10 Common Mistakes when designing a swimming pool
1. Short Term Savings, Long Term Loss
To save a few dollars on the bottom line, pool designers do not specify a "dedicated pump for a dedicated purpose." In other words, they over size the main filter pump so that they can power more options.
By operating an over sized filter pump, more electricity is consumed than is actually needed for merely filtering the pool. The excess line velocity through the plumbing damages heaters, salt chlorine cells and other apparatus.
Multiple skimmers also result in a cleaner pool. The fact is, there are more inlets for the debris to be collected. An over sized filter can (depending on the type) result in fewer cleanings and reduce the maintenance costs. An automated chemical delivery system can keep the water chemistry perfectly balanced - the pool is always ready for use.
2. Not Specifying Color Coordinated Fittings
It is simple to specify fittings to match the finish color of the pool. Many manufacturers make eyeball fittings, main drains, channel drains and skimmers in a multitude of colors.
There is SOMETHING out there that will blend in with your project. It is not "WHITE OR NOTHING," that is pure laziness on the part of the builder.
3. Not installing an auto-fill or over-flow line
Face it, people are busy. Attending to the water level in the pool is the last thing on their mind.
Low water levels result in pump damage or in the case of VFD pumps - self protection shut-down. Imagine your pool without filtration in the heat of the summer!
During the winter months rain can quickly cause the water level to flood skimmers, rendering them ineffective. Debris from winter storms and winds will sink to the bottom. High water levels can also damage copings and mortar beds.
4. Failing to install a pressure side cleaner line
Even though a client may not desire a pressure side cleaner, the plumbing line and booster pump should be installed for the service company. A cleaner booster pump combined with a "leaf bagger" cleaner will accelerate the clean up of bulk debris from the floor of the pool after winter storms. Garden hose pressure is insufficient to properly and effectively power a bag leafer.
5. Failing to install a dedicated vacuum line on a detached spa
If the spa is not attached to the pool or is more than 30 feet away from the closest skimmer, then a dedicated vacuum line is needed. This is much like a "central vacuum" port that allows for the simple collection of sand and silt from the bottom of the spa.
6. Not installing automated controls on a pool / spa combination
It is simply foolish not to install even a simple automation system on a pool & spa that share a common filtration and heating system (e.g. spill over spa).
Automation allows the owner to activate the heater, check the temperature and turn the valves in the proper sequence - all from within the house.
Failing to cool the heater down before turning off the filter pump can damage the heater. Sequencing the valves in the wrong order
can drain the spa, dead-head the pump or cause the pump to run dry. Many people are confused by the valve's proper positioning and sequencing and end up damaging their systems.
Automation has become affordable, so the point of being a necessity on every pool and spa combinations.
7. Failing to install adequate deck drainage
Allowing the decks to drain off into the planters merely allows the water to seep back under the decks and percolate into the sand/rock under the concrete.
This can cause corrosion issues with the pool reinforcement steel, cracking of the pool from saturated soil surcharges, or deck heaving or settlement. It can also create efflorescence issues with the pool deck, coping and tile. On sloping lots, this run-off can even undermine a slope, cause mudslides or the pool to slip down the incline.
It is best to collect the surface water and direct to an appropriate discharge point away from the pool.
8. Allowing a "Pool Salesman" to specify the project
A pool salesman works on commission. Your interests are not his. His job is to sell you as much as possible for the highest possible price.
Few salesmen have the requisite training to specify the correct plumbing and pump sizes or to calculate proper system hydraulics.
9. Installing a single light in the deep end
Installing a single twelve inch round cheap looking motel light in the deep end is the silliest thing you can possibly do.
Installing a few more smaller sized lights on the wall facing away from the house (or vantage point) will result in a pool that is more evenly lit. It will also mean that you're not looking directly into a truck headlamp whenever the lights are on.
10. Hiring the Lowest Bidder
For some reason, consumers have been led to believe that they need to collect 3 bids and then select the lowest one. In today's economic climate, you simply will not get the best possible project for the least amount of money.
The best for the least? Come on - that's common sense. But millions believe this to be true.
REMEMBER - You get what you pay for!
Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com
Paolo Benedetti
Aquatic Artist, Watershape Consultant, Expert Witness
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com
1. Short Term Savings, Long Term Loss
To save a few dollars on the bottom line, pool designers do not specify a "dedicated pump for a dedicated purpose." In other words, they over size the main filter pump so that they can power more options.
By operating an over sized filter pump, more electricity is consumed than is actually needed for merely filtering the pool. The excess line velocity through the plumbing damages heaters, salt chlorine cells and other apparatus.
Multiple skimmers also result in a cleaner pool. The fact is, there are more inlets for the debris to be collected. An over sized filter can (depending on the type) result in fewer cleanings and reduce the maintenance costs. An automated chemical delivery system can keep the water chemistry perfectly balanced - the pool is always ready for use.
2. Not Specifying Color Coordinated Fittings
It is simple to specify fittings to match the finish color of the pool. Many manufacturers make eyeball fittings, main drains, channel drains and skimmers in a multitude of colors.
There is SOMETHING out there that will blend in with your project. It is not "WHITE OR NOTHING," that is pure laziness on the part of the builder.
3. Not installing an auto-fill or over-flow line
Face it, people are busy. Attending to the water level in the pool is the last thing on their mind.
Low water levels result in pump damage or in the case of VFD pumps - self protection shut-down. Imagine your pool without filtration in the heat of the summer!
During the winter months rain can quickly cause the water level to flood skimmers, rendering them ineffective. Debris from winter storms and winds will sink to the bottom. High water levels can also damage copings and mortar beds.
4. Failing to install a pressure side cleaner line
Even though a client may not desire a pressure side cleaner, the plumbing line and booster pump should be installed for the service company. A cleaner booster pump combined with a "leaf bagger" cleaner will accelerate the clean up of bulk debris from the floor of the pool after winter storms. Garden hose pressure is insufficient to properly and effectively power a bag leafer.
5. Failing to install a dedicated vacuum line on a detached spa
If the spa is not attached to the pool or is more than 30 feet away from the closest skimmer, then a dedicated vacuum line is needed. This is much like a "central vacuum" port that allows for the simple collection of sand and silt from the bottom of the spa.
6. Not installing automated controls on a pool / spa combination
It is simply foolish not to install even a simple automation system on a pool & spa that share a common filtration and heating system (e.g. spill over spa).
Automation allows the owner to activate the heater, check the temperature and turn the valves in the proper sequence - all from within the house.
Failing to cool the heater down before turning off the filter pump can damage the heater. Sequencing the valves in the wrong order
can drain the spa, dead-head the pump or cause the pump to run dry. Many people are confused by the valve's proper positioning and sequencing and end up damaging their systems.
Automation has become affordable, so the point of being a necessity on every pool and spa combinations.
7. Failing to install adequate deck drainage
Allowing the decks to drain off into the planters merely allows the water to seep back under the decks and percolate into the sand/rock under the concrete.
This can cause corrosion issues with the pool reinforcement steel, cracking of the pool from saturated soil surcharges, or deck heaving or settlement. It can also create efflorescence issues with the pool deck, coping and tile. On sloping lots, this run-off can even undermine a slope, cause mudslides or the pool to slip down the incline.
It is best to collect the surface water and direct to an appropriate discharge point away from the pool.
8. Allowing a "Pool Salesman" to specify the project
A pool salesman works on commission. Your interests are not his. His job is to sell you as much as possible for the highest possible price.
Few salesmen have the requisite training to specify the correct plumbing and pump sizes or to calculate proper system hydraulics.
9. Installing a single light in the deep end
Installing a single twelve inch round cheap looking motel light in the deep end is the silliest thing you can possibly do.
Installing a few more smaller sized lights on the wall facing away from the house (or vantage point) will result in a pool that is more evenly lit. It will also mean that you're not looking directly into a truck headlamp whenever the lights are on.
10. Hiring the Lowest Bidder
For some reason, consumers have been led to believe that they need to collect 3 bids and then select the lowest one. In today's economic climate, you simply will not get the best possible project for the least amount of money.
The best for the least? Come on - that's common sense. But millions believe this to be true.
REMEMBER - You get what you pay for!
Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com
Paolo Benedetti
Aquatic Artist, Watershape Consultant, Expert Witness
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com
Thanks so much for posting this. My husband and I purchased a home with a huge back yard and we are thinking about putting in a swimming pool. We would like to find a swimming pool builders in Vancouver that can give us an estimate before we make up our minds. I will definitely be keeping this post in mind during my search. Thanks!
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