You can place a pool alarm on the surface of the water or mounter underwater with motion detectors. Alarms placed on the surface will alert you if it detects wave movement. If mounted below the surface, known as "sub-surface,” the alarm detects changes in water pressure.

While salt water pools are slightly more expensive to install and run, they offer a better experience with less irritation to the skin, eyes, and even hair. Salt water is also less harsh on swimsuits and pool accessories. As a result, some homeowners feel the extra expense is worth it.

No, shock and chlorine are not the same thing, though they are related and both are used for pool maintenance. Regular chlorine, often in the form of tablets, is a sanitizer used for routine, day-to-day maintenance to keep a steady chlorine level. Pool shock, however, is a highly concentrated dose of chlorine used periodically for a more intense cleaning. It rapidly raises chlorine levels to fix issues like cloudy water or algae growth and also eliminates chloramines, which are byproducts of regular chlorination. Because their purposes and concentrations differ, they are not interchangeable, and proper pool care typically requires using both.

Yes, it’s possible to DIY a plunge pool and shave labor costs off of the project total. If you’re considering a DIY build, keep in mind that you will be responsible for pool installation and landscaping (which may require excavation). This type of DIY project is best left to particularly handy homeowners who have prior pool installation experience.