Our Blog | Advice on In Ground Swimming Pool Construction and Maintenance

Looking to select an inground pool builder.  This is a big decision for most home owners who have never built a pool before.  Asking questions and doing the appropriate amount of research is in order.  Here are a few points you might consider asking and / or checking out:

Ask your potential builder if they are incorporated and registered in good standing with the Secretary of State's Office in Arkansas.  If so, then what year were they incorporated as a corporation, this will provide you how long they have been in business under that current company name.  This is public information and easy to check out for yourself.

Ask to meet them at their place of business.  Check out their organization and their ability to support your project long after the construction is complete.  If they do not have a place of business, beware!

Belonging to the BBB (Better Business Bureau) means nothing.  All the BBB wants is a company's money in the form of an annual fee. Most any company today can pay the fee and belong to this organization. Same applies to the local Chamber of Commerce. Angie's List is the same kind of venue.

Ask to see a copy of their Liability Insurance.  If they can not provide you this, chances are, they don't have it.  Otherwise, your homeowners insurance will end up covering any liability should one occur on your property if something goes wrong.  This is the last thing you need.

You can always ask for references from previous customers, however, this is usually a waste of time.  Testimonials generally are ALWAYS from customers who had a decent or nice experience. Sometimes its just good business to just go with your "gut" feel about the person and the company they represent.  

Perhaps this will give you some insight as what to look for and ask your potential pool company / builder and the manner in which they respond to your requests.  

I get asked this question all the time.  Let me answer it this way:  Does a Boat add value to your home?  Does an RV add value to your home?  Does taking a Vacation add value to your home?  You know the resounding answer.  What they all do is create special memories.  Memories of family and fun, friendships, get-togethers, cook outs and social gatherings.  An in-ground swimming pool not only creates special memories, it also provides an added wonderful outdoor living space.

Granite Countertops, Stained Concrete Floors, Viking Cook Tops, Sub Zero Refrigerators are considered luxury items for the home.  Do they add more equity to the home?  Who knows what someone else will place value on.  Home appraisers won’t give you much equity for them either.  But one thing is for sure, they don’t add memories.  What we once thought our homes were worth are not worth that today.  Lots of people are "underwater" in what their homes are really worth based on what they owe on it.  So what does one do?  Wait for the housing market to “come back”.  Is your home your best investment anymore.  Who knows what going forward.  

There are people who go thru life placing dollar signs on everything they observe and research.  These are the same people who convince themselves that owning something like a Boat, RV, Motorcycle, and yes, even a Pool, are not a good “investment”.  ( I bet they still have trouble believing in Santa Claus ).  What we are talking about here is "investing" in your lifestyle and creating those special moments that last a lifetime.  What we are further discussing is taking many backyards that are currently wastelands and turning them into private resorts.  As I get older, I see how fast time flies and how short life really is.  I don't know about you, but maybe its time to seize the moment.

So when people ask me, Does a Pool Add Value To My Home? Well, what does family fun, that place for gathering friends, building relationships, having the children and grandkids over to your place mean to you.  I don’t know how much emphasis you place on that -- only you can answer that question.  If it all creates more memories and a lifetime of enjoyment, then maybe you got your monies worth, or better yet, the added "value" to your home.  

OBTW:  Now perhaps you'll see why I always chuckle when someone says to me, "I won't get anything for the pool when i sell my house"......

Prospective pool owners – in the Little Rock area are finding that adding a pergola to the pool area adds a new level of ambiance and excitement to your pool space. The addition of a pergola will enhance the view in your yard and even increase the resale value of your home.

A pergola is – at its most basic – a series of horizontal timbers or wooden beams, supported by brick or stone pillars. They can also be built of timber over decking around the pool area. A pergola is more than a self-contained structure and are great for climbing plants. The sides of pergolas are usually open although the climbing greenery can give it the appearance of being an enclosed space.

If the idea of having plants such as wisteria or roses in the pool area is appealing, a pergola is the perfect structure for the climbing plants. They’re also useful for climbing vines or other greenery. Adding greenery adds to the vista of the swimming pool space.

Pergolas were typically used to house bench seating  and were tucked in the corner of the yard. Today, pergolas are being used as a place to entertain and relax but to be in the midst of it all when it comes to the swimming pool. An excellent place to escape from under the sun yet still be “out by the pool”.  They can be constructed in such a way as to create the illusion of seclusion or be used as a privacy “hedge.”

Adding a pergola to your pool area, whether you boast a large backyard area or a small one, can add magnificence and elegance. This structure also offers an additional entertaining area for guests.

The beauty of a pergola is that it can be a “destination” as well as a “pass-through” to get to other areas of the backyard and swimming pool or spa area. Before you add a pergola to your pool area, make certain your pool contractor measures the width and height and has the proper thickness for the support columns. Pressure treated wood or metal is typically used to construct a pergola although the metal must be treated with a rust-proofing agent.

Ornamental flower baskets can beautify the look of your pergola if you don’t want the heavy cover of a climbing plant. If you’re looking for a backyard enhancement for your swimming pool or outdoor kitchen area, one of these structures could be just what your backyard needs.  This short video will display many types of pergolas for your consideration.

It's a new year here in Arkansas and many individuals made New Year’s resolutions to get fit in 2011. Unfortunately, as the year progresses, some of those people will falter in their fitness programs and in their goals to get healthier and stronger. If this describes you, maybe it's time to look at changing your routine instead; new exercises will keep you from getting bored, helping you stay motivated. And unlike most land-based fitness activities, your muscles and joints are much less vulnerable to injury when you exercise in the water.

Once you've decided to try aquatic exercise, there are a variety of options to consider besides swimming, the obvious choice. The one that requires the least amount of planning but would probably be most expensive is to buy an aquatic treadmill or bicycle. Yes, you can use your favorite gym equipment in your backyard swimming pool! Some water treadmills allow you to perform exercises like crunches and dips in addition to walking or running in your pool. Aquatic bikes and treadmills are particularly helpful when you're recovering from an injury – they are often used in physical therapy programs.

If you want to walk or run in the pool for exercise but don't want to buy a treadmill, you can do so with relatively inexpensive equipment or even no equipment at all. Aqua jogging allows you to run while avoiding the potential repercussions from high-impact running on land. Because water provides more resistance than air, you’ll still reap the many fitness benefits of jogging. To get started, research aqua jogging workouts online and select a routine you'd like to try. As you increase your fitness level and/or start jogging in deeper water, you may want to add aqua fitness products such as a water noodle, aqua jogging belt, hydro-resistant arm and leg trainers, or aquatic dumbbells to your routine.

When an exercise partner or group is available, don't forget to challenge them to a game of aquatic basketball, baseball or volleyball. You'll have fun while getting fit!

Hopefully these aquatic exercise tips will give you some new ideas about how to approach your fitness program. Of course, you should consult your physician before embarking on any exercise program and follow swimming pool safety rules when you exercise in the water. Keep track of your exercises – and your results – in a journal so you can progress at a slow but steady pace. And if aqua fitness has helped you, we’d love to hear from you in the comments section!  Many customers choose to heat their pools for these reasons.  In Arkansas, we are fortunate enough to have warm weather at least eight months out of the year. 

<a href="http://www.swimmingpoolscompany.com" target="_blank">Swimming Pool Builders</a>

If you are considering an inground swimming pool and are concerned for your children's safety, you might want to watch this video on a DIY (do it yourself) installation that is an economical and a cost effective solution to monitor your backyard space.