How to Measure for a Hot Tub Cover

By Jason Dodge

How to Measure for a Hot Tub Cover When it’s time for a new or replacement hot tub cover, proper measurements are essential. A cover that fits will retain heat and last longer. An ill-fitting cover won’t, pardon the pun, measure up. Not sure if you need a new spa cover? Check out our post…

Checklist: 6 Steps for Hot Tub Maintenance

By Jason Dodge

Checklist: 6 Steps for Hot Tub Maintenance   Ahhhh, hot tubs. Whether you’re just thinking about buying one or are already proud owners, there’s something about the idea of a hot soak in a relaxing tub that appeals to just about everyone.  And what’s not to like about the idea of slipping into a soothing…

Hot Tub Start Up & Maintenance Chemicals

By Zagers

The outdoor temperature is dropping, snowflakes are starting to fly, so now is a great time to invest in a new hot tub. But before you can take your first soak, make sure you’ve properly prepared the water with the right chemicals. The Simple Spa Program and SpaGuide products, available at Zagers, offer everything you…

Pool Heater Types, Plus Pros and Cons of Each One

By Jason Dodge

Today we’re going to talk about the pros and cons of the three main types of pool heaters — gas heater, heat pump, and solar heater. Gas Pool Heaters Here at Zagers, we recommend Pentair Mastertemp Heaters, because they’re extremely easy to install and use. You just attach the gas line to one side, attach…

Cover Pump: When You Need It & Recommended Types

By Jason Dodge

Before we talk about using a cover pump to take water off, let’s talk about leaving water on. You want to make sure you always keep at least six to eight inches of water on your pool cover throughout the winter. When the wind inevitably gets in there, the water helps hold the cover down…

How to Winterize Your Heat Pump

By Jason Dodge

Today, we’re going to talk about the simple but important task of winterizing your heat pump. First, turn off the control panel. If anything on the control panel is lit up, it’s still on, so make sure you turn it off before proceeding. For above ground pools, disconnect the unions. Depending on the model, the…

Essential Products for Closing Your Above-Ground Pool

By Zagers

Every year in Michigan comes the sad time when you need to close your pool. To make this easier on yourself, get familiar with the essential products first so you have everything ready to go when it’s time to get that cover on. What Chemicals Do I Need to Close a Pool? At Zagers, we…

How to Close an Above-Ground Pool

By Zagers

Unfortunately, all good seasons have to come to an end, which means it’s time to close your pool for the year. That’s the bad news. The good news is that if you close your above ground pool properly, opening it next spring will be easier, so you can cannonball as soon as the weather allows.…

Everything to Know About Pool Shocking

By Jason Dodge

When you own a pool, sanitizing and shocking it are part of the deal. Here at Zagers, we get lots of questions about both: how shocking and sanitizing are similar/different, when to do either, what products to use… the list goes on and on.  To help, we’ve put together this post to answer the most…