When you decide to invest in a swimming pool for your home, you have a few options available. The main decision you need to make is whether you want a concrete swimming pool or a fibreglass one. Each has its pros and cons, but in this article, we’re looking exclusively at concrete pools. You’ll learn why concrete pools are such a great addition to your home, and, most importantly, some key maintenance tips to ensure you can enjoy your pool for longer.

 

The benefits of concrete pools

As we mentioned, pools typically come in concrete or fibreglass. As far as concrete pools go, there are many benefits. Let’s take a look at these in more detail so you can see precisely why concrete swimming pools are an excellent investment.

 

Customisation options

We should start this section with a disclaimer that when you buy a fibreglass pool from Blue Haven, you do have customisation options because we make our pools to order. Most retailers, however, only offer pre-made fibreglass swimming pools. So, when speaking in general terms, concrete swimming pools give you far more customisation options. We’ll discuss the different finishes shortly, but the main benefit is being able to choose your pool’s size and shape to fit your available space perfectly.

 Anything can be incorporated into your design if you want extras, like tanning ledges, different steps, mosaic tile designs, or fountains. However, if you like swimming pool design flexibility, concrete is the way to go.

 

Strong and sturdy

There’s no doubt that concrete is a strong and sturdy material for most building applications. It’s far more durable for swimming pools than other construction materials. While fibreglass is durable too, it can crack, split or even blister more easily than concrete. There may be slightly more maintenance steps to keep your concrete looking good, but concrete is hard to beat when it comes to toughness. 

 

Different finishes available

When you build a pool using concrete, you have a lot of finishes available. Whether you want a smooth or rough finish, you can get it with concrete. You can even combine different surfaces, such as a rougher surface on the floor and something smoother for the walls.

 Tiling is also a popular option for concrete swimming pools, which allows you to incorporate unique designs and patterns into the walls and floor. Basically, whatever you want your pool finish to be, we can make it happen with our concrete swimming pools.

 

Great for sloping blocks

If you own a sloping block of land, you’ll already know that building anything on it presents a few challenges. The same applies to installing a swimming pool. Preparing the land for a fibreglass pool can be difficult, but as long as you have the right type of soil, concrete is much easier to work with. Plus, using some innovative design techniques that aren’t always possible with fibreglass, you can create a beautifully unique concrete pool, even on a sloping block.

 

How long does a concrete pool last?

Concrete is an extremely durable material, and in very simple terms, your concrete swimming pool should last for 50 years or more. But, like most things, this really depends on how well it is looked after.

 There isn’t a lot that can go wrong with a concrete pool. Of course, filters and other components need to be maintained and even replaced during the pool’s lifespan. But, the concrete surfaces themselves can last for decades if cleaned and maintained properly.

 The only real difficulty you may have is with tiles if you choose to have them on your surfaces. These are known to chip or break over time, so you may need to keep an eye on this. The concrete surface, though, should last you for longer than you’ll probably even own the home.

 

Tips for maintaining your concrete swimming pool

If you want your concrete pool to be kind to you, you’ll need to be kind to it. Owning a pool is great, but like anything, it needs some regular TLC to stay in excellent condition.

 

Brush your pool regularly

When you first install your concrete swimming pool, you’ll want to brush it regularly with a special pool-cleaning brush. This is usually supplied to you with the pool, but if not, you can buy them easily. This may not be necessary with all pool types, but you’ll want to brush it frequently if you have surfaces that use small pebbles or grit. This ensures pebbles and other debris don’t come loose and get stuck in the filters.

 As your pool settles and ages, you won’t have to do this as regularly. However, it never hurts to give it a brush every so often to ensure cleanliness.

 

Remove floating debris

You can use a pool cover to prevent debris from making its way into your pool, but if not, you’ll need to clean it yourself. You can do this by hand with a pool-cleaning net, but most people use an automatic pool skimmer. The pool skimmer helps to direct leaves and other floating debris into the skimmer box, out of sight.

 If you have a lot of trees surrounding your pool, there’s a good chance you’ll end up with debris on a regular basis. So, this is where you’ll need to decide whether it’s easier to invest in a pool cover, hire a pool cleaner, or take care of it yourself.

 

Check your skimmer box regularly

On the topic of the skimmer box, this is basically the first stage of your pool’s filtration system. Debris gathers here, but the system becomes ineffective if the skimmer box is full. Empty and clean the box regularly because this gives the later stages of your filtration system a better chance to be effective. Your normal pool filter isn’t equipped to deal with large debris, which is why the skimmer box should be emptied frequently.

 The frequency with which you should empty the skimmer box varies from house to house. If you get a lot of debris, you’ll need to check the skimmer box often. If your yard is pretty free of grass, trees and other vegetation, you won’t need to do this as frequently. For new pool owners, just check it daily to see how much debris you’ll need to deal with in future.

 

Use a robotic cleaner

There are many ways to clean the inner surfaces of your pool. You can use a broom/brush to clean the sides of the pool, and a pool vacuum is also a good idea. Cleaning the sides and floor of your pool is essential to keep it free from bacteria and algae. Even with the right chemicals in your pool, algae and bacteria grow on concrete pools and must be removed.

 So, if you don’t like the idea of using brushes and pool vacuums, you should invest in a robotic pool cleaner. These autonomous devices move around your pool, cleaning the walls and floor as they go. They can even find their way onto steps to ensure they’re kept free of growth, too. Manual cleaning is certainly cheaper, but there’s nothing easier than letting a robot cleaner take care of everything.

 

Balance your pool water

Unless you use a natural mineral pool, your water needs to be managed with chemicals. Chlorine helps to keep the pool clean, while other treatments, such as algaecide, are often necessary to prevent algae. The pool’s pH levels also must be balanced.

 There’s a bit of science to this, and it may take you some trial and error to get it right. You can seek assistance from your pool retailer if necessary, and they may even be able to test the water for you. Balancing the water is essential for maintaining a healthy pool, and it’s worth noting that different filtration systems may require different chemical levels. If you’re unsure, ask your retailer.

 

Clean your filters

Finally, cleaning your filters is paramount. Your pool’s filtration system does a lot of work to keep your pool clean. Of course, following all of these other maintenance tips means your filter won’t have to work as hard and will, therefore, last longer, reducing your ongoing maintenance costs.

 With that being said, your filters need to be cleaned and backwashed at least every 6-12 months. This isn’t a complex process, and you really only need a hose to clean the cartridge. For best results, though, it’s worth soaking the cartridge in a cleaning solution overnight, as this kills bacteria more effectively.

 Filter cartridges also need replacing, but you should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for an accurate timeframe.

 

Considering a new concrete swimming pool?

Blue Haven has a reputation for excellence in concrete swimming pools. We custom-design pools to suit your needs and available space. With a range of styles, finishes and designs available, you’ll get the exact pool you want with Blue Haven. Plus, we can even give you all the advice you need to maintain your swimming pool so you can enjoy it for many years to come. Contact our friendly team today, and let’s discuss your new pool options.

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