How long will it take to build my pool & what is the procedure?

The engineer will take approximately two weeks to do the engeering & draw up the plans for the construction.

The council/private certifier will take approximately two weeks to do the property search and check for easements etc & give the approval.  Normally there is about a 1-2 week waiting period from when the deposit is paid to the start of construction.

On day one the excavation will start and usually takes 1 day.  The next day the steel will be formed in the excavation and the pre-plumbing & Skimmer are fitted.  The next day the special pool mix of concrete will be pumped into the walls & floor of the pool & formed to shape.  The concrete shell must then be left for 2 weeks to cure.

Next the plumbing for the filter will be installed, followed by the pool coping, waterline & Hi-Lite Tiles.

The pool fence must be installed & approved before the internal Pebblecrete can be installed.  Water follows shortly after.

Start up & hand over complete the construction.  From start of excavation to handover takes approx 6 – 8 weeks.

How do I make my pool easy to look after?     

Firstly design a pool with good distribution of water, then include the following:

• A pump with a good flow rate Poolrite Pumps have excellent flow rates and are very quiet.
• Oversize the filter to give efficient filtering of the water.
• Install an automatic chemical dosing system (The Poolrite Salt Water Chlorinator will efficiently treat your pool water and will automatically clean itself).
• Install an automatic cleaning device, such as Baracuda Genie II, to clean the bottom of the pool.
• Arrange for a monthly service call to check all equipment & balance the water.

What does the price of a Swimming Pool include?

A Pool Fab Quote includes the following :

-      The design of the pool by your pool consultant

-      The engineering of your pool structure

-      Pool certification & final approval

-      SPASA Watertight Insurance

-      All superior fittings

-      All pump, filtration & initial chemical treatment

-      Coping on pool edge

-      Chemicals required to start up the pool

-      An estimate of any footings if we think that they will be required

-      Backwash line for 6L/m

What is not included in the price?

-      Any extra excavation costs if time goes over the allowance or if we encounter rock etc

-      Any changes to the size of the pool or changes to the equipment.

-      Any extra steel footing or peering that may be required by the engineer.

-      Provision of power to the filter area (usually provide 2 double power points – 15amp back to fuse box with a separate fuse).

-      Connection of the backwash line into either sewer or storm water.

How much does it cost to operate a Swimming Pool?

The running of the filter pump is the main cost.  A 750 watt pump will cost approximately 10c and hour to run & needs to run for approximately 6-8 hours per day for 365 days per year.  The Salt Water Chlorinator requires a constant level of salt (approx 1/10 the consistency of sea water)  Rain water will dilute the salt level & most pools require approximately 6 bags of salt per year at approx $10/ per bag.

The total balance of the water should be checked monthly, some stabiliser, Bi-Carb and Calcium Hardness may need to be added.

The average pool should cost approx $450 to operate yearly.

Why use a Salt Water Chlorinator?

Salt Water Chlorinators are a very easy way to treat the pool water and are very inexpensive to operate.  A Salt Water Chlorinator will add chlorine to the pool water gently during the filtration period.  Chemicals are added evenly though the pool volume.  Salt Water Chlorinators are a very safe way to treat your pool; there is no dangerous chlorine stored around the home.

What are the fencing requirements for my Swimming Pool?

All swimming pools in Queensland must be fenced with an approved pool fence.  The fencing requirements are as follows: www.poolfencing.qld.gov.au

Note:  When Pool Fab gets your new pool approved the fencing will be detailed on the plan & will be certified when completed & this is included in the pool price.

Can Pool Fab assist with Landscaping & Fencing?

Yes we can help with both.  Pool Fab can recommend what fencing is required to satisfy the regulations and give you an approximate price for the fencing.  We can include that price into the pool pricing.  Pool Fab can help you with general landscaping ideas and the organise an associated landscaper to finalise the design and provide you with a price.  Pool Fab will co-ordinate the timing of both the fencing & landscaping for your convenience.

Does Pool Fab teach me how to maintain my future pool?

Yes we will teach you how to look after your new pool.  When the pool is completed we will give you a complete lesson on how to operate all of the equipment provided and instruct you about the water treatment.  We will provide you with an instruction booklet which provides full information.

It does not finish there!! We will call back each month for the first 3 months to give further instruction (if required) as well as checking all equipment and cleaning the pool.

We can organise an ongoing monthly service by the mobile service van.

What is the difference between an In-ground Concrete Pool & a Fibreglass Pool?

• Different structure of the walls & floor i.e. fibreglass has just a approx 20mm thick wall of  fibreglass where as a concrete pool has a 150mm concrete section interlaced with steel reinforcing at least every 300mm apart.  It then has an internal water proofing layer of either 20mm Pebblecrete (pebble & cement) or a layer of ceramic tiles.
  
• The concrete pool can be constructed to almost any shape to suit your backyard or your imagination where as fibreglass pools are limited to set moulds.
• Concrete pools are constructed in the ground on a solid base & finished to the level of the internal water.  Fibreglass pools are a moulded shell with an uneven base that are placed on a prepared base & hopefully ends up level.
  
• Concrete Pools when empty have strength of structure to support the surrounding ground pressures.  Concrete pools have a hydrostatic valve in the base of the pool & have considerable weight to counter act any ground water pressure.
  
• Concrete pools have a solid non-flexing surround to the pool which enables coping tiles to be successfully adhered to it.
  
• Concrete Pools have an expected life of up to 15 years.