In ground vinyl pool question

[Bird]

Expenses: About $50/year for chemicals, electric for the pump I don't want to think about.

You obviously use a great deal less chemicals (chlorine) up north than down south, and have a shorter season for using a pool. Twenty years ago, I figured it was about $50 a month (not a year) for water, chemicals, and electricity. I'd expect that to be considerably higher now. And then I probably only spent 3 to 5 hours a week on maintenance; vacuuming, checking chemicals, backflushing the filter, etc.

Our girls were 9 and 12 when we had the pool put in and we enjoyed it for at least 4 or 5 years. And then the girls were old enough and good enough swimmers that they worked as life guards and our little pool was seldom used for another 3 or 4 years, and then the last couple of years, I think I got in it twice; both times for some kind of maintenance.

 

[midlf]

Well that was $50/year for the chemicals. The cost for the pump? I try to avoid thinking about it. It is a 1hp motor running for 10-12hrs a day. Chemical cost is lower as we only have the pool open about 4 months. We open about June 7th after the cottonwood fuzz and oak catkins are done dropping. We close it up around October 1 as the water gets too cool to be fun. Chlorine use is also low as we have a solar cover on the pool.

 

[mathey]

do a google search for do-it-yourself pool kits...there are a bunch available

http://sunwestpools.com/index.htm

the ones I looked at years ago used pressure treated plywood for the side walls...we ended up having one installed by a pool company.

 

[EddieWalker]

Hi Don,

Have you ever had a pool before? They are a constant project that will turn into a huge PIA if you ever let you chemicals go. Draining, scrubbing and starting all over again isn't any fun at all.

Instead of spending $7,000 to $12,000 on a nice large one, why not go to Walmart and spend $300 on an above ground pool? Don't invite over you buddies, and it's the perfect size for a couple or two to relax and cool off.

If you find it's too small after a year or so, than you'll at least go into pool construction with some experience and knowledge of what it takes to own one.

If you spend the big money on it and realize it's more hassle than you expected, your kind of stuck with very few options.

I sure enjoyed my pool, but I enjoyed getting rid of it even more!!!

Eddie

 

[txdon]

why not go to Walmart and spend $300 on an above ground pool? Eddie

Hi Eddie, I enjoyed your wedding pictures!

The answer to the above question is because the wife won't let me. There are only so many lean-tos, old implements, and other accessories I can add around here without changing, as Jim said, the "Ambiance" of the place. I think I'll start taking long July/August vacations to the north.

 

[kenmac]

I had an 18x36 installed about 5 yrs ago 4ft to 9 ft deep. slide, dive board light stepts & a polaris pool cleaner . I couldn't keep the pool clean without it. It's a must. I have a safety cover ( solid type that you can walk on ) that I cover it with in the winter .I got the plastic type sides instead of steel. It cost a little more $. I think total installed price was $18000,00 . We love the pool !

 

[hvac1]

We had a inground pool installed 4 years ago 20x40. 4ft to 8 ft. Shallow end is 12x20 . I have never tried playing vollyball in it but it seems kind of small for that. But I wouldn't give up my deep end either. The pool originaly cost around $18,000. but after adding a pool house with bath and kitchen, then gazebo plus all the concrete and fencing.This pool project took on a life of its own.But I still love it and my kids love it.