We have large groups of kids over frequently, with parents present, so this is something I have thought through a lot. I have a document that I actually share with moms when they are invited over, now we have pretty much a known group so I go over them with anyone new, but generally my rules are known. Here are my posted/emailed rules: Pool rules 1. Diving allowed off the diving rock only. 2. You may jump off the waterfall, but only towards the deep end. No diving allowed off the waterfall. 3. One person at a time on the jumping/diving rocks. 4. No shoving or wrestling near the rocks. No roughhousing on the seat by the negative edge or on the diving rock/waterfall. 5. Know where the slope is, no diving EVER in that area 6. No peeing in the pool 7. When you are leaving the pool, please retrieve any toys off the bottom People are very respectful of our rules, am I pretty stern with the rules (particularly the diving ones) so I will yank a kid out who isn't following them, and they all know it! I have a narrow beam area that separates the pool from the fireplace area (and it's a long drop onto concrete) so I keep spiky plants on there, that tends to discourage walking. I don't let small kids in without a parent. Ever. Non negotiable, and I don't allow those arm floaties, if they can't swim they need a life jacket. For my own kids, I'm a bit more lax, they can walk on that ledge, they know where the slope is and they can dive off the waterfall, etc, and I'm not always outdoors with them, as they are strong swimmers....we do use the buddy system though.

rmverb....yeah. It was a while ago and surely the costs have gone up since 2007. Still enjoying our pool after all these years....especially as the temps begin to rise this time of year. Hope all the best for your new pool and hang in there during the construction process. cpartist.....yes, the kids are now grown enough that they have impromptu get togethers at the pool with friends. It's relaxing to come home from work and sit by the pool enjoying a cold unit while watching them play.

I have a 25,000 gallon pool with SWG and a 2 speed pump, no heater or spa. Our electric usage went up on average about $100 - $150 per month. I was wondering if it was due to the cost per kwh, but after investigating, noticed that we used approximately 1000 additional units per month. Basically, we went from using around 1500 per month to around 2500. Maintenence is pretty easy and I'm not a big do it yourselfer. Daily: Check and empty skimmer baskets, pool cleaner bag Bi weekly: Check chemical levels, check basket at pump (not sure what it's called) Weekly: Brush pool, brush tile with a small brush while I'm swimming. Plus, every two months we have to backwash the DE filter. This took about an hour but I think it was because it was our first time. It won't take that long next time I don't think. Chemicals have been very cheap. We've had the pool open for three months and I've gone through 6 gallons of acid ($5 each), 2 Canisters of Shock (to suppliment the SWG in the hot part of the summer @ $18 each). I think it's about getting time to add a bag of salt so you might add another $6 to that. Since the weather has cooled off and we don't have so many people swimming, the SWG has generated more than enough chlorine, so that is not a monthly expense. Also, our water bill went up around $10 to $15 per month. It cost right at $175 to initially fill the pool. You might need to figure that into your budget as well. I hope this helps. Even with the expense, it is SO worth it!!!!!!!! p.s. We live in Stephenville, TX so we might be neighbors and our costs might be similar. Here is a link that might be useful: My pool build

Alphabetized Topics Accessible Gardening Adenium African Violet Exchange African Violets African Violets FAQ Alabama Garden Exchange Alabama Gardening Allium Exchange Allium FAQ Alliums Alpines & Rock Gardens Amaryllis/Hippeastrum Animal Debates Annuals Annuals FAQ Antique Roses Antique Roses FAQ Antiques & Collectibles Apartment Living Appliances Appliances FAQ Aquariums Aquatic Plant Exchange Aquatic Plant Exchange Arizona Garden Exchange Arizona Gardening Arizona Gardening FAQ Aroids Asian Gardening Asian Vegetables Asian Vegetables Asian Vegetables FAQ Ask The Yard Doctor Australia Forums Australian Garden Exchange Australian Native Plants Avocado Growers Azalea & Rhododendron Balcony Gardening Bamboo Bamboo Exchange Banana Exchange Bananas Basements Bathrooms Beans, Peas & Legumes Beans, Peas & Legumes Exchange Beauty & Fashion Bees & Beekeeping Begonia Exchange Begonias Beverages Bird Watching Bluebirding Bog Gardens Bonsai Bonsai Exchange Bonsai FAQ Book Exchange Botany Bromeliad Exchange Bromeliad FAQ Bromeliads Brugmansia Brugmansia Exchange Building a Home Bulb Exchange Bulbs Butterfly Garden Butterfly Garden FAQ Buying and Selling Homes Cacti & Succulents Cacti & Succulents Exchange Cacti & Succulents FAQ Cacti Gallery Cacti in Oz California Garden Exchange California Gardening California Gardening FAQ Camellia FAQ Camellias Camping Canadian Garden Exchange Canadian Garden Exchange Canadian Winter Sowing Canna Canna Exchange Canna FAQ Care Givers Carnivorous Plants Carnivorous Plants FAQ Carolina Garden Exchange Carolina Gardening Cars Citrus Citrus FAQ Clay and Ceramics Cleaning Tips Clematis Clematis Exchange Clematis FAQ Clivia Clivia FAQ Community Gardens Companion Plants Computer Crafts Computer Help Computer Help FAQ Conifers Container Gardening Cooking Cooking FAQ Cooking Outdoors Cookware Cornucopia - Australia Cottage Garden FAQ Cottage Gardens Crafts & Decorations Crafts and Decorations FAQ Cross-Stitching Dahlias Daylilies Daylily Exchange Daylily FAQ Decorative & Tole painting Dessert Exchange Diet Club Dollmaking Dried & Pressed Flowers Dried & Pressed Flowers FAQ Drought Edible Landscape Electrical Wiring Electrical Wiring FAQ Electronics Embroidery Entertaining Exchanges & Trading Exercise & Nutrition Explore Topics Far North Farm Life Fiber & Needle Arts Exchange Figs Fireplaces Fish & Game Flooring Flooring FAQ Florida Garden Exchange Florida Gardening Florida Gardening FAQ Foliage Plants Football For information on the new look and features, please visit the FAQ Four Season Vegetable Gardening Fragrant Plants Fragrant Plants FAQ Frugal Gardening Fruit & Orchards Fruit & Orchards FAQ Fuchsia Fuchsia FAQ Furniture Garages/Workshops Garden & Flower Crafts Garden Accoutrements Garden Accoutrements FAQ Garden Art Gallery Garden Clinic Garden Clinic FAQ Garden Exchange Garden Exchange Garden Experiments Garden FAQs Garden Favorites Garden Forums Garden Junk Garden Junk FAQ Garden Photo Gallery Garden Restoration Garden Sources Garden Writers Gardening in Canada Gardening in New Zealand Gardening in Oz Gardening in Shade Gardening in Shade FAQ Gardening in the UK Gardening with Kids Gardening with Kids FAQ Gardening with Stone GardenWeb has been updated! Georgia Garden Exchange Georgia Gardener Georgia Gardener FAQ Geranium FAQ Geraniums Gesneriad Exchange Gesneriad FAQ Gesneriads Get help for your projects, share your finds, and show off your Before & After. Get-Togethers Get-Togethers Giant Vegetables Gingers Going Green Gourd Exchange Grandparents Graphics & Scanning Great Lakes Exchange Great Lakes Gardening Greenhouses & Garden Structures Greenhouses & Garden Structures FAQ Grieving Groundcovers Growing from Seed Growing from Seed FAQ Growing Tomatoes Growing Tomatoes FAQ Growing under Lights Growing under Lights FAQ Gulf Coast Gardening Harvest Harvest FAQ Hawaii Garden Exchange Hawaii Gardening Health Heaths & Heathers Heating & Air Conditioning Heating & Air Conditioning FAQ Heirloom Plants & Gardens Heirlooms Exchange Hellebores Herb Exchange Herbalism Herbalism FAQ Herbs Herbs - Australia Herbs FAQ Heuchera Hi albert_135 　 39.15°N 119.76°W 4657ft., what are you working on? Hibiscus Exchange Hibiscuses Hillside Gardening Holidays Home Decorating Home Disasters Home Entertainment Home FAQs Home Forums Home Repair Homesteading Hosta Exchange Hosta FAQ Hostas Hot Pepper Exchange Hot Pepper FAQ Hot Peppers Hot Topics House Plant Exchange House Plants Household Finances Hoya Exchange Hoyas Hudson Valley Hudson Valley New York Exchange Hummingbird Garden Hummingbird Garden FAQ Hybridizing Hybridizing FAQ Hydrangea FAQ Hydrangeas Hydroponics Hydroponics FAQ Hypertufa Hypertufa FAQ Idaho Gardening Impatiens Insects Integrated Pest Management Integrated Pest Management FAQ Iowa Garden Exchange Iowa Gardening Iris Exchange Iris FAQ Irises Irrigation Japanese Gardens Japanese Gardens FAQ Kitchens Kitchens FAQ Knitting & Crocheting Koi Ponds Landscape Design Laundry Room Laundry Room FAQ Lawn Care Lawn Care FAQ Lawn Mowers Lighting Lilies Lily Exchange Lily FAQ Louisiana & Mississippi Louisiana & Mississippi Exchange Lucky Bamboo Maine Gardening Manufactured Homes Maples Maples FAQ Market Gardener Marriage Master Gardeners Master Gardeners FAQ Meadows & Prairies Menopause Metalworking Metro NY Gardener Mid-Atlantic Exchange Mid-Atlantic Gardening Mid-Atlantic Gardening FAQ Midwest Exchange Midwest Gardening Milkweed Miniature Roses Minnesota Gardening Money Saving Tips Moon Garden Moon Garden FAQ Moss, Ferns & Cryptogams Motorcycles/Scooters Name That Plant FAQ Name That Plant! Name That Rose FAQ Name That Rose! Name This Animal Native Plant Exchange Native Plant Exchange Native Plants Native Plants FAQ Nature Forums Nature Photography & Optics Nevada Gardening New England Exchange New England Gardening New England Gardening FAQ New Jersey Garden Exchange New Jersey Gardening New to Gardening New to Gardening FAQ Northern Gardening Northwestern Gardening Ohio Valley Ohio Valley Exchange Oklahoma Garden Exchange Oklahoma Gardening Oklahoma Gardening FAQ Once-a-Week Cooking Orchid Exchange Orchid Gallery Orchids Orchids FAQ Organic Gardening Organic Gardening FAQ Organic Lawn Care Organic Rose Growing Organic Rose Growing FAQ Organizing the Home Ornamental Grass Exchange Ornamental Grasses Ozarks Garden Exchange Ozarks Gardening Ozarks Region FAQ Pacific Northwest Exchange Pacific Northwest Exchange Paint Palm & Cycad Exchange Palms & Cycads Paper Arts Parents Parents of Infants Parents of Toddlers Passiflora Passiflora Exchange Passiflora FAQ Pennsylvania Gardening Pennsylvania Gardening FAQ Peonies Perennials Perennials & Annuals - Australia Perennials FAQ Permaculture Pests & Diseases - Australia Pets Pets FAQ Photography Plant Exchange FAQ Plant Propagation Plants for Difficult Places Plumbing Plumeria Plumeria FAQ Ponds & Aquatic Plants Ponds & Aquatic Plants FAQ Ponds in the UK Pools & Spas Porches & Decks Potager Gardens Professional Gardener FAQ Pumpkins, Squash & Gourds Quilting Quilting FAQ Raptors Rate & Review Exchanges Rate & Review Exchanges Rate & Review Exchanges FAQ Rate & Review Vendors Reader's Paradise Recipe Exchange Recipe Exchange FAQ Remodeling Renewable Energy for the Home Reptiles & Amphibians Retirement Rocky Mountain Gardening Rose Exhibiting Rose Forums FAQ Rose Gallery Rose Propagation & Exchange Rose Propagation & Exchange Rose Propagation FAQ Roses Roses FAQ Roses in Oz Round Robin Exchange Round Robin Exchange Round Robin Exchange FAQ RUG SALE Salvia Salvia Exchange Sansevieria School Scrapbooks Seed Exchange FAQ Seed Saving Seed Saving Seed Saving FAQ Sewing Shrubs Shrubs FAQ Small Spaces / Urban Gardening Smaller Homes Soap & Candle Making Soil FAQ Soil, Compost & Mulch South African Native Plants Southeast Coastal Gardening Southern Gardening Southwestern Gardening Special Diet Recipes Square Foot Gardening Square Foot Gardening FAQ Stained Glass & Mosaics Stained Glass & Mosaics FAQ Start a discussion... Stepfamilies Suggestions? Sustaining Our Environment Tennessee Garden Exchange Tennessee Gardening Terms & PrivacyHouzz Inc. © 2018 Terrariums Terrariums FAQ Test Texas Garden Exchange Texas Gardening The Cutting Garden The Garden Party The Garden Traveler The Kitchen Table The Old House The Oz Garden Gallery The Plant Exchange The Professional Gardener The Seed Exchange The Single Life The Winter Garden Tips & Techniques Tips & Techniques FAQ Tomato Exchange Tomato Pests & Diseases Tool Shed Topiary Tractors Trash To Treasure Trash To Treasure FAQ Trees Trees & Shrubs - Australia Trees FAQ Tropical Fruits Tropical Plant Exchange Tropical Plants Tropical Plants - Australia Tropicalesque Garden FAQ Tropicalesque Gardens UK Forums Upstate New York Upstate New York Exchange Upstate New York FAQ Utah Gardening Vacations Vegetable Exchange Vegetable Gardening Vegetable Gardening FAQ Vegetarian Exchange Vermicomposting Vertical Gardening Vines Vines Exchange Violets Virginia Garden Exchange Virginia Gardening Web Authoring Weddings Weeds Weeds FAQ Wildlife Garden Windows Wine Wine Winter Garden FAQ Winter Sowing Winter Sowing Exchange Winter Sowing FAQ Wisconsin Woodlands Woodlands FAQ Woodworking Your Houzz