[.ca] What Color is Your Swimming Pool?: A Homeowner's Guide ... (ISBN 1580173098)

A fine homeowner's guide to maintaining a trouble-free pool:
This updated third edition provides a fine homeowner's guide to maintaining a trouble-free pool, spa or hot tub. The updated edition has been completely revised and covers everything from water safety and treatment options to solar heating. Spas and hot tubs are also included in this edition, making it an excellent, practical owner's guide.

Completely Unhelpful:
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.

A Tremendous Help:
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.

Good Basic Primer:
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.