Now that the warmer weather is upon us, many of us will be looking forward to spending the hot summer days splashing in the pool. If you are one of such people who are currently planning on buying a pool, this article is for them.
Buying a pool is considered to be an expensive investment. Apart from paying for the pool, you will have to spend money for its installation and maintenance as well. If you want to add some additional features like landscaping around the pool, it will cost you more money. When people buy a pool, they often overlook these things.
If you don’t do your research, it won’t matter if you have set a budget; you will go over budget. It is important to remember that installing a pool for your home is a one-time thing. Once it has been installed, changing its structure of location or removing or adding certain features won’t be possible. You have to be 100% sure of all the choices you are making before you make the purchase. If you are unsure about where to start, here are the ten best tips to read before buying your pool:
10 of the best tips to read about before buying your pool
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The reason for installing a new swimming pool
Everyone has a different reason for installing a new pool. You might want to use your pool as a hangout space for your family and friends, or you might want to use it as a place to be by yourself and relax. Buying a pool that has been designed for parties or socializing will be different than the pool that is meant for swimming or water sports.
Today, you have access to pools with different depths. If you are buying a pool for your house where there are kids, you need to buy one with shallow depth so that it is safe for everyone. On the other hand, a swimming pool that is meant for swimming must have a shallow and a deep end. That is why before you select the pool, you need to decide the reason why you want a build so that you can buy one that matches all your requirements.
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The zoning laws in your locality
Many buyers often forget about this little piece of information. There are several cities with strict laws and rules pertaining to pool maintenance. If you don’t maintain your pool properly, you will face some liabilities. Learn about the zoning laws in your locality so that you are able to make the right decision regarding the type of pool you should buy as well as its aesthetic.
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Cost of maintaining the pool
If you want to ensure the longevity of your swimming pool, you need to focus on pool maintenance. You can’t leave debris, dirt, or leaves in your pool to gather. You have to remove them manually. Now, you can either clean your pool yourself or hire someone. Before you buy the pool, you should also consider associated with running the circulation and filtration system of the pool. These costs will be included in your monthly budget.
Maintaining a pool is often more expensive than new pool owners realize. You need to keep your backyard oasis’ chemical balance, vacuum it regularly, and check for leaks and liner issues. Here are a few tips for making your new life as a pool owner easier.
Vacuum Regularly
If you wait until you think your pool needs vacuuming, it’s already too late. Letting dirt and debris build up can put extra strain on your pool’s filter, increasing the odds of it getting damaged and decreasing its lifespan. Pool filters are expensive, with even small ones costing $500–$700. Your home warranty may cover a filter replacement if your policy covers pool equipment, but most policies only replace pool equipment that’s well-cared-for.
Most people recommend vacuuming at least once per week, although some people vacuum more often if they use their pool frequently. If your yard has a lot of tree coverage, be prepared to wage a constant war against leaves and dirt. In extreme cases, you may find you have to vacuum nearly every other day. Â
Test the Water Often
Keeping your pool’s chemical balance in the right range is much easier and more cost-effective than letting it get out of whack and correcting it with a large chemical application every so often. You should always have a water testing kit on hand to assess your pool’s pH levels and chlorine content. Chlorine kills dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E. Coli that can grow in your pool and make you and your family sick.
You don’t have to test your pool’s water as often as you vacuum; once every two weeks is more than frequent enough to make sure everything stays at the right level. Most people recommend purchasing pool chemicals like chlorine, water balancers, and algaecides in bulk if you can to save money.
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The right circulation system
In a traditional filtration system, the water is recycled in the pool’s upper two layers. These layers are taken to the filtration system for cleaning, where all the impurities are removed. The clean water is returned to the swimming pool. The only issue with this system that the water in the lower layers of the swimming pool remains unfiltered, which makes it quite unhygienic.
What you need to do is invest in a circulation system that recycles all the water from your swimming pool. This way, the water in your pool remains clean, allowing you and your loved ones to have a healthy swimming experience.
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The right manufacturer or brand
If you are planning to buy a swimming pool and install it in your backyard, you need to make the purchase from the best in the market. This ensures that your swimming pool is durable and capable of providing a healthy and pleasant experience for the long term.
The best way for you to find the right brand is by doing your research and reading online reviews and testimonials. While you are still deciding on the brand, what you can do is go through their social media to read their customer reviews and check their gallery. Make sure that you look through their warranty and check if they have been in business for longer than the warranty periods they are offering.
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The right installation service
Just buying the pool from the right brand is not enough. It is crucial to find the right service for installing your swimming pool in your house. You should never book an installation service without looking through previous customer experiences and comments.
While you are asking them about their service, talk to them about the recently installed swimming pools. Ask them about what type of pools they have installed and how long they have been in the business, etc. Once you get the feeling that you can trust them, you can go ahead and hire them.
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What has to be done now and what can be done later
It is important to understand that while you are having your pool installed, you might not be able to get everything done right at the beginning. From the pool to the surrounding area, installing everything can be quite expensive. Thankfully, there are some things that can be left for later, like adding landscape, decorations like a waterfall, etc. However, a feature that must be built inside the pool like the power circulation system, has to be installed at the beginning.
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Home insurance
Installing a swimming pool into your house can affect your house value and home insurance. Make sure to pay a visit to your insurance provider to know about what effect a new swimming pool can have on your insurance. You can even get your pool insured.
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Features for landscaping
Once you have decided the type of pool you want and other technical information associated with its installation, you can start working on the design of the surrounding area. The design of the area near the pool is just as important as the pool, especially if a good atmosphere is a priority to you. This included the chairs you want near the pool umbrellas, a bar ledge, a table, etc. You need to create a design matching your style. But, it is important to remember that you don’t have to get everything done at once. You can add features later as well.
While you are deciding on the type of pool you want, you have to make a choice between fiberglass, vinyl-linen, or concrete pool. Out of these three, fiberglass pools are the most popular and cost-effective.
Once you have considered all of the above-mentioned factors, the process of buying and installing your new pool will become enjoyable.
