Saturday, September 22, 2007

Pool Waterfalls

Elizabeth Morgan

A large number of swimming pools now have waterfalls on their edges in order to increase their visual appeal. The waterfalls are constructed so that their water falls into the swimming pool, thus creating a continuous water effect with the pool. Small submersible bulbs are placed strategically at the point where the water just hits the pool, to give a glittering effect. Colored bulbs can also provide different hues to the waterfall.

Pool waterfalls are differently designed from other waterfalls. Here the water does not flow through a cascading slope, but it creates a neat arc as it falls. The entire mechanism of the waterfall is hidden in a concrete structure, which forms one wall of the swimming pool. This wall is generally tiled with the same tiles that are used for the rest of the swimming pool. The waterfalls can be designed to have different levels, or there may be different arcs at different heights. Water may also be made to spurt as a fountain from a point in the center of the pool.

Swimming pools with waterfalls are generally considered to be a status symbol. They are primarily found in big hotels and resorts. People with big mansions also opt for waterfalls around their pools. Even water attraction spots have pool waterfalls. Pool waterfalls are great attractions for children, who like to play in the water splashing over their heads. In such water parks, the outlet of water can be designed to be the face of some popular cartoon character or any other such creative idea. A single swimming pool can have several waterfalls, depending on its size.

But nowadays, private swimming-pool waterfalls are becoming increasingly affordable and popular. Small pools also are constructing small waterfalls around their pool walls. These do not produce wide arcs, but create a splashing effect.

The basic requirement for a pool waterfall is definitely the swimming pool. The ideal way is to construct the waterfall when the swimming pool is being built, so that it can be made continuous and hidden within the pool. Swimming pool waterfalls must have absolutely clean water, as people would be swimming in it. The tank of the waterfall must be repeatedly cleaned and treated; otherwise, it would harbor algae and moss.

Some swimming pools allow warm water to flow through the waterfalls. There are health professionals who believe in the curative powers of flowing hot water. These waterfalls are more for the health benefits than aesthetic appeal. Water is made to flow through thinner and stronger jets from a wall in the swimming pool.

A pool waterfall may cost several thousands of dollars. Constructing the waterfall along with the pool greatly reduces the cost of the waterfall. Hence, pre-planning is important.

Waterfalls provides detailed information about waterfalls, indoor waterfalls, waterfall gardens, waterfall ponds and more. Waterfalls is the sister site of Preformed Pond Liners.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Swimming Pool Covers

Ken Marlborough

A swimming pool can provide families with hours of entertainment and the opportunity for healthy recreation. However, unless care is taken, swimming pools can prove very dangerous. The sad fact is that it takes just thirty seconds for a child to drown. It is for this reason that pool covers can be so valuable.

Swimming pool covers provide many useful functions, such as maximizing the benefits of the pool-heating system, thereby cutting back on the portion of the energy bill devoted to keep the pool temperature perfect. Hard-top swimming pool covers also function as a backup to a pool fence (an absolute safety necessity), ensuring that if a little child wanders onto a covered pool, he or she will not get entangled in a flimsy cover, which is a drowning hazard. Warmer environments only require simple plastic swimming pool covers — just to keep the pool clean and protected from airborne dust, dirt, and leaves when not in use. The choice of the type of swimming pool cover is determined by what the particular necessities are.

Swimming pool covers come in a variety of choices: net pool covers, mesh pool covers, vinyl/in-ground pool covers, etc. They adapt to rocks and waterfalls and don't obstruct views. A mesh pool cover has a tight-fitting safety barrier, and it prevents unwanted entry, reduces maintenance, keeps pool free of debris, and reduces evaporation. A vinyl pool cover boasts an outstanding safety barrier, and it operates with the turn of a key, seals out dirt and leaves, insulates and retains heat, and reduces chemical loss. All-Safe and Katchakid are two of the many manufacturers of swimming pool covers.

The mesh swimming pool covers serve dual purposes: safety and protection of the pool from leaves and debris. Mesh covers are used extensively throughout the U.S. to close down or winterize pools. The fabric of the swimming pool cover is a unique blend of polypropylene and is impervious to chlorine and mildew. Most swimming pool covers provide an adequate level of safety if properly cared for. However, care should be taken to choose a pool cover that is high in quality and one in which the mesh pool cover straps go completely across the cover on both the top and bottom of the cover. Also, the spacing of the straps on the mesh pool covers greatly affects the overall strength.

Pool Covers provides detailed information on Pool Covers, Swimming Pool Covers, Inground Pool Covers, Pool Safety Covers and more. Pool Covers is affiliated with Discount Pool Supplies.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Pool Mosaics

Thomas Morva

Pools can be beautifully decorated using mosaic art in different patterned pool murals. Most of the time, the mosaic pattern for a swimming pool is in the shape of marine creatures like a whale, starfish, crab or fish. Sometimes, the pattern may also take the shape of the sun or some geometrical shape. A pool mural is placed at the center of the swimming pool, while there usually are some mosaic patterns running along the border of the pool.

The installation of the mosaics to the pool is relatively easy and just requires a call to the pool contractor. You will then have to pay the pool contractor a nominal charge for installation. If you are worried about the maintenance of the pool mosaic, don't; there is no maintenance required here at all. Most of the pool mosaic companies guarantee the mosaics for the life of the pool. There will be no peeling or fading of the mosaic, and it is also impervious to normal pool chemicals.

There is also paint available to paint on the pool mosaic to give the mosaic design a different color altogether; the color of the mural can be changed by contacting the pool mosaic company, where they take custom orders through fax or email. And if there is a need for an altogether different custom design, all that has to be done is to send a color image of your design to the pool mosaic company through fax or email, and the rest is their responsibility.

Some pool mosaic companies also have reflective types of pool mosaics that reflect the sunlight along the border of the swimming pool, enhancing the effect of the pool mosaic. So, if you do have a swimming pool, be sure to rush down to the nearest pool mosaic company to have a pool mural and pool mosaic designs made to your order.

Mosaics provides detailed information on Mosaics, Mosaic Tiles, Mosaic Arts, Mosaic Tables and more. Mosaics is affiliated with Ceramic Tile Design.