Enough of COVID...what are you doing to the house?

[GreyGhost]

Q1: Small children will find a way to climb into the pool. With a deck, you’re making it even easier for them.

If you haven’t already, you should consider adding a door chain high up so little people do not get out back by themselves.

Like this…

Our house has sliders into the backyard and no feasible way to fence the pool from the house. The line of defense needs to be the back wall. We have pins that keep the sliders from moving.

The upside to a pool is lots of the time in the water narrows the window where water is a huge danger to kids. The downside is while you are in the window, it's scary, you can't screw up. MP, on that note, try to add lights. Makes it really easy to check the pool if a kid is awol (thankfully they are normally somewhere else but I always check).

 

[nobbie48]

I

I've only had one ladder incident. 20 years ago I was reshingling my 2-story house, it was on Leslie street in Sharon (across from the temple). I finished all but the ridge row on Saturday with a helper. Sunday I went up alone to hammer on the ridge row - while I was working the ladder blew over leaving me no way down. It was blistering hot, there was no shade and the roof was black.

I baked on the roof for almost an hour -- frantically waving at every car that passed, hoping someone could help with the ladder. All I got was people smiling and cheerfully waving back - I guess they thought I was some nutbar spreading Sunday morning cheer.

I always tie the top of the ladder to something, partly for that reason and partly safety.

When I was doing the roof patch last week I laid on the roof when I was working near the edge. First and second degree burns on my left leg, though my jeans. I used an infrared thermometer on a black car once and the body temperature was 170°F. I don't see the roof being much different.

 

[Mad Mike]

@oioioi That's definitely a nice gazebo, but after looking at the Yardistry and reading reviews I think it's a good bet either way. The wood is treated already, and I think as long as we are on it yearly it should be good.

@GreyGhost Good call on the rain. We are going to be buying the mesh that's available which will cut down the rain, and my parents actually installed temporary glass walls on theirs which allows it to be used from early Spring to late Fall...really works well. Good idea with the lights! I've got a concrete pad outside which will not help running the cable. But I think I can run something along/on the fence from the shed.

For $1300 you could build a pretty nice gazebo that will last forever.

I built a 14x10 sort-of-gazebo-thing behind our pool, material today would be around $1000 for a 4 poster (without cabinets, or bar tops). The nice thing about building yourself its the size, shape and esthetic components can be tailored to to your site.

The downside: might not be a beginner project (erecting a boxed item is.)

This one needed (today's pricing):

Posts: PT 6x6x12 x 4 = $250
Rafters: 2x6x8 x 12 = $110
Beams: 2x6x10 x 4 = $56
Collar ties: 2x4x8 x3 = $17
Roof deck: 4x8 sheets of OSB x 7 = $280
Shingles: 6 bundles = $240
Vinyl facia and soffit (inside roof): $194

$30 for nails and screws.

 

[nobbie48]

So this one is a weird one. We’ve got one of those above ground pools. 48” x 14’.

We didn’t set it up this year due to kids and no MIL, but def planning on it next year.

Questions are:
1. Is it possible / advisable to drop the pool into the ground about 1/3 to 1/2 of the height? Basically reduce the height that’s above ground?
2. Any relatively inexpensive way to heat said pool?

I’m thinking of digging about 2-3ft into the ground, laying some sand, and putting the pool in. Then building a deck around the pool to have better access. Not sure if rigid side pool would be better for this task?

Can’t justify an in ground pool, but have seen some being done like this.

That sounds like a big pile of dirt.

When we bought our house it had a water cooled air conditioner. There wasn't a pool so the previous owner watered the lawn a lot. Could have heated a pool for zero energy cost.

 

[GreyGhost]

For $1300 you could build a pretty nice gazebo that will last forever.

I built a 14x10 sort-of-gazebo-thing behind our pool, material today would be around $1000 for a 4 poster (without cabinets, or bar tops). The nice thing about building yourself its the size, shape and esthetic components can be tailored to to your site.

The downside: might not be a beginner project (erecting a boxed item is.)

This one needed (today's pricing):

Posts: PT 6x6x12 x 4 = $250
Rafters: 2x6x8 x 12 = $110
Beams: 2x6x10 x 4 = $56
Collar ties: 2x4x8 x3 = $17
Roof deck: 4x8 sheets of OSB x 7 = $280
Shingles: 6 bundles = $240
Vinyl facia and soffit (inside roof): $194

$30 for nails and screws.

View attachment 56902

I agree, build it yourself is better but not everyone has the skills or tools (minimal tools needed but many people don't even have those).

I added a similar string of lights (costco led 1W/bulb) to my parents gazebo last time I was down with a wifi dimmer. At 18%, there is no flicker and they are really nice. At 100% they are way too bright for sitting but you can comfortably play cards.

 

[Mad Mike]

I

Q1: Small children will find a way to climb into the pool. With a deck, you’re making it even easier for them.

If you haven’t already, you should consider adding a door chain high up so little people do not get out back by themselves.

Like this…

Edit: And put a lock on your gate and keep it locked at all times.

We always had a pool, and there were always tins of kids in the yard - they cam thru the gate, if that was locked it was no problem to go over or under the fence.

We had a floating screamer. If anyone fell in, the thing would shriek louder than an injured Italian soccer player.

 

[nobbie48]

I would not be putting mdf in a basement. That is asking for troubles imo. Or are you talking about hardboard panels that look like board and batt? I probably wouldn't be doing them either with current house prices. I'd pull down the existing wall, fix any insulation or vapour barrier problems and then put drywall back up.

I was helping with some electrical details on a house addition / pool / cabana in Mississauga a month or two back. A lot of the outside trim looked like mdf. I wasn't a cheapie installation and I was wondering if they developed an exterior version.

I'm a drywall fan for most interior locations. Themes or unusual decor often come back to bite you when you sell.

 

[GreyGhost]

That sounds like a big pile of dirt.

When we bought our house it had a water cooled air conditioner. There wasn't a pool so the previous owner watered the lawn a lot. Could have heated a pool for zero energy cost.

You can buy that, it is a titanium heat exchanger to heat the pool water. I thought about it. A few issues. Often, when I want the most A/C for the house, I don't want the pool hotter and in the shoulder seasons when I want the most heat in the pool, I'm not running A/C. Also, pool equip and A/C are far apart so I would need another pump and pipes for the heater loop which hurts cost effectiveness. Problem three is you need a licensed tech to braze it in and ideally you set it up to use air-cooled or water cooled. Most HVAC techs are dumb monkeys and I have little hope they could do it properly.

To mikes point, pool heater hasnt run for days. Pool is 85. A/C has been running pretty hard dumping ~3 tons of heat into the air. Not sure how hot the pool would be but my guess is piss.

EDIT:
Here's what looks like a reasonable installation and it's still a hot mess. For the labour involved in piping that, it would cover the electricity to run a separate heat pump for years.

 

[GreyGhost]

I was helping with some electrical details on a house addition / pool / cabana in Mississauga a month or two back. A lot of the outside trim looked like mdf. I wasn't a cheapie installation and I was wondering if they developed an exterior version.

The face looked like MDF or the cuts? Hardiboard? Azek? Both of those are awesome.

 

[Mad Mike]

That sounds like a big pile of dirt.

When we bought our house it had a water cooled air conditioner. There wasn't a pool so the previous owner watered the lawn a lot. Could have heated a pool for zero energy cost.

Nope. Had same except mine used the pool to dump heat.

If it was running today, my pool would be 95 and so would the house. Those old water cooled ACs started working hard when cooling water temp hits 75F, after that they chilled so little that the team of the pool was about equal to the house - HOT!

 

[nobbie48]

Nope. Had same except mine used the pool to dump heat.

If it was running today, my pool would be 95 and so would the house. Those old water cooled ACs started working hard when cooling water temp hits 75F, after that they chilled so little that the team of the pool was about equal to the house - HOT!

My wife would be happy.

 

[nobbie48]

The face looked like MDF or the cuts? Hardiboard? Azek? Both of those are awesome.

I'm not sure but I may have an exterior project coming up and board and batten might look nice. I don't want a cheap plastic look.

 

[GreyGhost]

I'm not sure but I may have an exterior project coming up and board and batten might look nice. I don't want a cheap plastic look.

Look at Hardi board or Hardi plank depending on the look you want. One and done. No need for continual maintenance. Doesnt rot. Dusty to cut.

 

[Hardwrkr13]

I posted a few weeks back about our Livingroom tv stopped working after just 2yrs. I replaced it right away with a Sony 75” as I couldn’t fix it quickly but I hate throwing things out so scoured the internet and finally found what the issue is and a (cheap) solution. Issue is a bad LED but replacing them all is expensive and not worth it, a workaround is to use a piece of thin plastic (bandaid backing works well) to disable a small amount of led’s where the ribbon for them hooks to the pcb. I was able to disable the tiniest amount of them so it’s not noticeable on 95% of media. Now I have a 70” garage tv and can continue with my piano lessons in there

 

[Mad Mike]

I posted a few weeks back about our Livingroom tv stopped working after just 2yrs. I replaced it right away with a Sony 75” as I couldn’t fix it quickly but I hate throwing things out so scoured the internet and finally found what the issue is and a (cheap) solution. Issue is a bad LED but replacing them all is expensive and not worth it, a workaround is to use a piece of thin plastic (bandaid backing works well) to disable a small amount of led’s where the ribbon for them hooks to the pcb. I was able to disable the tiniest amount of them so it’s not noticeable on 95% of media. Now I have a 70” garage tv and can continue with my piano lessons in there
View attachment 56906

I love your garage porn. I wish I could get mine that clean and organized.

 

[GreyGhost]

I love your garage porn. I wish I could get mine that clean and organized.

Having a second garage helps (although in his case, iirc garage 2 is also magically clean).

 

[mimico_polak]

My kid was a pool guy, he did several.

1. You can drop the pool 24" below grade fairly easily at low cost. First you excavate a cylinder 24" down and 15' in diameter. That's 13 yards of dirt to remove.
2. Erect the pool in the hole, fill it to grade with water. If you have sharps in the ground (roots, sharp rocks), you might need to lay 3" of sand or 1" of EPS to protect the liner. 3. Wrap 1" styrofoam around the steel walls. You'll need 3 4x8 sheets.
4. Backfill the remaining 4" trench with sand, then water the sand in for a compact perimeter

If it's all vinyl, it will last the same as if it was on grade. Steel walls on small pools are pretty light, they will rust below grade. You can extend their life by coating the part below grade with asphalt sealer.

When you winterize, the pool must be kept with water to grade and it's a good practice to toss in a few pool noodles to absorb the expanding ice.

As for heat, the best thing is a solar blanket. Pools lose a ton of heat thru evaporation, you probably won't need heat from mid June to mid Sept. If you want supplemental, a 100' coil of black poly left coiled on the ground will be plenty.

Great, thanks for that. Appreciate the input. I've seen some of these installed lower than their height, and didn't know how they did it. But I'm asking more questions and this is in line with the bits and pieces I was able to gather.

@GreyGhost the kid situation is the tricky part. As last year, I just put the ladder into the pool when it was unused (GTAM suggestion) so if someone falls in, there's something to stand on. I would plan on encircling the pool with a fence to keep the young ones out, as that's too much risk for me.

Hell I'm happy to rent a small excavator and just dig a big hole myself for a larger sized pool...but even then the costs go astronomical. I've got the yard space...just not the funds lol.

 

[mimico_polak]

For $1300 you could build a pretty nice gazebo that will last forever.

I built a 14x10 sort-of-gazebo-thing behind our pool, material today would be around $1000 for a 4 poster (without cabinets, or bar tops). The nice thing about building yourself its the size, shape and esthetic components can be tailored to to your site.

The downside: might not be a beginner project (erecting a boxed item is.)

This one needed (today's pricing):

Posts: PT 6x6x12 x 4 = $250
Rafters: 2x6x8 x 12 = $110
Beams: 2x6x10 x 4 = $56
Collar ties: 2x4x8 x3 = $17
Roof deck: 4x8 sheets of OSB x 7 = $280
Shingles: 6 bundles = $240
Vinyl facia and soffit (inside roof): $194

$30 for nails and screws.

View attachment 56902

I love our gazebo. We ended up with the 11x13 from Yardistry for about $1500 or so (just before COVID).

I screwed up royally by NOT treating the wood when it dried up, and now I'm seeing the wood go a 'dull' colour on the posts from the sun. Buddy said to sand it lightly, and then put the wood treatment on.

Not sure what type of wood it is, but they're hollow posts. I could just buy new PT posts when the time comes. For now I need to get sanding when it cools down.

 

[Scuba Steve]

Great, thanks for that. Appreciate the input. I've seen some of these installed lower than their height, and didn't know how they did it. But I'm asking more questions and this is in line with the bits and pieces I was able to gather.

@GreyGhost the kid situation is the tricky part. As last year, I just put the ladder into the pool when it was unused (GTAM suggestion) so if someone falls in, there's something to stand on. I would plan on encircling the pool with a fence to keep the young ones out, as that's too much risk for me.

Hell I'm happy to rent a small excavator and just dig a big hole myself for a larger sized pool...but even then the costs go astronomical. I've got the yard space...just not the funds lol.

Clearance 18 x 36 ft Rectangle 6 Inch Radius Corners Inground Pool Complete Package with Aruba Augusta Liner Pattern | Pool Supplies Canada

Clearance 18 x 36 ft Rectangle 6 Inch Radius Corners Inground Pool Complete Package with Aruba Augusta Liner Pattern - everything you need to build your own inground pool. Available at Pool Supplies Canada

www.poolsuppliescanada.ca

I can lend you a digger

Sent from the future

 

[GreyGhost]

Clearance 18 x 36 ft Rectangle 6 Inch Radius Corners Inground Pool Complete Package with Aruba Augusta Liner Pattern | Pool Supplies Canada

Clearance 18 x 36 ft Rectangle 6 Inch Radius Corners Inground Pool Complete Package with Aruba Augusta Liner Pattern - everything you need to build your own inground pool. Available at Pool Supplies Canada

www.poolsuppliescanada.ca

I can lend you a digger

Sent from the future

Friends are going that way. Probably including steps though. Ladders arent my favorite. If mp doesnt buy the clearance one there are lots of sizes and patterns to pick from. Not sure if discount on clearance one is enough to lose the choices. I guess that mainly depends on the size he wants.

Mp, if you decide to start again, go with a variable speed pump, it will pay for itself and it's so much quieter 99% of the time (only full speed when vacuuming).

You probably need a building permit for a pool. Check with municipality, they may have guidance on what you can and cant do, required setbacks and such.