Natural Pools

Pools can be an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors as well as a fantastic way to work on a washboard stomach. There are several types of pools, varying in cost and upkeep, but on type of pool is starting to make an appearance in the United States. Natural pools are beautiful swimming pools with a thriving ecosystem to help filter bad bacteria and debris without using harsh chemicals. These pools are less expensive than many of their counterparts, plus they create a delightful centerpiece in any outdoor space.

Many folks dream of having a swimming pool in their backyard, though there can be a lot of concerns regarding building one and managing upkeep. One of these concerns is that there are large amounts of chemicals that are typically loaded into cement pools, thus causing potential irritation on the skin of young and old alike. Plus, if you aren’t as familiar with cleaning and measuring out the proper mix to maintain the correct pH levels, owning a pool can be downright difficult. Natural pools are becoming a staple in the world of outdoor landscaping and personal aquatic activities, so why not take a look at what building a natural pool entails and how it can be beneficial.

For starters, the way a natural pool works is that half of the surface area of the pool is used to grow plants. This means that there are essentially two sections of pool. One is deeper and great for swimming, splashing, and all around fun, while the other is mainly a home for the plants that will keep the pool clean. This section is shallower, thus allowing for the plants to grow and flourish. The two sections of a pool are separated by a shallow rim, making it possible for water to flow between the two sections, but keeping a divide so that plants and humans can stay in their own parts of the pool. There are many types of plants that can be used to assist filtration in a natural pool setting. Homeowners who are planning their own natural pool would do well to research the types of water plants that thrive in the climate and soil of the area, thus ensuring that the plants live and flourish for years.

It shouldn’t be surprising that where the plants are, the small water creatures may be also. This is another reason that it is important to have a safe place for them to build their habitat because they are important in the ecosystem that is a natural pool. Frogs will help to keep the mosquito and fly population down, and many other creatures such as dragonflies provide other services that will help your pool maintain it’s beauty and thriving plant life.

Many other types of pools require filtration systems that require maintenance and upkeep. Natural pools don’t need much more than a pump to ensure that the water flows and has a chance to get to the filtration system. A fountain or waterfall can easily serve as a way to keep the water moving. Another option is to use a simple air compressor that offers the same benefits without the fuss of caring for the more decorative fountains and waterfalls. It’s important, however, to hire an electrician to assist in any underwater aeration system to ensure that all wiring is safely placed and secured.

Cement pools are known for their rough textures- especially when it comes to the bottom of the pool. Many people worry about scraping feet and knees on the floor of pools, but with a natural pool, the flooring is stone. The way a natural pool is built is quite interesting and very different when compared with a standard cement pool. Plus, it can be thousands of dollars cheaper, depending on the detail put into the pool. The main project is digging out a space for the pool. This means that is can be as deep or shallow as is preferred. Next, a layer of clay is placed in over the dirt to help keep any potential leaks contained. Typically clay is the preferred choice as it’s a more natural barrier, but some people choose to use a plastic pool liner and that works fine as well. Next is a layer of gravel, which provides a great place for healthy bacteria to live and help break down any materials that may settle to the bottom. To top it all off, a layer of smooth river rocks can be placed as a final flooring to the pool.

Of course, there are other options for sealing in the swimming section of the pool. Concrete or bentonite are a few of them, however the most common is the way listed previously due to lower costs and a lower need for maintenance. The area of main importance is the place the plants are growing. High-quality soil will keep your plants happy and lessen the need to replace any plants.

One awesome perk to owning a natural pool is that there is not a need to drain in the winter, or even swap out water occasionally. The most that a pool owner would need to do is top off the water on occasion. Plus, since the flooring of most natural pools includes natural materials such as rocks, gravel, and clay, there is no need to get in and repave cracks, fix filtration systems, etc, since there are no cracks or filtration machines to worry about. Maintaining a natural pool has minimal costs. Even algae, which has a way of haunting any pool owner, can be kept at bay by using the proper plants and animals in the “filtration” sections of the pool.

Overall, there are many different types of pools, but one of the most underrated pools in the natural pool. The common misconception about these types of pools is that they are expensive to build and expensive to maintain, but that is not so. A natural pool can be a great way to keep chemicals out of the backyard and keep pool costs low, while making the pool a beautiful gardenscape to be proud of in a back or side yard.