Hiding/Softening pool pump/noise suggestions

[sahara]

Would like to hear some suggestions from people on how they "hide" their pool pump area or how they soften the noise coming from it. Thinking of re-doing my pool area and looking for some neat suggestions. Thanks

[No Need]

I built a wall around it on 3 sides. The noise is directed away from the backyard and pool.

[pauster]

When we put in a new 5 ft high semi-privacy fence we had the fence guy put in a 4 ft high 3 sided (U-shaped) fence around the pump. We planted a climbing rose in front of it and shrubs on the side. Looks nice, and plants reduce noise very well.

[waste]

Sahara, welcome to the forum!

While I fully agree on keeping the remodeled backyard aestheticly pleasing, I also feel that being able to actually see the pool from the filter pad is important! You may well have times when seeing the pool while turning valves or backwashing or closing (though I'm not sure Hawaiian pools get winterized), could save a good bit of walking/ running. Which ever way you decide to conceal/ quiet the system, keep in mind, keep in mind that someday you may want to be able to see the pool while at the pad - if you can work it into the 'design', just leave a hole in the wall, or a small gap in the shrubbery or have the fence low enough to see over. This is just my $.02, but may end up being valuable in the future

Again, welcome to the forum!! If you ever have any pool questions - you know where to ask

[Poconos]

Sahara, welcome to the forum too. You must have been lurking for quite a while. Check this thread that has pics of my setup. Although the equipment is located in a poolhouse/generator shack, the idea can be applied to outdoor systems too. Generally the major cause of pump noise is conduction to whatever it is mounted on and conduction through the pipes. The vibration mount and relatively soft hoses for connecting the pipes greatly reduces noise. Those sections of radiator hose are still the originals that have been in place for at least 5 years now. I do disconnect them for winterization so they can take a beating both mechanically and from the chemicals. There are three other hoses you can't see in the pic. The pump suction line and the waste and return lines from the multi-port valve. They also let me easily remove the valve.

Off subject...since you are redooing the equipment you may consider adding a port for blowing. That is a line so you can direct the filter output to it instead of the returns. Turns out a standard 1.25" vacuum hose end fits snuggly inside a 1.25" PVC union. Once in a while I hook my vacuum hose/brush to blow water to kick stuff into suspension in areas where you can't easily brush. Such as ladder steps, plastic covers around the stair liner pinch bars, return jets, and the coves in the deep end where I don't want to get agressive with the brush. I also use that port for a homebrew PVC sprinkler for the kids.

Al

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=7054

[sahara]

Thank you all! Great suggestions and I will break it down and look at them all. Mahalo and aloha