Photos Courtesy of Hampstead Pools, Spas, & Patios

Topsail Island, NC - Swimming is in!  Pools are all-the-rage.  Spas are fashionable.  Once reserved for the rich and famous, pools and spas are becoming more accessible to those who might only have dreamed of owning one a few years ago.  The popularity of having a pool has seemingly increased with the popularity of developing healthier lifestyles and the revival of families spending more time together at home.  More and more people are seeking ways to make their limited free time or vacation time more enjoyable—and water activities of all kinds seem to be in style.

Up and down the island and throughout the Topsail area, pools are popping up all over the place.  Many new developments are including pools, spas, and outdoor recreational areas as part of their amenities.  Lots of new home construction has blended the latest pool technology with innovative design.  The addition of residential pools and spas is showing up on rental descriptions, a desirable plus when looking for that perfect home to rent for a vacation.

“Pools have become more specialized for residential use, incorporating beach entries, tanning ledges, sitting areas, and spas that are a part of the pool,” says Wendy Purser, owner of Hampstead Pools, Spas, and Patios, Inc. and industry professional.  Wendy serves as the (APSP) Association of Pool & Spa Professionals Advisory Committee Chairman for the Southeast Region and as Secretary/Treasurer for the Eastern North Carolina Chapter, as well as Committee Chairman for the Southeast Pool and Spa Show, LLC.

“A pool was a deal breaker for us,” says Jennie Holt a recent vacationer here from Virginia who was renting a home with a pool.  “We’re here with two couples, three kids, and a baby and we wanted the pool, not only because the kids love playing in it, but at night it’s a great place for the adults to sit and be close enough to listen out for the kids in bed, yet provide a place that’s enjoyable to socialize.”

Another frequent visitor to the island, Bob Stokes, agrees.  “I have a pool at home in Ohio and I hate giving up that daily swim while I’m on vacation, so I’m happy to see more pools going in on the island.”

But putting in a pool or spa is a big decision.  Before you jump into your pool purchase, make a list of what’s important to you.  Will it be a social gathering place for family and friends?  Are you looking for exercise, health benefits, stress-relief, or warm-water therapy?  How much space do you have?  What’s your budget?

All of these answers will steer you in the right direction, along with help from a pool specialist from your local pool and spa dealer.  You might know you want a “pretty” pool, but they’ll help you decide on what meets your specific needs, like what type of pool (above-ground, in-ground vinyl, fiberglass, in-ground gunite, etc.), as well as the size, decking options, installation requirements, accessories, and all the fun decisions that go along with creating the perfect pool just for you.

When talking to pool owners, many suggest using a builder who is a Certified Building Professional who has been tested and certified by the APSP, the world’s largest trade organization of professional pool and spa builders.  A qualified builder will advise you about preparing the site and following construction standards and local requirements for putting in a pool in your particular area.  These vary, so make sure you are well informed.

(Left) Pools or spas should be selected and/or designed to match the lifestyle of the owner, as well as the architecture of the home and yard.

Most of us have a good appreciation for what a pool is, but what about all of the other options?  What’s the difference between a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, and Jacuzzi®?  Many people start out thinking they’re all the same.  As the kids used to say .  .  . not.  A hot tub is usually a totally self-contained unit that is filled with circulated, filtered, and chemically-treated water.  A spa is typically an in-ground unit that may or may not be a part of a pool.  Spas also have circulated, filtered, and chemically-treated water.  A whirlpool is a tub found indoors that is drained after each use, is not filtered, and is not treated with chemicals.  Jacuzzi® is a brand name that describes products made by the Jacuzzi® company and doesn’t refer to a particular style or type even though many people mistakenly say Jacuzzi® when they mean hot tub or spa.

(Right) Pool owners are reaping the benefits of all the new technology and gadgets that make owning a pool more pleasure than work.

A relatively recent development is the swim spa—my personal favorite—since it functions as a spa with all the bells and whistles (has seats, a variety of jets, is heated, etc.).  But this spa is deep enough to swim in and also has an adjustable current of water that you can swim against just as if you were swimming laps in an Olympic-size pool.  The difference is you’re swimming in place, controlling your water temperature, and are able to adjust the current’s strength.  Like other pools, swim spas come in a variety of styles and shapes and can even be customized.

Pools or spas should match the lifestyle of the owner, as well as the architecture of the home and yard.  The possibilities are endless—from light-weight portable spas to free-form naturalistic pools—with a multitude of choices in between.  The days of the cookie-cutter pools are long gone!  The hardest decision for anyone contemplating putting in a pool or spa today is deciding which one is the right one.

“Pools range in size from small ‘splash’ pools that are roughly ten-by-twenty up to Olympic-size pools.  The pool industry has changed greatly over the last thirty-five years,” says Wendy.  “It has gone from very large pools to smaller pools.  We have seen changes in technology as our population becomes more computer and digital friendly.  Also, pools have taken a step from the area for the kids to play in during the summer to year-round backyard environments, as well as exercise pools for health and fitness.”

All that fun is well and good but what about maintenance?  How much time and effort will it take to maintain everything once you’ve taken the plunge and installed that pool of your dreams?  The good news is that the latest innovations have made maintenance less of a chore as new products have developed by leaps and bounds.

“Great attention is given to easy maintenance and safety,” says Wendy, whose company has also received the Certified Builder Professional designation.  “There are various filtration systems that are not only energy efficient costing pennies a day, but also allow for extreme clarity and cleanliness when installed properly.  Educating the consumer can make a pool close to no maintenance for a customer.”

And less maintenance is certainly a plus.  Many first-time pool owners worry about cleaning and chemicals and upkeep.  Long gone are the days when it often took longer to prepare the pool for swimming than the actual swimming time in the pool.

“There are many in-floor cleaning systems as well as easy to use robotic cleaners that are available at reasonable costs,” explains Wendy.  “Chemical maintenance has become easier with the use of chlorine generators that can also automatically adjust for water balance and temperature.  You can actually get your pool heater started from your computer anywhere in the world.”

It’s obvious pool owners are reaping the benefits of all the new technology and gadgets that make owning a pool more pleasure than work.

“I was a lifeguard as a kid in New Jersey,” says Owen Hawkins, a potential home buyer checking out the Topsail area, “and taking care of a pool in the seventies was a whole different ballgame than taking care of one today.  It’s nothing like it used to be.  I wouldn’t rule out buying a house because it didn’t have a pool, but I’d sure like the option of putting one in.”

Of course, with living on an island, there are always concerns about water and taking care of our natural resources and the fragile environment.  Even those concerns are being addressed these days.  Pools can now be filled by water trucks.  Cranes can lift heavy spas up and over without disturbing natural growth. 

“Be sure your pool professional has experience with the beach environment before purchasing a pool as it can save money down the road,” Wendy advises.

“And if you’re the type of guy who doesn’t cut his own grass, now you can do the same thing with your pool and hire it done,” adds Owen.  “Pool companies will do everything for you.  Just add water and show up in your bathing suit.”

So do your homework, talk to pool owners, research your options, and check out the website www.apsp.org.  The joys of owning a pool or spa can turn a little-used space into a gathering place that truly reflects your personality and style and provides numerous hours of enjoyment.  Happy swimming!