Mud Slingers Pool & Patio
Mud Slingers Pool & Patio

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Ask Us: What’s The Best Way To Clear Snow From My Pool Cover?
It’s finally feeling like winter, so of course, we’ve been getting snow. What is the best way to remove snow from the top of my pool’s cover?
It’s great that you are being proactive by looking for solutions to a pool problem like this one. Leaving snow on top of your pool cover for long periods of time can cause more issues than you’ll want. Heavy snow is known for stretching pool covers and even ripping them. In addition, those who do not remove the snow could be left with water to remove later.
The great thing is, it isn’t that difficult to remove the snow from your pool cover even if you don’t have expensive equipment.
The easiest way to remove the snow involves a broom with a long handle. Many pool owners likely have one and it can for sure come in handy during the winter months. If your area has continuous snow, you’ll want to keep the broom nearby to clear off the cover to keep the snow from accumulating.
Whatever you do, make sure you don’t use a shovel or any other sharp objects that could damage your cover.
Want to learn more about caring for your pool, give us a call at (317) 650-5131.


Ask Us: How Many Types of Pool Pumps Are On the Market And How Do I Choose One?

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.



Five Reasons to Get a Pool in 2019
As the weather gets cooler and the year winds down, you may be thinking about your wants for 2019. Is a swimming pool on that list? We hope so!
Now is the perfect time to think about and take action on purchasing a pool that will be ready by summer. Here are five reasons to make your pool purchase:
  • Build family memories: Whether it’s a pool party of a lazy afternoon in the sun, a pool is the perfect place to gather around.
  • Great form of exercise: You can skip the gym and use your pool as a low-impact form of exercise.
  • It’s your vacation spot: When you’ve had a long day at work, your pool will be the place you’ll want to unwind.
  • Make a good impression: When selling your home, potential buyers could be truly impressed by your pool amenity and which could help close the deal.
  • It’s great for your kids: Teens will want to hang out with their friends (which means they’ll be closer to home) and kids will play until they tire out.
Need a little more convincing? Call us at 317-650-5131.


What Should We Look For When Buying A Home With A Pool?

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. 



How To Use Swimming As A Form of Exercise
If you’re going to carve out time to exercise, why not make it as enjoyable as possible? Owning a swimming pool can have great benefits for your health if you choose to utilize it for low impact exercises.
Even if you only find yourself dipping into your pool once a week for a quick workout session, it could increase your strength and clarity.
Here are a few benefits of swimming to better your physical health according to Swimming.org:
  • 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


Ask Us: What Should I Know About Pets And A Swimming Pool?
Our family has multiple pets, and we want them to enjoy the water but we’re afraid for their safety. What are some key items we should know about owning pets and a swimming pool?
When you’re enjoying the swimming pool, of course you don’t want your furry friends to miss the fun. While they can have a great time with you in the water, there are some precautions to take to ensure they remain safe.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
  • 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.
Overall, you should make sure your animals are familiar with the water (ex: how to enter and exit the pool), but you don’t want them to take a dip unsupervised.


The Pool Cover that Does More than Keep Debris Out

If you’ve been a pool owner for any amount of time, you’ve been told to use a pool cover. Traditional pool covers help keep dirt, leaves and other unwanted items out of your pool.
There is also another type of pool cover that has gained popularity – a solar pool cover. Not only does it keep debris out of your pool, it also heats your pool without fancy cords or machines. Solar pool covers capture the energy of the sun to keep your water warm.
In addition, solar pool covers also help keep more water in your pool by limiting the amount of evaporation that occurs.
 This type of pool cover is recommended for those who live in a sunny area and want to save money.



How to Keep Bees Away from Your Pool

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.



Ask Us: How Do Solar Heaters Work?

If your goal is to reduce your pool operation costs and be kinder to the planet, you might want to consider installing solar panels to help heat your pool.
Solar pool heaters allow water to be pumped through a filter and then through a solar collector, where it is heated. The heated water is then pushed back into the pool. The $3,000 to $4,000 investment can be great for those who are able to install solar panels in an unshaded area to collect direct solar energy.
As an added bonus, the solar collectors can also help cool the pool during the summer months.



Ask Kim: Our Family Has Small Children. How Do We Increase Safety For Our Pool?

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.




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