Dopers with swimming pools, I have a pool now...What do I need to buy?

In My Humble Opinion
21

Yeah I am not pooping on the pool ( :smiley: ) idea, but just realistically presenting what’s it like. I honestly do not spend a lot of time on maintenance - the main thing I have to do is skim leaves and clean out the baskets. I am pleased to pay my pool guy to handle the chemicals and keeping the water in good shape. I do have to drain it manually after a storm, since the pool construction crew failed to connect the overflow to the storm drain, but that is very occasional.

We have a vacuum that runs whenever the filter is on, so it picks up most everything that ends up on the bottom, and is removable for when people are using the pool. All I have to do is monitor and empty the basket on the vacuum hose, the skimmer basket, and the filter basket itself. I regularly rinse the filter cartridges - that is probably the biggest chore I do (you have to drain and open the filter and then hose-off each cartridge). Otherwise, it is not really a big deal to maintain. Once or twice a winter I need to get out the manual vacuum to pick-up debris after a bad storm.

I mentioned a solar blanket earlier - that was a hassle because it took two people to remove, so whenever I wanted to dip in the pool, I had to get someone to help, and then again to put the blanket back on (not to mention disposal and custom fitting when replacing). A couple years ago we got some of these floating solar disks to help heat the pool and those are much more convenient, and do a pretty decent job of heating the water, and keeping it from cooling too much at night.

Depending on your comfort level managing the chemicals (clearly, some are better at it than others), you can probably handle that on your own if you want to.

As for purchases, other than the solar disks, if you have a lot of kids using the pool, stuff for them to dive for are great, and I would recommend either swim goggles or snorkeling goggles for them as well - we still have a bunch of goggles from those days laying around here. In fact, snorkeling gear is fun for them as well (flippers), and I think Costco sells a set during the season. We also still have a basketball hoop that sits on the edge of the pool that my son and his friends still use. We have several inflatable rings that the adults can use to just float. I also recommend these sun protection swim shirts for when you want to stay in the water but have had enough sun. Anyway, just some ideas for entertainment.

All that said, my next house after this one, if there is a next one, will not have a pool.

22

Those solar discs look cool, I need a version that keeps the pool cool, by late August the pool here is getting pretty warm (92f).

23

:smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

It cannot be overemphasized - get a thorough pool inspection before the closing from a qualified individual to make sure there are no significant problems necessitating expensive repairs, either to the basic structure of the pool or associated equipment.

We inherited a pool when we bought a house in Texas, and we (Mrs. J. for the most part) spent way more time maintaining it than actually using it. It can be a real drag on hot days, adding chlorine, straining out debris and liberating nutria that somehow got in there. In Florida, stray wildlife attracted to pools might be even more exotic and include alligators and other variably friendly reptiles.

But have fun. :slight_smile:

24

The pool was resurfaced last year and the general inspection yielded only minor fixes. That said, getting a pool person out there is top of the list.

FTR we aren’t too terribly concerned about animals paying us a visit or even leaves and general crap getting in because it’s under a cage. I have no doubt we’ll get a visitor or two, but I’m not freaking out about it

25

Take a look at the BBB method from Troublefreepools.com.

Including Poolcalculator.com and TF Testkits.

You will save yourself from weekly trips to the pool store to get your chemicals tested. Follow the process, spend 5 minutes or less on testing/adding bleach per day and you will never have an algae bloom or need to shock except when closing up for winter.

Bonus, a season of BBB costs about the same as 2-3 weeks of pool store chemicals.

26

Buy some scuba gear and have it painted light blue. Jump in the pool and wait until someone else wants to use it. They’ll never know what hit 'em when you emerge from the depths for a scary sneak attack!