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A pool is a critical addition to your backyard. In addition to offering you relaxing and fun moments, it is a beautiful site and an enhancement to the look and feel of our backyard. However, your equipment pool for cleaning and warming your pool can get in the way of its beauty. Knowing how to conceal this equipment effectively is necessary to improve your pool’s appearance and your backyard’s general appearance. Then, you can enjoy relaxing and beautiful moments in your backyard, whether in or out of the pool.

A skilled pool builder can teach you a few tips for hiding your swimming pool equipment without compromising the benefits and appearance of your pool and backyard. Expert pool builders offer various options, depending on your pool size and preference.

Reasons Hiding Your Swimming Pool Equipment is Critical

After installing a swimming pool in your backyard, you will need various equipment to keep it clean and warm. Some of this equipment comes together with the pool, and others are bought separately after the installation. Pool equipment is critical in ensuring your pool serves you as it should throughout the year. However, the equipment can get in the way of your relaxation or affect your pool appearance. Expert pool builders recommend hiding this equipment smartly to improve the appearance of your pool and backyard and ensure they are right there when you need them to clean or warm your pool.

Some pool elements cannot withstand extreme weather conditions. Some are damaged by intense sun, wind, or cold and can be very costly to replace. Additionally, replacing your swimming pool equipment whenever extreme weather conditions in your area can be inconvenient. For example, rainwater will likely ruin your expensive pool heater, pump, and other equipment within minutes. When moisture penetrates some of these gadgets, it affects their components and can turn the equipment into a dangerous electrocuting hazard.

Strong winds carrying heavy debris will also damage some of your pool gadgets. They can also cause trees and branches to fall on your expensive machinery, resulting in irreparable damages. Replacing a part of a pricey gadget or the entire equipment is costly. Additionally, extreme heat can cause severe problems for your equipment. If expensive equipment is left out in the sun, some of its components, especially those made from rubber and plastic, can be damaged. Your pool pump’s motor can also overheat if left in direct sunlight, causing it to break down.

Hiding your swimming pool equipment can also be a safety measure for your household. Some gadgets can be hazardous if not used well, especially by children or pets. For example, your child can touch one of the equipment’s components exposed to the sun, resulting in a severe burn. Your family can bump into pool gadgets when playing or walking around the backyard. This can turn the appliances off or on unexpectedly, resulting in a breakdown. Children or pets can also play around with a malfunctioning gadget and suffer an electrocution.

Most of your swimming pool equipment, including cleaning machines, circulation motors, timer controls, and heaters, can cause electrocution around or in the pool. Leaving them in the open puts your family at risk of accidents. An expert pool builder will recommend hiding the equipment or posting appropriate warnings.

Hiding your equipment can also improve convenience. When creating a shed for your swimming pool equipment, you will also make room for other tools and products like sanitizing tablets, vacuum cleaners, and brushes. These will be accessible whenever you want to clean or disinfect your pool.

How to Hide Swimming Pool Equipment

Hiding your swimming pool equipment ensures they are still helpful and available whenever you need to clean or warm your pool. Here are some of the strategies an expert pool builder can recommend for hiding your gadgets in style:

Building A Shed Around the Equipment

If you have enough space in the backyard after installing your pool, you can build an additional shed for your nice, helpful, and expensive pool equipment. The size and shape of that shed will depend on the size of the pool equipment and how much room you have to spare. An expert pool builder can share some of the best ideas that could work for your backyard to ensure you still have enough space to go around. Considering your preferences and budget, they will also recommend the best materials to build the shed.

When building a shed, ensure it is solid and durable for long-term service. Your pool builder can recommend a vinyl material for the shed, as it is long-lasting and can resist water and moisture damage. Additionally, vinyl materials come in various colors to choose from. They also require minimal maintenance, saving you time and money in the long run.

Alternatively, you can build a metallic pool to add an industrial look and appeal to your backyard. Metal is also friendly to the environment. You can customize it by painting it a color of your choice. Metal is solid and long-lasting.

Some homeowners choose wood sheds for their backyards. Wood is beautiful, has an expensive appeal, and can virtually fit any pool or backyard design. However, you must maintain it well to enjoy long-term service.

A shed is a beautiful idea because it is lockable. This keeps out children and pets and allows you to store more pool and backyard cleaning products.

Creating Internal Walls

An expert pool builder can also help you build an internal wall around your equipment to protect it from harsh weather conditions and any external interference by your family or pets. This is an easier alternative to building a shed, requiring less effort and material. Thus, you can choose it if you are working with a strict budget or do not have enough space in the backyard to build a shed.

However, the practicability of this idea will depend on where your equipment is. Depending on the size and number of equipment, you could need one or more walls to obstruct its view and deflect its sound (for noisy pool equipment).

When choosing the materials for building an internal wall around your equipment, your pool builder will advise on a suitable material that requires less maintenance. Some homeowners choose wood because it is readily available, can effectively dampen sound, and is aesthetically pleasing. Others choose glass panels because they add an unusually creative feature to their backyard. However, glass panels are an expensive option. Let your pool builder understand your needs and the final look you want in your backyard to help you narrow your options to the best.

Building an Underground Bunker

If you do not have enough space in the backyard to conceal your pool gadgets, an underground bunker can be an excellent idea. It will also help if you need a place for your swimming pool equipment and do not want to ruin your landscaping. An expert pool builder can help you build an underground bunker big enough to hold all your equipment and pool supplies. Thus, everything will be within reach whenever you need to warm or clean your pool. The bunker will also avoid excessive noise, making your pool area conducive for fun and relaxing moments.

If you already have a swimming pool or intend to install one in your backyard, you can always find some space for an underground bunker for your pipes, heaters, and pumps. A bunker is a perfect place to protect your equipment from damage by external elements and harsh weather conditions. Your children and pets will not have access to it. The equipment will also require less maintenance and cleaning since it remains locked in the bunker. It will also be accessible for use, service, and management.

A skilled pool builder will discuss various designs and building materials for your underground bunker according to your preference and budget.

Tweaking Your Landscaping

You can also use your backyard's brushes, flowers, rocks, and other external elements to hide your equipment pool. Remember that you are hiding them to keep them safe from external interference and damage by harsh environmental conditions and to create a safe space for your household. There are many ways to achieve this, including the following:

• By arranging decorative rocks around your swimming pool equipment, you could create a wall about three feet high for this purpose. The wall will shield your equipment and create a beautiful design in your backyard.
• Plant ornamental grass around your backyard pool. Since ornamental grass grows pretty tall, you can ensure it is higher than the equipment to shelter it from harsh weather conditions. You can also have a fence to separate the equipment from the glass and deflect noise from the equipment.
• Plant shrubs like boxwoods or small trees around the pool equipment. This can work in the same manner as the ornamental glass. Ensure there is enough distance between the shrubs and the equipment for maintenance and trimming.
• A valley and hill approach is an excellent idea, although it requires much work. It involves making a trench for your equipment and hiding it behind a hill. You can plant beautiful flowers on the hill to improve your backyard’s appearance and deflect the equipment’s noise.

Use an Equipment Box

Instead of spending money and time on building, creating, or planting a shelter for your swimming pool equipment, your pool builder can recommend investing in an equipment box. These are usually readily available and can be bought according to the size and type of equipment. For example, you can buy a box specially designed for your pool pump or heater.

Equipment boxes are usually very affordable. You can buy a box for all your equipment, including pipes, conduit, heaters, and pumps. A box can protect your equipment from damaging elements and keep it out of your children’s or pet’s way.

However, you must choose the best material for your equipment box for longevity and effectiveness. The box should shelter your equipment and deflect some of its noise. It should also be aesthetically appealing to give your backyard a beautiful look.

However, equipment pools are usually less long-lasting than sheds or underground bunkers. You will need to replace them periodically.

Using Privacy Screens

A privacy screen can also work well for your backyard and pool equipment. You can quickly find one from a local store. Typically, they are made of vinyl, although wooden and metallic screens can also be found. Your choice will depend on your preference, the look you want to add to your backyard, and the screen’s longevity.

Privacy screens are cost-effective, making them ideal for homeowners on a tight budget. Currently, they are the easiest and cheapest way to hide pool equipment.

Privacy screens are also built to offer adequate protection against external damaging elements. Thus, they are strong and long-lasting. Vinyl privacy screens are highly durable, require less maintenance, and resist harsh weather conditions.

Additionally, privacy screens come in various designs and colors, allowing you to choose precisely what you need for your backyard. You should be able to find a color and design that complements your backyard’s style to improve its general appearance.

However, privacy screens, like bunkers and sheds, do not offer adequate protection from external damage and noise. Although they will keep your swimming pool equipment out of the way, you must take extra precautions to keep it safe and enjoy peaceful moments in your backyard.

Find an Expert Pool Builder Near Me

If, after installing your pool, you are worried about the unpleasant sight your swimming pool equipment creates in your backyard, a competent pool builder can help. You need help understanding the best ways to hide your equipment pool without compromising the comfort and beauty of your backyard.

At Oak Wells Aquatics, we recommend various styles and designs that work well for any pool. Our expert Jacksonville pool builders will help you narrow your options to the one that suits your preference and budget. They will also ensure you understand the pros and cons of each design for effective decision-making. Call us at 904-619-3281 to discuss your needs and our services at length.