Concrete pools are worth it if you are looking for an inground pool that is highly customizable and will basically last your entire lifetime as long as it's properly taken care of.
A well-maintained concrete pool should last around 50 years or more. And a well constructed in-ground concrete swimming pool should last a lifetime. But, a pool's liner or finish won't last long. And thus, an in-ground concrete pool will need to be resurfaced every 10 to 15 years.
There is considerably more maintenance required for a concrete pool than a fiberglass pool. Weekly cleaning and scrubbing are required as well as the regular rebalancing of chemicals. Concrete pools require a complete resurfacing every 10–15 years to maintain their surface and keep moisture out.
Special Care for Concrete Pools
Besides maintaining a constant balance of chemicals in your water, you will need to keep the concrete itself clean. The best way to do that is by simply brushing the walls. You can use a hard bristled brush attached to a telescopic pole to brush the walls and floor of your pool.
Yes, it is safe to put salt in a concrete pool, there is just more to watch with concrete pools than with other pool types. If you don't have anything in between your water and your concrete, your concrete can erode faster, but it does not affect the quality of the water or your health.
The type and size of pool you have
The first consideration to think of here is the material your pool is made from. Concrete pools generally need more effective pool heating systems, as concrete is a naturally cold material which is not particularly efficient at retaining heat.
Because everything moves with the changing of the seasons, it's important that the ground it's installed on has unified movement. This will stop your from being pulled in two different directions.
Changes in soil moisture content: Expansive soil that swells in flood conditions can heave the shell upward. Alternately, soil that is usually wet can dry out and shrink during a drought, causing the pool to settle and crack. Hydrostatic pressure: Changes in groundwater levels can lift or tilt a concrete pool slightly.
Since concrete is a more organic material, it has more variation in its surface texture. This requires more intensive cleaning as well as resurfacing or acid washing every few years to prevent the growth of algae and bacteria.
Concrete pool surfaces are rough. If you have kids, you may want them to wear water shoes in the pool. (Most parents find this necessary.) Exposed surfaces such as Pebble Tec are rougher than plaster.
Concrete pool cracks can have various causes. For example, ground movements can create pressure and tension on the concrete shell. To relieve these stresses, concrete can crack. Insufficient soil compaction during pool installation can often lead to soil movement, as do repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Additionally, a lack of water means there's a lack of moisture on the pool walls. If left exposed to long periods under the hot sun, pool finishes will dry out, creating cracks and flaking.
It's often made using concrete, but it can be formed using brick, pavers, stone, and other options. Next, you'll want to finish the pool deck or patio using your material of choice.
In total you can add a pool heater to an existing pool. A swimming pool heat pump is you most efficient option. Heat pumps can add a month or more to your pool season especially combine with using a solar blanket. It is easy to keep your pool in the 80 degree range.
Gunite pools have been around since the '60s and are the most durable pool finish due to being made from concrete. The pool's structure consists of a steel rebar frame coated with a mix of cement, white sand or marble aggregate, and water.
In conclusion: what is the best type of swimming pool? We firmly believe that the Leisure Pools composite fiberglass swimming pool is the best available swimming pool structure for 95% of customer requirements. We urge people on a budget to look at fiberglass before above ground and vinyl liner pools.
The use of gunite or shotcrete is typically your pool builder's choice.
However, when chlorine is present in a water-based solution, it can permeate through concrete and reach the steel bars giving the concrete structural support. The chlorides corrode the metal framework, endangering the skeleton of your concrete floor.
Vacuuming and brushing the sides
Using a soft bristle broom to brush the side walls decreases the build-up of calcium and algae growth, which can result in a bigger issue. Vacuuming is often automatic and is fixed to the hose and the device does the cleanup. We recommend cleaning your swimming pool once per week.
A no-drain acid wash is arguably the best method to restore your swimming pool to its former glory without damaging its surface in any way. It is also much more cost and time-effective than many other stain removal methods. As the name implies, it refers to acid washing the pool without draining it.