Cutting around pools has not worked out for me. I don't think it's a case of professionalism; more like the wind, and the action of trimming around the pool. I have been talked into it when I knew it wouldn't work out, and it didn't. One man blamed me for clogging his pumps and flooding his yard. He tried to show me how to angle my blower. I tried lowering rpms and using a mulching mower. I tried not trimming until they said something about the trimming, then they complained about a sliver of grass going in the pool. I lost count of how many times i tried to please people with with pools, and I've decided, that I will not take accounts with pools. I'm not saying that keeping grass out is impossible, but I just feel like I want to be out of the equation.
Cutting around pools
pseudosun
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Cutting around pools has not worked out for me. I don't think it's a case of professionalism; more like the wind, and the action of trimming around the pool. I have been talked into it when I knew it wouldn't work out, and it didn't. One man blamed me for clogging his pumps and flooding his yard. He tried to show me how to angle my blower. I tried lowering rpms and using a mulching mower. I tried not trimming until they said something about the trimming, then they complained about a sliver of grass going in the pool. I lost count of how many times i tried to please people with with pools, and I've decided, that I will not take accounts with pools. I'm not saying that keeping grass out is impossible, but I just feel like I want to be out of the equation.
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2,456 Posts
Nothing wrong with that.I hate them (inground). I have/had one. reason I say had is because I wont do it again this year mainly because of pool. I just did what I could. If clippings went in pool, oh well. A blower with a curved tube aiming back at you would have been nice. Never a complaint though.
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1,695 Posts
I had this issue with a pond/water feature. They planted grass around stepping stones right up to edge.
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1,183 Posts
If a pools isn't screened in, something will find its way there no doubt! I have about fell in a few times trying to get the best angle. lol Between the steps, diving boards, potted plants, etc... it's gonna happen!
I went on an estimate yesterday, and that's why I brought this up. I turned her down, because I could foresee the problems. She said something like "you can do it, if you are careful" or something like that. I wasn't aware of the pool before i went to the estimate.
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2,653 Posts
I had a pool once with grass up to the deck. The previous LCO had blown the grass into the pool!!! I told the owner it would be a PITA and I couldn't guarantee no grass would get in due to the wind. I used a Toro 21" 2 stroke around the border 5 cuts out and never had a problem. I didn't have my 32" WB at the time but I can imagine it wouldn't have been as clean just due to deck design. After working for the guy a couple of years, I understand why the guy blew the grass into the pool!! I never did BUT, I was oh so tempted! As far as blowing around a pool, it just takes some practice blowing with and against the wind.
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1,853 Posts
People just love to complain. It's impossible to get zero grass in a pool when the grass goes right up to it. Even if you bag it, you'll still get some in there from trimming. I don't have any accounts like this, but if I got a call for one it's the first thing id bring up.
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Posted via Mobile Device
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2,653 Posts
Reminds me of an estimate I had many moons ago. HUGE property, highly landscaped, lots of trimming. After about 30 seconds I knew I didn't want it. The kicker was when she showed me a trellis with grass growing around the base. The current LCO had knocked a chip of paint off the backside of the post. It was barely visible unless you bent over real close to see. I suggested extending the bed edge around it. OMG!!!! She went off!! I still work that hood and she refuses to look at me when she drives by! :laugh::laugh:
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2,703 Posts
Most properties we service have pools.
We always cut with our Honda push mowers to the edge.
Then we have someone on the other side with a back pack blower wide open as we trim.
Then there's this thing called a skimmer most pool owners have that you can clean any debris up with.
Not to hard really. When not working alone.
We always cut with our Honda push mowers to the edge.
Then we have someone on the other side with a back pack blower wide open as we trim.
Then there's this thing called a skimmer most pool owners have that you can clean any debris up with.
Not to hard really. When not working alone.
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2,328 Posts
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2,653 Posts
Or, you could suggest a change in the landscaping around the pool/water area. I was a sub for a company that didn't do lawn work. I went to look at a property and it had a 30 degree grass covered bank. It was about 4000 sq ft. I told them how dangerous it was to walk on let alone cut and showed them where the sod was already slipping. The homeowner agreed, ripped out the sod and sprigged with a groundcover. The hill wouldn't even hold leaves the first few years.
I don't turn them down but I don't look for these properties either.
At present only one of my customers has a pool.
My customer and I understand, I will do the best I can, always...
But some debris getting in the water is apparently inevitable.
Fortunately this particular pool is surrounded by cement where the chairs sit, the grass is a bit of a ways out.
Still, leaves in the fall and a few blades of grass always seem to find their way in the water.
At present only one of my customers has a pool.
My customer and I understand, I will do the best I can, always...
But some debris getting in the water is apparently inevitable.
Fortunately this particular pool is surrounded by cement where the chairs sit, the grass is a bit of a ways out.
Still, leaves in the fall and a few blades of grass always seem to find their way in the water.
.
It would at least cool you off lol
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17,351 Posts
a few little grass clippings will not hurt a pool at all. they have built in skimmer things that catch debris like that. those square things on the side where water is filtered through. there's also filters in the pump. i could understand alot of grass being an issue but a little shouldn't hurt anything.
edge around the concrete don't trim it.
edge around the concrete don't trim it.
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1,471 Posts
32" or 36" BOP duallys with mulch plate on. then at least three passes before going to a big mower if necessary. I also use the handheld blower, as I can get a better angle away from the water that way.
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4,519 Posts
Pools are easy to mow around make 3 pass blowing clippings away
To trim you trim it where clippings are being pulled a way most of the time if done right there is hardly anything to blow off with a blower. I have 5 pools lots water features to.
To trim you trim it where clippings are being pulled a way most of the time if done right there is hardly anything to blow off with a blower. I have 5 pools lots water features to.
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71 Posts
I'm in a seaside community. The people with the pools also have wind to deal with. It seems to be the worst mid day. The home owner can mow when it's calm. I have to mow on a schedule. The wind doesn't care. Although I take extra precautions, there is no way I can guarantee grass clippings will never enter the pool. Especially in ground ones with little to no deck. I have that discussion with the customer beforehand. How that discussion goes, tells me a lot about how they will will deal with the inevitable.
Some aggravators are best left for the competition.
Some aggravators are best left for the competition.
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