Our first pool build - Iowa - Vinyl Liner Pool

[Paynemikej]

Getting closing to breaking ground on our first ever pool. Pool builder has been in business for 35 years and even though he is in his 60’s is hands on in every part of the pool build. He is very opinionated and from the sounds of it old school.

Before we get started I wanted to check with this group of professionals and homeowners that are experienced pool owners.

we are doing a rectangular 16x32 pool with a 12x7 liner step and sun ledge. With the step and ledge it makes it a L shaped pool.

Walls - Steel
Liner - Latham, boarder Pacific Tide, bottom Seaglass
lights - Two LED lights (not sure of brand or location yet)
pump - Single Speed Hayward (he doesn’t see the need for VS)
filter - Hayward Sand 24 inch (warned against D.E. and said cartridge isn’t for outdoor pools or pools this size)
Heater - Hayward 250k

additional stuff
we are doing a slide and going to buy it online and assemble ourselves. Either Helix or g-force and basketball hoop. I asked about SWG and he doesn’t think its worth the $1500.

Pool is for our 3 year old 6 year old and 8 year old. We decided to do a none diving pool and customized our depths. 10” deep sun ledge 3’6” shallow end taper to 4’6” and another taper to 6’ at slide.

What are some things we should push for? I am a big smart home guy and really like the ability to use technology in the pool, but our builder has no experience with automation and said that would be up to us 100%.

 

[Texas Splash]

One thing for sure, I would replace the single speed motor with at least a 2-speed. You'll get the electrical savings of low speed and can use the high speed for the slide or cleaning as needed. The VSP is programmable and nice to operate various features when present (water features, SWG, etc), but certainly costs more up-front. Since you seem to be automation-savvy, you might look into it more as well. But at the very least, if you pass on the VSP get a 2-speed. For the sand I'm assuming you meant more like "224" lbs? As for the cartridge filter comment, that's not true. If you want cartridge, they make them for many sized pool and work well. As for the SWG, that's your call. Just because "he" doesn't think it's worth it, you might prefer the convenience of not having to manually add chlorine each day. For some like me, adding bleach each day is no biggie. For others, they very-much like to the SWG do the work.

 

[Paynemikej]

Sorry 24 inch not lbs. I edited my post.

When we talked about SWG he just referenced cost and not convince. He said by the time you calculate savings and recupe upfront cost you have to replace the SWG.

 

[jeffchap]

My pool is 27000 gallons and it has a cartridge filter, so he's misleading you about that. However, I personally prefer a sand filter and will be switching mine out some day.

An SWG may or may not cost more over time, but the convenience is the reason to have one IMHO. I like being able to go on vacation for a week or longer and not have to arrange to have someone take care of the pool.

 

[swimcmp]

Check the slide requirements first before you build. Some slides require 5 foot of actual water depth.

 

[Paynemikej]

Thanks yes we planned on having the pool be 6 foot deep for approximately the last 6 feet of the pool for the slide depth.

 

[bmoreswim]

What kind of basketball hoop? Built in with sleeves inserted in deck? If so, be sure to include them in the bonding plan. Regardless, pick out your hoop now, just like the slide.

 

[Serious1]

Plenty of sleeves in the cement around the pool for umbrellas and volley ball net. Is the builder using wide mouth skimmers? Ours catch a lot more stuff than the smaller skimmer that my neighbor has.

 

[Nectarologist]

For the sand vs. cartridge for me the question is do you have a place that you can backwash the sand filter to? I don't so it was easy to pick cartridge. If you do have a place to backwash to have them run the pvc underground to the location so you're not rolling out a hose every time you want to backwash. Some builders would always bury it and others won't so you'll need to confirm. I'd insist on burying the discharge pipe, otherwise the convenience is lost. With cartridge, you'll only need to rise them once or twice a year if they are large enough (see my signature for my model/size).

SWCG is about a break even cost compared to liquid chlorine but for me it's worth the upfront cost of not having to go to the store every week for liquid (at least with my model and a self-install).

Do the math on the VS pump versus the single speed. My pool season is only 4 months long and it would take me many years, under ideal conditions, to break even on the significant cost difference. If your pool can be open 8 months a year (or longer) it can pay for itself quickly.

Good luck!