The short answer
In Rafina, Artemida, Nea Makri and Marathon prefab pools have to cope with the meltemi: they sit in a sheltered spot, have a cover against evaporation and proper filtration for dust. Near the coast the foundations are adapted to sandy ground.
Meltemi: evaporation, dust, chill
When a strong north wind blows for days, the water level drops faster, the water cools and dust from the fields ends up on the floor. None of this is a problem if it is designed for.
- We place the pool on the south side of the house or behind a wall or hedge.
- Skimmers go on the side the wind pushes the surface towards.
- A cover for the hours you are not swimming cuts evaporation sharply.
Sandy soil near the coast
In places such as Schinias and parts of Nea Makri the ground is sandy and the water table high. Sand does not hold the sides of a dig, so we work with gentler slopes and backfill behind the walls quickly.
The concrete ring under the walls is made a little wider here, and the floor gets drainage with a sump, so we can control groundwater.
Holiday home or family home
The area has both: holiday homes that open in summer and family homes of people who moved out from Athens. For holiday homes we suggest automation. For families, a pool with a shallow end and a heat pump, so the season starts in May rather than July.
See the family pool and the guide on climate and season.
Access and paperwork
Many plots in Kalentzi, Zouberi and Marathon are in rural areas, outside the town plan. There the engineer checks the rules for out-of-plan properties before the small-scale works approval. Access for machines is usually easy.
From our experienceIn Rafina and Artemida we suggest a cover that locks down. In strong wind a light, loose cover can lift.
