Adding the right landscaping to your backyard swimming pool can provide a feeling of relaxation and comfort. It can add a bit more privacy and lighten the mood to make your backyard feel like a true oasis. With the right native plants, it can be a low maintenance and low cost job if you do it right. We do however recommend a professional landscaper to help if you aren’t into the work, but if you’re up for it, there is no reason why you couldn’t tackle some beautiful landscaping to your pool and surrounding area. Below we provide to great tips to get you moving in the right direction.

First thing we suggest is to think about the function of your landscape design. Take some time to consider and think about these important elements before moving forward.

Safety – If you have kids or pets, or often entertain your friends and family, safety is an important factor to consider. Think of fencing, non-slip surfaces and certain lighting needs as part of your design elements.

Privacy – Can you see into your neighbors dining room or even enjoy what they watch on their evening tv station? Privacy may be something to consider when you have a pool or use your backyard often. Fences are a typical first thought but vines, larger tree, shade structures etc. can also be a beautiful design option.

Function & Aesthetics – An easy pool entrance and clear deck is important to consider, so removing any large obstacles such as boulders, rocks, tree roots, sharp edges, etc. Also consider your aesthetics by reviewing your pools shape and theme type you are wanting overall. For example, are going for the natural, tropical, oasis, round edges look or more of a modern, sharp edge, clean look? Consider lighting, foliage and fencing when deciding on your theme.

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Low-maintenance plants and foliage

When choosing foliage consider plants that require little to no maintenance. You don’t want to take up a lot of your time trimming, fertilizing and cleaning up after your pool landscaping. Consider native plants to your area and plants that love full sun, this will also help reduce maintenance and care of the plants.

Ensure you don’t select foliage that shed leaves, seeds, or other debris that can fall into your pool. Also, fruit trees and other insect-attracting plants can bug swimmers. If you’re starting from scratch with your plant landscaping, know the types of shrubs, flowers and trees that do best in your region.

Stick with simple, easy to maintain plants.

Check out what USDA hardiness zone you live in, write down the plants and trees that thrive in your zone, and choose those that fit your desired look.

Fencing

Children and privacy tend to be the main reasons pool owners add a fence. The type of fence you chose depends on aesthetic preference, but options include aluminum, wood, and PVC, which can be molded into a variety of styles. Know whether or not you have a saltwater or chlorine pool before adding a fence, because salt can corrode some fencing materials. For an extra decorative touch, vines like jasmine, trumpet vine, and bougainvillea work well to weave over fences.

Lighting

Lighting not only adds beauty but, more importantly safety. From light paths, to tree lights, spotlights and even string patio lights can provide a relaxing and beautiful atmosphere to your backyard swimming pool.

For energy efficiency, low-voltage LED systems can be used for landscape lighting to light stairs or paths. Solar lights are also easy to maintain and will remain lit into the evening around the pool. Other lighting options can include fire elements like fire pits, bowls, and more for entertaining and heat. It’s an active, breathing source of light that doubles as a stunning accent piece.

Shade Structures

Many pool owners add gazebos, arbors, pergolas, pool houses, and other shade structures to pool areas. Pool houses and guest cabanas are also popular options and give swimmers a place to relax when they’re not in the pool. They also provide shade, dry areas from rain, and provide great cook-out/eating areas as well.

Stone walkways

Make a stone slab walkway and bring the grass and deck together in a beautiful pattern. This can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose. You only need enough stones to reach from the door to your pool. And they help keep your pool deck and water cleaner.

Comfort, style, convenience and fun are all part of the landscaping decision process. So enjoy an make educated decisions so you can enjoy it for years to come.

For some inspiration, check out our Pool Gallery.

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You decide to take a quick dip in your backyard swimming pool and notice the water is a bit lower than normal. Now, it’s normal for your pool to lose water to evaporation, splashing and even to backwashing. A ¼-1/2 inch is about normal every few days, however if you are noticing a significant difference, closer to 2” of loss, leak detection may be something you want to look more into.

There can also be a few other things that may raise red flags that you may have a potential leak besides noticing the water levels, which is the most obvious.

• Have your water bills increased? Often pool owners have automatic fill devices and by keeping the pool filled they can hide a leak.
• Is there water under your pool equipment?
• Is there algae growth around your pool?

Before calling a leak detection company, we recommend you take a few simply steps to review your pool and areas surrounding to see what you can find yourself.

However, if you wait too long, a minor leak can lead to big problems in your pool and on your property. Along with fixing the leak, you may find that you have some major work to do in your yard to get it cleaned up. That’s why early leak detection is so important. When you detect a leak early, you can get it repaired before it becomes a major problem. If you can’t detect a leak yourself but suspect there’s a leak or other problem with your pool, your best bet is to reach out to an expert so that you can get the help you need sooner than later.

Check the obvious first. Pool leaks can occur anywhere in or outside your pool. Before searching for the leak in your pool, make sure you check your entire filter system area, including the pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, etc.

Also check for any wet areas around the pool? Check the ground for moisture. Walk around the pool, and by the pool and the equipment. Check for wet soil and sunken or eroding areas.

If you have an in-ground pool, leaks can also occur by cracked piping underground. If you suspect this, call a local pool professional to pressure test the lines for possible cracks.

However, there are two things you can do on your own to determine a leak. They are call the Bucket Leak Detection and the Ink Method. See how to do these below:

Bucket Leak Detection:

Place a bucket filled with pool water on a pool step, ideally on the second step. Weight it down with a rock or brick, so it stays still and won’t move. Mark the water level on both the inside and the outside of the bucket. Make sure the water levels are the same inside the bucket as the pool water level on the outside the bucket, this can be a bit challenging but do the best you can. 24 hours later, come back and check the marks. If there’s a greater drop in the line on the outside of the bucket, a leak in the pool is indicated. Be sure to do this twice, once with the pump on, then again with the pump off.

With the pump-on, if the water level in the pool is greater with water circulating under pressure, the leak is most likely somewhere in your pool’s plumbing.

Ink Method:

Go to the area where you think the leak might be. Move slowly and try not to disturb the water.

Put a drop or two of dye test solution near a suspected leak point close to the pool wall. Do this with the pump shut off and the water still. See if the dye is sucked into the crack, gap or tear. If the leak is near, you will see the dye move towards the leak source like a current.

If you suspect your leak is at the bottom of your pool, put on those goggles and do the same thing. The reason you don’t want to disturb the water is because you don’t want the dye running wild.

Remember, if pool leak detection—or any other pool maintenance task—becomes too difficult, or you’re not sure you’re getting the right results, you always have the option to call in a pro.

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COVID-19 has rocked the entire world and has brought about inventive ideas to do our best and try to maintain life as normal. Below we provide some tips for a successful poolside party for you so you can enjoy those birthdays again, or just simply enjoy a Sunday afternoon.

The most important thing for you to ensure a safe pool party during the COVID-19 pandemic is to ask all your guests the night before how they are feeling. If anyone is not feeling well, ask them to please stay home.

Food is always necessary for a good party! Simply add toothpicks or prepare individual skewers so it can be a simple grab-n-go. If it’s hot off the grill, hand them out as you remove them from the grill. If its cheese or fruit, try to wrap each portion in serene wrap. This will not only keep off the bugs but any potential germs that could be floating about.

Stay away from the dips in a large bowl. Make small individual cups of the dip, so each person can have a small portion of their own. The less food is touched the better. So, if you can prepare it so nobody but the eater touches it, you have successfully prepared perfect feeding options for your party, during the COVID pandemic.

Now, let’s talk drinks! Simply have your guests bring their own and use their own cups. This keeps everything simple and easy AND COVID-19 safe.

Keep everyone outside and if heading inside to use the bathroom, make masks a requirement when entering the house. Make sure to maintain 6 feet between people and if any of your guests are health compromised, have them wear a mask, even outside. Organize the seating a spaced-out fashion so your guests don’t have to move the chairs around themselves.

Come up with a fun welcome so the hugs and handshakes are not used. Blow an air horn every time a guest arrives, or create a creative welcoming air-shake, an air high-five for example. Better yet, create a fun YouTube video of the plan and send to your guests before arriving so they are prepared to not hug or shake hands.

Pool time! Swimming is ok and the pool water does not transmit COVID-19, so it’s safe to enjoy a swim. It is important, however, to maintain the 6-foot distance between each other, even in the water. Wear your swimsuit to the party if you plan to swim, so you don’t have to make an additional trip in the house to change in the bathroom. Also, bring your own towel so when you exit the pool. We recommend keeping your suit on after swimming and wearing a swimsuit cover up, a basic t-shirt or just hang out in your swimsuit until it dries to eliminate additional bathroom changes.

If you any additional questions, please be sure to error on the side of caution. If you are nervous, it may be best to hold off and wait to have your party when the world has eliminated most of the COVID-19 cases.

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