Digging up an old thread here. With the technology available in 2017, for a new gunite pool build in Phoenix, would you guys go with a salt generator or traditional style pool chemicals?

We are shopping for a pool contractor in Phoenix right now and everyone one we've talked with all say to steer away from Saltwater systems. They all suggest using a UV Bioshield unit in combination with a cartridge style filter to treat the pool water.

I must say though, shopping for a pool installer has been an eye opening experience. It's the last thing we are working on for our new home, and we still haven't reached a decision yet.

We've been getting very mixed messages (thus my inquiry to you all). Some won't install them anymore and others wouldn't want it any other way. Im really not sure what to think.

Along with salt, comes corrosion... And I think it was the salt generator itself they said costs about $3000 and it'll need replacing every 3-5 years.

The UV inhibitor systems really work well on keeping the water clean and limit the amount of chlorine you need to use.

We've had 4 companies bid our pool, they came in starting at $51k and top out at $70k. Our problem is the high bid is the only one that has access to build the pool while the house is being built, the others all would need to wait until after we close to start on the pool. We are trying to decide what that convenience is worth to us...

I'm in Ca. and just had a UV system and ozone generator installed and we love it. Still requires a little chlorine but you can't even smell it. I had contacted my pool co to have them switch me over to a salt system but they recommended this setup instead. I love it.

I was also in Scottsdale a couple months ago and saw my dream pool. Since you are in the area go see Toll Brothers Talon Ranch and look at the pool. Here are pics. Here is the pool designer also.

Thanks for the input Charley. Ours is going to look just like that! Lol... in our dreams. That is a great setup for adult entertaining, which is what we're going for. Along with the ability to maintain it without chemical-bombing it every week.

Really worth seeing and great for ideas to show whoever designs yours. I took Weld there and he cancelled his viewing of other homes since their backyards would now look outdated.

Lance, did you move to AZ?


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I had looked in to the salt systems and was also advised against them. Way too much corrosion was the "anti" sale.

Without a doubt - the coolest pool and pool area I've ever seen. At night - it's even cooler!




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...-Night_920.jpg








http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...ight-2_920.jpg

Yes - he is moving.... in the process of building his new house.


If I can sell this one (Sun Valley) -- we may join him......

What corrosion? We have had a salt system for 5 years and I don't see any corrosion issues. I get a little salt build up under the water fall. But its super minor. Just curious. We love the salt and I dont feel like the pool dries out my skin like a normal pool.

5 years huh..... perfect -- that's almost exactly the length of time the pool guys said I'd be replacing my heater and pumps if I went with a salt system.

Because you guys brought this thread up from the dead, I'll update you guys.

My wife, kids and I came to the conclusion that having a pool although a great investment it would be to much upkeep, expensive and a lot of work to maintain. So we did what a rational family would do. We bought a beach house in Galveston Sea Isle community with a beautiful view. We paid 178K but the pool is now our beach.

Here are some pictures. We christened her "Dat View Tho"

HAHA - You said heater......

We are starting construction on a new house in Peoria, in the NW corner of the Phoenix area. Should be finished in Jan-Feb 2018. Once our KC home sells we'll probably move that direction and rent until it is complete.

That is AWESOME!!! Congrats...

I'm ignoring the pics Charley and Weld posted...on purpose! :D

Here is the preliminary design of what we are working toward...

https://photos.smugmug.com/Vista-Mon...8QJHT3G-X2.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Vista-Mon...X6ZFt3q-X2.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Vista-Mon...sXpvNsh-X2.jpg

Looks good Lance. The Spa must really be driving up the cost as we're doing a similar pool with no spa (I like the separate ones) and first quote is sub $40k from Presidential.

That right there as it sits ranges from $58-70k depending on installer. We went with full upgrades on all equip though including 400k gas heater, cartridge type filter, UV Bioshield, in floor cleaning, water features etc.

Was surprised, the Travertine decking really wasn't that expensive (actually extended it under covered patio and sidewalk to bath in RV garage). We also added 5 umbrella sleeves and a stub for future BBQ install.

Are you getting a baja bench? and how deep overall? This one is 3' on each end 5' in the middle.

WTF?!?

Nice!..

don't forget the deck jets!


I like the salt systems myself.
just add an in-line anode and your set.


Art

http://www.sunsplashpool.com




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Life has changed just a bit for us since my death diagnosis.... So we're moving our longer term plans "ahead"..... which would be warmer winters somewhere - and a larger boat in the pacific northwest for cruising in the summers to Alaska etc.

It can take 5 minutes or 5 YEARS to sell a house like ours here..... although --- it was listed as of last week -- and one couple is back for their third trip thru and asked if they could come up tomorrow evening.... LOL


Send your friends our way! It's only $7,750,000


http://www.kwsunvalley.com/our-listings.php

The advantage of having the spa connected to the pool is they both share the same water so you are not maintaining chemicals in both.

If I ever build one, it will have a large shallow area for chairs and an umbrella. That or a beach entry. It gives you a place to hang out and stay cool in comfort.

Our quotes have included in-floor cleaners, remote activated pump/lights, etc.. If we forego salt it would have the UV and Ozone. We're not doing a heater, at least not this go-round, so that makes a difference. Overall size is 13/14x26, so not a huge pool. Max depth is 5-6 ft. Large Baja shelf that runs the full width on one end, with a cutout for steps going down. Water feature running 16 ft along the backside with sheer descent spout. Travertine around the pool, and $5k in pavers under our patio (600sq ft).

We're not planning on doing the umbrella sleeves, other than in the shelf. The moveable umbrellas on the deck seem like the way to go for us and we avoid water sitting in the sleeve and breeding mosquitos. At least that's what we've been advised. I'll enjoy being able to move the umbrella wherever needed.

Seems like we'll be at 45k including the patio pavers. Might have to do a putting green too...

I'm not a big fan of travertine anymore either. It pits and is high maintenance. It was the rage around here for a long time. Not so much these days.

Hey Todd, so do you see people doing the Kool-Deck (or whatever it's called) acrylic instead? This seems like one of those things where there's not a perfect alternative.

Kool-deck- Heat resistant but not particularly good looking
Travertine - Fairly good with heat but awesome looking
Pavers - Durable, but the bottoms of your feet get a tan too

This seems to be the issue with building a pool in general. Everything sucks in one way or another. There's no fool-proof alternative, no matter what you spend.

Honest question though, how much of the pitting was caused by the salt water that has been all the rage for the last 15 years? I really don't know...

Jeff, I've seen so many problems with travertine inside properties. From cracking to pitting badly. It seems to be a very porous stone.

I'm with you, I wouldn't use kool deck either. It looks cheap and needs repainted all the time.

Are pavers really that much hotter than travertine? Do what I did with the roof tiles I'm putting on my new home. Lay them out in the sun and put a temp gun on them and see if it's really an issue. I'd at least look at some other natural options.

The custom house I sold was a maintenance nightmare so I tend to stray away from anything that I know will cost me money and headaches these days in favor of sustainable materials and landscaping.

You and I are totally on the same page when it comes to wanting low maintenance. Our primary goals with this project are to make our summers more tolerable and keep from having to buy another house with a pool that requires a lot of maintenance, repair, etc.

We really aren't interested in having every "pretty" feature available. We wouldn't even have a water feature in the build if we didn't want to mask some of the highway/road noise we tend to get when the wind blows West.

That pool looks very useful, I like it. That is the kind of water feature I'd get if we weren't putting the spa in. Our spa will act like that water feature if we want, water spilling over the edge into the pool.

We walked on both red pavers and some red stone on pool decks during a hot day and they were DAMN hot...compared to Travertine. The kool deck is the coolest temperature wise by far, but looks dirty all the time, definite no from my wife.

This is the first I've heard of Travertine being an issue, everyone I've talked with says it's the best alternative by far.

I too am looking to lighten up on the maintenance, of course I've been taking care of this for 17 years so hopefully just about anything will be easier for us.

https://photos.smugmug.com/2821-NE-S.../i-fhBFhsQ.jpg

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Went down to visit the presidential pools "Pool Park" showroom. We were able to walk on all the different materials, it was a sunny 105. It seems to me that the color of the material has a greater impact on how hot it feels than the material itself. The darker travertine and kool deck seemed as hot as the lighter pavers.

The one that felt significantly cooler than all others was a very light tan limestone.

Rely on the experts. I've just seen issues inside homes. It very well may be well suited for pool decks.

Is a deck jet like a sprinkler to keep it cool? Or is it the bellagio-esque water feature thing?

Would make sense that the limestone would be cooler -- it's less dense -- so think about walking on a beach.... although I've walked on sand that would dang near burn your feet!

Make sure you ask and understand the effects of what water treatment you decide on, would have on the various deck materials etc. Our friends in Tucson had to have the waterline tiles replaced because they couldn't stand the white line the water made on them. Funny -- they were "glass" tiles.... you'd think that wouldn't happen but it was nasty looking.

Limestone is a super porous material.. and I'm wondering if you used salt water treatment - you might be real unhappy with the salt stains that could form.

Our water here is SUPER loaded with Calcium... I have to pre-filter the hot tub water. If I don't - I have to drain it and clean the whole thing with CLR (Calcium - Lime - Rust remover). It's crazy, and no amount of chemicals added to the water will make it go away. It actually used to create chunks of white calcium "scale" and spit it out of the heater before I figured out how to filter it first.

Nice property Lance! And I've got to ask, why Arizona...you're not that old.:D

I have been working on my back yard so long, I'm sick of yard work. Still a few more things I want to do but until the dogs go out the open gate or they die its probably not going to happen. But its great fun in the summer with little kids and we entertain alot. The salt water pool is awesome. My skin doesn't get dry from swimming all day.

Here are a few pics from over the years. I have gotten rid of the potted plants as those are cool. But the jungle look is just too much up keep.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...65588450_n.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...40142365_n.jpg

I dont seem to have a picture with this water fall going.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...08923196_n.jpg

Looks like a great place to relax, :relax:

What's the weight limit on that lil car ramp set up? I understand it's probably for the kids but....

Is that the home shop with the glass door (very cool) and solar panels?

:cheers:

My 3 year old rides the car into the pool. Yes home shop for my personal cars and shop inventory storage. I traded a 4 seat UTV and a paint job for the solor panels. Kinda nice having no power bill any more. Glass doors look awesome. They are not much more then a standard roll up door to my amazement.

I had the big trees planted with a tractor and did the rest by myself. If you find a wholesale grower the palms are way cheaper. The Sago's around the perimeter were all 30 Dollar plants 5 years ago. The big dates were expensive but worth it for the size. Most of the Canary dates were 60 dollar 8 year old trees 5 years ago. In 20 Years I'm gonna look like a casino in my back yard.

My body is older than my heart... :D