Sorry -- I had not checked this threat in a long time. Posting an update for folks.
We have loved our pool configuration and the choices we made nine years ago.
Heating the spa does require a few hours pre-planning. We ran underground lines for gas in case we wanted to switch to gas instead of heat pump, but the heat pump has worked well enough that we've never switched to gas. Depending on the weather here in the midwest, we will start the spa heating 2-5 hours prior to when we need it to make sure it is comfortable when we get in. We tend to stop using the spa once it gets below 50 degrees out (air is too chilly for us!) If you want quicker heating for your spa, you will need gas. The heat pump has worked for us since we are planners.
Most of our pool components have continued to operate well even after nine years. We did go with Pentair lights and at this time (9 years later) only one LED color is not working in one of the lights but otherwise all is good there. A few Jandy valves have needed replacement due to minor seepage (but it has been 9 years!) Also, the spa-side remote from Pentair (maybe called the Spa Command?) has been junk -- we replaced it twice in our first three years and finally gave up and moved to controlling everything via Pentair's wireless phone app which has worked well.
The River Flow swim current has continued to work well for us. It has gotten a lot of use this year with the pandemic shutdown. We were very pleased this year to have our own swim current to exercise in! We probably used it more this year than all 8 prior years combined. It does require some work each year to winterize properly (using very large marine plugs). We do that in the early fall before the pool water gets cooler. Overall it has been a fun splurge that is used more to create fun in the pool (currents for floats, etc.) and occasionally for exercise until this year when it got heavy use for safe exercise in our own back yard.
Our pool cover also is still doing well. We went with a mesh cover (believe it was Merlin) that had attachments in the ground over and past the raised bond beam wall as well as into our travertine decking. They also designed in reinforcement rubber in spots where needed. We have cushions that are placed at rub points. The cover seems to be doing very well. It is typically used November - March and stored inside when the pool is open. Snow weight has not been a problem due to the mesh design and the milder winters we now get in the midwest.
The travertine pool decking has held up very well. We have some minor spalling on a few tiles (winter freeze/thaw), but not enough to cause any worries after 9 years. The travertine has been an amazing pool deck surface. It stays cool in the summer and also does not seem to get slippery when wet. It has continued to look very nice. We occasionally have had a few weeds growing between some tiles occasionally over the years, but it has been minor (maybe because I pull them promptly if I see them!)
Overall our pool has been very nice and I very much appreciate all of the helpful feedback I got many years ago when we were building it. Hopefully this information helps the people currently with pool projects "in the works". We are getting close to ten years now with our pool!
Q
Girl’s bathroom
Q