When you are thinking of your swimming pool design, that is when to think about swimming pool maintenance. Is it going to be easy to maintain?
A perimeter overflow swimming pool typically has an overflow channel, which is a trench that surrounds the pool, covered by a removable grille. Surface water flows over the edge of the pool and runs by gravity to the filtration plant, usually via a catchment and top-up tank. It’s important to think about the swimming pool maintenance of your perimeter overflow pool when work on the construction plans is going on.
The design of the vessel should facilitate maintenance as much as possible. Obviously, taking these things into account initially will go a long way in making swimming pool maintenance easier in the long run. Because of the high water level, these pools do not use skimmers to help sift out leaves and other debris. Therefore dirt will head straight for the edges and hit the slot or grate.
While some pool builders prefer to design a system for minimal flow, a suggested alternative is to feed a little more water over the top, so that its force helps direct matter over into the gutter. The choice of slot or grate will affect the ability to clean the pool. Grates are generally easier to remove and have more open area in which dirt and particles can fall. Some pool owners like the look of a slot better. You can size this space on the larger side to help debris fall through. Some pool constructors will create a 1-inch gap between the edge of the slot and the deck. This not only allows more debris to fall through, but it also accommodates a small nozzle so a swimming pool maintenance service technician can spray down the gutters. Some don’t like the way this looks, however, and prefer the narrower openings. Some pool builders slope the gutters to direct water and particulate into the drains. The holding tank can then be devised to sift out the unwanted materials. Solid matter will settle to the bottom anyway, so pick up water from higher in the tank. Place the feeds in the top 18 to 24 inches so that it pulls the cleanest water back into the pool.
The container will need occasional cleaning, too. For that reason, the manhole leading to it should be put in an accessible area. Another tip is to install some of the coping stones immediately surrounding the slot so they can be removed for access.
Remember: Swimming Pool Maintenance is Easy, If You Plan It Right!