Today’s post from a visiting author will be a big post for those who are thinking about adding a pool to their home soon. There are so many things one has to consider with a pool… and if you’re looking for a new home and a pool is a big factor, this may help you make additional choices going forward.
Deciding that you want to build a pool is probably the easiest part of the entire process. Once that part is done, it is time to get down to the nitty gritty of it all and start putting a plan in place. Most swimming pool builders will at least assume you know what the end result will look like, so it’s always a good idea come prepared and ask questions. So, here are ten questions that you should be asking them:
1. Why Do I Want A Pool?
Figuring out why you want a pool is a fairly important question that needs answering. If you were an athlete and you wanted a pool for fitness swimming it would look significantly different to one that would be used for entertaining. If you were wanting to use a pool for fitness purposes, you might also consider a pool/spa combination. Furthermore, it’s always a good idea to get your builder to come out to your property to see if your dream end result matches up with the free space. Sometimes the builder might see something that you haven’t, but that’s why they are the experts! They might even take your dream and make it better too.
2. Who Will Use The Pool?
As mentioned before, a pool for athletes will look somewhat different to one designed for entertainment purposes. So to accommodate swimmer of all ages and to allow for several activities, you might to build a shallow end for the little ones, a safety rail for the grandparents and a tanning ledge for those working on their tan. You need to take into account anyone who might come and visit you and want to use your pool.
3. Is My Yard Suitable For a Pool?
Most swimming pool builders will recommend conducting a soil test to confirm if the site is suitable for pool construction. Soil that is sandy, expansive and rocky can be a cause for concern for builders. In addition to this, a higher water table can increase construction costs. Furthermore, regardless of soil type, a proposed site for a swimming pool may not work because it is inaccessible by the heavy machinery required to dig a hole for the pool. The pathway to the site needs to be at least eight feet wide.
4. Where Will The Pool Be Located?
Before this question can be answered you will have to speak to your local council so you are across building laws for your property. To control the runoff of water, there may be restrictions on how much of your yard can be covered in decking as well as what direction it must slope. You should also consider cool deck coatings to make sure everything looks good.
Most councils require pools to be fenced in, which may impact on where your pool can be located. The location of gas, telephone, cable, water lines, and electrical lines may also be a factor in the location of your pool as there will almost certainly be an additional expense to relocate these utilities.
Also, you should consider how people will enter and exit the pool as well as where people will be once they are out of the pool. You will also need to consider how to maximize sun exposure while trying to reduce win exposure as well.
5. What Shape and Style Will It Be?
Swimming pool builders will often suggest a shape and style that compliments the architecture of your home and the existing landscape. It’s no good having a certain style that doesn’t match your house whatsoever. However, if you are absolutely sold on a certain design, try and put a transition area in that connects the home to the pool. It’s a great way to guide a person from one aesthetic to another without having styles clash.
6. What Features Do I Want In My Pool?
To maximize the enjoyment of your pool, you can incorporate water features and lighting. Depending on how you want to use your pool, you may want to install underwater benches, shallow beach-style entries or, if you can afford it, a swim-up bar.
7. What Material Will I Need To Use?
While plaster has been used to make pool surfaces for decades, tile mosaics and glass tiles provide the artistic flexibility that many luxury pool owners are looking for. Again, your surrounds will dictate what you end up going with. Natural stone pavers and rock waterfalls can add a sense of calmness and help a pool blend into a natural landscape, whereas glass tiles might suit a home located in an urban setting.
8. Will I Have To Always Maintain The Pool?
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as pool that doesn’t need regular maintenance. But you can greatly reduce the work you have to put in by making sure your pool is energy-efficient. You can do this with substantial filtration, variable speed pumps and larger pipes. Automatic sanitizers ensure that the proper amount of sanitizing chemicals are used in the water at all times which makes it hard for algae to get a hold of your pool.
9. Who Will Build My Pool?
The best way to locate swimming pool builders who will deliver a quality finish is to talk to your friends, family and work colleagues who all own pools that you like. There is nothing better than word of mouth referrals and even in a society where all forms of advertising have risen to prominence, word of mouth is still the best way to find good builders.
And that’s it! As was mentioned earlier, if you come prepared and at least ask some, if not all, of these questions then you will make it much easier for your builder when he is trying to get an idea of the vision for your tropical oasis.
