Who has a Swimming Pool? (We Are About to Build!)

[Brushpup]

Just curious who has a pool here. I would imagine many of you do, and we are about to have one built. Part of my recent absence from here is due to incessant research over the past two years on the subject. We will be building a Gunite pool, traditional deep end with diving board. We are putting in minimal decking of Oklahoma Stone in a Grey/Blue/Green-ish color. The size will be about 36'X18', 3.5'-9.0' deep in a free form shape. I estimate it close to 32,000 gallons capacity. We are extremely excited and very anxious to get started. I'll be posting the build on a pool forum I'm on and will update here when we get going. Just interested in TRF member's pools, and would love hearing from you on the subject. Below is a rough drawing we finally made our shape decision on.

[Tri-Tip]

No spa attached to it?

[BarkMaster]

There's no easement along that fence line, correct?

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by BarkMaster

There's no easement along that fence line, correct?

No, we sit on our own property...about two acres. Plus we are in the County anyway. No easement, or for that matter permit requirements either. That said, all the electrical bonding and other construction details will be up to or exceeding any normal code requirements.

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

No, we sit on our own property...about two acres. Plus we are in the County anyway. No easement, or for that matter permit requirements either. That said, all the electrical bonding and other construction details will be up to or exceeding any normal code requirements.

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

No spa attached to it?

Nope, we had a stand alone here at one time and we don't think we will use one enough. Perhaps on occasion, but not nearly enough to justify another 8-12K+ in cost. I know lot's of people want them, but a lot of it is just trendy IMO. Each to his own, we just didn't want one.

[SUBversive]

Looks like a great concept.

[Art 1]

I have one and can't stand having it. I would stop before you start.

[Lucky777]

Ours is gunite with approx 36k gallons. We love it...


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[MonBK]

Hey buddy, I've only built four pools so far from an expert but here's my take on your drawing, (I didn't know you were an architect).

Your drawing is so close to the last pool I built it's scary.
First I would extend the first step way out (ask the guy who holds the gun for a "beach area") and then make the next two steps the same width which will allow your Creepy Crawler to move around easier and it won't get stuck. Oh, don't forget to run pipes to the "beach area" with extension pipes for fountains.
I would also put the light under the diving board for better spread and last but not least you got to have a waterfall.

Here are a few pics of mine, I'll look for some more.

[keschete]

I love our pool. I did a lot of research and I got exactly what I wanted. Mine is about 10 thousand gallons from 3.5 to 6 feet with the spa in the pool with water flowing over into the pool. Mine is salt water. Its been 2 years and I wouldn't change anything..

[Presa canary]

They have pool forums?.. Im with the above post. Had a pool forever. Can't stand the upkeep. Never used it after the first 5 years. But good luck. Certainly don't mean to rain on anybody.

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by Art 1

I have one and can't stand having it. I would stop before you start.

No way! My background is water treatment chemistry, and I actually enjoy that aspect of it a lot.

Originally Posted by MonBK

Hey buddy, I've only built four pools so far from an expert but here's my take on your drawing, (I didn't know you were an architect).

Your drawing is so close to the last pool I built it's scary.
First I would extend the first step way out (ask the guy who holds the gun for a "beach area") and then make the next two steps the same width which will allow your Creepy Crawler to move around easier and it won't get stuck. Oh, don't forget to run pipes to the "beach area" with extension pipes for fountains.
I would also put the light under the diving board for better spread and last but not least you got to have a waterfall.

Here are a few pics of mine, I'll look for some more.

My drawing explains why I am not an Architect. I hear ya on the step. We won't have a tanning shelf, but the steps will be ample for ease of access. Waterfall is a possibility, but our hard water makes upkeep a PITA.
Cool that we had similar tastes in shape, and I'd love to see your other builds.

Originally Posted by hdrazor251

I put one in about 8 years ago and love it!! Unless there is a storm, the maintenance is about 10 minutes a week to add chlorine tablets, acid, and empty the skimmers.

On a side note, about 10 years ago I had a coworker that wanted to install a pool with a diving board. He told me his insurance company said they would cancel his homeowners insurance if he had a diving board due to the increased risk. I had never heard that before or since but it is something you might want to check into.

Edit: x2 with MonBK that the light should be at the other end of the pool.

No tablets for me except on times we are gone perhaps. I'll be using 12.5% bleach (liquid Chlorine) for minimal side effects. Tablets can get folks in trouble over the long haul. We checked on insurance before we committed to a Diving Board for that very reason. Many permit it as long as the pool meets dive pool configuration standards.

As for the lights, we put them there because we want them shining away from the house and primary sitting areas.

Originally Posted by Presa canary

They have pool forums?.. Im with the above post. Had a pool forever. Can't stand the upkeep. Never used it after the first 5 years. But good luck. Certainly don't mean to rain on anybody.

That's the same thing people say when you tell them there are watch forums. Trust me, they exist for about everything anyone is into. If you still have a pool, and hate it, come over and join us. We might turn you around on it. http://www.troublefreepool.com/

[Arby]

I recommend a Salt Water System. We just installed one last year and the Chlorine cost savings will pay for itself in six years. It's a commercial pool for our small motel and we need to test our water every 2 hours per State of NJ Regulation. I'm the CPO (Certified Pool Operator).

[hdrazor251]

I put one in about 8 years ago and love it!! Unless there is a storm, the maintenance is about 10 minutes a week to add chlorine tablets, acid, and empty the skimmers.

On a side note, about 10 years ago I had a coworker that wanted to install a pool with a diving board. He told me his insurance company said they would cancel his homeowners insurance if he had a diving board due to the increased risk. I had never heard that before or since but it is something you might want to check into.

Edit: x2 with MonBK that the light should be at the other end of the pool.

[Brushpup]

I would Arby, but I am putting in Flagstone so salt won't be a good option for me. SWG's are great, but salt water is not so good for surrounding materials of certain types. Being into the CPO thing you might enjoy our forum. We focus on residential pools, but there is a lot of discussion about everything pool related. There is a really interesting thread called "CPO Certification: What Is Not Taught". We also have a "Deep End" if you really want to dig into the chemistry.

[azguy]

I'm with the people that say they wouldn't own a pool again. Even in blistering hot Arizona the water was too cold for nearly 5 months to even thick about getting in it.

A hot tub is way more functional and medicinal IMHO...

[Arby]

Originally Posted by azguy

A hot tub is way more functional and medicinal IMHO...

Hot tubs should be the last thing you want to put your body in. Especially commercial hot tubs like at the Gym or Spa. Think DNA soup. Even personal units. If you don't diligently watch the chlorine/disinfectant levels AT LEAST DAILY, your asking for all kinds of health problems.

[Brenngun]

That's a nice design Patrick. I've had a couple of different pools both vinyl and gunite. My current is a 38x22 with 9.5' deep end and a spring diving board. Only thing I would guggest is a hand railing near the steps. I know a lot of people think they don't look good but you can get some very stylish ones and if you plan to have any grand parents visiting etc they will be very grateful. After floating around on a hot day with a few margaritas I was also happy to have one. Good luck with the build?

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by Arby

Hot tubs should be the last thing you want to put your body in. Especially commercial hot tubs like at the Gym or Spa. Think DNA soup. Even personal units. If you don't diligently watch the chlorine/disinfectant levels AT LEAST DAILY, your asking for all kinds of health problems.

Crap! When my hot water bottles ran out on my water dispenser I was making tea from the water in the hot tub!!

[T. Ferguson]

Seems like an expensive way to go just to clean a Rolex but it looks great, and should be ready in time for summer!

My only suggestion is to make sure your dogs know where the steps are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gik5yf_w1ug

[QueueCumber]

Yeah. We has one...

[kilyung]

Two words... grass clippings. I'd recommend more edging or be prepared to constantly clean the pool.