You’ve got your new inground pool, now what?
You have the floats and pool toys, but something’s still missing. The perfect add-on to your inground pool. A pool slide.
Remember your trips to the water park? Sliding down the slide at your local water park was always exciting. But you can’t take a trip down the pool slide anytime you want.
So why not have your own pool slide — and start creating unforgettable memories for your family.
Here’s a little secret. You can find a high quality slide that fits for your pool and your backyard by consulting with a pool store in Simi Valley or your pool contractor that installed your pool.
It’s easy to own a pool slide
Adding a pool slide to your backyard is straightforward. You pick the slide you want, order it, and get it installed. Right?
Au contraire.
There are external factors to consider — homeowner’s association (HOA) and local ordinance. Either one of these can be a damper into you dream pool slide. Why? There are rules governing your pool’s safety or height that can prevent you from adding a pool slide.
Your HOA will have their requirements in your CC&R, or the local government regulation. While most city regulations apply to public swimming pools, it’s advisable to check in and ask for permission rather than forgiveness.
Breaking the law can incur a hefty fine and a block to proceed with your pool addition.
What is CPSC Compliance?
Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC), is an agency dedicated to protect consumers. This government agency creates safety guidelines for products we use every day.
This is not some legal hoop that you can jump over — or pretend to be ignorant about. It’s far too risky and will be in violation of safety rules.
After all, why cut corners when the safety of your family is concerned.
Pool slide that you buy must meet the CPSC guidelines; no exceptions. Depending on the height of the slide, you may require slip-resistant platforms. It make sense. Since falling off a 8 feet slide could cause serious injury.
Hand rails will be required to protect the person climbing up if you decide to install a pool slide that has a steep ladder.
These rules and many others are there to protect you. Of course, it also protects the manufacturer from any legal lawsuits if an injury should occur.
Most important, we are very concerned for the safety of your family and anyone else who’s going to use your pool. Any injury could damper the mood of a pool party — so make sure you look for compliance when shopping around for a pool slide.
There are two types of pool materials
We do not recommend buying a used pool slide. As tempting as it can be, saving a few dollars is never worth compromising the safety of your family and friends.
The main concern of a used pool slide is the integrity of it’s structure and material. You could end up buying a pool slide nearing the end of its lifespan.
Polyethylene is the most used material for the modern-day pool slide. It’s used due to its structural versatility and durability. Polyethylene can withstand exposure to intense Summer heat with minimal discoloration.
Fiberglass is plastic reinforced with glass fibers — not hazardous to humans. It reinforces the plastic and reduces corrosion.
Either material are great options — it all comes down to preference.
Things to keep in mind
Homeowners ask us many questions about adding a pool slide.
There are many things to consider from budget and design to material and colors. But these are the top questions homeowners need to know about adding a pool slide.
You can add a pool slide later.
Adding a new pool can quickly blow through your budget. You will realize there are things that must be purchased now and other things to add later.
If you cannot afford to add a pool slide when building your pool, a little planning and allow you to add a pool slide easily in the future.
Make sure the water source for your future pool slide is capped. Your pool contractor can help you make sure your pool is ready for a slide when the time comes.
Additionally, make sure there’s enough space in your backyard to accommodate your slide.
Pool slides use water from the pool. Have your contractor install an extra plumbing line from the filter system to the future slide location.
Plan the slide’s location.
We recommend the slide face your sitting area. Why?
First, it can double as a water feature. Second, you can see the excitement of your children, family, and friends when they shoot into the pool. Third, it’s more fun than starring at the back of the pool slide.
A good location to install your pool slide is along side the deepest end of your pool.
Your pool slide should almost, never enter the pool at the shallow ends. It poses potential for injury.
You need enough space on your patio for the slide.
Ensure there is enough space around your pool slide otherwise your access around the patio will be cut off.
Without enough space, you will have to duck under the pool slide or go around the pool just to get to your sitting area.
Additionally, if your pool slide is too close to your sitting around, you might end up splashing your guests when someone shoots into the pool.
Your guests may not be too entertained when their plate of food gets soaked.
Another consideration is your pools depth.
A good rule of thumb is the taller the slide, the deeper your water needs to be.
Regardless of how tall your slide is, though, you want to install your slide at the deep end of your pool. This will help ensure the safety of everyone who uses it.
A local Simi Valley pool professional can help you figure out your specific depth requirements once you select the pool slide for your backyard oasis.
There are many slide options to choose from
Pool slides have come a long way from the white or blue color options.
Today, you can customize your pool slide and have dozens of options to choose from. There’s a variety of styles and designs you can choose from and you’re only limited by how adventurous you want to be.
Hosing down your pool slide
Nobody likes friction burn. That’s when you slide down a dry pool slide while your skin rub against the slide’s surface.
A slick slide allows you to zip down the slide and into the pool — sounds like a lot more fun doesn’t it?
So how are you going to keep the slide wet when it’s in use? You have two options: using a garden hose or connecting permanent plumbing to use your pool water.
You can get the job done with a garden hose.
Letting water run down the slide to make it slick enough to slide down. But that’s not what we’re talking about — plus it’ll look tacky just plopping your garden hose on the top of your pool slide.
You need to use spray kits that connect to your garden hose and wet the slide with small nozzles on your slide.
While using a garden hose requires no extra plumbing work and it’s cheaper, it comes with concerns you should be aware of.
Your pool can overflow
It’s your 10-year old son’s birthday and he’s inviting his classmates to your home for a pool party.
Your pool slide is the main attraction — and it needs to stay slick for as long as the kids are swimming.
This could mean hours of water streaming from the hose to avoid any of your son’s friends getting friction burn.
Since the water is only going into the pool, it stands a chance of overflowing. You have a few options to keep your pool from overflowing.
First, you can limit the time usage of the pool slide — but you’d be the debbie-downer. Second, you could turn your garden hose on and off in intervals — nobody wants that responsibility. Third, drain some water from the pool. Lastly, you are going to rack up quite a water bill.
Running your hose for hours on end is a huge waste of water, especially when you’re using the slide all summer. Consequently, you will drain gallons of water from your poll into the drain.
Using water from your pool
Making your pool the water source for your slide is the better option.
Why? Because your pool water is already chemically balanced.
You will have lower pool chemical costs, less maintenance, lower water bill, and less water waste.
It’ll take some planning to set up permanent plumbing. But this ensures no overflow like you do with a garden hose.
A pro swimming pool company in Simi Valley can get the necessary permits, run a new line, and connect your pool water to your slide.
Installing your own pool slide
If you are handy and ready to take on a new project, you could install a pool slide on your own.
You can get help or go at it on your own. Either way you decide, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions and get all the tools you need.
If you’re not comfortable installing a slide on your own, a local pro is the way to go.
Before you make a final decision on your slide, make sure to ask if your pool contractor can or will install a slide you purchase.
When all else fail, inflatable pool slide comes to your rescue
They are not as aesthetically pleasing, complete your dream backyard oasis, or get excited about — like the feeling you get with a permanent pool slide.
But inflatable pool slides can be a great alternative if you’re short on space. Plus, they’re a huge hit with young kids.
Inflatables are less expensive and require less space.
If you have your heart set on a pool slide, but need to stay within a budget and have limited backyard space, then consider an inflatable pool slide as your best option for summer fun.
Let’s face it.
Kids don’t really care whether it’s inflatable or permanent with marbled stones or a fountain.
They just want to slide into the pool and create the biggest splash. They just want to have the best summer in the swimming pool.
Slide away
When you’ve selected your pool slide, there’s just the small matter of setting up, figuring out how to keep it wet, and then enjoying it.
Once you have a pool slide installed, you’ll enjoy your summer and even cooler days with a pool heater.
Happy Swimming!
