Anybody have advice on swimming pools for home...

[rtimgray]

We have talked about installing a swimming pool at our home for several years, and now we are talking a lot more seriously about it. Years ago, we visited some local pool shops and got some pricing on both above ground and in ground pools. We've let the idea linger for quite a while, but now that our home addition is coming to an end (by next spring), we are looking to do another project, and everybody in the immediate family is in favor of a pool.

Right now, our idea is for an above ground pool that will be semi-recessed into a hillside (make a level surface for it with retaining walls on the uphill side) and then build a deck with fence around it. Our intended uses will be swimming for both leisure and excercise, so we are leaning towards a oval pool. I've just been looking around online for a week or two and as a result have far more questions than I did before.

I was wondering if anybody on here has experience with pools, above ground or otherwise, and if they could offer some advice on the subject. It seems that shopping for a pool is alot like shopping for a tractor, because I have a lot of the same questions:

1. Local dealers vs. online retailers?
2. Any recommended brands?
3. Materials of constructions: aluminum, steel, resin, other?
4. Chemistry advice?

That's kind of the top line questions. Any advice anyone has I would love to hear.

Thanks.

 

[Jimbrown]

I have never owned an above ground pool but have owned 4 in ground. I don't think I have ever delt with an honest pool installer. Some how things just never work out the way the are supposed to.

I kinda look at above ground pools as temporary and disposable which is good in a way as I assure you that you will get tired of messing with it.

If you really plan to keep it for 5 years or more buy high quality pumps and filters. Plan their location carefully. The things are noisy and you don't want to have to listen to them when inside the house. Plus the are ugly.

Buy a good automatic pool cleaner.

The newest chem system is salt with a device to convert it to chlorine. I have not used one and use powdered chlorine.

I had one fiberglass pool I don't like them. I don't care what they claim you will get fiberglass shards from the edges.

 

[radioman]

When I moved here , it had a above ground pool. I never had a pool and never experienced having one. But I can tell you that the last 13 years has taught me alot. This year is the first year I ever had a problem due to unusual colder winter and have ice damage so I am looking into replacing the pool now. The pool manufacture for my current pool has gone out of business and I cant get parts for it anymore. My insurance denied my claim saying ice is not covered for damages so I am looking at footing the bill completely myself to replace it. I am currently liking the sharkline pool as it has a 60 year warranty and I never heard of a above ground pool lasting that long.

I can tell you this much -- if you dont have a good base for the pool and just throw sand on the ground for base, you will see little problems pop up after 5-10 years esp on clay soil. The installers will not be around 5-10 years or they will have changed business names so you will be out of luck.

As for chemistry - I have compiled a short tricks /tips for myself to save money on chemicals.I hope my notes helps others. I posted this in my notes section in facebook:

This is a summary of pool chemicals information I have gleaned and/or plagiarized for my taking care of my pool.
Disclaimer - I am not an expert, nor am I a perfect being. Let me know if there are mistakes and I'll correct them.

1. Never fight pool's PH. Always work with its natural PH.
2. The ideal pool PH is 7.2 to 7.4
3. IF your copper levels is at .02 ppm or higher, you shouldn't mess with the pool's PH levels.
4. Is alkalinity low? check ph first. Before you attempt to raise the alkalinity levels first get the PH level at 7.6 or higher
5. When you raise the PH, add chemicals into skimmer. When you lower the PH lowering chemicals, never add to skimmer.
6. If you have an above ground pool with vinyl liner, calcium is not needed.
7. When shocking your pool, stay away from diclor or triclor chemicals.
8. Always use non organic form of chlorine to shock the pool. Use calcium hypoclorite (HTH) or sodium hypoclorite (bleach or liquid chlorine)
9. If you are using bleach - avoid name brand clorox as it has "goo" in it. Always use generic brand that is unscented. The scented stuff has goo in it and I wouldn't want that stuff in my pool. Look carefully on the bottle active ingredients and make sure its 6% bleach not the expensive crappy 4 percent stuff.
10. before backwashing - always shock and adjust the alkalinity levels first!
11. Don't let stabilizer level drop below 30 ppm.
12. There is no need to run to the pool place and pay for premium price for same stuff you can get at super walmart and use common everyday products.
Need to shock? use walmart 6% bleach
Need to raise PH? use borax or the 20 mule team
Need to raise the alkanity? use baking soda
Unfortunately to add stablizers, you need to go to pool section or place thanks to your local government regulations .
algaecide - again you need to go to pool section or pool place
13. algaecide works best when you have chlorine in pool because it strips away the cell walls of algae so chlorine can do its job. SO this being said - shock and use algaecide same time.

 

[furnone]

We have talked about installing a swimming pool at our home for several years, and now we are talking a lot more seriously about it. Years ago, we visited some local pool shops and got some pricing on both above ground and in ground pools. We've let the idea linger for quite a while, but now that our home addition is coming to an end (by next spring), we are looking to do another project, and everybody in the immediate family is in favor of a pool.


,
Right now, our idea is for an above ground pool that will be semi-recessed into a hillside (make a level surface for it with retaining walls on the side) and then build a deck with fence around it. Our intended uses will be swimming for both leisure and excercise, so we are leaning towards a oval pool. I've just been looking around online for a week or two and as a result have far more questions than I did before.

I was wondering if anybody on here has experience with pools, above ground or otherwise, and if they could offer some advice on the subject. It seems that shopping for a pool is alot like shopping for a tractor, because I have a lot of the same questions:

1. Local dealers vs. online retailers?
2. Any recommended brands?
3. Materials of constructions: aluminum, steel, resin, other?
4. Chemistry advice?

That's kind of the top line questions. Any advice anyone has I would love to hear.

Thanks.

We live in CT and have practically the same setup you describe. We bought a Johnny Weismuller extruded aluminum interlocking panel pool in 1990, with a Hayward sand filter and it is still in excellent condition. I don't think JW pools are still available but the parent company, Esther Williams, may be.

Friends and family have seen their steel or sheet aluminum pools collapse and die decades ago, while ours continues almost like new.

We bought the 18 x 33' x 54" deep pool at Namco Pools in Danbury, CT for $4,000 in 1990' less a $20 discount when they bet me that I could not fit the entire pool package in the back of my Saab hatchback...

If I were to buy another pool today, I would only seriously consider extruded aluminum. We have replaced the liner twice over the years, only because of staining from leaves. The contractor who originally installed it did an excellent and on time job, both then and for the two liner replacements.

 

[RDrancher]

Above or in-ground? It really depends on where you're located and what kind of soils exist there. If you really want an in-ground, are you talking gunite/shotcrete, fiberglass, or liner?

Back in the late seventies I was on a pool dig crew in SoCal. In the summers we dug a pool a day for gunite/shotcrete pools. Flash forward to the late 80's and 90's and I owned a concrete company in the same area. I had one crew specifically set up to set deck/skimmer drains, coping and concrete decks. We were very meticulous in out work and never did have a callback, but I heard of all kinds of horror stories from pool company salesmen and especially their customers. Pool companies are notorious for getting a lot of money up front, dragging their feet during the build...blaming subcontractors and then holding funds from the subs for as long as possible. Upon arriving at a new pool to do our work, it was the norm to hear, "What took you guys so long to get here?" from the customers. Chasing pool company payments was just as typical.

In the mid 90's, I built two start-to-finish shotcrete pools for relatives. With good subs and no pool company in the way, both went off without a hitch. When I moved here to Texas (where expansive soil is prevalent), I started advertising for epoxy injection and immediately began to get calls from pool owners and pool contractors to repair cracked and leaking gunite pools. I worked on three or four, but it was pretty apparent that most of the problems stemmed from bad dirt in the dig and poor drainage plans, so I dropped that portion of my business. Too much liability and too many headaches.

I've had one shotcrete and one fiberglass pool at my own homes, but these days its inexpensive above ground pools for me. I purchased a pretty decent pump and filter, and buy a new liner pool every three years or so. It's cheaper that way. If I were going to go with an in-ground these days, it would be a framed liner pool.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I would never own a house with a pool, they are just a hole to pour money into. It is just too much work to keep up for so little benefit. Lots of folks do like them though, but installation cost is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cost to maintain and the time needed to do it.
I would suggest that you go with an above ground pool to see if you are going to be able to keep it up. Less money invested in something that you may find out that you don't want it later. Also if installing an above ground pool, make sure that you sterilize the soil so nothing grow, especially nutgrass as it will grow right thru a plastic liner.

 

[Walkin Horse]

My two happiest days with a pool was the day I got it and the day I took a sawzall to it. I like a hot tub. Easier to clean and maintain.

 

[rtimgray]

Hey, thanks to everyone for the responses so far. Here's a couple of things to clarify:

1. We're pretty much set on an above-ground pool, somewhere in the range between 18x30 and 20x40. I've read that pools are alot like tractors and pole barns - nobody ever got one and said "Wow, I should have gotten a smaller one." There also seems to be an economy of scale - the price per square foot goes down. Size is not a constraint for us, because we have plenty of room in our backyard.

2. The pool will be located probably about 100' to 150' from the house and we are planning a pool maintenance building as well. We have ready access to electrical and water to serve the area.

3. I'm planning on doing as much of the install as possible. My plan (always subject to change) is to level off an area about 5' bigger than the pool is going to be all around and do the surface prep. I've seem some folks say to install it on level ground, some on sand, some on concrete, some using some sort of base-board (I think like foam insulation maybe). I don't know what's the best, but I do plan for it to be a long term investment, so a few more bucks up front will be okay.

4. My wife and I used to lap swim for exercise at a local gym when we got a free membership through my work, but that has expired, so we don't do it anymore, but we both enjoy swimming and so do the kids. I'm guessing we will only be able to use the poll for 4-5 months out of the year, but hopefully it will be thoroughly used during those times.

5. Anybody experienced with saltwater pools? Is that a new thing?

6. I'm really curious on the material - looks like one vote for extruded aluminum, which seems to be the middle price between steel and resin.

I've talked to several folks at work here that have pools, and they say many of the same things that posters have: there is a significant upkeep cost, but if you like the convenience of swimming/relaxing in your backyard, it's tough to beat. They all have above ground pools, FWIW.

Thanks again - looking forward to getting more comments.

Good luck and take care.

 

[forgeblast]

We have a small above ground. It has a tubular frame and we take it down in the winter. Its just enough, doesn't even have a sand filter just a skimmer filter.

 

[HEC]

If you are serious about a pool and plan on keeping it for any length of time go inground . A friend of mine who had a backhoe,dump truck, and I installed one for him and myself. They were both 20 - 40 with vinyl liners aluminum insulated frame work on a good concrete footing as we live in a cold area . All you need is a transit some basic working skills and hand tools and it was really quite easy . We bought a package deal and got the best we could get back many years ago when we did this . We have both moved from those homes and not sure if they are still in use or not as this was over 35 years ago . They both came out very nice , as good as any pro good do . You will get what you pay for so don't go cheap if you want it to last .

 

[rtimgray]

I've got the tools (dozer, backhoe, dump truck) for an in ground install, but the kit pricing on the ingrounds are double to triple the price for an above ground and nowhere near as large, in terms of length. Obviously, they could go deeper, but depth is not too much of a concern for us.

I've spent some time today contacting local pool companies, and came away feeling very negative towards them. Two of them that I spoke with more or less gave me the here's what we sell and you can buy it or not. They were not interested in hearing what I was looking for, only if I was interested in buying what they had in stock. I realize that this is probably a very busy time of year for them, but I was not impressed at all. One company that I spoke was very pleasant, but they did not offer pools in the size that I am looking for. Additionally, the largest on that they offered was thousands of dollars more than some that I have seen online.

Which brings me back to I'm still learning how to compare apples to apples - the units that the local installers sell may be much higher quality than some of the internet pools, although I know that one of them at least was the exact same model as one that I am looking at on the internet, and it was much more expensive.

Once again, I really appreciate the comments and welcome anyone else's experience and opinions. Thanks again.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

My buddy has an above ground pool, but he installed it about halfway in the ground. I think he dug the hole, built the pool, back filled with washed pea gravel and then built a nice deck all the way around that was about 8" above ground level. So the pool's rim was about 2' above the deck. I don't remember if he said he put some type of drainage underneath it or not.

 

[kenmac]

Too bad that some of you had a bad experience with your pool guys. I had an in ground liner pool with polymer walls installed about 12 yrs ago. The person that installed my pool was a GREAT guy !! He was the salesman, backhoe operator. his sons did the electrical and did the actual install and concrete work so, I didn't have to worry about any subs. He showed up when he was suppose to and would have finished on time if, it haden't been for a rain spell we had....I had an 18x36 installed with steps, dive board, slide, Polaris cleaner, hard safety cover for $18,500.00. I understand the in ground pools are much higher today. Very little trouble keeping the pool. I have an auto chlorine feeder to keep the chlorine in check & and the Polaris to keep it clean. My children have had a blast with all the parties they have had at our place because we had the pool. Now, it's the grand kids turn. It was well worth the cost

 

[mjarrels]

Many years ago, my uncle put in a round pool using the top of a concrete silo turned upside down and placed in the hole. Probably 45 years ago and still works fine.

yellow dot

 

[nc redneck]

My two happiest days with a pool was the day I got it and the day I took a sawzall to it. I like a hot tub. Easier to clean and maintain.

A pool is a lot like a boat or that car you always wanted in HS. Its great at first but after 5 or 7 years it gets old. I have a hot tub now mainly to fill large empty space on deck where pool was. But it can be drained and turned off. No power, chemicals or cleaning.
I would start with a cheaper above ground. It will easily last 5 or 10 years. You will learn a lot about pools, pumps, chemicals and winterizing. If you still love it 10 years from now you will be a educated pool buyer.
If you have any young kids ever come to your house that changes a lot of rules. Follow all codes to a T considering pump inlets, fences and I would get a Loop Lock winter pool cover, many small children drown in backyard pools.
Other side is we had a lot of good years with ours. Had many pool parties, taught my daughter to swim and the kids loved it when they were younger.
Not sure what part of the US you are in but think about trees around pool they cause a lot of leaves. Heaters are worth thinking about during install , electric heat pump or gas. Solar covers do work and also help hold heat overnight.
Good Luck
Scott

 

[Sigarms]

We've let the idea linger for quite a while, but now that our home addition is coming to an end (by next spring), we are looking to do another project, and everybody in the immediate family is in favor of a pool..

They're in favor of a pool because the only thing they can think of is fun in the sun and water because no one really thinks about the upkeep, and guess who that is going to fall on?

I was around when my aunt had an in ground put in close to 30 years ago, and hopefully the maintenance has changed with newer pools and chemicals, but after a couple of years of having that pool in back then, the upkeep took the fun out of it.

 

[KubotainNH]

My opinion is large oval above ground. You can sink it if you want. I also have a 18x33 Johnny Weismuller (JW imprinted on the corners), the frame is really built well. I think Esther Williams is the same maker. I walk on the wall whenever I need to vacuum. I got mine for free on CL and did the work myself, the first year just cost me the liner and laser level rental. I got some seat time.

Here's a quick list:
1) Quality pool and do it yourself if possible. They are cheaper and when you are done with pool life it's easy to get rid of.
2) Hayward pump/filter because parts are easy to get - I had a no name pump and couldn't get new seals a couple years after I bought it.
3) Chlorinate with mainly liquid chlorine (straight bleach with no additives). Most of the granular or puck style chlorinators have stabilizer in them so if used constantly you will end up with too much of it.
4) Salt water gens (SWG) are nice, makes pool life quite easy. Another perk is bees don't like salt water and the water feels softer. The local honey bees really liked my pool before I added salt.
5) Buy a good/complete test kit, when the chemicals are balanced you only need to spend a few mins a day on it. With SWG (it makes the chlorine) it's a few mins a week once you have it nailed down.
6) Get a decent automatic pool vac so it does the work instead of you.
7) Depending on where you live you may want a solar cover to keep the temp nice. I need it up here, pool is about 80 right now which is pleasant.
8) Craigslist is a great place for used pool stuff if you want to save money.
9) This should be number 1, go to this site and read. So many cool setups and the pool school (top right button) is a must read. Trouble Free Pool

 

[alchemysa]

Between me and my brother we have had 6 inground pools. (Installed 5 ourselves). All were concrete.

The best pool of the lot BY FAR was my brothers last pool. It was deep but very small. Maybe only 10 foot long and roughly oval shaped. It was cheaper to build, easy to maintain, easy to clean, cheap to chlorinate, easy to cover, easy to heat when required etc etc. It had the minimum amount of water required to provide a maximum amount of fun. It was built next to a rock wall so the kids could dive bomb into it. Basically, it was plenty big enough to have lots of fun without becoming an owners burden.

Personally I think home pools are for fun or relaxation, not exercise. Doing laps in a home pool is a waste of time in my opinion. You'll exercise your shoulders but thats about all.