"CANNONBALL!!"
Reasons why I don't recommend anyone install a swimming pool in Wisconsin:
1) Summer is short. Until mid-June swimming is synonymous with blue lips and goose bumps, also August is not all that warm either (usually the hottest month in our central IL memories but not so in northern WI).
2) You need a chemistry degree. Seriously, I have a degree that includes water treatment processes and I've NEVER balanced the pH in the pool. We have flocculants, disinfectants, pH adjusters, and diatomaceous earth. Plus the host of things you need to either "close" or "open" the pool each year.
3) You need a plumbing license. Twice per summer (three times last year before we took the cottonwoods out) I disassemble the filter and clean out the filter tubes. We've also fixed leaks in the solar panel, disassembled the pump, and arranged the hoses in every conceivable in/out possibility between the pool, pump, and solar heater.
4) It's more expensive that a pool membership. This is actual costs for chemicals, covers and repairs. If you pay yourself for time spent working on the pool - then you could probably afford the super-deluxe country club exclusive personal pool membership for the summer.
5) You really don't use it all that much. Sure, you probably actually get in it more times that you would go to a public pool - but the kids don't really like to STAY in it. The kids might swim for 20 minutes and be done (this is particularly true of Allison..... Jacob could still stay in for hours). Plus, there is a good chance that the sunny hot days will coincide with "big plans doing something else."
6) Finally, there is a roughly 1 to 2 ratio of vacation days to rebalancing and cleaning days. If you ignore the pool for a long 3 day weekend camping trip - expect to spend the next 6 days in a combination of shock, floc, and vacuum. If you are gone for a week - it's at least 1-2 more before it's clean enough that you want to get it in again.
So why not just take it out you ask? Good question.
3 comments:
At first the pictures looked like fun...but after reading, it just sounds like work. When can we come for a swim? :)
Anytime before August 28th (my anticipated date of pool closing)!! And it is fun, sometimes. :)
It looks beautiful right now!
The boys used to beg for a swimming pool when they were little. I always said "no" - I'm way too lazy to maintain a pool. A club membership is definitely the way to go.
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