Great Ways To Add Value To Your Home’s Backyard

Your home’s backyard is a common place for potential buyers to assess when viewing your home. Even if you aren’t looking to sell now, it can still be a good idea to make your backyard the best it can be. So here are a few ways you can improve your home’s value with your backyard.

Bring in Lighting

Adding lighting to your backyard is one of the main features that can make a huge difference. Strategic lighting can make your whole backyard look so much better. Focus on lighting pathways and places where people naturally congregate to get the most use out of your lights.

Get Bigger Plants

While small flowers and plants can add a lot to a garden, little can compare to large trees and bushes. Planting several trees in your backyard can greatly increase the space’s value, as they take so long to grow. Even just a few trees or larger plants can make a big difference to the quality of your yard.

Add A Pool

A pool is a great way to increase the value of your home, as many people want a place that has the extra benefit of a swimming pool. While they require a lot of maintenance, you can see a greater return on your investment when you sell. However, you need to know if you want an inground pool or an above ground one and which will add the most value to your property.

Create A Gathering Place

A great addition to any backyard that can add a lot of value is a place for people to gather and relax. Adding a deck or patio can make a huge difference, as you now have somewhere to cook and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family, fully utilizing the space you have out back.

All these changes to your backyard do more than just add some monetary value to your home. They make your backyard a more enjoyable place, so it’s well worth getting the changes even if you don’t want to sell right now. That way, you can enjoy the new backyard and all the additions you added to it.

3 Tips for Preparing Your Pool for Spring

With the winter quickly in our rearview mirrors, it’s time to look forward to sunny days and clear skies. With the warm months ahead, it’s time to plan for spring and summer filled with days at the pool. While owning a swimming hole of your own is a great way to relax and have fun, it’s also a needy amenity.

After the rough winter season, pools need tender loving care to ensure they function properly. Here are three tips for preparing your pool for spring.

Pool Cleaning

Pools get gross when they remain unused, and when spring rolls around, you must get to cleaning. Luckily, this process is pretty straightforward and only demands some physical labor. Consider cleaning your pool one week before you intend to swim—this gives you plenty of time to tidy things up.

Skim any buildups of grime and debris, which typically accumulate on the lower parts of the pool. Give a throughout rinsing of the entire swimming pool before using chemicals. This helps improve the performance of the cleaning agents you use.

Water and Structural Testing

The next step is making sure your water is suitable for swimming. It’s very easy to test the water, especially with a proper testing kit. Investigate the different characteristics of your water—chlorine, pH, and hardness. With this information, you can properly adjust your pool without making any mistakes.

It’s also important to assess any structural damages your pool may have suffered during the winter. Look for any cracks and large holes and fix these problems immediately. Consider adding a functional drain for an infinity pool—this specialized pool requires more drainage to protect both itself and your property.

Water Adjusting

Before taking a dip, you must adjust your water to the preferred chemical balances. Based on the information you gathered during the test, stock up on the appropriate chemicals to add to your pool. While applying these agents, ensure the pump is on and running, which will help circulate the water and chemicals more efficiently and effectively. Here are the preferred chemical balances:

• pH – 7.4-7.6

• Chlorine – 1-3 parts per million

• Hardness – 150-400 parts per million

These three tips for preparing your pool for spring ensure your most valuable amenity is functional. Now that you know how to get your swimming pool up and running, sit back and enjoy the pleasant seasons ahead!

How Do You Refurbish a Swimming Pool?

Even when a pool is carefully maintained throughout the year, that type of water feature will need to be refurbished at some point. Properly refurbishing your pool is going to improve its appearance and greatly reduce your risk of expensive damage later on.

Draining

Every pool is slightly different, but most experts suggest that homeowners drain and refill their pools at least once every three to five years. Draining is typically carried out during the coldest months of the year, and that maintenance will allow you to remove any dissolved solids that are lingering in the water. When you drain your pool, it is vital that you get a swimming pool refurbishment of the surface and refill it as quickly as possible.

Inspecting the Pool

After the pool has been drained, it is then time to carefully inspect all of the pipes, gaskets, motors, filters, and lights for any signs of damage. Repairing damaged parts is going to be much easier when the pool is completely empty, and you might want to work with a pool specialist who knows exactly what to look for. Taking care of minor problems while the pool is empty will allow you to avoid serious mechanical issues down the road.

Prepping the Walls

Prepping the walls of the pool is extremely important because it will allow the new material to adhere to the existing concrete or tiles. As a general rule, a pool contractor is going to carefully clean all of the grime off the walls, fill any cracks, and sand down intrusions. Your contractor might also suggest that you acid wash the sides of the pool so that there aren’t any lingering bacteria or mineral deposits.

Applying Epoxy

The final step in the swimming pool refurbishment process is applying a layer of epoxy material to the walls. Using high-quality epoxy paint is going to make it much easier for you to keep the pool clean and eye-catching for quite some time. In most cases, a high-quality epoxy product is going to last for 10 to 20 years with the proper maintenance.

Once your pool has been refurbished and refilled, you must then keep a close eye on the chemicals for at least a few weeks. Your chemicals will most likely need to be adjusted multiple times during those first three or four weeks, and that type of maintenance will ensure that you don’t struggle with algae or other issues in the coming months.

Accessories Every Pool Owner Needs To Buy

What good is owning a pool if you don’t have all the fun accessories to enjoy? Are some pool accessories more essential than others? We’ve put together a list of accessories every pool owner needs to buy so that you’re ready for that next pool day.

Water Toys

What pool is complete without water toys every member of the family can enjoy? There is such a variety of toys on the market that you’re sure to find something for everyone. The list includes:

• Water blasters

• Pool noodles

• Pool loungers and rafts

• Pool rockets and rings for diving

• Any inflatables

• Water volleyballs and beach balls

Don’t forget about the pets, too! Grab them their own pet life vests if they need them and a few frisbees for your dogs to enjoy fetching while they leap into the water.

Pool Cover

A pool cover is an essential accessory every pool owner needs to buy. It will keep the debris from dirtying the water and clogging the drain. It will also prevent wild critters like rabbits, squirrels, birds, snakes, frogs, toads, and other animals from entering your pool. A pool cover could also save the life of a child or anyone else who accidentally falls into the pool unsupervised. Ensure you’re securely fastening the cover; otherwise, it could become a hazard.

Towel Rack

This item seems obvious, but most pool owners don’t think about it until they need one. It’s also nice to have when you’re having a party. You’ll have a designated space for all the towels, and people will know whose towel is whose.

Waterfall

If you want to up the luxury factor with your pool, install a water feature. Waterfalls provide a soothing and serene quality to your swimming pool to help relax you on the busiest of days. They make you feel like you’re on vacation right in your backyard. Waterfalls are also beneficial because they help circulate the water, among other reasons.

Fire Pit

A fire pit is another accessory every pool owner needs to buy that will create a luxurious, resort-like experience in your backyard. It’s perfect for those chilly evenings after a lazy day of relaxing in the pool. Roast some s’mores and gather all your friends around the fire.