5 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Concrete Pool

Are you diving deep into the idea of buying a concrete pool? A pool not only brings years of spectacular, summer fun to your backyard. It also adds value to your property. Buying a pool is a major decision and details matter, but the process doesn’t have to be overly complicated.

Invest time into exploring the multitude of information about pools and it will serve you well. Don’t let all the pool talk come off as a foreign language. Let Mastercraft Pool & Spa break down some of the lingo. Here are 5 things you should know before buying a concrete pool.

1 – Concrete Pool Competition

In the world of pools, there are plenty of options to choose from based on your needs, desires, and budget. Besides concrete pools, you’ve probably heard of fiberglass pools and Nespa Tiled Pools which are both great choices.

Fiberglass pools from Mastercraft Pool & Spa are very durable and suitable for all climates. You’re able to choose from an array of shapes and sizes. As well, you can add on features such as tile mosaics and cascades. Mastercraft Pool & Spa Nespa Tiled Pools are factory built and can be tailored with glass, porcelain, or custom handmade tiles. Complement it with a Nespa spa and your living in a backyard dream.

However, one of the most significant differences between fiberglass, Nespa, and concrete pools is that concrete pools are customizable to your specifications. Just like when buying a new home, future pool owners tend to possess a checklist of must-haves.

Concrete pools can check off a lot of boxes. For instance, if you have an odd-shaped yard, a concrete pool design takes that into consideration. The particulars of your pool investment matter, so your pool’s size and shape have value. Mastercraft Pool & Spa provides 3D renderings of your pool design so you can virtually assess it. Concrete pools do have competition, but a concrete pool exudes personalization and durability. This is just one of the 5 things you should know before buying a concrete pool.

2 – What’s in a Name?

Poured concrete, shotcrete, and gunite pools! What do these words even mean? The traditional way concrete pools were built involved pouring concrete on top of a wood frame, holding the shape. Shotcrete and gunite pools are also built with concrete, but there is a difference between these two. It’s in the concrete mix and application.

A Mastercraft Pool & Spa custom shotcrete pool is built using premixed cement that is delivered in a truck. The wet mixture is shot out of a large, hose-like applicator onto a steel frame, instead of being poured. To achieve one-foot-thick shotcrete, multiple layers are applied.

On the other hand, a gunite pool is built using dry cement, on-site. The cement ultimately becomes a wet mixture when it is shot out of the applicator, mixing with water at the nozzle, and then reaching the steel frame.   

3 – Backyard Downtime

There are many components to building a concrete pool. From delivery trucks, to concrete, to steel frames, to plumbing, what does that mean for you, the homeowner? One thing to consider is your backyard downtime during the construction of your concrete pool. While you can watch from a distance, your future pool area will be out of commission for backyard activities. The noise level will also be increased, but that’s to be expected.

Whereas a fiberglass pool is installed fairly quickly, a concrete pool can take up to 12 weeks, from concept to completion. Of course, the actual build time will depend on various factors. Excavation, electrical work, and plumbing are all typical elements of the building process. If you add on custom concrete pool features such as lighting, waterfalls, rock formations, and slides, expect the installation to take more time. With all that said, don’t forget the weather forecast too.

4 – Concrete Pool Maintenance

A concrete pool requires maintenance, as do all pools, to stay in excellent shape. Some pool features including filters, robotic pool cleaners, and automatic pool covers will assist in maintaining a pool. However, the pool owner also has a role in pool maintenance and it involves a little labor.

To keep a concrete pool in great working order for years to come, there are some steps a pool owner should take on a regular basis. Removing debris from the pool, brushing the pool walls, checking chlorine levels, as well as the pH balance, are all important for the functionality of a concrete pool. 

Don’t worry if the upkeep of a concrete pool is more than you would like to handle. Mastercraft Pool & Spa offers weekly, biweekly, and monthly maintenance plans. The Mastercraft service technicians can also tackle unforeseen pool issues, annual winter pool closings, and the resurfacing of concrete pools which is typically needed every ten to fifteen years.

5 – Matters of Money

Let’s get down to the brass tacks. The average cost of a concrete pool, according to Forbes, ranges from $50,000 to $100,000. Pools have to be looked at like an investment, not just a fun place to spend the summer. The endless possibilities of a concrete pool may have sealed the deal for your pool choice, but you have to keep in mind that every extra detail will add to the cost. A budget would be a wise tool to use during the planning of a concrete pool. 

Many pool buyers need financing to help make their pool dreams come true. Mastercraft Pool & Spa is delighted to offer great financing options through their partner HFS Financial. The HFS Financial online tool can, in minutes, inform you if you qualify and once a loan is officially approved, you can receive the funds in a couple of days. A loan inquiry is fast and there is no obligation. 

Buying a pool is a huge decision. Take the time to know the intricate details of concrete pools. These 5 things you should know before buying a concrete pool are valuable pieces of information. The experts at Mastercraft Pool & Spa are delighted to assist you even further to achieve your concrete pool ambitions.