An in-ground pool is a permanent installation that may increase the overall value of your home – especially if you live somewhere with predominately warmer weather. As a bonus, it adds a water element to the landscaping of your home which creates a gorgeous view for you to enjoy from the patio or deck. While an in-ground pool offers both entertainment and a medium for exercise, there are several things to consider before breaking ground on your new permanent installation.
The Design
The design of your in-ground pools involves several different factors including the size, shape, depth, color, and material. You have to make decisions such as whether you want poured concrete, gunite, fiberglass, or vinyl-lined. You even have the option of additional features such as a waterfall, diving board, or tanning edges. Obviously, the more detailed the overall design is – and the more additional features you want – the more expensive the in-ground pool will be to install. So, making these choices is a balancing act between what you want and what you can afford.
The Security
Outside of installing the typical fence and gate, most don’t even think about the benefit of installing a home protection or security system. An in-ground pool is a truly incredible and relaxing addition to any home. It, however, can also be an extremely dangerous one. This is especially true if you happen to have neighbors with small children who are curious and might sneak in at night. Search the term “attractive nuisance.”
In addition to exploring different types of fencing options for pools, installing a home security system with infrared motion sensors is also a great idea. The motion sensors will alert you any time someone is approaching – or getting into – the pool. This kind of security system could be the difference between saving a small animal – or even a child – who sneaks into the pool without knowing how to swim.
The Water
The water of an in-ground pool (or any pool for that matter) needs to be properly circulated to keep the water clean and healthy. A pool circulation system is made up of a filter, pump, and sanitation system. During the circulation process, the pool water gets forced through the drain of the pool into a skimmer. Then, the water passes through the filter before being treated in the sanitation system. One of the bigger choices to make with the pool’s circulation system is what type of filter you want to use.
The Timing
While it also isn’t something most give a lot of thought to, when you build your in-ground pool matters. The fall and winter months are not ideal for designing and building pools, but contractors don’t close down during these months. In fact, they usually offer promotions and lower their prices as summer and spring are the months during which everyone wants to build a build in their backyard. So, you can really save some money by waiting till winter or fall. If you have your heart set on an intricate design or want a lot of additional features, building during the slow seasons in the pool industry makes sense for your budget.
Preparation is a vital step any time permanent installations are being added to your home. By knowing what to consider and how to prepare, building and installing your new in-ground pool should be a (mostly) headache and stress-free task.