In-ground Pools

[AlbanyWildCat]

Looking to add an in-ground pool to the upstate home. For those that have had them installed, care to share your experiences. Would love to hear your experiences through the process. What were you happy with, what aren't you happy with, what decisions would you like to redo, etc.

Thanks in advance...

 

[funKYcat75]

The last true family man.

 

[55wildcat]

had a fiberglass inground put in about 14 yrs ago. Three days they was done including concrete around pool. Had to replace pump once and heat exchanger once..

 

[DidneyWorl]

I wish I had used undocumented workers on mine. After I had mine put in by Blue Haven Pools in Manassas I found out I could've saved about $10K.

But it's ok, I hired them to build my office building downtown.

 

[bluthruandthru]

 

[AFKY_Blue_RedsBengals]

A damn water moccasin got in mine once

 

[Free_Salato_Blue]

 

[Drcats2025]

A damn water moccasin got in mine once

I take it you lived quite a bit down south

 

[homeytheclown]

Jelly of the month club is also good

 

[-BBH-]

A damn water moccasin got in mine once

If your chemical balance was right, it should of died within 24 hours. Serves it right.

 

[Lexie's Dad]

So, you want to eliminate 70% of the potential buyers for when you want to sell for something you can use six months a year and causes your insurance rates to increase?

I mean - cool...

 

[Deeeefense]

I researched a little bit and found that fiberglass lined pools have less maintenance than vinyl, as vinyl leaches chemicals into the water which requires more frequent maintenance. I think they last longer too.

 

[Chuckinden]

I've had two inground pools over the years. First was a fiberglass and loved it. As 55 said, it's gets done fast, however they are very expensive.

The second pool I built myself. It was a "liner" SALTWATER pool and I ordered the pool kit off the internet. After concrete and everything, I had less than 10K in it and it was beautiful and we loved it. My son in law just built one himself this spring. If I were going to put a pool in, I would go this route again. If you don't have the skills to do it yourself, you can hire someone to put the kit together for you and still save thousands of dollars.

A saltwater pool requires less maintenance and chemicals whether it fiberglass or vinyl. Saltwater is easier on the eyes and all components that go in your pool.

My insurance rates never increased due to having a pool as it was enclosed with a "pool fence" that met all the code criteria of the BCOA.

 

[Kaizer Sosay]

 

[John Henry]

I swim everyday (unless I am away from home). I would recommend a salt water pool. Don't mess with chemicals, etc. The salt water is smoother on the skin and you can open your eyes under water with no burning, etc. It is something you will be glad you did.

We also have a solar heater and keep it on 90 degrees all year round. We have a heat pump as a backup when the weather get real chilly but it seldom has to be used. My pool has a travertine lanai and we have travertine for the water line and edging too. This is a very cool surface and is nice in our Southern climate.

Good luck and you will get a lot of pleasure out of the pool. The kids will love it.

 

[Bill Cosby]

Just put one in. Add 25% to your projected budget and double the timeline.

Bathroom nearby, or separate outside is critical.

You dont need a deep end unless you're a child. Sport pool is much more functional.

 

[John Henry]

Just put one in. Add 25% to your projected budget and double the timeline.

Bathroom nearby, or separate outside is critical.

You dont need a deep end unless you're a child. Sport pool is much more functional.

Very good point. A sport pool is much better when you have guests over and want to play basketball or volley ball. A good depth is 4 1/2 to 5 feet as this allows you to stand on the bottom and play games. Plus it is deep enough to swim laps, etc

 

[-Mav-]

If you get to a point in your life where you think you've got too much money and too much free time, and you're looking for the most efficient way to waste both of them, then get a pool.

 

[starchief]

If you get to a point in your life where you think you've got too much money and too much free time, and you're looking for the most efficient way to waste both of them, then get a pool.

Had a house with a pool for 18 years. Never again. They demand too much attention and money.

 

[cricket3]

We also have a solar heater and keep it on 90 degrees all year round.

[sick]

Sounds miserable

 

[UKRob 73]

@bbdk

 

[55wildcat]

forgot to say, you can pretty much forget a diving board and slide. Many insurance companies will not insure and the one's that do, expect a big insurance premium.

 

[1977 Cat]

Looking to add an in-ground pool to the upstate home. For those that have had them installed, care to share your experiences. Would love to hear your experiences through the process. What were you happy with, what aren't you happy with, what decisions would you like to redo, etc.

Thanks in advance...

I have a gunite pool that we love. Open it usually around April 1 and close it sometime in October. Had it for twenty years this November. Use it almost every day. Not much maintenance to it.

 

[-Mav-]

I have a gunite pool...

Gesundheit.

 

[John Henry]

[sick]

Sounds miserable

lol

 

[1977 Cat]

Gesundheit.

Lost me with that.

 

[entropy13]

OP, you should strongly consider a saltwater pool. Something along these lines would be good for starters.

Anything less, I'd politely suggest you cease and desist from posting in The Paddock. [thumb2]

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

Get a high dive. Eff insurance. Public pool pooseys suck. Let the revolution toward bringing back the high dive start in the private sector of our backyards. Damn I hate litigious f—ks

 

[krazykats]

Anyone know a general cost to a heated pool vs just a pool?

 

[homeytheclown]

Get a high dive. Eff insurance. Public pool pooseys suck. Let the revolution toward bringing back the high dive start in the private sector of our backyards. Damn I hate litigious f—ks

Or a tall structure not part of your property but leaning over it.

 

[nerdcat_rivals308595]

Enjoy your stranded investment.

 

[AlbanyWildCat]

Anyone know a general cost to a heated pool vs just a pool?

I have a friend that has put in a heated pool and uses propane. Fills the tank up once a year (approx $500). Uses the pool from May 1 - Oct 15. He says they keep the water at around 70 degrees, the bulk of the heat is used at the beginning and end of the season. This is for a home in upstate NY.

This is just one data point.

 

[AlbanyWildCat]

Had a house with a pool for 18 years. Never again. They demand too much attention and money.

Care to expand a little? Did you not enjoy the pool for 18 years? Was it a chlorine or salt water pool? We are definitely going to go the salt water pool route. Thanks in advance.

 

[1977 Cat]

Care to expand a little? Did you not enjoy the pool for 18 years? Was it a chlorine or salt water pool? We are definitely going to go the salt water pool route. Thanks in advance.

I would definitely go with salt water. Mine is chlorine and I will change at some point. For the guy who ask about the cost of the heated pool, when I turn on the heater it usually doubles my monthly heating bill. I only turn it on when the grandkids are coming or we are having company. My heating bill runs approximately $250 to $350 per month so if I use the pool heater that is double.

 

[AlbanyWildCat]

I've had two inground pools over the years. First was a fiberglass and loved it. As 55 said, it's gets done fast, however they are very expensive.

The second pool I built myself. It was a "liner" SALTWATER pool and I ordered the pool kit off the internet. After concrete and everything, I had less than 10K in it and it was beautiful and we loved it. My son in law just built one himself this spring. If I were going to put a pool in, I would go this route again. If you don't have the skills to do it yourself, you can hire someone to put the kit together for you and still save thousands of dollars.

A saltwater pool requires less maintenance and chemicals whether it fiberglass or vinyl. Saltwater is easier on the eyes and all components that go in your pool.

My insurance rates never increased due to having a pool as it was enclosed with a "pool fence" that met all the code criteria of the BCOA.

Love to hear more about the DIY pool.

 

[Chuckinden]

Just put one in. Add 25% to your projected budget and double the timeline.

Bathroom nearby, or separate outside is critical.

You dont need a deep end unless you're a child. Sport pool is much more functional.

A deep end in a pool is a waste.

 

[grantbob]

For those without saltwater pools, what is your yearly chemical cost?

 

[entropy13]

He says they keep the water at around 70 degrees. . .

 

[BlueBallz_rivals30790]

I moved into a house back in 2002 with a pool already in place, it has a DE filter/Chlorine and deep end with a diving board. Personally, I loved having a deep end, I guess it's a matter of preference, although in Texas, you won't find many pools with a deep end. The pool we have now is shallow, there are plus and minuses to both. We moved to a new house, but I still have the old one as a rental.

When we moved to the new house, I had a pool put in. This one is salt water with a cartridge filter, which I like way more than a DE filter and chlorine pool. The maintenance is alot less, but it did take some time to figure out some things. Cartridge filters are easier to maintain and clean than the DE and you don't have to use DE. Also, if you have to re-order the filters, it's alot cheaper to do it online and have them shipped then to buy from a local pool supply store. Generally, the pool company I used, I wasn't real pleased with. They always seemed to rush me with decisions and didn't give much guidance. Plus, they screwed up the initial order where they installed a chlorine system, not salt, so I had to battle with them on that. Also, my system works off an app, so if I want to turn on the hot tub, lights, set temps, etc., I can do it through an iaqualink app or online via web browser. I love it, because we can be out having dinner, etc. and I can start the hot tub. In the winter, the hot tub can take a while to heat up. Keep in mind though, it will connect through your home wifi, so you'll need a good speed, or it will drop and kinda a pain in the *** when it does. Ours also has a connector hose going from the outdoor spigot, under the decking, into the skimmer. This is nice, because if you need to add water, you can just turn it there, without having to run a hose directly in the pool. It may not be as much of an issue in upstate, but in Texas, we have alot of evaporation in the summer, so I have to add quite a bit weekly in the hot months. Also, the pipes feeding water to and from the pool filter, are side by side, not stacked, so if there is some issue with one of the pipes underneath, it's an easier find and fix. The company should explain that as well when they show the design. That's about all I can think of right now, I'll add to it if I think of anything else.

 

[Chuckinden]

Search online for pool kits. They actually are simple to put together, but everything has to be plumb. I did everything along with a laborer I hired at $10 per hour. I already had a tractor with a backhoe attachment and did my own excavation, plumbing, and electrical. The only thing I hired out was the concrete.