Pool Scuppers
When adding water features to your swimming pool design, you’re adding excitement and beauty to your customized oasis.
There’s a vast selection of water features to select from, but it all comes down to your preference and imagination.
Pool scuppers are popular water features when it comes to swimming pool designs.
What is a scupper in a pool?
Years back, pool scuppers were simpler and less sophisticated than today and served a functional role. Now that they’ve gained more attention, especially on their design and function, scuppers are used in an array of innovative ways in luxury backyard pool sections.
Pool scuppers can be used to create effects that are relaxing and aesthetically pleasing to watch since they impact where and how water flows.
If a raised spa is added to the pool area, scuppers are often used to bring warm water into the main pool area, raise the temperature, circulate the water, and keep it fresh.
So, a scupper in a pool is a water feature that can bring water from another area into the pool.
How does a pool scupper work?
First, pool scuppers are essentially overflow ports that move water from one area into the main section of the pool. They get their name from boat scuppers, the drains on the side of a boat that allows water to flow off the deck.
Pool scuppers are an ideal aesthetic option when building your dream pool.
Whether you’re looking for a wider pool scupper to build a waterfall-like feature (called a sheer descent) or a series of scuppers aligned along a wall, there are many options to go for. The sky is the limit when dealing with pool scuppers.
You can align more than one, stagger them, or have one scupper that will form the focal point of your swimming pool or fountain.
How do you clean pool scuppers?
How you’ll clean your pool scuppers depends on the material used and the environmental conditions.
It’s advisable to inspect your scuppers regularly to identify when to clean them.
Keeping the pool scuppers clean can be challenging, especially for the stone models. Scrub the stone scupper with dish soap.
Dish detergent is ideal for basic cleaning, and you can do this by mixing several drops with warm water and using a cloth or a push broom with tough bristles to clean the stone.
However, for copper and stainless steel scuppers, mix a tablespoon of baking soda and half a tablespoon of lemon juice. Use a soft cloth to rub the solution over the scupper in circular motions.
Rinse it off with lukewarm water to ensure soap watermarks are not left behind.
How do you clean copper pool scuppers?
Scuppers can be made from many different materials. You can choose those that go best with the decoration of your backyard.
Some of the available materials include stainless steel, stone, bronze, or copper.
While copper is one of the most preferred and best materials to use for swimming pool scuppers, there are a few things to consider.
Since copper scuppers will be exposed to weather elements all day and night, they will develop a patina over time. The patina makes the copper appear darker and turn bluish-green if not well maintained.
The good thing is that there is a simple and effective way to clean copper pool scuppers. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda and half a tablespoon of lemon juice and use a soft cloth to rub the solution over the copper scupper in circular motions.
After this, wipe the scupper clean with a second clean cloth and rinse it off with lukewarm water.
Ensure to dry the copper scupper to erase all the watermarks.
How much do scuppers cost?
Whenever you’re redirecting water, ensure enough flow for the circulation.
For this reason, pool scuppers operate best with a dedicated separate pump.
You might see a slight increase in your monthly energy bill as more power will be required to run the feature.
The cost of one pool scupper usually is a few hundred dollars averaging between $100-$300. However, creating a raised spa, columns to house the scuppers, or a feature wall is where your costs will rise.
Depending on your situation and desires, you can add pool scuppers to an existing pool at a reasonable price.
Remember to get an estimate from your pool contractor on how much it will cost to install this extra water feature to ensure it is within your budget.
Summary
It’s no secret that scuppers give your pools an exciting, soothing, and interesting audio and visual senses to your pool area.
They increase the overall beauty of your backyard.
So, if you’re thinking about installing scuppers in your pool, get a professional contractor to assist with the project.
While it is technically possible to do it yourself, things can go wrong between concrete work, plumbing, and anything else to do with installing scuppers.
Professional pool contractors/plumbers are specially trained, experienced, and have the right equipment to ensure your dream pool comes to reality.
For more information see this article on scuppers for swimming pools.
For more photographs see this Pinterest board on pool scuppers.
Check out our articles on other types of pool water features and one we did on sheer descents which are like scuppers but much wider for a sheet of water falling.
