64-68 IN-GROUND POOLS:SPN Master pages 15/7/09 01:20 Page 65
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How a DIY enthusiast put in his own in-ground pool
It’s not just speed of installation that a deftly missed some electricity cables and furthermore, we were attracted to its
one-piece pool wins hands down on, it’s skillfully lifted it over the garage, dropping versatility. It is great having the flexibility
also its ease and simplicity of construction, it into the hole which my son-in-law and I to choose an indoor or outdoor pool or
as Stephen Blake demonstrated when he had previously prepared (this had taken us have halfway house.
installed one at his home in Oxfordshire. about two days). We then started to “I can honestly say that installing the
It had been a long held dream of backfill which took around two full days to pool and enclosure wasn’t half as hard as
Stephen and Lyn Blake to have a pool at complete,” says Stephen. I had anticipated,” says Stephen. “Now
their home in Minster Lovell so when Lyn “I was a little worried about getting the that we are experts, we wouldn’t hesitate
retired they decided to take action. levels correct but we were given some in doing it again.”
Following exhaustive research into the valuable advice and guidance from John How has having a pool changed their
different types of pool, Stephen, an Whiteside at Certikin. The process of lives? “Well we are certainly not short of
experienced handyman felt confident installing the pool’s plumbing and visitors. At least one person in the family
enough to take on the task of installing a finishing took around 3 months in total is using it every day and we get great
Certikin 12m x 4.5m Aqua Technics one but this was done gradually whenever we enjoyment out of seeing others having
piece pool. could fit it in between work. Installation is such fun in it!’
“The main purpose of the pool is to made easy by pre-drilled holes for fittings “My advice for anyone thinking about
keep fit but we have four grandchildren and lights.” installing a pool, whether they are doing
and we felt it would be ideal for keeping So happy were the Blakes with the the work themselves or not is think
them occupied and entertained,” finished article that they decided to extend carefully about its purpose and who will
explains Lyn who is surprisingly a non- the swimming season by installing Certikin’s be using the pool. We are delighted that
swimmer but is learning fast! Endless Summer telescopic enclosure. we chose a pool with a deep end as it
“The Aqua Technics pool was “We chose this type of enclosure, firstly provides more scope for use. A pool is a
delivered mid-day on the back of a lorry. because it is easier and quicker than other long term investment so needs to be
The delivery drivers were excellent, they types of enclosures to install and, carefully thought out.”
T
he key word in the phrase ‘in-ground pools since 1972, manufactured in rather than weeks and weeks. When the
instant pool’ is the word ‘instant’. Valencia, Spain and holds government pool arrives on site it has already been
For when it comes to marketing the accreditations for materials used as well fitted with all the equipment needed, e.g.
one-piece ready made pool, the biggest the manufacturing process. underwater lights, skimmer, water inlets
factor which appeals to buyers is the Multiforma uses a combination of etc. It is then lowered into the hole and
speed it can be completed. In other words epoxyvinylester resin, the highest quality backfilled with a sand/cement mixture
days not weeks. fibreglass and an Iso-Neopentylglycol gel whilst the pool is filling with water.
The in-ground pool may still be a late coat finish in the manufacture of their John Bennett from Poolworks in Kent
developer in terms of the specialist trade pools The materials are selected not only has what he claims is a ‘fantastic new one-
but its distinctive styles, high quality, for their quality but because they pass the piece pool’ on the market.
warranties and the fact they come UNE 53955 standard tests and controls. “In co-operation with Sarena
complete with pool steps, plumping, even Twenty six pools make up the range in Manufacturing we have developed a one
pool covers makes them a buyer’s dream. sizes from three metres to 10 metres. piece pool similar in size to an endless
Concrete pools have a place in the The options are endless: Custom pool that comes in a choice of finishes, tile
market where spray-applied concrete has colours, mosaic tiled borders, overflow liner or fibreglass which is available in 60
been in use for almost a century, systems, special depths, overflow pools, colours. Made here in the UK, we have just
especially in swimming pool construction. light weight installations for penthouse and completed a pool – midnight blue – with
It allows for freedom of pool size and roof top installations and counter-current. tile band and a blue fast lane for clients in
shape since it follows any excavated The pool is quickly installed in days Kent, to match their plant pots.”
shape. It’s the choice market for luxury,
mainly indoor pools.
But the market growth and added
appeal for consumers is the instant one-
piece pool where the change is that now
pool owners are more interested in how a
pool looks and functions rather than how it
is made.
The typical buyer in the last two years is
a home owner who has decided to invest
on the basis they don’t plan to move home
for several years and wants a pool installed
with everything in place.
The products themselves are getting
more complete than ever. The newest
innovation is for them to include pre-
installed covers. They are now becoming the
complete drop-in-a-hole pool and as such
are having a real impact with the public.
Multiforma has a strong position in the
UK market with its one-piece pools
imported from Spain. The company has One piece style from Compass Pools with its unique ceramic finish
been manufacturing one-piece/modular
Visit our website at www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk AUGUST 09 swimming pool news 65
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