we have saved for a pool. We are about a year away form starting because we want a small pool house behind the pool and want to save to pay for that at the same time. We started to talk to local pool contractors. I am kind of the PITA, over educated consumer by the time I make large purchases - so this isnt going to be easy.
I have a lot of questions. First - we are in Eastern PA.
I wasnt sure about fiberglass or gunite/shotcrete (and yes, I know the difference) - but Im strongly leaning to the latter due to the design we want.
Also - Im not sure about coatings. The first pool builder I met with says that he prefers a ceramic color added quartz plaster instead of marsite - and strongly recommends the upgrade. He didnt mention or advertise a specific brand.Seems reasonable. He said I could expect 15 - 20 years with having to refinish. Is this "rough" on the feet?
One of my concerns about a concrete based pool - was cracking in a freeze/thaw area. He said that he has done this for 30+ years and most cracks are a result in building errors - and that it should not concern me. I like the fact that he uses ZERO subcontractors - every single person working on the pool is a direct employee.
We are getting a waterfall feature with limestone (wife wants it)
I met with the PB expecting to talk about a salt water chlorine generator - but he is trying very hard to talk me out of it. He said that the market went that way, but more and more, there are "questions" about their long term benefits. Also - he said that there could be issues with the lighting and limestone waterfall feature. Is this real? Being a saltwater boat guy - I would imagine that the light fictures would be a matter of proper bonding - but what about the limestone waterfall feature? Is the salt any more corrosive or invasive to the quartz finish on the pool?
Heater - might or might not get one.
Automatic cover - want one, but will be tough with the shape we want and waterfall feature - but doable. Are these reliable? Are they worth it - Im looking at 12k+ for what I would need. One brand advertises that it can act as a winter cover as well (with a pump sitting on top) - but th ebuilder recommends against that and said that a seperate cover is a better idea/
Pool will be pretty large - roughly 850Sq ft surface area.
We are looking at 2 different LED lights - both with multi color capabilities. (only getting two because of the design of the pool)
Looking at paying extra for variable speed pumps (one for pool and seperate for water feature - with plumbing redundancy built in with diverter valves in case one fails).
I was very impressed with the overall "plumbing" that this particular builder uses - seems great with lots of features that I would not have thought about.
To us - this is a high dollar investment so we are looking at every angle.
I would appreciate feedback on the "quartz" coating and 1) life expectancy as well as 2) how rough on the feet do they tend to be AND - the Salt Water Chlorine Generator.
My well water (which will not be used to fill the pool, but will mainain its level) is very slightly acidic if thats adds anything to the equation.
I have a lot of questions. First - we are in Eastern PA.
I wasnt sure about fiberglass or gunite/shotcrete (and yes, I know the difference) - but Im strongly leaning to the latter due to the design we want.
Also - Im not sure about coatings. The first pool builder I met with says that he prefers a ceramic color added quartz plaster instead of marsite - and strongly recommends the upgrade. He didnt mention or advertise a specific brand.Seems reasonable. He said I could expect 15 - 20 years with having to refinish. Is this "rough" on the feet?
One of my concerns about a concrete based pool - was cracking in a freeze/thaw area. He said that he has done this for 30+ years and most cracks are a result in building errors - and that it should not concern me. I like the fact that he uses ZERO subcontractors - every single person working on the pool is a direct employee.
We are getting a waterfall feature with limestone (wife wants it)
I met with the PB expecting to talk about a salt water chlorine generator - but he is trying very hard to talk me out of it. He said that the market went that way, but more and more, there are "questions" about their long term benefits. Also - he said that there could be issues with the lighting and limestone waterfall feature. Is this real? Being a saltwater boat guy - I would imagine that the light fictures would be a matter of proper bonding - but what about the limestone waterfall feature? Is the salt any more corrosive or invasive to the quartz finish on the pool?
Heater - might or might not get one.
Automatic cover - want one, but will be tough with the shape we want and waterfall feature - but doable. Are these reliable? Are they worth it - Im looking at 12k+ for what I would need. One brand advertises that it can act as a winter cover as well (with a pump sitting on top) - but th ebuilder recommends against that and said that a seperate cover is a better idea/
Pool will be pretty large - roughly 850Sq ft surface area.
We are looking at 2 different LED lights - both with multi color capabilities. (only getting two because of the design of the pool)
Looking at paying extra for variable speed pumps (one for pool and seperate for water feature - with plumbing redundancy built in with diverter valves in case one fails).
I was very impressed with the overall "plumbing" that this particular builder uses - seems great with lots of features that I would not have thought about.
To us - this is a high dollar investment so we are looking at every angle.
I would appreciate feedback on the "quartz" coating and 1) life expectancy as well as 2) how rough on the feet do they tend to be AND - the Salt Water Chlorine Generator.
My well water (which will not be used to fill the pool, but will mainain its level) is very slightly acidic if thats adds anything to the equation.