What do you need to know about building or renovating a concrete swimming pool?
This downloadable guide 'Guide to building and renovating concrete pools' will assist you in gaining a good understanding
of various aspects of the construction process and all aspects that should be
considered prior to commencing work. This guide also covers areas you should
consider before approaching a pool builder to commence your new construction or
renovation of a pool.
CONTENTS OF THE DOWNLOADABLE PDF
- ABOUT EUROPE IMPORTS, EZARRI AND PDS
- THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING A CONCRETE SWIMMING POOL
- QUESTIONS TO GET YOU THINKING ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
- HOW TO CHOOSE A POOL BUILDER
- WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSTRUCTION OF A POOL
- POSSIBLE DELAYS OR UNFORESEEN COSTS INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION
- ASPECTS OF CONSTRUCTION YOU MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
- TIPS TO ENSURE A TROUBLE FREE CONSTRUCTION
- DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION EXPLAINED (COUNCIL REQUIREMENTS)
- ABOUT HOME WARRANTY INSURANCE IN NSW & BUILDERS WARRANTY
- SWIMMING POOL SAFETY, SOURCE REFERRAL AND USEFUL CONTACTS
- SPASA (SWIMMING POOL & SPA ALLIANCE) CONTRACT CHECKLIST
- INSPIRATIONS
About Europe Imports Pty Ltd
Europe Imports is a family owned and operated business
exclusively importing the prestigious high quality “Ezarri” Glass Mosaic Tiles.
The company was founded by Paula Cowell-Yench in 2004 and then joined by her
son Carl Yench in 2006. Paula and Carl have grown the business and brand
awareness of Ezarri throughout Australia, NZ and parts of South East Asia.
Europe Imports is a company that has been built on a
foundation of trust, integrity, quality assurance, technical experience and
high customer service values. This foundation has escalated the company and the
Ezarri brand into the number one position and has become a prominent leader in
the pool tile surfacing industry. This is a sure sign that you are dealing with
a reputable and solid company with values. Europe Imports was given the
“Industry Achievement Award in 2014” an award which was proudly accepted and
appreciated.
Our goal is to service the industry with high quality
products and services. We pride ourselves on delivering this and Client
satisfaction is our reward.
Paula & Carl Yench – Directors
The benefits of building a concrete swimming pool
AESTHETICS AND DESIGN
There are many wonderful benefits of building a concrete swimming
pool and one of the great benefits is definitely the design possibilities, in
this sense we are only limited to our imaginations! Concrete pools have the
ability to create atmosphere, and integrate seamlessly with landscape and homes
or even create a feature that becomes a focal point of your whole property. As
the design possibilities are virtually endless, a concrete pool can become an
expression of your creativity which allows the owner to reflect their own
personality through construction.
LONGEVITY
One of the more obvious benefits of building a concrete pool
is the extended life of the structure itself. Although conditions vary from place
to place, concrete in ground pools can withstand the harshest regional climatic
conditions and they make a wise choice regardless of a homeowner’s location. A
well-built concrete pool will last many years and will maintain its integrity
throughout its life. They can also be renovated at any stage should the owner
decide to include further additional features or perhaps change the appearance
or surfacing materials to a more modern look.
RESALE VALUE
Being able to create a beautiful, personally designed concrete
pool that integrates seamlessly with your property has other advantages than
just pure aesthetics. A well-built concrete pool will last a life time and when
that pool is also well designed plus you have chosen the finishing items that
reflect the investment into the project such as Ezarri tiles, it will increase
your property value by what was initially invested and will also serve as a
major selling point if you ever decided to sell the property.
Questions to get you thinking about your project
What is my budget?
Your budget will be a huge determining factor in your choices,
it can either totally limit your options or open up endless possibilities. The
budget will also reflect the quality of the finished construction/product. A
good point to think about when deciding your budget, is that, when you build a
quality pool using the best products your pool will last a lifetime before you
will need to even consider renovating. As a result of this longevity, your
property value could hold heightened value for much longer.
What type of swimming pool do i want?
There are many different uses and functions of a swimming pool
but the most important element when deciding what kind of pool you want is how
your new pool will fit your lifestyle. Take a minute to think about the basis
of your design for your pool. Some different styles of pools include but are
not limited to:
Lap swimming pool
Long and narrow pools designed for the
avid swimmer or active persons/families that have the main functionality of
swimming laps.
Swim jet pool or spa
A pool that has an incorporated Jet
that allows water to flow through at variable speeds. This enables a person to
swim continuously while remaining in the same spot and can be incorporated into
smaller spaces.
Leisure pools
Pools that are generally designed for various
leisure activities which may include shallow areas for children, a deep end for
jumping, a spa for relaxing or a very shallow areas with sunbathing chairs.
Leisure pools can also have incorporated lap swimming areas or jet functions.
Designer pool
Designer pools are often designed purely to be a show piece or design feature of a beautiful home, these pools generally focus mainly on the look of the pool and less on functionality.
Hydrotherapy pool
Hydrotherapy pools are specially designed
for hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is a form of exercise carried out in a specially
heated pool. The water is approximately 34 degrees Celsius. The combination of
extra heat and the buoyancy of the water provide a relaxing medium in which pain
relieving exercises can be carried out and thus improve general fitness levels.
Plunge pool
Generally a very small pool that is designed
to fit in a more restricted space. Plunge pools are generally a simplistic
design that merely offers a smaller area to cool off in.
Should i fully tile my pool?
The answer is yes. Fully tiling your pool will not only give
you the most aesthetically pleasing result, fully tiling will also offer other
great benefits that you will enjoy for years to come.
Some of the benefits that are covered in our downloadablePDF are:
- Aesthetics
- Resale value
- Safety
- Longevity
- Maintenance
Do I want to use an external architect or a builder's design service for my swimming pool design?
Many pool builders are able to offer design services to help incorporate your pool design but you may wish to employ the services of an external architect to design your pool, the choice is yours.
Often a new pool will be built at the same time as a new
property in which the owner has employed the services of an architect already
and the architect may then get involved in the design of the swimming pool. In
this scenario, it is always a good idea to have your builder involved in
meetings with the architect to ensure that the designs that are produced are practical
for the builder to complete.
When building a pool in an existing property you may not
wish to employ the services of an external architect. The builder’s internal
design service can offer a simple alternative that can ensure a clean communication
and direction with the pool design.
There can be pro’s and con’s for either scenario, you should
weigh up the options and discuss them accordingly with your builder and decide
what works best for you. Often your budget will make the decision for you.
What do i need to know about choosing finishing materials for my swimming pool? – Glass mosaics and natural stone
If you decide to choose your own finishing materials, understand that choosing finishing materials can be very daunting as there are so many products on the market that may not be suitable for certain applications. Choosing incorrect finishing products for your pool internal or external areas could cause very costly failures that your builder will not be responsible for if they have advised you against using those particular products.
There are many product performance and design considerations
that need to be made when selecting materials and this is where you should be
consulting with professionals. Design considerations can range from percentage
of available sky, sun aspect, surrounding foliage, depth of pool, landscape
design, house colour/design or even just how the addition of water to a chosen
tile will affect the water colour. Performance considerations can range from
product suitability to the Australian standards, stone density, sealing requirements
to eliminate corrosion or even salt attack.
Poolside design & supply is a division of Europe Imports
Pty Ltd who import Ezarri glass mosaics, natural stones, adhesives, grouts and
sealers. We are the largest premium pool mosaic importer in Australia and we
offer over 11 years of finishing material design experience. With our knowledge,
involvement in the industry and exposure to the best finishing products, we can
help you complete your dream project.
DESIGN CONSIDERATION EXAMPLES
Modern Style
If you have just finished building
your dream modern or contemporary style house that is very symmetrical with the
multiple block shape, you would consider having a more modern style symmetrical
pool that would complement the new home. Some ideas for a modern style home
with symmetrical design may include raised square spa adjoining the pool or
raised pool with infinity edge facing the house. Often in these modern
contemporary style home there are grey tones incorporated and the design of the
pool may then include some bolder material selections that complement such as
rectangle silver travertine in a brick pattern complimented by a grey mosaics which
gives off a more cooler looking blue grey water.
Colonial Style
Alternatively on the other end of
the spectrum, you may have purchased, own or have built a colonial style home
with many of beautiful windows and balconies that shows off a more traditional
look, you may then wish to design a pool to suit. More traditional designs for
the pool may be considered that could include overhanging wooden pergola with
similar design to the house and more traditions surfacing materials such as
beautiful beige French pattern travertine with a beautiful white mosaic which
provides a delicate light blue colour to the water.
Should i use a pool builder or home owner-build?
One of the most common misconceptions about owner building
is that you will save money. Often this is not the case and in a lot of
circumstances, the project budget is completely blown due to the owner builder’s
lack of experience in the construction of a pool. If you become an
owner-builder, you will be taking on full legal and financial responsibility
for the project and this step should not be taken lightly.
For further information, please download our PDF
How to choose a pool builder
Choosing the right builder for a project is a very important
element when it comes to construction. Some builders specialize in particular
kinds of construction and it is crucial to your project that you choose a
builder who possesses the skill-set required for your needs. If you are uncertain
about what it is that you are after, you can always discuss your project with a
few professionals to get ideas about what you are able to build within your
budget and property. However, if you take the time to really think about your
needs, you may save your own time in finding the right builder for your project.
The following aspects are often considered before signing a contract with any builder.
They may help you determine whether or not a particular builder is suitable for
your project.
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What to expect during the construction of a basic concrete swimming pool
- Excavation
- Steel work
- Plumbing and equipment placement
- Concrete spraying
- Paving/decking
- Pool barrier installation
- Waterproofing and rendering
- Tiling
- Equipment installation
- Finishing touches
- Equipment testing balancing
- Hand over
Possible delays or unforeseen costs regarding construction of a swimming pool
Two common misconceptions about building a concrete pool are
that you can build for $30,000.00 and that the construction will only take 3
weeks. Unfortunately, this is not true and if you are looking for a quality concrete
pool you will have to pay for that quality and be prepared to allow the time to
create perfection. When constructing a pool, it should be noted that there may
be extra cost associated that you may not have thought of, or circumstances that
could cause delays. It is near impossible to predict every little hiccup that
may occur when you are at the mercy of Mother Nature and third party contractors
and it is important to understand that there may be some small delays or extra
charges if certain circumstances arise. Your builder will always do their best
to avoid such inconveniences however, it is important to understand that it may
happen.
The below sections are covered in the downloadable PDF.
- Weather conditions
- Product lead times
- Tree removal
- Delivery costs
- Tiler availability
- Sub-contractor availability
- Hitting rock or structure during excavation
- Rubbish removal
- Site access
- Responsibilities
- Payments
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Aspects of swimming pool construction that you may be responsible for!
There are certain aspects that you as the pool owner may be
responsible for and It is wise to discuss these points with your builder so
that you understand what is involved. Often the pool builder will look after
some of these areas however, if they are not, you may have to organise certain
trades or certifications in line with the production schedule. These areas
should be organised as early as possible when you are approaching the time that
they are able to be started, areas listed below are elaborated on in the
downloadable PDF.
- Development applications and approvals
- Tree removal
- Ordering of finishing materials and ensuring suitability
- Fencing installation and certification
- Rubbish removal after construction
- Electrical connections and certifications
- Gas connections and certifications
- Sealing of all natural stone
- Maintenance of the pool after handover
Tips to ensure a smooth and trouble free construction
- Check your property
- Read and understand your contract
- Ensure that you have clear communication
- Listen to your builder’s advice
- Confirm your surfacing materials
- Be aware that there will be curing times
- Ensure that you have researched
- Understand your payment schedule
- Be prepared to receive deliveries
- Never cut costs
- Start planning your construction
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION (DA) EXPLAINED
A Development Application (or DA) is a formal request for
permission to use a premises for a particular purpose, to develop land, subdivide
land and/or carry out building works. You can find a more in depth explanation along with information about home owners and builders warranty in our
downloadable PDF.
Swimming pool safety
The backyard swimming pool is an Australian icon that for
many years has provided good times and healthy recreation for people of all
ages. While swimming pools allow us to get together with our friends and family
to share fun, fitness and relaxation, they can also pose a risk. There are some
easy to remember rules that need to be followed to ensure the safe use of
swimming pools and spas at all times. SPASA and Europe Imports recommends these
safety guidelines be followed at all times:
• Supervise children at all times around water. If you need
to leave the pool or water area, even for a moment, take the child with you.
• Make sure your pool or spa has compliant fencing and
childproof locking. Always remember that a swimming pool fence is not a
substitute for supervision.
• Don’t leave furniture or other items accessible that children
can climb on near your pool or spa fence.
• Be aware that hair, bathing suit strings and tassels or
body parts can become entangled in an improperly covered drain or suction
point.
• Display a resuscitation chart on your pool fence and take
a CPR course so you will know what to do in an emergency.
• Familiarise children with water by taking them to swimming
lessons at the local pool.
• Make sure all pool users are warned against sitting on, or
covering, a drain or suction point. This can cause injury, or in extreme cases,
death.
PHONE 1300 392 774
