Before Building a
SWIMMING POOL... Do Your Homework
In the world of swimming pools, more is better - or is it? Once you have made the decision to have a swimming pool built or renovated, there are a few things you need to consider to make sure that you are ready for your new investment. Most people spend a great deal of time preparing for the purchase of a new home or car or having a baby, but they spend little time preparing for a new swim- ming pool. When preparing for any big investment, one of the main questions people need to ask themselves is: “What is my long-term responsibility?” Unlike a car that you can trade in every couple of years or a new baby who will eventually outgrow your constant nurturing, your new swimming pool will require you to be hands-on forever! Three major elements will ensure long- term enjoyment of your swimming pool: design, fi ltration and accessories. Design is probably the most important aspect as many people buy a swim- ming pool based solely on how it looks. Remember that the pool design may look great on paper but may not be exactly what you expect once it has been constructed. Take some time to consider design and functionality options. Will you use the pool for entertaining, sport or relaxing? Your pool designer can help you determine what style options best suit your needs.
Filtration , how well the pool can circu- late the water and remove debris from the pool, is another extremely important element. The more precise your fi ltration, the better the pool is going to circulate and the less time you will spend keeping it clean. Keep in mind, the car is only as good as the engine powering it! Accessories such as waterfalls, salt systems, automatic cleaners, automation systems and many others can also be added to a swimming pool. When adding waterfalls and other water features, it is wise to get a very good understanding of how they operate, what can happen to the water feature over time (e.g. calcium buildup, material deterioration, leaking) and its ease – or dif fi culty – of use. The more advanced options you install, the more you need to consider how those op- tions will affect your ownership. If you take the time to understand all of these options, you can design a swim- ming pool that caters to your needs and lifestyle. Your knowledge of design, fi ltration and accessories will enable you to create and maintain a dream pool that will be a great addition to your home.
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