Why is My Inground Pool Fading?
An inground swimming pool is one of the most luxurious and exciting investments you can make. Sure, a swimming pool is expensive, but that doesn’t mean it’s a perfect product. Over time, the color of your shirt can fade. So can the color of your car. Pools are no different.
We want to be as transparent as possible about this because it is one of the most prominent things people complain about with inground pools. Unfortunately a “non-fading” pool has not been invented yet. Bummer, I know. But hey, one pool type has gotten really close. In this article, we’re going to discuss why and how fading occurs in each pool type (fiberglass, vinyl liner, concrete) and what you can do to prevent premature fading.
Why Do Inground Pools Fade?
Yes, it’s true. If you buy an inground pool, no matter which type, the color will eventually begin to fade. The good thing is, if you take care of your pool the right way, it won’t happen for a long time. Across the board, there are two huge reasons why the surface of your pool’s color will fade over time:
- Sunlight
- Chemicals
These two things are the reason your pool will fade, and there isn’t much anyone can do about them. If you have an automatic cover on your pool, that helps a lot by blocking sunlight–we recommend automatic covers to everyone thinking about buying an inground pool. The UV radiation from sunlight dulls color over time unless you have something blocking the sun. And then, of course, there’s the problem with the chemicals. Chlorine is the most popular sanitizer on the market. Oddly, you use it or will use it in one form or another when you get a pool. Chlorine is essentially bleach for your pool. Bleaching anything continuously over several years will cause anything to fade.
Of the three inground pool types, vinyl liner pools are susceptible to the quickest fading and even more problems as a result of sunlight and chemicals like wrinkling and shrinkage. If you maintain proper water chemistry and cover your vinyl liner pool, you can get about 9 years out of it at most before a replacement is needed. On average, though, most pool owners will have to replace their vinyl liner every 5-7 years.
Fading on an inground concrete pool can depend on whether the pool is plastered or an aggregate finish, but will likely all show signs of fading after 10 years. They last longer than vinyl liner pools, and you don’t have to rip out a liner and replace it with a new one which can be costly. It is recommended, however, that concrete pools of all types be acid-washed roughly every five years to thoroughly wash and replenish the walls.
If you want a pool with limited long-term fading, then maybe a fiberglass pool is the right fit for you. Fiberglass pools are the youngest pool type in the industry, but they are years ahead of vinyl and concrete pools when it comes to fading. The thing about fiberglass pool fading that is different from the other types is that it happens slowly and evenly. Whereas a concrete pool can fade in blotches, or a vinyl pool fades in the shallow end and near wrinkles, a fiberglass pool will only look slightly less colorful 10-15 years after it was installed. Modern fiberglass pool’s color and shells are expected to last 30-40 years if chemically maintained properly.
As I said, an automatic cover is great for many reasons, one of which is that it blocks the sun. Keeping your pool covered will allow the chemicals like chlorine in the water to do it’s job better without being eaten by sunlight all day. Don’t assume that opting out of chlorine will prevent fading. Bromine pools will also fade over time. Saltwater pools are just chlorine pools, and some saltwater generators can overchlorinate a pool leading to premature fading. It’s key to be intentional when adding chemicals to your pool. Little things can help prevent premature fading. Never pour continually in the same spot. Don’t let clumps of granular chlorine sit in one spot. Keep the pool chemically balanced. If you have more questions about pool chemicals and how to keep your pool clean and clear, check out these articles below.
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