Who has one? What kind/how big is it? Do you wish it was smaller/bigger? Do you use it a lot or do neighbors, friends and relatives use it more? Is the upkeep worth it? Do you regret owning a pool? We've been kicking around the idea of a pool for many years. Two years ago we got a 10' intex easy set pool with a salt water generator filter. This year we got a 10' intex metal frame pool and are using chemicals instead of salt. We wanted to start out with a temporary pool before we put in anything permanent, so we can be sure that it's something that we'd like. We're not pool loungers or soakers. On a hot day, we'll get in the pool many times, just to cool off and if we didn't have it, we probably wouldn't spend near as much time outside and not nearly as much outside work would get done. This summer I'm building a concrete covered patio behind the house and next summer will be the time that I'll need to decide whether or not a permanent pool will go in. Since only the wife and I will be using it 90% of the time and I want to keep maintenance and chemical costs down, I won't get anything bigger than a 12' round pool. If I install a permanent pool, I'll build a partial deck around it, but if I stay with a temporary pool there'll be no deck. So there are a lot of choices I need to make by next summer and I'm just looking for input from anyone that has a pool.
We grew up with a pool. Loved it then, we lived in it. Thats was back when I didn't have to do the work. I moved out twenty years ago, and the pool became my chore(dad was getting up in years). Up until the last couple years I had to open and close it, chemicals, install pump/filter and do the first cleaning when opened(yuck). Now I hate it. We seem to be fighting to keep it clear every year. Nobody has time to take care of it. Been trying to talk my mom into filling it in with top soil. She has a pool company maintaining it now.
Last house had a 24' round above ground pool with a nice deck around a 1/3 of it. My wife went bonkers over having a pool, and I became the pool boy. I got in it maybe a half dozen times in the 3 years I maintained it. Thankfully... ... ice destroyed it and the last 3 years we were there, grass was growing nicely where the pool had been... Now, to be fair... I'd say most folks who like swimming will love a pool. Most folks who do the upkeep while having to do lots of other chores... maybe, not so much. Real estate agent who sold our house said once that pools are now actually considered a negative, and was glad ours was long gone.
I heard the same about pools being a negative. Lots of insurance companies don't like them much either.
We don't have to worry about neighbors or their kids wanting to use the pool which already makes it easier. We get in the pool we have now almost every day when it's hot. The wife isn't bonkers about a pool, but she likes having one. I probably get in the pool more than her, just to cool off and one of the deciding factors is how much she gets in it this year. We live in a somewhat rural, non-residential setting and a lot of houses around here have pools, so I don't think it would hurt resale value. As far as maintenance goes, I don't spend much time taking care of the one I have now, so I figure another 1500 gallons or so won't be that difficult. In the beginning the wife wanted an inground pool and I was totally against that Idea. I see pics of some pools and figure the owners either have a pool boy or are a slave to their pool.
yes. Dont get me wrong though. I loved the pool. But I just don't make time to get in it. A few of my nieces and nephews use it. And a couple neighbors.
I have a 30' above ground and it is an awesome pool.It is also a huge chemical eating machine.I Installed mine as I bought it used form a friend.New liner and other odds and ends.We havent used it in the last few years and it is a big frog pond right now.LOL I would suggest a smaller diameter espicially if its only two of you.A friend has a 18' and he said it is easy to keep up. Here is what I have learned and would change if I put another one in. 1. concrete slab under whole pool. Nieghbor done it and it made the bottom flat and never an issue in 20 + yrs.I used a pad under my liner and preformed cove foam around the bottom of mine and will use it again. 2. A bottom drain along with the skimmer!I wish i had done that sooo bad. 3.put up a deck around it to make it easier to clean. 4.hit the lotto and pay somebody to maintain it.
I have an inherited inground pool from the PO. It's pretty big 24 x 16 deep end with a 16x16 shallow section. I don't know if volume really matters that much in regards to time caring for it - chemicals definitely, time fractionally. I open it, clean it and close it - 6 yrs now. At this point, it isn't much of a burden - it takes less time than mowing the lawn! We don't use it habitually, but we do enjoy it and as the kids get older they use it more and more. I would say if it causes you to stay at home more, than it will probably end up saving you money - depending upon what your out of home recreation activities are. Just my two cents...
x2. I worked at city pools as a kid and teen, still have to test all the water parameters and add the chemicals anyway. They had commercial filtration which was a PIA to clean and recharge, but I might guess Norky's pool filters are easier? The one thing that did take me longer was vacuuming the bottom. Outdoor pools we had to often, even the indoor pools I worked at, bigger pool the longer it took. BUT, when I left my college job at a pool shop they were just coming out with automatic vacuum machine robot things, maybe these are mainstream now?
joined the Y and use their pool. Fraction of the cost of owning one. Y is about 4 mile drive from here. Works for me. I can use it all year. Only therapy that works for me.
I tried to talk my dad into the salt system a few years ago. Thinking it would solve the problems with the clorine getting low and cloudy water. He wouldn't even consider it. I think its the way to go
