Pool Facts!

Ever wonder what the most common pool type is? How about where the largest residential pool is located? Maybe not, but I’ll tell you anyways. Here are some pool-related facts:

1. The world’s oldest known swimming pool is The Great Bath, located in Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan. This pool is estimated to date all the way back to the 3rd millennium BC.

2. It is estimated that there are over 10,500,000 residential swimming pools in the US.

3. You may have heard that the Buffalo, NY area has the most pools per capita in the US. Unfortunately, this is not true! The city with the most residential swimming pools per capita in the US is Phoenix, AZ (but other cities have also been listed #1).

4. The most common pool type is vinyl.

5. The White House has 2 pools; one indoor (built in 1933 for FDR, closed in 1970 by Nixon) and one outdoor built in 1975 for Gerald Ford.

6. Surprisingly, pool filtration systems have actually been around for over 110 years- invented at Brown University in 1910.

7. A Olympic-sized swimming pool, which is 50 meters by 25 meters and at least 2 meters deep, has enough water to fill 9,400 bathtubs.

8. Australia builds more residential swimming pools per capita than any other country in the world.

9. Approximately only 38% of pools having a diving board.

10. The largest residential pool in the United States is in Texas (I guess everything really IS bigger in Texas). Located in El Campo, Texas, the pool holds 600,000 gallons (for reference, an Olympic-sized swimming pool holds roughly the same amount). There is a rock climbing wall, a playground, a rope swing, a 21 foot-long slide, a swim-up bar a 30-seat spa, genuine Florida palm trees and a 500 foot lazy river…!!

The largest residential swimming pool in the US!

Ways You Can Keep Your Pool Area Safe

Your backyard oasis can be the most used space on your property, and rightfully so! That being said, your pool comes with a unique set of responsibilities. The last thing anyone wants when enjoying their pool is for someone to get hurt. There are laws and regulations to be sure to follow and best practices that will make your swimming experience more enjoyable!

Pool Covers: Covers are a great way to maintain a safe environment, even when the pool is not in use. Covers not only keep children from inadvertently falling into the pool, but also keep unwanted leaves, debris and animals out of the pool. Furthermore, covers help to save energy and conserve water by helping to keep in water, heat and chemicals that could otherwise evaporate into the atmosphere.

Fence or Barrier: A fence gives owners a sense of relief that a child, grandchild, young neighbor or pet are prevented from wandering into the pool. There are plenty of options for fences that meet code requirements without disrupting the aesthetics of your yard. It is always best to consult your local laws to determine if a fence is required and what standards the fence must meet.

Pool Alarm: There are several types of alarms that signal when the pool area is being disturbed, such as when the back door or the gate is opened, or when someone has entered the water. Water alarms are usually able to tell the difference between a larger creature versus a toy or rain, thereby possibly reducing the nuisance of an alarm constantly going off. Test the alarms from time to time to ensure they are in working order.

Lighting: Light all safety areas such as pool steps, entrances and exits.

Other suggestions:

• Ensure your swimming pool and/or hot tub complies with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (VGBA), which requires features to prevent entrapment. Entrapment can occur when a pool/spa suction outlet (drain) creates higher than allowable suction forces and can hold a bather/swimmer down at the suction outlet/drain cover, trapping them below the surface of the water. Make sure that the suction outlet (drain) covers are in good shape, not cracked/broken, and properly secured in place.

• Keep a float or ring nearby- handy for emergency use.

• Ensure your ladders and handrails are properly secured.

• Routinely check over your pool equipment to make sure everything is operable.

• With children around, designate someone to be in charge of watching and keeping a steady on the children.

• Maintain proper water chemistry to preserve the condition of your pool and its equipment as well as to avoid irritation of swimmer’s skin and eyes.

• Make sure all who use the pool can swim and feel comfortable using your pool and practice protocol that would prepare for an accident.

We want you to love your Colley’s Oasis while also maintaining an atmosphere of safety. Luckily, both can be done!

How to Properly Care for Your In-Pool Furniture

Now that your pool is open, it’s probably a good idea to prepare the rest of your backyard oasis for swim season! If you have a ledge lounger, in-pool seating or any form of in-pool furniture, you should get that cleaned off and ready to go for the season!

Here are some helpful tips to care for your in-pool furniture:

• Wash your in-pool furniture at minimum, monthly, or more frequently as needed using a mild soap and soft cloth.

• For the safety of your pool, its equipment and yourself, please be sure to keep cleaning materials from entering the pool.

• Do not use abrasive cleaners, bleaches, chlorines, high alkaline or strong acidic cleaners. Such cleaning agents can alter your pool’s water chemistry which can cause damage to the pool and its equipment.

• Do not use steel wool, wire brushes, metal scrapers, or other abrasive sponge pads that may scratch your in-pool furniture

• For furniture with a gel coat finish, it is best to apply a wax your in-pool furniture at least twice a year. We suggest a wax that is suitable for pools or water-based environments in general.

Now that your in-pool furniture is nice and clean it's ready for you to enjoy- taking your backyard oasis to the next level!