Whether you're envisioning a Bel-Aire style
swimming pool complete with deck, waterfalls,
and view of the valley or a simple round,
above ground pool, professional installation
and maintenance services can help you get
the job done right the first time.
Construction / Installation
The work to install a pool mainly depends
on the type and your vision of how it is
incorporated into your yard. Above ground
pools take less site preparation than in
ground models and generally require only
a level and firm site to support the weight
of the pool and water. The installer then
bolts together the prefabricated pieces.
The work for in ground pools is much more
extensive and includes excavation and actually
constructing the pool surfaces. And then,
there's the deck and landscaping work around
the pool.
When looking for a professional to do the
work for you, get local references and check
them by inspecting the work. Get a mix of
old and new references. Start with the old
ones to see how well their work holds up
after a few years of exposure to the elements.
A pool may look terrific today, but if it
is built on an unsuitable site or not capable
of withstanding the ground forces, cracks
in the cement, sloping, leaks, and other
problems will appear. Also, make sure the
pumps and heater are properly sized. Then,
talk with the recent references to see how
easy the company is to work with given their
current workload. In all cases, query for
their responsiveness to problems after installation;
these problems are not unheard of and it
is good to know that the company will work
with you to rectify them. Finally, don't
rely solely on the references provided by
the company. Ask around to get the recommendations
of other pool owners.
Maintenance
To keep your pool from becoming a stagnant
pond, you will need to perform periodic maintenance
on the water and pool systems. In all but
the southern climates, you will need to prepare
your pool at the start of the season and
"winterize" it when the season
ends. And, like any other outdoor structure,
pools need regular structural and equipment
maintenance. Depending on how handy you are
and how much time you wish to devote to pool
maintenance, you may want to consider hiring
a professional to perform this work for you. |
