Backyard Swimming Pools

Ahhh...yes...backyard swimming pools and hot tubs...does it get any better than that? Having your own little outdoor paradise right in your back yard!

I have a swimming pool and hot tub in my backyard, and I have to admit that I LOVE THEM BOTH!

Because I live in Wisconsin, I only get to use my pool about 3 months out of the year, but every summer when I’m swimming in it, I know it is worth it. When those 90 degree summer days come a calling, I’m ready to soak up the sun!

If you’re considering having a pool or a hot tub installed in your own yard, you’ll need to know all that’s involved with not only the installation piece, but the seasonal maintenance as well. I always tell people that swimming pools aren’t for everyone, only those few who really, really, really love to be in the water. If that doesn’t describe you, you’ll quickly tire of all the work involved in keeping your pool in top condition.

Don’t despair however, there are other options available to you that may work out just as well.

Sidebar: Yearly pool maintenance – in particular the opening and closing of the pool for the season – can amount to a great deal of work.

If you have the money to hire someone to complete this task for you, all the better!

Please be aware that this type of service is generally only available to the owners of inground pools. There seems to be very little demand for maintenance of above ground pools, as the owners tend to complete these tasks themselves. If you’re looking for a business idea, consider starting this type of business in your area! I tried to look for someone to hire to open and close my above ground pool, and there was no one. This is important to keep in mind when you’re adding a swimming pool to your yard.

Here’s a rough list of what’s involved in installing and maintaining backyard swimming pools:

Installation

• Purchase the pool
• Arrange to have it installed – If you purchase an above ground pool, it is likely that the company you actually purchase the pool from does not handle installation. They will likely have the name of a company that does handle installation. Discuss this with them prior to buying as the installation of the pool will be an additional fee. Installation should be part of the purchase price of an inground pool.
• Obtain a permit from your municipality for the pool installation.
• Plan how the pool will meet township regulations for safety – This often involves the installation of a child safety pool fence.
• Obtain a permit from your municipality for a fence, if you plan to install one. You will absolutely need to install a fence if you purchase an inground pool.
• Research the electrical requirements. You will need an electrical line installed for the ongoing use of the pump and filter system.
• Be aware that you may have to order other materials after purchasing your pool. I had to order a few cubic feet of sand prior to the installation, and water immediately after the completion of the pool. For above ground pools, some water must be added immediately after installation to prevent the sides from caving in. Filling the pool with a hose is possible, but only after several feet of water have been added. In Milwaukee, there is a service/company called ‘Water Man’ that delivers water for this very reason. The place where you purchased the pool should have information for you on this type of service in your area.

Maintenance

• Closing the pool – Remove ladder, remove some (above and inground pools) or all water (inground pools only), remove and clean filter, remove solar cover, add chemicals and place winter cover over pool.
• Opening the pool – Purchase a swimming pool spring start up kit and a new filter (new filter may only be necessary once every couple of years), install filter, install ladder, add water, remove winter cover, place solar cover on pool.
• Weekly maintenance – clean pool, add chemicals, clean filter.

Whew!! Are you exhausted yet? Having backyard swimming pools isn’t all fun and games, but like I said, I have never regretted my decision to purchase one.

Let’s discuss some of the options that you have regarding types of backyard swimming pools, and also some of the general equipment or items that you’ll need to care for your pool throughout the year.

Above ground pools must always come equipped with a vinyl liner because the water must be held in the pool in some fashion. Vinyl swimming pools are just one of the options available with inground swimming pools. Inground swimming pools may be made up of fiberglass, which is a pre-formed pool that is literally lowered into the ground; or concrete and tile, which can be difficult and/or costly to repair, not to mention hard on little toe-si-tos and swim suits; or vinyl. Vinyl swimming pools can last for longer than 15 years if they are maintained properly, and the replacement of such is fairly cost effective.

Backyard Swimming Pools - Fiberglass Inground Swimming Pools
Oh boy! These are the crème d’la crème of inground swimming pools! (Well, in my opinion anyways.) Fiberglass inground swimming pools aren’t the most expensive, top of the line pools that can be installed in your backyard, but I just love them! They’re smooth and seamless, they can be installed in record time compared to other inground varieties, and their surface is virtually indestructible. Not to mention the awesome inground swimming pool covers that you can purchase with one of these beauties. Learn more about why I’m dreaming about Fiberglass Inground Swimming Pools!

Backyard Swimming Pools - Kids Swimming Pool
Maybe you don’t need to go through the whole ’Ta-DA’ (as my friend would put it) when it comes to owning a pool. Maybe you need something that’s going to give you and your kids a little bit of relief on those super hot days, but not something that’s going to take a lot of time to maintain. Maybe you don’t want to have to worry about ‘winterizing’ a pool, and want to own something that’s easy to set up in the summer, and take down in the fall. Maybe you’re just looking for a kids swimming pool so your children and a couple of their friends can hang out in the summer. Maybe you secretly want one of those little pools for yourself!! (Don’t worry, I won’t tell!)

Backyard Swimming Pools - Swimming Pool Dome
These things are so cool! I don’t have one yet for my pool, and to be honest with you, I don’t know if it would work considering my placement of the child safety pool fence on my pool, but I tell you, I would LOVE it!! If you’ve never seen one of these you’ve got to check them out! See why I’m so in love with the swimming pool dome!

Backyard Swimming Pools - Swimming Pool Games
What fun would having a swimming pool be without a few good games to entertain your family and friends? When people come over to your pool, they want toys, toys, and more toys! Get some great ideas on the types of swimming pool games that you can add to your backyard repertoire!!

And if this isn't enough "fun in the sun" for you, take a look at a whole website dedicated to pool fun for everyone! (opens new window)

Backyard Swimming Pools - Swimming Pool Leaf Cover
Do you need to keep leaves out of your pool during the swimming season, or do the major issues come only during the off season? The answer to this question will determine how you deal with the leaf issues in your pool. Personally, I have leaf issues throughout the swimming season, and throughout the entire off season. If you’ve ever tried to open your pool after a long winter, you’ve undoubtedly had to deal with the large amount of water that’s sitting on your winter cover! If your pool is near a tree or two, you’ve also had to deal with leaf debris left over from the fall. A swimming pool leaf cover can make removing this debris much easier. It’s surprising how much weight can be added to winter covers just from the leaves alone!

Backyard Swimming Pools - Swimming Pool Solar Covers
If you have a pool, you will need a solar cover. You’ll need a solar cover for your pool if you have an inground or above ground pool, if you have a heater attached to your pool or not, and whether or not leaves are an issue in your yard. There are many reasons to have a solar cover, and many purposes that this item serves. There are also ways to make sure that your solar cover stays in tip top shape for many years. Some of these ways involve avoiding mistakes that I have already made with my pool (isn’t that how we learn best??) Let’s talk a little about swimming pool solar covers and the purposes they serve.

Backyard Swimming Pools - Swimming Pool Vacuums
When you purchase your swimming pool, it will undoubtedly come with one of many vacuums available today. The one that comes with the purchase of the pool is generally sufficient to do the job, however it is probably not the best performer on the market. There are a surprising large variety of swimming pool vacuums available for purchase today, many of which require a delightfully minimal amount of effort on your part to operate! The one I have in my pool can run by itself for hours...gotta love that!

Backyard Swimming Pools - Swimming Pool Closing
Oh boy...this is one of my least favorite activities...next to opening the swimming pool that is. At least when you’re opening the pool, you’re looking forward to the new season. Swimming pool closing is not only tedious, but it’s kind of a downer. Unfortunately, it is a necessary evil if you own a pool. Let’s discuss swimming pool closing in more detail.

Backyard Swimming Pools - Child Safety Pool Fence
If you have a swimming pool, you will most likely need some type of fence to ensure the safety of others. Your municipality will have rules and regulations pertaining to the type of fence, height and/or design requirements, that you will need to have installed in order to be ‘code compliant’ with the city. A child safety pool fence is not only for those families with small children, but for anyone who owns a pool. A kid to a swimming pool is like a moth to a flame! You’ve got to be sure that if there are any “opportunists” in your area, you make sure that you’ve done everything possible to keep them from getting hurt in your yard.

If you’ve managed to make your way through this page of information, and you haven’t run screaming, you may be able to add one of these delightful additions to your own backyard.

I hope that this information has been helpful to you, and that your backyard brings you lots and lots of enjoyment for many years to come!

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