| Author | Content |
LadibugZ9
Schriever, LA
(Zone 9a)
January 11, 2006
8:18 PM Post #1970432
| I am so happy to have discovered this thread. I absolutely love my pool and could never , ever live without one. I love my tropical poolscape and the pool itself is such a draw for not only DH and I, but for all our friends and family. The poolscape itself is constantly evolving and my most satisfying and favorite place during evrery season. For those who are new to pools, an automatic salt water system is a must. Maintainende has never been easier. |
ozarkian
Gravois Mills, MO
(Zone 6a)
January 11, 2006
10:04 PM Post #1970672
| Ladibug My son is a pool contractor. He also does all kinds of water features,fountains and all types of stone and concrete. Many times all these things are in one pool. I will never need one since I live on a 100 mile long lake. But I understand the satisfaction you get in owning one. Being retired his pools are way out of my league. They were out of my league anyway since most of his complexes go for $300k and up. A well built pool takes a long time to complete. |
deviant_deziner
Novato, CA
January 16, 2006
3:45 PM Post #1981125
| Ladyibug,
I am currently working with a client in Napa Valley who is interested in installing a salt water swimming pool.
Can you write a little bit more about the pros and cons , specifically any cons, as I am currently speaking with pool contractors who are pushing all the pros and none of the cons ( if there are any )
I am especially interested in how the salt water might affect the tile band.
Any discoloration or salt / calcium build up on the tile ?
How about the plaster coloring holding up ?
Anything that you may have to offer will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Deviant Deziner |
LadibugZ9
Schriever, LA
(Zone 9a)
January 18, 2006
5:35 AM Post #1984412
| Deviant,
The pros of the saltwater system far outweigh the cons and those cons are very minimal. Our filter runs on an automatic timer. When the filter is running, the salt system is running also and producing chlorine. Since it is winter, the filter runs about 4 hours/day. During the summer it runs 6-8 hours/day. We use a Polaris 165 which runs off one of the returns and sweeps the pool whenever the filter is running. Maintainence consists of emptying the skimmers and the polaris bag every couple of days or as needed. On a weekly basis, the pool walls get a brushing and the filter is backwashed. We check pH and chlorine levels with a dipstick and take a water sample to the pool store once a month. We have NEVER had a green pool. To shock, simply twist the dial on the salt system to the highest level and run the filter overnight.
PROS:
1. Labor Saving. See above. No struggling to get a green pool back in balance. Go on vacation for two weeks with no worries. The system is running itself. Come back to a beautiful pool.
2. Save Money. The system has paid for itself in just two seasons. In terms of chemicals the only thing we add is stabilizer once or twice a year which is lost through backwashing, a few bags of salt once or twice a year (also lost through backwashing), and muriatic acid to raise the pH every few weeks. Stabilizer about $15 from the pool store, salt about $4 a bag from Wal-mart, and generic muriatic acid about $2/gal from the hardware store. Compare this to the $hundreds we use to spend on chemicals each season. Oh, since we no longer spend the above mentioned $hundreds, our pool store now charges us $6 to run the water sample :)
3. Beauty. Crystal clear water all the time. The salt softens the water, skin and hair feel soft without the harsh chemicals. The saltiness of the water compares to saline drops that you put in your eyes. Go ahead and open your eyes underwater..no sting!
CONS:
1. There is a slight build up of salt crystals on the coping during the hottest part of the summer.
2. Patio furniture is limited to aluminum, wood or resin.
I have not noticed any stains or fading of the tiles.
Hope this helps,
Cindy
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deviant_deziner
Novato, CA
January 18, 2006
2:32 PM Post #1985225
| Cindy,
Thank you very much.
Your feedback was extremely helpful.
Michelle / Deviant Deziner |
defoecat
Pleasureville, KY
(Zone 6a)
January 22, 2006
11:41 PM Post #1994661
| Well having subliminal thoughts about having a pool installed this spring. I tell DH that it is for the DGD, but this is something I have wanted for years. Anybody that can tell me pros and cons about pool ownership? Don't be bashful, I really want to know the down side. |
Brinda
Yukon, OK
(Zone 7b)
January 23, 2006
11:14 AM Post #1994936
| defoe, we installed an inground (18'X42') vinyl liner pool back in 1981. And it is difficult for me to come up with much down side to being a pool owner. I guess it would depend on your family situations. Our family is mostly the 'stay at home' type. We love our yard, pool and gardening. We rarely take vacations, so it works well for us. My kids are ages 30 (daughter & family that lives in Missouri), 23 (stepdaughter & family that lives close by), 21 (son & family that lives here in Yukon), 20 (stepson that is in the Army) and our youngest son is 11. My DH and the youngest use the pool more than anyone. And I think DH loves it way more than the kids do. LOL We have had a pool for so long that I can't imagine being without one. If we ever decide to move, I'm certain that will be something that we will have to have.
To me, the only con would be upkeep. If you don't know what you're doing it can turn into a big monster really fast. A pool is something that you should pay attention to daily during the pool season. As long as you stay on top of the chlorine/ph levels most things run smoothly. One thing I will tell you...if you see a hint of green, it will only get worse. LOL Just know what you're doing and it will all be good.
The vinyl liner is very nice on the feet compared to cement. I have no experience with cement or fiberglass pools at all, so someone else will have to give you advice on them. As far as the vinyl liner goes...it is made to fit the dimensions of the pool and placed in with a little lip at the top that fits into the coping. I think the life of a liner is about 10 years. We have had the pool a little over 20 years and have replaced the liner 3 times. (We had a really bad hail storm that demolished a liner, otherwise it would have probably only been 2 replacements. I'll post a pic of it.)
You'll have to let us know what you decide. Here is a pic of our pool last summer.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Brinda
Yukon, OK
(Zone 7b)
January 23, 2006
11:14 AM Post #1994940
| One more... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Brinda
Yukon, OK
(Zone 7b)
January 23, 2006
11:18 AM Post #1994952
| And here it is in April of 2004. This is right after a big hail storm. Ugh...it sure made me sick. We normally don't ever drain the pool. And I'm thinking that DH drained it because of a problem with the main drain. I think he was needing to replace the cover for it. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Brinda
Yukon, OK
(Zone 7b)
January 23, 2006
11:26 AM Post #1994965
| This is the only pic I have of the diving board. Not really a good pic at all. this was in 2004. And it looks so bare out there! LOL There were plants EVERYWHERE last year! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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ozarkian
Gravois Mills, MO
(Zone 6a)
January 23, 2006
12:16 PM Post #1995100
| Defoecat: I had a small above the ground several years ago and I can tell you there will be times you will get tired of fooling with it.
That said I do help now and then build pools. My son is a pool contractor and and builds all kinds of in ground pools, fountains and water features.
Your cheapest is the above ground. Depending on how long you figure to keep it. The wall get condesation between them and the liner and they will rust through in time. further they give you no reasle value on your house. A lot of people are turned off by them.
Next comes the in ground vinal. Son tells me the liners are stronger all the time. He uses those liners in some pretty good sized reflecting pools with fountains. He does not like fibergass at all for some reason.
Then you have concrete. I can tell you now if you want to go that direction be careful and check your contractor out real good. A lot of them are not quality minded. The cost I cannot even begin to estimate I will contact my son and see what he uses to determine basic pool size cost. I think it is volume. Most of his have a lots of stone work large stome patios, waterfalls, power covers, special lighting effects, heaters you name it. Something like that will cost you at least $250k for a very small one and well over $300 for a large one. And it takes a long time to build them right.
As far as concrete being harder on the feet. Some contractors use something like paint on the inside of the pool my son sub contracts people that spray something that is like epoxy. You can add glitter and other things to it as well. It is thicker and smoother. |
roadrunner
Hereford, AZ
(Zone 8a)
January 23, 2006
4:54 PM Post #1995599
| I have the best situation...I live on my DD's land and next door to her...they installed a pool and hot tub last summer...I don't have to clean it, buy chemicals for it...and can have "Senior's Swim" for my friends any week-day, ...but leave the week ends for family. LOL Jo |
LadibugZ9
Schriever, LA
(Zone 9a)
January 24, 2006
6:18 AM Post #1996774
| Defoecat,
The decision to install a pool for us was a "no-brainer". We are without a doubt "water-people" and have always enjoyed water sports including swimming, fishing and scuba. Vacations almost always include a beach somewhere. We knew that a pool would fit our lifestyle perfectly. I think that if you and your family are comfortable with the water and really enjoy water activities then you are a good candidate for enjoying your own pool. We started with an above ground pool with a deck and liked it so much that we took the plunge several years ago and installed an inground gunnite (concrete) pool. We chose a simple Roman oval 15 X 30 with steps at one end and a swim-out at the other for lounging. The pool slopes gently to the deep end at 5'. We did not want a diving pool. Budget was definitely a factor as we don't have unlimited funds. We came in under $30K and don't miss the elaborate water features which drive the price up.
You asked about the drawbacks and several major drawbacks were already mentioned: Cost, maintainence and the equity factor. Consider another which is liability. As for cost, your budget and personal preferences are naturally self-limiting and will dictate the type of pool structure. As for maintainence, there are certainly chores involved and an understanding of pool chemistry is crucial. There is a learning curve, but this is NOT difficult. As for the equity factor, it is true that installing a pool does not generally increase the value of your home. Barring some huge misfortune, this will be our final home so we built to please ourselves. A pool can be a selling feature and there will always be a buyer out there who wants one. Liability can be a big issue. Children and adults die in pools every year. We installed a secure privacy fence around the backyard, developed firm rules regarding the use of the pool, and maxed out our liability insurance. In the end, the pool addition was one of the best decisions we ever made and we enjoy our pool-patio area year-round. |
ozarkian
Gravois Mills, MO
(Zone 6a)
January 24, 2006
7:32 AM Post #1996833
| Ladibug: AHHHHHHhhhhh Man to the cost of operating a pool. Our little one cost enough for us. Some my son builds have as many as five pumps for various functions. He said it is nothing for a pool to add $90 a month to your electric bill in his area. |
defoecat
Pleasureville, KY
(Zone 6a)
January 25, 2006
9:41 PM Post #2000821
| Well, thanks to all who have posted. Consideration of increasing the equity is nil. We plan to be here until we die. This is something I am mainly doing for my DGD, but I will be using it a great deal too. Since I have dealt with the vinyl above ground pools for DGD, maintenance is something that I think I understand. I will probably go with an above ground vinyl, with decking all around. When DGD outgrows coming to visit on a regular basis, this is something that we can dismantle, sell, or otherwise dispose of easily. I just want something that she will enjoy, and I will use on a daily basis, to cool off while gardening. Any other input will be appreciated, but am just about ready to call the "pool installers" and get estimates. With the mild winter we are having, maybe will have one in place by the time spring rolls around. |
Melissa_Ohio
Southwestern, OH
(Zone 6b)
January 26, 2006
1:17 AM Post #2001226
| good luck
This message was edited Jan 26, 2006 11:13 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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jills
Alameda, CA
(Zone 9b)
February 7, 2006
12:09 AM Post #2027887
| Since you asked about the down side: Someone mentioned the liability issue, but to me the greater issue is one of safety -- particularly with young children. Kids really do drown in swimming pools all the time. |
sarahsmiles
Gulfport, MS
April 9, 2006
4:14 PM Post #2176746
| Does anyone know if you can put a pool liner over a concrete inground pool? Ours is 25 years old and in need of resurfacing again, and we'd like to just put a liner in this time. What is involved?
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Brinda
Yukon, OK
(Zone 7b)
April 9, 2006
4:25 PM Post #2176778
| Sarah, we have a vinyl liner pool. Under the liner is vermiculite. I would contact a pool company before I decided to do that. I'm sure they will have suggestions.
BTW...I'm not getting a pic from your post. |
gabniki
Somerdale, NJ
June 5, 2007
12:10 PM Post #3578475
| I'm on the verge of signing the contract for my inground pool. The only thing stopping me is not being able to get a concrete answer about a rise in my property taxes. Has anyone else had an experience with this? I live in a town with already high taxes and don't want to pay 1000-2000 morte a year for a pool. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
June 5, 2007
3:50 PM Post #3579156
| Since pools don't increase a house's value I can't imagine why it would increase your property tax since that's supposed to be based on the value of the property. And if the city/county tries to tell you it did increase your value, I imagine you should have legal recourse to bring in an appraiser to prove it didn't increase the value and challenge them on it. Do you have any friends or neighbors who've installed pools, maybe they could tell you what happened with their taxes. The only thing I could see going up (besides the electric bill) is your homeowner's insurance due to increased liability. But I don't own a pool so what do I know! |
PatioFurrniture
Snohomish, WA
(Zone 8a)
June 5, 2007
10:46 PM Post #3580755
| I think ecrane hit it on the head.
We have an in ground pool and I don't think it affects taxes at all. It was listed as a line item on the appraisal when we purchased, but I don't recall there was an add for value like the barn and shop had.
Definately check with your insurance. Your pool builder should be able to advise you on local codes and safety issues. A question that will probably come up is - can the pool area be secured from the general public - fences, gates, covers, or whatever. You don't want guests - invited or uninvited to be able to freely wander in and jump in and drown or hurt themsleves in your pool.
Tim |
gabniki
Somerdale, NJ
June 8, 2007
9:53 AM Post #3590555
| I hope you guys are right. I don't want my pool to be an ongoing monthly expense. |
Brinda
Yukon, OK
(Zone 7b)
June 8, 2007
11:10 AM Post #3590929
| Have you checked with the people that appraise for your house/property taxes? They should certainly be able to answer that question.
We have an inground pool (since 1981) and it certainly didn't raise anything but our homeowners. And that wasn't much money to speak of either. |
LadibugZ9
Schriever, LA
(Zone 9a)
June 9, 2007
4:52 AM Post #3593964
| Our pool did not affect our property taxes. We maxed out the liability on our homeowners. You may also want to consider adding a personal excess liability (PELP) policy. All worth it for the family enjoyment :) This is my grandson enjoying his first dip. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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gabniki
Somerdale, NJ
June 12, 2007
9:55 AM Post #3605951
| I spoke with the Tax Assessor yesterday and he said our taxes would go up but only about $350 a year. That was better than I thought after talking with people in my area. So it looks like I will be the owner of an inground pool. We are all very excited. This will be my first time owning a pool and I think after waiting for 37 years I deserve it. |
gabniki
Somerdale, NJ
June 12, 2007
10:03 AM Post #3605981
| Your grandson is adorable. I did contact my homeowners but they didn't mention PELP. When I call to make changes I will ask about that. Thanks for the info. We will be signing our contract this week and have a start date for July for installation. I hope we will be able to use the pool before the summer is over. I don't know where you live but here it starts to cool off in Sept. |
4004
Baton Rouge, LA
June 13, 2007
7:44 AM Post #3609459
| Quick somebody look there is water in my pool! Thats rightafter 8 weeks of consruction the water is finally in. There are still some issues to be conpleted but we can swim. Realy excited, but someway a bitter/sweet feeling inside. THe contract is beginning to drop the ball ity seems. I'm haveing to really stay on top of his work now, ae. The contract called for color logic lights, (must have missed that, said he will be changing that out soon), Do not have deck on 2/3 of pool, wanted to leave flagstone coping jagged on the outside edge, which he did. But instead of cutting I was told they would put mortor under the stone where it over hung. (I got dirt). I don't beleive this is going to work long term. I beleive to stone will break off. ( this has yet to be setteled. Contract called for a cut out style seat, where a beach was cut into the gunite on the perimter of the pool, instead I got a beach that protudes out from the wall of the pool. I quess they did'nt bother to look at the drawings or the contract because if they had they would have seen this. And they would have also seen that where it calls for a depth of 6'! Not 5 1/2'! Well these last two issues obviously can not be fixed, so I now forced to place a monitary value on them, before I make the last payment. But at the same time I waiting for anything else to not be right and to see what or how they handle there job.
Lance |
LadibugZ9
Schriever, LA
(Zone 9a)
June 14, 2007
5:25 AM Post #3613383
| Lance,
What a happy day when, after all the waiting, there is finally water! Congratulations and please post a picture so that we can see your new pool.
Sorry to hear that you have a few problems. It's hard to visualize the "beach" you are referring to. We have a bench type structure on the deep in which our contractor called a "swimout" similar to what you describe. We really like that feature. Sounds like they really dropped the ball on the depth you wanted. I would also insist they fix the flagstone properly before you make the last payment. I hope you get all your issues resolved.
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navydad
Nokomis, FL
June 19, 2007
9:03 AM Post #3632819
| new pool landscaping- does anyone know if large white bird of paradise plants around perimeter of pool pose a problem of possible root invasion into the pool wall? |
ctindell
Sterling, VA
(Zone 6b)
June 28, 2007
5:40 PM Post #3671004
| I have a pool with the salt system. We love it. Our pool is also self cleaning. We are so glad we put the self cleaning system in. It works great. It is a series of water jets that shoot the junk at the bolltom of the pool into a drain which goes to the filter. Not sure I explained this correctly. Our pool is always clean. We do nothing but add Mineral salts and tun the pump on & off. Occassionally shock and add water when it needs it. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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4004
Baton Rouge, LA
July 22, 2007
11:14 AM Post #3765242
| Navydad; I certainly hope not seeing how I just put two in the ground three feet from the edge of my new pool. I did ask around at local nursuries and DG a bit about the root systems of not only BOP but other plants and trees. I also planted Queen palms but there where others that I was warned not to plant. Do not plant Willows or Oleanders near pools. The jury is still out on Brugmansia (Angle trumpets)
Lance
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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