The region in which you live will have a large impact on your pool ownership experience. The temperature, seasonality, and terrain of where you call “home” will all play a role in various things you should consider when exploring your options to build a swimming pool.
Specifically for Central Pennsylvania, there are some key details that will make owning a pool in this region different from other locations. Let’s take a look at a few unique aspects you should consider.
In the dead of summer, you won’t want to leave your pool.
In Pennsylvania, we are fortunate to experience all four seasons. That also means that in the summertime it can get very hot and stay hot for quite some time. Typically about mid-July there is a week or two of extreme heat moving into the triple digits! This is the time of year when Central Pennsylvania pool owners are very grateful to have convenient access to cooler waters. It becomes almost necessary to be in or near a pool in order to enjoy the outdoors during this season.
Even when it’s not stifling hot, the months of late May through early October are ideal weather conditions to enjoy a pool. This gives us a pretty hearty swim season which quickly validates investing in your own pool.
A custom design can help with challenging terrain.
Particularly in Central Pennsylvania, there can be hilly and uneven terrain. If you backyard is not perfectly level, it can create challenges when designing your pool. One option is to excavate; however, rock is also common in this area and can be hidden underground until you encounter it when you’re digging up the land. These are great reasons to steer toward a custom pool design that can be tailored to your property and allow you to solve these challenges in creative and cost-effective ways.
If your backyard slopes and you don’t want to, or can’t level it out, a custom pool with an exposed rock façade or infinity edge could be great solutions. Additionally, features like a tanning ledge or built in bench seating can reduce the amount you need to excavate.
Mind your filters.
While Central Pennsylvania is known for its lush greenery, this also means debris from trees and bushes can wind up in your pool and ultimately in your filtration system. Pools with automatic cleaning and filtration systems are a great help for keeping your pool clean even when leaves are actively falling into it daily. However, you want to be sure to empty your skimmer baskets frequently so your pool can function properly and to avoid any damage to your filtration system.
A heating system helps extend your swim season.
Incorporating some form of heating system into your swimming pool will give you a longer length of time to enjoy your pool each year. With the ability to heat your pool, you can open your pool sooner and close your pool later, while maintaining a comfortable water temperature your whole family can enjoy. When it comes to heating your pool, you have the option of gas, solar, or electric heat, so be sure to talk to a trusted pool professional about which one is right for your pool design and lifestyle.
Proper winterization is key.
Finally, properly closing or “winterizing” your pool at the end of the season is very important for Central Pennsylvania pool owners in order to preserve the beauty and quality of their pool. Proper winterization also helps to ensure that when you go to open your pool at the start of a new season, there are fewer possibly surprises like damage to the pool’s structure or contaminated water. For pools with a more complex heating or filtration system, or a custom cover, it may be wise to hire a professional pool company to close your pool for you so you can rest assured that it is done thoroughly and correctly.
Are you curious to learn more about what it could be like to have your own swimming pool? Contact us today for a no-obligation conversation!