What are the steps to having a pool installed at my home?
1. First, you will meet with various dealers to have them evaluate your situation and present their ideas and qualifications to you.
2. Next, you will consider the many options available to you to create your pool paradise.
3. Once you have made your decisions on which options and features you will include in your pool and which company to use, you will begin the preparation of your property.
4. Your pool site will be prepared by the builder. Excavation for in-ground pools will begin and usually be completed in one day.
5. Steel reinforcing is installed next. This also can be completed in one day.
6. The plumbing will be installed next. Piping is installed for the filter system, the skimmer, the returns, etc.
7. The chosen base, such as gunite, is installed.
8. Tile & Coping is installed.
9. The electrical system will now be installed as planned.
10. Any planned decking, slides, diving boards, etc. will now be added.
11. Your pool's chosen surface will be added.
12. Once complete, your pool will be filled with water. Equipment will have a final test.
13. Chemicals will be added. Your pool's water will need to be tested to ensure such things as proper pH levels.
14. When pool water is ready, you and your family and friends may begin enjoying your new escape.

What should I do to prepare for my pool's installation?
First, think about the entire yard or other area you want the pool in and prepare a list of things you want included. The pool often becomes the center of attention. You may want to consider picnic areas, barbecue areas, a pool house, and additional or adjusted landscaping.

Think about what the pool will primarily be used for. Is this pool for entertaining for adults? Is it to be used primarily by children? Will games be played in the pool? If so, how large should the pool be? Will the pool be used for diving? If so, how deep will it need to be? You'll be deciding on steps, entrances, ladders, tiles, colors, maintenance equipment, handrails, and budget allowances in addition to the more obvious decisions about shape and special features. How much time and money do you want to dedicate to pool maintenance and upkeep? Where will the chemicals be stored?

Consider how and where you want large equipment brought in to your property. Some present shrubs may have to be temporarily moved. Will fencing or walls need to be adjusted? Your builder can help with these decisions. You may also need to consult with your neighborhood property owners' association board and the city's leaders to make sure your pool will be placed within the areas allowed by the deed restrictions and in accordance with city ordinances. Building permits will most likely be required. You'll also need to make decisions about where the pump and other equipment will be placed.

What kind of maintenance or other upkeep should I expect for my pool?
Maintenance and upkeep requirements vary greatly from pool to pool. Much will depend on what style of vacuuming, filtering, and water balancing equipment you purchase for your pool as well as what style pool you purchase.

A thorough study of the various brands of equipment will be well worth your time. Some equipment will do everything for you and save you money at the same time. The initial investment will most likely be more than with less sophisticated equipment. Several good products are available for maintenance of each style of pool. It is up to you whether you want to spend more money initially and have a less time consuming product or if you want to save money on the purchase and service the pool yourself on a regular basis.

Depending on the equipment, you could spend up to an hour a week , an hour or so each month, or practically no time at all vacuuming, adding chemicals, and cleaning or changing filters. In Houston, several professional pool maintenance services are available for private home pools.

Most dealers would recommend a weekly cleaning for the gunite pool with manual equipment. This cleaning may take up to 30 or 45 minutes. This weekly cleaning would involve the following steps:

• vacuum the bottom, the seats, and the stairs of the pool
• empty the pump & the skimmer filter baskets
• back flush the filter
• brush the sides & bottom of the pool where debris or algae has accumulated
• refill chlorinator with tablets
• test the chemistry of the water and add any chemicals that are needed

What should I expect to pay for the pool and the equipment?
Complete pool installation can cost anywhere from about $5,000.00 for the large aboveground model to $50,000.00 and up for a complete landscaped gunite pool with bedrock waterfalls, spa, and fountains. Financing is usually available in the Houston area for any of the three major styles of pools.

Pool equipment can vary from $100.00 to $1,000.00 for vacuuming equipment. Automatic chlorinators and other automatic chemical testing and distributing equipment may cost between almost $100.00 and $500.00 or $600.00. Manual chemical testers and the chemicals themselves are available at a very minimal cost.

Other options such as Blue Haven's "Smart" series controlling up to 32 functions with one touch button system will be very costly. The "Smart" series includes many extraordinary products that can make your pool system amazingly remote controlled and self-servicing.

Accessories such as heaters, covers, slides, and alarms vary in cost according to their brand and quality. Heaters usually cost between $1,000.00 and $2,000.00. Covers start at under $50.00. But, some specially made covers cost several hundred dollars. Slides start under $100.00 and are available in models costing thousands of dollars. Pool toys and games are available under $100.00 at department and pool stores throughout Houston.

How can I keep children and pets safe with a pool at our home?
Several options are available for ensuring the safety of your pets and children. Several unobtrusive alarms are available. These alarms will alert you whenever something goes into the pool. There are also alarms that are made to be clamped onto a child's wrist. These alarms will alert you if the alarm enters water.

Mesh and solid covers are made especially to prevent pool drownings. Most are lightweight and can easily be put over the pool or removed from the pool. Some covers automatically cover the pool. Several covers are made that will hold several people at once without giving way.

For more information including diving safety tips,
visit the National Swimming Pool Foundation web site at:

www.nspf.com

Send additional questions and comments to:
info@highperformancewebdesign.com