Pool Maintenance: Cost, Pool Leak Detection and Chemicals

A swimming pool is defined as a structure that can be filled with water with the intention of being used for activities such as swimming and leisure.

Historically, the first swimming pool was thought to have been built during 3000BC, in what we know to be modern-day Pakistan. However, this concept was more focused on an area of enclosed water. 

Artificial swimming pools are a concept that has been around predominantly since the Ancient Greek and Roman area, but the purpose was for athletic reasons, such as training and military exercises. However, Roman emperors would have had private swimming pools built, and some kept fish instead.

Popularity for the swimming pool rose in the 19th century, with indoor swimming pools being built in and around Britain. The oldest swimming pool is thought to be the Maidstone Swimming Club, which was formed in 1844 when most swimming activities used to be held on the River Medway. As an alternative, the swimming pool was built.

You can find a lot of different types of swimming pools as they have been adapted for needs over the years. 

Different Types of Swimming Pools

Pools can be used for all different types of activities and over time, there has been a shift from practical sports-related uses to relaxation methods and types of leisure.

Children’s Swimming Pool

A child's swimming pool is a much smaller version of a traditional pop-up pool. They are designed to safely allow your child to enjoy a pool. Quite often, they are inflatable and can be put up and down as you require, as well as stored over winter. 

They are shallow and when the water needs to be removed, it is typically an easier process that much larger adult pools. You will usually find that people also double a children's swimming pool as a great way to allow their dogs to enjoy the water in the warmer months.

As with any water-filled structure, children should be watched at all times.

Public Swimming Pools

A public swimming pool is a pool that has been constructed in a communal area with the intended purpose of access being granted to members of the public. They are often large in size and can be found in leisure centres or recreational locations.

These pools are well equipped with additional features that enhance the swimming experience. For example, you can find floats or diving boards. These pools will typically contain heated or unheated water and chlorinated water.

These are popular for people with children as they will often offer a shallower section that can be used for teaching children to swim or to give them a fun day out. Note that there will often be people supervising the pool at all times, such as a lifeguard, which also ensures the safety and health standards of the public pool.

Public pools are a great alternative for people who are unable to afford the cost of a private pool but still enjoy swimming and want to experience that on a regular basis.

Private Swimming Pool

Unlike a public swimming pool, a private pool is constructed on private land and the intended use is for those who own the last as well as those they allow to use it. A private pool can either be constructed on land or they are often built into the structure of the property.

They are often equipped with a simple filtration system, but this still means that a private pool will require just as much maintenance as a public pool.

Over time, the rules and regulations have become stricter on what you can or cannot have. For example, in most countries, there is a requirement to have a fenced structured around your pool to prevent children from accessing the pool without adult supervision, as well as to ensure the safety of your pets and wildlife.

Exercise Swimming Pools

An exercise based swimming pool is constructed with the pure intention of supporting forms of exercise. They are a concept that has become more popular within the last two decades. An exercise pool is built with a small vessel installed that produces an artificial water current that stops the swimmer from being able to push themselves forward.

This works similarly to a treadmill where the individual will walk in space. In this instance, the swimmer will swim in place, going against the current. They encourage the act of resistance swimming and only people who are confident swimmers should attempt this form of exercise.

An exercise pool can either be part of a private or a public pool, but you will most commonly find that they are a part of a public access pool as they are typically found in gyms and other exercise centres. However, this does not mean that you would be unable to have one installed in your own home should you want one.

Natural Swimming Pool

A natural swimming pool is a concept that was first developed in Western Europe during the 1900s and serves as a natural alternative to swimming pools.

They are natural bodies of water that are constructed using no chemicals or devices that will then sterilise the water or filter it. They are a great way to recreate places of swimming where people are able to feel safe about swimming in natural balanced waters.

These pools are a great alternative to man-made pools since they do not contain chlorinated waters. It is known that there can be affected of chlorinated water, such as red eyes, dry skin and dry hair.

A natural swimming pool can eliminate these risks.

Pool Maintenance - Cost

Regardless of your type of pool system, you are going to need to ensure that you have a plan for maintenance. If you keep your pool covered in the winter months, especially if they are outdoor pools, then they will need maintenance before they can be opened for the summer.

So, How Much Does It Cost?

Overall, it is estimated that you are going to be paying between £50 - £90 in labour per month in regular maintenance. However, this price will vary depending on what work needs to be done and what company you go with.

Maintenance will cover a range of different requirements for the pool, not just cleaning. We have outlined some of the most important forms of maintenance for a pool. You will need to ensure that any company performs these maintenance checks. 

Cleaning

Cleaning the pool is a very important part of pool maintenance. This process will involve removing any debris to be removed from the water. This part does not necessarily need to be performed by a professional.

To keep cleaning standards up to track, it can be beneficial to buy a pool net. This can be used to remove debris, such as leaves and other items from the pool. You can perform this whenever it is needed throughout the year. It is not always possible to call out a maintenance company to just clear leaves, so this can important to keep up with maintenance outside of the company.

However, there are other aspects of cleaning that might need to be performed by a company depending on your level of pool knowledge. The filter system will need to be cleaned to prevent a build-up of debris in the filtration system. 

Open and Close the Pool

When a season starts and ends, you are going to need to open and close the pool. For pools that are installed within the structure of the home, there will typically be shutters that keep the pool protected over winter.

This also includes disconnecting chemical feeders, pumps, filters and other connections, like water heaters from the pool so that they are not on over the winter. When summer comes back around, you will need to have this connection once again.

The process of opening the pool also includes adding the necessary chemicals.

What Pool Chemicals Do I Need?

Pools will require regular chemicals to regulate and balance the water. There is a range of different chemicals that you need to ensure this for the water in your pool and what you need will depend on the pH of your water. Speak with your maintenance company to decide which chemicals you require. 

We have explored the possibilities below.

Chlorine

This is one of the most common chemicals you can find in pool water. Its primary use is to sanitise the pool and keep the water clean. It prevents algae growth and makes the water safe to swim in. You can add salt chlorinators into the water which will allow the chlorine to dispense into the water rather than constantly adding liquid chlorine.

However, the best form of treatment will be confirmed through your decided company.

Bromine

This is similar to chlorine and isn't used as much, but it essentially does a similar job, but it does not last as long due to UV rays from the sun.

Oxidisers

An oxidiser will keep pools clean from any other forms of potential contaminants. They can also aid the process of chlorine breaking down contaminants.

pH Increase/Decrease

The pH of your swimming pool must remain balanced because it is essential in allowing the chemicals you are adding to perform well. There are a lot of things that can cause the pH of your pool to be affected, such as algae.

If you are unsure about the pH of your swimming pool, you can buy pH readers that will allow you to read your pool levels.

Whilst this is not a complete this of chemicals that can be used, they are some of the most popular.

What About Pool Leak Detection?

Maintenance is not just about the water, in some instances, you may be experiencing a leak. If you have a well established swimming pool, it can be difficult to detect whether you have a leak or not.

A pool leak can cause a multitude of problems for you along with the constant need to top up your poon, loss of vital chemicals and damage to the foundation of the pool due to water leakage.

If you suspect that you have a leak then the best thing to do is to call out an inspection company that can locate and repair the leak. However, we have outlined some ways they may be able to detect this for you.

Pressurising

This technique involves using compressed air to pressurise the pipes for the pool and they can then determine where pressure is falling inside the pipes. Where the area is compressed, you will find that bubbles form where the leak is located.

Camera

A camera can be put into the pipes to see if they are able to see the leak. If not, then they can put a microphone into the pipes and listen to wear the leak is located.

Dye

This is something that you may be able to perform yourself if you wanted to. This involves not touching the water and squirting dye into the pool. You will start to see the dye being pulled towards the leak and then you can locate it from here.

Where you see the dye disappear, you can patch the leak until you can get it repaired.

Compare Water Level

If you are unsure about having a leak then a great way to evaluate whether you have one or not is by measuring and marking the level of your water. The next day, you are able to re-evaluate the water levels and see if they have gone down.

You can buy temporary leak repair kits, but you want to ensure that if there is any deeper risk that this is evaluated and reduced. For example, it can cause damage to the underneath of the pool and then cause further issues with the foundation.

In addition, you can find yourself with a very high water bill if you do have a leak and there is a refill system that is filling the pool with constant water.