Layout – Close to the pool will be the filtering equipment, comprising pump and filter-housing - all with various values to control outlets and returns. The main filter will also have a selector valve with the following selections, and a small site glass to check water clarity:-

Filter – for normal use

Backwash – for cleaning the filter

Rinse – for cleaning the filter

Waste for wasting the water to drainage

Recycling – for diverting from the filter

Closed – for shutting all water flow

Spring-cleaning the pool – If you have a cover, it will have become dirty, so clean it as much as possible before removing from the pool. Once the cover is off, give it a good clean, as a dirty cover will transfer the dirt back into the water.

Check the pump filters and clean if necessary. Check the pressure reading on the filter and backwash if necessary. Connect the hose to the cleaning head, with pole attached and lower into the water. Fill the hose with water. How you do this depends on the easiest way for you personally. If the hose is clean internally then reducing the pressure by sucking out some air will allow for water to be pushed in by air pressure alone. By whatever method you use, it is important to remove as much air as possible prior to connecting to the vacuum point. The location will depend on your type of pool, but could be either in the base of the skimmer or in the wall of the pool - about 300mm below water level. Adjust valves to turn off the bottom sump and connect the vacuum hose. Turn on pump. Slowly move the vacuum head backwards and forwards across the pool floor. The head should suck itself down to the tiles but, if suction is, or becomes, poor, then the pump filter or sand filter may need cleaning as described before: Start at the shallow end and work to the deep end, overlapping each stroke to ensure a thorough clean. Ensure that the vacuum head is under water at all times.

Once this task is completed, sweep the sides down to the floor. You may see dirt mixing with the water, but this will settle overnight for a second vacuum.

If necessary check the filters again, backwash if needed and top up the pool to ensure that the level is about halfway up the skimmer or, if an infinity pool, to the top of the weir. Remember to turn the bottom sump back on.

Test the water condition using a testing kit, obtainable from a local pool equipment shop, for chlorine and Ph and treat as necessary.

PH is the water’s acidity and should be between 7.2 and 7.6

Chlorine kills bacteria, algae and most viruses. If the chlorine is too low, test and balance the PH and then add a shock treatment after sundown, with the pump on. Test the pool again BUT DO NOT USE until the chlorine level is between 1.0 and 3.0. If it is too high, allow the chlorine to evaporate naturally.

Note, when testing water, always take the sample from 300 to 450mm below surface level.

The water will always contain small particles which will go through the filter and stay suspended in the water, so add a flocculent, which will coagulate these particles together so that they will stay in the filter. In extreme cases, fine dirt will still go through the filter, so it will be necessary to vacuum to waste. As this means wasting water, it is advisable 1) to do this as a last resort, 2) to use this water if possible to water the garden or, if the facilities exist, to store the water for garden use at a later date.

The key to a healthy pool is to ensure a balanced water chemistry, so try to keep to a weekly routine of cleaning and checking the chemical balance. It is important that all users shower before use, to remove all skin treatments, deodorants etc as these will affect the water balance. It is possible to purchase special neutral PH balance shower gels for pool-side showers. Add additional chlorine if the pool is used by more people than usual, the temperature becomes extreme, swimmer’s eyes become red and sore, algae growth is seen, or the water becomes murky. Ensure that all those using the pool wear only clothing intended for the purpose, as the fibers from some materials, such as cotton, will form and clog the filter.

If you find that you are still not getting good results, then consult a pool shop, many of whom will offer a one-off instruction course and will come and show you, for a small fee, how to maintain the pool.

Finally, enjoy the pool safely and always keep unsupervised children out of the water, even if they can swim.

 2: RENTING OUT YOUR PROPERTY

If you are purchasing a property with the intention of renting, here are some tips:-

1. Set up a single page web-site, which can be done for very low cost and sometimes for free, to target the English speaking world. However, it should be born in mind that there are probably a hundred thousand plus websites for property rentals and, therefore, is probably impossible to get anywhere near the top of the search engine list.

2. Realistically, the average property can achieve 3 months’ rental per year. So never purchase a buy-to-let property if you are not able to pay the mortgage without rental income. Consider rental income as a bonus.

3. Consider using an agency that deals with many nationalities, particularly with the Spanish themselves, so that you do not limit possible renting markets.

4. Peak holiday seasons are exactly the time that you are most likely to get clients and also to generate the most income.  However, this might be the time that you wish to use it yourself. The exception to this will be golf complexes as, in general terms, golfing is an all year round activity and is more favorable in the spring & autumn as the summer can be too hot.

5. Properties with communal pools & gardens are ideal for summer letting, as the pools are invariably larger and have a separate children’s pool.

This may all also reduce your maintenance costs as the pool & gardens will be covered by the community charges.

6. As much as possible, target your marketing to the type of property, i.e.

Family villa - Family holidays.

Apartment close to beach – Families & couples

Small villa/Bungalow – Couples or young couples with babies/small children

Golf complex – Golfers

Golf complex close to a beach – Golfers and non-playing partners

This may have a bearing on the type of property that you wish to purchase.

3: EXCHANGE RATES

The current exchange rate between the euro and the pound has caused problems for both sellers and purchasers alike and has meant, for many, that they have had to put on hold their plans to move to the sun.

To try and remove some of the uncertainty that comes with an unsettled market, and to keep the dream alive for many, we are in the process of asking our vendors if they are happy to consider fixing the price of their property in sterling.

Early indications are that many will be prepared to do so.

Therefore, we would be pleased to hear from anyone happy to purchase in pounds, or feedback on this idea in general.

This newsletter is intended as a guide and to be informative and helpful in the process of searching for and purchasing a property in Spain. Total accuracy cannot be guaranteed and in all legal, fiscal and other matters a fully qualified professional should be consulted. Reproduction of any part of this newsletter is not permitted without written permission.