The perfect pool
You want your pool to look perfect but before you decide on a design, where it will be installed and how it will relate to the rest of your home or garden read on to make sure it is just right for you
Every swimming pool is unique, but ideally it should:
• look good
• be technically well-designed
• be installed hassle-free
• be cost-effective, an asset to your property and give you many years of pleasure
Water is therapeutic, and its presence transforms a garden into a calm and pleasant oasis. Installing a swimming pool not only makes a feature of a garden, but will add value to a property. The most obvious reason people invest in a pool is for exercise; swimming is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise as it uses different areas of the body at the same time and water buoyancy prevents strain on joints. Pools are also great for relaxation.
Swimming pools are now easier than ever to care for, with automatic pool cleaners, chlorinating machines and pH level kits to keep chemical levels regulated.
THE BUILD
Get referrals before employing a contractor – find out from family and friends what went right and what went wrong with their pool installation, and ask as many questions as you can so you get a complete picture of what to expect.
Get references – you should ask for references from the contractor, at least one current and one completed, even if you have a trustworthy referral. Talk with the contractor’s previous client/s about the job, be sure to ask how the project was handled and about their satisfaction with the contractor, sub-contractors and employees, as well as the end result.
Get bids – it’s important to obtain at least three bids and make comparisons. Make sure the bids are comparable, ie, for the same amount of work and the same types of materials.
SIZE
A typical residential swimming pool is 3.5m to 6m wide and 7m to 12m long, depending on the budget, location and intended use. A pool for casual use starts from 1.0 to 1.5 metres deep. For diving, ideally the pool should be at least three metres deep.
CONSTRUCTION
There are four basic types of construction for private swimming pools:
Concrete – Reinforced concrete shell finished with mosaic tiles, marblite or special paint – created without seams or joints. The biggest advantage of this type is there is no limit to the shapes that can be created, and it has a traditional aesthetic finish which some people prefer.
Vinyl Liner – A pre-fabricated or blockwork panel shell supporting a tailor-made PVC liner. Vinyl liner describes the method of lining the interior, not the construction materials, which may be concrete, pressure-treated wood, paint-coated or galvanised sheet steel. Popular with many pool buyers due to lower initial cost, better insulation – meaning lower heating costs – the many liner patterns and colours available, a child friendly embossed non-slip finish, and the fact that liners are treated to discourage algae growth. Replacement liners can be installed in one to two days and providing the basic pool shell is of substantial construction, a pool may have several new liners over its expected life, which could be as much as 50 years in the case of a concrete construction.
Fibre-glass swimming pools – delivered in one piece, they are ready plumbed with all the necessary fittings attached including underwater lights, surface skimmer, bottom drain, return jets, swim jets (where applicable) and complete with all the necessary pipe work attached to the side, so when the pool is delivered it is ready to be lowered into the prepared excavation. Suppliers can assist with levelling of the pool and connect the pipes into the plant area – the area where all the pumps and filters etc will be situated.
Above-ground pools – do not need an excavated area but do need a concrete base. They are not permanent structures and can be fitted yourself and taken with you if you move.
CLEANING YOUR OUTDOOR POOL
All pool water needs filtering to remove solid particles and provide you with a clean and clear pool. Outdoor pools need good filtration to remove leaves, sand and other debris.
An electric pump draws water from the pool and forces it through the filter and returns it to the pool. A number of pipes are used, some from ‘skimmers’ which skim debris from the water surface and others from ‘sumps’ which draw water from near the bottom of the pool. Careful planning and sizing of these fittings will ensure a thorough purging and cleaning of the pool water in as short a time as possible. The ideal amount of time for all the water to pass through the filter for a domestic pool is about six hours.
Filters may fill up with sand, in which case they will need regular backwashing to remove the build-up of debris, or they may be of the cartridge type, which need regular soaking in a special cleaning fluid. For most pools, the sand filter is recommended and must be carefully sized, along with the pump, to provide the optimum rate of filtration.
HOW TO HEAT
There is no need to ever swim in cold water. Choose from a wide range of oil or gas pool heaters, electric or solar powered energy, to make your swimming experience far more enjoyable.
Pool Boiler – the most common heating method is by using an oil or gas-fired boiler usually sited in a pool plant house nearby and linked to the pool. They are simple to install, operate and maintain. Water is pumped from the pool into the heater, warmed and then pumped straight back in. This method is reasonably efficient and usually trouble-free. The cost of heating your pool is dependent on oil or gas prices.
Electric Heater – pool water is pumped through the heater and fitted with a thermostat. Cheap and simple to install but expensive to run so it is worth using off-peak rates, if possible. For economy, use an automated thermostat that lowers the temperature during the evening when the pool is not in use.
Heat Pump – installed in or near the plant room and extracts heat from the surrounding air and diverts it into the pool water. Its energy source is electricity and it can produce up to four or five times the amount of energy it consumes.
Solar Systems – new and innovative sun-powered heaters guarantee to maintain your swimming pool water at a constant level without the costs. With solar powered pool heaters, water is first pumped through water cells, which are open to the sun throughout the day, and heated. The water continues from the cells back to the pool, which in turn heats the remaining water.
The size of the heating cells, normally positioned on a nearby roof or tower or an outhouse, are chosen to suit the size of your pool. Environmentally-concerned pool owners take comfort from the fact that solar energy is renewable and non-polluting.
But solar-heating systems do require a large initial investment. A properly-sized system, with a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, can pay for itself in two to three years.
A solar heating system in Cyprus used in conjunction with a pool cover, which results in energy savings of about 70 per cent, can spread your comfortable swim season to all year round.
Bear in mind there will be a fluctuation of temperature due to any daily variation in solar energy. You should run the filter pump and the solar panels from dawn to dusk to maximise the available energy. Cover the pool at night to reduce heat losses.
LIGHTING
Pool lighting is a necessary part of making the modern swimming pool a fun and safe place to play. Lighting should illuminate your pool and surround minimally after sunset, but it can also be used to create the mood of an inviting relaxation area. Use general lighting to illuminate the pool deck and paths so you can wander safely after dark; underwater lighting that is useful for evening swimming as well as creating cool night time lighting effects; and accent lighting to add atmosphere to the poolside setting.
Fibre optic lighting is becoming a popular option for pools. This doesn’t carry any electrical current, rather fibres of light move through the cable. It offers a wide range of both colours and styles of light – and is used to create multi-colour special effects. An older pool can probably be adjusted to support fibre optics.
