Everything You Need to Know about Plunge Pools
Plunge pools, also known as splash pools or cooling down pools, according to Deep End pools’ article on them, are shallow and small pools according to the Spruce’s article on them. They’re designed for wading and lounging instead of swimming. Some plunge pools are shallow in design, though there are some which are slightly deeper. Certain designs of plunge pools can come with other features, such as fountains and waterfalls which makes it feel like a pond, and some plunge pools are filled with warm or cold water, depending on their need.
According to Compass Pools, a plunge pool can be an ideal alternative for a swimming pool in a garden which is really compact. Many companies specializing in pool design will offer a wide variety of designs for different types of garden. Many homeowners looking for something like a swimming pool will favor having a plunge pool because of their much smaller size, their easier construction, easy maintenance, and the smaller amount of water they need.
Are there Therapeutic Benefits to Having a Plunge Pool?
Aside from the obvious benefits of having a swimming pool to unwind, relax, and get some exercise, a plunge pool also has therapeutic benefits according to Albatross pool’s article on them. As stated above, some plunge pools are filled with cold water. The idea is not a new one – the Chinese and the Ancient Romans used plunge pools as well. According to the Spruce’s article on plunge pools, it is not unusual for swimmers and spa users to use the cool water of a plunge pool to relax.
Since most plunge pools are kept between ten and twelve degrees, the benefits to someone’s health are immediate as well as numerous. Once inside cold water, the muscles begin to relax before they begin to numb down while stimulating the body to release hormones with healing properties, receiving any joint pain. They also stabilise the blood pressure thanks to a study done into how else a plunge pool can help somebody, and it can also stimulate the white blood cells in a body to help fight off illnesses.
Swimming in a Plunge Pool
According to the Little Pool Co.’s article on Plunge pools, the plunge pool is gaining traction in Australia as an alternative to swimming pools to unwind because the actual space of a typical Australian back garden is too small for a regular swimming pool, so families living in Australia are turning to plunge pools. While the plunge pool itself is too small and it is designed mostly for relaxation, it is possible to have a plunge pool installed with special jets to simulate the type of typical resistance a swimmer would experience doing a few lengths, and mimics what a long-distance swimmer goes through.
Alright, some competitive swimmers might not like and agree with the idea since it’s not a natural approach to giving people a chance to swim, swim jets are actually great for people just wanting to have a good workout in the plunge pool. The swim jets also allow homeowners the chance to use the pool as a spa, not something you can really do with a full swimming pool. This facility gives homeowners the chance to further relax. However, the major downside is the cost – don’t forget, most plunge pools don’t come with the regular model.
Still, even if you don’t have a swimming jet in a plunge pool it’s not a problem – the small size of the pool makes it the ideal place for children to learn how to swim – there’s a small seating area in a plunge pool included, so the child has something to launch themselves while they practice short distance swimming techniques and become more comfortable being in water. All in all, Australian people love plunge pools because they offer much the same advantages of a regular swimming pool for a fraction of the size of a large pool.
The plunge pool’s small size goes well with small compact garden spaces, especially in places where gardens are small anyway. They’re ideal because of their small size which means they don’t require much in the way of maintenance. But the real popularity of the plunge pool is thanks to the mental and physical health benefits they have to offer.
Installation of plunge pools
One of the major benefits of having a plunge pool is that they are quickly installed according to Compass pools article on them compared to larger, more traditional swimming pools. In the United Kingdom, the majority of pools are made using concrete, but others use different materials. Some plunge pools like the Compass variety are made from a patented carbon ceramic material which is lowered into the hole where its meant to go.
According to The Little Pool Co. the plunge pools are made from concrete or fiberglass in Australia, and while both of these materials are strong and lightweight, the fiberglass variety is the one that is mostly mass produced due to the ease, and they can be prefabricated into different sizes and shapes to suit the needs of customers wishing for a plunge pool to be installed. Installation can take place in just a few days, and fibreglass models can be delivered to your home in just one piece.
Concrete pools, according to this Youtube video on How to Install a Plunge Pool, are made by precasting in a way similar to fiberglass. In this video, we see how the plunge pool is lowered into a hole which has been dug and laser-levelled to make sure it fits properly. And the concrete block which has been lined with water-proof membrane and tiles which give the plunge pool a natural appearance is lowered, and equipment is brought in such as the filter and the heater. The video shows a family has recently constructed a house and opted for a plunge pool because they didn’t want to lose any space for children playing around. The plunge pool fits into the background neatly.
Another material plunge pools can be made from, but is far more fragile and isn’t as resilient as either fiberglass or concrete is vinyl. Vinyl plunge pools need regular servicing or they need to be replaced. Some people looking to install a plunge pool by themselves will opt for a vinyl model plunge pool, believing it will save money.
It won’t. It will just cost more money – either because of the repair work or simply because the homeowner realizes a stronger model is needed.
DIY work is not recommended
Not only will the installation of a vinyl plunge pool require constant work, but DIY enthusiasts might also severely damage the property during the installation at the same time. Professional and licensed pool builders are the best way to installing a plunge pool into your garden.
Affordability
Depending on the company in question a plunge pool can be a good investment – Compass pools are truly affordable because of the material they make their pools with, though they can be expensive. Compass pools cost around £25,000, but fortunately, the cost can vary depending on the needs, and what features you go for when you come to choose a plunge pool for yourself.
In other countries such as Australia, a plunge pool can cost somewhere between $13,000 and $50,000, but the pricing is usually because of the installation work which goes into a full swimming pool. Nevertheless, a plunge pool is a great investment. While they are guaranteed to be great fun for the family, they can also improve the value of your home, making them a substantial investment.
Pros and Cons of having a Plunge pool, according to our article on 20 Beautiful Examples of Plunge pools.
Although plunge pools can have many benefits, there are moments where they are just not suited for your needs. Here they are.
Pros
- They are small and compact. Its a fact that many people who want to paddle or to swim just don’t have the garden space necessary to have a swimming pool installed in their back garden. That’s what makes plunge pools such a good option.
- Plunge pools have health benefits. Pools filled with cold water can lower blood pressure while stimulating the white blood cell production, fighting infections and disease.
- The Cost. Due to their small size, a plunge pool can cost much less than a full-size traditional swimming pool, and plunge pools save money. It is also a great future investment to keep in mind since not only will it give kids and homeowners some great memories, but it will increase the value of the home. Another benefit according to the Spruce article on plunge pools are since the pools have less space to heat, the plunge pools are a more environmentally friendly addition to your garden.
- Fewer chemicals.
- Can be used as a spa.
Cons
- Not many uses. The small size of the plunge pool means its uses will be limited since it’s not designed to function as a normal swimming pool. You can’t dive in them and you can only swim a few small lengths to achieve what you want.
- Features. A plunge pool needs many features in order to work properly. This can double the initial cost of the pool’s initial installation, and they can also take up much more space.
- Might not be suitable for families. Although above it states a plunge pool can be used to teach children how to swim, it can also not have enough room for them to have the fun they want.
- Shallow Water means danger. Children love swimming pools, but that doesn’t mean they are safe. The safety of children around swimming pools is bad enough, especially if there is a Deep end part of the pool. While a plunge pool is shallower, that doesn’t mean they can’t still drown. Also jumping children can injure themselves on the hard bottom of the pool.
- No “Wow” factor. Many plunge pools are beautifully designed with beautiful features, but they aren’t massive and lack the ‘wow’ factor which comes with larger pools. If you tell people you’ve got a pool in your garden, they’re going to picture a large pool. Imagine their disappointment when you point out something that they’ll probably take to be a hot tub or a garden pond.
- Only large enough for a few people. Plunge pools get crowded very quickly. Some models will only fit around four or five fully grown adults before it gets cramped. So no pool parties or swimmers.
Popularity in Europe
Plunge pools, according to the Spruce article on them, are popular in France and in Europe. It isn’t particularly surprising that plunge pools are popular in France, given it is a country where many leisure fashion trends tend to come from. The French like the plunge pool for a variety of reasons. Plunge pools are smaller and shallower, so they cost less. They can fit into a garden environment very well, fitting in with a patio, and other small space. Environmentally friendly when in use in drought-afflicted places since they don’t require so much water.
Conclusion
In short a plunge pool, while not being ideal if you wish to have parties and use it for swimming, is a great, economical way of relaxing in your back garden which in the long run will be beneficial in spite of the costs.