re: Very close to signing a contract on a new pool. What are the must/not haves to consider

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The best option that you can get for a pool is someone else to take care of it.

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you lazy turd.

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Taking care of the pool zaps ALL of the enjoyment out of it.

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no it doesnt you lazy turd.

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So just budget in a couple hundred dollars a month for life for the pool guy, and put away a couple hundred more for broken pumps/equipment and the resurface that is necessary every 10-12 years.

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lazy turd. resurfcing is every 10-20. mine needs it.. but im not paying it right now.

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I just had a resurface done...$13K. I have had 2 vacuum robots break, so I am on my third...$1400/ea. I have 2 pumps running my pool, they have each been replaced in the last 10 years...$1K/ea.

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3rd? why do they keep breaking? operator error? i have had mine for 5 years... burnt the motor up 2nd year from palm strings around the shaft, but got it fixed via warranty.

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15-20 times a year (twice a week during the Summer).

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lol. use it more.... we use ours all the time. No clue what i would do with the kids all summer without it.

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No salt water

Basic arse chlorine

Why you say that? We've had zero problems with our salt water.

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i dont like the salt taste of a salt water pool. Yes i can taste it... some people can. if you want the least amount of maintenance. Salt is the way to go but basic liquid chlorine is really simple too.

Screened Lanai. Keeps out the bugs, pollen and leaves.

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Don't have one, but do have two friends who had one installed, and you better have a SHITTON of patience.

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I have had one for four years, there has been nearly zero effort to keep sparkling. Read and understand TFP stuff and it is literally about 2-3 minutes a day to put cleaner in and about 15 minutes a week to empty skimmer baskets, pump basket, backwash and rinse filter.

This year was different, for the first time I would have rather had a heater versus a chiller. I dont like being in it when it is 95 plus outside, but I would love to be in it earlier in the year when it is 85 out but pool if freezing. If you dont put a heater/chiller in, just make sure you have pad space near pump and filter to install later. That is my issue. I have salt water and would do it again. I have a rectangle pool, but if designing again may go free form. Wife wanted a white/blue bottom, if it was me I wouldve gotten a little darker water color.

And you are designing this for you and your wife and friends, your kids wont use it like you think. They get older and get busy and rarely use it, maybe 10 times a year. On that note, if you have boys, insure a great place to play pool basketball or volleyball. That is all they do.

My biggest issue is grass clippings, I have alot of deck, but no matter what the hell I do the summer South or West or East winds push tons of grass clippings.into the pool. Skimming those out is a requirement if you are wanting to use pool immediately after mowing, if you arent using it, it is not a big deal as they are filtered out in about 6-8 hours. So design your lawn area if you can to be on the north side of pool or at least be able to discharge away from pool as best you can.

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If you live in the South then get a chiller, which drops the water temp fifteen degrees or so.

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This, our neighborhood has a community pool and it’s shallow.. deepest is 5 it In July & August it feels like bath water. It was an absolutely retarded design and really needs a chiller or a water feature that moves water. Getting the water cooler is a must down here.

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How does a darker color make it cooler? I would think it should make the pool warmer.

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I can't figure it out at all. I have been trying to figure out what other variable is in play and can't come up with anything.

Go with a standard shape pool. If anything is custom then it costs a shite ton to replace(cover, liner, etc.)

Go with a salt water system with a chlorine generator. Very low maintenance systems.

Decide if you want a diving board or slide or both. It's not really something you will want to add later.

If you live in S LA then add the pool heater. It will extend your pool season by a lot. Not so much where I live in central Arkansas.

Last thing I recommend buying a Dolphin pool vacuum. They are a little pricey but clean the hell out of your pool.

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If you live in S LA then add the pool heater. It will extend your pool season by a lot. Not so much where I live in central Arkansas.

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you saying you cant heat your pool in central ar kansas?

sand filter.

you dont want to be standing out in the 110 degree weather of a La summer with a spray hose with nasty-arse scum going all over you trying to clean cartridges every few months when you can just turn a multi-port valve to 'backwash' in your 3 piece seersucker suit holding a mint julep and have it clean the filter for you.


trust me on this baw.

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goat365

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damn baw you must be the unluckiest guy in the world. pools aren't that bad to maintain as long as you give them a little love every day. you just cant be a lazy slack-arse and ignore the water chemistry or chlorine levels.