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6 Fun Winter Pool Ideas

Wintertime can be a great time to make use of your pool in creative and fun ways. Whether you’re looking for activities for the whole family or just a few friends, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your pool during the cold winter months.

From hosting a pool party to trying out some winter-themed pool games, you can have a blast while taking advantage of your pool. So, let’s explore some of the most fun things to do with your pool in the winter.

6 Fun Things to Do with a Pool in the Winter

Having a pool in the wintertime is a great asset to have. It allows you to have some unique and fun experiences that you wouldn’t have access to during the summer. Here are five fun things you can do with a pool in the winter that you won’t want to miss out on –  

Make a Hot Tub

If you want to enjoy a hot tub experience without the cost, turn your pool into a hot tub! All you need to do is use a pool heater or other heating device to warm up the water.

For an even cozier experience, you can add some essential oils or bath salts to the water. This will take your winter hot tub experience to the next level.

Have a Winter Pool Party

Pool parties are usually reserved for warmer months, but why should that stop you from having one in the winter? With the right planning and preparation, you can still have a great pool party.

Depending on the climate where you live, you may even be able to use the pool. Just make sure you have a heater for the water and plenty of warm drinks and snacks for your guests.

Host a Dry Dive-In Movie Night

What’s better than a fun movie night with friends? A movie night in your pool! All you need is a projector, a movie, and some comfortable seating.

Set up a few pool floats around the edge of the pool and let everyone enjoy the show from the comfort of your pool.

Decorate Your Pool for the Holidays

Adding some festive decorations to your pool is a great way to celebrate the holidays. Whether it’s a few strings of lights or some inflatable snowmen, you can make your pool a winter wonderland with simple decorations.

Enjoy a Night Swim

If you’re feeling particularly brave, why not take a night swim? With the right lighting, heating arrangements, and a few friends, you can jump into the pool and enjoy the serenity of the night.

However, don’t try it if you are prone to flu-like symptoms during the winter such as allergic rhinitis, cough, runny nose, etc.

Do A Pool Remodeling

One of the best things to do with your pool in the winter is to remodel it. Pool remodeling is a great way to give your pool a facelift, add new features, and make it more energy efficient. As the pool remains unused during the winter, this is the best time to do it.

Adding a hot tub, a slide, or a waterfall can give your pool an entirely new look and make it even more inviting. You can also add some seating to your pool or create a separate area for lounging and relaxing.

Many people leave their pool to just sit there during the winter. But, there are so many fun things you can do with it even in winter. We have named just a few here. So, if the ideas we shared don’t fancy you, start brain-storming.

The potential for having fun with your pool in the winter is limitless. All you have to do is just come up with an awesome idea.

The Best Way to Determine the Pool Shape, Depth, And Size for Your Backyard

The Best Way to Determine the Pool Shape, Depth, And Size for Your Backyard

If you are planning to construct a backyard swimming pool in the near future, you need to decide the size, depth and shape you would like it to have. In this blog post, we will share the crucial factors you need to consider while determining these parameters. Let’s dive in right away.

Backyard size and shape

You first all need to consider the area of your backyard and make sure the dimensions of the pool perfectly fit this size. For the best look, it would be best for the swimming pool to be symmetrical to your backyard’s shape.

How Many People will use the Swimming Pool

Unless you intend to use the pool alone, but if you have family, you need to have them at the back of your mind before determining the different dimensions of your pool. For instance, if you have children, you need to make sure the shallow end of the pool is shallow enough to accommodate them. You may also consider creating a smaller swimming pool for the little ones if you have enough space in the backyard.

The number of people in your family will also determine how big you would want your swimming to be. There are those days when you would want to have your entire family swimming along with you, so you need one that is big enough to accommodate all of them. These are some of the size recommendations based on the number of people in your family;

  • For a family of six to eight members, an 18 foot by 36-foot swimming pool would be big enough
  • If you are less than six, a 16 foot by 32-foot swimming pool is big enough.

What is Your Budget for Your New Pool

Besides your backyard’s size, the dimensions and shape of the swimming pool you construct will largely depend on your budget. Of course, a large and deep swimming pool with a complex profile will cost way more than one that is a little shallower and small. So, sit down with your architects/engineers and agree on the ideal dimensions that suit your budget for this project.

Maintenance of the swimming pool

One of the key factors you don’t have to forget is the maintenance of the pool. The pool needs to be kept in the best possible conditions if you want it to last many years. If you choose to construct a large pool, you need to be ready to handle the maintenance costs involved.

Materials to be used

Do you intend to use concrete or fiberglass? The decision between these two will largely depend on your budget and the size of the swimming. Fiberglass is a more durable and fancier material, but it costs more than concrete. You can have a way bigger pool at the same cost if you use concrete instead of fiberglass.

To some people, it is better to have a smaller pool with fiberglass than to have a bigger one with concrete. If you have budget constraints, take time and think of what matters to you the most regarding material and size.

How to Enjoy Your Pool Even When It’s Freezing Outside

How to Enjoy Your Pool Even When It’s Freezing Outside

The changing leaves and heavy, crispy air are the first sign that that’s about enough freestyle diving for the year. The chills and frills are what come next, and you certainly shouldn’t go swimming now, or should you?

If nothing can separate you from the untamable pleasures of an icy plunge, here are a few ways you can still get a proper swim during winter.

Get a Pool Heater

A pool heater is your best shot at keeping your pool warm enough during the chilly months. They typically will cost about $100 a month. If you have one and want to get the most benefit, have it run for about an hour or two before you jump in. If your timings’ right, your pool will be the right temperature even during the coldest winter morning. For a higher ROI, keep swimming and heating for as long as you can, and that also includes keeping the pumps and valves running throughout.

And while you’re shopping for a heater, consider getting a freeze sensor and winterizing all your water features. Remember also to keep your pool super clean and chemicals balanced throughout winter.

Wear Something Suitable

Your one piece just won’t cut it during winter; you have to get something that keeps the warmth in and has you looking dashing while at it. A proper wet suit would be perfect for the job, and since winter isn’t exactly swimming or bikini season, you should probably stick to something that keeps the most heat inside.

Keep it Short

Despite sounding like something on the “things not to do during winter” list, a plunge in your heated pool could have some benefits. It helps reduce muscle inflammation if you’ve been pushing yourself a little too hard physically, accelerates weight loss as swimming burns calories, and your cardiovascular circulation also gets a jumpstart. But the trick is to stick to a few minutes a day per session and if it’s around 50 degrees plus outside. This will prevent any chances of catching a cold or something worse.

Even if you decide not to swim, it’s great to keep your pool open during winter; you might change your mind.

3 Ways To Bring The Fun At Your July 4th Pool Party

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It’s the 4th of July in San Jose – and that means celebrating our freedom and hard-fought independence with a relaxing day by the pool with friends and family! From tasty BBQ to pool games, the only limit to your July 4th outdoor celebration is your own creativity. As you think about putting together a tried and true Independence Day celebration around the water, here are three tips for ensuring that your party is talked about until Christmas!

1. Pick A Fun Pool Party Theme

A quick and easy way to guarantee that your
party really makes an impact is with a fun theme. While you can take the simple
route and invite your friends over to swim and eat, adding a theme to the party
can give you a launching pad for tons of fun activities and games.

With 4th of July, consider going all-out with a red, white, and blue theme. Throw in a few colored pool noodles and challenge your guests to a timed noodle-flag-creation competition. Throw an Uncle Sam hat and a King George powdered wig into the mix and have a one-on-one game of revolutionary pool chicken! When you add a theme to your party, you can easily add fun, customized party games to your pool soiree.

2. Food, Food, Food (And Some Drinks)

Compliments to the chef. No pool party is
complete without a great selection of food and drinks. From BBQ straight off
the grill to a variety of sweet treats like watermelon or ice cream, having a
full menu of tasty options will ensure that your guests have a great time at
your party.

Want to take it to the next level? Consider hosting a pool party cookoff! Invite guests to bring their favorite July 4th-themed treats and host a competition for who will take home the top honor. Whether they are snacks to enjoy while lounging on a giant pool flamingo, or cocktails to sip while you dip your toes in the shallow end, bring your foodie A-Game to your next pool party!

3. Pool Party Olympics 2020

Looking for a way to bring the fun at this
summer’s Independence Day pool party? Even though the summer Olympics have been
postponed, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the Olympic spirit to your pool
party.

Grab a few pool noodles, some beach balls, and a pool-approved basketball net and let the games begin! Have a diving board? Bring some erasable whiteboards and hold a diving competition – judges and all! A round-robin pool-chicken tournament will bring the Olympic wrestling spirit alive. Take your pool party to the next level with a full day of pool-related Olympic activities.

Enjoy The Water This Summer with San Jose’s Prins Pools

Looking for more summer pool tips and tricks?
Head over to Prins
Pools
online to learn how to bring the fun of a high-quality pool to
your own home this summer! From great pool resources to a full catalog of
services and products, you can take back summer 2020 in San Jose with the fun
that only quality, local pool team can offer!

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Most Inexpensive and Safe Pool Covers if you have Small Children

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Most Inexpensive and Safe Pool Covers if You have Small Children

San Jose is known for its great weather in spring and summer. Most homes generally will have a pool outside for those extra warm days, and to provide some fun for the kids.

During holidays they also become a lifesaver and keep the boredom at bay. For older kids, it can be exciting and even exhilarating, while younger kids may need some guidance and parental supervision.

The reality is that you will not always be home to supervise the playtime at the pool, while small children will look to enjoying any chance they get to be outside.

To make things a little easier for you, we’ve seen an uptick in families installing pool covers as an added safety measure. Mostly, they can be sourced inexpensively but offer a range of features geared towards safety.

In this post, we’ll share 3 of the most inexpensive and safe pool covers if you have small children.

Types of covers

In this section, we’ll look at the three types of covers: standard, mesh, and reliable. Installing them requires some form of anchor in the concrete area of your pool. You can recognize these covers because they have a look and feel of a trampoline. Security covers will prevent small children and also pets from falling into the pool.

Standard covers – These are the most inexpensive covers. Made of a tarp-like material, standard covers are held in place using water or sandbags for weights. They do not hold much weight and are not ideal for small children.

Mesh – These covers don’t require a pump, and can hold heavyweights such as snowfall and people. They are durable and can last up to 15 years. They can allow some debris to get into the pool and will result in cloudy water when opening up for summer.

Solid – These covers are more reliable and usually used in extreme conditions, and need a pump to remove rainfall and runoff that forms. They do keep your pool clear. It’s slightly more expensive than the standard covers and mesh covers. Let’s now consider the covers that will be ideal for safety and security.

Blue Wave Pool Cover

This is a versatile pool cover which is 2ft wide and 2ft long and is fully loaded with all of the hardware and instructions that help you install it. If you use a professional installer, they will have all of the materials, such as stainless steel springs, buckles, and installation tools to make it easier to set up. Additionally, there is an anchoring system that permanently secures the anchors in the concrete. It has multi seamed stitching for additional safety and will prevent wear and tear.

Pros

  • Comes with everything needed have your cover installed quickly and inexpensively
  • Made from durable materials to help hold heavy weights and keep leaves and debris out
  • Stainless steel anchors resist rusting, so it lasts many years
  • Can hold up to 4000lbs
  • Light enough to also easily install

You can find out more here.

 

Water Warden Mesh Safety Cover

This mesh cover offers many helpful features and comes together with everything from brass anchors to its very own installation resources and tools. It has been designed for safety and security as the anchors do not stick up and get in the way as in other pools. People can easily walk without falling over. It also has a mesh material that’s finely woven to keep leaves and insects out.

Pros

  • Designed for safety and security as it is made from the reinforced strap webbing
  • Easy to walk on without worrying about the weight
  • Keeps out leaves and insects, so your pool also stays clean
  • Lightweight, easy to handle so you can store it on your own
  • It can hold heavy adults.
  • It will protect the pool from harmful UV rays and saves water lost through evaporation.

You can find out more here.

GLI Rectangle Safety Cover

These covers are perfect for many pool shapes and are made from tight and finely-woven mesh for added safety and security. Also, it does not allow any rain or other leaves to seep through to the pool. It is also highly resistant to UV rays preventing evaporation, coupled with high-quality brass and stainless steel accessories. It is resilient to erosion.

Pros

  • Made from high-quality materials
  • Safety guaranteed due to the 2-ply mesh material and suitable for the protection of small children
  • Keep’s the pool clean and free from debris and other leaves
  • Prevents chlorine disintegration by blocking out UV rays.
  • Will not erode in the harsh elements
  • Holds up to 4000 lbs.
  • Comes with a 12-year warranty

You can find out more here.

Considerations

Whether it’s keeping the pool clearing or maintaining water temperature, there is a wide variety of reasons to bring in a pool cover. It does depend on what your pool needs, and there is a broad scope to choose from. Several factors are critical when selecting a covering. These are a few considerations for you before you make the purchase:

  • Always check if it fits the pool properly by checking the size and consulting with your pool installers.
  • Ask questions around the ease of set up. You want to know that it can be done in a relatively short space of time.
  • Find out if it has a warranty so you can get a sense of how long you will have to wait to replace it.

Final thoughts

We’re fortunate to be in an area that offers enjoyable summers, and our kids can generally enjoy those days without using public pools. Yet having a private pool in the backyard comes with a few challenges, such as ensuring safety for small children.

This can easily be remedied by sourcing a pool cover that offers a range of safety options. You may have seen some of the best pool covers are durable and protective for small children. Pool covers are especially helpful to prevent small children from falling in. We’ve shared some of the best pool covers that are also inexpensive to complement your budget requirements.

As always, our advice is to shop around and find the best one that will suit your family and their needs. This may mean it will take a little longer to make the decision, but you will certainly have a cover that will give you peace of mind.

Additionally, a good pool cover can protect your pool from unnecessary leaves and other dirt in the area.

All in all, you can rest easy knowing your pool is safe during the day while you are at work, and your small children are always protected from the little accidents that could happen when pools are not covered.

We hope you enjoyed this post on inexpensive and safe pool covers! If you’d like to thank us, we’d love to hear from you in the comment section below!

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