View Full Version : Our Mountain Retreat
Toybuilder
01-24-2015, 09:45 AM
Hello All,
Well, this venture started about six months ago and now the real fun has finally started. The landscapers are in and have started demolishing the backyard getting the ground ready for the pool builder to come in next week to do his thing. Here is a picture of what it looked like before (most of the snow is now gone). Will keep the post going as progress is made.
http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah6/chieftoymaker/Pool/519_zps06e51017.jpg (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/chieftoymaker/media/Pool/519_zps06e51017.jpg.html)
FormerBromineUser
01-24-2015, 11:11 AM
What a beautiful location and view for your pool!
Toybuilder
01-30-2015, 11:16 PM
Demolition has been completed:
http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah6/chieftoymaker/Excavation/Demo91-28-15_zps3446a567.jpg (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/chieftoymaker/media/Excavation/Demo91-28-15_zps3446a567.jpg.html)
Toybuilder
01-30-2015, 11:19 PM
...and the builder has started his excavation and has marked out where the pool and spa will go:
http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah6/chieftoymaker/Excavation/P1010598_zps7d82f803.jpg (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/chieftoymaker/media/Excavation/P1010598_zps7d82f803.jpg.html)
FormerBromineUser
01-30-2015, 11:33 PM
Great pics!
Toybuilder
01-30-2015, 11:40 PM
Great pics!
Thank you, Former! I was trying to get pics from the same location each time, but it's proving to be pretty impossible. Our backyard is fairly large, and getting everything in is a pretty tall task. Next is the actual pool and spa dig. Hoping that will start on Monday or Tuesday according to the builder. Rebar "should" be in by this time next week. Keep you posted.
FormerBromineUser
01-30-2015, 11:59 PM
Looking forward to it! I am a bit surprised, though. Isn't it cold by you? I remember snowy fields.....
Toybuilder
01-31-2015, 12:08 AM
Looking forward to it! I am a bit surprised, though. Isn't it cold by you? I remember snowy fields.....
Actually, it's been pretty warm. I'm originally from California so I like being in shorts. Lately, it's been warm enough to do that. Our snow melted very quickly. Fast enough for our landscaper and pool builder to get as much done as they did. But, we're looking at some more snow by the end of next week. I think, as long as it's not too bad, the builder will be able to plow ahead. His schedule has us ready for plaster by end of February...but will wait on that until April or May. Landscaping will take up the time from Feb to April.
FormerBromineUser
01-31-2015, 12:51 AM
But, we're looking at some more snow by the end of next week. I think, as long as it's not too bad, the builder will be able to plow ahead.
No pun intended?
Toybuilder
01-31-2015, 10:15 AM
No pun intended?
:D No. I was so tired last night, I didn't even notice.
Toybuilder
02-01-2015, 03:22 PM
Well this was unexpected...and somewhat disappointing. 6" overnight and it's still going:
http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah6/chieftoymaker/Excavation/P1010607_zps922833d8.jpg (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/chieftoymaker/media/Excavation/P1010607_zps922833d8.jpg.html)
FormerBromineUser
02-01-2015, 04:06 PM
Yea, glad not too much digging was done. It sure seems early to be doing this... We have a blizzard here and lightning is expected tonight. Crazy! Must be global warming....
Toybuilder
02-01-2015, 04:24 PM
Yea, glad not too much digging was done. It sure seems early to be doing this... We have a blizzard here and lightning is expected tonight. Crazy! Must be global warming....
We weren't even supposed to get any snow this weekend. I think I'm going to change my profession to a weathercaster. What other job in the world can you be wrong most of the time and get paid for it.
As for the timing, we agreed to do this "offseason". They were already booked for the spring with a huge build for a hotel and wouldn't be able to start ours until late summer or early fall. Ugh. Doubt if the builder is coming in tomorrow to start the excavation for the pool. No biggie, I guess. Not like we want to jump in at the moment. :)
Toybuilder
02-03-2015, 09:29 PM
It's formed!
http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah6/chieftoymaker/Excavation/P1010622_zps3b4b6713.jpg (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/chieftoymaker/media/Excavation/P1010622_zps3b4b6713.jpg.html)
FormerBromineUser
02-03-2015, 11:24 PM
Wow! Quick melt-off! (We just got another two inches of snow today). Looks good so far!
P.S. Is that snow in the background or a pond?
Toybuilder
02-04-2015, 08:21 AM
Wow! Quick melt-off! (We just got another two inches of snow today). Looks good so far!
P.S. Is that snow in the background or a pond?
Yes, that is snow in the back. It got up to 60+ yesterday. But we're expecting about an inch today...but back up to about 60 tomorrow. :)
Toybuilder
02-08-2015, 02:23 PM
Running a couple of days behind but he excavation is done for the most part. Rebar, plumbing and then shotcrete scheduled for this week.
http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah6/chieftoymaker/Excavation/P1010646_zps3fbf17f0.jpg (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/chieftoymaker/media/Excavation/P1010646_zps3fbf17f0.jpg.html)
I have an additional post to this too. :)
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/26448-Unexpected-guests?p=129618#post129618
FormerBromineUser
02-08-2015, 03:46 PM
Looks great! So the spa is attached?
Btw, I noticed that you subscribed!!!!
Toybuilder
02-08-2015, 04:07 PM
Looks great! So the spa is attached?
Btw, I noticed that you subscribed!!!!
Pretty excited. Thanks. There was supposed to be a bigger path between the spa and pool so we could put a safety cover over the pool for the offseason, and leave the spa uncovered, probably fenced, for all year access. There may still be enough room to do that. Will need to review with the builder.
Yeah, I wanted to give something back to the forum. Wealth of info here, and I'm not close to finishing. My next "quest" is going to be test kits. :)
FormerBromineUser
02-08-2015, 09:24 PM
Thanks for subscribing!!!
Somehow I thought you had a pool in the past. My bad.
Test kits? We got this! Order a Taylor K2006 ! Practice with testing your fill water.
Toybuilder
02-08-2015, 09:41 PM
Thanks for subscribing!!!
Somehow I thought you had a pool in the past. My bad.
Test kits? We got this! Order a Taylor K2006 ! Practice with testing your fill water.
We did, actually. But it's been sooooooo long, I don't remember anything. We moved to Parker almost 8 years ago, and with not keeping up with the practice, I have completely forgotten everything. We had the PS233...and it still has "stuff" in it. :) Pretty sure nothing is good anymore. So, instead of pretending, I'm just going to admit I feel old, 50 this year, and am starting from scratch.
FormerBromineUser
02-08-2015, 10:40 PM
Ha! Pool chemistry is my favorite subject! I am not an expert on SWG's but We can help!
Toybuilder
02-09-2015, 09:08 PM
Ha! Pool chemistry is my favorite subject! I am not an expert on SWG's but We can help!
I am going to take you up on that, Former. Probably a couple months out before we get the test kit.
FormerBromineUser
02-09-2015, 11:48 PM
Get a Taylor K1766 also to monitor your salt.
+1 on the recommended test kit. Using a good test kit is an absolute must for any pool owner IMO.
Toybuilder
02-13-2015, 11:25 PM
Rebar, plumbing and shotcrete complete! :)
http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah6/chieftoymaker/Rebar%20and%20Plumbing/P1010719_zps6033e7f4.jpg (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/chieftoymaker/media/Rebar%20and%20Plumbing/P1010719_zps6033e7f4.jpg.html)
http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah6/chieftoymaker/Shotcrete/P1010740_zps525d6450.jpg (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/chieftoymaker/media/Shotcrete/P1010740_zps525d6450.jpg.html)
FormerBromineUser
02-14-2015, 12:08 AM
Looks awesome!!!! Very neat and precise.
How deep is the main pool? Tanning shelf goes straight to deep end. Interesting, I love it!
Also, will you be doing the safety cover? Looks tight.
Toybuilder
02-14-2015, 09:41 AM
Looks awesome!!!! Very neat and precise.
How deep is the main pool? Tanning shelf goes straight to deep end. Interesting, I love it!
Also, will you be doing the safety cover? Looks tight.
Morning! Thanks. It's coming along nicely. The PB kept apologizing for the "ugliness" and promised it will look better once tile, coping and plaster are placed in.:)
The sunshelf is about 8" deep and the deep end is about 6'-0". We've realized in our previous pool that most people don't really swim and would rather sit or float with a cool drink and relax when we have get-togethers. It's meant for a spot to relax but still have the ability so jump in (not dive) at the deep end.
We are planning a safety cover (Loop Loc). The PB said we should have plenty of room. I was a bit concerned between the spa and the pool but he said we'll end up with about 4' between. Seems like that should be enough room???
FormerBromineUser
02-14-2015, 01:28 PM
Nice. Cool drinks in the pool sounds like a dream right now. Below zero here today. Brrr.
I have an auto-cover and know nothing about loop loc. It doesn't look like 4' in the picture but your pool builder is obviously experienced!
Toybuilder
02-14-2015, 10:24 PM
Nice. Cool drinks in the pool sounds like a dream right now. Below zero here today. Brrr.
I have an auto-cover and know nothing about loop loc. It doesn't look like 4' in the picture but your pool builder is obviously experienced!
Yikes. I feel for you. We haven't had very many below zero temps this year...but the season's not over and we're heading into our snowiest months of the year. But, just so you don't feel so alone, we are expecting snow tomorrow night into Monday morning. The PB has even bundled up our pool and spa. Big covers/tarps over everything right now. Hope you get some warm weather soon.
For the cover, I do have my concerns. It may be 4' from edged to edge in some spots. He hasn't let us down yet and he's going out of his way to accommodate our "small" changes and requests. (we now have custom set spa nozzles) :) We'll see soon, I guess.
Parts of the concrete deck around our pool are only 3ft wide with no issues using a mesh safety cover.
FormerBromineUser
02-14-2015, 11:35 PM
Custom spa nozzles, sweet! Still dreaming!
Toybuilder
02-15-2015, 08:58 PM
Parts of the concrete deck around our pool are only 3ft wide with no issues using a mesh safety cover.
Thanks Jim. That makes me feel much better.
Toybuilder
02-15-2015, 09:05 PM
Custom spa nozzles, sweet! Still dreaming!
I think I may want to clarify on the nozzles. He sat my wife down and did some measurements and set the heights on half the nozzle to hit directly on her lower back where she specified, and the other half to hit just below her shoulder blade for a perfect soothing massage depending on where she's feeling sore. Actually, the nozzle heights are all the same he just made the seat lower in half the spa. :)
FormerBromineUser
02-15-2015, 10:21 PM
Oh my. If I ever do a spa, your guy is MY guy! I love it!
Toybuilder
02-22-2015, 04:04 PM
Well, nothing has progressed since shotcrete. Guess you can see why. We've been getting snow almost every other day and it's been difficult to do anything. We got about 7 or 8 inches of the wet fluffy stuff over night and the temp has been hovering around 10. Blankets have been on since last Friday. Landscapers are supposed to start tomorrow, but I really doubt they're going to be able to do anything. We need a quick warm up and melt. :)
http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah6/chieftoymaker/Shotcrete/P1010751_zpsac5c20c1.jpg (http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/chieftoymaker/media/Shotcrete/P1010751_zpsac5c20c1.jpg.html)
FormerBromineUser
02-22-2015, 06:23 PM
Brrrr. What a build! Hope it warms up soon! Did you get your test kits so you will be ready to go?
Toybuilder
02-22-2015, 08:59 PM
Brrrr. What a build! Hope it warms up soon! Did you get your test kits so you will be ready to go?
I hope your weather is getting better than it was. I wore shorts and a t-shirt today in hopes of changing the weather pattern back to what it was a week or two ago. :D No, haven't ordered the test kits. But I did just order my new BBQ and accessories for the built-in. :D Actually, in reading some of the posts on my salt chlorinator thread, JimK and SunnyOptimism seem to think that the K-1766 may be a waste, and test strips for testing salt levels work just fine. No? I believe you had your input in there too.
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/26210-Salt-Water-Chlorine-Generator-for-New-Pool-Build/page4
Will have to read through that entire thread again. I'm going to have to read through a lot of my posts, again. Kind of miss those guys from my previous post. I'm assuming everyone is still hanging around the forum. CarlD? SunnyOptimism? Heard from JimK. Think he likes our special "pets" we have living under our patio. :)
I hope your weather is getting better than it was. I wore shorts and a t-shirt today in hopes of changing the weather pattern back to what it was a week or two ago. :D No, haven't ordered the test kits. But I did just order my new BBQ and accessories for the built-in. :D Actually, in reading some of the posts on my salt chlorinator thread, JimK and SunnyOptimism seem to think that the K-1766 may be a waste, and test strips for testing salt levels work just fine. No? I believe you had your input in there too.
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/26210-Salt-Water-Chlorine-Generator-for-New-Pool-Build/page4
Will have to read through that entire thread again. I'm going to have to read through a lot of my posts, again. Kind of miss those guys from my previous post. I'm assuming everyone is still hanging around the forum. CarlD? SunnyOptimism? Heard from JimK. Think he likes our special "pets" we have living under our patio. :)
I should probably clarify I have no experience with the Taylor salt test kit. I've only used the strips I mentioned in that thread (with good results). ;)
Lol...yes, I like a wide variety of critters, including your special ones. :D
Toybuilder
02-22-2015, 10:09 PM
I should probably clarify I have no experience with the Taylor salt test kit. I've only used the strips I mentioned in that thread (with good results). ;)
Lol...yes, I like a wide variety of critters, including your special ones. :D
I think I may start with the strips comparing it to the readout on the chlorinator to see how close they are. If there is a wide reading between the two then I may get the K-1766. Hopefully, that won't give me a completely different reading than the strips or the chlorinator.
As for the special pets, they're probably frozen popsicle sticks at the moment. It's about 6 degrees out.
I think I may start with the strips comparing it to the readout on the chlorinator to see how close they are. If there is a wide reading between the two then I may get the K-1766. Hopefully, that won't give me a completely different reading than the strips or the chlorinator.
As for the special pets, they're probably frozen popsicle sticks at the moment. It's about 6 degrees out.
The strips usually read within about 200ppm or so of what my SWCG reads. Close enough for me.
Poor critters.....
FormerBromineUser
02-22-2015, 10:16 PM
It's kinda quiet around here right now....
It's kinda quiet around here right now....
Two more months till pool opening here.......
FormerBromineUser
02-22-2015, 10:21 PM
Right now, 2 months seems like forever!!!
Right now, 2 months seems like forever!!!
Especially since we've been freezing our areses here! Local station is saying this is turning out to be one of our coldest February's on record.
FormerBromineUser
02-22-2015, 10:25 PM
That's what they're saying here too. And I am a believer!
Toybuilder
02-22-2015, 10:26 PM
The strips usually read within about 200ppm or so of what my SWCG reads. Close enough for me.
Poor critters.....
Good enough for me too! :D Honestly, I wouldn't know. I have a hole in the ground with snow in it...and some dirt. :(
Toybuilder
02-22-2015, 10:28 PM
That's what they're saying here too. And I am a believer!
You mentioned something about global warming earlier? ;)
Good enough for me too! :D Honestly, I wouldn't know. I have a hole in the ground with snow in it...and some dirt. :(
That's pretty much what ours looks like right now. We got about 6" of snow this past Tuesday and it's still around (temps plumitted here). Here it's rare for snow to stick around this long.
FormerBromineUser
02-23-2015, 12:13 AM
You mentioned something about global warming earlier? ;)
Hahaha! I do have a degree in Geology...
The most PC thing I can say is that "change" is relative. The climate here and in Colorado (and Virginia) WILL "warm" one of these millennia!