It goes without saying that we all appreciate the gentle peace of a park; the whisper of the wind through thick vegetation and perhaps the burble of a stream as we enjoy the springy green grass underfoot.
That’s simply how we were made. We are captivated and soothed by nature.
However, the therapeutic power of nature is proving to have a host of secret benefits that we can tap into.
Therapeutic garden, or healing gardens as they are also called, have been of interest in the medical field of late. (While we use these terms together, strictly speaking, a therapeutic garden is created for a specific patient population with elements that have been deliberately set up to engage these people.)
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Those who don’t yet have a backyard swimming pool often crave for at least a small pool to cool off in on a hot summer’s day. All you really need is just enough space to squeeze one in.
When it comes to pool designs for small yards it shouldn’t be a challenging affair and space shouldn’t be a constraint with a little imaginative ingenuity and creativity.
Whether it’s for your health and fitness or for a recreational ‘staycation’, you will soon discover how much such a tiny wonder can change your life.
Pool Designs to Ponder
The advantage of a small pool is that it is economical to operate, is easier to clean and maintain and it also has the ability to be heated more effectively should that be something you are keen on.Classic Design
Pool designs, large or small, should seem like an extension of your home. Since many modern homes adopt a clean design with straight lines and cubic forms, build your small pool to match. You could also shape a deck to act as a transitional zone between your home and the pool. The classic rectangular pool, even a small one, will still give you the satisfaction of having a beautiful pool in your backyard. You can start with one as small as 3m X 6m. And, if you love the classic design but want to spice it up a bit, add a contemporary waterfall water feature.Curvy Contours
If you’re not a conformist by any stretch of the imagination, there are plenty of other more creative pool designs to explore beyond the rectangle. Consider a circular pool, a semi-circular design or even something in an irregular shape with twists and turns. Curves are sexy in the world of small pools. Think natural stone to mimic a tropical resort. The addition of the right lighting will finish it off perfectly by adding just the right amount of dreamy ambience.Take a Plunge
Still not convinced on how to get the maximum usage out of your small space? Plunge pools require very little square footage because they rely on depth rather than width and length. While a plunge pool may remind you of the Jacuzzi you may have been considering, the former is somewhat easier to maintain and are better for your health. Pool Spa has the vision to be at the cutting edge of technology and is able to create comprehensive packages for small pool designs as well as offer expert advice and layout drawings to ensure that your dream pool is realised. Chat to our experienced team today for advice or visit us at www.poolspa.co.zaWhile fountains were originally functional, serving to provide people with drinking and bathing water, it didn’t take too long before people started building fountains mostly for their aesthetic, romantic and relaxing attributes.
To push the envelope on fountain creation, Peter Bodor, a mechanical engineer and handyman, created one of the world’s first ever animated fountains in Transylvania in the 1800s. While the original musically choreographed fountain was destroyed in a severe snowstorm, an exact replica can be found on Margret Island in Budapest.
The amazing effect for these spectacular animated fountains is achieved by pairing light with water particles. The water reflects and refracts the lights and can even create three-dimensional images. Musically choreographed fountains include perfectly timed music in the mix.
Today, these highly entertaining dancing or animated fountains can be found throughout the world and South Africa boasts having the largest musically choreographed fountain in the southern hemisphere on Sun International’s Boardwalk.
With the advancement of technology, now even the average homeowner can have animated fountains of their very own. Yes really, you can have one too!
Animated Fountains for Your Home
Pool Spa are stockists of the playful and harmonious Water Quintet and Water Trio animated fountains. These visual orchestras are the new generation of water features for homeowners and are guaranteed to provide hours of entertainment for all. With their extremely flexible implementation, the Water Quintet and Water Trio can be optimally integrated into every custom garden concept with the colour changing LED technology illuminating the water jets and creating magic as the water and light effects cast their spell over you. Thanks to the “Plug ‘n Spray” concept, the water effects can be quickly installed, and the permanently set programs allow for variation in speed and fountain jet height which can be easily selected using a remote control. Pool Spa is at the cutting edge of technology. Chat to our experienced team today to turn your terrace or garden into a living space of visual delight. You can also visit us at www.poolspa.co.zaThe true value of a water feature is very hard to quantify in monetary terms. Much like other forms of art, the value is often more appreciative than financial. In other words, it may lie more in the enjoyment you derive from it, than from any actual Rands and cents value.
Water features added to a high-end home may increase the value slightly, but in a more modestly-priced property, it could be seen as more of an inconvenience than a benefit. This is especially true in the case of a pond, which needs maintaining. It also takes up space in your garden that could otherwise be used for a play set, for example.
The significant flip side of that scenario is this:
While a water feature may not add tangible monetary value to your home, it can definitely make it more appealing to buyers. Estate agents agree that landscaping, and the overall appearance of your garden, is a huge part of what makes your home stand out (or not!) from other similarly-priced properties.
Installing a fountain or other small water feature is easy and cost-efficient. Even if it doesn’t increase the value of your home to any significant degree, it enhances the visual appeal of your property. Whereas swimming pools are expensive to maintain and can be a safety hazard, water features don’t require much maintenance and provide soothing, mood-enhancing sounds.
Water features help increase the “salability” of your home, meaning it stays on the market for a shorter time. They create the perfect place for hosting braais and family gatherings, and this helps make your home more attractive to buyers.
Adding some outdoor lighting boosts the appeal even further. Lighting adds beauty to your outside space, but it also creates a sense of security – a well-lit outdoor area is a deterrent to thieves.
More Than Just Money
Studies show that as little as five minutes of “green exercise,” or spending time in nature, can boost our mood and self-esteem. This is why some of the best benefits of water features extend far beyond the financial. Water features have a serene and calming effect, creating feelings of peace and wellbeing. Looking at moving water can be very therapeutic, especially if you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed. If you’re thinking of adding a water feature to your property, talk to the experts at Pool Spa & Filtration Supplies. We can give you great advice on the best way to enhance both the monetary and aesthetic value of your home.Deciding on building a pond and doing it right the first time, will not only make it more cost effective to build – ponds can be pricey – but it will also be the best feature in your garden and a project you can be proud of for years to come.
8 Pond Building Tips
Location – When picking the perfect spot for building a pond, check that it has level topography, the soil has sufficient clay to hold water and there is an adequate water supply. It’s also important to check that the soil will be stable enough to support your pond as you don’t want growing plants to be able to cut a hole in the liner. Fishponds are best placed somewhere where there is a good amount of sunlight. Before you start digging, it may be a good idea to check your house plans and even with the municipality if necessary, to make sure that there are no hidden cables or pipes in that area. Depth – This would be based on what type of plants or fish you plan on putting into your pond. Make sure to take into consideration that fish need to hibernate during winter, so extra depth may be required to allow this. When you’ve finished digging your pond hole. Make sure there are no sharp roots or stones sticking out of the ground that could do damage to a pond liner. Pond liner – The thicker and more durable the liner, the better. Patching a leak is not a big deal, but finding the hole is another story, so make a sound investment when it comes to the pond liner. 45mm thick rubber is generally a good choice for a pond liner. To protect the underneath of the liner against pebbles, growing roots and such, a thick carpet type padding will contour nicely and do the trick. Save any scraps or off-cuts from your pond liner. These can be used to place under large rocks or stones that you might want to put into your pond. The scrap pieces of the liner will save your actual pond liner from possible damage. Pond kits – Often the best way for beginners to get it right when building a pond is to buy a kit created especially for a pond. This should include all the components you need and cut down on guesswork. Pumps – Solar pumps may be more energy efficient and save you a bunch on your electricity bill, but it’s important to realise that they have a weaker flow. If yours is a fish pond, an electrical pump is a much safer and more dependable option. When installing the tubing from the pump, leave a gap between the stones so the tubing can slide through. Do the same for the pump’s power cord. This just makes life easier, should you need to remove or replace the pump at any stage. Oxygenation – To keep the water oxygenated, the addition of a fountain or waterfall will help circulate the water and keep it oxygenated. Besides keeping your fish alive, the moving water also assists in keeping algae at bay and stops mosquitoes from having somewhere to lay their eggs. Make sure to elevate the pump on a brick or stone. If left on the floor, it will suck up sludge which can damage your pump. Also, make sure to place your pump as far away from the waterfall or inflow point as possible. This improves circulation and cuts down on the possibility of ‘dead zones’ which become a breeding ground for algae. Curbing – When building a pond, it is highly recommended that you build an 8cm raised edge or levee around the top of your pond to ‘curb’ any overflow of water. Curbing will be worth its weight in fish if you happen to get any sudden heavy downpours or days of rain – you wouldn’t want your fishy friends flapping their way to a horrible end on your lawn. Edging – One way to neaten a pond up and make it aesthetically pleasing is to edge it. Natural rocks and plants will not only hide the edge of the liner but will also make your pond look like it’s always been part of your garden. Once you’ve finished building your pond and filled it with water, allow it to run for at least 10 days and check the PH and salt levels before putting any fish into it. And lastly, don’t let your hard work go to waste – make a commitment to maintenance to keep your pond looking great and your fish merrily swimming. Pool Spa can provide you with a wide range of pond kits, pumps, filters and pond construction accessories. Chat to one of our friendly experts today for advice on how to build your perfect pond. Visit us at www.poolspa.co.zaHave you ever noticed how after getting out of a swimming pool, even on a warm day, that your skin feels a little chilly? That’s because evaporation is going on.
Water requires more energy to be in a state of gas than it does in a liquid form. When it evaporates it absorbs heat energy from the air which makes both the water and the air around your skin cooler.
Misting systems work on the same basic principle but without making you or your surrounds wet. Water, by way of a high-pressure pump, is forced through specialised tubing that produces a micro-fine mist. The mist droplets are so tiny that they evaporate almost instantly, cooling the surrounding air.
When misting systems are pumping millions of droplets per second into the air, this technique can really do a lot of cooling. Misters can also be used for humidification and dust control applications.
The new generation of ultrasonic mist makers create mist by using a ceramic disc which vibrates at ultrasonic speed. This atomises the water without generating heat or affecting water chemistry. These type of misting systems make great humidifiers and can also be used like an atomiser to scent a room with liquid fragrances.