Any pool owners?

So, the wife and I are seriously considering getting a pool. We spend the entire summer going to public pools and I think we're ready to just have our own.

We've had a couple of different companies come out and quote it and we've found the one we're happy with. We have a lot of equity in our house which is how we'll pay for it. Basically our mortgage payment will go up about 200 dollars a month.

What I'm worried about is hidden costs that I won't know about until it's all said and done. Like the electric bill. What kind of difference can I expect to see there? We're looking at a salt water system which I understand is basically the norm these days. Maintenance is supposed to be way cheaper and easier then it was back in the day.

I've obviously looked all over the internet trying to research but I want to know what TWL thinks because that is all that really matters to me in life.

Where I live you can use a pool from about April to maybe November depending on the weather that year. You don't have to winterize them here.

Here's the computer model the guy made for us:


I'm trying to think about pros and cons, the biggest pro so far is my wife's hot friends coming over and getting drunk and naked. I can't think of a con yet to outweigh that one. What does twl think?

wife + hot friends getting drunk and naked > *.

I honestly don't know much about the costs, but I would consider solar heating, because otherwise heating gets friggin expensive. Also, consider getting a black-bottom pool. I think they look cooler than the traditional light blue plus you'd be amazed how much warmer they get.

No one really heats pools around here. We're keeping that as an option we may want to do some day down the road. I've heard dark bottom pools look dirty. Don't know from experience though.

Thanks for the suggestions though, didn't mean to just shoot them both down like that.
Post edited by leroybrown at 9/22/2011 6:45:52 PM

A buddy of mine installs pools in Jersey...
He's got a saline pool system.... something that uses salt to purify the pool rather than chlorine...

It's pretty cool... there's no chlorine smell, the water doesn't sting the eyes as much, and even though it's saline, it's NOT salty to the taste.

It's also very expensive from what I understand.



I don't have a pool, though... so I can't tell you whether it's a huge pain in the ass to maintain on your own. That's the one thing that has stopped me from digging a hole in my backyard.... the fucking maintenance.

http://www.salinepoolsystems.com/learn_more.htm

How it Works

When salt is dissolved into water and the water is then subjected to a simple process of electrolysis, a very effective water sanitizer is produced.

In fresh-water applications, such as swimming pools, spa pools, therapy pools (and many more – see ‘Where a Saline System can be used’, below), salt is added to the water to produce a very mild saline solution, approximately 1/3rd the salinity of human tears (or approx 1/12th as salty as ocean water). The salt used is common, every-day salt, or sodium chloride – the same pure salt found in sea water and used at the dining table.

When the water (and dissolved salt) is passed through the ‘cell’ portion of the Saline System equipment, chlorine gas is automatically produced (from the dissolved salt). This chlorine gas dissolves instantaneously into the water (so is never a hazard), and produces high levels of sanitizer/oxidizer which firstly prevent the formation of ‘chloramines’ and other ‘chlorine compounds’ and secondly provides a safe and measurable residual of sanitizer in the main water body.

The elimination of ‘chloramines’ and other ‘chlorine compounds’ means the elimination of all of the obnoxious side-effects commonly associated with the manual use of ‘pool chlorine’ and leaves the water looking, feeling like the most pure, fresh and chemical-free water possible.

The dissolved salt is not consumed in the Saline System process so after the initial start-up salt is added, only top-up salt is required periodically (an average home pool will require as little as $10-$20 worth of salt per year).

The sanitizer produced by the Saline System can be measured using the same common Test Kits used for testing chlorine levels in pools, and the chlorine residual (or FAC, Free and Available Chlorine level) can be maintained at required levels by simple adjustment of the Saline System Output, or production rate (thereby satisfying health authority by-laws).

Post edited by Bibimbap at 9/22/2011 6:55:13 PM

My brother has a nice pool down in Arizona...

Poured it and did most of the work himself (he's been in concrete for almost 20 years).

One end has steps then a little hole where you can either put an umbrella in (pictured) or turn a switch that shoots a stream of water to the other end of the pool.

Then there's a little rock waterfall with a bench built into it (pictured, waterfall action turned off).

At the other end/corner is a table built into the pool and a bench going around it built into the pool walls (would be to the right of the lone rock at the right edge of pic), water jets to your back.

He's got fancy shit built into it... heated (yes, down on AZ for the winter months on special occasions. I forget how much $$$ he figured to heat it up for a day)... lights in the pool that change color... automatic roaming cleaner... big control panel to change all the options/jets/etc.

Best pic of it I could find on fb, I might have a better one on my pc at home:


When I visit, I usually hop in every day. Fun place to relax. Have a cigar and adult beverage at the built-in table...

I can find out more info if you want.
Post edited by TheRedneck at 9/22/2011 7:08:11 PM


Kind Regards,

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Originally posted by: leroybrown
No one really heats pools around here. We're keeping that as an option we may want to do some day down the road. I've heard dark bottom pools look dirty. Don't know from experience though.

Thanks for the suggestions though, didn't mean to just shoot them both down like that.

Well fuck you too then!

My family has had two different black bottom pools and I never thought they looked dirty. You're gonna see dirt and stuff easier with the lighter colors imo.

As for maintenence, yeah there's a lot of maitenence involved but ask your neighbors for a good pool guy and he'll take care of most of it.

I'm just speaking from the experience of living with parents who had a pool though, so I'm by no means an expert on having one built, associated costs, etc.

Another reason why I really haven't looked into getting a pool is the mosquitoes around me in this part of Jersey.

I'm between the Great Swamp National Refuge and a municipal airport that was built in swamplands.
Especially this year, the mosquitoes have been totally out of control. I can't go outside without getting swarmed by the fucking things.

They must like chinese food or something.

But, yeah... official fucking county bird is the mosquito... these fucking things carry away small children in mid-August...
It's cool to be outside... but I hate getting bit. (that and we have the beach house)

i did some work on designing a portion of rheem's pool heaters. buy it if you want your pool to be warm at night or winter

http://www.rheem.com/product.aspx?id=B661C24A-2026-4C97-8868-A63FDBF51A7B
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Not sure if anybody said this, pool threads are boring.

Is your lot fenced? If it isn't and little dumb shit from next door gets into your pool and croaks, it's a problem.

All I know is that pools are expensive to put in, but I wouldn't think keeping it clean is all that hard. Just got to buy the chemicals and keep the leaves out.

Pools are great to have, enjoy!

We have a pool in our rental home, and its an older pool - 19,000 gallons, 9' deep end etc.

My only issue is our pool is nestled between 2 large Oak trees and we have no screened in enclosure, so dealing with leaves and the crap that comes off of the Palm tree is a pain in the ass. Just my 2 cents since you didn't mention if you were enclosing it or not.

Also, I'd give strong consideration to some form of heating. We're in FL, and due to excessive rain the pool has been mega cold - I've joked that you hear Celine Dion sing every time you get in, heh.

Its not a salt system, but care still isn't that bad...

Originally posted by: The_Misfit
We have a pool in our rental home, and its an older pool - 19,000 gallons, 9' deep end etc.

My only issue is our pool is nestled between 2 large Oak trees and we have no screened in enclosure, so dealing with leaves and the crap that comes off of the Palm tree is a pain in the ass. Just my 2 cents since you didn't mention if you were enclosing it or not.

Also, I'd give strong consideration to some form of heating. We're in FL, and due to excessive rain the pool has been mega cold - I've joked that you hear Celine Dion sing every time you get in, heh.

Its not a salt system, but care still isn't that bad...

look at my post above!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Originally posted by: The_Misfit
We have a pool in our rental home, and its an older pool - 19,000 gallons, 9' deep end etc.

My only issue is our pool is nestled between 2 large Oak trees and we have no screened in enclosure, so dealing with leaves and the crap that comes off of the Palm tree is a pain in the ass. Just my 2 cents since you didn't mention if you were enclosing it or not.

Also, I'd give strong consideration to some form of heating. We're in FL, and due to excessive rain the pool has been mega cold - I've joked that you hear Celine Dion sing every time you get in, heh.

Its not a salt system, but care still isn't that bad...

We're not going to enclose it and we do have a large pecan tree not far from it. I'm thinking we're probably going to have to trim it way back because it does drop shit all over the yard.

The part of the yard we're putting it is also up against the house and under that tree so there is a lot of shade. Might have to think about a heater but I don't think we'll do that until later.

This is another problem with that tree, lately branches have been falling off like crazy. Don't know what's up with that. That branch would be right in the pool.



Actually that would probably be more on the deck, not quite in it.
Post edited by leroybrown at 9/22/2011 9:15:14 PM

Be ready to keep up on the chemical additions and water testing, frequently, or your shit will get nasty or uninhabitable quickly.

Figure out how you're going to disinfect and clean it, and what that will cost per year in supplies.

You'll need a fence. If you don't have kids nearby, you'll have animals nearby. You don't want to fish dead animals out of your pool, or your neighbors.

Originally posted by: Bibimbap
Another reason why I really haven't looked into getting a pool is the mosquitoes around me in this part of Jersey.

I'm between the Great Swamp National Refuge and a municipal airport that was built in swamplands.
Especially this year, the mosquitoes have been totally out of control. I can't go outside without getting swarmed by the fucking things.

They must like chinese food or something.

But, yeah... official fucking county bird is the mosquito... these fucking things carry away small children in mid-August...
It's cool to be outside... but I hate getting bit. (that and we have the beach house)

The chemicals you need to add to disinfect the water will kill any mosquitoes. The larva also need still water to let the water tension on the surface keep them afloat with access to air, some gentle agitation is all it takes to make them drown.

This kind of gentle agitation?



Poor little mosquitos!

Ric Flair? Talk about agitation... I always hated that guy.

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Originally posted by: Coba|t
Be ready to keep up on the chemical additions and water testing, frequently, or your shit will get nasty or uninhabitable quickly.

Figure out how you're going to disinfect and clean it, and what that will cost per year in supplies.

You'll need a fence. If you don't have kids nearby, you'll have animals nearby. You don't want to fish dead animals out of your pool, or your neighbors.

When my parents got a pool the city made them put in a minimum 4ft fence. Of course you still get frogs, mice, etc in the pool from time to time.

I have a built in pool. I recommend you get a hot tub instead.

- pool will not increase re-sale and can in fact lower it. There are a lot of people who don't want to deal with a pool. So you spend $20 - 40K and get ZERO in return

- chemicals (even the salt system requires salt), skimmers, pumps, motor, filter lines, automatic cleaner ( between $500 and $1500 and yeah, you want one), pool toys, pool alarm (either on gate or in the water), covers, cover holders, winterizing costs, opening costs.

- 4ft fence approved by the local township must totally enclose the pool

- free loaders. "friends" who will want food, drinks, booze, music, entertainment, etc.

- get lots of extra towels and if you go with chlorine expect to ruin some clothes and some furniture


After all that you get to use the pool for 3-4 months a year. Except when your at work, or if you go on vacation, or if its bad weather, or if the pools chemicals are out of whack, or if the pool needs to be cleaned.

About 90% of the people who have pools would not pay to get a pool again and the other 10% are independently wealthy and have a full time crew caring for the pool and they STILL don't use it that much.


Ask yourself this question - are you ready for a life long commitment to something that will never have a resale value, you can't change your mind, and will cost you more and more each year as you start to use it less and less.

Originally posted by: Bibimbap


It's also very expensive from what I understand.

You can get a good chlorinator for 600 bucks, and for a new pool that's going to cost 20-30k, that's nothing. And it pays for itself in no time. So much less maintenance, you'll go through maybe 2-3 40lb bags of salt a year, at about 6 bucks each.

I probably spend a grand total of about 60 bucks a year on material to maintain my pool, and it's used year round being in FL and all.

You have to have a four foot fence here too. We have an old chicken wire fence back in our bushes but we'll probably put up a chain link fence around the yard with a high privacy gate.

You get a lot more then 3 months worth of use here out of a pool. Not year round but 6 to 7 months out of the year for sure.

I want to spend half what a pool costs and get a nice boat but I lost that argument.

Another pro is that we can have twl pool parties every summer. Clothing optional.

Originally posted by: leroybrown

Another pro is that we can have twl pool parties every summer. Clothing optional.

Is manscaping optional too?

Kind Regards,

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FYI, chlorine is being phased out of pools slowly. They are dropping the amounts allowed every year. Eventually there will be none.

Originally posted by: _Yossarian_
wife + hot friends getting drunk and naked > *.

I honestly don't know much about the costs, but I would consider solar heating, because otherwise heating gets friggin expensive. Also, consider getting a black-bottom pool. I think they look cooler than the traditional light blue plus you'd be amazed how much warmer they get.

First of all dark colors are much harder to keep clean. Have you ever owned a black car? It'd be the worst buy you ever made.
Second, you don't want to heat your pools around where he & i live.
In the prime of summer with a light blue bottom the pools are so hot a lot of the times you don't even want to get in them. & they are warm enough to be in by begin of april till sometime in november.
Nobody heats pools around here.

Originally posted by: Stoneymontana
FYI, chlorine is being phased out of pools slowly. They are dropping the amounts allowed every year. Eventually there will be none.

You don't need much, just a few fractions of a part per million is enough to stop bacterial growth.

Originally posted by: leroybrown

I want to spend half what a pool costs and get a nice boat but I lost that argument.

Boats are fun but they're such a pain. You spend more time having to clean/maintain after using it than you spend actually using it. Not to mention their money pits

Originally posted by: xPATRIOTSx

Originally posted by: leroybrown

I want to spend half what a pool costs and get a nice boat but I lost that argument.

Boats are fun but they're such a pain. You spend more time having to clean/maintain after using it than you spend actually using it. Not to mention their money pits

True that.

My father's boat... the 26' Wellcraft Martinique... Every season, something happens... not to mention the dock fees... Hell.. the bimini cover is 2 years old, and the thread around the seams are starting to rot away... have to get that fixed over the winter... AFTER shrink wrapping the thing for the winter...

money money money money money money...