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Outdoor Oasis
Pool Smarts
Do Solar Pool Covers Work on Saltwater Pools?
Solar pool covers work effectively in saltwater pools, offering more than just heat retention. They help reduce evaporation, stabilize temperature, and support better water balance over time. This guide explores how they perform and what to consider for long-term use.
Blue solar pool cover on reel beside a modern backyard swimming pool at luxury home with patio seating and landscaped yard.
Outdoor Oasis
Pool Smarts
Your Guide to Pool Evaporation: How Much Water Evaporates From a Pool? (And How to Prevent It)
Pool water loss is not always a leak. Often, it is evaporation quietly affecting your water levels, chemistry, and maintenance routine. This guide breaks down how much water your pool really loses, what is considered normal, and how to reduce evaporation with practical, effective solutions.
Close-up of clean inground pool waterline tile and stone coping with clear water in landscaped backyard pool setting.
Chemical Solutions
Hot Tub 101
How to Shock a Hot Tub
Shocking your hot tub is essential for keeping water clean, safe, and balanced. This guide covers when to shock, how to do it properly, and what to use for the best results. With a consistent approach, you can avoid common issues and enjoy a better soaking experience.
Person adding water treatment chemicals to backyard hot tub with spa maintenance products beside the tub in landscaped outdoor setting.
Outdoor Oasis
Pool Smarts
Pool Cover Storage 101: Everything you Need to Know
A solar pool cover protects your pool all season long, but its performance depends on how it is stored. In this guide, we walk through exactly how to clean, dry, roll, and store your solar pool cover to preserve heat retention and durability. With the right care, you can extend its lifespan and ensure it performs efficiently year after year.
Close-up of hands rolling a blue solar pool cover onto a pool reel, showing proper storage and handling beside a backyard swimming pool.
Outdoor Oasis
Pool Smarts
How to Clean a Solar Pool Cover
Learn how to clean a solar pool the right way with practical maintenance tips that protect performance and extend lifespan. This guide walks pool owners through safe cleaning methods, mold prevention, water chemistry considerations, and smart storage strategies to keep their solar cover working efficiently season after season.
Man rinsing a blue solar pool cover with a garden hose beside a backyard swimming pool, removing debris and preparing it for use.
Chemical Solutions
Hot Tub Maintenance
Spring Is Here: Is Your Hot Tub Ready for the Season?
Most hot tubs carry hidden wear from winter. Moisture in the cover, unbalanced water, and neglected components quietly reduce efficiency and shorten equipment lifespan. This guide breaks down the spring maintenance steps that matter and how smart seasonal care prevents costly repairs and keeps your spa performing at its best.
Backyard hot tub with insulated cover and lifter installed, showing modern spa setup and protective hot tub cover from The Cover Guy.
Outdoor Oasis
Pool Smarts
How Does a Solar Pool Cover Work & How To Install One
A solar pool cover does more than sit on the surface. It captures heat, reduces evaporation, and helps maintain a more stable, efficient pool environment. This guide explains how solar pool covers work, how to install one properly, and how consistent use can improve comfort, reduce maintenance, and extend the life of your pool.
Blue solar pool cover partially rolled across backyard swimming pool showing heat-retention cover in use.
Outdoor Oasis
Pool Smarts
What's the Difference Between a Regular Pool Cover & a Solar Pool Cover
Choosing between a regular pool cover and a solar pool cover can affect everything from water temperature to energy costs and swim season length. This guide explains the key differences, benefits, and when each option makes the most sense so you can protect your pool while maximizing comfort and efficiency. It also helps you decide which cover aligns best with your climate, usage, and long-term pool ownership goals.
Standard pool cover compared with blue solar pool cover showing difference in design and function in backyard setting
Hot Tub 101
The Cover Story
All the Hot Tub Cover Upgrades You Can Get from The Cover Guy
Most hot tub covers fail long before owners realize it. Moisture inside the foam, sagging panels, and weak insulation quietly drive up energy costs and shorten cover lifespan. This guide breaks down the upgrades that matter and how smarter designs from The Cover Guy improve efficiency, durability, and daily use.
Man adjusting and securing a fitted hot tub cover in a backyard, demonstrating proper cover installation and alignment.
Chemical Solutions
Hot Tub 101
How Poorly Fitted Hot Tub Covers Increase Energy Bills
If your hot tub costs more to run than expected, the problem may be sitting right on top. Learn how poorly fitted hot tub covers contribute to heat loss, higher energy bills, and added strain on spa equipment, and what you can do to fix it.
Insulated hot tub cover releasing steam on a cold winter evening, demonstrating heat retention and energy efficiency in a backyard setting.