When it comes to choosing the perfect pool for your home, there are a number of hidden risks and potential traps that other pool manufacturers don’t want you to know.
These traps can end up costing you and your family a great deal of time, money and stress. That’s why it’s important to consider several factors before diving into your pool purchase. It’s imperative you do your research, read the T&Cs, and compare products.
Luckily here at Plungie we know what it takes when it comes to choosing the right pool for your backyard and we’ve done most of the heavy lifting for you.
Below we have compiled a number of considerations to keep in mind when picking a pool, so you can spend more time splashing and less time stressing! Let’s dive in!
Speaking of diving in, did you know that you can’t even dive into many of our competitor’s pools? Where’s the fun in that? This is just one of many considerations to take into account before making the big financial commitment that is a pool purchase.
Want more fun, savings and transparency from a pool provider that cares about its customers? Then a Plungie is the pool for you! Keep reading to find out why.
Has the Pool You Want got Hydrostatic Valve Protection?
A what? Don’t worry, allow us to explain. A hydrostatic valve helps to relieve pressure caused by groundwater, which can ultimately damage your pool. Groundwater exerts significant upward pressure on a pool, which might cause the pool to float or lift out of the ground. The hydrostatic valve provides added protection by allowing groundwater to enter the pool, thereby balancing the pressure inside and outside the pool.
Excessive hydrostatic pressure can also damage a pool's structure. By permitting water to flow into the pool when the external pressure exceeds the internal pressure, the hydrostatic valve helps protect the pool from structural damage like cracks or other stress-related issues.
All Plungie pools come equipped with a hydrostatic valve in their base, ensuring their structural integrity remains intact, preventing cracks and unwanted lifting.
Unfortunately, not all pools are created equal. Some other precast pool suppliers, especially those that aren’t purpose built, do not have hydrostatic valves. This makes them more susceptible to expensive pressure-related damage such as: cracking your pool’s shell, damaging your pool's lights and causing uneven levels, which might create a safety hazard for your family, friends and any visitors who may want to come round for a dip.
Unfortunately, that’s not all. There is also the added risk of tiles falling off. Yikes. If this sounds expensive and stressful, that’s because it is. Luckily, with Plungie you’ll encounter no such problems as our pools are not only all fitted with a hydrostatic valve, but they come with an ecoFinish interior.
ecoFinish is a highly engineered form of powder coating that’s heat-blasted onto the internal shell of every Plungie, forming a completely sealed, flexible, waterproof membrane that’s both luxurious to the touch, and highly durable.
Did you know tiles can also come loose and fall off during the transit and delivery of your pool? That’s if they don’t have an ecoFinish interior. No tiles, no damage, no problem with ecoFinish and Plungie.
Fibreglass Flaws
One of the most common materials pools are made from is fibreglass, but did you know there is a far superior alternative already in the market.
This aforementioned superior alternative is of course Plungie’s patented monolithic poured precast concrete pools.
This means Plungie's have no cold joints between concrete elements offering the most effective, single piece watertight construction possible at the lightest possible weight for their size.
The result of this is that they will typically last longer than fibreglass pools. They are also built using high-quality concrete engineered to withstand the stresses of being filled with water and subjected to the weight and movement of swimmers.
A Plungie also arrives with all the pool building done in-factory, so its installation can be completed in a faster time than a fibreglass pool, putting time back in your schedule and money back into your pocket. Plus, unlike fibreglass pools, you can choose the installation style that suits your project, whether that be above ground, semi-recessed or fully in-ground.
Warranty Warning
Another setback for fibreglass pools is the implications they can have for the warranty of your pool.
Whilst Plungie does require you to ensure your pool water is balanced properly, we don’t require you to keep exhaustive records. Conversely, the warranty of a fibreglass pool can be voided if you don’t keep a record of and provide water test results. This can lead to a large amount of money being washed away should you fail to comply with the rigorous water testing procedures required to maintain your warranty.
Don’t be fooled, testing your pool’s water is no quick dip. It often involves monthly testing from a certified pool shop. You also have to keep an accurate and up-to-date record of these test results. So even if you do outlay the time and money to get your pool water tested, if you don’t have the time to properly maintain the records, your warranty can still be voided.
We don’t know about you, but we’re too busy relaxing in our Plungie, which has a guaranteed 10-year structural and internal ecoFinish warranty. Did you know that some pool manufacturers only offer a 1-year warranty? Plungie’s is literally 10 times longer! You don’t have to be a mathematician to figure out which is the better deal. At Plungie there are no tricks, no hidden agenda, no water testing required. Just guaranteed quality and peace of mind.
Speaking of hidden agendas, if you take a closer look at the T&Cs of some of our competitors, there are a number of ways other precast concrete pool manufacturers will try and have your warranty voided.
Didn’t have time to read the fine print? Don’t worry we did! Here are some of the traps our competitors are hoping you’ll fall into, so they can void your warranty claim.
Emptying your swimming pool.
Lowering the water level of your swimming pool below the skimmer box.
Failure to return a completed Warranty Card to the manufacturer within 6 months of the delivery of the pool.
Not keeping a monthly written record of your pool water’s chemical balance, such as: Chlorine, Free Chlorine, pH and Total Alkalinity.
Failing to notify the manufacturer in writing within seven days of becoming aware of a potential structural warranty claim.
These are just scratching the surface of the plethora of hidden T&Cs in some of our competitor’s warranty agreements. Save yourself the hassle and choose Plungie and our guaranteed 10-year structural and internal ecoFinish warranty instead.
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Carbon Footprint Considerations
Finally, the last thing to consider is the carbon footprint of your pool from “cradle-to-grave” as we like to call it. In other words, what impact is your pool having on the environment over its entire lifespan? Is this information you can even find out?
At Plungie it sure is. We understand the importance of environmental impact in today’s climate, that’s why we teamed up with Pangolin Associates to conduct an independent and comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA).
This LCA considered raw materials, manufacturing, upstream and downstream transport, construction, and end-of-life recycling options. The results? A 61% reduction in the carbon footprint compared to a traditional concrete pool, let alone a fibreglass pool, which at the end of its life only has one destination and that is unfortunately landfill. Now that’s what we call a concrete answer. Learn more about Plungie’s commitment to sustainability here!
Final Checklist to Consult Before Picking Your Pool
1. Does it have a hydrostatic valve?
2. Is it monolithic precast concrete and not fibreglass?
The difference, as outlined, can be astronomical in terms of longevity, cost, warranty and carbon footprint. Save yourself, your wallet and the planet the trouble and pick a Plungie.
3. How long is the warranty and how can the manufacturer have it voided?
Not everyone is as transparent around warranties as Plungie. Just because we offer a guaranteed 10-year structural and internal ecoFinish warranty, doesn’t mean our competitors do. Make sure you’re across all the different ways certain pool manufacturers will try and void your warranty, should any issues arise with your pool. These include: emptying your swimming pool, lowering the water level below the skimmer box, failing to provide monthly water test results and much more.
4. How low is its carbon footprint? What is its carbon footprint? Does the manufacturer even know?
Chances are, probably not. Unfortunately, understanding and lowering their carbon footprint is not a priority for our competitor’s, whereas it’s one of our main priorities here at Plungie. That’s why we conducted a verified life cycle assessment (LCA) in September of 2023. Eager to learn more about Plungie’s commitment to sustainability? Talk to our team about the LCA here!
