Swimming Pool
A swimming pool can be a refreshing and relaxing addition to any backyard, bringing additional excitement to outdoor gatherings, encouraging exercise, and adding visual appeal to the landscape. There are several different types of swimming pools to accommodate varying household budgets - and maintenance is not as costly or time consuming as you may think!
Almost every homeowner that lives in a warmer climate or experiences hot summers would like to have a swimming pool to enjoy in their backyard. Many homeowners delay adding a swimming pool to their backyards for fear of the initial financial investment and the time and money that will need to be allocated towards maintenance and swimming pool supplies. Fear not - there are swimming pools that are affordable and require minimal amounts of both chemicals and maintenance.
The type of swimming pool you purchase depends largely on how much money you have to initially invest in your new swimming pool. An above ground swimming pool can usually be assembled relatively easily by a few members of the do-it-yourself crowd and is the least expensive type of swimming pool, with the exception of some inflatable swimming pools or plastic kiddie pools. An in-ground swimming pool is a more permanent addition to your property than an above ground swimming pool and allows for greater depth to accommodate slides and diving. An indoor swimming pool offers the optimum amount of usage and can be enjoyed year round by those who swim frequently for sport, for exercise or physical therapy, or simply for pure enjoyment.
Although both an in-ground swimming pool and an indoor swimming pool will require more of an initial financial investment than an above ground swimming pool, there are many reasonably affordable models from which to choose.
An above ground swimming pool can provide more than enough enjoyment for just about anyone when temperatures soar past 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The most affordable type of swimming pool, an above ground swimming pool, is available in many sizes and colors. Typically, a professional pool builder is not required to set up and install an above ground swimming pool, and this is a cost savings to the purchaser. In exchange for the cost savings, the purchaser will need a few handy people to assemble the pool and lots of water to fill it.
An above ground swimming pool will come with the instructions required to assemble and maintain the pool. Basically, you will need to prepare a level area in your yard with access to electricity upon which to set your swimming pool, securely position the walls, install the liner, attach the frame and any decorative trim, install the filter, and add water. The supplies you'll need to maintain crystal clear water include a water test kit, chlorine, algaecide, shock treatment, and chemicals to increase and decrease the ph as necessary.
Once your above ground swimming pool is assembled, you can enjoy floating on a lounge chair, swimming laps, and practicing handstands. An oval or round above ground pool is great for getting everyone together to lap the perimeter to make a whirlpool. An attached deck and a water heater can be added in the future to increase the enjoyment of your above ground pool.
Installing an in-ground swimming pool in your backyard requires the expertise of a professional pool builder, which is typically included in the price of the swimming pool. Definitely more time consuming to install than an above ground swimming pool and more expensive to initially purchase, an in-ground swimming pool is also a more permanent and attractive addition to your property, and therefore increases the overall value of your home. An in-ground swimming pool is typically larger than an above ground swimming pool, with varying depths to accommodate different ages and types of swimmers.
There are many advantages and perks to owning an in-ground pool. An in-ground pool is generally surrounded by a deck of wood, stone, or concrete, making entertaining poolside very convenient and visually appealing. The increased length of an in-ground swimming pool typically makes it more conducive to swimming laps than an above ground swimming pool. In addition, an in-ground pool generally has a "low end," where the water level is approximately 3 to 4 feet deep, and a "deep end," where the bottom of the swimming pool gradually slopes downward to a depth of 8 feet or more. The low end of the swimming pool is excellent for water games and teaching young children to swim until they are experienced enough to swim in deeper water. A diving board and slide can be added to the deep end of the pool to increase the fun for experienced thrill seeking swimmers.
An indoor swimming pool provides the opportunity for ultimate year round swimming enjoyment. Swimming for exercise and aquatic physical therapy can be done conveniently in both warmer and colder seasons. "Counter-Current" indoor swimming pools are specifically designed to accommodate those who are involved in a regular routine of water exercise or physical therapy and are relatively small and immensely effective.
There are many things to consider when deciding upon the placement of an indoor swimming pool in your home. Many homeowners choose to install their indoor swimming pool in an existing area of their home, such as a garage or basement, while others build a new addition to their home to accommodate the pool. A professional pool builder will need to perform the installation of an indoor pool and will be familiar with the necessary regulations and rules for safe construction of an indoor pool. If you do decide upon an existing area of your home as the site for an indoor swimming pool, the basic site requirements include an appropriately sized area to accommodate the size and shape pool you desire, as well as a level floor area capable of supporting approximately 200 lbs per square foot. Installing an indoor swimming pool in an existing space provides a cost savings to the owner and makes excellent use of already available space. Deciding upon adding on to your home to accommodate an indoor pool allows for limitless design options, if your budget permits.
Regardless of the type of swimming pool you decide to add to your home, you will need some accessories. Chemicals to keep the water clear and safe for swimming are required supplies, while covers, heaters, and flotation devices are optional accessories that increase the pleasure of using your swimming pool.
There are several different types of swimming pool covers. A solar pool cover, also commonly referred to as a solar blanket, is the least expensive type of pool cover and suitable for any type of outdoor pool. Similar in appearance to the bubble wrap used to protect and package a variety of items, a solar swimming pool cover helps absorb the heat from the sun to warm the water and keeps the warm water temperature from escaping into the colder night air. A winter swimming pool cover makes opening your pool in the spring or summer much easier, as it will work all winter to prevent debris and dirt from entering the water during the winter. A winter pool cover can also prevent small animals from falling in and getting injured, as small animals tend to use an uncovered swimming pool as a convenient watering hole. A leaf cover, or leaf net, is placed on top of your winter cover before the autumn leaves fall. This can be easily removed before the first freeze to decrease the amount of effort required to remove your winter cover, which will be easier to remove without being covered in heavy water saturated leaves.
The amount of chemicals you will need to add to your swimming pool to keep the water clear, comfortable, and safe for swimming varies depending upon the type and size of your pool. However, two of the most basic chemicals required are chlorine and algaecide, both of which are readily available from swimming pool dealers as well as at many department stores.
Chlorine is generally available in sticks, tablets, and granular form. The different types of chlorine are designed to accommodate different types of distribution of the chemical into your swimming pool water. Chlorine sanitizes the water in your swimming pool and works to control bacteria and viruses, keeping your pool water safe and healthy for swimming. Using an algaecide as part of your regular swimming pool maintenance routine will work to prevent the growth of various types of algae that can settle and grow in your swimming pool water and cause it to become green or yellow and also prevent a darker, blackish blue colored alga from growing on pool surfaces. Algae are much easier to prevent than they are to remove and regular use of an algaecide and proper filtration will help prevent algae growth in your swimming pool.
There are additional and specialty chemicals that may be required from time to time to help maintain your swimming pool time in the event that the pool water gets cloudy or you would like to use an additive that coagulates dirt and debris to make vacuuming the pool easier.
Entertaining poolside at your home can be relaxing and rewarding for both hosts and guests. A swimming pool automatically encourages water play and provides a cool refuge from other outdoor sporting activities that are often enjoyed during the warmer months. Water play activities vary by age group, with youngsters often enjoying somersaults, handstands, and imaginary water world play. Teens and adults often enjoy swimming races, water volleyball, and water basketball. Both young and old enjoy the option to just drift on a floatation device and soak up the sun, while others enjoy the more physically challenging aspects of the swimming pool.
When you invite others to your home to share your swimming pool, you should be clear about safety rules and adherence to them. Younger children tend to get especially excited, and running on a concrete or wooden deck can be dangerous. Older children may tend to roughhouse in the water, which can be equally dangerous. While you want to encourage fun, you also want to make sure none of your guests get hurt.
Swimming tends to make many people hungry, and using a grill to prepare burgers, hot dogs, chicken, or steaks outside to serve with either store bought or home made salads makes for an easy, tasty, and satisfying meal. Using paper plates, cups, and disposable silverware makes serving and cleanup a breeze, so the host and hostess can relax and enjoy the festivities too!
For many working people, the sights and sounds of the beach or a lake incite feelings of longing for rest and relaxation. Although an oceanfront site may look inviting, many people find it hard to afford such a luxury, and even more find it difficult to arrange for time off from work to enjoy a real waterside vacation. However, those who have a swimming pool in the backyard have found that waterside rest and relaxation that rejuvenates the mind and spirit can be an almost daily experience!
A swimming pool cools the body on a hot day, provides an aquatic, serene area in which to float and enjoy the sunshine - or moonlight - and encourages a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Children may not view the swimming pool as such a tranquil environment, but even if you have children, you can designate "adult only" swim time, so you, a friend, or partner if you choose, can enjoy the rest and relaxation you deserve.
Surrounding your swimming pool in a tropically designed motif can set the stage for your short in duration, but always available R&R vacation at home. Subtle, romantic outdoor lighting, fountains, and floating lounge chairs with drink holders can ease you out of the workday and into a peaceful evening.
Aquatic exercise and physical therapy are very popular and effective for those who are trying to get in or stay in good physical shape, as well as for those who are recovering from an illness or injury and require physical therapy to improve and increase their range of motion.
The benefits of exercise have been well documented. In addition to weight management and overall health benefits, exercise has been proven to improve sleep habits, decrease depression, and provide relief from afflictions such as arthritis and back pain. It is much easier to maintain an exercise routine if the type of exercise you choose is fun and easy, like swimming. Because the swimming pool water actually helps your body participate in the exercise, swimming is much easier than many traditional forms or exercise. Swimming and aquatic exercises can also be easily practiced alone or with others, making your exercise routine either a welcome solitary retreat or a healthy friendly gathering.
Very little equipment, other than a swimming pool, is necessary for you to enjoy the health benefits associated with swimming. However, there are some specially made devices that can increase the benefits associated with exercising in the water. Swimming pool exercise equipment includes specifically designed water shoes, gloves, weights, and belts. All these optional exercise devices work to increase the amount of physical benefits received from exercising in a swimming pool without increasing the strain on your body.