A wide selection of construction materials

Press, 26 November 1980, Page 19

A wide selection of construction materials

Most contractors offer “package” pools, combining pool, filter system, coping and interior finish, as well as some accessories. Concrete pools of block or precast panels do not require boxing and sprayed concrete is a good choice for a difficult section as it needs little or no boxin and no back-fill-ing. Both steel and aluminium pools are used prim-

arily for problem sites but have become popular for above ground construction as well. Mostly, their interiors are vinyl-lined and resistant to the black that create problems on concrete and painted surfaces. The vinyl is chemically treated during manufacture against algae, mildew and mould. The durability of vinyl liners is affected by water alkalinity and sun strength

on the strip above the water line. Fibreglass pools are gaining rapidly in popularity now that the original problems of buckling ’nd reaction to soil chemicals have been overcome. Fibreglass is strong and flexible, black algae are unable to cling to the surface and no interior finish is needed. In fact, fibreglass is increasingly used to line existing concrete pools. The one piece fibreglass

pool is limited in size and shape and calls for good access to the site. The combination pool with fibreglass walls and a poured concrete floor is capable of wide variation in size and shape and may have a vinyl coping and waterline tile. Whichever type of fibreglass pool is chosen, it is important that the backfill is free draining to reduce pressure on the pool walls.