Is a pool really worth it?
 

We have been in our rental for nearly 5mths and I have had a v quick dip in the (unheated) pool when we moved in, otherwise has not been used at all.

In the meantime we have had hassle/costs of putting in chlorine in, keeping filter clear, topping up with water (empty some too), pool man (incl in rent), pump costs (elec for last 3mths was $466, apparently pumps usage 2nd after aircon, which we don't have), but at least we don't have to pay if something goes kaput.

We are starting to look at places to buy and have been swaying towards properties with a pool or land to put one in - but is it really worth it????????

All those that say 'aye', what things should we look out for or avoid?

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

I'll keep my eye on this one too.

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

Can't remember where you are but IMO if you are sub tropics or tropics the answer is yes, anywhere else in the country I wouldn't bother :D This is based purely on months of general usage.

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

Sydney - another cost, but would a heater be a must?

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

Do you think that a pool would be an asset to your family? You are the only one that can answer that. We got a pool in the early 70s and recon it paid for itself in the first year. We had 4 sons and don't live next door to the beach. As for running costs, time is minimal and costs not that much if you have a decent filter with timer, salt chlorinator and automatic cleaner. Didn't have these things when we got ours at first - now it's a breeze! :D

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

We didn't move into our house until the summer was nearly over - start of March. But in the next 6 weeks I think there were only about 3 days we didn't use the pool. To get home from work feeling hot and bothered then get straight in the pool is fantastic. I wouldn't be without it.

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

I am in Sydney (as you might know :) )

In my opinion a pool is really worth it even for only the three months over Summer. My reasoning is based on the use the children get out of it. I had a year in a rental and summer was a pain heading down to the public pool and being twice as hot by the time we got home. Ok we also have the beach nearish - 20 mins in the car. But the pool was used most days in summer after school with the kids right into the evening when they would have a dip late on to cool down.

I know it can be expensive we are just planning to refurbish our old one at a cost of around $8K but still rate it as a worth while expense. Check out your electricity running costs - lots of people can run the pool pump less in Winter but as you are living in a rental they will set the timer still for 8-12 hours a day as it is your electricity not their cost.

Heating helps extend the summer months use of a pool as does a cover but those are additional things to think about.

I will be honest and tell you I do not use it much personally and would possibly consider just a spa when the kids leave home.

Cheers

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

Get a salt water pool

5 min job if you have a sand filter

Not too much hastle.

Wire the pool pump up to a cheap tarriff.
Yes !

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

Don't get a sand filter - wastes way too much water when cleaning. A self cleaning cartidge is even easier and doesn't waste any water at all. In fact most places round here seem to be phasing sand filters out because of the lack of water around.

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

Hows that work? It must use some water to clean it's self ?

I back wash mostly after rain then the pool is over full anyway.

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

Hiya
we had our pool put in about a month ago, it has cartridge filter which needs a quick hose to clean it...Sand filters use too much water to back wash. it is a salt water pool so no need for chlorine...it has a self cleaning chlorinator. Took a water sample to the pool shop...all that was needed to be added after initial installation(all in pool cost) was 2 bags od salt $10 and some acid $2 worth. It takes 10 mins to clean with the manual cleaner...just do it when pump is on so no additional expense there. In the winter months and no one is swimming you should only have the pump on 3-4 hours max a day. In the summer (and being used a LOT) up to a max of 10 hours.

We have just had our leckie bill in and it is ony $25 more for the last quarter and I have had the dryer on a lot cos we had rain. I thought it would be heaps more because initially when we were gettin the water clear after installation the pump was on 24/7 for 6 days...and no it isnt plumbed into the cheap leckie.

IMO its well worth it...my kids and hubby have been using it already....bought solar sun rings and it has the temp up at 27 degrees even though the night time temps are down at 9 degrees

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

Don't know, some sort of electrolysis sort of milarky type thing. Its about a foot long and a couple of inches deep tube thing that water runs through - does the same job as the sand one but better (apparently) ;)

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

Cool. They just need to invent something to stop the ducks using it as a toilet.
I have suggested a bread rat poison mix but the other half wasn't too happy with that idea ;)

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

I think everyone on here is of the YES opinion.
We too. Especially for the kids.
Running costs aren't that bad.
Kids get 6 months out of ours (Oct - Mar).
Salt water and cartridges - perfect.

The AUSTRALIAN family we bought the house from moved to a house with no pool. The parents (late 40s/early 50s) said their kids had left and they no longer had a need for a pool.
We still see them regularly as they moved local and they say it is the biggest regret they ever made - moving to a house with no pool or room to build one.

We have a spa too which is great for when the pool starts to get chilly but that is heavy on the lekky.

Andrew

Re: Is a pool really worth it?
 

Asking this question on here was only ever going to get a positive answer as most brits emigrating dream of owning a house with a pool as it's part of "the dream" you'd probably do better asking Australians.