One of the consequences of confinement has been to test the properties where we live. The result is that in a rural area in case a pandemic returns or there are outbreaks. In addition, there has also been an increase in interest in swimming pools, . Lola Martínez, technical manager of ManoMano.es, and Demis Torres, head of business development in Spain at ManoManos.es, credit Status for the rise of this sector and the pool possibilities it offers.
Have you noticed an increase in interest in acquiring a swimming pool since the beginning of the confinement?
Assuming that the Covid-19 period is from 03/15 to 05/31, the volume of sales of swimming pools in 2020 has grown by 600% and at the level of units sold it has grown by 900% compared to the same period in 2019. Likewise, we have observed a concentration of sales that has almost tripled compared to last year.
In which territories of Spain have you noticed this increase the most?
A very significant increase has been noted in Barcelona, Pontevedra, Madrid, Navarra, A Coruña, Seville and northern Spain.
What has been the best-selling product during confinement?
The best-selling products have been removable pools, pool ladders, slides and folding tables.
What is the difference between a construction pool and another made of hard plastic?
On one side, we find the traditional built-in pool, whose pool, whether built-in or prefabricated -usually made of polyester-, is buried in a hole in the ground. For their part, above-ground pools are, by definition, placed on the ground, in which it is not necessary to make a hole. This floor must be completely stable to support both the pool and its weight once filled. In any case, you have to think that an elevated pool can also be built, although we separate them like this for clarity.
What materials are above ground pools made of?
Above-ground pools can be made of various materials, the main ones for the structure being steel, PVC and wood. The tubular elevated pools have a structure of tubes that supports the whole set, the glass, made of different materials and the interior or liner that is made of plastic material. There are removable ones, which can be stored disassembled once the season is over, and others that can be left fixed and covered with a cover all year round. Finally, there are inflatable pools, of various sizes, up to the small children’s pools that are used for the smallest of the house to play, to soak.
What price differences are there between a construction pool and PVC ones?
The average price of a construction pool varies between 12,000 and 15,000 euros, but there are also some for less than 3,000 euros. PVC tubular pools range from €100-200 to €2,000-2,500, depending on the size and lining material.
How long does a hard plastic pool last?
A prefabricated elevated PVC pool can be kept in perfect condition for years, as long as it is kept properly disassembled, or is kept assembled, well covered and protected from inclement weather. Most manufacturers offer guarantees greater than the legal 2 years, and in the case of steel pools up to 4 years.
Is the maintenance of the water in these pools the same as that of the construction pools?
An above-ground pool needs maintenance, just like a built-in pool, since the water must be kept clean and in perfect condition throughout the season. Generally, an above-ground pool usually includes a filter – cartridge, sand, or diatom -, and if not, it must be purchased separately, or it includes a complete filtration kit, with a pump included, so that the water is always kept clean.
How should this maintenance be?
In addition to the filtration equipment, it is advisable to have accessories such as a pool cleaner (depending on the size of the pool), or a simple leaf collector to prevent the water from getting dirty. In any case, the levels of pH and chlorine in the pool must be controlled, for which it is advisable to periodically analyze the water to see if it is appropriate to add chlorine (which must be maintained between 0.5 and 1.5 mg/l. or a pH leveling product (whose optimum level usually ranges between 7 and 7.5) If the water becomes dirty, it may also be necessary to add a clarifying product, or flocculant, or an algaecide, in the event that algae appear.
How often do you have to change the water in hard plastic pools?
The water in a PVC pool can be kept throughout the season as long as, as indicated above, it is kept in optimal conditions.
Is it recommended to disassemble and store the pool during the winter months?
A PVC pool should be disassembled, since it is not as resistant on the outside, as those made of other materials, as well as those that are covered on the outside, with wood, for example.
Can these pools be heated?
An elevated PVC pool can be heated like a brick pool, since a heat pump can be installed to maintain the right temperature for taking a bath, even at times when it cools down at the beginning or end of the season. You can also use a solar heater that, taking advantage of the sun’s radiation, can heat the water several degrees in a few hours. It is also advisable to cover the pool with an insulating canvas to retain the temperature generated by the heater.
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