Swimming Pool Designs for Maximum Fun and Enjoyment

www.widemanpools.com

2565 US Hwy 67

Festus, MO  63028

636-931-POOL (7665)

Swimming Pool Designs for Maximum Fun and Enjoyment

By Jerry Westly

 

 

The first thing you need to consider when designing your pool is its intended use. Do you want to swim laps, do physical therapy, exercise, entertain guests, let the kids have some fun, or impress your neighbors? After all, you want to get a pool for a reason or a multitude of reasons to enhance your life. A pool's intended use has arguably the greatest impact on the way it should be designed, and therefore, the needs and wants your swimming pool is intended to fulfill should be identified very early in the design process. It is also useful to recognize the pool's primary functions to help you narrow down your design choices. In the following sections we'll go over some of the most popular benefits people get from owning a pool, and how these impact the swimming pool's design.

Fun and Leisure:

The most frequent motive for obtaining a swimming pool is for family fun and leisure. A backyard pool is a great place to cool off during the summer, have fun with the kids and throw some inflatable toys around. If this is your only reason for wanting a pool, then the simplest, least expensive swimming pool designs will suffice. If your budget is large, then you may want to invest in some luxury, but otherwise an above-ground pool or a shallow in-ground pool would be enough to meet your needs. A pool that's at a constant depth of 4 feet is sufficiently deep to splash around and swim the occasional lap in, but also shallow enough to provide safety for the whole family.

Exercise:

If you want to use your pool for some serious exercise, then the dimensions of your pool require more critical consideration. For lap swimming, a pool at least 25 feet long and 3.5 feet deep is recommended, with typical lengths ranging form 25 to 40 feet. There are also dedicated lap pools that are relatively very narrow, and therefore fit in constrained spaces. Water aerobics require some more depth to avoid touching bottom. Typically a section of the pool that's 5 to 6 feet deep is enough for this purpose.

Another option for swimmers is the swim spa, which is a small pool, usually no more than about 12 feet in length that can generate a strong current to swim against. One can then swim against the current while remaining in place. Their small size also makes the installation of indoor swim spas a very viable option in many cases.

Parties and Entertaining Guests:

If pool parties are in your future you may have a few other design issues to think about. These largely involve the landscaping and design of the area surrounding the pool. You may want to surround the pool with a patio or a deck, add a pool house, a gazebo, an outdoor bar, furniture, etc. In addition, you may want the pool itself to be designed for looks, with a stylish shape, rather than just for functionality. Carefully hiding pool equipment will also make the pool area more appealing.

Relaxation:

Spending time at your pool can be very relaxing, and the proper amenities will make it even more enjoyable. An addition of a spa or a hot tub to the pool area is a great complement to the swimming pool itself. Like pools, these come in the in-ground, and portable, above-ground varieties. An in-ground spa is typically connected to the pool's filtration and heating systems. And if that's not the case, a portable spa is a much more economical option.

If you're going to spend time pool-side sunbathing, be sure to leave the space for it. And if you opt for the above-ground pool variety, the addition of a sizable pool level deck makes great sense.

Jerry Westly is an avid swimmer and swimming pool enthusiast who writes his thoughts on building and maintaining the perfect backyard swimming pool on Swimming-Pool-Designs.com Please visit the site for tips and advice on topics such as inground swimming pools, above ground swimming pools, swimming pool covers and much more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Westly

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2565 US Hwy 67

Festus, MO  63028

636-931-POOL (7665) 

  

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Swimming Pool Heaters - Are They Worth It?

Wideman Pools

636-931-7665

www.widemanpools.com

2565 US Hwy 67 South

Festus, MO 6362

 

Swimming Pool Heaters - Are They Worth It?

By Cindy Martin

 

 

Once you have built a swimming pool because the kids were nagging you for a way to keep cool and have fun during the hot summer, it may not have occurred to you what options you may have during the cooler winter months. The onset of winter can be frustrating because swimming is an excellent way to keep fit and trim, and giving up this valuable exercise during the winter can seem like such a shame. But there is some good news here. One way to overcome this cold weather obstacle is to invest in a state-of-the-art swimming pool heater. Once you have one, you simply switch it on and the heater will warm the water in the pool to a comfortable temperature making it nice enough to swim even in when it is cold outside.

There are a number of choices when it comes to selecting a swimming pool heater. They come in a variety of sizes to accommodate any size or shape of swimming pool. One type is a gas heater which is quite inexpensive to use. The other choices are oil heaters and electric heaters, though they can be a bit more expensive to maintain. One of the newest methods of heating your swimming pool water today is through the use of solar heating. When the sun shines, the energy is stored and used to heat your pool. It is actually very environmentally friendly, but can be quite expensive for the initial installation of the equipment. One of the more cost effective swimming pool heaters is a wood burning one, though it can be more difficult to maintain for longer periods of time.

Some situations make it almost a necessity to invest in a swimming pool heater. It can be most advantageous in areas of the world where people experience short summers and the days are few where the water is naturally warm enough for swimming. Other places where a heated swimming pool would be a great idea is in places that have cold summers and practically no opportunity to swim on any summer day. With a swimming pool heater installed, the pool could then be used for at least part of the year for the entire family to enjoy. It could even be a central location for all of the friends and family members to gather and visit for a few days of fun pool games. Your place could now be considered a real "hot spot"!

Once you have decided that you a ready to invest in a swimming pool heater, you will have to decide upon which type of heater you want based upon the amount of money that you'll want to spend on the heating. The gas heaters, as mentioned before, are probably the least expensive method as, first, the heater itself is inexpensive and, second, the gas is less expensive to keep the water continually heated. Another advantage is that it is fairly small and easy to use, so it could be considered a relatively hassle free choice. The last thing to consider is the size of your swimming pool as the strength of swimming pool heater will also have to accommodate its size. It must be strong enough to effectively heat the entire size of the pool water so as to not have any cold patches.

You might discover that an awkwardly shaped swimming pool will be more difficult to heat and you may have to leave the swimming pool heater on for a longer period of time. So, when designing a pool, the most practical size to heat would probably be is a rectangular shape.
Swimming pool heaters are a great option for getting the most out of your swimming pool. Once the cool weather sets in, you still can enjoy hours of fun with all your friends and family and even swim late into the evening. How about a relaxing late night dip in your heated swimming pool without feeling cold at all? Just be sure that whatever the type of swimming pool heater you ultimately choose to install, make sure that it is safe and that any wires or gas canisters are kept away from children.

 

 
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Swimming Pool Cover

Wideman Pools

636-931-7665

www.widemanpools.com

2565 US Hwy 67 South

Festus, MO 63628

"Swimming Pool Cover's"

By David Evermon

 

 

 

Swimming pool covers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and general types. There are solar swimming pool covers that work to keep the water warm as well as warm the water using the suns heat. Safety pool covers do just what it says it does, it keeps the swimming pool safe from unwanted entry of the humans or animals. In ground and above ground winter swimming pool covers, keep dirt, debris, and animals out of your pool during the winter season. It also prevents growth on the inside of your swimming pool that can be caused by the winter elements.

Here are a few things you should look for when shopping for a pool cover for your above ground or in ground swimming pool.

1. Find a swimming pool cover that is strong and sturdy. The cover should not only keep your swimming pool clean, it should add safety as well for humans and animals alike. It should prevent accidental drowning and dirt and debris from entering the pool.

2. Make sure the swimming pool cover conforms to state and local law requirements. Some areas require that a certain size and depth of pool be covered when not in use. There are specific requirements that these covers must meet. Check with your local authorities to ensure that your swimming pool cover meets the requirements needed.

3. Make sure your chosen swimming pool cover comes with a good manufacturer's warranty. In general, the swimming pool cover should come with a warranty of longer than 2 years. It should definitely have a full 2-year warranty for all defects and longer for limited warranties. You only want a pool cover that can be trusted and is safe with a full warranty for a lengthy amount of time. you also need to be sure the company stands behind their products.

4. Make sure the pool cover has a good overlap length. You should buy a size that is a little larger than your pool. This will enable you to securely anchor the swimming pool cover without having to worry about not being able to cover your pool completely.

5. Make sure the swimming pool cover comes with enough parts to securely anchor the cover without worry of slippage. Most larger swimming pool covers come with a strap or anchor for every four feet of cover. You definitely want a good amount of anchoring so the cover will continue to be secure each time you use it.

There you have it! The top 5 things you should look for when you are buying a swimming pool cover for any size pool and for any material type. You can purchase quality swimming pool covers at your local swimming pool supply store or at any department store that sells swimming pool gear and supplies. Carefully read all instructions provided by the manufacturer and ensure that the cover meets all requirements in your local area. Always think safety first when you own a swimming pool.

Wideman Pools

636-931-7665

www.widemanpools.com

2565 US Hwy 67 South

Festus, MO 63628

 

 

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Swimming Pool Accessories - Things to Consider Prior to Purchase

www.widemanpools.com

2565 US Hwy 67

Festus, MO 63028

636-931-POOL (7665)

Swimming Pool Accessories - Things to Consider Prior to Purchase

By David Troy

  

We feel something is lacking in our pool without any accessories like ladder and slides. This is the reason why we always find ways to be able to get such items. Aside from giving us more fun when swimming, these stuff also adds assurance for safety.

In as much as we try to get the most ideal swimming pool ladder and slide for our own pool, we try to consider the costs and quality. We also weigh where to get them - whether via online transaction or getting them from our local suppliers.

If you have just built your own pool you probably want to add some accessories like slides and ladder to make it more appealing and to be able to experience a lot of fun when swimming. When you do this, you have to consider some important things before getting such items. Make a note of the following ideas:

The size of pool

Before getting swimming pool accessories like ladder and slides, it is important that you know the exact dimension of your pool ( ask your builder). There are specific types of pool accessories for a particular type. You have to determine depth and the surface area.

Materials used

Swimming pool accessories are built in different kinds of materials. Some are built in plastics and rubbers, others are built in steels, and there are also made-up of cemented materials. Whichever type you choose, do not forget to ask your supplier if you are getting a kind of swimming pool accessory that is best fitted for the type of pool you have.

Where and how to get it

There are a number of swimming pool accessories suppliers around and you can get them either by these two - online or offline. When you get it online, always remember to do transactions only to those who are proven reliable and trusted. Else, just do the purchase in your local suppliers.

The design

Swimming pool slides and ladders come in various designs. In the case of swimming-pool slides, you'll probably come across the semi-spiral or curve types or just plain straight types. When choosing, you have to remember that every deign has its own purpose - there are designs that are best fitted to pool corners and there are also items designed to be put in the middle ( side of pools).

Types of pool ( in-ground or above ground)

You also need to take into consideration the type of pool you have. Is your pool an in-ground type or the above-ground type? Is it a cornered-type our a circular type. There are specific type of designs for different types of pool and you should get the right ones - or else, you'll be wasting bucks!

So, now that you have swimming-pool accessory ideas, hope you'll be able to get the right ones. Good luck - and have fun in swimming!

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2565 US Hwy 67

Festus, MO 63028

636-931-POOL (7665)

 

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Safe Swimming Tips For Kids of All Ages

Wideman Pools

636-931-7665

www.widemanpools.com

2565 US Hwy 67 South

Festus, MO 63628

Safe Swimming Tips For Kids of All Ages

By Denise Sanger

 

 

Deni
Level: Platinum

Denise Sanger is the owner of NewCoolToysOnline.com which features an extensive collection of outdoor toys for toddlers to teens. Denise also owns USAPoolToy.com which is ...

Swimming lessons are a must for any child. Many people believe that babies should learn to swim while it is still a natural response, but some health professionals advise against it. The practice of literally throwing babies into the water was popular some years back but physicians argued against it deeming that it caused them to inhale dangerous amounts of water. Don't start lessons for children under six months old at the youngest and always find a certified instructor. The sooner your child learns to swim, the safer he/she will be.

Infants and Toddlers
Children in this age group are the ones that need the most supervision. Often, parents and caregivers rely too heavily on those toys that are used to support children in the water. Keep in mind that a floating seat for an infant or "floaties" that children use to keep them above water have warning labels on them for a reason. These are not life preservers and are not meant to serve as flotation devices for rescue or for keeping anyone afloat who can't swim. Although they can be great learning tools for children, they can rely on them too heavily and so can parents. Never leave toddlers alone and stay close and alert with infants while they are in one of these devices.

You should also be meticulous about applying sunscreen. Many of the floats for babies have umbrellas made over them to protect them from the heat and rays from the sun. However, water can reflect sunlight onto the baby and cause burns.

Elementary Aged Children
Never let children swim alone regardless of how adept they are. The lure of the pool may be strong when they get home from school but you should have a strict rule against going into the pool without adult supervision. If you have a pool at home, it isn't a bad idea to have locked access to ensure the safety of your kids and of those in the neighborhood.

Teenagers
Enforcing the rules commonly printed on the signs at the public pool will provide you with the best safety steps for these active kids. "No running, no pushing, no horseplay, or jumping into the pool." Teenagers are the kids that are closest to adulthood and the most likely to ignore safety. They approach life with the attitude that they are immortal and that there is no danger in anything they do. It's all about having fun and this is a dangerous attitude to have.

Some parents even allow their children to have "teen-only" pool parties with their friends. Any time you allow them to socialize without supervision, there is the danger of having alcohol brought in or of having tempers to flair. Always supervise your teen's parties or any time they are in the pool.

Safe swimming is a matter of using common sense and never taking unnecessary chances. Swimming can be one of the most enjoyable forms of recreation for all ages but without rules, it can also be one of the most dangerous.

Wideman Pools

636-931-7665

www.widemanpools.com

2565 US Hwy 67 South

Festus, MO 63628

 

 
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Opening Up Your Swimming Pool For the First Time

Wideman Pools

636-931-7665

www.widemanpools.com

2565 US Hwy 67 South

Festus, MO 63628

Opening Up Your Swimming Pool For the First Time - Read This

By Steve Merillat

Level: Basic PLUS

Steve Merillat has been involved in the Pool Industry for 40 years. Since the age of 15, he started working for a local pool supply ..

 

A lot of us are seasoned pros when it comes to maintaining our swimming pools. It's almost like second nature. Like riding a bicycle, or brewing your coffee in the morning. I can do that with my eyes shut. But for a lot of newbie's or even people that have only owned their swimming pools for a couple of years it's a struggle still every year when its time to open their swimming pools. Well read on, here are a few tips on opening your swimming pool for the upcoming season. First thing of course is to remove the cover removing any debris and pumping off any water that has accumulated over the winter season. Make sure you clean your pool cover off and dry it before you put it away so any mold or mildew will not build up on it.

Remove all the freeze plugs and devices you have installed in protecting your swimming pool from freezing. All of these items will have to be removed before you go to your next step. It is now time to start up your pool pump and pool filter. If you didn't clean it when you closed the pool last year, do it now. Prime your swimming pool pump and start er-up. You will hear a lot of action in your plumbing because of the air that has been trapped in the pipes. Make sure you release any built up pressure before opening up your equipment. When running, go around and check for any leaks. Time to clean the pool. If you had a mesh pool cover, there will be dirt and debris in the pool. Scoop out debris with a leaf net, and vacuum the rest. If you had solid cover it should be relatively clean. If not, check for a hole or improper installation of that cover.

Add necessary water to get the level to halfway up your pool skimmer openings. Then you must let your pump run for ½ a day to let the new water circulate with the old. After that is done you can check your water balance and add your swimming pool chemicals. The best thing to do is bring a water sample to your local pool professional for analysis. If you don't know be sure to follow their procedures so you don't damage any of your swimming pool surfaces. Install all ladders and handrails if you have them. Please make sure you inspect your diving board before you let anyone use it. Look for any stress-cracks and if you find a single one, replace your diving board. If you have tiles around the top of your pool clean them with baking soda only. You should never use any abrasives or cleaners in your pool. For a good reference on swimming pool start-up procedures can be found National Pool Council's website.

An expert in his field, Steve Merillat has been known as the Swimming Pool and Spa Guru. He has been a leader in the Swimming Pool Chemical & Spa industry for 35 years. He has invented many of the processes that are used today in the installation of swimming pools and spas. He holds classes on how to properly take care of your swimming pool. If you have any questions about you Swimming Pool or Spa, visit 1800Pools.com

Wideman Pools

636-931-7665

www.widemanpools.com

2565 US Hwy 67 South

Festus, MO 63628

  

 

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