It’s summer in south Alabama. That means it’s warm and humid. You might say it’s blistering, broiling, baking and scorching.

And did anyone say hot?

The cure for summertime heat can be a refreshing dip in a crystal clear pool. And with gas prices going up, up, up, it may be cheaper to vacation at home than get out on the road.

However, keeping that pool clean can be a real chore. You can hire someone to clean it, but who has that kind of money?

It does not need to be such a chore. Nor do you have to spend a lot to keep a pool looking and swimming good. It just takes a regular schedule and some attention to detail, says several swimming pool experts. All says that you should talk to several builders, and consider their experience and reputation before the first back hoe pulls into your yard.

The first decisions one has to make, says Diane Kaiser, owner of Kaiser Pools in Silverhill, is where you are going to put the pool and how you are going to build it.

All the systems available today have advantages and disadvantages. The trick is matching the pool you want to the lifestyle you have.

“There are a million options, but each town has its rules and restrictions,” said Kaiser.

Finding a pool company with the experience to navigate local rules is key, says Kaiser. Quality counts for a lot as well.

“A lot of the construction (of a pool) is underground,” explained Kevin Kaiser of Kaiser pools. “You can have a problem and not know it, or find out you have a problem, and the fix is very expensive. Pools are more complicated to build than the average home.”

Trusting your pool company is important, Diane Kaiser says.

“If something is going to happen, we take care of it and will continue to take care of it. If it involves a pool, we’ve seen it, done it, and touched it.”

“People have to realize that they need to get a pool that suits their needs,” said Lori Chavers of Practical Pools in Silverhill. “The kids may be little now, but they are going to grow up and want to have parties. The pool has to be ready for that. You also want to check out the different types of sanitary systems.”

Chavers also added that people should expect “their power bills to go up” while operating a pool filter/pump the 14 to 15 hours a day needed to keep a pool clean in the summer. During the winter, when the pool isn’t being used as much, the filter can run as few as three hours per day. It will take each homeowner some experimenting to find the best amount of time based on a pool’s use and how much sun it gets.

No matter what type of pool and what type of equipment you buy for it or have installed, the pool is going to require some maintenance.

“I tell people to walk out and take a look at it every day,” says Chavers.

One thing pool owners can do is brush down the walls of the pool to remove algae and other undesirable things just before “shocking” or super-cholorinating the system, Chavers added.

“People have to think of the type of filter they will use,” said Chavers. “Sand is the least expensive, and does a good job, but diatomaceous earth really filters the water. It takes out smaller particles.”

Diatomaceous earth is made up of the fossilized remains of a type of algae. It is prized as a filter medium, and is used in hydroponic gardens and as an industrial filtering medium. Because of its many uses, it is expensive.

In addition to the filter, it is necessary to sanitize the water through chemical means.

“There is no reason why your pool shouldn’t be beautiful all the time,” said Diane Kaiser.

Some of the popular options available today to keep pools clean are the traditional chlorine in tablet or granular form or “salt” systems. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

“You do save some money on chemicals (with a salt system) said Tony Novak, a Kaiser Pools manager.

“We just turned the Thomas Hospital Wellness Center pool over to salt,” said Diane Kaiser, adding that it is possible to convert chlorine pools to salt.

“It feels very soft on the skin,” said Diane Kaiser. "Because the water has more minerals, the water has a softer feel.”

According to Chavers, a chlorine system is inexpensive up front, “but the chemicals are expensive.” A salt system is “expensive up front, but you are not handling harsh chemicals, and you don’t have to add chemicals as often.”

“Salt cells have come a long way,” said Novak.

While salt is used in the system, all say the water in the pool does not get salty. Instead, the salt is broken to sodium and chloride. The chloride, a close cousin to chlorine, travels through the pool, disinfecting it, and then is reconstituted into salt in the system. It is not necessary for the pool owner to handle harsh chemicals.

“I am told (the salt system) does not bleach swimsuits or turn hair green,” said Chavers.

No matter what system is used, it is important to add pool chemicals carefully, according to package directions, and to use the same type of chlorine throughout the system. All urged new pool owners to attend ”pool school,” hands-on instruction on caring for pools, offered by most pool installers.

When considering a pool, Both Kaiser Pools and Practical Pools recommends contacting your insurance agent.

“Some homeowners insurance require a fence around the pool, at least 42 inches high,” said Chavers. “In Foley, the code says there has to be alarms on the back doors. If you have little kids in the house, it lets you know if the back doors have been opened.”

“You also have to figure on re-landscaping your yard,” added Chavers.

But while there are things to learn, and there is the matter of setting a yard back in order, with a little care, a pool can bring years of pleasure.

“It is so nice to come home and just jump in the pool,” said Diane Kaiser.