We're getting a tax refund, Pool here we come - need advice

[DebMcDonald]

So we're getting a tax refund which we were not sure was going to happen because of 8.5 months of unemployment and during the uneployment we didn't dig into our savings much at all, so we're going to finally do something for ourselves.

So now we're looking to purchase an above ground pool, nothing extravagent but something to enjoy with our three kids, 6, 8, and 16 for years to come.

What do you think of Namco?

What are your do and don'ts?

What are your must have's and a what a waste of money.

What price guesstimate do you think I am looking at for an above-ground pool? I don't want anything huge, but I don't want it too small either.

Now I was told by someone today, and I'm not sure if this is correct or not, but a round is more sturdy than an oval and a DE filter is better than a sand?

Thank you and my kids thank you, but it will be a surprise for them!

 

[Bren's Mom]

We have a 27' round, was already at our current home when we purchased it.

I like that it's round, it seems to get filtered better than my friend's oval. But 27' is a bit too big. If I could choose a new one, I'd get no more than a 24', or even smaller.

Be prepared for the hike in your electric bill for the pump and for the cost of chemicals, pool toys, etc.

If I could start from scratch I'd also get a heater right off the bat. We're in CT and a heater is something on our list of 'must haves' to purchase soon. Last summer (our 2nd in the house) we didn't get to swim half as much as the year before because of the cool nights. Solar covers are ok, but they can also cause algae problems if you're not careful. They're kind of a catch-22. If we can, dh is going to have the heater hooked up to our existing natural gas so we don't have a big propane tank hanging out in the backyard.

Oh, and Namco. Google it. I recall some issues with them and pools I think. So definitely do your research. You could also check out locally owned pool places, they might match a Namco advertised price and you might get better service.

I love having the pool, though. I love having our friends over alot on the weekends. Most days after work in July/August I'm out on the pool deck with ds. Happy shopping!

 

[mom2d&b]

not much experience but I would second a heater. we are in South Florida an most of ourfriends have heaters and, yes, they get used

 

[jas_mom1]

We purchased a 24' round pool from Namco three years ago. We love it! We are outside of Boston so we have a small swimming window. I agree about the heater...it's on our list for this Spring. We have a DE filter and it's been great. I can't remember the cost but it wasn't scary. We installed it ourselves so we saved on that cost. Haven't had any problem with Namco. We do have a few pool supply stores in our area so now I'm shopping around for the best price on chemicals.

 

[donac]

I wouldn't get smaller than 24 ft because once the kids start having friends over it would still give you some rooom to play.

I had a 15 by 30 oval and loved that I ccould swim laps in it. You can't do that with anything smaller.

 

[kacaju]

We have 24 FT round. it is great for the kids and their friends. We had a 27 ft and as the pp said, it was big!! I liked it, but dh thought it was too big so when that went, we got the 24 ft.
We have the de filter and it has not given us any problems

Have fun!!!

 

[Evi]

hrm I've always been told pools take away value from your home. I'd consider either having enclosed with seperate door so it can be used in all weather or fenced off.

 

[DebMcDonald]

hrm I've always been told pools take away value from your home. I'd consider either having enclosed with seperate door so it can be used in all weather or fenced off.

You are too funny. I live in New England, specifically Mass, so according to the pool people our season is approximately 12 weeks. So for the amount we are paying it will not be enclosed nor does it need to be fenced in if it's over 4 ft in height. I won't splurge and do an in-ground because I will never get my money back, but in my neighborhood everyone has a pool and it's a very family neighborhood so I'm not worried about it taking away the value in my house. Besides we're here for the very long hall, we bought just before the housing bust so it will be 20 years before I'm not upside down and by that time the pool will either need to be replaced or will have already fallen down due to our wonderful winter weather .

 

[kacaju]

hrm I've always been told pools take away value from your home. I'd consider either having enclosed with seperate door so it can be used in all weather or fenced off.

It all depends on the buyer. We were thrilled to discover our home had a pool 14 years ago. Then about 10 year ago when it started to leak we bought a new one. The great thing about an above ground pool is if you need to sell you or the new owners can easily take it down vs. filling in an inground pool.

Besides, if you plan to spend many years in the house you do it for you... not a future buyer.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Besides, if you plan to spend many years in the house you do it for you... not a future buyer.

Exactly!!!

 

[MandM-Mom]

We have a 24' round above ground, 54inch deep we love it! One thing for us we like to have is the stairs instead of ladder, makes for easier entry for little ones or people holding little ones or even! My grandparents also come use our pool because at 76 and 79 they can't use the pool at other family members houses because the ladder is hard for them. We paid about 300.00 for ours and it has been well worth it. Watch for deals on them at IN THE SWIM, usually free shipping too!

 

[TupperMom7]

We are shopping for a new pool too, so I'm learning from all this advice you are getting.

I have a couple questions to add - what kind of heater can you get for an above ground pool?

- Do you plan to use chlorine or have a salt water pool? We had a chlorine pool and I want to investigate the salt water kind.

 

[pediatric-rnp]

We purchased our 24' round above ground pool 15 yrs ago from Seasonal in Attleboro (also in Foxboro), and I would highly recommend them. (I see you're in Boston, so not too far from you. We're in northern RI.) They are great people to deal with, and stand by their products and are very helpful answering questions. I still go to them for supplies and questions, and they are just so patient, and don't have you buying things you don't need. They have been terriffic helping us trouble-shoot over the yrs, too. Our pool still looks as good as new. (We have known several families who purchased from N*mco over the years, and their main complaint was once they made the purchase, if there were any problems, they ran into a lot of difficulty getting N*mco to resolve them.)

As far as other info, you will need to make the choice of using Baquacil or chlorine. Baquacil is a bit pricier, but much easier on the clothing, skin and eyes. We're a family of fair skinned Irish redheads who don't tolerate the chorine, so we are very happy to pay a bit more for Baquacil. And Seasonal holds sales on that too thru the season.

 

[bettymae1121]

Don't forget that it will cost you money to maintain, plus you water and electric will go up. Your homeowners will likely increase as well. Also, even if your town doesn't require a fence, it still may be a good idea just for safety's sake. For me, I couldn't sleep at night if I had an un-fenced pool.

That said, pools can be fun. I didn't have one growing up but friends of my father's did, and we had a blast going over to their house in the summer to swim.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

My family is also planning on buying an above ground pool in the near future, so the info. on this thread has been very helpful. Regarding the pool heaters, what kind do you have and do you like it? If you have gas/electric, how much does it cost to run a month?

 

[my2minnies]

Hello! I am also from MA and we bought an above ground pool last summer. Probably not the best year to buy one due to the fact it was freezing out most of the summer, but we were able to enjoy it in August.

We bought ours at the Pool Place and are happy with it. We got a 27' round pool that is either 52 or 54'' deep. We have a big backyard so the 27' is fine, but I think a 24' would have been adequate as well. Because at the time my twins were only 3 we got the metal deck and the metal fence with a walkaround that went around the entire pool. I do like that the kids can walk around the entire pool, but that thing is a pain. It is hard to clean the filter and vaccuum the pool because of the overhang. I wish we didnt spend the extra money for that feature. I do like the deck with the fold up stairs though.

I also think my pool is too deep. None of my kids could reach the bottom so it made it less fun to swim--it was almost too much work. A regular 48" deep pool would be fine. We dont have a heater, but may get one in the future. By August the pool was a decent temp.

I like that we have it, but we are about a mile from a beautiful beach so we spent most of the time there. I am hoping we get more pool time this summer as we do spend all of our time outdoors. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Also our house insurance did not go up. It only does with inground pools.

 

[pediatric-rnp]

Our homeowners ins did not go up, either.

Make certain you get all of the necessary permits, and have all installers, electrician's licensed, etc. That is definately NOT an area to skimp on. In the event of a claim, your homeowners policy will only support you if everything was done properly and according to law and town policies. When we were in the process of buying and installing our pool, we made a call to our ins company to notify them. Our agent told us about a family in RI who had gone on vacation, and while they were away, one of the neighbor kids (a teen) decided to use the pool, without permission. He dove in, and was killed. There was a lawsuit by his family, and even tho he was there without permission and while the family was away, the ins co wouldn't pay, because the family never got the permit for installing the pool. So the responsibility of payment of the lawsuit came on the family, and you can imagine how that turned out.

 

[my2minnies]

Our homeowners ins did not go up, either.

Make certain you get all of the necessary permits, and have all installers, electrician's licensed, etc. That is definately NOT an area to skimp on. In the event of a claim, your homeowners policy will only support you if everything was done properly and according to law and town policies. When we were in the process of buying and installing our pool, we made a call to our ins company to notify them. Our agent told us about a family in RI who had gone on vacation, and while they were away, one of the neighbor kids (a teen) decided to use the pool, without permission. He dove in, and was killed. There was a lawsuit by his family, and even tho he was there without permission and while the family was away, the ins co wouldn't pay, because the family never got the permit for installing the pool. So the responsibility of payment of the lawsuit came on the family, and you can imagine how that turned out.

I agree with this. We had to get a permit and have an electrician ground it.

 

[Anne34]

My family is also planning on buying an above ground pool in the near future, so the info. on this thread has been very helpful. Regarding the pool heaters, what kind do you have and do you like it? If you have gas/electric, how much does it cost to run a month?

We bought our heater at the pool store (The Great Escape). Our heater is gas and to install we tapped into the gas line of the house. It had to be inspected by the village before we could install the heater so that they knew it was up to code. We put our heater out in May and use it through June -- July and August we don't heat it much and then we heat it in September. Our bills aren't too bad, but it depends on how much natural gas or whatever you heat with is in your area.

 

[MMitchell29]

Here is what my 18 by 52 round look like. I wish I would have gotten the 24x52 instead

And when you get a pool, everybody wants to come over and swim so be ready