Swimming Pool Construction

the cat


Joined: 22/06/2008
Posts: 71

Message Posted:
23/07/2010 11:59

Looking for advice regarding building a swimming pool, would you have a 8x4 or a 10x5 metre pool constructed, also what design would be the best, Overflow, Skimmer or Infinity Pool



Also how would the running costs compare between the 2 sizes, Chemicals, Chlorine, Zerochlor etc and maintainance costs monthly.



Thanks.

StGeorgeI


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 973

Message Posted:
23/07/2010 12:34

We have a 10m x 5m - nothing more in the running costs except a little more on chemicals (or £20 per month if you have a pool cleaning company do it for you).



Overflow looks nicer and it keeps the flies off better than a skimmer.



Best thing you can do is speak to whoever is building your pool for you and get them to show you the different types /sizes they offer and at what cost - then you can make an educated decision. Also be a good way to see examples of their work.



GOOD LUCK,

G

MarkVPiazza


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 530

Message Posted:
23/07/2010 12:34

Smaller the better, and no more than 1.5m deep, with a 1m shallow end



Definitely a skimmer with a solar cover , overflows have too much to go wrong and maintain and evaporate water at an alarming rate over the summer.



We have an 8x4 overflow but always keep the level 15cm+ down so we can use a pool cover.



The pool cover will more than double your swimming season, evaporation = loss of water and loss of heat.



BTW, a lot of people say if they had to choose again, they wouldn't have a pool.



In our experience it costs more to run the pool than the house and garden put together (using as a holiday home)



Mark

OldDogs


Joined: 17/03/2009
Posts: 42

Message Posted:
23/07/2010 13:29

There are some simple rules which if followed will result in you having the please of a pool,not a bottomless money swallowing monster:

1). Do NOT let your builder construct it. He will most probably struggle to build your house. Building a pool is a specialist job so use a specialist pool company perhaps Cyprus or Octopus Pools.

2). Unless your location suits an infinity pool have a skimmer pool not an overflow. Yes I know that an overflow pool looks lovely but ask yourself why they are seldom used as domestic pools in the rest of the world. The reasons are as follows:

a)They are more complicated and hence expensive to construct.

b)Running costs are higher eg for a 10x5m pool a 2hp pump would typically be used as opposed to a 1 hp pump with a smimmer pool. Also evaporation is greater with the water running over the hot coping stones and water channel.

OldDogs


Joined: 17/03/2009
Posts: 42

Message Posted:
23/07/2010 14:03

c).Overflow pools over time will require maintenance to the balance tank,water channel,and non-return valve. A skimmer pool has none of these.

d).A solar cover which will save on evaporation and extend the swimming season cannot be used on an overflow pool without dropping the level of the water so it no longer can overflow.

The above points all apply to a well built pool. Many 3-5 year old builder constructed overfow pools are now leaking so badly from the area where the water channel connects to the body of the pool that the top of the pools are being rebuilt at a cost of £4-5,000.

On the subject of pool size if you are a swimmer then a 10x5m is ideal. On water depth a 1m deep pool is a paddling pool which at this time of year will get uncomfortably hot. 1.2m to 2.1m is ideal for a 10x5m pool.

Finally if you take only 1 piece of my advice DO NOT LET A HOUSE BUILDER NEAR TO IT.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
23/07/2010 14:22

Thanks to OldDogs,



You took the words right out of my mouth.





Vaughan

Octopus Pools