I'm being transferred to another city and one of the houses on my short list for location just happens to have a little in-ground concrete pool in the back yard. Something like a Fastlane would have to be installed in it to make it a true swimming pool. This being the Great White North, it probably would be usable from late May to mid-September only, unless I put a building over it.
How much work and expense is involved in operating a backyard pool? Is it worth the trouble? I'm assuming it's usable as the MLS photos showed it full of water.
Also, check to see what effect it will have on your homeowners insurance. I suspect even adhering to various zoning regulations (the yard almost certainly needs to be fenced and the fence will have to be of a minimum height) I suspect it would increase your rates some.
They are a colossal pain in the rear. But, everyone I know who has them loves them, depsite the constant whining about costs and maintenance issues.
I suggest you have it thoroughly checked out cause if it is cracked or leaking the repair costs are gigantic.
Probably depends on size. Ours is not big (like 33 ft). We have a salt Cl2 system, which is newer and it is hassle free. Due to having small children we have a safety cover, which also keeps the debis out of the pool. Not sure what weatherizing you need to do in snow conditions?
Anyway, we have solar and run the solar from April-Nov, depending on weather (I'm in Nor. Cal). So, because of the solar, salt system & cover, it is very low maintenance & low cost.
And we have a Fastlane :)
They are a colossal pain in the rear. But, everyone I know who has them loves them, depsite the constant whining about costs and maintenance issues.
I suggest you have it thoroughly checked out cause if it is cracked or leaking the repair costs are gigantic.
That's what my pool is -- a huge colossal expensive pain. Something is always breaking -- pumps, filters, leaks, etc. I don't use it much, but the kids hang there with their friends quite a bit in the summer. I occasionally come home and find half the cross country team in the pool. Still, I'm not sure it's worth the fuss with our neighborhood summer league pool minutes away and plenty of year round facilities nearby.
It depends on your definition of "fuss". If you have no problem with paying at least $2k to $4k per season, it's no fuss. The low end would pretty much cover the cost of someone cleaning it for you. The high end depends on how much you choose to heat it (you will need to do this) and the cost of replacing broken equipment. We have a pool too and in Pittsburgh it's not exactly the most appealing part of our house but our kids LOVE it. Much like Leslie said, it's a great hang out place for kids. I didn't find any impact on our homeowners insurance either.
Home pools are a big expense, and a big butt-pain. Trust me. (Although I admit I have never tried the Endless Pool thingies). It's much more wonderful to live near a good year-round swimming facility.
My neighbor's pool, one weekend the water is nice with several dead frogs floating around, the next weekend it's green with live frogs, then the weekend, before it's nice again, is spent doing maintenance.
I would find a house five minutes from a nice pool, preferably one that isn't run down or used by noodlers.
There are 2 indoor pools and 2 outdoor pools in my area, all in less than 10 min. drive. I have never thought about a backyard swimming pool.
My next door's above the ground pool... It was filled with dark green/brown water one summer. They did not use the pool that summer. Then they had to drain and refill water last summer. Oh they also had to fix the fence since it was broken. Now, the fence is broken again.
Another reason for not having a pool in the backyard: safety for kids. There are parents who do not watch kids in my neighborhood. Who knows what's going to happen...
