|
The decision has been made to re-locate or simply move up the Canarian property ladder, the dream of having your own pool becomes a reality - but where to start? If you're looking for a property and want a pool there are several options open to you. Obviously most developments have communal gardens and pools  but if it's the pleasure of swimming naked at midnight that appeals, then something a little more private must be sought. To get the low down on what the pool phenomenon is all about, I met with some pool experts.
New PoolsIf you are buying a brand new property the likelihood is that a pool will be an optional feature when arranging the purchase. The first thing to look at is the position and design of your pool, should it be a kidney shape or an Olympic masterpiece? The choice is basically yours but factors like the lay of the land and what it will cost you to simply prepare the plot have to be considered. More and more innovative designs are being chosen however, so it's a good idea to see a few completed pools to get some ideas. If you have small children, perhaps a little pool for them? Or a bar maybe - sunken into the pool for those cooling summer cocktails? Two pools with a cascade of water linking the two, maybe a spa attached….maybe I'm dreaming again, but no, I'm assured nearly anything is possible. Listen to the advice of the experts though, and if they tell you a pool shaped like Australia, divided into the separate states, all spreading across 2 acres of your garden will not work, believe them - it will not work!
After a design has been chosen, the next step is rather obviously to dig a big hole. Again, certain things have to be carefully looked at such as the soil or gradient of the land which may well dictate, for example, that you need a retaining wall. Next the walls of the pools are built and sealed. The most popular method these days, the experts assured me is to use a system called "Gunnite". Basically concrete mixture is sprayed at high velocity into wire mesh frames lining the walls and the system allows for curves and features to be utilised in the design of your pool.
The next stage allows the artist in you to take centre stage for now is the time to choose the tiles or paint with which to decorate your pool. Although paint can also be used, it is not advisable as it will need re-coating every 18 months to two years. Tiles on the other hand should theoretically (bar a forceful earthquake) last for the pool's natural life. There are lots of great tiled designs for pool borders but you can also design your own. The bottom of the pool too is open to your artistic flair - a dolphin perhaps, or the name of your house maybe even your national flag! The choice is yours. The main colour however is important - blue is the obvious choice as it creates a clear image, dark blue creates  a lovely lagoon feel to the pool whereas green on the other hand could have your pool looking more like a stagnant pond if you're not careful. The surround of the pool is also important; you could use the same surround as your terraces and even have the pool edge meeting your terrace - again the choice is yours.
In the early stages it is important to remember that a pool, like a dog, needs its own house to keep all its filtration and pumping systems in. This can be sunken into the ground with steps giving access or placed unobtrusively in a leafy corner of your garden. Lights are also built in and if you are going to heat your pool at some later stage, an automatic cover should be considered at the building stage so that the pit needed to house the cover can be dug at the same time as the pool.
Pool RenovationWhat if you have found the house of your dreams but the pool has been left to rack and ruin? The first thing the pool people will do is assess what needs to be done and discuss with you any requirements you may have. The next step is to strip the pool bare and then check all the pipe work for possible leaks. The pool is then re-sealed and then comes the fun bit when you get to choose the tiles and make the pool, like the house, your own.
Pool MaintenanceSo its there - you're the envy of the neighbourhood and pool parties are becoming a popular event at your place but again, like a pet, a pool needs constant care and attention. If you're smart you will simply arrange a maintenance contract with the people who built your pool. For as little as _ 75 per month, you get your very own pool man (steady girls, this is not the movies), who will come and tend to your pool's filtration and chemical needs once a week. Although as we mentioned much of the filtration process will be automatic as water will flow through a special sand filter to extract any particles of grease or algae that may be in the water, chemicals need to be added manually and levels checked. The pool's walls and bottom also have be cleaned once in a while, a feat which is achieved with an underwater vacuum cleaner. It's a good idea not to have too much shrubbery around your pool where leaves and other horticultural debris might find its way into your water and subsequently block filters.
Keeping an eye on your pool is paramount as it can turn from lusciously clear blue to murky green in no time at all - especially at the beginning of summer when the air starts to heat up. And as the air heats up so does the pool and whether murky or clear water will evaporate quite quickly so checking the water level is also important or your morning dive could turn quite nasty!
Pool AlternativesBut what about me? You're screaming - "I don't have a huge garden in which to build a dream pool!" This may well be the case but don't despair as there are several options open to you to enable you to keep cool in style. The first is a small pool or a "counter current swim unit" - a pool which produces a current for you to swim against, great for keeping fit and for cooling down should you "forget" to put the current on! Other cheaper options are the many collapsible pools made from tough plastic hung across a frame that are now on the market - these need a lot less looking after but will still do the trick when the temperatures are topping 40°C.
SpasThink relaxation, hydro-massage, winter warmer or summer cooler and you will have stumbled onto the heavenly invention of spa pools. Now you don't need a lot of space for a spa, tuck one into a small garden or terrace or even on a fifth floor balcony. Have the water warm in the winter or cold in the summer and lie back, and let the spa do the rest. There are many different shapes and sizes to choose from and free standing spas range in price from around _ 7,000 to _ 11,000 depending on the level of luxuriating you are intending to indulge in.
Water SafetyIf you have children that are unable to swim then water safety must become your paramount consideration when using a pool. The easiest option is get them swimming as soon as possible using buoyancy aids such as bathing suits with floats, inflatable arm bands or rings. During the learning stage however, to ensure they don't take the plunge prematurely, a fence surrounding the pool with a secure gate is a good idea. There are also pool alarms on the market which will screech into action if something hits the surface of the water. Make sure children are careful in the pool, even when they can swim - running across the garden and surfing the pool on a lilo may be great fun but can also be extremely dangerous, so watch and warn.
AccessoriesI once bought an inflatable desert island that had a hole in it to store a drink complete with inflatable palm tree to keep it in the shade. I had no pool but just fell in love with the thing and would gaze admiringly at it dreaming of lazy days with a G & T floating next to me while I sunned myself on my large inflatable chair in my very own pool. The range of fun pool toys for both adults and children is staggering and you may find fights breaking out when choosing but a word from yours. |
