Pools & Water Features

Discover expert advice on pool renovations, backyard waterfalls, hot tubs, and water features. Compare materials, equipment, and design styles for your yard

A textured roller applying light sand-colored acrylic coating to a clean concrete pool deck beside blue water

ExteriorPools & Pool Decks10 min read

Resurface a Concrete Pool Deck With Cool-Deck Coating

A step-by-step guide to renewing a worn concrete pool deck: pressure washing, crack repair, acrylic cool-deck coating, and a barefoot-friendly texture.

A compacted gravel pad framed with timber sitting level in a backyard corner, tamper and level resting on it

ExteriorHot Tubs & Spas9 min read

Prep a Hot Tub Pad That Can Carry Three Tons

A step-by-step guide to building a hot tub base: doing the weight math, gravel versus concrete, leveling, and where the GFCI disconnect must go.

A black EPDM rubber liner draped into a freshly dug pond with tiered shelves, stones stacked for a small waterfall

ExteriorPonds & Fountains12 min read

Dig and Line a Backyard Pond With a Small Waterfall

A step-by-step guide to building a lined garden pond: digging plant shelves, underlayment and EPDM liner, sizing the pump, and stacking a spillway.