When I was a kid our neighbor Al had shoulder surgery. Al was an old timer who spent some of his free time helping my Cub Scout den make those little wood cars for the derby, and the derby was always a big deal.
So it was only natural that when Al had his shoulder surgery my parents let him come over and use our swimming pool for therapy. At the time I remember wondering why Al "wasn't really swimming" but instead walking in place and doing a very slow breath stroke in the shallow end. Then my mother explained to me that he had been injured and the pool was an important part of his rehabilitation.
This was when I realized that a swimming pool could be something more than just for play or for racing my friends. Now when I swim it's either for soothing relaxation or exercise.
One of my favorite exercises, back when I was surfing a lot a few years ago, was to swim underwater laps. The resistance was greater a few feet under the surface, or at least it felt that way, and it expanded my lung capacity. My body was trained to stay calm while underwater, always useful when surfing.
Swimming pools offer you weightless strength and stamina training, meaning less stress on your joints than a land based workout. A pool like the Hyrdroworx has taken this to a new level and is used by collegiate and professional sports teams.
A pool like the Hydroworx can be used inside or outside your home, and you could also build a small pool deck around it if you wanted to. Visit the Hydroworx website for an example.
If you have an above ground pool already but it's now too cold to use it, then consider using a local aquatic center or see if your gym has a swimming pool. Swimming burns calories very quickly, is a total body workout, and is much easier on your body than a land based workout.
As always, be safe while swimming and if necessary improve your swimming skills before taking to an Olympic size pool, doing underwater laps like I did, or attempting an advanced stroke.
Happy holidays!
Regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build a Pool Deck
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Why Advertising?
Those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile will probably have noticed the new Google ads feature in the left column.
I always want to focus on writing good blogs that hopefully give you some useful insight and information into above ground pool decks, and pools in general. That said, I don't want to overwhelm readers with advertisements either.
However, in this economy it is important for information publishers like myself to ethically monetize websites or blogs in a generally acceptable way.
We do sell the eBook guide How to Build a Pool Deck at our website - a good building season seller - but at this moment it's important that I find ways to continue growing so I can continue to bring good content to you, and relevant advertising is part of the solution since it also gives you additional resources.
The Google ads you see should be relevant to decking, home improvement, and swimming pools. All things I assume you're interested in. If you're reading this the day of the post, it be might another day or two before Google can start feeding relevant ads. If you're reading this at a later date and the ads are not relevant please let me know.
I make no guarantees regarding any of the third-party Google advertised sites you visit and I reserve the right to stop the ad feed at anytime. That out of the way, based on my experience Google does a good job of making sure the websites listed are at least relevant.
That said, of course you do not have to click through to any of the websites advertised unless it looks good to you. That is at your discretion. I love it every time you stay here or click through to our website createyourdeck.com and you're always welcome back!
I appreciate your understanding and your visits.
Enjoy you pool!
Best regards,
Paul Ottaviano
I always want to focus on writing good blogs that hopefully give you some useful insight and information into above ground pool decks, and pools in general. That said, I don't want to overwhelm readers with advertisements either.
However, in this economy it is important for information publishers like myself to ethically monetize websites or blogs in a generally acceptable way.
We do sell the eBook guide How to Build a Pool Deck at our website - a good building season seller - but at this moment it's important that I find ways to continue growing so I can continue to bring good content to you, and relevant advertising is part of the solution since it also gives you additional resources.
The Google ads you see should be relevant to decking, home improvement, and swimming pools. All things I assume you're interested in. If you're reading this the day of the post, it be might another day or two before Google can start feeding relevant ads. If you're reading this at a later date and the ads are not relevant please let me know.
I make no guarantees regarding any of the third-party Google advertised sites you visit and I reserve the right to stop the ad feed at anytime. That out of the way, based on my experience Google does a good job of making sure the websites listed are at least relevant.
That said, of course you do not have to click through to any of the websites advertised unless it looks good to you. That is at your discretion. I love it every time you stay here or click through to our website createyourdeck.com and you're always welcome back!
I appreciate your understanding and your visits.
Enjoy you pool!
Best regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Friday, November 6, 2009
Above Ground Pool Deck ROI
It's hard to believe that November is already here. I hope you all had a great summer and if you decided to build an above ground pool deck then I hope everything went as smoothly as possible and that you still had some time left over to enjoy it this summer.
If you had your return-on-investment (ROI) in mind it's very possible you made a good decision to build a pool deck.
Appraisers will usually not include just an above ground pool because it's not considered a permanent structure. However, an above ground pool deck could possibly be included in your appraisal.
I don't want to give you the impression that it's really that simple because there are details that could influence an appraisers or perspective home buyers thinking.
For example, the size of the deck, its location or compatibility with the home, whether it's made of composite or wood, etc... and of course whether or not you build your pool deck in compliance with local building codes could have a impact on your ROI. There is also the ups and downs of the housing market too.
That said, if you build an above ground pool deck of reasonably good quality and it's up to code you could very well see a nice ROI.
As always, enjoy your pool!
Regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build a Deck Around a Pool
If you had your return-on-investment (ROI) in mind it's very possible you made a good decision to build a pool deck.
Appraisers will usually not include just an above ground pool because it's not considered a permanent structure. However, an above ground pool deck could possibly be included in your appraisal.
I don't want to give you the impression that it's really that simple because there are details that could influence an appraisers or perspective home buyers thinking.
For example, the size of the deck, its location or compatibility with the home, whether it's made of composite or wood, etc... and of course whether or not you build your pool deck in compliance with local building codes could have a impact on your ROI. There is also the ups and downs of the housing market too.
That said, if you build an above ground pool deck of reasonably good quality and it's up to code you could very well see a nice ROI.
As always, enjoy your pool!
Regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build a Deck Around a Pool
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Who Say's Above Ground Pools and Decks Are Only for Swimming?
It's not decking season so let's look at something fun and unique.
Check out this story from Florida's Seminole Voice. It's about how a local college theater group used an above ground pool and deck as a set for a play, very interesting.
Check out this story from Florida's Seminole Voice. It's about how a local college theater group used an above ground pool and deck as a set for a play, very interesting.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Dome Covers for Your Above Ground Pool
I'm still reading The Ultimate Guide to Above Ground Pools by Terry Tamminen. Actually, I'm reading it for the second time.
There is so much quality information about above ground pool maintenance that you'll find it impossible to remember it all just after one reading. It's one of those books that's a fantastic reference guide.
Since my mind is still on winterization I found his brief mention of dome covers really interesting.
A dome cover benefits you if you live in a climate where rain and snow are common. It helps keep dirt and debris out of your pool. If used in a rainy climate during the swim season, it will protect swimmers.
The cover is made of clear plastic and it's held together by a lightweight frame. Tamminen says that for larger pools a blower is used to keep the dome inflated and that the blower "requires no more electricity than a 100 watt light bulb".
It looks good too, even though it's plastic. The picture in Tamminen's book resembles a yurt or something you might use while camping.
I'd heard of dome covers but while living in southern California they weren't needed, so I had never seen one before. For those of you living in a rainy or snowy climate it might be very useful.
If you decide to get one for your above ground pool and deck, ask your local pool supplier for details and make sure you get the right one for your pool.
As always, enjoy your pool!
Regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build Decks for Above Ground Pools
There is so much quality information about above ground pool maintenance that you'll find it impossible to remember it all just after one reading. It's one of those books that's a fantastic reference guide.
Since my mind is still on winterization I found his brief mention of dome covers really interesting.
A dome cover benefits you if you live in a climate where rain and snow are common. It helps keep dirt and debris out of your pool. If used in a rainy climate during the swim season, it will protect swimmers.
The cover is made of clear plastic and it's held together by a lightweight frame. Tamminen says that for larger pools a blower is used to keep the dome inflated and that the blower "requires no more electricity than a 100 watt light bulb".
It looks good too, even though it's plastic. The picture in Tamminen's book resembles a yurt or something you might use while camping.
I'd heard of dome covers but while living in southern California they weren't needed, so I had never seen one before. For those of you living in a rainy or snowy climate it might be very useful.
If you decide to get one for your above ground pool and deck, ask your local pool supplier for details and make sure you get the right one for your pool.
As always, enjoy your pool!
Regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build Decks for Above Ground Pools
Friday, September 11, 2009
Winterizing Your Above Ground Pool
Hopefully you had a good summer and enjoyed your above ground pool, and deck. It seems like yesterday that it was May and many of you were ramping up your pool deck plans.
Now that it's September and school has started you might have an additional few weeks or so of decent swimming weather, but it's already nearing that time when you're going to have start thinking about winterizing your above ground pool.
For those of you who are relatively new to pool ownership or are just looking for good information on winterization - and general pool maintenance info - I recommend The Ultimate Guide to Above-Ground Pools by Terry Tamminen.
In addition to a lot of pool care information - everything from pumps to filters - there is a whole chapter on above ground pool repair and winterization that is very easy to understand.
Tamminen writes that winterization in temperate climates is easy, but warns against doing nothing. He keeps the water circulating and heater on every few hours to prevent any freezing, which he says is better than replacing broken pipes.
For colder climates, Tamminen goes into more depth but also includes a "quick start guide" for those of you with a little more experience and just looking to cut straight to the facts.
All of that work you put into your above ground pool deck might be regrettable if you don't winterize. Cracked pipes, algae, and problems from dirt and debris can be prevented if you remember to take care of your pool during the winter.
As always, enjoy your pool!
Best regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build Pool Decks
Now that it's September and school has started you might have an additional few weeks or so of decent swimming weather, but it's already nearing that time when you're going to have start thinking about winterizing your above ground pool.
For those of you who are relatively new to pool ownership or are just looking for good information on winterization - and general pool maintenance info - I recommend The Ultimate Guide to Above-Ground Pools by Terry Tamminen.
In addition to a lot of pool care information - everything from pumps to filters - there is a whole chapter on above ground pool repair and winterization that is very easy to understand.
Tamminen writes that winterization in temperate climates is easy, but warns against doing nothing. He keeps the water circulating and heater on every few hours to prevent any freezing, which he says is better than replacing broken pipes.
For colder climates, Tamminen goes into more depth but also includes a "quick start guide" for those of you with a little more experience and just looking to cut straight to the facts.
All of that work you put into your above ground pool deck might be regrettable if you don't winterize. Cracked pipes, algae, and problems from dirt and debris can be prevented if you remember to take care of your pool during the winter.
As always, enjoy your pool!
Best regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build Pool Decks
Monday, August 17, 2009
Pool Decking Safety
I sometimes walk barefoot on my old deck. There haven't been many splinters to deal with, but there are a few popped up screws here or there to look out for. It happens as a deck ages.
This brings to mind some safety precautions you can take with your swimming pool deck.
When building a deck around your pool, remember that most people who use it will be barefoot. If affordable, it's a good idea to invest in the best decking lumber available.
Naturally resistant wood might be a good choice for you. Also, redwood reportedly does not splinter easily. I can't personally attest to this because it's not what my deck is made of.
Remember to reseal your wood every year. Some recommend doing this twice each year, or more.
As with many things, if you take care of your above ground swimming pool deck then it will take care of you.
Enjoy your pool!
Regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build Pool Decks
This brings to mind some safety precautions you can take with your swimming pool deck.
When building a deck around your pool, remember that most people who use it will be barefoot. If affordable, it's a good idea to invest in the best decking lumber available.
Naturally resistant wood might be a good choice for you. Also, redwood reportedly does not splinter easily. I can't personally attest to this because it's not what my deck is made of.
Remember to reseal your wood every year. Some recommend doing this twice each year, or more.
As with many things, if you take care of your above ground swimming pool deck then it will take care of you.
Enjoy your pool!
Regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build Pool Decks
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