Things to consider before you install a pool

So, it’s important to make sure that the pool you want now, is one that you’ll be happy with year after year. We’re here to make sure that you think about/ask the important questions when making your decision.

1. Why are you buying a swimming pool?

Some people want a pool for relaxation and some people want a pool for family fun and summer get togethers. Whatever the reason, you’ll need to make sure that the decisions you make along the way for your pool design will stand the test of time. Having a safe place for kids to play is also a great place for adults to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

2. What’s the best way to run/operate your new pool?

One thing that new pool owners often forget to consider in the pool buying process is how the way you operate and run your pool influences the following things:

• The amount of time spent looking after your pool. People usually imagine a pool that is always ready to swim in, without considering the time it takes to ensure that’s the case.
• The electricity costs of filtering your pool regularly.
• The volume of chemicals needed to ensure that your pool water is safe to swim in.
• The value that owning a pool can add or take away from your home if you decide to sell.

Most pools installed over the past 40+ years use the same traditional operating system. Water is skimmed only from the surface of the pool through a skimmer box, which is then run through a filter before being pushed back into the pool through jets (often referred to as eyeball jets) which are also located close to the surface of the pool. The aim of this system is to circulate the pool water over and over again so that the water doesn’t stagnate and turn green. The issue with this system is that the deeper ends of the pool don’t get circulated as only the top third of the pool water is moved around by the filter system.

Compass Pool offer a full circulation system which ensures that the majority of the water is pumped around the pool so that the water is healthier and safer to swim in. It also means that the chemicals are circulated around the entire pool, rather than just at the top where the sun can cause them to burn off. Because of this, you’ll find that this makes things easier to manage from a sanitation point of view too! Thanks to the higher circulation, the chemicals are effectively mixed throughout the pool!

There’s also the electricity bill to think about. Energy efficient pumps are becoming more and more popular as they typically save up to 80% on electricity bills compared to traditional fixed-speed pumps. The downside of having an energy efficient pump is that in order to keep the energy consumption down, they operate at low speeds. It’s important therefore to make sure you have an efficient pump that ensures proper filtration even in the deep end of the pool. For more information, as us about our Logic system.

There is of course the Compass Pools secret weapon! The easiest way to look after your pool is to opt for the Vantage in-floor system. This system ensures maximum circulation, energy efficiency and chemical efficiency. It even cleans the pool for you! So, there will be no clunky pool vacuum snaking around your pool, it will always be ready for you to swim or relax in. This will also add value in future if you decide to sell your home.

3. What is the best type of pool for you?

Your pool will be a permanent part of your home, unless you want to upgrade or uninstall at a huge cost further down the line. Now is the time to make sure that your needs are met when it comes to budget, warranties, reliability, personal preference and long and short-term needs.

Eventually, you’ll need to pick between concrete, firbeglass or vinyl-liner pools. Most people pick fibreglass pools, and here’s why:

• They’re relatively cost effective
• Generally quicker to install
• Can be easier to keep clean and healthy
• They have warranties for at least 25 years and usually require less ongoing maintenance than other pool types

However, this doesn’t mean that all fibreglass pools are the same. Whilst most are reliable, there are some that have distinctive differences. Compass Pools is one of those. Thanks to the patented ceramic core technology, Compass Pools shells are tougher and more durable which means that they can cope with seasonal ground movement as well as long-term immersion in water.

4. Which pool brand/manufactured should you go with?

As you will have seen, there are lots of pool manufacturers throughout the country. Picking the right manufacturer or brand means you’ll be looked after throughout the whole process and even in the years afterwards.

It’s worth looking up these things before deciding:

• How long have they been in business?
• What do their customers have to say about them?
• What is covered by their product warranty? And have they been making pools for at least as long as they warrant them for?

5. Next, what pool builder should you pick?

There’s no doubt that the company that actually installs your swimming pool can have an impact on your overall satisfaction of the pool installation. Therefore, it’s important to work with people who are honest, reliable, licenced and insured and who are of course skilled workers.

Here are some things to help you decide:

• Find out what other customers have to say about them. You can ask to speak to previous and current customers.
• Ask to see photos of pools they have already installed.
• Check out their Facebook if they have one and see what their reviews are like.
• Ask questions about their business history, such as how long they have been operating. Or check out their website as they might have information about their staff on there, so you know who to expect on the day.

6. Plan what needs to go into your pool at the start vs. what can be added later.

If you’ve put a budget in place, you might decide to go ahead with the essentials at the beginning and then add certain features at a later date. For example, if you wanted a heated pool, that’s something you can plan for an add in at a later date. However, there are certain things such as the Vantage system which can’t be added once the pool is installed. So, to avoid disappointment, talk to us for advice about the things that need to be installed now vs. the things that can be installed in another year or two.