Swimming pool slides provide a fun and exciting way to enjoy your swimming pool. They are perfect for both children and adults, and can be used for swimming, diving, or just relaxing in the pool. Slides can be installed on inground or above ground swimming pools, and there are many different types of slides to choose from. If you’re in the market for a slide, Global Pool Products has an excellent selection of American-made, inground pool slides that would make an excellent addition to your backyard oasis. Check out our Tsunami pool slide in action below.
Here is a pool slide guide for 2022 covering everything you ever wanted to know about pool slides including pool safety, installation, and frequently asked questions.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Slide Safety
As with any activity that has the potential of injury, it’s important to follow all safety precautions while using swimming pool slides. Children should be supervised when on the pool deck at all times. Remember, no matter how many safety features a slide may have, it can not completely prevent accidents. There are some general rules you’ll need to make sure everyone is well aware of before installing a pool slide:
- Make sure the coast is clear at the bottom of the slide
- One person on the slide at a time
- Feet first is the only way to use the slide
- No roughhousing on or near the slide
- Avoid using alcohol or any other mind-altering substances when using the slide or the pool
- Never use the slide or pool alone
Pool Slide Installation
Pool slides can be fairly easy if you do your research and know how to work within certain guidelines (you need proper space, paver stones should be used in the pool slide area, etc). The amount of space you’ll need will depend on the footprint of the specific model of slide you purchase, so be sure to find out the manufacturer’s specifications before purchasing it to make sure you have adequate space.
While every slide is different, there are some general rules of thumb you’ll want to know before trying to do your own installation. First, bigger slides will be more work just due to the difficulty of maneuvering and positioning them on top of the added weight. Contact your pool slide manufacturer for a full installation guide beforehand so you can get everything measured and prepared prior to taking on a project of this size. Another important thing you’ll want to do is get help. You’ll almost assuredly need at least one extra person to help you with installation.
You may also want to look into instructional videos, these can be a handy reference guide to pull up on your phone periodically as you go through the installation process to make sure things are tracking with what you see on their video.
For most new models of slides, you’ll need to do some assembly as well. The video below should help give you a better idea on how swimming pool slides are usually assembled, with this example being the Global Pool Products Tidal Wave model.
If you want the job done correctly, ask professionals to handle installation, they’re qualified and insured so your pool slide will be installed correctly without any issues at all.
If you’re serious about buying swimming pool slides here are some helpful tips for choosing the right installer:
- Make sure they have experience installing pool slides.
- Ask to see pool slide work they have done in the past.
- Avoid any pool installer who tries pushing pool slides on you that you aren’t 100% sure about (you don’t want them installing anything you don’t want or installing it incorrectly)
- Make sure they are fully insured, bonded and licensed for pool installation.
- Check their references before hiring them.
When is the best time to install a pool slide?
The easiest, and best, time to install a pool slide is when your pool is installed. This is because you’ll be able to add the proper plumbing and build the site plan to include the slide has adequate space. Obviously, you can still add a slide later, but you’ll likely incur larger costs to add the water source and you may have limitations on the model of slide available based on the area surrounding your pool.
Pool Slides FAQ
How safe are swimming pool slides?
Swimming pool slides are perfectly safe if they are installed properly and used properly by everyone who uses your swimming pool. Whether you choose an indoor or outdoor swimming pool slip it’s important to follow all safety precautions mentioned above which will reduce pool slide accidents to a bare minimum.
Making sure your slide is the correct distance from the water and the access point is the correct depth are also crucial for safety. As SportsRec.com states: “For sliders shorter than 48 inches, if the distance between the end of the slide and the water, known as the drop, is 3 inches or less, the water depth should be 2 feet. For sliders taller than 48 inches, the pool must be at least 3-feet deep, with some manufacturers requiring 3 1/2 to 4 feet as a minimum.”
Are swimming pool slides hard to maintain?
Pool slide repairs can be costly, so proper maintenance is important. Fortunately, slides aren’t typically difficult to maintain. As long as your swimming pool slide is properly cared for and maintained through the seasons, pool slides won’t be an issue at all and it will remain smooth and look great every time it’s used. Here are some basic slide maintenance tips:
- Clean your slide regularly. Making this a part of your weekly maintenance program is usually enough to keep things looking and working well. This will also make sure you avoid any potentially harmful buildups of oil, dust, or dirt.
- Avoid using harsh cleaners. This means both harsh cleaning chemicals as well as coarse cleaning implements. Abrasive chemicals or abrasive scouring pads will damage the glossy finish and functionality of your pool slide.
Cleaning your pool slide regularly also means that it will keep its glossy finish. Keeping it glossed will prevent cracks from occurring which can escalate into rendering your slide unusable.
How do I stop my pool slide from leaking?
While components on any slide can become worn and leak over time, proper installation can help you avoid a lot of unnecessary leaks. The video below shows proper installation techniques for Global Pool Products’ slides to avoid leaks.
How do I anchor pool slides to the pool deck?
This depends on if your pool slides are above ground pool stairs or not, and also what type of pool surface you have (most pool surfaces require special slip anchors). If you aren’t sure what kind of anchors your pool uses, then contact a professional installer before installing anything.
What is the best pool surface for pool slides?
As long as you choose a slip-resistant paver stone, just about anything can work! Cement pool decks are typically slippery surfaces which may not be ideal for pool slides so always do your homework and talk to a professional before installing anything.
Will my swimming pool slide get rusty?
This depends largely on the material your slide is made of and how it is maintained. Many modern slides are made of molded plastics or other materials that will not rust or are rust-resistant.
Can you paint a swimming pool slide?
The general answer when it comes to painting pool slides is that you shouldn’t do it. However, some professionals will, in certain circumstances, use specialized epoxy pool slide paint that can restore the look and functionality of an old, damaged pool slide.
What is the proper pool slide plumbing setup?
Most pool slides, like those from Global Pool Products, only require a supply line to supply the pool slide water needed to create the “water slide” feature to ensure a fast, smooth ride down the flume. These are typically plumbed into the pool plumbing system by attaching them to either an existing pool spout or pool skimmer (depending on the type of pool slides you purchase, some pool slides can attach to your pool pump).
If you’re interested in tackling this process yourself, you may want to have a look at the following video.