks just as enthralling as these examples!

Featured image: Megan: Pinterest