Unexpected Visitors

We have noticed raccoons and an occasional cat lurking around the yards. They are mostly interested in scavenging for fallen fruit and investigating around the pool, and twice biting into softer pump hoses.

Initial Raccoon Activity

Our security cameras captured some interesting nighttime visitors who were very curious about our pool heating setup:

Night Surveillance Videos:

Escalating Encounters

Recent Raccoon Activity

The raccoons became bolder and more destructive over time:

Teamwork in Action

Coordinated Climbing

Problem-Solving Behavior

Equipment Damage

What We Learned the Hard Way

Twice our furry visitors managed to bite into the softer pump hoses, causing:

  • Water leaks that required immediate repair
  • Temporary system shutdown
  • Need for hose replacement
  • Installation of protective measures

Vulnerable Components

The raccoons were particularly attracted to:

  • Soft rubber hoses - easier to bite through
  • Electrical connections - curious about anything new
  • Moving parts - the pump seemed especially interesting
  • Water sources - always investigating new water access

Protection Strategies

Physical Protection

Hose Protection:

  • Wrap vulnerable hoses in split PVC pipe
  • Use metal conduit for critical sections
  • Elevate hoses above raccoon reach when possible
  • Install motion-activated lights near equipment

Equipment Security:

  • Secure pump with additional anchoring
  • Create barriers around heater components
  • Use wildlife-resistant storage for small parts
  • Install security cameras for monitoring

Deterrent Methods

Motion-Activated Deterrents:

  • Solar-powered motion lights
  • Ultrasonic animal deterrents
  • Motion-activated sprinklers (keep away from electrical)

Environmental Changes:

  • Remove food sources (fallen fruit, pet food)
  • Secure garbage cans with tight lids
  • Trim tree branches away from pool area
  • Install fencing where practical

Equipment Modifications

Lessons Applied

After multiple incidents, we made these changes:

Hose Protection:

  • Upgraded to reinforced hoses in critical areas
  • Added protective covering for vulnerable sections
  • Created elevated hose runs where possible

Monitoring Improvements:

  • Added more security cameras with night vision
  • Set up motion alerts for immediate notification
  • Created a daily inspection routine

Emergency Procedures:

  • Developed quick-response repair kits
  • Established emergency shutdown procedures
  • Created backup hose inventory

Unexpected Benefits

Wildlife Education

While the damage was frustrating, we learned:

  • Raccoons are incredibly intelligent problem-solvers
  • They work together to overcome obstacles
  • They’re persistent and will return to investigate changes
  • They’re primarily curious, not malicious

System Improvements

The wildlife encounters led to:

  • More robust equipment selection
  • Better protective measures
  • Improved monitoring systems
  • Emergency response planning

Prevention Recommendations

For Future DIY Pool Heater Builders

Design Phase:

  • Plan for wildlife encounters from the beginning
  • Choose materials that are animal-resistant
  • Design elevated or protected routing for vulnerable components
  • Include protective measures in your budget

Installation Phase:

  • Install motion-activated lighting
  • Create physical barriers around equipment
  • Use conduit protection for hoses and wiring
  • Position equipment to minimize wildlife access

Operation Phase:

  • Perform daily visual inspections
  • Monitor with security cameras if possible
  • Maintain clean area free of food sources
  • Be prepared for equipment repairs

Cost of Wildlife Damage

Direct Costs

  • Hose replacement: $20-30 per incident
  • Protective materials: $50-75 for improvements
  • Security equipment: $100-200 for cameras and deterrents

Indirect Costs

  • System downtime: Lost heating days
  • Emergency repairs: Time and inconvenience
  • Increased maintenance: More frequent inspections

Prevention Investment

  • Total protection upgrades: ~$150-250
  • Payback period: After 2-3 prevented incidents

Final Thoughts

While we didn’t anticipate wildlife interference when designing our DIY pool heater, these encounters taught us valuable lessons about:

  • Resilient design principles
  • Environmental considerations
  • Proactive protection measures
  • Emergency preparedness

The raccoons, while occasionally destructive, have been fascinating to observe. Their intelligence and problem-solving abilities are remarkable, even when applied to dismantling our carefully constructed pool heating system!

Key Takeaway: When building outdoor DIY projects, always plan for wildlife encounters. A little extra investment in protection measures upfront can save significant time, money, and frustration later.

Series Conclusion

Our DIY propane pool heater project has been a success overall, providing comfortable pool temperatures throughout the season despite some unexpected challenges. The combination of:

  • Effective heating performance
  • Reasonable operating costs
  • Valuable learning experiences
  • Memorable wildlife encounters

…has made this project both practical and entertaining. We hope this series helps other DIY enthusiasts build their own pool heating systems while avoiding some of the pitfalls we encountered along the way!

This concludes our DIY Propane Pool Heater series. Thanks for following along with our project!