Adding A Slide To An Existing Inground Pool

Are you looking for a way to add an extra level of fun to your inground pool? Consider adding a pool slide! Swimming in a pool is fun but once you put in an inground pool slide, your pool is likely to be full of kids and laughter all summer long. Ready to take the pool slide plunge? Here’s what you need to know.

If you’re building a pool and want to incorporate a slide, that’s easy. Just tell your swimming pool contractor where you want the slide, and it can be built into your design. If you have an existing pool, it’s a little more complicated, but still not a problem. First, consider these factors.

• Where will you put the slide? Consider this carefully, because you’ll need enough room for it both inside and outside the pool. Beside the pool, you’ll need enough deck space for the footprint of your slide, typically at least 7 by 15 feet. People will need to walk past the slide without ducking under it, and you won’t want your slide to create an obstacle to the main pathway. Try to position the slide across from the area where people are likely to gather, so that no one is looking at the back of it while relaxing by your pool. There should be an exit point from the pool near the slide, like a pool ladder. In the water, pay attention to the slide’s Water Safety Envelope. This refers to how deep the water must be under the pool slide and how much room is required in front of the bottom of the slide. It’s important that the water is not too shallow under the slide, so no one will hit the bottom, but also not too deep to be safe for inexperienced swimmers. Your slide’s instruction manual will give you the exact specifications for your particular slide.
• What kind of slide do you want? There are so many models from which to choose! They essentially fall into three basic categories, though, depending on how they attach to your deck. Each slide will also have a weight capacity, which should factor into your decision. Straight leg pool slides have an open or closed stairway and some flexibility in their placement, as long as the water depth, overhang, and Water Safety Envelope are correct. Another group is molded slide legs, which have enclosed stairways and typically a higher weight limit than straight leg slides. Elephant leg slides resemble molded leg slides but have a steeper drop.
• Proper slide installation is a must. Putting a pool slide inground is a big job, and you may want to leave this to a swimming pool contractor. A pool slide can’t be fastened to a loose surface like pavers or a wooden deck, and the deck around the slide must not be slippery or slick. If you decide to install it yourself, plan on having two or three people working on the installation for four to eight hours. Measure carefully and follow the installation manual’s instructions to secure your slide on the deck.

Whether or not you decide to install a pool slide, when you need someone to care for your pool, Millennium Pools and Spas can help. With over 30 combined years of experience in the pool industry, we provide a comprehensive range of services for both residential and commercial customers in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland. When you hire Millennium Pools and Spas, you get a well-qualified, industry-trained staff, services that are tailored to your needs, and a commitment to 100% customer satisfaction. Contact us for more information.