WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Private swimming pools became popular for American households after World War II. Over the years, construction codes for these pools changed with safety and efficiency in mind. For those who now own older homes with in-ground swimming pools, the question becomes what to do with them.

Older and out-dated swimming pools should either be updated and renovated or be removed and filled in. Leaving an older pool intact has negative consequences, some serious or life threatening. For instance, children can get trapped, seriously injured, or drowned by the suction caused through old drains.

Removing the pool and filling in the hole in the ground requires proper grading and construction and can be as much a project as deciding to renovate the pool instead. Renovating an old pool will bring the pool up to date with current building codes, taking care of safety issues. It will also:

· Bring value to the home. Another reason a homeowner might decide to update and renovate an old pool is the fact that older pools do nothing for the value of their property. In fact, they might actually negatively impact on the selling price of the home. On the other hand, renovated and modern pools can and do enhance the value of the home, especially in warm climates or neighborhoods were pools are more standard.

· Update efficiency and decrease energy consumption. The third reason a homeowner chooses to renovate an older pool is for energy efficiency and better maintenance. Pools take energy to heat, filter, and sometimes to clean. As technologies improve, pool design and accessories also improve. Once the potential return on a renovation to upgrade the pool's systems is greater than the cost, a homeowner will decide it is worth it.

· Create better style. Finally, aesthetics play a major role in the determination of whether or not to renovate. If the pool looks rundown or is designed in an outdated style - as in the shape of a jelly bean, for example- or if the pool's style does not blend well with the rest of the house, a homeowner may wish to renovate the pool.

Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches works with communities and households to assess whether or not swimming pools need updating and what that scope might be. For further information on this and other pool related topics, visit http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com or call (561) 203-0270.


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Rob Colasurdo