If you want to add an at-home swimming pool to your home, then you may not be aware of some of the risks involved with the ownership of an at-home swimming pool.
You may also be unaware of some of the advantages of installing an at-home swimming pool.
I myself used to own a house in Spain and when we first got the place, with it’s own pool, I was overjoyed! Wow! Like something out of a HollyWood movie, but after a year of being a pool owner, I wish I had never set eyes on the damn thing.
Read on and find out why…..
We all have goals in life and one of mine was to own a swimming pool.
Be careful for what you wish for.
Even though my house was in a warm climate, it could only be used for 3 months of the year, unless you are Tom Daley, or a mermaid, but I’m not.
The pro’s and the cons, of having your own swimming pool.
I am sure you are impressed when you see a house on the TV or in a movie, with seemingly wealthy individuals lounging around a pool under the sun but the harsh reality is they are a safety risk (if you have kids) and are expensive and hassle to maintain, unless you are rich enough to employ a pool cleaning company.
Chlorinated pools require more monitoring and chemical storage
The chlorination of pool water is a commonly used method for disinfection.
However, this process produces some toxic compounds. These compounds are called disinfection by-products or DBPs.
Among the most commonly studied DBPs are chlorine and chloramines. Some studies have shown that these compounds cause irritation to the skin and eyes. Other studies have shown that these compounds may have an adverse effect on the respiratory system.
While the relationship between chlorination and illness has been debated, a number of epidemiological reports have linked swimming in a chlorinated pool with an increased risk of asthma.
In addition, a growing body of evidence suggests that swimming in a chlorinated pool may increase the rate of lung epithelium permeability.
Several toxicological studies have suggested that high levels of chloroform can be carcinogenic.
This is because it forms a compound known as trihalomethanes.
Trihalomethanes are a group of chemical compounds that have been identified in chlorinated pool water.
Chlorination is the best known technique for cleaning and disinfecting swimming pools. It kills germs and removes debris. But it also produces some toxic compounds, such as chloroform and chloramines.
In-ground accessories include waterfalls, fountains, jets, and bubblers
Water features are a great addition to any pool, adding ambiance and a focal point.
There are a variety of water features available, each designed for a unique landscape. The right features can create a relaxing retreat.
Waterfalls are a popular choice for pool owners, allowing water to cascade into the pool. They can be mounted on a wall or overhang and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
They can be made with real stones or faux rocks. They are an excellent addition to freeform lagoon style pools. Their appearance can also be altered, allowing the height of the waterfall to be customized.
They also help aerate the water, keeping it clean.
One of the more elaborate features is a grotto. This adds a touch of mystery and romance to the pool. It also gives the impression that the pool and spa are connected.
Spillages are another option, allowing water to overflow into the pool. These can be a fun addition to any pool, especially when you have a child.
Swimming is of course a very good form of exercise, so that is a plus point at least.
You would be unpleasantly surprised how much pool chemicals actually cost, just go to a pool supplies shop and see for yourself, they are not cheap.
Trees and shrubs affect the enjoyment of a pool
While trees and shrubs can add some beauty and privacy to your pool area, they can also cause problems.
Some plants, especially trees, have invasive root systems that can ruin your pool. Others produce debris that can clog your filters and cause other damage.
Choosing the right trees and shrubs for your pool area is an important step in a successful pool landscaping project.
The correct tree selection can enhance your backyard, while preventing a lot of maintenance time and potential problems. Plants with interesting textures can be a great addition to your pool landscaping.
When choosing trees for your pool, think about what you want your garden to look like in the spring and summer.
If you’re looking for something low maintenance, choose an evergreen. For instance, boxwood is a dense shrub that will not attract bees and will provide you with a good amount of privacy.
If you’re looking for a tree to add colour to your yard, consider a redbud. These small, fast-growing trees produce colourful flower blooms before the swimming season begins.
Owning a pool is a great addition to your home if you are a social person, and it provides a great talking point.
Plus you would be surprised how popular you become, with people wanting to come and see you, oh and of course, go swimming.
With the skimmers on at night (the jets that help recirculate the water as part of the cleaning process) and being sat there with a cool glass of wine, it can be very relaxing.
Unless you know you have to clean the pool tomorrow.
It all sounds lovely but what are the major downsides of owning your own swimming pool?
There are many downsides to having your own pool, it depends on how much you love the thing and how much use the pool gets during the year.
I have described my own experience in a hot country, but what about owning a pool in the UK? We don’t exactly have the climate for it, but many people do still have their own swimming pool at home.
Are they mad?
According to premier-propertysearch.co.uk about a quarter of a million homes in the UK have their own pool!
They either have inch think asbestos lined skin, or are people originally from Canada or something!
They can be a huge safety risk, especially with young children around, who are naturally attracted to the pool as most kids love swimming but are unaware of the risk involved.
According to the National Water Safety Forum, around 400 people per year in the UK drown, many of them, in swimming pools.
If you have kids you really should have a lockable gate and fence around the pool. Yes that may not be aesthetically pleasing, but it can save lives.
You should have a lifebelt or some other sort of life preserver by the side of the pool.
You should make sure when someone is swimming, another adult is present to supervise.
If swimming at night, the pool should be well lit, and make sure no one drunk goes into the pool.
The maintenance involved with a pool is not to be underestimated.
It takes your time and effort to keep swimming pool clean and in good condition, far more than you might think.
And the older the swimming pool is, the more maintenance and work that’s likely to be required.
For reasons of style, usability, and safety, it is very important to keep a swimming pool well maintained.
Property Investors in particular tend to avoid pools for this reason; they don’t want to rely on tenants to take care of a potentially labour intensive feature, plus the safety of the tenants is also a concern. What if a tenant drowns, will they hold you responsible in this compensation culture nowadays?
Many property investors have the pool filled in as it is too much of a liability.
Also the suitability and the safety of the water has to be thought about.
Regular checks on the quality of the water need to be done with a Ph testing kit, which tests the acidity and alkalinity of the water.
If the Ph level is not right, health concerns can appear such as ear infections, stomach upsets and so on.
See, you never knew that did you?
Also, and taking this into the perspective of owning a pool here in the UK, if you have a heated pool, it is going to cost A LOT of money to keep it heated.
Of course that depends on how much you use the pool, but with electricity costs as they are, imagine how much money it costs to run a bath full of hot or warm water?
Then multiple that by about 100.
Does a swimming pool add value to a home?
This depends on the house itself, its location and your potential purchaser.
A report by Yahoo finance pointed out that spending money on having a pool built can actually DEDUCT from your homes value.
Depending on ground conditions, location, size of the pool, it can easily cost over £60,000 to have one installed in your back garden, but don’t expect to add 60 grand to the value of your home, in fact it can possibly lose you money.
In the case of an indoor pool, it is going to be heated, there probably won’t be much light, so more lighting costs, and ventilation too, meaning that only millionaires would want to buy a home with basement swimming pool.
It is probably going to cost on average a whopping £115,000 to build your dream indoor pool, according to checkatrade.co.uk
Is it really worth it?
How much water does it take to fill a pool measuring 10 feet x 8 feet?
OMG your water meter is going to hate you, but your water supplier will love you.
To fill up an average pool would take around 2,700 gallons of water (12,242.5 litres)!
Yep 12,000 litres.
Have a look at the tariff on your water bill to work out the cost of filling a pool, it may shock you.
Also don’t think you can simply empty the pool over the winter period, unless it’s absolutely essential, for example, to fix a leak, replace tiles or repaint the pool interior.
The pressure exerted on the walls of the pool by the water is immense.
The calculation above represents about 12 TONS of water, pushing against the walls of the pool. If you remove the water, the inside walls no longer have the pressure against them and can collapse inwards.
Leaving the filters off during winter is also a no-no.
The pool will soon become filthy, even if you have a cover over it, and the water will become green and stagnant and will attract all manner of flies and bugs.
Considering the above information, do you REALLY want or need an at home swimming pool?
Unless your neighbour is Duncan Goodhew or Sharon Davies, then really, honestly and truly don’t bother.
The safety aspects, the cost, not only of having it built, but keeping it maintained will bankrupt most people, you can reduce the value of your home by having a pool, you can make your neighbours hate you, especially if you enjoy late night pool parties.
In the UK, unless you are rich and have an indoor pool, you won’t get much use out of it either.
Unless the pool is used for a large part of the year, and your family is made up primarily of dolphins or otters, your expensive pool will be sat there looking at you forlornly, a forgotten expanse of water, which you wish you have never had built.
Don’t bother having a swimming pool.
There are far better home improvements you can spend your money on.
Saying that however, if you are very wealthy, have the room to have a pool installed, and you LOVE swimming, then go for it.
I hope you learned form this article, but this is for research and discussion only, please do NOT contact us regarding swimming pools! Thank you
Alex