Pool building is a big investment and an exciting addition to your home. However, if not done with proper planning, it can lead to costly mistakes during the process, which may then go on to affect the long-term usability and safety of your pool. Here’s how five mistakes to avoid are put together in this blog, with some additional helpful tips to ensure your process goes as smooth as possible.
Inadequate Planning and Design
The biggest mistake in pool construction has to do with rushing into the project without proper planning. A pool is not just a hole in the ground filled with water—it requires thoughtful design that matches the size of your yard, your usage needs, and the safety requirement.
Key Points:
Size and Shape: We must take into consideration our yard’s size and exactly how we intend to make use of the pool. Will it be mainly for us and the family to have fun with, exercise in, or hostingf parties?
Future Additions: Provide for future features such as decking, landscaping, or even a pool house if that is in your vision.
Without proper planning, one might end up facing some issues like space crunches, awkward placements or a pool that’s not ideal for you.
Choosing the Wrong Location
Where you position your pool is very important. Otherwise, you’d face certain negative issues such as limited sunlight exposure, accumulation of much debris, and poor access.
Things to Consider:
Sunlight: A good pool location should get enough sunlight to warm the water naturally.
Distance from Trees: Trees fall leaves, twigs, etc that fall into your pool, and it’s harder to maintain.
Wind Direction: The wind will cool the water very fast and blow dust into the pool. A wind barrier would be useful like hedges or fences.
Not considering the wind direction while choosing the location can create additional effort and cost in the long run.
Underestimating the Budget
It is usually much costlier than one would expect to pay for a pool. One of the many reasons many homeowners fail to estimate the money needed for building a pool is that these hidden expenses, such as permits and landscaping and continual upkeep are not considered.
Average Costs:
Initial Construction: An inground pool can be in the range of ₹29,00,000 to ₹54,00,000 in India based on material and customisation.
Maintenance : The annual cost of pool maintenance by cleaning, chemical treatments, and repairing the equipment ranges from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 in a year.
To avoid financial surprises, be sure to get detailed quotes and allocate a contingency budget of 10-20% for unexpected expenses.
Poor Drainage and Water Flow Planning
Proper water flow, and drainage may be crucial to the long-term life of your pool and also safety around your pool. Many individuals who install a pool forget to place a drainage solution in the pool that causes the water to collect in the ground around the pool, the foundation of the pool to get damaged, and causes erosion in the soil.
What to Plan For:
Surface Drainage: Ensure that water from rain or pool splashover can flow away from the pool area.
The pump and filter system: one of those things that your pool has to have in order to keep the water clean and properly balanced.
Poor handling of water can cause destruction to your pool besides costly repairs to your yard or property.
Neglecting Safety Features
Safety features should top the list when constructing a swimming pool especially if for use by children or pets. One of the worst mistakes that can lead to serious effects is lack of vital safety features.
Safety Features Considered:
Fencing: Most states require safety fencing surrounding pools to prevent accidents resulting from accidental fall into the pool.
Cover: A pool cover ensures safety when closed and no unauthorized person can get to the pool.
Pool alarms will alert you when someone enters the pool area unexpectedly.
According to WHO, drowning is one of the most important causes of death among children under 15 years old; however, proper precautions can do a lot to help minimize these events.
Choosing the Wrong Materials
The durability, look, and how difficult or easy it is to maintain for many years depend on what pool materials you decide to use. Pool or liner tiles wrongly chosen may wear & tear out faster to your pool, and thus there is an increased chance of costly repairs.
Common Pool Materials:
Concrete: Highly durable but requires high maintenance and resurfacing every 10-15 years.
Fiberglass: Much lower maintenance but rigid in terms of size and shape.
Vinyl Liner: Its pretty cheap but rips relatively easily and might need to be changed within 7-10 years.
Choosing low-quality materials to save on upfront costs might result in higher maintenance expenses later on.
Skipping Regular Maintenance
Many believe that a pool is constructed and then there is no need for a routine maintenance schedule. Without a routine maintenance schedule, your pool will experience murky water, clogged filters, and broken equipment-meaning all of this could shorten the life of your pool.
Maintenance Routine:
Cleaning: Ensure debris is skimmed from the surface, the floor is vacuumed, and the walls are brushed regularly.
Chemical Balance: The pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels should all be maintained within specified ranges for safe swimming conditions.
Equipment Check: Pump, filter, heater serviced regularly to avoid breakdown.
Preventive maintenance helps save up to 30% in long repair costs, by averting large problems from beginning as small problems
Conclusion
By avoiding the traps mentioned, it will save you the valuable time, money, and energy spent building as well as further down the line when the pool is operational. Proper planning, good selection of location and material used for your pool, safety, and regular pool maintenance will guarantee that it will be an integral aspect of your home for years to come. You will have a beautiful, functional pool.
