That is not as clear cut as "common knowledge" would indicate. See e.g., Prevention of spinal cord injuries that occur in swimming pools which found that 76.8% of spinal cord injuries had no diving device compared to 8.6% with a low diving board. Over 95% of injuries were in depth <= 8 ft, with 57.2% due to diving into <= 4 ft. There are other sources with similar statistics. Diving boards are, by design, located over deeper and safer water. If kids are going to jump into the pool anyway, isn't it better to encourage that jump to be over deep water?
Gunite Renovation or Ripout
- Thread starter Mattlar0806
- Start date
Thanks for the statistics. Makes total sense and is exactly what I would assume given diving boards are located in deep water and spinal injuries will be mostly associated with shallow water.
I’m not a fan of diving boards due to the injuries that can occur using them - falling off around it etc, instability associated with them. Have no issues with more stable diving structures, jumping rocks etc.
I guess what I’m saying it is easier to use a diving board improperly or unsafely compared to more fixed structures and that’s why I don’t like them.
One thing I forgot to mention was the the pool itself is only 12 feet from the edge of the house. I have 3 double doors opening out into it that with the new patio and height change will require 5 feet wide stoop for egress leaving 7 feet after the stoop until the coping this is enough walking room but leaves and awkward patio space that you can’t do much else with. Backyard faces west so sun sets over my backyard. The patio near the house is the best sun bathing side. If I leave pool where it is , I’m forced to extend patio on the far side of the pool for lounge chairs… it’s inefficient but there is never a perfect solution. I just figured I’d mention in case it changes peoples minds.
If I got a new pool I could move the pool further into my yard (1 acre property plenty of space) opening up the patio near the house.
I guess in wondering if the opportunity to more optimally place the pool given the poor original placement would sway opinions.
Here’s a rendering
If I got a new pool I could move the pool further into my yard (1 acre property plenty of space) opening up the patio near the house.
I guess in wondering if the opportunity to more optimally place the pool given the poor original placement would sway opinions.
Here’s a rendering
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Some advantages... sonotubes can sometimes be more cost-effective and may be ideal if you have unstable soil. They're easy to finish, install, and brace. Strength-to-weight ratio makes them ideal for preventing blowouts. As far as cost? For every 20 sonotubes, expect to use a yard of concrete or a 40 pound bag of concrete mix for every foot of tube. Hope this helps.
Have you considered enclosing your whole patio space in the fence? That would tie your outdoor living into the pool area and maybe give more flexibility with usage of the space. For example, without the fence you could probably have a few western or southwestern facing loungers under the windows without feeling pushed against the fence. You could also make it more of a rectangle (like where those 3 bushes are in the render) to open it up even more.
Either way, you'll probably want a gate somewhere in the pool fence. As it's rendered, if people want to go from the pool to the grill area or into the yard they have to go through the house.
Either way, you'll probably want a gate somewhere in the pool fence. As it's rendered, if people want to go from the pool to the grill area or into the yard they have to go through the house.
It’s a great suggestion I’m just trying to think of how I could do that well. Plus we liked the idea with small kids having the sliders outside the pool fence. The 3 double doors have child locks up and down on them. Will stay that way for years to come.