What to Do with an Old Pool

When a pool is first installed, it’s a joyous occasion. Everyone is excited and can’t wait to dive in! But, as the years pass, you may find that you use your pool less and less and that you detest caring for it more and more. Or, it may develop problems that make it difficult to use, as much as you’d like to.Whatever the case may be, if you’re ready to throw in the towel on your old pool, you’ll want to weigh your options with care.    

Get Rid of It for Good  

If you’re absolutely certain that you’re done with your swimming pool, you can consider filling it in. This is a relatively quick process, but it can be costly. Typically, depending on the size of the pool and the materials used, you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars to have it filled in. But, once it’s done, it’s not something you’ll have to worry about any longer.  

Replace It 

For those who want or may want to use their pools again in the future, it may be wise to consider a replacement. In many cases, a pool can easily be replaced or repaired, though a full replacement can often be the best long-term choice.  

This is especially true if you replace your current pool with a fiberglass pool since they are long-lasting and low maintenance. While costs will vary for this type of replacement, you can expect to spend around $50,000 or more. However, you can check with pool professionals in your area to get more accurate estimates for your particular job.  

Repurpose It  

If neither of those ideas sounds good to you, you may want to get a little creative. Use your imagination to repurpose your old pool. You’d be amazed at the things people have turned pools into. From low-down patios to pretty ponds and gardens, pools have been repurposed in awesome ways. And, honestly, finding something to do with that old pool is way better than just letting it sit there!  

Ultimately, what you do with your old pool is up to you. Weigh the pros and cons of both of these options, as well as your own desires, to make the right decision.

Do Pools Increase Home Value?

 There is a lot of debate as to whether or not swimming pools increase the value of a home. In some cases, they absolutely do, while, in others, they may drive down the value and make a home less desirable. Ultimately, though, this has more to do with the type of pool installed than it does with just whether there’s a pool or not. While some pool options tend to drive down home value, others can drive it up.  

The Maintenance Factor  

When prospective buyers see that a property has a pool, some of them think, “what fun!” Others, however, think, “what work!” People in this second category see maintenance and hassle in their future, especially if the pool is crafted from a higher-maintenance material. 

Vinyl liner pools are a perfect example of a high-maintenance pool since they have liners that have to be replaced every few years. Conversely, fiberglass pools and concrete pools are lower-maintenance options.  

Thus, for those who like pools but hate maintenance and the prospect of added expenses, a fiberglass or concrete pool can be a selling point, while a vinyl pool can be a dealbreaker. These types of feelings and conceptions will undoubtedly affect home value.  

You Can’t Please Everyone . . .  

With that said, it’s easy to see that, for most people, the right, well-made pool is an asset. Of course, every person is different and will have different preferences and desires. Your pool won’t make every prospective buyer happy and could even cost you a sale or two. But, it will make the right buyer happy.  

So Please Yourself!  

If you want a pool, don’t worry too much about when you sell the home. Put in a great, quality pool, take care of it, and then, when the time comes to sell, list your home for the maximum value possible.  

At the end of the day, yes, some people might shy away from the pool or come up with lower offers on account of it. But, with a little luck, you can easily find someone who loves your pool and who thinks it’s worth a little (or a lot) extra.

So Cool to Swimming Pool

Swimming pools are not just for kids!  Without question, pools are a great hot spot for all the Mom's, and there are numerous reasons why!   

There is nothing quite as refreshing as lounging by a pool on a hot summer day, and the only way it could be better is if you have your own.  Moms are typically the ones responsible for preparing and packing up all the supplies needed for a day at the community pool—snacks, towels, goggles, water wings, noodles, and the kitchen sink.  Let's face it, packing up all that stuff, inevitably forgetting some critical item (can you say sunscreen) is brutal.  Avoiding all that hassle and just walking out your back door, forgoing a drive, to your water wonderland is merely fantastic!

Another reason moms love a swimming pool is it encourages the kids to assemble at home.  Your home becomes the hang-out spot, and you can keep a watchful eye on all the activity.  Helps keep every person safe and out of trouble.  This alone allows one and all to relax, and while the kids play, the moms can gather poolside for a stay-at-home GNO.  Besides all that, it's an excellent activity that encourages family time away from all the technology and distractions.  Whether you're soaking up the sun or doing a few water exercises, the backyard pool promotes health and wellness for all!  Finally, having a built-in party venue is the cherry on top of the sundae, as throwing a pool party is a great way to ensure a grand celebration for all!

Your initial desire for a swimming pool was motivated with the kids in mind.  Little did you know that you’d end up loving it more than they do!

Don't Make These Common Pool Mistakes

So, you want to add a swimming pool to your property. A pool can be a wonderful addition, providing, of course, that you go about it correctly.  

Do it wrong or make a major “pool mistake,” though, and you could find yourself faced with a lot more debt and many more problems than you bargained for.

To help you avoid these types of costly, frustrating errors, do your best to identify and avoid these common pool mistakes.

Going Too Cheap

Imagine this. You see a gorgeous pool on a television ad or in a magazine. It has a high pricetag.

You flip the channel or the magazine page and then you see the same or a similar pool but for a much lower price.

The answer probably seems pretty clear: go for the lower price. But, in reality, that lower price is often lower for a reason, such as inexperienced contractors or lower quality materials.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t shop around for a great bargain, but you should not just jump at the lowest price you can find without doing your research. Often if the price is too low or seems to good to be true, there’s a real and dire reason behind it.

The Wrong Deck

Even if you get your pool purchase right, you still have to be careful about additions to your pool.

For example, you really need to choose the right deck. An aluminum deck is a commonly-pushed option, but it tends to not be a great, durable choice for above-ground pools due to the splash and rusting potential.

In fact, any deck can be a wrong choice if you don’t think about your needs, your budget, your pool type, and other factors when you make your decision.

These are just a few of many potential “pool mistakes” you could make if you’re not careful. For best results, choose a qualified pool installation company that will be honest and real with you every step of the way and that will help you to make decisions that are truly in your best interest, not just in the best interest of the company’s wallet.

What's Causing the Spike in Swimming Pool Sales?

In recent months, there’s been a spike in the sale of swimming pools all around the United States. This sales spike has left many people wondering exactly what’s causing the increased purchases. Some speculate that it’s the impact of global warming, while others reason that it’s just due to the fact that it’s summertime. Some even reason that it’s a little bit of both.   

Many believe that global warming is responsible for summers that feel hotter than ever. And, of course, hot summers could easily lead to more pool sales, which is how the people in the “both” camp explain their theory. Others, though, don’t believe in global warming or don’t consider it a problem, so they just chalk the pool sales up to the hot temperatures.

At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter what’s causing the spike in sales. What matters is that more people are buying pools. This also translates to more people buying pool supplies, so much so that some suppliers have actually run out of supply stock periodically throughout the summer.

It’s also important to note that the increased sales trend doesn’t apply to all areas of the pool market. Above-ground pools are not selling nearly as well as their in-ground counterparts, which shows that more people want the luxury and sophistication of an in-ground pool. However, that’s good news for people who would like to get a great deal on an in-ground pool since sales slumps in this area have led to greatly reduced prices all around the country.

If you already have a pool, then just make sure your supplier stays fully stocked with pool supplies and maybe do some stocking up yourself. And, if you don’t have a pool, consider jumping on the bandwagon and having one installed. Whether it’s global warming or something else entirely that’s causing these hot summers, there’s no better way to beat the heat than with a dip in your very own pool!