Most people fantasize about having a wonderful swimming pool in the backyard, yet swimming pools can be a maintenance nightmare. Brad Baxter, from Award Pools, talked to Don about avoiding some of the problems.

Investigate options

Brad suggested that prospective pool owners talk to the experts and research all the options thoroughly, before even deciding on the landscaping.

If you're concerned about maintenance, salt water chlorination is best, but remember that salt water may damage pool surrounds so be careful with the materials you put around your pool. You may want to include an in-floor cleaning system, or even have the whole pool computerised to do whatever you want. A pool can be heated to maximise use, and it is claimed that a black pool will be a few degrees warmer than a light-coloured pool.

Keep in mind that you don’t need a big pool to swim laps. If you only have a small courtyard, you could install a small, 8m x 2m lap pool with a swim jet, and comfortably swim against that to your heart’s content.

Cost

Brad said that swimming pools can cost from $20,000 right up to $100,000, depending on the features you wish to have in the pool. A basic renovation of an existing pool will cost roughly $10,000, but for a good upgrade with all the bells and whistles you’d be looking at about $25,000 to $30,000.

Contact information

Brad Baxter
Award Pools & Landscapes
Web: www.awardpools.com.au
Phone: (02) 9629 3639

Copyright CTC Productions 2004