YOUR LINK TO THE LOCAL EXPERTS
The Saturday Life section connects you to practical know-how from local people who know.
When you’re carting towels, chairs and sunscreen, not to mention shelling out for membership, going to the pool isn’t always the relaxing day you’ve imagined. A backyard pool is a fun, private way to lounge around and add value to your home.
We talked to two local experts to get the lowdown on installing your own pool.
Choosing a design
Before you break ground, Chris Durbin, owner of Buckeye Pools in Dayton, said that people should first, “Try to figure out what they want to accomplish with the pool and consider their family and lifestyle.”
Backyard pools come in two basic varieties: in-ground and above ground. If ease of installation and price are your biggest concerns, you may want to consider an above ground pool. If the term “above ground pool” makes you cringe, take note: these pools have come a long way in recent years.
Rather than large, metal monoliths that dominate the yard, above ground pools can be incorporated into deck designs. Your budget and needs can help determine the size of your deck, which can be simply a perimeter around the pool or extended to accommodate chairs and even a grill.
If you prefer a little more control over the finished design or would rather not dominate the yard with a deck, an in-ground pool may be for you. “Basically, all our pools are custom,” Durbin said. “People can have a pool in whatever shape they want.”
Durbin emphasized the design aspect and endless options of in-ground pools. Those with smaller yards can enjoy “cocktail pools,” which are fairly small and those with large yards can add specialty oases like lap pools.
Top trends
Backyard pools are perennially popular, but we found some new trends that will take you beyond the blue rectangle. Considering our Midwestern climate, Durbin mentioned that a lot of people use their pool design both for swimming and as a water feature. “There are quite a few chilly days in Ohio when you can’t use the pool,” he said. “When you use it as a water feature, you can sit outside by the fire instead.”
If you do install the pool as a water feature, make sure maintenance doesn’t become an issue. “Make sure you don’t have a lot of trees around the pool, not a lot of grass or shrubs,” said Chad Potter, owner of Pool Boys in Fairborn. “A lot of people don’t think about that and it leads to a lot of problems with maintenance.”
In the past few years, saltwater pools have been one of the hottest trends in backyard luxury. “People are installing them and converting existing pools,” Durbin said. “Saltwater pools are eco-friendly.” They are also generally easier and cheaper to maintain than traditional pools.
Eco-friendly pool products in general are a top trend. Durbin recommended variable speed pumps as an energy-saving measure, as well as all LED lighting.
Maintaining your pool
“The most important thing is to check the water once per week,” Durbin said. “We really specify that people give the pool a good visual inspection.”
Pool maintenance can be an area in which going to the pool might trump owning a pool. The key is to stay on top of maintenance rather than let problems get ahead of you.
“It depends on how meticulous you are and how clean you want you pool,” Potter said. “You don’t have to spend the time, but to keep the pool crystal clear, people can expect to spend a half hour to an hour per day.” He recommended at least seven or eight hours of upkeep per week (one hour per day) as optimal care.
Installing a wind break near the pool can cut down on maintenance time. “You need something to break the wind — not right beside the pool, but 30-40 feet all around it to keep debris from blowing in,” Potter said. The less debris that enters your pool, the less time you’ll spend skimming it out.
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