This spring, after canceling a family vacation, my kids' school going remote, my daughter's dance studio closing, and little league baseball being put on hold due to the pandemic, my wife and I finally decided to do something we swore we'd never do: Get an above-ground swimming pool.
Our three kids asked many, many times, but we always cited the amount of work and maintenance of a pool as a reason not to get one. But, with the kids (and us) stuck at home for an unknown amount of time, we knew we had to do something to give them an outlet, and a swimming pool seemed like the best way to make that happen.
That was until we started shopping for one. I'll spare you the details, but let's just say, over a course of two months, we camped out in Walmart parking lots, drove a 200-mile circle to check multiple locations, and had two orders canceled on delivery day.
Everyone had the same idea we did, it seemed, and if it wasn't for a family member who had an old pool they no longer used, we would probably still be shopping for a pool; or would have paid way too much.
While we were searching for a pool, I was offered a review unit of the pHin Smart Water Monitor. It's a $350 device that floats in your pool or hot tub, routinely takes water readings, and provides guidance in a mobile app. That price includes the first year of service, with each additional year of service currently priced at $99.
I used pHin, which is admittedly overkill for a $400 above-ground pool but I have to say, it took away all the intimidation and confusion about taking care of a swimming pool that