Good Living
The Age
Wednesday January 30, 2002
Pool pitfalls
A modern swimming pool can make you feel like you are on a permanent holiday and add significantly to the value of your property.
But selecting the right design and ensuring that your pool is creatively integrated with your garden is only half the equation.
This week, Good Living looks at some of the pitfalls when building a pool and how to keep your pool healthy and clean.
Before taking the plunge
Selecting the right company is arguably the most critical issue when it comes to building a swimming pool.
With almost 30 years experience in the swimming pool industry, Kris Chambers has seen a number of pool builders run into financial strife, leaving their clients either out-of-pocket or with half-finished pools.
And with this in mind, Kris has recently published Swimming Pools - Dreaming, Building and Diving In - a guide to building a swimming pool and choosing the right builder to do the job.
The guide covers all aspects of building a pool, including the finishes, equipment, chemicals and problem solving.
Here are some of Kris' tips for selecting the right builder:
• Ask for references and check that they are a licensed builder of swimming pools. Always check that the name and expiry date on the builder's licence is the same name as on the contract.
• Contact the Swimming Pool and Spa Association for recommended builders. (Telephone: 9872 4502)
• Ask to see two or three pools the builder has constructed over a five-year period and speak with the owners if possible.
• A large pool building company does not necessarily build the best pool or give the best price.
• When comparing quotes make, sure they include the same work and equipment. It is sufficient to have just two or three quotes than obtain numerous quotes.
• Any building work over $5000 must have a certificate of insurance attached to the contract. The builder's insurance will cover the construction for seven years from the completion date.
• Always keep records of relevant telephone conversations, including items discussed, date, time and name of person with whom you spoke.
• Be wary of deals that sound too good to be true. Don't be mislead by high-pressure sales tactics, cheap quotes and free giveaways. (The cost of a basic pool is usually about $35,000.)
Swimming Pools - Dreaming, Building and Diving In is available from most newsagents, rrp $14.90, or contact Kris Chambers direct on: 0413 011 778. Kris is based in NSW but offers a telephone or e-mail advisory service: poolconsulting@aol.com.au
Testing times
Clear, sparkling water is no guarantee that your pool is healthy. Regular water testing is the only to way to ensure a healthy pool, says Stephen Vajda, of The Swimpool Doctor, who advises pool owners to test their pool at least three or four times a week or, where possible, every day.
"The biggest problem with pool owners is their lack of commitment to water testing," says Stephen, who has 25 years experience in the industry.
"The water can look perfectly clean, but it can actually be acidic and extremely corrosive."
Like most pool maintenance companies, The Swimpool Doctor recommends pool owners take a water sample to a pool shop at least once a month for a free, off-site testing. This should be in addition to their regular on-site testing with the standard `four-in-one' or the new `five-in-one' water testing kits.
Other maintenance tips from The Swimming Pool Doctor include:
• Run the filter for a minimum of six to eight hours a day in summer (4-6 in winter).
• Clear the leaf basket daily to avoid leaf build-up, which can block the pump.
• Filters should be `back-washed' on a weekly basis.
• If you use a sand filter, the sand should be changed every 3-5 years, depending on pool usage.
• Vacuum your pool at least once a week.
• Vary your choice of pool chemicals to avoid build-up of one type of chemical.
Do fence me in
What is the best fence for your pool? Landscape designer Scott Brown, of Brighton-based Scott Brown Landscape Design, examines some of the issues involved in making your pool safe but also attractive.
The Australian pool safety regulations require that any pool or spa be fenced off according to regulations. These regulations state that the fence should be unclimable, of minimum 1200 height, have self-closing gates opening outward and with latches at 1.5m minimum height.
Fence types range from cost-effective, powder-coated aluminium or steel, through to framed glass, semi-framed glass and frameless glass.
In a sizable garden - especially if the pool is some distance from the house - economical metal fencing can be the best alternative. This sort of fence can also be the best choice for a period home where metal fencing complements the older-style architecture.
In a smaller garden, particularly where the pool dominates the view from the house, semi-frameless glass tends to be the less-intrusive option. This style of fencing is also well suited to contemporary, minimalist house styles.
In some cases, the yard may be so small that it almost precludes a pool fence. In these situations, the boundary fences and the house itself can act as the pool fence, provided the access points from the house to the pool area and the boundary fences comply with the regulations. All house doors opening to the pool yard must be self-closing, with the latch at 1.5m, and all windows should have restricted opening or have fixed, flywire screens.
The downside of this arrangement is that the entire yard then becomes the pool area and cannot be used as an unsupervised play area for small children. It can also affect the re-sale value of your property.
© 2002 The Age