Is there anything more relaxing and more fun than swimming in a pool in the comfort of your backyard? But here we aren’t talking about a conventional pool full of chemicals, we’re talking about natural swimming pools.
In case you are ready to get your hands dirty and you love DIY projects, then you will definitely enjoy building one of these remarkable pools at your home. In this article we will talk about all the good and the bad elements about natural swimming pools, so that you can decide whether this is something you would want to do.
Advantages and disadvantages of natural swimming pools
Pros:
- No chemicals
- The appreciation of nature
- Relaxing and beautiful environment
Cons:
- You’ll have to learn a lot about plants
- You’ll have to take care of plants
Well, natural pools are exactly that – natural. Therefore they won’t have a negative impact on your skin and overall health like conventional pools can. In case you didn’t know, chlorinated water can have serious consequences on your skin and health. That’s why people with chlorine allergies, people with sensitive skin or asthma prefer swimming in natural pools. What’s more, the water in natural pools is good for your skin, since it will soften and moisturize it.
Natural swimming pools have a regeneration area (with plants, animals and bugs that help in filtering, cleaning and oxygenating your pool) and a swimming area. Of course, you’ll need to buy a pump (solar or a regular one) in order to prevent the water from stagnating. If the water in your pool circulates on a daily basis, there won’t be mosquitos and other irritating insects. Thanks to all this, you’ll be able to swim in a healthy and calming environment, and will also learn to appreciate nature.
Even though you won’t have to struggle with cleaning the pool with chemicals, don’t be naïve and think there is nothing you’ll have to do. In the regeneration area, there will be quite a number of plants, and you’ll have to take care of them. Plus, you’ll have to manage algae. This means that you’ll need to learn basic things about plants and how to take care of them.
Pros:
- Lower energy consumption
- Cheaper option
Cons:
- High initial costs
Compared to a conventional pool that costs a fortune to construct and maintain, natural pools are less expensive. However, do keep in mind that the initial costs are high, since you’ll have to do a lot of ground preparation work.
In addition, building a natural pool all by yourself is possible but quite challenging. So, you’d probably want to get some help, just in case. That way, you will shorten the construction time which means that you’ll get to swim around a lot sooner. But, honestly now, the construction itself is a lot of fun.
Apart from the initial costs, natural pools are definitely a smart investment. Since you won’t have to spend a bunch of money on buying all kinds of chemicals, filters and other equipment, maintenance of these pools is far less expensive than with traditional ones. Moreover, energy consumption will be lower, especially if you opt for a solar pump.
Advantage:
- Environmentally friendly
You know those picture-perfect conventional swimming pools where you can relax and don’t think about anything else? Well, we hate to be the ones to break it to you, but they aren’t so perfect. Apart from being full of chemicals, these pools use a huge amount of water – more than 20 000 gallons. Even worse, these pools waste water that you could drink!
Now, what do you think, where does all this water go, when it’s time to drain the pool? Well, the owners of the pool either don’t think, or simply don’t know, about that either. Not to mention the negative impact that chlorine and all those chemicals leave on the ecosystem. So, these pools definitely aren’t eco-friendly.
On the other hand, natural pools don’t require draining. During the winter, they will freeze, and when the seasons change, the pool will be brought back to life.
However, this is where some risks come in. If you have kids, or a dog, having a frozen pool in your yard may not seem such a good idea. In fact, this can be very dangerous.
Advantages
- Lots of bugs and living creatures
Disadvantages:
- Lots of bugs and living creatures
Now, while having a wide variety of insects, plants, and animals in your pool may be beautiful and exciting, it can also be frightening (which is why most people don’t love these pools). Thinking about all those creatures that lurk at the bottom of your pool is definitely something to consider before opting for a natural pool.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it – pros and cons of a natural swimming pool. Hopefully, this article gave you new insights and helped you understand whether this is the type of a home improvement project you are willing to commit to. Good luck!
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