Answer:  As a general rule planning permission is not needed for an outdoor pool unless the property is "Listed". Indoor pools, in some circumstances but not all, will need planning permission. Your installer will be able to advise you. A simple guidance leaflet is available from SPATA giving more details.

 Answer:  The major difference between the two is the method of construction and water retention. As the liner is, in theory, quicker to install there is probably a cost saving here, however the surrounds, filtration, heating etc. are the same for each as they depend on the volume of water and not the construction. It most probably boils down to the choice of internal finish and the cost as when properly installed each will give you many years of pleasure. Your SPATA installer will be able to advise you once he/she has been to your property to do a site survey.

 Answer:  Unless the pool is going to be emptied daily, rather like a bath, chemicals will always be needed in a swimming pool to remove bacteria and to keep the water in balance and safe for swimming. However the amounts used are perfectly safe and providing the balance of the water is maintained you will hardly notice them. Your BioGuard Dealer will be able to advise you on the best method of treatment and how to apply it.

 Answer:  In a word no, as with all mechanical items some degree of maintenance is always required and a swimming pool will need some of your time. Of course if you neglect it the effort required to sort out any problems will be much greater than normal. With a family outdoor pool you should expect to spend no more than ½ hour per week on testing and cleaning. Your BioGuard Dealer will advise how additional equipment can make the chores easier and some will even provide a full maintenance service contract and do it for you.

 Answer:  These days most pools are fitted with a frost-stat, which works as the temperature falls. This brings on the filter pump (not the heater), which circulates the water bringing the warmer water from the bottom of the pool to the top. This coupled with the movement of the water will prevent the build up of ice.

 Answer:  Even with the largest pool, the cost of filling it is a fraction to the overall cost of the pool. Once full, the pool will only need topping up, as it will not need emptying until the liner needs replacing or the tiles need re-grouting (10-20 years).

 Answer:  Not at all. Chemical maintenance, if done correctly, can take as little as 5 minutes each week. As for the cleaning of the pool, you can reduce the work in using a pool cover and investing in an automatic cleaner. However, like your housework, if maintained regularly the pool will always look good. Covers not only prevent debris getting into the pool, but they also act as heat retaining blankets and some actually transfer the sun's energy into the pool water. Using a gas or oil boiler, customers are normally surprised at the actual cost of running the boiler throughout a standard season. It costs less than they expected.

 Answer:  AGP's are intended to be 'above ground'. However, with the correct installation, these pools may be built into the ground, reducing their prominence in the garden. Please, discuss your project with us, as we would usually recommend a panel kit rather than an AGP.

 Answer:  Although Hot Tubs and Spas can be put into conservatories or garages, they are designed to be used outside, for you to enjoy the experience and the relaxing qualities of using a 'hot-tub' in your own garden. By placing them inside, you immediately create problems with the humidity and evaporation of the hot water; always leading to additional cost in dehumidification in your house.

 Answer:  Many things can cause pool water to become cloudy. Dirty or old filter media, improper water balance (high pH) or low sanitiser levels are the most common. BioGuard® has the solution for your individual problem. Lo ‘N Slo® To correct high pH, Deep Cleanse® two part filter cleaner for dirty filter media and Bio Shock or Bio Shock Rapid to boost sanitiser level

 Answer:  Luckily BioGuard has a product that kills all types of swimming pool algae — Erase® — so you don’t have to get specific. Algae can range in color from green, blue-green (black) and mustard. Take a sample of your water to your BioGuard Dealer. They will recommend Erase, in conjunction with Bio Shock or Bio Shock Xtra to clear your pool quickly.

 Answer:  • BioGuard Stain & Scale Inhibitor will remove most fresh stains from the pool surface and put the metals back into solution of the pool water, to prevent further staining occuring. • Kwik Clear will aid with the physical removal of the metals from the water through the filter.

 Answer:  pH measures the acidity and alkalinity of pool water, and is the most important part of pool maintenance. A proper pH will protect the pool finish, equipment and help the sanitiser (especially chlorine) perform at its best.

 Answer:  Total alkalinity (TA) measures the water’s buffering ability that prevents rapid pH fluctuation. Environmental factors such as acid rain, pollution, run-off from surrounding land and fertilisers can cause the pH to fluctuate if the total alkalinity is not within proper range.

 Answer:  Calcium hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium in water. If the calcium level is too high it can cause scale to attach to the pool walls, build up in the equipment and cause cloudy water. If the level is too low it can damage equipment and the pool surface.

 Answer:  That sounds like slime. Check with your BioGuard Dealer by bringing in a water sample.

 Answer:  Most foaming in pool water is caused by elevated levels of alaecide or a foaming algaecide being used in a pool with jetted returns, attached spas or water features. Anti-Foam can be used to eliminate the foam quickly in spas. To prevent foam from occurring in pools because of a high algicide level, skip your next scheduled addition of Algae Inhibitor®

 Answer:  High calcium hardness can cause scale formation. If you cannot dilute the calcium level in your pool by diluting with fresh water, use Stain & Scale Inhibitor™ according to label directions. It will help prevent scale from forming on pool surfaces and damaging the equipment. Also check pH and Total Alkalinity and adjust if necessary.

 Answer:  You may have a high level of contaminants in your pool water which causes a chlorine demand. Repeated additions of Bio Shock or Bio Shock Xtra will correct the problem. Take a water sample to your BioGuard Dealer and let them perform a test to help determine the right amount of shock needed.