Make Your Backyard

When you’re building a pool with kids at home, you want to make the final result as entertaining as possible. Inground pools can include many features that children and adults alike will enjoy. Let’s dive into some key considerations when building a family pool.

Pool Depth

The first feature to consider is the depth of your swimming pool. A pool designed to welcome children of all ages should include a dedicated shallow end around three feet deep, giving kids plenty of space to play games and enjoy the water safely. You should also contemplate whether or not you want your pool to have a deep end. Deep water is necessary to include features like a diving board or slide, but it comes with additional safety considerations.

Entry Steps

Pool entry steps are also a crucial feature to help introduce children to the pool water. There are several different styles to choose from. For families with kids, we suggest wide steps that descend gradually. Entry steps are a safe and enjoyable place to teach young children how to paddle and kick in the water without reaching the full depth of the shallow end.

Tanning Ledges

Even if your pool has a spacious shallow end, a tanning ledge is an additional opportunity for flexible play areas for young children and kids learning how to swim. Also called sun shelves or baja shelves, these structures are built into the side of a pool and resemble an extra-large entry step built about six inches underwater. This minimal depth makes a tanning ledge a wonderful space for small children to splash around in the pool or rest without getting out of the water.

Slides and Diving Boards

You can also add features to your pool that are not part of the structure itself. Although they may be considered old-school by some, diving boards are popular among energetic children and those who are athletically inclined. Pool slides are another great option and can be customized to accommodate a wide range of ages.

When installed correctly, these additions can provide children of all ages with endless fun. You can only put in a diving board if your pool depth meets the proper requirements, and a slide must safely allow for a waiting room, as well as deposit the rider into deep enough water.

Rock Grotto Waterfalls

While rock grotto waterfalls are typically built for aesthetic appeal, they also double as a kid-friendly play area. A grotto is a waterfall with space underneath for swimmers to move under a cascade of water into a cave-like structure. Kids love to hang out in the cave, as it provides many opportunities for pool games, such as Marco Polo. Some grottos also incorporate a pool slide for added enjoyment.

Build a Kid-Friendly Family Pool

Whether you decide to include one or all of the above features in your family pool, Pools By Design can help you design a backyard oasis that is fun for kids and adults alike. Building pools is our passion, and when you choose us as your custom pool builders, you are receiving the best in innovation, construction, and service.

Experience the excellence of our Master Pools Guild builders and designers for yourself and start a project with us today.

There are many elements to a pool plumbing system that work together to keep your swimming pool functioning properly. If you are interested in installing a pool in your backyard, it is helpful to have some knowledge about how each part works together. Educating yourself about every aspect, including those you don’t see, can help you better maintain your pool and save you money on repairs. Follow this guide to learn more about the components of pool plumbing.

Pool Plumbing Components

Every pool has seven main parts, broken up into these three sections:

1. Suction

The suction side of a pool sucks in water and introduces it to the filtration system, beginning the circulation process. It contains the skimmer, main drain, and suction lines.

Skimmer

Skimmers are plastic buckets built into the side of the pool. These devices house baskets that catch debris too large to go through the filter, such as leaves, twigs, and bugs. Some models have a door called a weir that pushes inward when water passes through it, while others stay shut to keep debris from getting into the pipes. For greater suction power, install more than one skimmer.

Main Drain

Despite its name, the main drain functions much like a skimmer. It is a large circular or rectangular piece on the bottom of the deep end of a pool that connects directly to the pump or skimmer. This component allows for better circulation and alternative water flow if the skimmer is blocked. To reduce the suction force and increase safety, install two main drains.

Suction Lines

Once the pool water has passed through the skimmer basket, it enters the suction line. These pipes are typically made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and carry the pool water from the skimmer to the pump.

2. Filtration

The filtration system does the dirty work of removing contaminants from pool water before circulating it back into the pool through the skimmer and main drain. It consists of two items: the pool pump and the pool filter.

Pump

The pump is the main structure in a pool’s circulation system. It pulls water into its internal chambers, then pushes it out to the filter. These chambers create pressure through a rotating part that forces water through the hoses with high velocity. The size of the pump you need depends on the size of your pool. The larger your pool is, the more horsepower the pump will need to move the higher volume of water.

Filter

After the pool water is pulled into the skimmer or main drain, it is pushed to the filter for cleaning. Water then exits the filter clean and free of microscopic contaminants. Pool filters are available in three varieties: cartridge, sand, and diatomaceous earth. Depending on the type you have, your filter can remove everything from bacteria to larger debris.

3. Pressure

The pressure side of a pool pushes the water out of the filtration system back into the pool to complete the circulation process. The return lines and return jets compose this section of the swimming pool plumbing system.

Return Lines

Now that the water is filtered, it can go back into the pool. Also made of PVC, the return lines are the opposite of suction lines, carrying water from the filter to the return jets.

Return Jets

After passing through the return lines, the filtered water arrives at the return jets. As the name suggests, this component returns the water to the pool. It typically has adjustable flow rates and the direction of the output.

Professional Pool Plumbing Installation

Installing plumbing is just one of the many steps to building a swimming pool and spa. At Pools By Design, our team works with you throughout the design and construction process to create a beautiful and functional final result. Let us help you turn your backyard into your new vacation destination.

Contact us today to start the pool building process.

A swimming pool in your backyard offers countless opportunities for relaxing, playing water games, and bonding as a family. If you plan to build one, including different pool features for children can benefit the whole family by increasing safety and fun.

Create your kids’ dream pool with these five features:

1. Diving Board

A diving board is a classic feature to add to your family swimming pool. Children often line up to jump off them at a public pool, but there is no wait when you have one in your backyard. They are especially favored among athletically inclined children. Before committing to a diving board, you must first ensure that the depth of your pool and the size of your deck will accommodate one.

2. Sports Equipment

While pools with a deep end allow for a diving board, shallow pools are also beneficial. Shallow ends are a prime location for pool games and water sports like Marco Polo or chicken fights. It also allows you to set up sports equipment, such as a basketball hoop or volleyball net, which is fun for kids of all ages. They are also a great addition to pool parties.v

3. Tanning Ledge

Another way to take advantage of your pool’s shallow end is to incorporate a tanning ledge. Also called a sun shelf or Baja shelf, these structures resemble an extra-large entry step and are anywhere from three to 18 inches underwater. It is the ideal spot for small children to splash around while being able to sit or stand with their heads above water. A tanning ledge also doubles as a bench, which is a kid-friendly place to play floating board games.

4. Deck Jets

Deck jets are fun additions to pools of any size. They are installed on your pool deck and shoot thin arcs of water into the air up to eight feet across the pool. They are often backlit with colored LED lights to enhance the night swimming experience. Deck jets also help circulate the water, keeping your pool cooler during the summer.

5. Grotto Waterfalls

Adding a grotto waterfall to your backyard pool is a beautiful focal point that doubles as a source of excitement for your kids. A grotto is a waterfall with added space underneath, similar to a cave. Children can play in the falling water or use the cave as a clubhouse or base for water games. As an added perk, this water feature provides a shady escape from the sun.

Safety Features

In addition to having a shallow end, you can incorporate a few other features in your family pool design to increase safety. These include non-slip surfaces along the pool deck, safety rails lining the entry stairs, and a fence around the area. These features help reduce the risk of accidents and give you peace of mind when your children are playing in the backyard.

Design the Pool of Your Children’s Dreams

At Pools By Design, we build luxury pools that can include many of these features. Whether you are interested in a grotto waterfall or tanning ledge, our team of experts will work closely with you to design and construct a custom pool that fits all of your family’s needs.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss pool features for children.