Frequently Asked Questions
Here at swimmingpoolsupplies.co.uk we pride ourselves on the unbiased advice that we offer, here are some of the frequently asked questions we receive, if there is a question we haven't answered here either call us on 01924 479717 or send us an email from our Contact Us page.
General Pool Questions
Do I need planning permission to build a swimming pool?
As a general rule planning permission is not needed for an outdoor pool unless the property is "Listed". It is a good idea to check with your local planning department. Indoor pools are more likely to need planning permission.
One other thing to be aware of; in some cases, if you erect decking around an above ground swimming pool you may need planning permission for the decking. We would recommend that you check with your local planning department.
What type of pool construction should I have a liner pool or a concrete pool?
This is a personal choice. The major difference between the two is the method of construction and water retention, the filtration and heating choices are the same for each as they depend on the volume of water. As the liner is, in theory, quicker to install there is probably a cost saving here. The decision comes down to the choice of internal finish and the cost as when properly installed each will give you many years of pleasure.
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How long will a liner last?
If the pool water is maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s your liner should have a life of 7 to 10 years.
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How do I look after my pool liner?
Liners need to be kept full of water at all time as the liner may move out of position if the pool is emptied.
Always remove leaves or other debris from the pool as soon as possible as these can stain the liner if they are allowed to lie on the pool floor for long periods.
Maintain the temperature of the pool water below 30C (85F).
Always add chemicals to the pool after dissolving them, individually, in a bucket of water and make sure the pump is switched on and the water is circulating correctly. This will prevent the chemicals simply sinking to the pool floor and damaging the liner.
Liners will fade but this can be kept to a minimum by maintaining the correct pool water chemistry and covering the pool when not in use will help reduce any fading.
Keep the pH of the pool water between 7.4 and 7.6 and free chlorine level at between 1.5 and 2.5 ppm. This is high enough to sanitise the pool water but not high enough to damage the liner.
All liner pools need to be stabilised with cyanuric acid in a range between 30 and 70 ppm.
Total alkalinity needs to be maintained with the range of 100 to 130 ppm and calcium hardness levels maintained around 200 ppm.
The pattern on liners is protected by acrylic lacquer which needs to be cared for in accordance with manufacturer’s directions. Do not use abrasive cleaning solutions. There is a wide variety of tile and liner cleaners available which are non abrasive. These should be used regularly to remove any scum line dirt which may form.
Always ensure that your pool maintenance equipment is free from sharp edges to prevent small cuts being made in the liner material.
Should a tear in the liner occur and cause a leak this can be repaired using liner repair kits. These are either self adhesive patches or a specially formulated solvent glue and transparent pieces of liner material which is cut to size. These repair kits will adhere under water so you do not need to empty the pool. Obviously you should follow the manufacturer’s instruction on the packet.
When closing the pool for the winter, remove any debris, clean and vacuum the pool. Chemicalise the water, again dissolving each chemical separately, in a bucket of water. Make sure the pool water has circulated for several hours after the chemicals have been added. Lower the pool water to the level recommended by your swimming pool engineer. Use a well fitting winter debris cover to prevent leaves and debris from entering the pool during the winter months.
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Do pools take a lot of effort to maintain?
Not really. Some degree of maintenance is always required and a swimming pool will need some of your time. You can expect to spend approximately one hour each week testing, chemicalising and cleaning. There are many products available which automatically clean and chemicalise a pool so cutting down the amount of time you personally need to spend doing these jobs. Of course if you neglect it the effort required to sort out any problems will be much greater than normal.
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