5 Ways to Instantly Spruce Up our Pool Area ahead of Summer

Summer is fast approaching and you know what that means?

That’s right!

Pool time!

Australian summers – known for their scorching heat – can be beautifully balanced with a the cool reprieve of a backyard pool.

As well as its cooling benefit, a pool can enhance the health and happiness of everyone who gets to enjoy it. In a way, a backyard pool creates a ‘staycation’ vibe: an oasis where you can relax and unwind from the concrete jungle. It also promotes family time with oodles of smiles, splashing, and laughter for hours on end. But it’s not just fun and games: a pool encourages fitness and outdoor activity and is an ideal reason to invite your friends over for a barbecue. And if these reasons aren’t enough, installing a pool is also excellent for stress relief, entertaining family and friends and it adds value to your property.

In saying this, it’s extremely important to maintain your pool correctly. Otherwise, it can become riddled with bacteria and an unpleasant focal point for your garden.

In today’s article, we will review 5 ways you can instantly spruce up your poolside area, just in time for summer merriment.

How to enhance your pool area ahead of summer

Before we start, we’d like to invite you to take a look at your pool area and take note of everything you see.

You’ll probably notice things like shoe traffic, weight stress, dirt, debris and much more.

When unattended, all of these factors (and prolonged exposure to the elements) can make your pool area look embarrassingly unattractive and aged. Which is why it’s very important to stay on top of your pool upkeep so that everyone can enjoy the space.

So let’s start preparing your pool by ….

1. Cleaning your stone pavers

The quickest way to transform your poolside is by cleaning your stone pavers.

Choosing the right products to use on natural stone pavers is equally as important as cleaning them because the wrong product can cause more harm than good. We suggest steering clear of harsh cleaners that are acid or vinegar-based because they can eat away at the stone. here is some of the recommended stone cleaners.  It’s also important to pay attention to the water ratio when mixing your product and ensuring that it is correct for the amount of soil buildup. It might go without saying (but we will say it regardless) – never use a cleaner that’s not designed specifically for natural stone.

Using the right products will ensure that your pavers retain their aesthetic appeal, stand the test of time and look as good as new. Depending on the nature of the stone, your paver cleaning collection might include products for stain-removal, polishing creams, pre-sealers, deep sealers, concentrated cleaners and many others. Finding the correct product can become a cumbersome and confusing exercise and the last thing you want to do is to damage your pavers because of poor research or information. So if you need any help, call our Armstone team of natural stone experts at 1300 560 560. We can easily guide and help point you in the right direction.

Once you’ve sufficiently cleaned your pavers and grouting, we recommend applying a sealant to complete the job. The purpose of applying a quality sealant that is compatible with your specific stone pavers, ensures a layer of protection to the pavers and gives you time between maintaining them. A good sealant also reduces the risk of stains seeping in and stops water from getting into the tiny fissures of the stone: both of which can cause damage to the stone over time.

Now that you’ve cleaned and sealed your pavers, keep the pool area clear and dry for 24 hours to allow the sealant to set. While you do that, let’s see how else you can prepare your poolside area for the summer …

2. Giving your pool tiles a facelift

Frostine Marble Pavers

** Frostine marble pavers

Giving your pool that all around shimmer rests on the responsibility of your pool tiles and in case they are a little loose, it will break the reflection of the water and reduce the overall aesthetic. So if your pool tiles look a little rough around the edges or outdated, it’s a wise decision to replace them.

Now, you might be thinking that replacing loose, worn, and broken tiles or stripping them altogether – is going to be a big project, but it might not be. This really depends on the tiles you installed in the first place, looking at how many of them need to be replaced and then contacting a professional to quote it up. If you’re unsure with any of this, reach out to us at 1300 560 560. Our experts can talk you through the requirements and what to look for with pool tile quotes.

3. Bringing a little light to your pool

The Australian summer sun can razzle and dazzle everyone gathered by the poolside during the day, but what happens when the sun sets and the cool night sets in?

Easy! Simply install low voltage lights in your pool and your garden will shimmer through the dark without the cost mounting up.

Adding lighting to a pool has more benefits than just safety. When correctly executed and designed, poolside lighting is an excellent way to enhance and highlight the pool’s beauty with different effects and colours.

4. Giving your outdoor furniture some love

Installing outdoor furniture can be quite a conundrum: on the one hand, it completes the backyard space and on the other hand, it can be badly affected by weather and looked weathered and worn with time. Luckily, most materials can be freshened up with a good clean. For example, you can scrub timber with a stiff brush and wash it with a combination of dishwashing liquid and bleach. You can further protect it for the rest of the season by applying a sealer, stain or finish to it.

Wicker furniture can be cleaned by spraying it down with a regular a garden hose and wiping it down with soap or detergent. Rinse the cleaning agent off and then let it dry in a light, sunny area.

Frostine Marble pool PaversIf you have a patio umbrella near the poolside, check it regularly for mould and mildew which can form as a result of exposure to moisture from the pool. For a quick clean, open your umbrella and wash it down using a mixture made with warm water and white vinegar. Give the umbrella a scrub, hose it down and then leave it open to dry.

5. Replanting and rejuvenating your greenery

Vegetation, being a living and breathing organism with a mind of its own, can grow fast and haphazardly if not maintained properly. Which consequently, makes your entire garden look a little worse for wear. So to counterbalance this, start by reviving your potted plants with some basic weeding. Simply tip the plant out of the pot and remove any weeds. Lay new compost at the bottom of the pot, place the plant back into the pot and pat it down with new soil and compost. Nourish the newly repotted plant by brewing some compost tea and pouring it into the pot and finally, lightly mulch the top of the pot to prevent moisture loss and future weeds from growing.

In case your pool needs some more greenery, plant some striking agapanthus or no-fuss evergreen camellias – both of which will instantly transform the space – along the pool surrounds. If you prefer your plants in tubs, consider eye-catching features like ornamental cumquats or dwarf lemon trees.

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** Avatar Bluestone Stepping Stones

More practical tips for outdoor living

And there you have it!

Apply these 5 simple steps and instantly spruce up your poolside for the summer.

Remember, preparing your pool for the summer doesn’t need to be an expensive endeavour, so set a budget and work around it. Start with the cleaning tips above because you’d be surprised (and pleasantly amazed) by how transformative a good clean can be!

If you want more practical tips on landscaping, gardening and other home improvements, check out our Armstone Blog for topics ranging from natural stone, styling and how to make the most of your space.

For more information on natural stone pavers and pool tiles, contact our experts online or at 1300 560 560. We have helped thousands of home owners like yourself transform their poolside for the summer and we would love to help you too.

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