For most people, installing a backyard pool is the best way to swim and also maintain a sense of privacy. However, if you don’t have a place to swim yet and are thinking of getting one, you should know what to expect. To help you in your decision making, we’ve put together a comprehensive pros and cons list to make sure that you know what you’re getting into.

Pro: a great family bonding experience.

A backyard swimming pool can provide your family with the perfect bonding activity. If you have kids, taking the time to teach them how to swim, especially when they’re younger, is a great way to squeeze in some quality time. If you have older kids, having a pool in your own backyard may make supervision easier and may get them to stay home more often‚Äîthey’ll have a fun activity to engage in at home.

If you’re looking for a trusted pool company in the Lakeland or Tampa area, the team at Olympus has you covered. With years of experience in creating custom swimming pools, spas, and waterfalls, you can trust them with the task of building the swim area of your dreams in your own backyard. What’s more, the Lakeland FL pool builders have over 200 years of experience in the industry, meaning that you can trust them not to turn your backyard into a landfill.

Con: you have to think about safety.

The CDC finds drowning to be the second leading cause of accidental death for children below 14. Knowing this, it is your responsibility as a pool owner to prioritize safety. This responsibility grows if you have small children in your home. Do not let children (especially little ones who can’t swim yet) access the swimming area unsupervised. For added safety, ask your pool builder to help you install a net, cover, child-proof gate, or fence to adequately secure the pool area.

Pro: a fun way to stay in shape.

If you’re approaching menopause, you may have taken a perimenopause quiz to understand what perimenopause symptoms to expect and how to manage them. Women approach perimenopause at different ages, and in some women, perimenopause symptoms start to show as early as in their mid-thirties.

During perimenopause, the female hormone, estrogen, tends to fluctuate in its levels. Because of this, your menstrual period may become irregular. You may also experience menopause symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, mood swings, night sweats, irritation, hot flashes, and more.

Swimming is beneficial for both menopausal and perimenopausal women because it provides a lightweight form of exercise. Due to the drop in estrogen levels during menopause, the hormone’s shielding effect against heart disease is also lost. However, aerobic exercises such as swimming can help get your heart rate up. For this to take effect, consider swimming for at least 30 minutes each day.

Coldwater swimming can also help reduce the effects of hot flashes and anxiety, Additionally, you can also get the most out of your brand name swimwear such as the Girlfriend Collective without dealing with a public swim area.

Con: maintenance can cost a fortune.

It takes a lot of effort to maintain a swimming pool, and this is not cheap. According to HomeAdvisor, pool owners who use professional cleaning services spend an average of $115 a month in maintenance. If you opt to handle the maintenance yourself, this won’t be cheap either, as you’ll have to consider stocking up on a special vacuum, chlorine, a pH kit, filters, and a quality cover to keep leaves and other debris out.

Pro: increases the resale value of your home.

While it may be expensive to install initially, the payoff makes it easy to overlook this cost. Not only does having a backyard swim area increase the aesthetics of your home, but it also increases your home’s retail value. If you plan to sell your house sometime soon, your real estate agent will be able to close on your house much faster if they can list a swimming pool as one of the available features. What’s more, this is a great long term investment in outdoor living that your loved ones can enjoy for a really long time.

Con: your pool may become a health hazard.

Health issues are likely to arise if you do not take care of your pool properly. For instance, if you don’t maintain the appropriate water pH levels, bacteria and algae can begin to form. A swimming pool can be a great addition to your home, but you need to have the proper knowledge on how to care for it.

Before having a pool installed, do your homework on general swimming pool design and care to find out if owning a swimming pool is the best fit for your family.