Planning a pool or spa

The main reason most people build a pool is recreation. For those who are looking for the therapeutic benefits of water exercise, a large size pool needs to be considered. A 25-40 feet pool ranging will allow a swimmer to execute several swimming styles. Another excellent option for accommodating the need for exercise a swim spa, it is a small pool in which a pump creates a powerful water current that the swimmer moves against, swimming in place. A very important consideration is to make the pool inviting and a safe place for recreation. A pool used for entertaining can grow into a much more complicated and large project. Floating in the pool or sitting in the spa can certainly be relaxing and therapeutic.

Cost calculation

Operating a pool or spa can be surprisingly expensive, filling the water, cost of electricity to operate the filtration and purification systems, and fuel costs. Depending on the location and climate, operational costs for pool or spa are varied, but generally they can add hundreds of dollars to your monthly bill. Keeping the water fresh looking takes work and financial commitment, you need to keep the water chemically balanced and sanitized, clean the pool edges and surroundings, and maintain the filtration and heating equipment. Most communities have zoning laws that require fencing around the pool or having a cover when the pool is not in use. Home owner’s insurance premiums usually will cost more if you add a pool these are additional costs that you need to consider.

Choosing pool location

It is very important to pay attention to privacy when you think about your pool location, you need to consider the position of the pool with respect to the house. While planning your pool, you will want to allow access to large construction equipment to make logistics a little easier and cut down cost.

Choosing the spa location

A spa can be located just about anywhere outdoors, but it makes sense to install it near the swimming pool. A spa needs a flat surface that can support its own weight and the weight of the water it is filled with. If you consider placing the spa on a deck, the deck has to be properly constructed in order to handle the load. Portable spas are most recommended to be installed on a 4-inch concrete platform.

Weather considerations

In most cases, the most ideal location for swimming pool or spa will be a south-west exposure which allows the maximum amount of sunlight at all hours. In desert areas, a pool facing east or even north can help reduce the intense sun heat. In northern areas that are generally cool in the summertime, a complete southern exposure can allow you more hours of enjoyment in the pool. Wind can greatly affect the warmth of a pool or a spa and is nearly as important a consideration as sunshine. The optimum condition is having a gentle breeze without steady winds.

The lay of the land

Two major factors that require careful attention in the design and construction of a pool and spa are soil and slope. Both can influence the design process and the overall cost of the project. When you choose the site for your pool, you may need to have a sample of the land drilled and analyzed by a professional. There are some types of soil, the ideal soil is the garden loam, and it is easy to dig and drains very well. The sandy soil is composed of large particles and is very easy to excavate, usually during the excavation the walls of the hole tend to collapse.

The clay soil consisting of very tiny tightly packed particles expands when wet, as a result creates tremendous pressure on the pool, this may require extra strengthening. The last soil is a bed-rock, and contractors may need to blast the hole for the pool which can greatly increase construction costs. The area aroud the pool should be sloped so that the rain water runs away from the pool or spa. Some of the most spectacular pools are those built into steep hillsides. When designed well, such pools can be magnificent, however, it requires special preparation on the downward slope side, the pool needs to have a solid foundation. Retaining walls maybe needed on the upward slopes to prevent erosion.