Thanks Ill, our pool was a difficult shape and position so the best solution for us was the lovely timber which does have a small gap between it and the pebble crete so helps with sand and dirt but leaves will always find their way in especially if you trees nearby. It looks lovely, we use a long handled gadget with a rectangle pad to recoat every six months depending on weather. We have changed to British Paints Aqua Deck which does a better and less expensive job. Also be careful with any use of real timber up to the edge of the pool as it can leech out and stain your pool. cheers

watchedpoppy, here's something about heat pumps designed for cold temperatures. Note, these are reverse cycled air conditioners (air-to-air), not pool heat pumps (air-to-water). I don't know how heat pumps stack up. It's an American site, so FYI -13F equals -25C. http://www.mitsubishicomfort.com/benefits/hyper-heating On a side note, temperature is just the product of the motion of atoms & molecules (kinetic energy). These are in motion all the way down to zero Kelvin (-273C). So although it may feel cold outside, there's still energy available in the site, although heat pumps do become much less efficient when it's cold (the difference in input & output temperatures is important). One thing that has made heat pumps very inefficient in the past is that the condensing coil would ice up at around zero C. This would have to be thawed out with a plain old electric element (COP of 1). Greatly reducing the overall COP in temperatures around our below zero C. But the modern heat pumps, which use the CO2 compressors Luxury Home Heating has talked about don't have an electric element to thaw them out, greatly increasing their efficiency. As for the noise issues. Some modern heat pumps (but not all) are very quiet. So just pay close attention to the decibels they produce, listed on their spec sheets. FYI, here's a good read. Though it doesn't mention solar PV, which would be advantageous for a heat pump. https://www.pooledenergy.com/blog/choosing-a-pool-heater-what-are-the-relative-performances-of-solar-gas-electric-pool-heaters/

by the way, we had pebblecrete in our pool for 28 yrs. I think it was certainly very hardy ie. bits haven't come off. Algae can grow in the cement bits around the pebbles if you let the chemistry go off like after alot of rain. It was easy enough to scrape off and generally disappeared once I shocked the pool but it did seem to come back in the same spots again if I didn't keep close eye on the chemistry thereafter. The pebbles we had felt a bit roughish under foot, it's not a smooth surface. It was in no way uncomfortable to walk or sit on though. I would get it again, and still might if I don't like the sound of the glass....

I’m renovating our 17 yr old pool. The pebblecrete interior is sound so some companies are saying leave it and respray over the top of it and others are saying remove the lot and start fresh. We will be replacing the tile waterline, coping and retiling 65sm of surrounds. Has anyone any advice on the order this should be done and should we remove the pebblecrete. I have never had so much conflicting advice on anything before.