BajaNomad - Have you built a swimming pool in Baja?

Have you built a swimming pool in Baja?

CortezBlue - 9-7-2010 at 09:16 PM

I am seriously considering building a swimming pool at my house in San Felipe. Has anyone here looked into it? I am looking at all options. Fiberglass, cement, polycarbon panels, steel etc. All in ground, not above ground.
If you have any history with this please let me know.
Thanks

David K - 9-7-2010 at 11:00 PM

Check with Bob & Susan of Playa Frambes Lighthouse Resort!

Bob and Susan - 9-8-2010 at 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
We have a cement pool were I live they are great to have in baja, but be prepared to spend a lot of money on water and chemicals. The heat here makes both the water and the chlorine go fast. If the clorine gets low the pool will get an algae bloom in very short time. If you keep up on maintainance or have someone who you can depend on to handle it for you , pools are wonderful. make sure you get a solar water pump to keep the pool water circulating during the daylight hrs.

Where we live we also have to deal with scaling due to high calcium levels. I am in the los cabos area, so this may not relate to you.

A pool is very simple
Concrete is the best
Forget a prefab

Don’t start this task without professional advice.

You ABSOLUTELY need to plaster a concrete pool with pool plaster.
This “seals” it.

Contrary to popular belief the sun has very little to do with evaporation
It’s the wind that evaporates water
Our pool uses an average of 50 gallons water a day
It’s 16,000 gallons

Chemicals are what they are $$$
Good stabilized chlorine from a pool store lasts
Startup chemicals and cleaners are available
You use acid in the winter and clorine in the summer

There are no “solar pumps” for pools
The new “variable speed” pumps work well but cost $1500
You need to calculate “head pressure” for sizing
We run our pump off the solar system and
the pool is clean all the time

Pools are GREAT but only a summer item
You WILL NOT use it in the winter
Heaters only raise the temp a few degrees a day
and at night the water temps fall
propane is expensive

One word…poolvac

capt. mike - 9-8-2010 at 04:09 AM

go with a salt system. i am converting mine in AZ soon to salt based and getting rid of chlorine vs acid hassles for life.

build it small and have a spa too. or create a spa with a dam wall.
a spa you can use all winter.

rocmoc - 9-8-2010 at 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
go with a salt system. i am converting mine in AZ soon to salt based and getting rid of chlorine vs acid hassles for life.

build it small and have a spa too. or create a spa with a dam wall.
a spa you can use all winter.

We have a salt system pool in AZ. Gave it up after two years and went to Chlorine. With hard water the scaling is horrible with a salt pool, we could not keep up with it. As soon as we dropped the salt and went to Cl the scaling stopped and even started coming off the tiles and out of the pipes. Also the Algae is harder to control in a salt pool in hot weather. I would rather be in Cl than an Algae chemical. Our water is off the chart for hardness. We have our own well.

Also do a search of the internet and educate yourself. Don't depend on the professional as they can make mistakes also. Ours sure did and they were suppose to be the best in So. AZ.

And don't do BIG, too much work. Ours is 36,000 gals and is is a pain in the a$$. BUT nothing better in the heat!

One last thing, POOL COVER!

rocmoc n AZ/Baja

[Edited on 9-8-2010 by rocmoc]

[Edited on 9-8-2010 by rocmoc]

Bob and Susan - 9-8-2010 at 06:53 AM

pool covers work but are ULGY
and
DIRTY looking

Bob and Susan - 9-8-2010 at 06:55 AM

don't you put chemicals in a salt water pool too???

my neighbor had one in the states and
worked on it all the time

people don't like clorine
i don't think it's good for your body
oh well...smells clean

rocmoc - 9-8-2010 at 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
don't you put chemicals in a salt water pool too???

my neighbor had one in the states and
worked on it all the time

people don't like clorine
i don't think it's good for your body
oh well...smells clean

Not Chlorine.

There is a salt cracker that breaks down the salt (sodium chloride) after which there is a small amount of Cl & ultraviolet for disinfection. Thus the Cl levels are very low which allows the Algae to have a happy home. Got tired of fighting the Algae, up the Cl with tablets and that took care of that problem. Still left the scaling issue if you have hard water.

rocmoc n AZ/Baja

vandenberg - 9-8-2010 at 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

The pool to have and use is the one in the background. No chemicals needed. Mother nature does all the maintenance. :biggrin:

Had pools all my life. Biggest waste of money and effort ever invented by man. :no:

Pompano - 9-8-2010 at 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

The pool to have and use is the one in the background. No chemicals needed. Mother nature does all the maintenance. :biggrin:

Had pools all my life. Biggest waste of money and effort ever invented by man. :no:

You took the words right out of my big mouth, Ed. Pools are nice, but are just not my choice anymore...especially when the sandy beach and warm bay is my front yard. Over the years, I have had 3 different swimming pools in other homes in Baja and USA built by pros. (Plus I still have 2 at commercial real estate locations..until I selll them.) All large pools.. and 1 infinity. All required lots of money, work and maintenance..all interferred with my fishing and Baja fun. Ended up covering all of them and making more landscaping decor...which requires zero maintenance and looks great.

Two amigos who built recent pools in Baja Sur filled them in after a couple seasons, too. Be careful of what you ask for.

It may be my age, (I am still fairly spry!) but I just don't enjoy pools like I used to..and when we do feel the need to jump in one, I have a few friends with infinity pools down Cabo-way. :rolleyes:

This is just my opinion after spending a few years in Baja....and I wish anybody wishing to own one...a sincere GOOD LUCK!

dtbushpilot - 9-8-2010 at 09:09 AM

We have a beautiful pool here but with the Sea Of Cortez at my back door I seldom use it. I go for a dip in the sea most every day. Sometimes I sit by the pool and read a book but I don't need a pool for that. I was going to say that if I didn't live on the beach I would have a pool but we have a pool at our San Diego home (not near the beach) and almost never use it.

Spa Buena Vista is 1-1/2 miles down the beach and they offer a "locals club card" for $100 a year that gives you and a guest use of their pool and discounts at the swim-up bar.

They used to let you use the pool for free but now you have to join the club to use the pool....not very "amigo-like" if you ask me. :lol:

...sorry DK, I couldn't resist, I'll try not to do it again amigo......dt

mtgoat666 - 9-8-2010 at 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
The pool to have and use is the one in the background. No chemicals needed. Mother nature does all the maintenance. :biggrin:

Had pools all my life. Biggest waste of money and effort ever invented by man. :no:

I couldn't agree more. it is a hole in the ground you throw money into, sort of like a moored boat....a hole in the water you throw money into!!

The pool we have is my employers's he has swam in it maybe 10x in 3 years, yet it is maintained daily. We also have a lot of grass, that is another huge waste of time and money in baja.

pools are just a lot of work to maintain. if you live within walking distance of the ocean, why build a maintenance project in your yard?

Bob and Susan - 9-8-2010 at 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
A green alga bloom can happen overnight with the heat. Every rain we get increases the risk, as does the wind. Also remember too rinse off the saltwater before entering a pool, the bacteria in the ocean has been linked to the source of black algae. Black algae is a pain in the butt to kill, it usually requires draining the pool.

No one should buy a "solar pool pump"
I don't know of one sucessful install
they are not powerful enough to "clean" a pool

"they" also sell "solar air conditioners"
they don't work either

just because stuff is on the internet
doesn't make it work here in "the wild"

the new pumps required for new pools in california
are the variable speed units

these have enough power to run a pool vac
and then filter all day using your solar inverter

we've had pools forever...even in the rentals
pool vacs mean no work for the homeowner
when the pump is on the pool is cleaned

correct knowledge of chemicals for pools end the work

a green alge bloom DOES NOT happen overnight
if you check the clorine and acid level
once a week and use GOOD chemicals
you'll be ok

actually salt from the sea STOPS regular alge
the intial shock of the clorine kill any "bugs"
after that alge won't grow

negative edge pool do use more water
remember the wind
that's why you should use a cantiliver coping
it keeps the water inside

i can't belive you people don't like pools
kids and dogs LOVE pools

the sea is sandy and has animals living in it
pools are NORMALLY clean and refreshing
(remember the "baby ruth")

have you EVER seen a BBQ ad without a pool in the background? :light:

i think it's sour grapes...if you could
fit a pool on those expensive motorhomes
you'd own a pool

[Edited on 9-8-2010 by Bob and Susan]

David K - 9-8-2010 at 01:54 PM

Bob & Susan's pool is fantastic... very refreshing and just streps from your casita at Playa Frambes. While we only spent two days there, we look forward to returning with friends or family members and share one of the two bedroom casitas. The pool is great, and it helps to make you feel like you are in a resort.

Bob also keeps the Pacificos ice cold and the watch dogs seem to like them too!
:yes:

Pompano - 9-8-2010 at 01:58 PM

By the looks of it Lord and Lady Hardwick's swimming pool hadn't been cleaned in quite a while.

mtgoat666 - 9-8-2010 at 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
the sea is sandy and has animals living in it
pools are NORMALLY clean and refreshing
(remember the "baby ruth")

i like the sand and animals :bounce:

CortezBlue - 9-8-2010 at 04:40 PM

Quote:

Don’t start this task without professional advice.

You ABSOLUTELY need to plaster a concrete pool with pool plaster.
This “seals” it.

Contrary to popular belief the sun has very little to do with evaporation
It’s the wind that evaporates water
Our pool uses an average of 50 gallons water a day
It’s 16,000 gallons

Chemicals are what they are $$$
Good stabilized chlorine from a pool store lasts
Startup chemicals and cleaners are available
You use acid in the winter and clorine in the summer

There are no “solar pumps” for pools
The new “variable speed” pumps work well but cost $1500
You need to calculate “head pressure” for sizing
We run our pump off the solar system and
the pool is clean all the time

Pools are GREAT but only a summer item
You WILL NOT use it in the winter
Heaters only raise the temp a few degrees a day
and at night the water temps fall
propane is expensive

One word…poolvac

I was going to ping you. I went to your site becuase I remeber when you were building it you had some photos. Can you give me a rough idea what it cost you? I have a guy in SF that is a pool builder that has little work and I may be able to get him to do the work hourly with my other guys. We are looking at probably 16x8x6 deep.

I have owned many pools living here in Phx and if you are loosing 50 gals per day, you have a leak. That is way more than you should be loosing. You can buy a great device. It is a small bladder that fits into the skimmer that hooks to a hose that will fill up and seal the water from coming up. With your pump turned off, you can turn on your hose and check the lines to see if you have any leaks that are below ground. We probably loose that in about a month. All I know is I have a perfect spot in my back yard that is screaming POOOOL. I finally have my wife close to thinking about it. I have a friend who is a pool designer who will put my plans together. Now all I need is a little cement, some rebar, PVC and oh yes, a hole in the ground.

Thanks
JV

FA - you are working too hard, you must be...

capt. mike - 9-8-2010 at 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
Our pools are infinity style. Beautiful, but a whole lot of work. I have spent 8 hrs and $200 worth of chemicals fighting a green algea bloom just this week alone after our caretaker didn't keep the chlorine levels up. I also added 10,000 gallons of water this week, as we vacuumed the green away to waste, we waste the green water by gravity vacuuming to the grass below.

A green alga bloom can happen overnight with the heat. Every rain we get increases the risk, as does the wind. Also remember too rinse off the saltwater before entering a pool, the bacteria in the ocean has been linked to the source of black algae. Black algae is a pain in the butt to kill, it usually requires draining the pool.

chasing the needle.
it is not that hard ONCE you are balanced PH wise and can keep it that way by staying AHEAD of the needle!

i learned that by my IFR ticket but the parallels are striking and are the same concept, believe me!

plus - i cannot live without a spa for casual entertainment.

i won't go to a resort that doesn't have one nor will i live in or own a property without one.
i am here for a good time....not for a long time... :lol:

hot water, wine and natural Mae Wests...figure it out...hahahahaha
nice again here in sunny and mild Lake havascrew city!!!

Bob and Susan - 9-9-2010 at 05:42 AM

50 gallons is NOTHING with wind and hot concrete

i can loose 150 in a windstorm :biggrin:

we sealed the coping around the pool and cut the seepage WAY down

i thought the same about a leak
but replace several "squares" of decking
and no leaks

backyard pools are less windy
pools on the beach are exposed

in a place where "water is like gold"
i would suggest against a negative edge pool
too much evaporation

fishab...
"Taking care of the pool is not my job, we have a caretaker... "
you're the MANAGER...EVERYTHING is your fault
get used to it...you need to take responsibilty
i'm sure the "boss" doesn't blame the caretaker
he blames YOU!!!

you could use a 12v pump combined with a solar panel
to run the "water falls" part of the neg edge pool

you also need an automatic fill device hooked to
your water supply for ANY neg edge pool
they dont work without water being FULL

capt. mike - 9-9-2010 at 06:27 AM

abductor - post pics of your pool, sounds like a nice one.
i am building a huge resort level pool here in havasu with neg edge, giant spa and swim up bar etc. etc.
i'll post after it gets to the stage where you can see sumthin. i just am starting mass grading now.

meme - 9-9-2010 at 10:32 AM

Cortezblue, Go see Jane Allen at Perez Constuction. Her & Lupe Perez will give you lotsa help with building a pool. She is located @ El Parizo almost next door to you @ PDO.

CortezBlue - 9-9-2010 at 11:19 AM

Pesos? :biggrin:

CortezBlue - 9-9-2010 at 11:28 AM

So not to go into a science lecture, water loss is from evaporation. Evaporation is from heat, not wind. That being said, evaporation will vary by several factors, of which wind is one.

The change from liquid to a gas and back can happen fast or slow. It can turn into a gas and stay as a gas. When this occurs, and if the wind is blowing, it will remove or move the gas away from the original source and there fore you can loose more water during the wind. However, when the dewpoint of the air is high you loose less moisture than when it is low or dry.

In other words
If the wind were blowing @ 13mph on a 95 degree day you will loose more pool water than if the wind were blowing at 13mph on a 40 degree day.

Unless of course you fell into the pool and you are splashing and thrashing freezing to death, than the wind would blow all of that splashing water out of the pool, and, you would have major shrinkage :lol:

CortezBlue - 9-9-2010 at 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor

Quote:

Originally posted by CortezBlue
Pesos? :biggrin:

To convert to pesos, just multiply the figures given by 13.
:lol:

[Edited on 9-9-2010 by fishabductor]

Senor we only exchange at 12 today

Bob and Susan - 9-9-2010 at 11:47 AM

i would sugest you NOT go in the pool when it's 40f
...shrinkage for sure

vandenberg - 9-9-2010 at 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
i would sugest you NOT go in the pool when it's 40f
...shrinkage for sure

Reminds me of my youth. Used to swim in Olympic size public pools in Holland. Not exactly the land of sunshine. When standing in line to pay our dime for 1 hour of delight, asking the kids coming out about the water, they used to put up their thumb and indexfinger to indicate the temp. Sometimes clamped together, which meant you came out a queen. :biggrin:

mcfez - 9-27-2010 at 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CortezBlue
I am seriously considering building a swimming pool at my house in San Felipe. Has anyone here looked into it? I am looking at all options. Fiberglass, cement, polycarbon panels, steel etc. All in ground, not above ground.
If you have any history with this please let me know.
Thanks

CortezBlue...
If you go over the Campos Ocotilio ....ask around for Kirk and Cybill . LMK Deno sent you over. They have the straw bale house left of the "Y"...with a swimming pool. He's a teacher that has great knowledge on the contractor that built their pool. All of us in the campos are super friendly and dont mind helping out