Imagine Shakespeare was alive today, saying: “A private pool or a public pool?  That is the question.”  Texas ranks number three as the state with most swimming pools nationwide, preceded by California and Arizona.  The amount of pools in the Lone Star State is increasing every day.  For those who may not want to buy a pool, the chances are that they would end up going to the country club or the city’s public pool to swim or relax. Then, there are those who own an apartment or live in a neighborhood that has a community pool and rely upon using the community swimming pool (not all apartment buildings and communities may have them).

So, will you ask the same question as Shakespeare?  Most probably would.  Let’s compare the differences between having a backyard swimming pool at your home versus using a community or public pool.

The Advantages of Having Your Own Oasis

There are five reasons why having a private pool in your home has more to offer than going to a public pool.  Apart from having a space to relax in your home, it will allow you to enjoy your free time to the fullest. All our clients tell us how their family life has improved since the design and construction of a new pool at their home.  Five reasons why having your private pool in your home have more to offer than going to a public pool:

1. Enjoy the Summer

We can say a lot of reasons why a swimming pool is an essential part of building summer memories. It is also the best way to tolerate Texas’ heat.  Surely your family will appreciate the time you spend together enjoying your new private pool.

2. Increase the Value of Your Property

A property with a pool increases its value by 20%. You can do all the home remodeling you want, but there isn’t much else that will increase the value of your home more than a swimming pool.

Do not think about what it can cost to build one at your house; think about how profitable it will be and how much you will be able to enjoy it.  It is about taking advantage of the space of your land to offer an improvement that increases its value while increasing the lovely memories you’ll have with your family.

3. A Swimming Pool Helps You Have a Healthy Lifestyle

It doesn’t matter if you are a doctor or not, you know for sure that exercise is essential to having a healthy life. A sedentary lifestyle can be problematic in the long run.  With a lovely private pool, you can have fun, and at the same time, exercise to enjoy a healthy and happy life.

4. Water Sports

It is a fact that swimming will help you eliminate a backache and help you have more flexibility to your joints and muscles as well.

Swimming a little every day keeps you well physically but also mentally. If you had had a hard day’s work, swimming for 15 minutes will help you relax and de-stress.

5. Family Reunions

Last but not least, a private pool gives you space to meet with family and spend time together. Swimming pools are for everyone. Children and grandparents can enjoy it without even having to move from their property. It is a great solution to promote inter-generational family fun.

Other Advantages to Having a Private Oasis at Your Home

1. Host as Many Pool Parties You Want

Invite who you want, when you want. Decorate any way you want and serve anything you like.  You can plan an event in and around your swimming pool.  After all, no one can worry about closing hours and have your guests, and you kicked out.

2. If You Have Teenage Kids, You Can Invite Their Friends Over

In that way, you know who they are and what they are doing. You don’t have to worry about using the mini-van driving them back and forth to the public swimming pool.

3. More Control of The Cleanliness of the Pool

Encourage your family and guests to have their bodies clean before entering your swimming pool. And while you can decide how many people you want in your oasis, it will help you keep it clean.

When you have a swimming pool at your home, there are responsibilities like testing the pool water once a week and cleaning it with a pool vacuum.  In the long run, you will be glad that you have a clean and healthy oasis for your family and guests to enjoy.  Now, how about that community pool?

Community Pools

Community pools help people come together.  They give an opportunity for family gatherings.  But, say that you live in a closed community or at an apartment complex with a swimming pool, it may have more disadvantages than you think.  Let’s take a look at them:

1. Rules and Regulations – it will give you all the information about the community oasis including hours of operation, water quality and any other information that you need to know, especially about the filter system.

2. The property owners can establish their own rules. If you don’t suggest and put it to vote, the chances are that you will be upset by some “rules that don’t apply.”

3. Want to have a pool party? It may limit the number of people to your “private” pool party, and it may cost you in the long run.

4. Pets are never allowed in a community swimming area.

5. In some states, it’s not an obligation to have lifeguards during day hours. So, how safe would you feel if you have your children in the pool?

6. Maintenance fees include swimming pool maintenance. Unfortunately, not all administrative building workers are diligent in keeping the community pool clean.

7. Not everyone bothers to take care of a community property like it was their own home. Unfortunately, many leave cigarette buts, food or bags full of garbage in the community area.

8. The worst of all – when people who are not your neighbors or residents get the code to come into the swimming pool. More unwanted guests mean more bacteria into a community pool.

Public Swimming Pools

Many people believe that community pools have fewer advantages, but there is nothing compared to what a government agency points out about public swimming pools.  Here are the raw facts courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

1. The average swimmer deposits 0.14 grams of fecal matter in pool water.

2. One in five people in America admits urinating while in a swimming pool.

3. 35% of swimmers don’t shower before getting into the pool (that means fecal matter, dead skin, loose hair, lotion, sweat….)

4. Public pools will get you sick due to the accumulation of bacteria. No matter how much chlorine is in the pool, organic contaminants consume it, leaving less chlorine to do the job.  In other words, mixing organic matter with chlorine is lethal.  The combination is linked to lung and skin irritation, liver and bladder cancer, allergies, and asthma.

5. Public indoor swimming pools are not as safe as many people think. Studies indicate that swimming regularly in an indoor pool can cause upper and lower breathing problems like lung congestion, asthma, lung irritation and other breathing difficulties.  Thanks to the chloramine that settles above the water’s surface, the swimmers breathe this and, eventually can even affect bronchial health.

The health issues are not the only disadvantages exposed by a public swimming pool.

Other Problems Include:

1. Operational Hours – You won’t find an open pool for midnight or early swim. And, don’t even think of getting that de-stressed release after work and before dinner.  Most public pools are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

2. Seasonal – Most northern states have their public swimming pools open only in the summertime. Don’t expect to find a heated public swimming pool offseason.

3. Forget about pool parties – chances are…good luck! Not all public swimming pools will let you have a “private party” unless you pay a lot of money to have an event.

4. Admission Fees – Oh yes! If you are looking to swim for 15 minutes, is it worth paying for using the pool?  You may have to deal with losing the benefits of regular swimming.

5. Drive to the nearest public swimming pool means spending more money on gas.

We cannot disregard that some public swimming pools are well kept, with a staff that encourages swimming teams and swimming lessons in their neighborhoods.  But, if you are a homeowner who is looking to increase the value of the property, we encourage you to check your local pool construction company.  In our case, we provide financing through Lyon Financial, helping fellow Houstonians and surrounding areas to build the swimming pool of their dreams.

Don’t forget that Platinum Pools can walk you through the process of acquiring your new oasis. It all starts with a phone call at 281.870.1600 (Houston), 409.898.4995 (Beaumont), or 361.576.0183 (Victoria). Remember, Platinum Pools can prove the difference.