@artloversplus @silverpurple That type of cover is not removable. It stores into a well at the deep end of our pool. It is motorized and opens via a keypad mounted on a wall. We leave our key in but if you have young kids you can keep the key separate and only bring it out when you want to unlock the pool. Kids, dogs, adults technically can walk on top of that type of cover. Our pool is 23 years old and we are on our third cover. It eventually gets leaks.
Our current pool is small; only about 12’ X 30’ plus a 3’ bump out at each end, one for steps and one for sitting. At its deepest it’s about 6’. We use our gas heater quite a lot and it can make a big difference in a couple of hours. If the water temp is borderline for me, we’ll turn on the heat just as we go in the pool. I can park myself in front of a water inlet and enjoy the warmth any time I feel chilled.
A few years we’ve gone swimming at Christmas by turning on the pool heat after breakfast and going swimming after lunch. The water feels great but the breeze hitting wet skin when we emerge from the pool can be bone chilling.
A pool temp of 80 - 85 used to feel good. In the past few years I’ve needed the water to be at least 88 to feel comfortable, even though I am very well insulated. A friend who had bariatric surgery and dropped 75 lbs. said she now needs their pool to be 90+ for her to enjoy it. Fortunately, we haven’t noticed a tremendous increase in our gas bill.
@socaldad2002, we also have grey Pebble Tec gunite. It does make the water look bluer. Our guests have loved the Pebble Tec texture. I should probably try to get a picture up of it.
@artloversplus, No, we don’t have a solar cover because the cover that was recommended was of a poor quality-bubble wrap. Since our pool design was made around the limitations of the boulder, a better quality pool cover would have been really expensive.
Our solar panels are on the roof and weren’t made to be tied to the electricity, but were specifically designed for pools because the panels “heat” water on the roof. Those solar companies are out of business. They aren’t the current glass panel designs. We don’t have to heat the pool for most of the year. Our home is in inland SoCal (and we’ve gotten the 105 degree temps this week). We only turn on the heat in the Spa if we want a hot temperature.
@Silpat i would love to see the shape of your pool. Ours will likely be 15 ft by 30 with a bump oit for stairs and a 10 by 10 bump out at the other end. Where does the water hit your body in the shallow? Just over belly button is comfortable to me. Not lower. Does your deep section come gradual or a sharp slope and then level out?
@silverpurple , look for Roman shape pools to see what ours is like. Because I’m short the water hits a few inches above my belly button at 36". The pool slopes gradually to the deep end. H tells me it’s not 6 ft. as I reported before, but about 5’ 8". I just know it’s well over my head. ; )
Thanks @Silpat i didnt know it’s named roman. that helps me search the internet for ideas.
Don’t forget that in NY, where I also live, you will need a winter cover. Ours had to be custom made for the shape of our pool. It cost, at the time, about $3000 for our 40 x 20 pool. The cover is super strong and will bear the weight of an elephant. It’s mesh and designed to be on from early fall until it’s removed in the early summer.
The winter cover is totally different from a solar cover. Solar covers are all over the place in terms of cost and durability. After 13 years of solar covers, in my experience, the best is clear and thick “bubble wrap” style. Clear is a little easier on the eye than blue, silver, etc… They typically last 3 years and cost about $200, depending on pool size.
Allow AT LEAST $5000 for contingencies. We hit a very expensive problem on the first day of the dig that added substantially to our budget. Then other issues arose about drainage around the pool area. We ended up having to put in a permanent sump pump next to the pool to pump out water from under the pool, along with drains. We’ve replaced the sump pump three times. In the end, our $10k contingency budget was completely used up. At least we had set it aside for problems. In NY, there can be a host of unexpected issues, such as the water table or hitting rock. If they have to blast or use chemicals to get rid of that, you are looking at a lot more cash.
I also recommend learning how to care for your own pool as soon as possible. It’s so easy once you start. It’s saved us many thousands of dollars. I am on top of problems the minute they start. My pool is always clear and sparkling. When I had a pool care company, they would dump in masses of chemicals and shock, etc… Sometimes we then couldn’t swim for a day or two in the middle of summer, which was very annoying.
Still, to me the expense and hassle was worth it. Every time I swim, it feels like a mini vacation and I love just looking at my pool. My husband jokes that we could have had amazing holidays for the rest of our lives with what we spent on it. And a pool doesn’t increase your home value. For some people, it can detract from home value. And it seems to be universally true that eventually, teens stop using the pool so much.
@Lindagaf
You said it all, frankly, I HATE my pool. Its a liability to me, not an asset. I had to buy the pool because it comes with a house and neighborhood we liked. Besides, I bought the house in 2011 from a bank at the lowest price you can find from the year 2000 in the area. I “learned” to take care of it after spending $1,500/year to hire a pool boy to keep up this tiny 15x30 pool. I estimate I spend at least $2000/year for the electricity, water and chemicals, not counting my time. I think I got into the water no more 10 times a year, which average $200 a swim or a dip. Doing laps is not possible, with three feet shallow areas in both ends.
Speaking of winter cover, I put the cover on in late October and do not take it off until June. It is a solid cover, not a mesh, so the sun and debris won’t get into the pool. As a result, I do not incur any maintenance, not even adding water and chemicals.
I am seriously considering filling the pool with dirt and make it a garden.
We’re going with a spool in '21. Wish we had put it in last year. This year the line was a mile long. A Spool is a small pool usually about 6-8 feet wide and about 10-20 feet long. They are usually about 5-7 feet deep and open year round. Good for people who live in cold climates. Like a cross between a pool and a jacuzzi. We tried one out in Greece and it was wonderful. Low maintenance and lower cost plus the cover keeps some of the heat in. We’re likely going to put in solar to offset the heat so it’s net zero cost.
The spool looks beautiful. It also doesn’t take up the whole yard. While we have space for a large pool we live in NE. So the pool is usually just a Summertime thing. I don’t want to care for a pool or have someone in my backyard too often. This spool will extend the use time from early Spring until late Fall. Don’t think we’ll be in during the Winter (we live close to the beach
Just saw my childhood pool–same size (25 feet by 50 feet)–in a very similar setting to our backyard. Only difference is that ours had a diving board & cabana, but otherwise identical including trees, yard, concrete walk, and setting.
Google Southampton Inn (Long Island, New York) for photos. Possibly built by the same company.
I will have to look up a “spool”. Seems different than a plunge pool or no?
May I ask if anyone here has a plunge pool and your thoughts on the install, maintenance, use of one??
Neighbors have a “spool” if that means a combination spa & plunge pool. They love it. Easy maintenance.
Not to hijack but D and her H are looking at a property where one day they would like a pool. If @silverpurple minds I can start a new thread.
Anyone have experience they want to share regarding above ground pools? They are in California so no winter issues. Thanks
My neighbors have an above ground pool. Their property slopes enough that the deck out of the first floor is pretty much at the same level as the pool. It’s pretty ideal for them. Not so much for us, as our porch is at the same level as their pool, and properties are small. Anyway, that pool has been going strong in NY for 15+ years!
I am happy to continue pool conversation here, @mom60 .
My pool builder is coming today for a design chat. I have questions about the masonry and resulting water issues. We have grass and good drainage now. I want to understand where and what happens to runoff. Should we comsider permeable pavers of some sort? Our pool will be four feet to the neighbor’s fence. Does everyone do a retaining wallin this circumstance? I need to understand where the runoff goes. A different part of the pool will be four feet from the house extension. I dont want to invite water issues to my home. Anyone want to share what has your experience been?
If I understand correctly, your swimming pool will be within four feet of your neighbor’s property line & four feet from your main residence.
Have your checked your city’s zoning laws/ordinance with respect to required setback ? Seems like four feet from an adjoining property line is too close. Usually setbacks are 10 feet, but they can & do vary by jurisdiction.
With respect to water runoff & drainage, that is usually subject to inspection by the relevant jurisdiction (such as city or county inspectors).
P.S. Building an in-ground swimming pool will likely require a permit from your city. A permit will not/should not be granted if not in compliance with your local zoning ordinance law including setbacks, fencing, and drainage requirements.
P.P.S. Also, it might be helpful to check with your homeowner’s insurance company regarding provisions or advice about swimming pools. May be a clause negating coverage if not in compliance with all applicable zoning laws. Important to mention whether or not a diving board is planned.
Thanks, @Publisher for looking out for me. I did check what is required by my town to get a permit and it is permissible to have a 4ft set back from my house and my neighbor’s fence.
My next thing to decide is the depth. I am still not sure if i want one depth for the whole pool or a shallow and a deep. By deep, i am talking about 5ft 10. So not too deep.
In my opinion, a shallow end of 4 feet or so allows everyone a chance to enjoy the pool. Sometimes it’s fun to just stand & talk while in the pool. Plus, it might be hard to sell a home with a pool which has only a 6 foot depth.
If I understood correctly, French drains around our pool deck were tied into multiple drain pipes attached to our downspouts that run underground. Excess water eventually goes to large storm water drains at the curb. In our case, the county didn’t seemed concerned about drainage.
The county inspector failed the pool builder’s electrician multiple times. That was worrying. We had problems with the pump breaker cutting off, usually at 3 - 4 a.m. on a cold night. After several electricians failed to fix the problem, one finally said the issue was that the pump breaker was not “motor rated.” He said that’s typical (at least in our area) since the standard breaker is cheaper. We could have bought enough motor rated breakers for at least 10 pools with the money spent on electrician’s trip charges.
We did, however, have to prove that we have pool alarms on every exterior door and auto-latching fence gates that can be locked.
Are you considering a salt water pool ? If so, might be useful to seek comments regarding salt water versus chlorine.
Also, might be different drainage concerns for salt water.