When building a new swimming pool, all aspects of the design and installation must be handled professionally. From site excavation to fencing, it’s crucial that the highest standards are upheld. One of the other vital parts of your swimming pool’s construction is the plumbing. Without proper plumbing, your pool can experience any number of problems that can be costly to repair. It can also cause safety risks and severely limit the enjoyment you and your family get from the pool. 

In this article, we’re going to explore the importance of quality plumbing in pool construction. From reducing water waste to ensuring proper drainage, here’s why you must invest in quality swimming pool plumbing.

 

Ensuring efficient water circulation

If the water in your pool doesn’t circulate properly, it can lead to stagnant water and accumulation of debris and algae. This may be one of the most important reasons to ensure high-quality plumbing in your pool.

 Good plumbing can help to ensure your water circulates correctly and is continuously filtered. This is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy pool environment for yourself and your family. With proper circulation, your pool water should stay clear, clean and refreshing for a summer dip.

 

Preventing leaks and water waste

The average backyard swimming pool loses enough water through evaporation, so you don’t need to lose more due to ineffective plumbing. With poor plumbing comes the risk of leaks, which can be extremely costly. Even a small leak can lead to significant water waste over time, which is not only bad for the environment, but terrible for your wallet.

 If water consumption is a major issue for you, you may want to consider one of our eco-friendly mineral pools. These pools can save up to 12,000 litres of water each year. However, they still require plumbing. So, always invest in quality plumbing materials that are tried and tested in Australian conditions. Work with quality plumbers who have experience with swimming pools, as this gives you the best chance of ensuring your plumbing is in top condition.

 

Longer working life for pool equipment

Your pool’s plumbing system plays a major role in keeping all of your other equipment in good working order. For example, pumps, filters and pool heaters all work to keep your water healthy, comfortable and safe. However, if your plumbing system is compromised, it puts more strain on these items.

 Pool plumbing should be designed to minimise resistance and offer a smooth, continuous flow of water. Because filters, pumps and other pool gear are designed to work with quality plumbing, you can expect complications if the plumbing isn’t right.

 The more you can take care of pool equipment and components, the lower your ongoing pool ownership costs are. Keep maintenance, repairs and parts replacements to a minimum by ensuring top-quality plumbing during installation.

 

Ensuring proper chemical distribution

We’ve already touched on the importance of good water circulation to keep your pool healthy. Part of maintaining a healthy pool is keeping the chemical balance right. Most pools require chemicals such as chlorine and algaecides to deal with microorganisms in the water, but the balance of chemicals must be correct. Quality plumbing ensures that pool chemicals are distributed evenly throughout the pool.

 Without this, you’ll likely run into problems such as algae growth, cloudy water, and skin irritation for swimmers. Not to mention the risks of bacteria buildup and stagnant water. By investing in proper plumbing when your pool is installed, you can ensure all chemicals circulate smoothly around the pool, keeping it clean and safe for everybody to enjoy.

 

Reducing energy consumption

Energy consumption is a huge issue for Australians for a couple of reasons. Firstly, rising energy prices make it hard on families, especially in modern homes where the demand for power is already significant. Secondly, the more energy we use, the more strain we put on the environment. Neither of these is good, and quality plumbing plays a role in reducing the amount of power you use. 

When your plumbing system works well, other equipment such as heaters, pumps and filters don’t need to work as hard. Needless to say, if poor plumbing results in issues such as blockages, your other systems push harder to achieve the expected results. We’ve already mentioned that this causes unnecessary wear and tear on components, but it also hikes up your energy consumption. Well-installed and properly maintained plumbing can save you plenty of money and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.

 

Plumbing for effective drainage

Ensuring proper drainage from and around your pool is essential in Australia. Most parts of the country experience heavy rainfall at one time or another, and this can cause serious issues for backyard swimming pools. It’s not necessarily an overflowing pool you need to worry about, but rather damage to the soil and terrain around your pool.

 Water buildup can cause soil erosion or movement, which can, in turn, compromise the structural integrity of inground swimming pools. Proper plumbing and drainage systems protect your pool from unnecessary structural damage, as well as the area surrounding it. If your pool is on a sloped block, drainage becomes even more crucial and you’ll probably need to consider retaining walls (which can be effective on even land, too).

  

Reducing your maintenance requirements

Pool ownership is great, offering countless hours of relaxation, family fun and exercise. But it’s not a set-and-forget proposition. Pools require plenty of ongoing maintenance to ensure they remain safe, healthy and comfortable for everybody to use. While this is something you expect from the start, it doesn’t mean you should take on more maintenance than necessary.

 Installing proper plumbing can reduce your ongoing maintenance needs considerably. Certainly, avoiding blockages and leaks can protect your other pool equipment, meaning less frequent replacements or repairs. But plumbing also takes the load off in terms of cleaning your pool. With properly-circulating chemicals, most of the upkeep is done for you.

 

Ensuring compliance with Australian standards

There are specific Australian Standards dealing with the plumbing used in swimming pools. As a minimum, your plumber should be well-versed in the following two standards:

 AS 3500.1:2003 – Plumbing and Drainage – Water Services

AS 3500.4:2003 – Plumbing and Drainage – Heated Water Services

 These standards apply to swimming pools but there are also plenty of other standards to adhere to. There are several standards relating to certain types of pool equipment such as heaters, pumps, filters, chlorinators and more.

 Aside from these standards, each council may have different rules regarding drainage and even pool construction. So, before you invest heavily in a swimming pool, check local guidelines to ensure you have the right approvals and permits in place and that you’re doing everything to meet Australian Standards.

 

The importance of quality plumbing in heated pools

We’ve touched on this briefly, but it’s worth discussing heated pools more specifically. A heated pool uses far more energy than a non-heated one and therefore becomes a major contributor to the household energy power bill. Plumbing issues typically force heaters to work harder than they’re designed to, resulting in malfunctions or at the very least, unnecessary wear and tear. This also means higher energy expenses.

 Aside from these issues, ineffective plumbing in a heated pool can result in cold spots. The idea of having a heated pool is to ensure the entire pool area is warm. If the water doesn’t circulate properly due to bad plumbing, the heat won’t circulate as effectively either. So, for maximum enjoyment from your heated pool, always invest in quality plumbing.

 

Incorporating custom pool features

If you want to add a touch of elegance and luxury to your pool, you can usually do it by adding some unique features. There are several types out there, such as waterfalls, fountains, resistance jets and many more. Some are functional, some are decorative, but most of them also require an element of plumbing.

Custom features that use the pool’s water typically require some form of plumbing to ensure a constant flow. Another nifty idea is to incorporate a spa into your swimming pool design, but again, this will require its own dedicated plumbing. As you can see, quality plumbing can also be about swimming pool aesthetics and creating the perfect backyard sanctuary you can enjoy all year round.

 

Ready to install your new swimming pool?

Blue Haven are your leading experts when it comes to professional pool installation. We custom-design both fibreglass and concrete pools to meet your exact specifications. From mineral pools to spas, we specialise in helping you get more from your outdoor spaces. We also handle all installations, ensuring only trusted plumbers work on your pool. Our team understands the benefits of top-quality plumbing for all swimming pool installations, and we never cut corners.  For the best results and a pool you can enjoy for years to come, contact the team at Blue Haven today.

Read More:

• The Practical Benefits of Poolside Landscaping
• Overcoming Challenges: Installing Pools on Sloping Ground