Many homeowners dream of having their very own swimming pool installed in their backyards. Because constructing a pool is a major investment, it’s important to do as much preparation as you can before pushing through with it. If you’re not sure where to start, here are four things you may want to ask yourself:
What Will the Pool Be For?
When it comes to home design, form follows function. Hence, you first need to ask yourself why you want a swimming pool in the first place. Your reasons for wanting one will establish the foundation of your pool design and influence its final depth, shape, and size.
For instance, a pool intended for rest and relaxation will be built quite differently from one that’s meant for fitness swimming. In the same vein, a pool designed to enhance a garden’s aesthetics will have its own unique design, too. And if you wish to install one for hydrotherapy reasons, you may need to design a combination pool and spa.
The type of pool you want will also influence the materials you’ll be using. This, in turn, will determine the kind of maintenance you’ll need. For example, concrete pools are prone to developing algae, while vinyl liner pools tend to develop leaks. Generally speaking, all pools need regular cleaning to get rid of dirt, leaves, and other debris that can accumulate over time. When it comes to the right types of pool cleaners, Perth-based pool and spa companies offer a variety of options to choose from.
Who Will Use the Pool?
You also have to consider the people the pool is being designed for. Are you planning to build a pool for your family and close friends, or will you be entertaining guests and hosting parties regularly?
If the pool is meant for your children and their friends, it’s best to go for a minimum depth of three feet and a maximum depth of five feet. This is enough to keep your children safe while also accommodating accompanying adults comfortably. Make sure that you include a shallow area for toddlers, too.
For those who have elderly family members, don’t forget to add some extra guard rails to help them steady themselves. You may also want to opt for ramps and beach-style entry points, which will allow seniors to enter and exit the water easily and decrease their risk of injury.
Of course, you shouldn’t forget to account for your needs, too. If you intend to use the pool for swimming laps, you’ll want a pool that’s at least five feet deep and 25 metres in length. For those who love getting tans, you can try adding some tanning ledges to your final design.
Is My Site Suitable for Pool Installation?
Before you break ground for pool construction, you also need to check if your yard is suitable for it. This usually involves conducting soil tests, as the type and quality will immediately alert you to any building concerns.
For example, if your ground has sandy or rocky soil, installation may prove more difficult because of an unstable base. Other ground conditions such as a high water table can also make building trickier while increasing the total cost of construction. Speaking of cost, it is also more expensive to build on a steep slope rather than a level site. And some sites may be inaccessible to heavy machinery required to dig up the soil.
Where Can I Position the Pool?
After you’ve determined if your site is suitable for construction, you have to figure out where exactly you’ll be putting the pool itself. But to do that, you’ll need to know your pool fencing requirements, site coverage allowance, and the recommended proximity to stormwater drains.
You’ll also need to know where your cable, electrical, gas, telephone, and water lines are located before installation. To get all the information that you need, look up the council and building regulations in your area.
Once you’ve determined all the limitations, you can start planning your pool’s exact position. To start off, think about the position’s sun exposure and wind exposure. More sunlight will help keep the water warm. Conversely, more wind will help cool the water down.
You should also keep accessibility in mind when deciding on a location. Think about how people will be entering and exiting the pool, as well as where everyone can comfortably lounge. Don’t forget to consider storage space for your pool cleaner, filtration equipment, and sun umbrellas, too. You can find more information on pool umbrellas at Sydney Shade.
Make sure to ask yourself these questions before you proceed with your pool installation. By doing so, you can be sure that the entire construction process will go smoothly from start to finish.
Once your pool is completed, you’ll need to keep it well-maintained to ensure that it’ll last. Hence, it’s a good idea to hire only a professional pool cleaning company like Pool Assist.
