OWNING A POOL! IS IT WORTH IT?

There are a lot of misconceptions about pool ownership in Cyprus due to inadequate knowledge. Today we are going to take a look at these misconceptions to see their origins and to see if there is a grain of truth to them. We will also try to explain how you shall approach each point to achieve maximum return on your investment.

Swimming Pool Misconception #1: Chemical Balancing is too complicated

For the complete newbie, yes, it may look like it is too complicated! I mean, for many, this is the first time they will encounter terms like ppm/parts per million, pH levels, stabilizers, alkalinity and so on. But the reality is, these are just labels. Yes, sure you can go in depth and learn about all these values so that you can be more efficient in your pool balancing tasks, but for the absolute beginner? You really do not have to.

Why do we say this? Well, all you need to actually know are the levels where they are supposed to be and how to adjust them. Understanding what each chemical does can come in the future! Here are the levels that you need to look out for (You do not even need to memorize them as many testing kits will have the values listed as well!)

Optimal Pool Chemical Levels

• Pool pH – 7.2 to 7.6
• Calcium Hardness – 200ppm to 400ppm
• Free Chlorine – 1ppm to 3ppm
• Total Alkalinity – 120ppm to 150ppm
• Cyanuric Acid – 30ppm to 50ppm

Essentially those are the only numbers that you need to know as a new pool owner! Test and balance them at least once a week to keep your pool algae-free and crystal clear or you can alternative take the extra step and install our automated controllers that measure your pools parameters 24/7!

Once you’ve gotten the hang of testing and balancing your pool water and once, you’re pretty familiar with handling the pool chemicals then learning more about what each one does. You can ask for your specialized guides specifically made for our customers to become even more involved with chemistry.

And if you’re overwhelmed and you’re worried about not having the right chemicals, then it’s a good idea to ask for our chemical bundles that will offer you everything you may need for the hot summers in Cyprus.

Swimming Pool Misconception #2: Swimming Pools are Dangerous

Yes, this is true. Swimming pools are dangerous, but that is what all the pool safety regulations are there for! They are not there for added red tape or inconvenience, they are there to ensure that your swimming pool will be safe for everyone in the household.

In addition to the regulations put in place, the best thing safety-wise when it comes to home swimming pools is proper supervision. As long as you keep an eye out on the kids then safety really should not be an issue. Plus if you really think about it, you can always put a safety fence around your pool during summer months and buy one of our safety/winter covers for when you are not using your pool.

Another thing to consider is to add the proper safety signs and depth markers so that you’ll know exactly what to do in cases of emergencies and to let everyone know how deep the pool is at certain points to avoid non-swimmers from accidentally jumping into the deep end. The last precaution measure you can take is to acquire a safety wheel that can also serve as a nice design touch to your pool area.

Swimming Pool Misconception #3: Swimming Pools Require Expensive Repairs

Much like everything on the list, this is partly true. But this can be prevented and minimized by proper pool maintenance like keeping your pool chemical levels balanced, proper cleaning and preventative maintenance will greatly reduce the need for expensive repairs. The more you take care of your pool, the more you will be able to spot potential problems and deal with them before they become expensive problems! For example, if you currently have a liner pool, you can very easily switch to tiles with our innovative membranes and have peace of mind for the rest of your pool’s life.

Swimming Pool Misconception #4: Pool Upkeep is Very Expensive

Now this is probably the number one issue that scares most potential pool owners away, the pool upkeep. Talking with our customers, we discovered that the more you focus on your pool, the more maintenance you do, the less you’ll be spending on pool upkeep!

Aside from keeping a close eye on your pool, another way to reduce pool upkeep expenses is to actually get better, more efficient pool equipment. For pool pumps, you can actually save anywhere from 70% to 80% on your pool electricity upkeep cost when you switch to an energy-efficient speed pump!

Getting a solar pool cover can also greatly reduce your pool upkeep by keeping debris out, reducing chemical and water evaporation and minimizing the need for a heat pump since it can raise the temperature in your pool water up to 6 degrees. If that does not sound like much, remember that a pool heater will take a few hours to raise the temperature of your pool water by that much! You can read about solar pool covers more extensively in our dedicated article “Getting the Most Out of Your GeoBubble™ Cover”

Swimming Pool Misconception #5: Swimming pools are a bad investment

A lot of people will say that if you plan to sell your home in the near future then don’t get a swimming pool as this will reduce the value of your home. Well, this is partially true since if a pool is not maintained properly and it ends up being a green swampy hole then yes, it will definitely reduce the overall selling price of your home. The key takeaway for it is that on a monetary standpoint, you’ll never get back everything you’re going to put into your pool. But getting a pool is not for profit, it’s for your wellbeing!

In our opinion, a swimming pool is an amazing investment due to the following reasons:

• You are saving up on pool membership fees!
• You can go for a swim ANYTIME.
• You can host your own amazing pool parties with no restrictions!
• It’s safe, private, and did we mention that you can use it ANYTIME you want?

Swimming Pool Misconception #6: You can only swim in the summer

While this may be true in many places around the world, in Cyprus where we have a Mediterranean climate and our winters are mild, we can actually use our swimming pool with the use of a good pool heat pump in combination with a solar pool cover all year round! Talking with our customers, we discovered that most of them start using their pool from April until October with just a solar cover. So it is never too late to acquire your own swimming pool.

Feel free to contact us to get your quotation for your brand new pool, or if you have any further questions!