Landscaping Around Your Pool

Pool landscaping can update your backyard instantly! When thinking of changes or new ideas, consider the following tips:

- River rock/decorative stone makes a great alternative to mulch - on windy days, there is no worry of mulch or dirt blowing into your pool.

- While designing your pool and deck layout, allow enough space on every side of pool for someone to walk comfortably or space for cleaning.

- Overhanging trees can be a pools worst nightmare. Always try to keep your trees trimmed back away from pool. Throughout the season, leaves will fall into your water causing additional cleanings.

- Fertilizers alter pool chemicals and can permanently stain your surface. These fertilizers add phosphates to your pool water which feed algae.

- If you plan on adding large planters, make sure to keep them a good distance from the pool. If you insist on keeping them close to the pool perimeter, make sure to leave enough deck space for someone to work and walk around. Also be cautious about which plants you choose.

- Avoid planting on top of your pool equipment, maintain easy access for yearly maintenance.

Liquid Solar Cover

Keep your pool water warm throughout the summer! 

The THERMA SWIM LIQUID SOLAR COVER:

-- Reduces heat loss
-- Easy to use
-- Environmentally safe
-- Does not affect operation of pool cleaners
-- Less expensive than a solar cover

Just pour the entire contents of the bottle into your pool (one bottle to treat above-ground pool and two bottles to treat in-ground pools) each month.

Retain your heat collected throughout the day and cut down on evaporation for an overall warmer pool!

Plus it comes in a super cute dolphin shaped bottle! Stop into our showroom to pick up a bottle.

Pool Chemical Storage

There are a few things to remember when storing your chemicals:

- Store pool chemicals away from a heat source, electric source or an area prone to flooding.
- Make sure you have a lock on your cabinet or shed. This helps prevent children or animals from getting into your stock.
- Remember to seal lids tightly after use.

Target Storage Shed

Frontgate Storage Chest

Lowe's Storage Cabinet 

Impress Your Mom this Sunday

Mother's Day is this weekend, if you have waited til the last minute - you are in luck! We have a few good gift ideas for your mom.

1. Swimline Softskin Floating Mat: A luxurious vinyl coated mattress, soft- floating foam made with high quality components. This mat also rolls up for super easy storage!

2. Hibiscus Spa: If you are looking for the gift that keeps on giving, think about a spa. Our hydrotherapy line offers relaxation, wellness and a better sleep. We offer several colors and models.

3. Polaris 9350: This cleaner cleans all pool surface types and scrubs the floor, steps, walls, and tile line with a pleated scrubbing brush in as little as 1.5 hours. Take a look at the product specs here.

Port-O-Pong Giveaway

We are excited to kick off the summer with a giveaway! Now until May 2nd you can enter to win a Port-O-Pong ($40 value) from Pools Unlimited! Just fill out this simple form and you will be entered! We will be drawing a winner Friday, May 2nd.

This is the perfect float for parties and pool gatherings, we have even seen these used a tailgates!

ENTER HERE

via

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION SALE

Join us for our annual sale! 20% OFF ALL CHEMICALS!

Friday, April 4th - 9am to 7pm

Saturday, April 5th - 9am to 6pm

Sunday, April 6th - 11am to 4pm

Stop in and check out all of our new products and stock up on all your summer chemicals. Bring your cleaner in for a seasonal tune up anytime.

This SATURDAY only, we are offering FREE LABOR on all Polaris cleaner tune ups.

Trade in your old cleaner for $$ off a new one!

STAND OUT! UPGRADE YOUR BACKYARD

Getting away and traveling may not be the easiest thing to do so why not create a backyard getaway for you and your family! We have come across a lot of unique ways to make your yard stand out from your neighbors. #standout

GLOWING FLOWERS! Buy a flower pot that you really like, use Rust-Oleum's glow-in-the-dark paint and apply to the pot, during the day the paint will absorb the sun light and at night the pots will glow to really make your flowers pop!

WALKING PATH! Most yards have a path around the pool or pond...how about floating steps across your water. You can make them decorative or functional and also add another seat for dipping your feet in.

PERGOLA! These come in fiberglass or wood and add a romantic element to your deck or patio. You can decorate with lights, shades or lanterns to customize to your style. Pergolas are also a great item to place around your spa, it provides privacy and gives your tub its own space.

FIRE PITS! Weather you are looking for a real burning fire pit or electronic, you can add a lot to your deck or patio with one.These fire pit tables are awesome for a little warmth and luxurious style.

Prep For Game Day - Super Bowl Favorites

The countdown is on for the Super Bowl XLVIII! Which team are you cheering for?

Since our pools are closed up for the winter, most of our Super Bowl parties will be indoors. Let us help you make the perfect food for your party, check out these great ideas from the Food Network!

CREATE A SNACKADIUM!

Try a SPICY POP PULLED PORK crockpot recipe with SODA

Ingredients

2 onions, peeled and quartered

1 whole pork butt ( pork shoulder roast)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

One 11-ounce can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

2 cans pop (I use Dr Pepper)

4 packed tablespoons brown sugar

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

2. Start by placing the onion quarters in the bottom of a pot. Sprinkle the pork with salt and pepper, and then place on top of the onions. Pour the chipotle peppers over the top, and then crack open the cans of pop and pour them over the whole thing. Add the brown sugar to the liquid and stir.

3. Cover the pot, put in the oven and cook for at least 6 hours, flipping the roast 2 or 3 times during the cooking process. When it's done, the pork will be dark and weird and wonderful. It'll also be fork-tender. That's when you know it's done.

4. Remove the meat from the pot and shred completely. Then return the meat to the pot and keep in the juice until you need it. Divine!

via Food Network

BEER SANGRIA

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups white grape juice
1 cup vodka
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
1 crisp red apple, quartered, cored and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 orange, quartered and sliced
Five 12-ounce bottles wheat beer, well chilled

Directions
1. Combine the grape juice, vodka, grapes, apples and oranges in a pitcher. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 8 for the flavors to infuse.

2. Fill wine glasses halfway with the grape juice mixture and some fruit. Fill the rest of the glass with beer.

via Food Network

We hope you enjoy these ideas! Good luck to both teams this weekend!

Prevent Pool Damage This Winter

The weather forecast is calling for SNOW - be sure to to protect your pool cover. Once the snow thaws, the cover will spring back into shape (safety covers can handle 3 feet of snow or more). You will need to keep a check on your water level. It is best to keep your water level below the skimmer. This will keep water from freezing and causing damage to the pool.

TIRED OF BABYSITTING YOUR COVER PUMP THROUGHOUT THE WINTER? IT'S NEVER BEEN EASIER THAN WITH AN AUTOMATIC COVER PUMP!

Make your holiday season a little easier with an automatic cover pump. Keeping the water off of your cover helps your cover stay cleaner and easier to maintain. An automatic cover pump senses the water level as it builds up and will turn on when needed to remove the excess water from your cover then turn off when the water has been pumped away. No more worrying about burning up your standard cover pump if you forgot to unplug it in time!

A 3-year warranty is included!

Pools Unlimited Supports PINKTOBER

Support Breast Cancer Awareness month in your own backyard! Keep a lookout for products at your local retailers donating proceeds from your purchases to breast cancer research. Join the fight!

Create your Perfect Spa Escape!

Whether your hot tub is outside, under your deck or on your patio there are many ways to jazz up the surrounding area. Store such as Michaels, Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, Pottery Barn and Pier1 have great decorating pieces to create your spa escape!

We have started putting together our in-house display, here are a few of our tips:

1. Everyone needs a towel when getting out of the spa so keeping them handy is a plus. Placing several towels in a basket or hanging them from a spa rack is the perfect solution.

2. Spruce up your steps with fun decor. Try adding a lantern, a few candles or stack reading material to grab on your way in. Creating a tranquil area around your spa will calm your mood and help you relax.

3. Liven up your outdoor escape with plants (real or fake), these help bring a freshness to your space - add pops of color or just greenery.

4. To complete your oasis, add an umbrella! You can find all types of umbrellas from stand alone to spa attachments.












We now carry Hibiscus Spas, stop by our showroom today to learn more!

Get Crafty with your Pool Noodles

Don't know what to do with those old pool noodles? We have the answer, check out these neat ideas you can create with pool noodles! via craftyblogstalker

 

Touchdown!

 

Protect your Boots

Floating Drink

Noodle Bouquet

Garland

Creative Straws

Paint Friendly

Closing Time: Loop Loc Makes it Easy

Summer is winding down, kids are heading back to school and you may want to start thinking about your pool closing. Tackling the task by yourself can be challenge and possibly cause issues when opening your pool the following season. Let us help!

We are Howard County, Maryland's premier installer for Loop Loc pool covers. Protect your family this winter with a safe and strong pool cover. Call us today to schedule your pool closing with a Loop Loc cover: 410.465.1212 or email us at info{a}poolsunlimitedmd.com

Benefits of using Loop Loc's Mesh or Ultra-Loc covers:

• Is environmentally friendly because its 100% ultra-strong polypropylene material (0% vinyl) is 100% recyclable.
• Bounces back better and drains super fast. No more ugly pockets of water and debris that is found with typical solid vinyl covers.
• Requires no pumping, scrubbing or heavy maintenance like solid waterbag covers. And it's much lighter in weight than typical solid vinyl covers, so putting it on and taking it off your pool is a snap!
• Fits any pool or spa perfectly, from a simple square to a complex installation with a custom cover.
• Blocks 100% of sunlight.
• Sold in a variety of colors to match your backyard escape. View all colors here.

We love satisfied customers! Check out a Loop Loc testimonial below: 

Entertain In Your Backyard

Your pool is great for many reasons - one being entertainment. Here are some events we love to celebrate around our pool and backyard.

Children Birthday Parties 25th/50th Anniversary Crab Feast

Bridal Showers Summer Cookout Engagement Party

Milestone Birthday Parties Family Reunion Graduation Party

Try a few of our favorite recipes for your next celebration:

1. Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
2. Peach Margaritas
3. Beer Battered Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Mango Avocado Salsa
4. Strawberry & Broccoli Orzo Pasta Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
5. Smith Island Cake
6. Key Lime Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

Feeling Creative? Try adding a burger or taco bar to your outdoor party!

Illuminate Your Pool

Planning an outdoor party this weekend? Check out a new way to light up your backyard.

What you'll need:

- Bamboo stick or dowel, 6 feet long and 1 inch in diameter
- 50-bulb string of lights
- Paper lanterns (pictured: 14 inches in diameter) Paper Lantern Store sells a variety of sizes.

How To:

1. Drive the pole deep into the ground until it's solidly anchored. Run a 50-bulb string of lights up one side of the pole and down the other, securing it with masking tape.

2. Stack paper lanterns over the stick. Secure the lanterns to each other with tape. Note: If you intend to place these fixtures by a swimming pool, it is imperative that you plug the lights into GFCI outlets and use extension cords approved for outdoor use.

3. You can find white beach balls at the dollar store to toss into your pool to add an extra design element to your backyard space.

via martha stewart

Challenge Yourself: Pool & Spa Exercises

Aquatic fitness has become a popular way to stay in shape, here are a few fun ways to get a great workout in your own pool or spa:

Aqua Zumba

The Noodle Workout

Hot Tub Yoga

20% OFF Pool and Spa Chemicals