21 Facts About Pools: Think Twice Before You Jump Into Them

A swimming pool, commonly called a pool, can easily be described as a structure whose primary purpose is to hold water for recreational purposes or for people to swim in.

A pool is usually either built into the ground, also known as in-ground pools, or at an elevated level like a separate structure. A swimming pool can be built of any desired shape, size, or depth ranging from small and medium-sized backyard pools to mammoth-sized Olympic pools stretching for 164 ft (50 m).

One can find a swimming pool at a variety of locations such as a fitness center or a health club, or private clubs that provide swimming classes to people of all ages, especially children. At the same time, you may also come across public pools built by municipalities for the recreation of people living nearby. Interestingly, the first-ever swimming pool is believed to have been located in present-day Pakistan, built by the Mohenjo-Daro civilization, who referred to it as the 'Great Bath.' Back in the day, Greeks and Romans too built swimming pools to enjoy water sport as well as for personal recreational purposes. It is believed that the ancient Greeks were the first to start swimming in a pool.

Types Of Pools

There are a large variety of pools all across the world depending upon whether it is located inside or out in the open or on the basis of its size, purpose, location. Some pools are used exclusively by professional swimmers for training purposes, while there is a wide range of pools that are used only for entertainment.

A private pool is perhaps the most common kind of swimming pool which can be found in a number of homes.

A private pool can either be permanent or temporary depending upon the owner's need and is usually smaller than a public pool.

Public pools are another pretty commonly spotted type of swimming pool usually seen at recreational centers.

Nowadays, an ocean liner has a pool shared by the people on board.

A public pool can be a heated indoor pool or a shallow children's pool.

Interestingly, some public pools also have diving boards for recreation. This kind of pool usually contains a lot of chlorine or some other chemical to keep the pool water clean and hygienic.

The chemicals present in these pools help regulate a certain pH level. In order to increase the pH levels, one can add sodium carbonate to the swimming pool water.

At the same time, if you wish to reduce the pool's alkalinity, adding sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid is believed to be the best option.

A competition pool is another kind of pool explicitly used for competitive purposes.

These pools comply with a predetermined set of rules and regulations.

Spa pools or hot tubs are other kinds of pools often available at fitness centers.

The pool water in these pools is at a regulated temperature and is often used for relaxation and therapeutic purposes.

Another interesting kind of pool is a 'zero-entry swimming pool' usually seen at water parks. This kind of pool doesn't have a specific entry point.

Researchers have come up with a new kind of pool known as 'natural pools or ponds' in recent times.

Unlike the orthodox swimming pools, these pools do not have chemicals in them and use a biological pool filter hydroponically rotted plants for hygiene purposes.

Unsurprisingly, you won't feel any chlorine-related skin issues while you swim or dive in these pools.

Some of the other pool types include infinity pools, exercise pools, indoor pools, and ocean pools.

Maintenance Of Pools

In order to make the best use of a pool, it is necessary to maintain the swimming pool in the best possible ways. There are a number of things to keep in mind while maintaining a pool, like having to replace the old water with fresh water and regulating the chlorine level in the water.

In case you have an outdoor pool, the task you must undertake on a regular basis is skimming leaves and debris that fall into the swimming pool.

It is better to practice skimming the pool on a daily basis as, once the debris settles at the bottom of the swimming pool, it can be a pretty tricky task to remove.

You can also try trim trees if they fall over your swimming pool in order to restrict leaves in your pool.

One must also brush the walls and ladders of pools in order to restrict the growth of algae on any such items.

Pay extra attention to your pool's filters so that they can efficiently remove any debris or other harmful particles from your pool and keep it safe.

Benefits Of Pools

Swimming pools offer a wide array of benefits ranging from recreational purposes to health benefits. A number of families these days install swimming pools within their houses to avoid traveling to public pools and avail benefits of a pool right from their home.

It is a proven fact that swimming is one of the best physical exercises. It not only burns fat but also provides flexibility and builds muscle.

Did you know swimming burns more calories than perhaps any other form of exercise, with around 850 calories being burnt after steadily swimming for an hour?

If you have an outdoor pool, spending more time in the pool leads to higher levels of serotonin in the body owing to the Sun.

Swimmers and other athletes often use aqua therapies to recover from injuries in swimming pools.

Swimming is undoubtedly one of the best stress relievers for swimmers and is a great way to burn some calories and have fun as well.

Building a pool inside the home premises allows you to throw pool parties during the summer days and have great get-togethers as well. Depending on your pool size and shape, you can build one by spending around $28,000-$55,000.

FAQs

Who invented pool swimming?

Swimming pools have been present for ages dating back to the ancient Greeks, but it was Gaius Maecenas who introduced the concept of heated swimming pools.

What are the benefits of having a pool?

The benefits of having a pool range include health benefits, a source of entertainment, helping children learn swimming from a young age without any hiccup.

How much does an inground pool cost?

On average, building an inground pool costs around $28,000 to $55,000, although the size, shape, and materials massively influence the cost.

How to raise pH in the pool?

Adding sodium carbonate to the pool water is one of the easiest ways to raise the pH level.

How long is an Olympic pool?

The length of an Olympic swimming pool is 164 ft (50 m).

How to lower alkalinity in a pool?

Mixing muriatic acid with the pool's water helps significantly in lowering the alkalinity of the pool.