It’s estimated that there are over 10 million residential swimming pools in the U.S. Chances are, you know at least one person with a pool. Maybe their house is the “central hub” for parties and summer fun.
But, visiting someone for a pool party is different from owning a pool yourself.
If you’re considering buying a new home with a pool, there are a few important things to keep in mind. While swimming pools have plenty of benefits, they are also a lot of work. Understanding what to expect now will prevent a lot of headaches later if you end up buying the home and keeping the pool.
With that in mind, let’s cover a few things you should know.
There are Plenty of Perks
First, you probably already know that having a pool can be a lot of fun. Not only will your house likely turn into the “go-to” location for summer parties, but other perks include:
- Swimming can reduce stress and improve your well-being
- It provides a great way to exercise
- It can boost your social life
- Spending a day around the pool can improve quality time with your family
- It’s a great way to beat the heat
Obviously, if you live in a climate that doesn’t get much warm weather, a pool might end up being more work than it’s worth. But, if it’s something you think will get a lot of use, consider the benefits and how your whole family will enjoy it.
A Pool is a Continuous Investment
There are some drawbacks to this luxury item, too. You don’t want to end up regretting your purchase, so make sure you’re aware of some of the potential “cons” of pool ownership before you officially buy a home with one.
First, pools can be expensive. You have to consistently buy chemicals and treatments to keep it clean and safe to swim in, as well as extra gear for deep cleaning and getting rid of debris.
They can also take a lot of work to maintain. Not only are the chemicals required for cleaning expensive, but you have to add them quite often to keep things safe. Between checking the pH levels, skimming leaves and bugs off the surface, and closing/opening your pool during different seasons, it can take a lot of time and effort to make things perfect.
Things like smart technology can help. There are tools you can use to check your pool’s temperature and alkaline levels right from your phone. Smart tech also makes it easier to schedule regular maintenance that will keep your pool safe. So, while certain aspects of pool ownership are easier than they used to be, you should still be prepared to put in a fair amount of work to keep it properly maintained.
How to Keep Your Family Safe
If you’re willing to put in the work to keep your pool clean and well-maintained, you’re going to want to use it as often as possible. If you have kids, it might feel impossible to keep them out of it!
While swimming pools are meant for family fun, everyone should know the basic safety rules before getting into the water. Drowning is “the leading cause of death in children 1 to 4 years old,” according to Parents Magazine. Teaching your children to swim and setting ground rules can make a big difference. Some of those rules should include:
- Walk, never run by the pool
- Only go in with adult supervision
- Always swim with someone else
- Never push others into the pool
It’s also a good idea to take some extra precautions, like installing a gate around the pool that either has a lock or security code. Using a home security system with a camera on the pool will always give you a “seeing eye” to make sure your kids are abiding by the rules, so you can be aware of an emergency quickly if it ever happens.
Like any other luxury home feature, there are pros and cons to owning a pool. The best thing you can do is educate yourself and be well informed, so you can feel confident in your decision to keep the pool or not.
Photo by Raphaël Biscaldi on Unsplash
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