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LOL don't tell me "Don't do it!" Don't tell me "You'll never get your investment back!" My husband wants an inground, gunite pool by golly so we're almost certainly going to do it. We live in Texas so we'd get usage for about 8 months out of the year. We also live in a neighborhood that has a lot of inground pools so we wouldn't be outliers. We have the space. We have the money. We have the time to invest in the upkeep.
So I'm really looking more for advice on contractors, chlorine vs saltwater, pool designs (we have two large, old dogs and we're thinking about doing a beach entrance so they don't fall in and drown - LOL), fountains, lights, dos and don'ts, etc.
Oh and we've had one bid so far and the guy said "Don't paint the inside of the pool" which sort of freaked me out some because every single pool I've ever seen has had a painted interior and I like the idea of a beautiful blue oasis in my back yard. Thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
I had an "L" shaped gunite pool when my children were younger, back on Long Island. I loved it because my house was "THE HOUSE" to congregate. Kept my children home, and I could meet their friends.
We had a diving board - which the children loved.
It was a chlorine pool, and we used a pool service bi-weekly. It was worth it. I was able to do little things - check the ph level. My kids took turns skimming the pool for leaves and debris. Get references from friends and neighbors about pool maintenance companies - they are not all created equally
I've never heard anything bad about painting a gunite pool. I thought that's what people did. If it ever needs to bee painted, use a professional. That's about all I can say.
If I had it to do all over again? I'd have a salt water pool. My niece in FL has one and it's so much more natural.
I'd have a hot tub for the adults. We had lighting, and it creates a nice atmosphere.
You are right to worry about older dogs and pools. Tragically, we lost one that way. He was 14.
You will obviously get more use out of it than we did.
Wow, beautiful landscaping and garden, my backyard is a postage stamp.
Thank you. In addition to pool a big lot was also our preference (which is why we targeted older developments). My aim is to make it a real "oasis" to relax in. Unfortunately I don't get as much time to enjoy it as I'd like..
I get what you're saying for sure! I want the trees but I want a pool too. Decisions decisions...
Like I said I have a huge heritage red oak that's right above the pool. Of course, the tree isn't going anywhere as it's far more valuable than the pool lol. Sure oaks are messy but let me tell you that you'll love the shade in the summer. I was in a municipal water park in 100 degrees and I broiled in the heat despite being in the water. the worst thing is you don't feel yourself getting burned due to the cool water temperature but you'll notice it shortly after coming out. Many have commented how having the canopy over the pool makes a big difference. Aesthetically, it looks pretty too.
I'd suggest you hire a pool service. They're not all that expensive and a good one is worth its weight in gold. The service takes care all of the leaves and maintenance. Time is an important resource so if we can save some then it's worth it.
I was thinking about how you said you wanted to keep your oak trees, so I want to mention that you should consider what is called the Critical Root Zone. You can look this up, but basically it has to do with protecting the root systems of trees. You will want to take this into consideration when adding your pool, so that the excavation doesn't inadvertently damage your lovely oak trees.
Yeah, it's not big enough (the one in the link). It's not built to meet our wants and needs though I'm sure it's great for others.
They also offer a separate impeller package to be used in your pre-existing pool. It's hydraulically powered to prevent shock hazard. Not cheap - but it makes a compact pool seem unlimited.
Also, they have many different sizes, in various configurations : modular stainless steel; fiberglas; "commercial size" and so on.
They have one that is part pool, part water gym, and part hot tub - that caught my attention.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KathrynAragon
We don't have enough room for a real pond - LOL. Plus I want to see the bottom!
LOL - can't have crayfish nipping at the toes, eh?
. . . .
FWIW - I knew people who put in regular pools, and stopped using them, once the novelty wore off, and the upkeep mounted.
My acquaintance who put an Endless Pool in his basement 20 years ago is still using his every day... in the cold NE.
I was thinking about how you said you wanted to keep your oak trees, so I want to mention that you should consider what is called the Critical Root Zone. You can look this up, but basically it has to do with protecting the root systems of trees. You will want to take this into consideration when adding your pool, so that the excavation doesn't inadvertently damage your lovely oak trees.
Thank you. I walked around our yard a lot today and reached the conclusion that one of the oak trees may have to go but I think we can keep the other one. I think we'll have to shift the pool over a bit but if we save one oak tree we won't have to cut down both if we shift it over. I'm willing to do that.
They also offer a separate impeller package to be used in your pre-existing pool. It's hydraulically powered to prevent shock hazard. Not cheap - but it makes a compact pool seem unlimited.
Also, they have many different sizes, in various configurations : modular stainless steel; fiberglas; "commercial size" and so on.
They have one that is part pool, part water gym, and part hot tub - that caught my attention.
LOL - can't have crayfish nipping at the toes, eh?
. . . .
FWIW - I knew people who put in regular pools, and stopped using them, once the novelty wore off, and the upkeep mounted.
My acquaintance who put an Endless Pool in his basement 20 years ago is still using his every day... in the cold NE.
I get what you're saying but I can almost assure you that my husband and I would NEVER use a lap pool or a pool put in strictly to facilitate exercise. We're after an oasis in the back yard, with waterfall and floatie options!
One more thing about pool season, for me unheated pool season is four months. I don't do water that's in the 70s, or low 80s. 85 and up is optimal for me. My kids jumped into the pool a little too early in the year, when the water was 75 and instead of cheers I got tears :/
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If it ever needs to bee painted, use a professional. That's about all I can say. 
He was 14. 
