Swimming Pools
Mar 11th 2007 | 6:52 am
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,514
From: Kelowna
Re: Swimming Pools
Well, its obviously different strokes for different folks. We have had a pool for over 20 years and I still love it. I look after the pool and it's not complicated. I used to go to a very swanky place for my chemicals, but a couple of years ago I talked to my dil's Dad and he is an expert in water and chemicals. He told me to quit using all the extra water clarifiers and all that stuff and just go with the basics. Since then the pool has been easier to look after and cheaper to maintain.
As the snow has started to melt, it has become apparent that our pool has a serious problem. The liner has obviously been leaking over the winter because we only lowered the water about six inches in the fall when the pool people closed it - and now it appears to be down about five feet! However, I am going to get a new liner put in. I am the one who uses the pool most, along with my granddaughter and I would miss it. I found the bill for when we installed the last liner. That was in 1992 and it cost us $1,300. So it doesn't owe us anything.
Our pool is heated with a gas furnace. I was keeping track of gas useage last summer, but I haven't calculated yet whether we use more in the winter or more in the summer when the pool is running. It doesn't really actually matter to me. I want the pool; I want it heated - end of story.
I usually get the pool opened at the beginning of June and close it in September some time.
As the snow has started to melt, it has become apparent that our pool has a serious problem. The liner has obviously been leaking over the winter because we only lowered the water about six inches in the fall when the pool people closed it - and now it appears to be down about five feet! However, I am going to get a new liner put in. I am the one who uses the pool most, along with my granddaughter and I would miss it. I found the bill for when we installed the last liner. That was in 1992 and it cost us $1,300. So it doesn't owe us anything.
Our pool is heated with a gas furnace. I was keeping track of gas useage last summer, but I haven't calculated yet whether we use more in the winter or more in the summer when the pool is running. It doesn't really actually matter to me. I want the pool; I want it heated - end of story.
I usually get the pool opened at the beginning of June and close it in September some time.
The main concern would be the running costs particularly the heating side of it, can't stand cold water.
Mar 11th 2007 | 7:10 am
#17
Reunited
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,754
From: Somewhere out there
Re: Swimming Pools
We have a pool and to be honest we can't wait to get it open and start using it.
We also have direct sun so hopefully once it's opened and we have the water at the right temp then we shouldn't have to put on the heater too much provided we put the solar blanket on most nights.
We have spoken with the kids and told them all the rules about the pool and the dangers that go with it and if any of the rules are broken then it will be a big bye bye to the pool. Even the threat of that happening had them in tears so I'm pretty confident that they will be keeping to the rules.
Roll on summer.
We also have direct sun so hopefully once it's opened and we have the water at the right temp then we shouldn't have to put on the heater too much provided we put the solar blanket on most nights.
We have spoken with the kids and told them all the rules about the pool and the dangers that go with it and if any of the rules are broken then it will be a big bye bye to the pool. Even the threat of that happening had them in tears so I'm pretty confident that they will be keeping to the rules.
Roll on summer.
Mar 11th 2007 | 7:13 am
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,514
From: Kelowna
Re: Swimming Pools
We have a pool and to be honest we can't wait to get it open and start using it.
We also have direct sun so hopefully once it's opened and we have the water at the right temp then we shouldn't have to put on the heater too much provided we put the solar blanket on most nights.
We have spoken with the kids and told them all the rules about the pool and the dangers that go with it and if any of the rules are broken then it will be a big bye bye to the pool. Even the threat of that happening had them in tears so I'm pretty confident that they will be keeping to the rules.
Roll on summer.
We also have direct sun so hopefully once it's opened and we have the water at the right temp then we shouldn't have to put on the heater too much provided we put the solar blanket on most nights.
We have spoken with the kids and told them all the rules about the pool and the dangers that go with it and if any of the rules are broken then it will be a big bye bye to the pool. Even the threat of that happening had them in tears so I'm pretty confident that they will be keeping to the rules.
Roll on summer.
Yes but i bet the OH will be the first to break the rules.
Mar 11th 2007 | 9:27 am
#19
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 478
From: Fall River, NS
More than likely since he is the biggest kid of them all.
Mar 11th 2007 | 10:50 am
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,015
Re: Swimming Pools
When we bought this house there was already a wrought iron fence around the pool. I would not have considered having a pool otherwise, even though my sons were 12 and 10 at the time. I had a padlock on the gate and I told them that my neighbour was coming to swim and if she ever found them inside the pool fence - they would be going to a babysitter's when I wasn't there! I cannot imagine having children and having a pool that is open to the back yard. I know some people do. I would not let any child under the age of maybe 13 outside with friends with a pool. I actually know someone who had a pool and their daughter was about 12 - she went swimming with a friend when the parents were out. Both girls drowned. It was assumed the friend got into trouble and when the daughter went to try to help - the tragedy happened.
A chain link fence is not very expensive, and anyway, what cost is a child's safety?
I like my pool about 92. I always put the bubble solar cover on at night and I don't think its terribly expensive to heat. Anyway, I don't care - I am not swimming in a cold pool. Years ago when my husband (el cheapo) looked after the pool, if the weather got cold and rainy, he would turn the heat down in the pool to save money. Then the weather would get warm and he would turn the heat up, but it took over a day for it to warm up again - by which time - the weather turned cold.
When I took over, I said - the pool is being heated all summer. There is no point in messing around with the heat, because its always cold when we want to swim in it. It probably was no cheaper, letting it get cold and heating it up again probably costs as much as keeping the temperature the same all the time.
A chain link fence is not very expensive, and anyway, what cost is a child's safety?
I like my pool about 92. I always put the bubble solar cover on at night and I don't think its terribly expensive to heat. Anyway, I don't care - I am not swimming in a cold pool. Years ago when my husband (el cheapo) looked after the pool, if the weather got cold and rainy, he would turn the heat down in the pool to save money. Then the weather would get warm and he would turn the heat up, but it took over a day for it to warm up again - by which time - the weather turned cold.
When I took over, I said - the pool is being heated all summer. There is no point in messing around with the heat, because its always cold when we want to swim in it. It probably was no cheaper, letting it get cold and heating it up again probably costs as much as keeping the temperature the same all the time.
Mar 11th 2007 | 2:13 pm
#22
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 30,259
From: Europe (to be specified).
Re: Swimming Pools
^^ 92 ?????? Is that degrees Fahrenheit? Jeez that's almost scalding!
I'm happy with swimming in anything over 20C (about 68F IIRC). The idea is to cool off in the hot weather, not to cook lobsters in it.
And if your liner needs replacing after 15 years, that might be part of the reason. They usually last 30 years, but not if you use the pool as a hot tub.
I'm happy with swimming in anything over 20C (about 68F IIRC). The idea is to cool off in the hot weather, not to cook lobsters in it.
And if your liner needs replacing after 15 years, that might be part of the reason. They usually last 30 years, but not if you use the pool as a hot tub.
Mar 11th 2007 | 10:01 pm
#24
Gutter Gob!!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,098
From: Perth
Re: Swimming Pools
correct, its called a salt water chlorinator. If you go down this route it is quite easy to maintain. The main problem for us is maintaining a constant ph level. We add a cup of acid a month roughly. We have had the pool about 9 months now and have added about 4 bags of additional salt. We are in Australia though so it could well be very different.
Mar 11th 2007 | 10:02 pm
#25
Gutter Gob!!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,098
From: Perth
Re: Swimming Pools
When we bought this house there was already a wrought iron fence around the pool. I would not have considered having a pool otherwise, even though my sons were 12 and 10 at the time. I had a padlock on the gate and I told them that my neighbour was coming to swim and if she ever found them inside the pool fence - they would be going to a babysitter's when I wasn't there! I cannot imagine having children and having a pool that is open to the back yard. I know some people do. I would not let any child under the age of maybe 13 outside with friends with a pool. I actually know someone who had a pool and their daughter was about 12 - she went swimming with a friend when the parents were out. Both girls drowned. It was assumed the friend got into trouble and when the daughter went to try to help - the tragedy happened.
A chain link fence is not very expensive, and anyway, what cost is a child's safety?
I like my pool about 92. I always put the bubble solar cover on at night and I don't think its terribly expensive to heat. Anyway, I don't care - I am not swimming in a cold pool. Years ago when my husband (el cheapo) looked after the pool, if the weather got cold and rainy, he would turn the heat down in the pool to save money. Then the weather would get warm and he would turn the heat up, but it took over a day for it to warm up again - by which time - the weather turned cold.
When I took over, I said - the pool is being heated all summer. There is no point in messing around with the heat, because its always cold when we want to swim in it. It probably was no cheaper, letting it get cold and heating it up again probably costs as much as keeping the temperature the same all the time.
A chain link fence is not very expensive, and anyway, what cost is a child's safety?
I like my pool about 92. I always put the bubble solar cover on at night and I don't think its terribly expensive to heat. Anyway, I don't care - I am not swimming in a cold pool. Years ago when my husband (el cheapo) looked after the pool, if the weather got cold and rainy, he would turn the heat down in the pool to save money. Then the weather would get warm and he would turn the heat up, but it took over a day for it to warm up again - by which time - the weather turned cold.
When I took over, I said - the pool is being heated all summer. There is no point in messing around with the heat, because its always cold when we want to swim in it. It probably was no cheaper, letting it get cold and heating it up again probably costs as much as keeping the temperature the same all the time.
Mar 11th 2007 | 11:54 pm
#26
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 40,070
From: Ontario
Re: Swimming Pools
Thanks. The OH's parents are considering having theirs filled because of the hassle of maintaining it. This might be an option.
Mar 12th 2007 | 12:22 am
#27
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,606
Re: Swimming Pools
I am in an ongoing battle with Souvette about having a pool. It seems to be a Quebec thing that any back yard must have a pool in it. I'm thoroughly agin the idea. I certainly don't want to spend lots of money on something that will take up most of my (fairly small) back yard and that I won't use.
There are 12 houses on my block, of which six have pools. I can see most of them from my office window. They didn't get much use last Summer, even in July.
There are 12 houses on my block, of which six have pools. I can see most of them from my office window. They didn't get much use last Summer, even in July.
Mar 12th 2007 | 12:31 am
#28
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 40,070
From: Ontario
Re: Swimming Pools
I am in an ongoing battle with Souvette about having a pool. It seems to be a Quebec thing that any back yard must have a pool in it. I'm thoroughly agin the idea. I certainly don't want to spend lots of money on something that will take up most of my (fairly small) back yard and that I won't use.
There are 12 houses on my block, of which six have pools. I can see most of them from my office window. They didn't get much use last Summer, even in July.
There are 12 houses on my block, of which six have pools. I can see most of them from my office window. They didn't get much use last Summer, even in July.
This year we'll have our own shit to shovel and will have to swim in the lake.
Mar 12th 2007 | 8:39 am
#29
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 30,771
From: Upstate South Carolina
Re: Swimming Pools
Nice to hear from somebody who likes having a pool. I was thinking it would be nice to own one if we could afford one but having read most of the above posts i was wondering whether it was such a good idea.
The main concern would be the running costs particularly the heating side of it, can't stand cold water.
The main concern would be the running costs particularly the heating side of it, can't stand cold water.
http://www.canren.gc.ca/prod_serv/in...d=142&PgId=872
As I mentioned in another thread my friend uses an air / water heat exchange heater that he uses to cool his house in addition to heating the pool.
We have an "inflatable" filtered pool that we and the kids love. As its fairly small, even a thermal blanket gets it up to bath tub warm, and we actually added more water to cool it last July. It will be too small in a couple of years and an affordable option will be an above ground pool. In ground looks nicer, but they are an order of magnitude more expensive to install, and are far more complicated to fix if they go wrong.
Pool chemistry is not rocket science, and bulk buying of chemicals in sale season will save a lot of money on maintenance. Without the kids and the large yard we probably wouldn't bother, but its a distinct possibility at the moment. Id be quite wary of buying a place with an (older) inground pool, and indoor pools will have the same issues, plus condensation in the winter.
Last edited by iaink; Mar 12th 2007 at 8:42 am.
Mar 12th 2007 | 9:10 am
#30
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 478
From: Fall River, NS
Re: Swimming Pools
I am in an ongoing battle with Souvette about having a pool. It seems to be a Quebec thing that any back yard must have a pool in it. I'm thoroughly agin the idea. I certainly don't want to spend lots of money on something that will take up most of my (fairly small) back yard and that I won't use.
There are 12 houses on my block, of which six have pools. I can see most of them from my office window. They didn't get much use last Summer, even in July.
There are 12 houses on my block, of which six have pools. I can see most of them from my office window. They didn't get much use last Summer, even in July.
