Long, hot and humid summers are as much a part of life in Missouri as Kansas City BBQ and St. Louis blues. There’s no better way to beat the heat than to cool off in a backyard pool of your own. Whether you imagine friends and family gathered around the pool for a backyard cookout, or kicking back all by your lonesome with a cool beverage in-hand and your toes in the water, an inground swimming pool can make those daydreams a reality.
Whether you have a sprawling suburban backyard or live in urban areas like St. Louis, Springfield or Kansas City, MO, there’s a pool for every home. When planning for a brand new swimming pool, keep in mind that your pool is only one part of the bigger picture. You’ll want to think about the little details that add up to make your pool an extension of your home. Consider how your pool will look alongside features like decking, landscaping, and any other backyard features – including an outdoor grilling station or a shady pergola to keep the sun from beating down on you while enjoying summer weather.
Also give some thought to features that can help you get the most enjoyment out of your pool. A heating element or spillover spa can warm your water when cool weather hits, while an automatic pool cover can help to reduce energy costs and maintenance.
If you’re thinking about taking the plunge into pool ownership in the Show Me State, we’ll “show you” some of the benefits of fiberglass and vinyl liner pools, maintenance tips and state and local laws pertaining to owning a pool in MO.
Fiberglass Pools in MO
Fiberglass pools are known for their strength, durability, ease of maintenance – and gorgeous crystalline finish. Their smooth surface makes fiberglass pools comfortable underfoot when wading in and won’t snag your swimsuit. And because fiberglass pool shells are prefabricated off-site and transported into an excavated area in your backyard, it helps speed up the time to install a fiberglass pool. That means you can start enjoying your new pool sooner!
Learn more about the benefits of owning a fiberglass pool.
Mold and Algae-Resistant
Given Missouri’s hot, humid summertime climate, it can create optimum conditions for pools to more easily develop algae and mold. With their slick, smooth surface, fiberglass pools are less prone to developing algae and calcium deposits, which can compromise your pool’s water chemistry. Similarly, a well-maintained vinyl liner pool can also be far more resistant to developing algae.
Fiberglass Pool Designs to Suit Your Backyard
Missouri has a diverse terrain, ranging from flat plains in the “bootheel” of the state to mountainous areas in the southern part of MO near the Ozarks. Missouri’s varying topography throughout the state, as well as its mix of rural and urban areas, can play a role in informing the type of pool that best complements your backyard and your lifestyle.
Fiberglass pools come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. But when it comes to pool design, choosing a shape is just one part of the equation. Do you swoon over the clean, classic lines of a rectangular fiberglass pool? Or perhaps the winding curves of a freeform pool call your name? At Latham, we firmly believe that there’s a pool for every home.
When planning your pool, think about how you plan to use it – and who will use it:
- Do you have young children or teens?
- Will they bring friends over to use the pool?
- Will seniors or individuals with compromised mobility use your pool?
- What safety features might you need so that everyone can safely enjoy your pool?
- Do you want your pool to be the focal point of your backyard? Or do you want to incorporate it alongside other features like an outdoor grilling station or garden?
- Do you love to entertain? If so, how many people do you typically have at your backyard get-togethers?
- Do you plan to use your pool for exercise, relaxation or both?
Weigh those considerations against any natural features of your backyard, such as a smaller or sloped yard. In addition to features that can make your pool safer and more enjoyable, you’ll also want to consider how your pool will work with any state and local requirements in Missouri. For instance, MO requires all residential pools to be surrounded by a fence that meets state and local regulations. Be sure to leave room in your budget for features that will ensure your pool is up-to-code.
An autocover is another feature that can add both an element of safety, as well as reduce the amount of time you spend maintaining your pool. An autocover can help to reduce water evaporation, save on energy costs, and serve as a protective barrier against kids or pets accidentally falling into your pool when not in use. An autocover can also help keep leaves and pollen out of your pool, reducing the risk of pool algae and pollen clogging your filters.
When working with a licensed professional pool builder, it’s important to keep an open mind. Although you may have a distinct vision for your pool, they may help you realize that a different pool shape or size may work better with your backyard and give you much more enjoyment.
At Latham, we believe there’s a pool for every home. As proof of that, check out some of our favorite pools we’ve helped build throughout MIssouri. Don’t see a pool that matches your ideal pool here? Don’t worry, Show Me State residents! It’s still possible! Contact a local independent builder to see even more photos and videos of pools in their portfolio that may not be available online just yet. You’re sure to find a springboard for your imagination and beyond!
Fiberglass Pool Ideas for Hilly or Uneven Backyards
The northern part of Missouri is home to both gentle, rolling hills as well as the rugged peaks and deep valleys of the Ozarks. For folks nestled in areas like Branson, Springfield and Fayetteville, it’s important to choose a pool that can work with the mountainous terrain, not only giving you a great poolside view of picturesque scenery, but that complements the size, shape, and natural features of your yard.
A custom-designed infinity edge pool can work with the existing features of your backyard, including sloped terrain. Not only can an infinity pool be a great choice for giving you a stellar view of your natural surroundings from high atop a hill, but they can be a striking addition to your yard. An infinity pool can mimic the look of naturally occurring features like a cascading waterfall or stream, giving the illusion that your pool stretches into infinity – as their name suggests.
Because infinity pools are customized creations that work with the geographic features of your backyard, they can be a more expensive option. However, if your backyard sits on a slope, a customized pool can be a great option.
While beautiful to behold, rolling hills and rocky terrain can pose a challenge to installing a pool. If your backyard has rocky terrain lurking beneath the soil or sits on a slope, a professional builder can grade your land or install a retaining wall to make it more conducive to installing a fiberglass pool. However, in some instances, a vinyl liner pool may be a better option for folks with less-than-level backyards.
For Missouri residents with irregularly shaped yards, freeform and kidney-shaped fiberglass pools can be another great choice. These pools differ from model-to-model, each with their own unique curves and contours that can work with your backyard.
For instance, a modern freeform pool like the Synergy has a narrow 16’ width and longer 40’ length. Features like swim-up seating and slip-resistant corner steps make this an eye-catching choice that can work with longer backyards that aren’t quite as wide. More compact kidney-shaped offerings, like the 12’ x 24’ St. Lucia, can be a good fit for smaller, more irregularly shaped yards.
When considering a new pool, come to the table with your backyard measurements. This can help you and your builder arrive upon a design that will work with your property’s features and give you years of enjoyment from your beautiful new pool!
Pool Designs to Fit Every Missouri Zip Code, Whether Rural or Urban
Missouri is home to a wide range of landscapes and cityscapes, with rural areas standing alongside busy urban epicenters. When choosing a pool, the area where you live may influence your choice of style and design.
Due to population density, residents of bustling cities like St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield may have smaller backyards closer in proximity to one another. For urban MO homeowners, a sleek, modern rectangular shape, like the 12’ x 25’ Corinthian might fit the bill. The Corinthian stands as a shining example that you can pack a lot of fun into a smaller pool package, with tons of built-in extras like an ultra-wide top step that can double as a tanning ledge or wading area for kids, alongside swim-up seating and slip-resistant steps.
For prospective pool owners in Missouri who live in more spacious rural or suburban areas, a freeform pool can be a striking addition to your backyard. With a variety of shapes and sizes, freeform pools can offer the look of a flowing natural stream cutting through your backyard. Take the modern freeform Caribbean fiberglass pool. This impressive model includes swim-up seating and plenty of space to entertain guests – or just merrily float along its 40’ length to indulge in some well-earned R&R after a long day at work.
No matter where you live in Missouri, there’s a pool that’s right for you! Regardless of your preferences for size and shape, fiberglass pools come in a range of breathtaking colors to work with your surroundings. Whether you want a high-contrast pool in a dazzling shade of blue, or a more neutral hue that mimics the soft sand and shells of a beach, Latham’s patented Crystite color technology gives you color options galore.
Small Pool Designs for Urban Living
For Missouri residents who live in larger cities like Joplin or St. Louis, a small pool has just as much fun and enjoyment to offer as a larger one. Folks who live in larger, more densely populated areas may have smaller backyards and limited access to lakefront getaways. Embracing smaller pools can offer a way to cool off and relax without having to contend with tourists and the hassle of city traffic to escape to one of Missouri’s beautiful lakes.
A small rectangular pool like the 11’ x 20’ Tuscan offers style and versatility in a tidy package, giving you an outdoor entertainment space that also offers ample room for swimming laps if you want to use your pool to get in some exercise! For backyards even tighter on space, the 10’ x 16’ Milan plunge pool can be an ideal option, offering just as much bang for your buck as larger pools with endless potential for summertime fun!
If you have limited room in your backyard, but want a smaller-sized pool with a shape that’s a bit out of the ordinary, the 10’ x 20’ kidney-shaped Jamaica can easily tuck into a smaller yard. The Jamaica offers thrilling features like beverage benches, swim-up seating, and slip-resistant steps that keep safety at the forefront along with many happy hours spent poolside.
Pools for Missouri Suburbs
If you live in a suburban area like St. Charles, MO or in one of the many rural areas scattered throughout Missouri, your only limit is your imagination in terms of the size, shape, and features for your new pool! A spacious backyard can give you ample room to incorporate a larger pool, as well as opt for more creative designs to make the most of your space. Whether you choose to “live large” and make a bigger pool the focal point of your backyard, or if you want to transform your backyard into a multi-purpose space with your pool surrounded by lush landscaping, pretty flower beds, and an outdoor grilling station, it’s truly up to you!
For instance, the freeform Caribbean is an excellent pool that has tons of space, built-in features and even more room for add-ons to further customize your pool. Eye-catching water features like waterfalls, fountains and bubblers – as well as slides – are sure to delight kids and adults alike, transforming your pool into a private water park. Other options, like LED pool lights can also lend an impressive and colorful touch to your pool, as well as enhance nighttime visibility.
Fiberglass models with built-in spillover spas can be another option for Missouri residents with lots of space to go big with their pool dreams. Models like the Astoria and the Cancun Deluxe come pre-made with spillover spas, giving you even more opportunities to enjoy luxuriating in your outdoor oasis when temperatures get cooler or for enjoying your pool after sundown.
Missouri’s low cost of living, standing at an impressive #6 in terms of affordability across all 50 states, makes owning a pool an even more attractive option for Show Me State residents. The state’s 4.225% sales tax is quite low, which bodes well when factored into the total cost of installing a pool.
Inground Vinyl Liner Pools in MO
In terms of affordability and durability, inground vinyl liner pools present Missouri residents with another great option when shopping for a new pool. In addition to their ease of maintenance, vinyl liner pools are highly customizable, giving you plenty of creative freedom to design a pool that meets your needs now and in the future!
Why Choose Vinyl Liners for Your Backyard
Affordable. Customizable. Relatively low-maintenance. These are just a few of the benefits of a vinyl liner pool
Vinyl liner pools come in many of the same shapes and sizes as their fiberglass counterparts. This makes them a fantastic blank canvas with endless customization potential. Based on how you plan to use your pool and how you envision it complementing your lifestyle, your builder can help you choose features to customize your pool. You can customize everything about your pool, including its size, shape, liner colors and patterns, as well as add-ons like water features, fire features, tanning ledges and more.
Vinyl liner pools also are relatively easy to maintain. Although they require slightly more maintenance than a fiberglass model, they demand far less elbow grease compared to older materials like concrete or gunite. The cost savings of a vinyl liner pool makes the slightly extra effort worth it. Not only are vinyl liner pools a less-expensive option up-front, but they offer long-term savings. Older concrete pools require resurfacing once every 10 years, as these materials are porous, more prone to developing algae, and can get rough and chalky with age. On the flipside, a well-maintained vinyl liner can last roughly 10 years, but you can replace it sooner. It’s far cheaper to periodically replace your liner than to resurface an entire pool!
To help you get familiar with some of the many creative directions you can take a vinyl liner pool, check out some of the vinyl liner pools that Latham has helped build throughout Missouri. Don’t see one here that looks like the pool of your dreams? Don’t worry! Chat with your local builder and they can show you more images and videos in their portfolio that may not be available online.
Vinyl Liner Pools: A Perfect Choice for Missouri’s Hilly Terrain
The highly customizable nature of vinyl liner pools makes them a great choice for uneven or sloped backyards. While a good chunk of Missouri is flat, the central and southwestern part of the state is home to the Ozark Highlands and dotted with rugged mountain terrain. This can translate to sloped yards or backyards with rocky terrain lurking beneath the surface level of the soil. Because vinyl liner pools are poured into place, they can work with the natural features of your space and can be customized to fit your surroundings.
Adjust Your Vinyl Liner to Your Lifestyle
Times change and so do your needs. Part of the beauty of a vinyl liner pool is that you can add or remove features over time to make your pool work with your current lifestyle.
For instance, your vinyl liner pool may start its life as a miniature water park made to entertain your kids. Think water slides, bubble jet and fountains made to delight little ones! You can add a tanning ledge for soaking up sun or as a wading area for young children. Designing a pool with multiple entry points can be a great way to accommodate swimmers of all ages who tire easily and don’t want to swim the length of the pool to get out.
As time marches on and the kids grow, you can remove water slides and replace them with a diving board or more room for swim-up seating to spark hours of poolside conversations. When the kids move out and you want to embrace the empty nester life, tanning ledges and swim-up seating can make your pool a hot spot for entertaining friends. Just remember that making changes to your pool may be a slightly more invasive process and require you to swap out your liner. However, a little planning ahead to make any adjustments to your pool alongside replacing an older or worn out vinyl liner can help you accomplish both tasks at once!
If you decide later on that you want a larger or smaller pool, a vinyl liner pool can give you that option. Whether you want a bigger pool to accommodate a growing family or less pool to take care of during your golden years, a vinyl liner pool can easily evolve along with you, giving you years of enjoyment through every season of life.
Transforming or Replacing Your Current Pool
If you purchased a home with an older concrete or gunite pool, a vinyl liner pool can be an ideal replacement if you decide it’s time to renovate an older pool. Although Missouri has hot, humid summers, the Show Me State experiences cold, frigid winters, which can take a toll on concrete pools.
Even a well-kept concrete pool can be expensive to maintain, as they require periodic resurfacing since they can become rough and chalky with age. Concrete pools are also a larger time investment in terms of upkeep. Due to their porous nature, they can more easily develop pool algae, which can create ugly stains on your pool’s surface and make it more challenging to balance its water chemistry.
A vinyl liner pool can be an excellent replacement option for an older concrete pool. If you’re looking for reasons to trade up, a vinyl liner pool can help you save on maintenance costs in the long run, and also help you save time on maintenance right now. While you can expect to swap out your liner once every 10 years, vinyl liner pools do not require resurfacing the way concrete or gunite pools do. Similarly, a well-maintained vinyl liner can last for up to 10 years. If your liner develops a small tear, it can easily be patched.
You might also want to add or subtract features over time. Enhancing your pool with colorful LED lights, water features, or a tanning ledge may require additional excavation and reshaping – and vinyl liner pools are ideal for pool owners who want to get more out of their pool over time.
Some helpful advice when planning any pool renovation projects: Schedule these upgrades alongside routine maintenance projects like replacing your vinyl liner. Custom features like pool lights, multiple entry points and tanning ledges are invasive. In order to make those changes, your pool professional would need to remove and replace your liner anyway. So be sure to do your homework to save time and money when upgrading your pool!
Installing an Inground Pool in Missouri
Does the smooth, glittering surface of a fiberglass pool beckon you? Or do you respond to the siren song of affordable and customizable vinyl liner pools? Regardless of your choice, it can be helpful to know what’s involved with installing your brand new pool.
Installing a Fiberglass Pool
Fiberglass pool shells are prefabricated off-site, then transported and installed in a freshly-dug space in your backyard. This can speed up the time between your backyard looking like a kid’s sandbox to enjoying your beautiful new pool.
Learn more about how fiberglass pools are installed.
Installing a Vinyl Pool
From taking precise measurements of your yard to filling your pool to seal your liner in place, skilled professional builders pay attention to all of the little details required to create a custom vinyl liner pool that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Learn more about how vinyl liner pools are installed.
How to Prepare Your Pool for Tornadoes
Smack dab in the heart of Tornado Alley, Missouri residents experience peak tornado season between April and June, with the risk of pop-up storms and twisters peppering the region throughout the year. May is the month in which tornadoes are most prevalent throughout Missouri and, on average, the state is hit with nearly 45 tornadoes each year.
If you own a pool in Missouri, it’s important to know how to prepare your pool in the event of a major wind storm. While you can’t prevent a tornado, you can certainly prepare to safeguard your pool and backyard to help mitigate damages.
Perhaps the most important tip to prepare your pool in the event of a tornado is to turn off all power to pool equipment, including your pump and filtration systems, pool lights, and heaters. Although turning off power may not prevent damage to the equipment itself during a gale-force tornado, it can help prevent dangerous electrical malfunctions from occurring. If possible, move your pool equipment to a basement storage unit or protect them with a secure waterproof covering.
When preparing your pool for a tornado, do not drain your pool water. While it may seem like a good idea in terms of preventing your water chemistry from becoming tainted, draining your pool actually leaves it more vulnerable to scratches and scrapes.
Additionally, do not store pool or patio furniture in your pool during a tornado. Instead, store these items indoors or in a safe outdoor enclosure.
After the storm has passed, be prepared to clean up any debris in or around your pool. You’ll also need to rebalance your water chemistry or possibly shock your pool.
Pool Covers and Winterizing Options to Protect Your Pool
If you’re splurging on a pool, reserving room in your budget for an automatic pool cover is worth the added investment. Whether you opt for a fiberglass or vinyl liner pool, an autocover can help you save more in the long run on energy costs, maintenance, and help prevent tragic accidents.
An autocover can help you save between 50% to 70% on energy costs. They can also help to reduce water evaporation and the need to rebalance your water chemistry, giving you more time to enjoy your pool instead of relentlessly maintaining it. Autocovers can also help you scale back on skimming duties, removing fallen leaves and pollen from the surface of your pool. While pollen can clog your pool’s filtration system, leaves can contribute to algae growth. An autocover can minimize the amount of nature-based debris from landing in your pool and demanding more of your time and energy to remove it.
Most importantly, autocovers can save lives, preventing kids and pets from accidentally falling in when your pool is unattended. An automatic pool cover can also help prevent people from using your pool without your permission.
If you’re working with a smaller pool budget, keep in mind that many rectangular pool models are autocover-ready. More unique shapes, such as freeform pools, may require a custom-cut autocover, which can cost more than a prefabricated cover.
In addition to an autocover, Missouri residents may want to consider purchasing a winter cover for their pool to protect it during colder months. Winter covers are used to close your pool for the season. While automatic pool covers can help make your pool safer and more energy-efficient, winter covers are specially designed to support the weight of a heavy snowfall that could potentially compromise the delicate mechanics of an autocover.
Missouri’s winter season swings between freezing and thawing, with snowfalls being somewhat unpredictable. Some areas – and years – can see between 18 and 24 inches of snow annually, while others get less snow but that snow can turn to ice. Properly winterizing your pool and having a winter cover can help you more easily get your pool up and running before humid Missouri summers are back in full swing!
How to Maintain Your Missouri Pool
Both vinyl liner and fiberglass pools require minimal upkeep. Depending on the type of material you choose for your new pool, your maintenance schedule and checklist can vary in order to keep your pool looking and running its best.
Fiberglass Pool Maintenance
One of the best parts of owning a fiberglass pool is that they require minimal maintenance. Even for new pool owners, fiberglass pool maintenance is a breeze!
Block off time each week to tackle routine maintenance tasks, including testing your pool’s water chemistry, skimming your pool and emptying filter baskets. At least once per month, be sure to check your filter and back flush your filtration system to keep your pool running smoothly.
Due to Missouri’s brutally cold winters, folks often shut down their pool sometime between September and October. If your pool is heated, you can likely squeak in several more weeks of pool time, extending your season until October. Typically, it’s a best practice for your water to reach temperatures below 65 degrees to avoid algae developing under cover, leaving you with a nasty and time-consuming surprise when you reopen the following spring.
To prepare your pool for winter, be sure to remove water from pipes as freezing temperatures can damage them. To help ensure a seamless transition from winter to reopening your pool next year, check out our tips and best practices for pool winterization.
Vinyl Liner Pool Maintenance
Although vinyl liner pools require slightly more maintenance, the extra effort is worth it when it comes to your cost savings.
Each week, be sure to skim your pool and test your water’s chemical and pH levels. In addition, give your liner a gentle weekly scrub with a soft-bristled brush. This can go a long way towards keeping algae at bay, removing dirt, algae stains and calcium build-up from your liner.
Once each month, take some time to inspect your liner for leaks. If you see a small tear, be sure to patch it immediately. This can help prolong the life of your liner and avoid a premature liner replacement.
Additionally, take care to only use soft pool toys made with vinyl liner pools in-mind. Soft foam pool noodles, inflatable rafts and floaties of all sizes, and foam or inflatable balls can yield hours of fun in the pool without fear of accidentally puncturing or tearing your liner.
For more tips, download our vinyl liner maintenance checklist to help you keep your pool looking and performing its best.
Factors to Consider When Determining the Cost of a Pool in Missouri
The cost to install an inground pool in Missouri can vary based on a number of factors. Your pool’s size and materials are just one part of the total cost of a pool package. You’ll also want to factor in the cost of decking and other features that will help you get even more enjoyment from your pool – such as an automatic pool cover and add-on features like a spillover spa, bubble jets or a tanning ledge.
When planning your pool budget, you’ll also want to account for items that are required in order for your pool to be compliant with state and local regulations. Missouri pool owners will want to reserve funds for an approved fence surrounding their pool. In Missouri, state law requires that all pools must be enclosed by a barrier at least 4 feet high.
Although buying a pool is a big ticket item, Missouri’s lower cost of living and sales taxes can make owning a pool a very realistic goal. Even if you don’t have the savings to purchase a pool outright at the moment, there are multiple financing options available to help you start enjoying your new pool today, while paying tomorrow!
Missouri’s Regulations for Installing an Inground Pool
Owning a pool is a lot of fun, but also comes with a fair share of responsibilities. That’s why it’s especially important to do your homework around state and local regulations around pool ownership in Missouri.
Because state and local laws can change over time, it’s important to investigate what they mean for you before beginning construction on a new pool. While Missouri has overarching residential pool laws that are universally applied throughout the state, your city, town or municipality may have additional regulations that may be more prohibitive than those at the state level.
Check with your local building office to get more information on these laws and be sure your pool is compliant. Working with a licensed professional builder can also help you better navigate any state and local regulations and ensure your pool is up-to-code.
With that in mind, here are some of the most common questions we get around owning a pool in Missouri.
Do you need a permit for a pool in Missouri?
Missouri requires that all in-ground and above-ground swimming pools require a permit before breaking ground on your new pool project. The state defines a residential swimming pool as any vessel that can hold over 24 inches of water, and also applies to spas, hot tubs, jacuzzis and any fixed-in-place wading pools.
Depending on where you live in the state, different cities and towns throughout Missouri have different requirements for obtaining a pool construction permit. Some cities, such as Nixa, MO, have different costs for inground pools vs. above ground pool permits. The cost of an inground pool permit in Nixa is $160, while an above ground pool permit costs $80. Other cities, such as Florissant, MO, require an additional electrical permit on top of a building permit to construct a pool.
Do your homework beforehand to ensure your pool meets both state and local requirements for pools in MIssouri. Working with a licensed professional builder can also help you better understand these laws and obtain the correct permits.
Do you need a fence around your pool in Missouri?
Missouri requires that all residential pools must be enclosed by a fence or barrier. The state requires that pool fencing must be a minimum of 4 feet (48 inches) high. However, different cities and towns throughout MO have even more stringent requirements for fencing and pool barriers, especially in cases where an outside wall of a home serves as part of this barrier.
For instance, Florissant, MO requires an approved and compliant audible alarm system for any pool enclosure that uses an outer wall of a home as part of the pool barrier. These alarms must work with any doors that open up into the pool area or windows “with a sill less than 48” from the finished floor facing the pool area.” In addition, these alarms must be placed at a height of 54” from the floor.
Because laws can change over time, it’s important to check with your local building office around any pool fencing laws in Missouri, as well as the city or town where you live.
Do you need a cover for your pool in Missouri?
Although Missouri requires fencing at least 4 feet high surrounding a residential pool, the state does not have any blanket laws requiring pool owners to have a cover. However, different cities throughout the state may require pool owners to have an approved safety cover.
For instance, in addition to stringent pool fencing laws and requiring pool owners to install an alarm system if part of their home serves as a barrier, Springfield, Missouri also mandates that pools must be equipped with an approved power safety cover. This autocover must be capable of holding 485 pounds of weight and devoid of any openings that would allow for the passage of a 4-inch sphere.
Be sure to check with your local building office to confirm if your area requires you to have a safety cover for your pool.
How far away does your pool have to be from your home in Missouri?
The distance between your swimming pool and home varies depending on where you live in Missouri Different cities and towns throughout the state have different requirements. In some cases, the size of your property or lot may also impact how far your pool needs to be situated away from your home or any adjoining lots.
For instance, Black Jack, MO requires that “the water surface of a swimming pool shall not exceed 50% of the rear yard area of the lot.” Meanwhile, in Republic, MO, “any wall of a swimming pool shall not be located less than 6 feet from any rear or side property line or less than 10” from any building.” The city also notes that swimming pools can only reside in rear yards.
Because your town or city may have different requirements and laws can change at any time, check with your local building office to confirm how far your pool needs to be from your home and any neighboring property lines. Working with a knowledgeable professional can help you better navigate these requirements and ensure your new pool is compliant.
Enjoying Your Missouri Pool Through the Seasons
While Missouri summers are scorchers, the Show Me State’s winters are brutally cold. Under ideal conditions, Missouri pool season can span between April to September, although May is historically the state’s heaviest month for hurricanes, potentially prompting pool owners to keep their pools in a suspended state until the end of hurricane season in June.
Missourians who have a heated pool or spillover spa can extend their pool season into October, allowing them to enjoy their pool even as cooler temperatures start to set in. In addition to incorporating features that can help you squeeze in as much pool time as possible, here are a few seasonal pool maintenance tips for Missouri residents:
- Spring: While April showers bring May flowers for much of the country, April through June is typically “hurricane season” for Missouri residents. Staying aware of any impending threats and adhering to best practices for protecting your pool in the event of a hurricane (including shutting down all power to your pool) should be top of mind. In addition to taking steps to protect your pool during a hurricane, Missouri residents will also want to tackle the far more mundane task of skimming spring pollen off the surface of their pools. These tiny, yellow or green rice-like pollen grains can clog your pool filter or contribute to algae growth, so be sure to skim them out of your pool.
- Fall: A heated pool can help you extend pool season until October. Choosing a fiberglass model that has a spillover spa or adding one to a vinyl liner pool can help you get even more mileage out of your pool when cooler temperatures set in. If you plan to continue enjoying your pool through autumn months, be sure to keep up with weekly skimming and maintenance. Falling leaves, if left to collect on the surface of your pool, can contribute to algae growth and throw off the balance of your water chemistry. An autocover can also help prevent leaves from accumulating on the surface of your pool.
- Winter: When it’s time to close your pool for winter, make sure to remove all air from water lines and pool equipment. Although many Missouri pool owners close their pool themselves, you can also recruit a professional to help you properly winterize your pool.
Missouri Pool FAQs
When is the best time to install a pool in Missouri?
The best time to start planning your pool installation in Missouri is during the fall or winter months. Start by gathering inspiration for your pool and shopping around for different pool models and educating yourself on what offerings can best suit your lifestyle and give you what you want out of a pool.
Given Missouri’s harsh winters and cold ground, it’s unlikely builders can start breaking ground on your new pool after November. However, it’s possible to get your pool built during fall months so that it’s ready for you to enjoy once the frost thaws and summer arrives!
What type of inground pool is best for Missouri?
No single type of inground pool is best for Missouri residents. Both fiberglass and vinyl liner pools are excellent choices, so the best pool for you is one that will give you years of enjoyment.
Fiberglass pools are beloved for their beauty and ease of maintenance. And because fiberglass pools are prefabricated off-site, they can be installed faster – helping you kick off pool season sooner!
Vinyl liner pools can be a great option for folks throughout the Show Me State, especially those who have a sloped, rocky, or uneven backyards. Vinyl liner pools offer endless potential for customization, making them a great fit for pool owners who may want to add or subtract features over time and want their pool to grow and change along with them.
Find Out if Latham Installs Pools Near You
If you live in Missouri and are excited about the prospect of a brand new pool, Latham can help build the pool of your dreams. We’ve helped many happy customers throughout Missouri, including those in:
- Grandview, MO
- Jefferson City, MO
- Joplin, MO
- Kansas City, MO
- Labadie, MO
- Leadington, MO
- Leavenworth, MO
- Liberty, MO
- Linn Creek, MO
- Moberly, MO
- O’Fallon, MO
- Platte City, MO
- Poplar Bluff, MO
- Riverside, MO
- Springfield, MO
- St. Louis, MO
- Swansea, MO
- Washington, MO
- Winfield, MO
Start Building a Pool for Your Missouri Home Today
A new pool can give you a place to relax, exercise or enjoy many happy hours with loved ones through the years. Get in touch with a licensed professional builder to start making memories in your brand new pool today.
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