6 Tips For Building Your Dream Pool

Have you ever dreamed of building a swimming pool for yourself? This is not an easy task to do, even if you have the required space and budget! You might also find many difficulties during the construction process, which is why proper planning is crucial before investing in such a big project. But don’t worry, as here are some amazing tips that will make your planning much easier for you!

Types of pools

The three main types of swimming pools are concrete, vinyl-lined, and fiberglass. Concrete pools are custom-built and can be of any size, shape, or depth. To build these pools, concrete is shot onto steel-reinforced walls, and once set, the pool is plastered, painted, and finished with a tiled surface. Although the process can take up to 10 weeks to complete, the result is currently the most durable pool option on the market.

Vinyl pools are made from a flexible liner that fits into an excavated hole. They are then reinforced by a metal frame. Construction time is only 2 weeks from start to finish. However, you should be aware that vinyl pools are significantly more fragile, and the liners can be punctured by sharp edges or even curious pets.

Fiberglass pools are factory-molded in the shape of a giant bowl, which is set into an excavated hole by a crane. As a result, fiberglass pools can be installed much faster than other pool types, for example, in only 3 days. Furthermore, the non-porous fiberglass pools have a very smooth gel coat finish making them durable, stain resistant, and also free from algae. Cost comparisons of pools

The prices of swimming pools vary widely depending on the region where you live, the soil condition, the water-circulation system, and the type and size of the pool. Generally speaking, concrete pools are the most expensive, followed closely by vinyl-lined pools and then fiberglass.

Zoning rules for swimming pools

If you are constructing a swimming pool, you should pay attention to the building and zoning regulations. Normally, these determine things like the distance from the pool to property lines, septic tanks, wells, sewer lines, and wetlands. There are also codes concerning pool barriers and gate hardware. So, you will likely need to apply for a building permit and receive approval for any work to begin.

Picking the proper location for your pool

1. Capture the sun: You should take advantage of free solar energy by choosing a pool location that is exposed to the sun and far from any trees. Such a location will not only warm up the water, but it’ll also reduce the number of leaves that drop into the pool.

2. Block breezes: If you build a pool in a windy location, increased water evaporation will cause you to constantly add water in order to maintain the proper water level. Also, strong winds will make you feel chilly and uncomfortable in wet weather. Therefore, you can create a windbreak by building a solid-board fence or by planting a row of thick shrubs.

3. High and dry: You should not set the pool in a low-lying area, thus preventing the pool from flooding with mud and debris during periods of heavy rain.

4. All clear above and below: Your pool should not be located beneath any overhead telephone or electrical wires.

5. Keep eye contact: If possible, you should build the pool so that it can be seen from your house to keep an eye on the swimmers.

The circulation system of your pool

A pool’s circulation system uses filtration and sanitization to keep the water crystal clear. The filtration pump draws water from the pool’s bottom drains, sends the surface water through an automatic skimmer, and then passes everything through a filter before re-circulating it back into the pool. Three types of filters are commonly used: sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth (DE).

Moreover, a chemical sanitizer is needed to eliminate organic contaminants like bacteria and algae. Also, an oxidizer is used to remove both inorganic and organic contaminants. There are three common sanitizers that are used in swimming pools, namely, chlorine, bromine, and PHMB. Likewise, salt chlorine generators are the latest advancement in pool sanitization.

Beware of the budget busters

As mentioned earlier, the final price of an in-ground pool is usually about twice the cost of the pool itself. That’s because there’s so much more to an in-ground pool than a hole filled with water. Here is a list of items that aren’t typically included in the price of the pool: outdoor lighting, landscaping, pathways, decks, fencing, patios, privacy screens, whirlpool spas, outdoor sound systems, pool cover, water test kits, shade structure, patio furniture, equipment shed, storage cabinet, pool toys, and additional outdoor electrical outlets. However, you might not need all of these items, but you should still keep them in mind when planning your construction budget.

I wish you the best of luck with your careful planning and hard construction tasks! Be sure to invite us to your pool party! And please, do not forget to share your comments below!