thinking about a pool...

[kathmzh]

We're thinking about installing a pool for next spring. I would love to hear from anyone who recently installed a pool about the process -- how they decided between above and inground, how they handled landscaping, cost, etc. We're very overwhelmed with the multitude of choices! Anyone feel particularly strongly about a brand, gunite vs. liner, above vs. inground? thanks, and look forward to your responses!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I've never had one built - our pool came with the house. We have an inground with a vinyl liner. I have two guys out there right now replacing the liner. It was about 15 years old and more than time for a replacement. Next spring I hope to get a new filter and heater.

Ours is about 18 feet by 20 feet which is a nice size for kids to jump in and swim around without crowding each other too much. I love the pool for keeping the kids away from the tv during the summer.

If I was going to build one I'd choose an inground gunite. Also, I'd try to make them design it so there is fairly easy access to all the plumbing. We had friends who had a leaky pipe this spring when they opened the pool. The had to bulldoze a pretty major portion of their backyard to get to the pipe.

 

[Patch'sD]

Above Ground, No increase in Property Taxes. In ground, Increase in Property Taxes. Above ground, change mind, take down, remove sand, plant grass. In ground, what to you do with the hole.

 

[shelbyjosh]

My DH is in the demo business and he has done his fair share of excavating inground pools. Most have been done in the high $$ neighborhoods. He says the owners just don't want the maintenance of built-ins. He said too many get bad pipes and bad gunite and then you pay big bucks to fix. Why not get an above ground, but install it about 2 ft. into the ground? There are some around our area that do that. We are talking about getting one for next summer. It would definately be an above ground round one since our backyard isn't gigantic!!

 

[KathyTX]

What part of the country are you in? I think the kind of pool that's appropriate is very regional- a lot depends a lot on the kind of soil and the the weather in your area.

I know that where we live (Texas), inground pools are about all you'll see, and we keep them filled and filters running year round.

In other areas (especially those that get hard freezes), above ground pools seem to be much more practical than in ground.

 

[Nancy]

I would think it also depends upon what kind of money you want to spend. Above ground is cheaper then in ground, less money to fill, less money to heat, less money to fix if there are problems. Also the only cost in installing is the actual installing of the pool...no need for special landscaping or extra concret work.


Of course..this yr the pool has been a big waste. Crummy summer...we've used it a whole 3 times this yr!

 

[DVC-Don]

Originally posted by Patch'sD
Above Ground, No increase in Property Taxes. In ground, Increase in Property Taxes.

No increase in property tax for our inground here. I thought there would be, but the assesors office told me nope. Lady said their reasoning is half the buyers when looking at homes will rule out a home with an inground, the other half will jump at the chance to get a pool. It's noted on our assement, but no $ amount added to the value. They do add $200 for my garden shed though.

Love our 16 x 32 inground pool here. Best buy other than our DVC.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

We've always had inground pools and love them. The cost really varies but if that it the main reason then I would say you should go with an above ground.
We wanted to put an inground pool in next summer but since we just bought into the DVC we'll either have to wait or go with an above ground. Above ground pools are much nicer than they used to be--or at least what I remember them being. Good luck deciding!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Originally posted by Luckymommyx2
We've always had inground pools and love them. The cost really varies but if that it the main reason then I would say you should go with an above ground.
We wanted to put an inground pool in next summer but since we just bought into the DVC we'll either have to wait or go with an above ground. Above ground pools are much nicer than they used to be--or at least what I remember them being. Good luck deciding!!

Wow, sounds exactly like us!! We had people come out and give us estimates for an inground pool and then bought into DVC and decided we would wait. Think we'll go with above ground, mid-size since we have a good sized back yard. We'll then tie it in to our existing deck area. The deck is already two levels, so adding one more won't be an issue. And since it will be part of the deck we won't have so much worry about someone getting into it.

 

[mrsmom]

We had a one piece fiberglass inground pool, It was Great! Better than other other inground pools we priced, and it was very low mantance and we didn't use as much chemicals are regular inground pools. If you want to check out what iam talking about go to www.permaglasscorp.com, just to get info and see if that is something you want and then you can go in your phone book and see if there are any companies where you live that do this.
If you go to about us on and click on it you will see three of my kids, we took this and sent it to them and they used it for their ads, Oh by the way it took one week to install and to be swimming in it.
Good Luck!
Kim

 

[kathmzh]

Thanks for all the information, tips and ideas!

 

[DawnCt1]

We have an inground gunite. It's 11 years old and very low maintainance. I think in grounds are easier to keep clean because unlike above grounds, they have a bottom drain. We live in Ct. We lower the water level, blow out the pipes and heater and we are all set for winter. We used pavers around the pool. They look nice and they are easier to access if there is a leak in a pipe. We have never had to get to the pipes for any reason. We do not have a walk going all away around the pool but it is interupted by about 8 ft of flower bed. This is where the skimmer goes into the pump. This permits really easy access to the pipes and it prevents kids from running around the pool, chasing each other.