Whilst location is very important when considering where to buy your property in Spain you may also have to take into consideration the availability of a swimming pool. The weather in Spain can be extremely hot and there is probably no better way to cool down than in a swimming pool. It is also one of the best forms of exercise for the entire family.

If you choose to buy a property which has a communal pool, you will have to share the cost of the up -keep and maintenance. You will also have to share the pool with your neighbours, which means you may have to put up with the noise and splashes from the neighbour’s children and you may never have the pool to yourself. There are advantages though. You won’t have the cost of construction of your pool and you won’t have to worry about cleaning it. There may even be a pool guard on duty to provide a safe environment for your family, which means you won’t have to sit by the pool the entire time your children are there.

If you decide to buy a house that doesn’t have a pool already, you should consider whether there is enough room to install one at a later date. There are a few options as to which type of pool you could have and it depends largely on your budget.

There are basically 2 types of swimming pool. There are those built above the ground and those built in the ground.

ABOVE GROUND

IN-GROUND

Pools built into the ground are generally the preferred option. They are more expensive to construct but the finish is better. They are usually constructed using re-enforced concrete and finished with tiles and can be made to your chosen shape and size. A cheaper option is to have a pool lined with PVC but the liner will need to be replaced on occasion and can be easily torn.
There are many companies, run by both Spanish and British people, in Spain that will provide the entire service from planning and construction to maintenance. You should do your research carefully and don’t make your decision based on price alone. Ask around for recommendations and go and see some examples of the work carried out by the company of your choice.

Care and Maintenance of your pool

Once your swimming pool has been built, you will need to consider the maintenance of your pool. It can be a time consuming job and if you are away for long periods of time it may be worthwhile considering hiring the services of a company to maintain the pool for you.
Due to the hot weather in Spain, a pool that is not maintained regularly and chemically treated can quickly lead to a growth of bacteria which can cause infections, especially to children.
If you decide to maintain the pool yourself there are a few things you will need to do:

1. On a daily basis you will need to remove any leaves and other debris that may have fallen into the pool. You can buy special nets at most of the large supermarkets.
2. You can rid your pool of the dust and dirt that can build up at the bottom of your pool by purchasing a device that crawls along the bottom. It is similar to a vacuum cleaner and hoovers up the dust and dirt. You can run it at the same time as your filter.
3. Chemicals need to be added to your pool on a regular basis. They are Chlorine to kill bacteria, algaecide to kill algae and prevent the water from turning green, pH+ for increasing the waters alkalinity or pH- to decrease the alkalinity. There is also a chemical called a flocculent which is used to attract small particles of dirt so that they form into larger clumps that the filter can remove.
4. Make sure that you have an adequate filtration system in place and that it is used regularly.
5. Top up the water level daily.

The main expense, other than the filtration system, will be the Chlorine and the algaecide. They could cost around 150 Euros a year. You will need to add these to the pool at least once a week taking care not to spill the chemicals on your clothes. They will bleach your clothes on contact. Make sure that you also wash your hands after using these chemicals. Follow the instructions on the packaging carefully to get the correct dosage.

pH LEVELS

You will need to carry out a pH test on a daily basis. A water testing kit can be purchased for around 5 euros. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.6. It is very important to have your water at the correct pH.
If the PH is below 7.2 it can cause:

1. eye irritations
2. strong odours
3. cloudy water
4. corrosion

You will need to add pH Plus to raise the pH.
If the pH is above 7.6 it can cause

1. eye irritations
2. cloudy water
3. reduction in the effectiveness of the chlorine
4. rapid growth of algae
5. scale and calcium deposits

You will need to use pH Minus to lower the pH.
Ensure that you use the correct dosage as instructed on the packaging.

FILTRATION SYSTEM

The purpose of the filtration system is to remove any solid matter from the water. It can help you achieve sparkling, clear and safe water as long as the chemical balance is also correct.

The pump draws water from the swimming pool and passes it through a multiport valve into the top of the filter tank and then into a bed of e.g. sand which traps the dirt. The filtered water is then returned to the pool. As the filter retains more and more dirt the flow of the water reduces and the filter will require ‘backwashing’. This should be done about every 10 days. Follow the instructions provide by the manufacturer of the filter carefully.

CHLORINE

Chlorine is supplied in tablet, liquid or granules. The tablets are usually the most popular and they can be left in the skimmer weir basket to gradually dissolve. You will need to test the swimming pool on a regular basis to ensure the levels are correct. Too much chlorine can cause eye and skin irritations. Too little and the water can go cloudy or turn green.

Occasionally you will need to ‘shock treat’ the water. It should be done once a week in very hot weather or every 2 to 3 weeks when the weather is cooler. This should kill any bacteria or algae that may resist the normal applications of chlorine.
Algae

Algae is a microscopic plant life in the water. Initially you will notice a greasy film on the walls or floor of the pool. Dosing the pool on a weekly basis will help avoid the growth of algae in your pool. The three most common types of algae are the green, mustard and black algae.

Green Algae – This is the most common algae found in swimming pools. It floats on the surface of the water and turns the water green. Using the correct dose of chlorine, filtering and scrubbing your pool can rid you of this.

Mustard Algae – This algae settle on pool walls and causes a slimy yellow film. It is more resistant to chemical treatment than the green algae. Adjusting the pH and shock-dosing as well as scrubbing the pool should help to get rid of this. Filter the pool afterwards.

Black Algae – appears in clumps attached to the tiles, grout, corners and pool surfaces and can be very difficult to get rid of. It can be controlled with regular scrubbing and spot treatments. You may need to drain the pool occasionally to clean the pool properly.

Salt Water Chlorination

This is a method of producing chlorine from salt which is added to the pool in large quanitities. It requires specialist equipment which is expensive but does produce very clean water and saves you money on pool chemicals. It can also be beneficial to your health by reducing the risks of ear infections due to the cleanliness of the water.

Water Purifying Systems

Chemicals can be expensive and abrasive to the tiled surface of your pool. There is an eco-friendly alternative you may want to consider which eliminates the use of strong chemicals and cuts down the amount of chlorine required. This is a method of purifying the water using ionisers which starve the algae spores of oxygen and destroy them. The water purifying systems can reduce the cost of running your pool, prolong the life of your pool and is kinder to your skin.

Solar Sun Rings

Another alternative is to use solar sun rings which can be also be used along side your regular filtration system. They are made from heavyweight vinyl and float on the surface of your pool. They are equipped with magnets which help to improve the clarity and decrease the hardness of the water as well as helping to keep the algae at bay. Solar Sun Rings are also a great way to heat your pool. For more information go to www.solarsunring.co.uk .

If you decide to hire someone to maintain your swimming pool for you, you will find many companies in Spain offering their services. They will usually come and check your pool twice a week in the summer months and once a week in the winter months. The cost for this will vary between companies but you should expect to pay around 60 euros a month which will include the chemicals. It can be money well spent, leaving you more time to enjoy the pool.