Inflatable Pool Slide

beroo — Wed, 19 May 2010 19:16:34 +0000

There are two main things you should bear in mind when purchasing and using an inflatable pool slide.

Safety

Most important of all is safety. The pool needs to be deep enough at the end of the slide to ensure nobody hits the bottom of the pool. 5 feet is normally sufficient, but you should follow the guidelines that come with the specific product you are interested in. Children should always be under adult supervision when using the slide.

Design and Construction

Whilst some slides can be used with both above-ground and in-ground pools, others are specifically designed for one or the other, so check before purchasing. It’s important that the slide is stable, and for this reason most models allow you to fill the base with water. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for, and models at the very cheap end of the market may be a turn out to be a false economy. A bunch of excited children bouncing up and down on the slide will soon cause rips or holes in poor quality materials, putting an untimely end to the fun. So it’s best to spend a little extra on a slide that will last. An example of a reasonably priced, but good quality slide is the Intex model.

There are a lot of designs on the market, from simple slides a few feet long to mini water parks. Bear in mind that the larger models will be harder and more time consuming to setup, and of course to dismantle and store.

Intex Inflatable Pool Slide

beroo — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:38:13 +0000

This intex model however, is made from heavy duty PVC and will stand up well to the punishment your kids are likely to give it. Though it is supplied with a repair patch, in case disaster strikes. Seven separate air chambers make this water slide very stable. It has a large surface, in fact younger kids will be able to slide down side by side. The steps are formed by 6 large holes with 2 handles on either side, making it very easy even for 3 year olds to climb.

You can find more information and reviews of this product here: Intex Inflatable Pool Slide

Splash Down Slide

beroo — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:21:30 +0000

The slide, which measures 89″ x 40″ x 34″, is easy to inflate, and thanks to the handles, easy to position by the pool. The slide area itself is generously wide, big enough for two smaller children to slide down side-by-side without difficulty. Side bumpers stop you falling over the edge and the slide is held firmly in place by the water ballast in the base. Tie-downs are also supplied should you want to use them.

A standard hose connector allows you to connect your garden hose to spray water down the slide to keep it slippery. This model is designed for use with in-ground swimming pools. Users report this slide as being very sturdy and able to withstand heavy usage by children (and adults!), without tearing.

You can find more information here: Splash Down Slide

Inflatable Pool Slide Repair

beroo — Sun, 16 May 2010 22:39:02 +0000

There are a couple of techniques you can use depending on whether you’re dealing with a hole or a tear. If there is no obvious rip and the slide is leaking air, but you can’t find the location of the hole, then you can find it using the same method you would use for a punctured tire: make a solution containing water and washing up liquid and pour or spray it on the inflated slide. If bubbles appear anywhere on the surface, then that’s where the hole is. Make sure the area is completely dry before you repair the hole using a puncture repair kit (often supplied with a new slide, or you can get them in your local hardware store).

For larger areas where the vinyl has actually ripped, temporary repairs can be made with duct tape – it might not last long, but could be enough for your kids to finish their pool party so you can make a more permanent repair later. To do the job properly, you can buy a rubber ring, cut it up to make a patch the correct size for the rip, allowing plenty of overlap around the edges, and glue it in place with waterproof epoxy glue.