Just because you have a pool doesn’t necessarily mean you’re rolling in dough. Home swimming pools used to be the domain of the rich, while the not-so-rich had to settle for inflatable kiddie pools. OK, maybe that’s an exaggeration. A small one.
Anyway, the point is, many more people have pools in their back yards these days, but you still may not have the budget to build natural rock waterfalls and lush tropical landscapes. But what you and a lot of other pool owners can do to liven things up is install pool fountains. You’ll even get some tangible benefits from it.
Pool Fountains Are Attainable
When we talk about these features, we don’t mean you have to have a stone mason come out and craft something to rival the Fontaine des Mers.
We mean small pool fountains you can easily install in your inground or even above ground pool.
Benefits of Pool Fountains
Sure, they look nice. But they’re also functional in ways you may not expect.
They Cool Your Pool
Literally. Part of the reason we like to swim in the summer is to cool off on those hot days. If your pool has warmed up a little too much, it can feel more like you’re in a bathtub. One way to cool a pool down is through aeration, and you’ll get that from a fountain.
When the pool water is sprayed into the air, oxygen is introduced to all the tiny droplets. This cools them down. When they fall back into the pool, they bring that cooler temperature with them. Run a fountain long enough, and you can see a drop in temperature from 2 to 4 degrees.
Now imagine how much cooler your pool might be if you had two or three pool fountains running.
They Circulate the Pool Water
You know pool circulation is essential to distributing water chemicals, moving pool water through the filtration system, and preventing yucky things from growing in stagnant water.
You also know this is your pump’s primary function. But add a pool fountain, and you get even more circulation. This is another instance where multiple pool fountains can be beneficial.
And by the way, your pump needs to be in good working order for your fountain to run.
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They Relieve Stress
Though we’re land-dwelling beings, humans love the water. There’s something so soothing about listening to waves break on a beach. Pool fountains may not provide that same level of sound, but they can still reduce stress.
You may already suspect this from personal experience. But it’s documented that listening to water sounds has a stress-reducing effect for many people. Swimming is already one way to lower stress. Add a fountain to your pool, and increase that benefit even more.
They’re Fun!
Why do kids like to splash around in a pool? Because it’s fun! Seeing the water spray into the air, looking for that momentary rainbow—it’s half the fun of being in the pool.
Pool fountains create some of that fun, and can possibly even keep a rainbow around for a little longer than one splash could.
They’re Nice to Look At
Have you ever walked through a town or city and stopped to admire a fountain you discovered along the way? They’re just pretty. Pool fountains you install may not be masterpiece sculptures, but a fanned water spray is just as beautiful to watch.
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Types of Pool Fountains
Most of the pool fountains you’ll find are powered by the pool’s own circulation system, and you’ll find two basic types on the market. One attaches to the side of the pool; the other floats.
Poolside Fountain
First, you’ll attach an adapter to a return jet, so the water that would normally be pushed back into the pool will go through the fountain instead. Then you’ll attach a pipe to the adapter. Finally, the fountain nozzle is attached to the pipe, and voilà! You have a poolside fountain.
Floating Fountain
For this type, you’ll also attach an adapter to a return jet, but instead of a pipe, you’ll attach a hose to that adapter. The hose runs through the water, and is connected to the fountain nozzle. The fountain will float on the water’s surface. This type is usually weighted to keep it upright and from floating around the pool.
Some of these pool fountains come with a clear hose so it doesn’t interfere with your pool’s aesthetic.
Fun Fountain Features
As if the beautiful spray of water weren’t enough! You can get pool fountains that do double duty with other features.
Lights
You can run a pool fountain at night, but you won’t get the full experience if you can’t see it very well. Solution? Get one that has integrated lights. Some models offer multicolored lights, which can set a fun mood for an evening pool party.
Patterns
OK, so it won’t exactly be the fountain show at the Bellagio. But you can get pool fountains that give you more than one option.
Usually, they’ll have an adjustable nozzle (or multiple nozzles) that allow you to direct the spray in different directions, and at different strengths.
Customize your fountain to your personal taste, and add your own theme song, if you want. It’s your back yard. Who’s going to stop you?
Who Says Beautiful Can’t Be Functional?
A clean, cared-for pool is already beautiful. But why not add a little pizzazz with a couple of pool fountains? Your pool will be cooler, and let’s face it, so will you.
All it takes is choosing the one you like, and then a little time to install it. And while you may not actually be at the Bellagio, you sure can feel like it in your own back yard.
Happy Swimming!
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