New Pool near Boston,MA

[windsnob]

I'm building a new in ground gunite pool near Boston,MA and am currently deciding between builders. I'd love to see what suggestions and thoughts people have to share about the project. Our goal is to be able to operate the pool year round with minimal risk of damage from freezing and reasonable heating cost. We have a backup generator that will be able to run the pool equipment when the power goes out.

Here's the current plan:

• size: 10' x 20', 3.5' to 6' depth
• Pentair or Hayward variable speed pump
• cartridge filter
• 400K btu Mastertemp heater
• prism matrix wet edge pebble finish
• automatic cover
• sides and bottom of pool insulated from the ground
• Endless pool Fastlane
• Equipment will be put in the basement of my house which will be about 20' from the pool

I have quotes from 2 builders that cover all these items. On the insulation, both builders proposed using rigid insulation for the pool walls. For the pool floor, one did not feel comfortable using rigid insulation fearing that it may settle and cause issues later on. Instead they proposed using a vermiculite mixture for the pool floor.


I'm also considering trying to insulate the buried pipes running to the equipment, possibly using closed cell spray foam (like this).

 

[tcrote5516]

Having a heated pool in the NE and "reasonable heating cost" are pretty mutually exclusive IMO

That said, I would focus more on the depth of the lines than the insulation. If it's possible to get them down 5' or so that will keep them below the frost line in your area and reduce the expense of insulation and constant cold weather circulation. If the lines can be tucked in close to the pool shell as they turn downwards and stay deep the shell will keep the shallow sections warm enough not to have a problem. Once at 5' (or ideally 7') you don't need anything to protect them from freezing. You'll want insulation to keep in the heat in but no worries about freezing as that's a common depth for pitless adapters in well's.

How deep is the basement of the house relative to the surrounding grade? Can you come in at floor level and be under 5"+ of earth?

 

[windsnob]

Having a heated pool in the NE and "reasonable heating cost" are pretty mutually exclusive IMO

That said, I would focus more on the depth of the lines than the insulation. If it's possible to get them down 5' or so that will keep them below the frost line in your area and reduce the expense of insulation and constant cold weather circulation. If the lines can be tucked in close to the pool shell as they turn downwards and stay deep the shell will keep the shallow sections warm enough not to have a problem. Once at 5' (or ideally 7') you don't need anything to protect them from freezing. You'll want insulation to keep in the heat in but no worries about freezing as that's a common depth for pitless adapters in well's.

How deep is the basement of the house relative to the surrounding grade? Can you come in at floor level and be under 5"+ of earth?

The basement floor is about 3' below grade, but we could bury the lines deep and then bring them up to basement floor level when they reach the house. If the cost of doing the insulation is reasonably low I'm thinking it would be worth it. The 30' of pipes in direct contact with the 50 deg. soil would remove heat from the water year round.

 

[windsnob]

My pool builder thinks that it may be pretty difficult keeping chemical levels consistent in the pool since it will be covered so much of the time. In the winter, we'll likely only be using it a few times a week at most. Is he correct, and if so any suggestions on how I should handle it?

 

[bmoreswim]

I would not say that maintaining proper chemical levels will be difficult, however it will require close attention (testing and dosing routinely). This process is pretty much at the heart of TFPC anyway, so it would be my expectation that this will not be difficult, just a process to be followed.

 

[doobs41378]

Just curious why you want it year round? I live about an hour north of you and cant imagine the pool open in January and February when there is 4 ft of snow in the back yard.