Adding a Swimming Pool to Your Home? Things You Should Know

Have fun in the sun and stay cool by the pool! With that lovely extended spring behind us and the infamous Arizona summer on its way, Valley residents are pulling out their swimsuits and stocking up on sunscreen. Shea Homes® homeowners in communities like Recker Pointe and Ambition at Eastmark (and soon, 24 North) love the resort feel of their community pools, where neighbors can meet, play and barbecue together.

Many of our communities also offer the option of adding a swimming pool in the back yard. We chatted with Jim Pinson from Shasta Pools, Shea’s trusted resource for everything aquatic, to get the scoop on everything from construction to safety and maintenance. Shasta has been family-owned since 1966 and has been Arizona’s premier pool builder for decades.

While some homebuyers wait to build their pool until after closing, there are a few reasons to consider going for it right out of the gate.

Excavating while the home is under construction can save a lot of mess and hassle. “The bulk of the mess associated with the excavation and construction of the pool will be avoided if the pool is constructed in conjunction with the home,” says Pinson.

Heavy-duty excavation equipment may have an impact on your perfectly manicured yard; better to do it when it’s all still dirt, then landscape after the pool is done. That way, your backyard sanctuary will all come together at once.

It could save you money, too. “Generally, we can access the yard with larger equipment prior to the walls being installed,” says Pinson. “If you wait until your backyard is finished and walled in, it may require specialized, smaller equipment to get the job done, which can get pricey. You can reduce or eliminate these extra costs entirely by starting construction before your new home is finished.”

For many first-time pool-owners, keeping your pool clean and clear may seem overwhelming. Skimming, shocking, backwashing, vacuuming; it’s a lot to take in. Pinson has a few quick tips to keep your pool crystal blue and swim-ready:

1. Vacuum regularly. Even if you haven’t taken a dip in a while, vacuuming regularly will help keep your water clear and free of debris.
2. Keep the puppies out. Dogs love to swim, but their fur can easily clog up your filter, and the chlorine will dry out their skin.
3. Brush the water line. A stainless steel bristled brush is a great way to scrub the algae off those places that are hard for your vacuum to reach. Besides keeping things clean, this can be as oddly satisfying as power washing a dirty driveway.
4. Mind your chemistry. If you haven’t thought about pH levels since high school, that’s okay. Pick up a few test strips, some chlorine, and some shock. Test every few days and adjust to keep it clear and shining. Just be sure to wait a few hours to swim after throwing in the shock.
5. Let technology do the work. If you’re looking for that resort-blue water without any hassle, consider some of the new advances in pool tech that will take care of nearly everything for you, leaving you with more time to catch some rays. Or skip steps one through five and hire a pool company to service your pool weekly!

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