Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of your new swimming pool will vary depending on a number of factors. These include the size of the pool required, the shape, location, if you need extra features such as fountains.

Swimming pool running costs are dependent on a number of factors such as size of pool. The following should be considered when calculating monthly or yearly costs –

• Chemicals to keep the water safe and clean
• Maintenance – repairs, safety tests or cleaning
• Electricity for a pump and electricity or gas if the pool is heated

Outdoor Swimming Pools – in most instances you would not require planning permission for the installation of an outdoor pool. There are however a few circumstances where planning would be required. These are:-

• Where the pool would be in front of the building line
• Where the pool would take up more than 50% of the garden area
• Where the pool would be overlooked by a public highway or path
• Where the property is a listed building
• Where the pool would be located in an area of outstanding natural beauty or a conservation area.

Indoor Swimming Pools – Planning permission would be required for most indoor pool extensions unless the pool were to be installed within the existing house structure.

Our initial site survey will confirm whether planning permission is required.

The average outdoor swimming pool in the UK is around 10m x 5m (or 32 feet x 16 feet). Indoor swimming pools are slightly smaller at around 9m x 4.5m (or 30 feet x 15 feet). The rule of thumb is to mark out the swimming pool on the lawn to establish the right size for the plot.

We will assist you in the bespoke design of your swimming pool providing recommendations on shape, size, depth, steps, tiles and the finishing of your swimming pool.

There are advantages to both concrete and vinyl lined pools, vinyl pools are quicker and more cost effective to install, whilst concrete pools are typically more durable with more flexibility in the design of the pool. The choice would therefore be dependent on your requirements and budget.

Ideally, an access of at least 2m is required to the pool area for the excavator and dumper trucks for the removal of the soil. However Falcon Pools are able to use smaller equipment should access be narrower.

Typically once we start construction, for a basic vinyl-lined pool should take approximately 8 – 10 weeks, and a concrete pool approximately 10 – 12 weeks. Please note that these are estimates and do not allow for any unforeseen delays/problems.

There are a number of ways to heat your swimming pool; these are gas, oil or electric heaters, heat pumps, heat exchangers and solar heating.

All pools should be covered when not in use as this will reduce heat loss and evaporation from the surface and cut your running costs significantly. This is even more crucial for indoor swimming pools as evaporation from the swimming pool surface will compromise the environment in the swimming pool area. Indoor pools require air heating and dehumidification equipment and a swimming pool cover will reduce running costs and make the environmental control system more efficient.

There are a number of covers available – Roldeck slatted pool covers, Coverstar safety covers or Bubble Thermal Covers, Falcon Pools will recommend the most suitable cover for your pool and your requirements.

The best form of safety protection are the Coverstar safety covers.

All pools require the use of a variety of chemicals to keep the pool water clean and crystal clear.

Swimming pools, like many aspects of your home, require constant maintenance and care. Falcon Pools offer a hassle free swimming pool maintenance contract on a weekly, monthly or annual basis to make owning your own pool more of a pleasure. Should you wish to maintain your pool yourself, we would suggest that you invest a minimum of one hour a week on attending to your pool’s needs.

Winterising your swimming pool correctly is crucial to ensure there are no nasty surprises in the spring. Using a pool maintenance professional such as Falcon Pools will certainly pay dividends and save you the hassle of potentially costly repairs.

We would again suggest that you use a pool maintenance professional such as Falcon Pools to open your pool for the summer. If your pool has been professionally winterised, opening it for the summer should be fairly straightforward, however knowing the correct treatment for your pool is crucial and it is best therefore to get sound advice.