Tag: Swimming Pool

Having a spa in the backyard – What a way to relax! Imagine unwinding with a cold drink in hand while millions of bubbles massage and soothe tired and achy muscles, it doesn’t get much better than that. If you are considering a spa for your place, here is everything you need to know before you take the plunge.

Different types of spas

Above-ground spas

When you think of a spa, an above-ground portable spa may be the first thing that comes to mind. They are at the cheaper end of spas, and once delivered to site and set up, they are ready to soak in within a few hours which makes them an appealing choice for potential spa owners. Above-ground spas now come in a plethora of designs while still maintaining their iconic above ground spa look. They do come with some downfalls though; they tend to be a bit of an eyesore, and they can be tricky to tie in with the design of a home. Above-ground spas are not as durable and long-lasting as their in-ground counterparts, and if they are left outside in the elements, they can crack, and wear faster than they normally should. The other thing about portable spas is they are unlikely to add any value to your home.

Inground spas

Inground spas can create a stunning feature in your backyard. Rather than sitting on the ground, they are built into the ground, which can create a seamless finish. They are typically made from concrete or fibreglass and are a more permanent solution than an above ground spa. Inground spas come in a variety of styles, designs, and colours, and you also have the option to add several additional features to give it the wow factor. They are extremely long-lasting and durable and have the same lifespan as an inground swimming pool. Above-ground spas can also be installed partially above ground which is a great solution for those living on an awkward or sloping block. The only downfall to choosing an inground spa is that they are more expensive than an above ground spa, and the installation is far more extensive, however, if you’re looking for a spa for the long term, the extra money initially to install it makes them a worthwhile investment.

Spa choices

When it comes to spas, you are spoilt for choice! Here is a rundown of two of the most popular types:

Stand-alone spas

Stand-alone spas come in a huge variety of sizes and can usually fit anywhere from 4 to 6 people in them comfortably. They are an ideal solution for those with petite backyards as they can fit in the smallest of spaces. Spas usually have generous seating that is designed for sitting for extended periods, and they are often paired with spa jets and heating but can also have additional extras such as lighting and water features.

Swim spas

Swim spas combine the best of both worlds – swimming and relaxing. They are much larger than normal spas and generally have a dedicated area for swimming whilst the other end is reserved for relaxing. They are a great choice for those who won’t have a lot of people using the swim section at any one given time as they only have enough room for around 2-3 people to paddle comfortably. A swim spa allows you to float about on a hot summer’s day while still enjoying all the hydrotherapy benefits of a spa.

Spa and pool combination

Why choose just one when you can have both? A Fibreglass Swimming Pool and Spa combination is the ultimate luxury, and they are becoming an increasingly sought-after home addition here in Australia. This design generally has a full-size pool with a spa at one end. Both the spa and pool are the same colour and design to create a cohesive and stunning looking area. The spa is completely separated from the pool which means you can heat the spa only to gain maximum warmth and to save on energy costs. You can choose a spa with an overflow, the water from the spa cascades down into the swimming pool which can create a water feature like element, or you can choose a spa with no overflow, it’s up to you!

Benefits of owning a spa

Improved health – The biggest benefit to owning a spa has to be the health benefits it can provide. Did you know that being submerged in a warm spa can promote a better night’s sleep, boost mood, lower stress levels, alleviate pain, increase circulation, lower blood pressure, increase cardiovascular health, help with injuries and so much more?

Add value to your home – A well-designed spa in the backyard can add value to your home. Most people love spending time outdoors, and having something like a spa right at your backdoor step appeals to many.

It creates a place to catch up with those you care about most – Many of us are guilty of spending too much time on technology rather than with each other. A spa provides the perfect setting to debrief and catch up with those you care about most.

You can use it year-round – Most spas have heating, and this means you can use it comfortably throughout the year regardless of the weather.

Why choose a spa over a swimming pool?

1. Most spas have heating whereas most pools don’t, and the heating costs of a spa are far less than that of a swimming pool.
2. They are cheaper to install as the excavation is generally less than a full-size pool.
3. Spas are more economical to maintain as they require fewer chemicals and less water. They are also more affordable to run. The equipment doesn’t need to be as powerful and it generally doesn’t need to run for as long which can save you money.
4. They are great for any size site! There aren’t too many backyards that couldn’t fit a spa in it.

Remember

Regardless of what spa you choose, it is law that you have a compliant safety barrier in place, so you will need to factor this into your budget.

We hope this post has given you an insight into how great spas are! If you’re ready to dive into spa ownership, contact our friendly team here at The Fibreglass Pool Company, we have fibreglass spa options to suit every home and budget.

 

Buying a swimming pool can be an intimidating prospect.

Rather than focusing on the flashy, attractive aspects a swimming pool offers, focus instead on the practical matters. Look at the water level elevation around your house and check how resilient the soil is.

There are a lot of factors to consider when buying a swimming pool, and this article will hopefully shed some light on them.

Let’s look at the ten biggest tips to consider before you even think of buying a swimming pool for your backyard.

1. Why Do You Want A Pool?

Some people want a pool dedicated only for fitness and sports. For these people, a lap pool that sits neatly at the back of their yard will suffice. Others want a stereotypical pool that’s meant to look luxurious and entertain guests. For such people, a kidney-shaped pool or a standard-issue rectangle swimming pool is perfect.

The reason for your wanting a pool will determine the type of pool you need, and that will establish the upper and lower bounds of your budget.

2. What Safety Features Do You Want?

Safety features should be considered with the size, shape, and location of the pool in mind. If you have kids or pets at your home, you’ll want a swimming pool that can accommodate a pool cover. Pool covers are essential to prevent people from just slipping into your pool, and can save you a significant amount of money in heating bills in the long run.

Some of the more irregular sized and shaped pools don’t come with all the safety functions you would want. It’s important to move forward keeping in mind the safety features you want first, then move backwards from that.

If you have kids, you’ll want safety fences around your pool as they come with childproof locks. Consider the landscape, along with the size and shape of pool you want.

3. What Type Of Pool Do You Want?

There are fiberglass pools, concrete pools, gunite pools, and vinyl pools.

They each come with their advantages and disadvantages.

Vinyl pools for instance have a low initial cost of construction but can be expensive to maintain.

Concrete pools can be robust and withstand the elements. But they come with higher lifetime costs and installation charges.

Gunite pools are built on-site and come with endless customizations. But they come with higher maintenance and installation charges.

Fiberglass pools are the most modern styles of pools. They are quick to install, economical to maintain, but are limited in the sizes they come in.

The kinds of facilities and add-ons you install can also depend on your swimming pool type, so make sure to take your time deciding on its composition.

4. Who Maintains The Pool?

Do you have enough time, with all your other obligations, to maintain the pool? Will your significant other maintain the pool? Or will you install automated pool hardware that handles most of the cleaning, chemical balancing, and circulation of the pool?

A neglected pool quickly becomes a waste of space. So decide on who has the responsibility of cleaning and maintaining the pool. You could always simply hire pool service professionals to take care of your pool in the end, but that comes at a cost.

You’ll need to brush, scrub, and pick up leaves from your pool at least once or twice a week, taking 30 minutes each time.

5. What Are Your Long-Term Costs?

Apart from regular pool maintenance, you’ll need to tend to the pool hardware. The pool filters, pool pumps, and overall circulation systems need to be kept in top shape and require their routine maintenance as well. This should be incorporated into any monthly budget you set up.

6. What Size And Shape Do You Want?

Do you have less backyard space? Would you like a simple lap pool? Or do you want to indulge more with a kidney-shaped pool? There are an incredible amount of different shapes and sizes that can be made to stretch around your backyard. There are irregular and unusual shapes as well, if your backyard desires it.

Most importantly, you want to choose one that suits your needs. So choose a size and shape that accents your backyard instead of one that holds it back.

7. What Features Are You Looking For?

Some people want hot spas, water fountains, and shimmering water curtains that shock and awe guests with their exquisiteness. Such facilities require a sizable budget and a good deal of pre-planning.

If you’re planning to install LED lights and water fountains, where will they go relative to everything else in your backyard? What kinds of plants and trees accent that type of landscaping the best?

8. Can Your Backyard Handle It?

Different types of pools come with different costs. The installation of a concrete pool takes a long time and is done on-site. But it is extremely resistant to rains yet inflexible when an earthquake hits. Look at your local zoning laws, home association rules, and fencing laws to determine the rules of the land. You’ll want to understand the water table around your house and that might change the type of pool you can accommodate in your backyard.

Fiberglass pools tend to be among the most flexible, but are pre-fabricated so they aren’t built on-site. Consider these and other factors when choosing what brisbane swimming pool to build.

9. Do You Prefer An In-Ground Or Above-Ground Pool?

Above ground pools are quickly installed and fit most tight budgets. They arrive in a kit form to your yard and a team of installers erect them on your yard.

Above grounders are generally considered temporary pools and are more limited in the amounts of shapes and sizes you get.

In-ground pools can enhance your landscape by leaps and bounds and come in countless sizes and shapes. However, they come with sizable increases to your power bills from running the filters, heaters, and other chemical dispensers.

Talk with your local pool contractor about the advantages and disadvantages of both. They should be able to help you settle on the ideal one for your budget and backyard.

10. Who Will Build The Pool?

The most important thing is to have a contractor that you can trust.

Finding the right pool contractor will go a long way towards finding you the most efficient and extravagant pool for your tastes.

Seek out good references through friends and family. Look into known building inspectors and architects and ask their opinions. The right builder can make or break your entire pool-side experience.

Finally, the pool season has arrived in Australia, which means it’s time to swim and rejoice in your small back yard pool. But there you are, staring at your dirty pool cover. You might be wondering what kind of threats awaits you underneath. But don’t fret!

Today, our award-winning team of swimming pool designers are going to tell you how to successfully open and prepare your swimming pool for summer.

1. Clean your pool cover

Got some sort of smelly stuff accumulated on your pool cover? Just grab a soft broom and start sweeping, dead leaves or other large debris from it. Now, use a pool cover pump to get any standing water off from your cover. Not to mention, the real cleaning begins when you remove your pool cover.

2. Skim the swimming pool

Got rid of your dirty pool cover? It’s time to use a skimmer and start removing anything floating on the surface of your pool. There may be a lot debris that fell from your cover during removal, which can clog your filtration system. Thus, get all the stuff out from your pool before you move ahead.

3. Raise the water level

Your pool has probably lost some water over the season due to evaporation. Therefore, you need to raise your water level back to normal in order to balance its chemistry. We recommend you use a garden hose to fill the pool.

4. Reconnect and run your pool system

Did you prepare your swimming pool for winter days? If so, you need to reconnect your pool equipment. You need to set up your filter, pump, heater and anything else connected to the filtration system. Now turn your pool equipment on for 12 to 24 hours and check the equipment for leaks or other issues.

5. Test and balance your pool water

Once you are done running the pool system for a few hours, it’s time to test and balance your pool water for pH, Total Alkalinity (TA), Hardness and Chlorine levels. By using test kits or strips, you can check these four key parameters of pool water chemistry. Next, shock the pool water or chlorinate it to destroy algae and microorganisms. Depending on the results of your test, you might have to perform other treatments on your pool water, such as using stabilisers, conditioners or algaecide. Don’t forget to run your pool system another 24 hours and test again before jumping into the pool.

The ending note: Your pool is ready

By maintaining your swimming pool the right way, you not only save yourself from the daunting process of pool cleaning but also set the stage for easy maintenance throughout the season. So, are you done performing the above-mentioned steps? If so, congratulations – your pool is ready for the season. Enjoy!

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