Swimming pool size/construction?

[Justef]

I shall be installing a swimming pool in the autumn for 3 gites, each with 3 bedrooms.

Can someone give me some advice as to what size it should be, and also which construction method to use?  I've heard from people that liners are a problem to clean and one person who said they have got wrinkles in it.  Fibreglass pools are easier to fit but are limited on size (4.3 X 10.3 Mtrs Maximum).  Tiled pools are a lot of work and could work out expensive I think.

I've also read on the forum about Direct Injection Chlorine.  Any advice on this and where to buy would be appreciated.  I live between departments 81, 34 and 11.

Jules

[Poolguy]

Jules

Those questions cover a large area.

However, as you have 3 Gites you will no doubt com under the gaze of the DDASS (Dept Health) and so there are some requirements you must fullfill.

Namely,

Circulation, it must be in the region of 3 hour circulation time

Sanitiazation, you are obliged to use chlorine manuel or chlorine direct injection, PM me for more details

Cleaning and maintenance, I recommend a robot, something small simple and reliable (don't over spend here)

Install a shower near the pool and a footbath by the gate, also there should be a toilet close by.

Size and construction, if the bedroom are doubles, that 9 people per gite, 27 people in total. In this I think that a 10x5 would be the bearest minimum and would proably struggle on hot days (no satisfaction for the clients). So consider either a 12 x 6 or alterntively, build smaller, private pools for each gite.

Use liners, they are cheaper to install and easier to maintain, the stories you have heard have been from owners who have missused their pools. With proper care they should last better than 20 years.

Andrew

[nimportequoi]

[quote user="Poolguy"]

Use liners, they are cheaper to install and easier to maintain, the stories you have heard have been from owners who have missused their pools. With proper care they should last better than 20 years.

Andrew

[/quote]

Please note that it is not always the owners who misuse their pools - the guests are the main problem with gites and a pool with liner. So far I have had one liner punctured by a guest and the water line of the new one has been discoloured permanently by one particular sun protection product (although other subsequent stains I have been able to remove). This year amongst other things I have had to ask people to remove flippers and the oars from an inflatable rowing boat from the pool; both of which could have damaged the liner. If I didn't live on site I could well have had to replace another liner by now.

[JJ]

I have to agree with Susan AH about liners. The damage caused by some suncare products used by our gite guests is shocking. And that is after regular cleaning.

I am now considering a ban on flippers, oars are already a no no with a plastic liner.

The other option one can go for is a liner with a ceramic tile border, the tiles are fixed to a plastic sleeve, which in turn is attached to the top of the liner. So you get the advantages of the liner, with the ease of being able to clean the water with less problems.

I also agree with Poolguy with direct injection systems for chlorine and ph, I wish I knew about them before I had my pool installled.

But the hindsight is very useful. If only I had discovered this forum before installing my pool.

 

 

[nimportequoi]

JJ, flippers can damage the liner as much as an oar, on the LayMyHat forum someone described how her nephew had punctured the liner in her sister's pool by wearing flippers. They are banned in my pool, but unless you are there to check, how do you know guests are keeping to the rules?

BTW we have gites for 22/24 guests and have a 10m x 5m pool. I have never seen all guests at the pool at the same time, it has never been overcrowded and most groups use it at different times of the day and not for hours on end.

[Macker]

I'm a pool installer and my company installs every type of pool mentioned above and others too. What most people don't realise is that most pool companies in France are simply sales based operations and the actual installations are sub-contracted to people like me. Every pool company will try to convince you that their brand is the best but the truth is that all systems have advantages and disadvantages. As pointed out, liners can be punctured by careless useage but are very versatile and cost effective (wrinkles in the liner is just a sign of a non-professional installation) and they allow for a certain amount of seismic movement. Shell or fibreglass pools need a very labour intensive installation, good access for cranes, flatbed truck etc. They provide a quick solution but are prone to fading and discolouration and they cannot be emptied without specialist help or they might implode and if they become damaged they can be expensive to repair. Concrete pools, whether tiled or lined, are expensive and time consuming to install and they do not allow for any movement of the earth. On the other hand they are extremely solid and durable and difficult to damage (with oars, flippers etc).

The bottom line is that any properly installed pool should come with a warranty of at least ten years and many come with twenty. On balance, I tend to agree with Poolguy that liners are the best option. They are no more difficult to clean than tiles or fibreglass and much easier to repair and in the event of catostraphic damage they can be replaced for a couple of thousand euro, a lot cheaper than replacing the entire pool. And if, after ten years or so, your pool is looking a bit faded and sad you can whip out the old liner, pop in a new one and your pool looks like a brand new one again. If you use a direct chlorine system you will find that cleaning should not be a real issue anyway, a quick wipe down once a week will suffice.