Feedback from swimming pool owners

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Sideshow Bob

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Hello All,

I would appreciate any feedback on this. Is 9m length swimming pool sufficient to have laps without feeling dizzy because of all the turns? Or is it too small? Also what would be tentative cost of building 9m x 4m pool? in Jozi.

Thank you.
 
If you're a competent swimmer, then your turns and resulting underwaters are going to carry you past middle everytime. If it's just for you and you *really* can't go to a gym, then rather go 18x2. If you have a family, they would appreciate 9x4 :) Really comes down to your level of swimming and what you want to get out of it. Not a swimmer myself, but "own" 2 swimmers with a 7 meter pool :)
 
I own a pool. AKA a wet hole used to store money. I've never figured out how to get the money back.

Few facts to note. A residential pool will need a safety net to comply with municipal bylaws in Gauteng.
Makes the pool safer, but means that you now have a fullbody workout every time you want to use the pool.
Your average pool use will drop tremendously due to this.

Then there is maintenance, chemicals, cleaning. 90% of the time its not a issue and takes maybe 30 minutes a week, max.
Unless something goes wrong, then its costs money and time. Lots of both.

And the time and cost goes up depending on the size of your pool. Mine is actually a tad too large for my needs, 60 000 l. But it came with the house and would cost too much to fill in/resize.
during the next few weeks I need to have the net refurbished (Our UV levels really deteriorate nylon), and get time to clean the tiles of the grey stain that formed during the winter. Last week I did the annual replacing of the filter sand. (Granted - I've replaced it with Zeolite, so it should last 5 years). BTW - any other pool owners - seems the best tile cleaner is sunlight soap and a normal sponge like you use to clean your dishes.

But if you need a lap pool,and you are not a professional athlete or have the surname Oppenheimer - join a gym with a pool and use that. It will be cheaper.
 
OP you have to be mad to want your own pool. The cost and time to maintain it alone isn't worth the bother, no matter how much joy it brings the little one's. I spend at least an hour a week maintaining mine. You guys up in the highveld also have the thunderstorms that wreak havoc with your pools. Less headache to join a gym or go to a public swimming pool ( do they still exist?)
 
And with kids, especially toddlers - the weekly ritual of 'pulling-out-the-pool-cleaner-and-trying-to-figure-out-what's-blocking-it'.
Usually a toy car or a rock.
Or 'trying-to-use-the-net-to-get-that-piece-of-metal-out-before-it-makes-a-stain'
 
get a strap on your back - there are available - you basically static but still swimming.

Word of warning - it is very taxing and tiring.
 
chewiesw said:
OP you have to be mad to want your own pool. The cost and time to maintain it alone isn't worth the bother, no matter how much joy it brings the little one's. I spend at least an hour a week maintaining mine. You guys up in the highveld also have the thunderstorms that wreak havoc with your pools. Less headache to join a gym or go to a public swimming pool ( do they still exist?)
Click to expand...

Im in Gauteng and I maintain my pool quite easily. I use Blu52 (weekly dose and backwash as per instructions) which is also on special most times for R90. Run the pool for 4 hours 3 times a week and its sparkling clear. I skim the surface occasionally and it looks amazing. So minimal time used to maintain, cheap maintenance at R90 for chemicals. I dont know why people complain
 
Luke7777 said:
Poor OP.. all these pros and cons of swimming pools and all he wanted to know was "is it long enough" and "how much will it cost to build" :)
Click to expand...
LOL although I did get "any feedback" I requested, hey. Thanks guys, much appreciated.
 
chewiesw said:
OP you have to be mad to want your own pool. The cost and time to maintain it alone isn't worth the bother, no matter how much joy it brings the little one's. I spend at least an hour a week maintaining mine. You guys up in the highveld also have the thunderstorms that wreak havoc with your pools. Less headache to join a gym or go to a public swimming pool ( do they still exist?)
Click to expand...
Thanks man, an hour a week is manageable. What would running cost be? 1000 rands a month on an average?
 
Compton_effect said:
I own a pool. AKA a wet hole used to store money. I've never figured out how to get the money back.
But if you need a lap pool,and you are not a professional athlete or have the surname Oppenheimer - join a gym with a pool and use that. It will be cheaper.
Click to expand...
Wet hole storage, LOL. Thanks.
 
surface said:
Thanks man, an hour a week is manageable. What would running cost be? 1000 rands a month on an average?
Click to expand...
Probably a lot less than that. Depends on a few things...
Electricity - How many hours will the pump be on
Water - Filling up due to evaporation and "excessive" use :). Maybe invest in a pool cover, keeps the pool clean, saves on chemicals, sorts out the safety aspect.
Chemicals - Either the normal stuff or look at a salt chlorinator.
 
jclpmd said:
Im in Gauteng and I maintain my pool quite easily. I use Blu52 (weekly dose and backwash as per instructions) which is also on special most times for R90. Run the pool for 4 hours 3 times a week and its sparkling clear. I skim the surface occasionally and it looks amazing. So minimal time used to maintain, cheap maintenance at R90 for chemicals. I dont know why people complain
Click to expand...
Thanks, yes, just remembered that Blu52 is what was used in townhouse we stayed earlier. Encouraging to hear that running expenses may not be as we had imagined. Some neighbor mentioned 3000 rands per month and we had a fright. :)
 
surface said:
Hello All,

I would appreciate any feedback on this. Is 9m length swimming pool sufficient to have laps without feeling dizzy because of all the turns? Or is it too small? Also what would be tentative cost of building 9m x 4m pool? in Jozi.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

I can't really speak for Jhb because I'm based in CPT and build swimming pools for a living but you can easily expect to pay upwards of R100 K for that sized swimming pool.

If you really only want to exercise in the swimming pool, have a look at this product which will offset the cost somewhat by installing a smaller pool. http://www.speck-pumps.co.za/Online-Shop/Categories?CategoryId=7aae52a7-215c-4ec5-a1fe-e9b15a5029f3
 
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