Tag Archives: liner pools

swimming pool ideas

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swimming pool ideas

swimming pool ideas Living in Portugal and planning your first swimming pool. Exciting isn’t it !

swimming pool ideas

swimming pool ideas
casteloconstruction

You are no doubt confused about the mass of different swimming pools out there. Above ground swimming pools, below ground swimming pools, Eco swimming pools, natural swimming pools them there id the water treatment that you have do you want natural, chlorine, ozone, saline, spring water then of course do you want your swimming pool heated, insulated or not.

swimming pool ideas Here is a site that will give you some inspiration even if its just for the colour of your pool or patio surround.

http://www.celebrations.com/content/10-amazing-pools-to-swim-in-before-you-die?g=summary

We particularly like the swimming pool that form a balcony, amazing!
If you want some more down to earth guidance on what sort of swimming pool will suite your location and budget go to  http://www.casteloconstruction.com where we have some local examples of our work.
This link will save you a lot of money http://www.casteloconstruction.info/2012/12/29/warm-swimming-pool-water-for-free/
Or http://www.casteloconstruction.info/category/swimming-pools-all-you-need-to-know/
Or contact us via email for a chat about your swimming pool ideas  info@casteloconstruction.com
talk to us on SKYPE   Castelo or Phone 00351 967922513

swimming pool ideas

warm swimming pool water for free

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Warm swimming pool water for free

In an effort to prolong the comfortable use of our swimming pool beyond the usual 3 months Castelo Construction researched over eight months to find the most suitable products and methods to achieve our goal.

The reason for doing this was that we often had friends and family visiting our home in Portugal throughout the year and they would be tempted by the beautiful blue water in  our swimming pool only to find that it was icy cold and not at all pleasurable to swim in. Even the most hardy of fools could only stand a few minutes.

Most traditionally built swimming pools and that includes fiberglass pools leak the heat gained in the water directly into the surrounding ground. The rest is lost through evaporation and the wind. Resulting in swimming conditions more akin to a fish pond than a swimming pool. The result is that you have an average of three months a year when water temperatures are bearable.

That’s a lot of money invested for 3 months use.

We developed the techniques to insulate a swimming pool so that they could be used to upgrade existing swimming pools as well as new builds.

For more information contact info@castelocondstruction.com  or to see some of our swimming pool projects go to www.casteloconstruction.com

One of the major benefits that we discovered is that not only does the swimming season extend to six months but the peak water temperatures are much higher. Which means that our pool is ideal for young children who can get chilled quickly in a normal pool to learn to swim.

Once your pool is insulated there are no additional costs just a longer (double) swimming season and a better return on your original investment.

Here are the statistics proving that you get warm swimming pool water for free

warm swimming pool water for free

warm swimming pool water for free

Contact info@casteloconstruction.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vital information for DIY builders in Portugal

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Here is some Vital information for DIY builders in Portugal

We are often asked about how to order various building materials by foreigners living in Portugal. Here is a list that we have complied which many clients say is helpful.
Soft Sand    – Areia Fina
Sharp Sand    – Areia do Rio

Yellow Sand – Areia Amarelo
Cement    – Cimento

Small gravel    – Brita pequeno   (No.1)
Large Gravel    -Brita grandes  (No. 2)

Bricks   – Tijolos  They come in these common sizes 20 centimeters high by 30 Centimeters wide.
The thicknesses are 7, 9, 11, 15 and 20 Cms

Lime   – Cal (Warning this product is dangerous) Mix one bag with 50 Ltrs of water and leave 24 hours

Polythene membrane   -  Polietileno membrana

Timber is normally sold in centimetre measurements.

Mortar and Rendering mixes

First coat of render – 3 measures of Areia do Rio, 1 measure of Areia Fina, 1 measure of Cimento.

Second coat of render – 4 measure of Areia Amarello, 1 measure of Cimento, 1 & ¼ measures of Cal

Floor screeds 3 measures of Areia do Rio, 1 measure of Areia Fina, 1 & ¼ measures of Cimento.

Pointing mix for lime stone 3 & ¼ measures of Areia Amarello, 1 measure of Cimento. 1 Measure of Cal. Colouring agents mixed into the mortar. 4 measures (table spoon aprox) Oxifero (Yellow) 1 measure of Red.

Here is the information regarding mortar mixes and the names in Portuguese.
Soft Sand    – Areia Fina
Sharp Sand    – Areia do Rio
Yellow Sand – Areia Amarelo
Cement    – Cimento

Small gravel    – Brita pequeno   (No.1)
Large Gravel    -Brita grandes  (No. 2)

Bricks   – Tijolos  They come in these common sizes 20 centimeters high by 30 Centimeters wide.
The thicknesses are 7, 9, 11, 15 and 20 Cms

Blocks – Blocos Cimento

Lime   – Cal (Warning this product is dangerous) Mix one bag with 50 Ltrs of water and leave 24 hours

Polythene membrane   -  Polietileno membrana

Timber is normally sold in centimeter measurements.

Mortar and Rendering mixes

First coat of render – 3 measures of Areia do Rio, 1 measure of Areia Fina, 1 measure of Cimento.

Second coat of render – 4 measure of Areia Amarello, 1 measure of Cimento, 1 & ¼ measures of Cal

Floor screeds 3 measures of Areia do Rio, 1 measure of Areia Fina, 1 & ¼ measures of Cimento.

Pointing mix for lime stone 3 & ¼ measures of Areia Amarello, 1 measure of Cimento. 1 Measure of Cal. Colouring agents mixed into the mortar. 4 measures (table spoon aprox) Oxifero (Yellow) 1 measure of Red.

What’s the best way to save money while building a house in Portugal”.

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What’s the best way to save money while building a house in Portugal

People always ask me -What’s the best way to save money while building a house in Portugal

I have found the answer!.

The trouble is just like “eating less and taking more exercise” is great advice for losing weight my answer is practical and definitely works but its content is not often adhered to because emotion and bad planning gets in the way.

If you’re the sort of person who goes shopping with a budget but can be persuaded by an adorable, fantastic,….. “add you own adjectives here” Item you will no doubt spend more on your refurbishment or new build than you originally wanted too. The reason is that the first exciting part of the build. The demolition or excavation or structure quickly becomes boring and you start thinking about completion and finishing details This is where the money starts to disappear IF not enough time is spent in planning and budgeting the finishing details the selections will be based on impulse and emotion which can quickly become costly.
Easy to excuse with a “well we need that don’t we….”
Take an example of a shower mixer tap, spray head holding bar and shower head. This can be bought for 200 to 1,000 Euros without looking at rubbish or the ultra high end of design. With more time and planning you can shop around and save 30 to 50% off your finishing costs.

Low cost pool heating

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Low cost pool heating  Swimming pool heating
Thinking of having a swimming pool built or own a swimming pool that just too cold to enjoy most of the year. Do you want to extend your swimming season ?

There are solutions to this problem. Low cost pool heating

Here is a cross section of a swimming pool you will notice that the water has two distinct temperature levels marked on it. There are more temperature levels. The coldest being at the bottom of the pool. We have marked just two for ease of explanation.

Why is my pool cold

The surface layer of warmer water can be felt on your skin if you swim at the height of summer in a pool that has not had a cover on it. The death of surface water can be increased a little if you use a thermal pool cover at night.
Add to the thermal cover a swimming pool heating system and you can keep this warm layer at 30 Degrees. Once you take off the cover and start to swim you will mix the warm water with the colder water and the pool temperature will drop 2 to 3 degrees to 27 or 28 degrees.

cold swimming pool

If you are heating your pool water why is it not all the same temperature throughout the pool ?
If we look again at the pool cross section you will notice green arrows pointing to the bottom and walls of the pool. This is where your pool water is losing heat by passing it through the pool structure into the surrounding earth.
To combat this we invented our insulated swimming pool system which has 3 outstanding effects. 1, There is no noticeable difference in water temperature (no quickly disappearing warm band of water) 2, The water maintains its temperature without heating. Currently it has been above 26 degrees from June until now September.
3, If we were to add a pool heater it would cost far less to run and would enable the pool to be used all year.
If you want to know more about or pool insulation system or pool heating contact us on info@casteloconstruction.com or visit our web site www.casteloconstruction.com

Pool Problems: Ceramic Tiles

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Ceramic tiles are not a natural choice for the surface of a swimming pool and are often seen on older swimming pools. Perhaps you are intending to buy a house in Portugal with an existing swimming pool lined with ceramic tiles.

Where’s the problem?

Ceramic tiles tend to be very slippery when wet making it dangerous or almost impossible to stand on them. Most ceramic tiled swimming pools will eventually show signs of a problem over time. Very often this is signalled by individual tiles cracking or coming unstuck. This is usually caused by the grout between the tiles having been eaten away by the pool chemicals which then lets the water in behind the tiles. The difference in water pressure and the pool water attaching the adhesive causes the tiles to crack or pop off.

This is very unsightly and difficult to fix because when the pool water is emptied to repair the tiles.  “all under water pool repairs have a cost that is higher than the labour and materials because the swimming pool water has to be removed and new water put back in. A typical 5 meter by 10 meter pool will cost around 300 Euros to fill (2011)”

Other tiles in the pool will be effected by the pool drying out and may need replacing.

If you are exceptional lucky you may be able to replace the missing tiles and re grout between them with a modern purpose made grout or a new pool liner could be installed over the tiles.

For more information on pool liners here in Portugal go to:

http://www.waterair.pt/   or
http://www.aquashop.pt/Loja/Default.asp 

If you are worried about your swimming pool and want to chat.

call us for free on Skype  Casteloconstruction

Email  info@casteloconstruction.com  and we will do our best to help.

Pool Problems Natural Stone

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Pool Problems Natural Stone

 

Natural Stone has a very varied and distinctive look and feel to it. Providing the option of adding far more texture that any other material. We know that stone is strong so isn’t it the ideal swimming pool material.

In this instance limestone has been used to create a rock pool effect (not constructed by Castelo Construction) a great example of Pool Problems Natural Stone

The problem is that the chemicals necessary to keep the water bug free and healthy will also dissolve this soft limestone !  A harder stone such as granite would have been a more suitable material.

It’s almost impossible to effectively seal the stone and cement joints. Apart from the lime leaking out of them they will slowly be eaten away with the limestone becoming pitted and rough to the touch.

These beautifully carved Jacuzzi baths set in a wonderful location were in fact very rough to the touch under the level of the water because the softer elements of the stone had been eaten away leaving a very rough sandpaper like surface.

If you are worried about your existing swimming pool or thinking about having one installed and want to chat.

call us for free on Skype  Casteloconstruction

Email  info@casteloconstruction.com  and we will do our best to help.

 

www.casteloconstruction.com

Pool Problems: Vinyl Liners

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Most swimming pools with vinyl liners come in a wide range of patterns, shades and designs.

Eventually they show signs of wear and discolouration with time. Very often this is signalled by a “tide mark” around the edge of the pool were perhaps pool toys or a floating pool cover have rubbed the very tough clear vinyl surface. The scratches from the rubbing eventually get clogged with dirt and show up as a dingy waterline mark.

This can be scrubbed off but will return over time. One solution is to fix a coloured border around the waterline so that it goes down into the normal water level and refreshes the aesthetic look of the pool.

If you have a higher than usual loss of water (above that caused by evaporation), this could be callused by a split or tear in the liner. A thankfully rare occurrence and if sharp or heavy objects are kept out of the pool it should not happen.

If it does we can normally weld the liner with a high frequency welding tool.

Unfortunately all under water pool repairs have a cost that is higher than the labour and materials because the swimming pool water has to be removed and new water put back in. A typical 5 meter by 10 meter pool will cost around 300 Euros to fill (2011)

If you are worried about your existing swimming pool or thinking about having one installed and want to chat.

call us for free on Skype  Casteloconstruction

Email  info@casteloconstruction.com  and we will do our best to help

Refurbishing your swimming pool

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Refurbishing your swimming pool

Problems with leaks, your glass tiles falling off or your pool paint not lasting the summer.

Whether it’s for a brand new swimming pool or for refurbishing an existing pool.

First choose the colour combination or style of your liner. The printed vinyl’s used in making a pool liner are specifically formulated to suit the swimming pool environment. They should have a10-year guarantee, and with reasonable care and maintenance good quality liners can easily last the life of the pool.

Swimming pool liners are made up from a number of specialist additives such as pigments and fungicides. UV additives give protection from ultra violet light. Patterned pool liners have acrylic lacquers to protect the printed surface of the pool liner. This acrylic lacquer takes the form of a thin layer baked on to the surface of the liner material and acts as an extra protective layer against UV light, chemical attack and minor abrasions. It is a combination of all these agents that make a good swimming pool liner.

Arriving in rolls the liners are measured and roughly fitted to the pool. All swimming pool liners are individually tailored, ensuring a beautiful crease-free fit. To finish the installation the seams are welded to provide a neat waterproof finish.

Before the liner is fitted we access whether its necessary to relay new coping stones or replace the existing stones. Replacement of skimmers, hoover points, main drains and return fittings so that your new pool will have a long trouble free life.

If your pool is leaking we can pressure test the pipe work and carry out a leak detection survey.

Swimming Pools: Liners

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Swimming pool liners

One of the biggest decisions when you decide to have a swimming pool is to choose the type and colour/pattern of the liner.

There is a huge range to choose from but the most difficult thing is to guess what they will look like when covered with deep water. Not something that you can see in the store.

The other thing is how they will look in my specific location. This will depend upon the setting, background colour and the colour of the sky. Controlling 2 out of 3 aren’t bad.

Your swimming pool liner is subjected to strict quality controls to ensure the highest possible standards of weld quality, colour consistency and shaping accuracy.

Swimming pool liners are cut using computer controlled CAD cutters and the seams are high frequency welded. The range of pattern designs available is extensive. Materials are printed vinyl and are specifically formulated to suit the swimming pool environment.

Swimming pool liners are made up from a number of specialist additives such as pigments and fungicides. UV additives give protection from ultra violet light. You will notice just how good these are when your pool net and thermometer break up after just a few seasons.

Patterned pool liners have acrylic lacquers to protect the surface of the pool liner. This acrylic lacquer takes the form of a thin layer baked on to the surface of the liner material and acts as an extra protective layer against UV light, chemical attack and minor abrasions. It is a combination of all these agents that make a good swimming pool liner.

Liner swimming pools. They split and leak don’t they ?

Of all the in ground types of swimming pools those fitted with liners are the most common in central Portugal.

Every swimming pool liner is individually tailored and should have a beautiful crease-free fit. Fitted under the pool edge coping stones the liner will be trouble and maintenance free for many years.

Some people worry about the liner splitting of being punctured but that is a very rare occurrence and the repair in a split for instance can be welded in situ. Alternatively a section can be cut out and another welded in to replace it.

AlkorPlan, widely recognized as a world leader in swimming pool linings for renovation and new construction.   http://www.alkorplan.eu/