Advice on a pool build?

[Dale Moser]

How does a pool chiller work, and how much will it drop the temp?

[lostbrd]

In for pool chiller info!

[Foxtrot]

I 2nd salt being the only way to go.
The cells only have a life span of 3-5 yrs so yes they go out.
Yes the salt will eat at the stone however they make a salt water sealant that I apply with a pump up prayer.
Even with the cell and spray, It is cheaper to maintain over time.
I have approx 250 oak and elm trees on my 2 acres and dont consider the leaves too much of an issue.
I have a Protect A Child fence around my pool. It helps with leaves, clippings and critters.
I've only ever had grass snakes in my pool but then again, we dont have a lot of snakes on my property.
Now, scorpions, yes. We find them in the pool a lot.
We have a water fall and it is nice. There is a fountain on the lay out deck.
I added fountains to 2 of the returns and I built one for the deck fountain.
My pool temp is 89 currently and fluctuates btwn 88-91 this time of the year.
89 is VERY nice when it is 105 outside.
I have pebble tech and it is light blue with specks of other colors.
At 1st the rocks tore out feet up but once the vacuum ran for a few wks, it seemed to have knocked the sharp edges off.
Our pool is 11 yrs old and the ground has shifted. One side of my pool is 2" higher than the other. it drives me crazy but not much I can about it other than fix the leaks in the pipes as they happen. Make sure that whoever your contractor is, does the plumbing correct. I suggest backfilling all of the pipe with pea gravel, have as much straight run as you can and use 45s instead of 90s where you can.
I had 6 leaks last year but the drought was bad.
I have since started using a soaker hose around the cement where all of the plumbing is at the recommendation of my pool repair guy.

[jer_james]

How does a pool chiller work, and how much will it drop the temp?

Could it work where I just cool my hot tub area? I can just heat up my hot tub, but not sure if the chiller can do the same. Has to be faster and cheaper than the whole pool.

[myway]

How does a pool chiller work, and how much will it drop the temp?

The way it was explained to me is it’s a heat pump like a home heat pump hvac system and that could easily drop the temp 15+ degrees efficiently. The friend of mine that has one has a gas heater with the electric chiller but they now make combo units.

[Foxtrot]

I made my post yest and mentioned leaks. I thought to myself, better keep my mouth shut because we havent had one in almost a year…well, woke up this morning to a half drained pool…

[Adgerc15]

Some food for thought based on OP plans.

I would always go rounded corners over rectangular, easy to brush and clean.
Along with the above I would also do robot vac instead of a polaris, the cleaning ability is night and day.
I would never do pebble tec again, is feels and looks great but from day 1 it constantly beaks down. Much harder to brush and clean.
Salt over chlorine for ease of maintenance.
I love a play pool but will never go without a deep end for water temp reasons. Deeper and darker or shallower and lighter will serve you well. Shallow and dark is a BAD combo!
Gas heater, no chiller...they are a waste of $$. Running goo fountains or other water features over night will help maintain pool temp better and cheaper.
I am a fan of rockscapes and the kids (or grandkids) love them for climbing and jumping. You'll have snakes either way.
I am a fan of built in umbrella stands, especially western side. Permanent walls are a big commitment, good cedar tree break or hedge may be a better option.
Plumb a pool filler to the hose big and run it on a float or timer. Such a lifesaver in the Summer.

Good luck!

ac

[tps7742]

Op,
there is allot of good information from folks in this thread. You have a beautiful view there in your backyard. I heard someone comment pebbletec, definitely a thumbs up there. As you know they aren’t an investment from a financial perspective from my experiences but a personal investment, yes they are.
We have had three pools with hot tubs over the years and enjoyed them immensely. But after we retired and moved to the country we haven’t had another one built (yet). I use that “we” very loosely because I am the hold out. That 75 to 100k and up just doesn’t seem worth it to me any longer as much as we are gone.

[Sparkles]

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?

I recommend ozone over salt every day for sanitization, it also reduces chemical consumption. I tracked costs over two years on salt pools vs chlorine pools, chlorine pools were less expensive on average by $17 a month on properly balanced pools. In my experience if you aren't choosing salt for the feel of the water than there really isn't a reason.
Pool cover is likely going to be in the neighborhood of 15-20k installed and I think snakes would be more likely to be in basin for cover than rock feature, in a geometric pool raised walls can create a nice feature with a sheer descent. You can run it on its own pump with own suction and return so its easy to isolate if there ever is a problem, but you can also run feature while in the spa.
Tanning ledges are great features to any pool in my opinion, you can add a bubbler on the deck for the babies to play with.
15x30 is a good sized geo pool, id probably go 6' with a deep end on my pool, but sports pools are fun.
Don't have a ton of experience with chillers but the few people I know who have installed them have been underwhelmed, you can cool your water some by running your feature at night.
Umbrella sleeves are cheap and can be capped, add them if you think you want them. Tanning ledge is popular spot for a sleeve.
I like robots, I have dolphin in mine, wont go back to pressure side cleaner,
Currently my favorite finish is micro fusion. Pebbles are smaller and its seeded with abalone shell for some glistening in the light.
I could design you any pool you'd like if you send survey/house dimensions if you don't have a survey and probably a screen sot of google earth with some markings where you'd want pool in relation to house, however we only build in DFW and surrounding areas. Sometimes its fun to have an idea how it would look. I'd do it for free if you wanted (have designed 100s of pools)
I sent Phil Veno a message (member here) he builds some legit pools out your way.

More than shopping for price, find a good builder that isnt cheaping out on steel, wall thickness, plumbing..... I am happy to look at any estimate for you as well.

[ptaylortx]

I can't off advice on building one, but I wish ours had a heater. I can't tolerate the cold water, so it's useless to me until nearly June. I honestly wish we didn't have it(I actually hate it), but my wife and especially my inlaws, love it. I only get in about 3 times a year and just sit in it and have a drink. I am going to build a redneck heater with a copper coil built from 5/8" tubing, a small circulating pump and my fire pit.

[White Falcon]

A pool and a boat are a hole you put money in!

[JhuntsAlot]

A pool and a boat are a hole you put money in!

Completely agree. But both can provide years of enjoyment and memories as well.

We have used our pool more this year than the last 6, since having it put in.

It is also a good way to bring the kids home to visit, now that they are all moved out.



J

[Shane]

I recommend ozone over salt every day for sanitization, it also reduces chemical consumption. I tracked costs over two years on salt pools vs chlorine pools, chlorine pools were less expensive on average by $17 a month on properly balanced pools. In my experience if you aren't choosing salt for the feel of the water than there really isn't a reason.
Pool cover is likely going to be in the neighborhood of 15-20k installed and I think snakes would be more likely to be in basin for cover than rock feature, in a geometric pool raised walls can create a nice feature with a sheer descent. You can run it on its own pump with own suction and return so its easy to isolate if there ever is a problem, but you can also run feature while in the spa.
Tanning ledges are great features to any pool in my opinion, you can add a bubbler on the deck for the babies to play with.
15x30 is a good sized geo pool, id probably go 6' with a deep end on my pool, but sports pools are fun.
Don't have a ton of experience with chillers but the few people I know who have installed them have been underwhelmed, you can cool your water some by running your feature at night.
Umbrella sleeves are cheap and can be capped, add them if you think you want them. Tanning ledge is popular spot for a sleeve.
I like robots, I have dolphin in mine, wont go back to pressure side cleaner,
Currently my favorite finish is micro fusion. Pebbles are smaller and its seeded with abalone shell for some glistening in the light.
I could design you any pool you'd like if you send survey/house dimensions if you don't have a survey and probably a screen sot of google earth with some markings where you'd want pool in relation to house, however we only build in DFW and surrounding areas. Sometimes its fun to have an idea how it would look. I'd do it for free if you wanted (have designed 100s of pools)
I sent Phil Veno a message (member here) he builds some legit pools out your way.

More than shopping for price, find a good builder that isnt cheaping out on steel, wall thickness, plumbing..... I am happy to look at any estimate for you as well.

Man, I appreciate that. I may give you a call to pick your brain a little more. Thank you!

[Adgerc15]

I recommend ozone over salt every day for sanitization, it also reduces chemical consumption. I tracked costs over two years on salt pools vs chlorine pools, chlorine pools were less expensive on average by $17 a month on properly balanced pools. In my experience if you aren't choosing salt for the feel of the water than there really isn't a reason.
Pool cover is likely going to be in the neighborhood of 15-20k installed and I think snakes would be more likely to be in basin for cover than rock feature, in a geometric pool raised walls can create a nice feature with a sheer descent. You can run it on its own pump with own suction and return so its easy to isolate if there ever is a problem, but you can also run feature while in the spa.
Tanning ledges are great features to any pool in my opinion, you can add a bubbler on the deck for the babies to play with.
15x30 is a good sized geo pool, id probably go 6' with a deep end on my pool, but sports pools are fun.
Don't have a ton of experience with chillers but the few people I know who have installed them have been underwhelmed, you can cool your water some by running your feature at night.
Umbrella sleeves are cheap and can be capped, add them if you think you want them. Tanning ledge is popular spot for a sleeve.
I like robots, I have dolphin in mine, wont go back to pressure side cleaner,
Currently my favorite finish is micro fusion. Pebbles are smaller and its seeded with abalone shell for some glistening in the light.
I could design you any pool you'd like if you send survey/house dimensions if you don't have a survey and probably a screen sot of google earth with some markings where you'd want pool in relation to house, however we only build in DFW and surrounding areas. Sometimes its fun to have an idea how it would look. I'd do it for free if you wanted (have designed 100s of pools)
I sent Phil Veno a message (member here) he builds some legit pools out your way.

More than shopping for price, find a good builder that isnt cheaping out on steel, wall thickness, plumbing..... I am happy to look at any estimate for you as well.

solid offer there, kudos to sparkles!

Another thought I had. Map your plumbing or get your hands on the plans so you know what is where. Our soil movement up here as well as the recent freezes put A LOT of folks in situations where they had to repair and replace. I've had to dig and discover a few times on mine to make minor plumbing repairs. Wish I had a treasure map!

ac

[TeamAmerica]

Man some of yall are living the high life! First world problems for sure.

We joined the elks lodge for $175 a year and they have a great pool heated and cooled. Works great for me!