Swimming Pool Safety - Importance Of Non-Skid Base And Non-Abrasive Surfaces
When you own a fibreglass pool, you want to be able to enjoy your pool as often as possible. The key to your continued enjoyment is how safe the area around your pool is.
Picture this. You or a family member are just getting out of the pool after a good swim. However, as soon as you get out, you slip on the pool ledge and you end up getting hurt.
Older people are particularly vulnerable to getting hurt if the area around your fibreglass pool isn’t safe.
Why Should Swimming Pool Safety Be Important To You?
If you want to avoid people slipping and getting into accidents, then you can’t avoid swimming pool safety. Non-skid bases are specially designed to ensure that people don’t slip and fall. So when you’re getting your fibreglass pool installed, don’t forget to pay attention to the area around your pool as well.
The swimming pool area is one where people also use body lotion, sunscreen and even body oils. These can already make the ground a little slippery. So, with the water people will be dredging out of the pool, the combination of water and lotion can make the ground really slippery.
When you get non-skid bases installed, you ensure that this doesn't happen. Non-skid bases aren't smooth surfaces. Some such bases are matted, but you can also have them installed into the ground. These have a rough surface that makes slipping and falling a lot more unlikely.
Non-skid bases aren't the only important thing when it comes to swimming pool safety. You will also need to meet the safety standards for installing pools in homes, such as having a pool fence.
Medical bills can be expensive. So if you're wondering whether paying to install non-skid bases and non-abrasive surfaces is a good idea or not, then consider that the alternative could be paying for expensive medical bills.
Why Installing Non-Skid Bases Are A Good Idea
The area around your pool is particularly vulnerable to becoming slippery. Without a non-skid base, people using the pool could potentially get into accidents as soon as they step onto the slippery ground beside the pool.
A non-skid base helps ensure that this doesn’t happen. To make the area around your pool safe for your family and friends, a non-skid base like a pool mat could be a great idea.
When you’re choosing what materials you need for your pool deck, you need to think of what material you should use carefully. This is because there are special requirements that a pool deck needs to fulfil, that a regular patio doesn’t have to.
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Your pool deck needs to be easy on bare feet. This means that it needs to be heat-reflective, not slippery and non-abrasive. It should also be resistant when it comes to mould, mildew, and even chemicals. To top all that off, your pool deck needs to look attractive as well.
What material you ultimately choose will depend on several factors. Your budget, what kind of durability you’re looking for, as well as maintaining the pool deck are all important points to consider. The good news is that there are several options available to you when it comes to non-skid and non-abrasive surfaces.
Consider the following materials for your pool decking:
Wood
You can opt for several varieties of natural wood. Depending on what your budget is, you can go for pine, cedar, teak and more. Teak is particularly known for being resistant to mould, insects as well as mildew.
Note that if you want your pool deck to be wooden, then you’ll need to maintain it seasonally as well. You’ll need to clean it, sand it, and then seal it.
A wooden deck is also non-skid, and you don’t have to worry about wear and tear on the deck surface either.
Pros: If you’re going for a comfortable look around your pool area, then building a wooden deck can be a good choice. They are easy to cut as well as shape, and installing them is easier as well.
Cons: With a wooden deck, the possibility of there being rot or even a splinter exists. So the pool deck will need to be monitored on a consistent basis.
Synthetic
A popular alternative for wood is a deck made out of recycled plastic. You could also opt for a PVC pool. Synthetic decks require the least maintenance and last the longest as well. These decks are also resistant to harsh weather conditions as well as insects and pests.
Add floor mats or other non-skid bases to your pool deck area to add another element of safety to your pool. Generally, a synthetic pool deck is non-abrasive, and it isn’t slippery either. But always consider getting a few extra pool mats to place on your deck.
Pros: These decks tend to be lightweight as well as highly durable. For environments that are high in moisture, synthetic decks can be perfect.
Cons: There is a high upfront cost, but these kinds of decks also tend to last longer.
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Why Are Non-Abrasive Surfaces So Important?
You don’t want your pool deck to begin to wear and tear with constant use. People will be using your pool deck each time they get into the pool, as well as when they get out of it.
This is why pool decks made of materials like concrete are so popular. Another hardscaping option that you can consider for your pool deck is pavers. When you get non-abrasive surfaces installed, then you ensure that your pool deck doesn’t continue to wear and tear as people tread over it. Water will also come into contact with your pool deck each time someone uses your pool, so your pool deck shouldn’t be worn down by exposure to water either.
Your pool deck also needs to be able to withstand the elements, such as constant exposure to the Sun, sometimes rain, and other weather conditions. A non-abrasive surface is generally designed to be able to be durable, such that you wouldn’t need to change the surface from time to time.
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Conclusion
Non-skid bases and non-abrasive surfaces help ensure that your pool deck is safe for use. People using your pool don’t have to worry about tripping and falling on your pool deck. To learn more about the materials that you can use to build your pool deck, and why, use this guide.
