Advice on a pool build?

[Shane]

She moved with me to the house we built in the country, so now I have to build her a pool.

We're out in the country. Soil is sand down to 6 or 8' deep, where there's some clay. We have lots of oak trees. Pool will be on the NW side of the house in the back yard. (if any of that matters to what you would suggest) I want ease of maintenance, even if it costs more up front. We also want safety for grand babies.

Here's what I'm leaning toward so far, generally, but I'm definitely open to suggestions....

Rectangle shape pool with spa connected
Probably no rock features, as it seems like that would just attract snakes out where we are
Automatic cover to keep leaves out in the fall/winter especially, and to keep kids safe from falling in
Salt (because most people say that salt systems are easier to maintain than chlorine - true?)
Sport pool depths - 3 or 3.5' deep on the ends and 5' in the middle, but will also put a shallow wading/tanning/baby playing area on one end
Size - not sure yet. Nothing huge, but not super tiny
Either install umbrella mounts along the west side or build a permanent shade/roof over the deck on that side
Robotic vacuum
PebbleTec finish

What about cooling system and/or heating system?

What would you pool experts add or change or recommend? Does anyone here build pools near Abilene?

[BlackHogDown]

I have ZERO to offer in terms of advice but I have two good friends each adding chillers this off season. Pool temps in the 90s kinda defeats the purpose in my opinion. May not be a huge issue if you're covering it when not in use.

Look forward to what others have to offer.

[Shane]

I have ZERO to offer in terms of advice but I have two good friends each adding chillers this off season. Pool temps in the 90s kinda defeats the purpose in my opinion. May not be a huge issue if you're covering it when not in use.

Look forward to what others have to offer.

I've read where a pool cover will actually heat up the water in the summer. That would suck.

[Burnadell]

Shane, the only thing I would say is that my BIL’s pool years ago was only 3-5 ft deep (don’t remember exactly). They called it a party pool. It was HOT all summer long whereas our pool in Dallas had the typical deep end, and the water was cool. Their pool in the summer was like a hot tub with no way to get the water temperature down…not enjoyable .A pool with a deep end helps keep the circulating water cooler. You might consider that and check with the swimming pool contractors to see what they say.

[JhuntsAlot]

A heater is nice. We have several trees near our pool and the heater helps get it to temp early in the year. If you have a hot tub, it will heat both.

To cool the water, need to have a water fountain or scuppers. It helps a lot.

And as Burn stated, deep end helps. Ours is only 6' and it helps with controlling temp.



J

[Bassdeer]

You have it covered. Not big on a spa, I would do a rock fountain (your going to get snakes even if you don't have it) Mine is 3-5-4, deep end is a waste. My pool right now is 92 and it feels good, just don't get a real dark pebble tec and it will be fine. Salt is good, don't get set up with a booster pump for your sweeper just get a Dolphin Nautilus my booster sweeper keeps getting stuck on the steps so I got rid of it and got the dolphin.

[Jtrage]

We opted for a heater/chiller instead of a hot tub. Close to same cost. It doesn’t heat with gas but it easily gives a month on either side to be able to swim. Generally gives about 10-15 degrees over some time to get there. Haven’t really seen a dramatic increase in power consumption.

[Mayhem]

The salt cell go out a lot. My parents replaced theirs twice before converting over to chlorine.
Our pool has this ozone thing on it that has really helped with maintenance and chemicals.

I’d post pics but this new TBH always says they are too big. I miss Tapatalk.

[myway]

A lot of what you’re asking is so subjective and some will depend on what you decide on but you know your family (and what they will use) better than anyone so that’s the most important part to remember.
My 2 cents below.
Shape- very subjective. My personal preference and what we will built is the bean shape similar to what’s above. I did this because it allowed more deck space with my yard and we liked the “lagoon” look. Majority of what we build on our properties is rectangular but they typically have a more modern/contemporary look so that’s where it becomes subjective. What will fit with the home you just built.
I like the elevated spa with the water feature into the pool personally and I don’t think this would attract pest IMO. My wife wanted a waterfall as well but I would have preferred not to have it. Gain subjective.
They make custom covers that you put on through the winter and if your oaks are like mine they drop in February and it sucks for a couple weeks but I ended up not buying the cover because I like the look of the pool. They do make nets that are custom fitted when the grand kids are around and probably what I will have when the time comes. I am not family with the outdo covers but it sounds like something to break.
3’ 5 3 is where I would land with a heater chiller combo. You may not use a hot tub a ton but when you do it’s well worth it and will extend your use substantially. I have seen pics of your build and sitting in a hot tub during those winter months would be pretty awesome. Think about how far it is from your back door because it will matter when it’s cold.

Add more umbrellas holders. Cheap and easy and gives you options later. Definitely one at the sun deck sitting area of the pool as well.

I have no experience with the robot cleaners but I know most love them. I just never bought one. The life on the traditional sweepers seems to be about 3-4 years.

Plaster finish- some of them are aggressive and will tear your feet up if you think you guys will ply much volleyball.

I if I were building again I would have a chiller in addition to a spa (you only get one shot on the spa) My pool is deep enough that I have not added a chiller but I have the spillway set up to run from 2-5AM to cool it.

Add benches. In hind sight I would have added more in the shady spots.

All my experience is with chlorine and there is nothing to it. I personally hear the opposite with salt but have no experience with it.

Look at how you will use it. Lots of sports ..build to suit. Lots of entertaining and laying around.. more benches umbrella’s etc..

[Richard M.]

I wasn't a fan of our salt system. It struggled to keep up chlorine levels in the summer. The cell kept going out and I was constantly adding both salt and muriatic acid to lower the high ph levels. It also eats away at any flagstone or rock that is on the pool. When the cell went out I just converted it to using chlorine tabs. We had a 9 1/2ft deep end and a diving rock and a tanning bed. I believe it helped with high water temps in the summer. The grand kids never had a problem with the depth and started off with life jackets. If you do a sport pool I would definitely add aerators on the sides. They are fan type sprays around the edges that you can turn on or off. They look nice when on but really help lower the water temp. If you are in the pool with them on it almost feels cold. I always turned them on and got in after mowing the yard.

Just my personal opinions. I wouldn't do salt again. I would do most of your research on filter systems. This is what will help the most with ease of maintenance.

[Mayhem]

[RMW]

I wouldn’t go less than 4ft anywhere in the pool, deep end helps a lot on helping pool stay cool, also light colored pebble tec helps tremendously also install chiller.

[BuckSmasher]

She moved with me to the house we built in the country, so now I have to build her a pool.

We're out in the country. Soil is sand down to 6 or 8' deep, where there's some clay. We have lots of oak trees. Pool will be on the NW side of the house in the back yard. (if any of that matters to what you would suggest) I want ease of maintenance, even if it costs more up front. We also want safety for grand babies.

Here's what I'm leaning toward so far, generally, but I'm definitely open to suggestions....

Rectangle shape pool with spa connected
Probably no rock features, as it seems like that would just attract snakes out where we are
Automatic cover to keep leaves out in the fall/winter especially, and to keep kids safe from falling in
Salt (because most people say that salt systems are easier to maintain than chlorine - true?)
Sport pool depths - 3 or 3.5' deep on the ends and 5' in the middle, but will also put a shallow wading/tanning/baby playing area on one end
Size - not sure yet. Nothing huge, but not super tiny
Either install umbrella mounts along the west side or build a permanent shade/roof over the deck on that side
Robotic vacuum
PebbleTec finish

What about cooling system and/or heating system?

What would you pool experts add or change or recommend? Does anyone here build pools near Abilene?

Any chance you can talk her out of it and buy a boat instead? Boat will be cheaper to buy and to own, access to much more water, and tubing is way more fun than floating in a shallow pool in your backyard.

I have never owned a pool but lived across the street from my mom and her pool when we lived in Tyler. I am strongly anti-pool. The water is too hot to cool off in if you don't have a chiller. They are expensive, $100k and up for anything much better than an aboveground, they cost $300+ a month to operate, more if you hire a company to help clean it, they do not add value to your house, are a CONSTANT drag on your time, take up space you could use for pretty much anything else other than a six figure hole in the ground that will cost you $3k annually plus to own even if you pay cash for it.

On the other hand always owned nice boats when we lived in Texas and that was MUCH better, cheaper, and less maintenance and time.

[Shane]

Any chance you can talk her out of it and buy a boat instead? Boat will be cheaper to buy and to own, access to much more water, and tubing is way more fun than floating in a shallow pool in your backyard.

I have never owned a pool but lived across the street from my mom and her pool when we lived in Tyler. I am strongly anti-pool. The water is too hot to cool off in if you don't have a chiller. They are expensive, $100k and up for anything much better than an aboveground, they cost $300+ a month to operate, more if you hire a company to help clean it, they do not add value to your house, are a CONSTANT drag on your time, take up space you could use for pretty much anything else other than a six figure hole in the ground that will cost you $3k annually plus to own even if you pay cash for it.

On the other hand always owned nice boats when we lived in Texas and that was MUCH better, cheaper, and less maintenance and time.

I agree with you on all points, but she doesn't. I've been looking at 80s MasterCraft Stars & Stripes. I've always loved those boats. But I'm committed to building her a pool. It's part of our grandparents' arms race to see which set of grandparents has the most fun house for the grandkids to visit. Our son and his wife have a baby now. My DIL's parents have a nice house out in the country, similar to ours. But they have a pool. We gotsta get one too.

We'll use it a lot, I'm sure. I just HATE having another high maintenance thing to spend a bunch of money on.

[WRasco]

Finished our second pool last December. Both have been salt so I am biased. - only way to go IMO because of what you mention but also just nicer to swim in.
Both my pools had a deep end over 6 feet. I went 7'6" on this one to help heat because I knew it would get sun all day long. It has gotten to 92 deg this summer. July and August anyway, I did not have this issue on the last pool because it was shaded after 2pm. You can always add a chiller later if needed.

Tips for you:

1. Both mine were built with a in floor cleaner to make cleaning simple... more up front cost but better than buying new cleaners every few years. It is like having a sprinkler system for your yard vs using hoses.
2. Build your pool /patio above grade. > 4" is a small step down but helps keep the grass clippings and critters out of the pool. Over the years your grade will get higher.
3. Have them put in a beach entry. This will ease people getting in and allow critters that fall in to get out.

What do I wish I had don different?

1. Should made my hot tub smaller because I am on propane and it take a-lot to heat it up.
2. Go with a reputable pool company, Had trouble keeping the second pool on track. First time was much better.