ehorn's pool build

[ehorn]

Okay well thought I would jump on the bandwagon and post some pictures of my pool build so far. My pool build has been going VERY SLOWLY compared to everyone else. My pool was started back in March and the pool builder went out of business in July after only getting to steel. Right now I'm under contract with someone else to finish the pool so hopefully by new years I'll be able to open the pool with a new years eve party. Keep your fingers crossed. The new builder had to dig out some of the collasped dirt, they just repaired some steel work and added reinforcement and added a return line to the pool. Next week monday they are supposed to have the electrician come out to fix the light niches and hook up the main electrical connections. The specs on the pool:

90' perimeter
3.5' shallow end with 7.5' deep end
Pebbletec finish - Carribean Blue
8' X 6' Spa raised 18" with spill over
Real rock waterfall
6 boulder accents
500 sq ft kool deck
200 sq ft cartridge filter
1.5 hp Pentair Whisperflow pump
3/4 hp Pentair Whisperflow pump
Pentair Minimax NT 400k btu heater
In floor cleaning system
Aquarite Salt Water System

Anyways here are some pics:

Initial Layout of Pool:
http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/IMG_4547.jpg

Framing:
http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/IMG_4550.jpg

Dig:
http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/IMG_4556.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/IMG_4560.jpg

[ehorn]

Here are some pictures after steel and plumbing. The plumbing was done in April and the steel work was done the end of June. Yes look at that, months apart, you can imagine my fustration when I was dealing with the pool builder.

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/IMG_5724.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/IMG_5725.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/IMG_5727.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20574.jpg

[divnkd101]

[QUOTE=ehorn;40581]Okay well thought I would jump on the bandwagon and post some pictures of my pool build so far. My pool build has been going VERY SLOWLY compared to everyone else. My pool was started back in March and the pool builder went out of business in July after only getting to steel. QUOTE]

Definitely sounds like you have had the PB blues. Love the pics. Love the backdrop of the mountains in the shots. Can't wait to see the finished product. Good Luck on your New Years deadline.:) :)

[ehorn]

Good news we past pre-gunite inspection yesterday and today the crew showed up to do the shotcrete. I'll post pictures later on how it turns out. I'm very excited to see some major work being done, my wife wasn't too cooperative to email me pictures while at work.

[ehorn]

Alright here are some updated pictures of the shotcrete today. It's awesome to see some major progress, haven't had much happen on the pool since June.

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20810.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20813.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20816.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20817.jpg

[INLANDSMOG]

Looks great, seems like there should be more spa jets, no?

[ehorn]

I actually only opted to put in 4 therapy jets in the spa. I think the only time we'll have more than four people in the spa is for parties so I didn't see the need to add too many jets.

[ehorn]

Got some progress going this week. Monday the plumbers came by to shade fill the trenches, which is to remove the rock and fill with dirt. The rock people came to install the rock for the waterfall and other rock features around the pool. Yesterday the electricians came by to hook up all the equipment and plug it into the house bus panel.

I didn't get any pictures of the electrical as I have been getting home after dark but I will this weekend. Here are some of the rock work:

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20827.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20828.jpg

Notice on the waterfall they made it so it will pour down two sides of the waterfall or actually the large rock in the middle splits the waterfall.

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20829.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20831.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20835.jpg

[ehorn]

Here is a close up of the top of the waterfall for those that are curious:

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20830.jpg

[No Need]

Looks good. How soon will it take to finish?

[ehorn]

I think it's only going to take another couple weeks to finish. We have only one major thing that might prevent that, I measured the shallow end and it seems like it's 6" too deep. Might not sound like much but my wife would be under water only 5' from the edge of the pool. Also it won't pass code, code says that the shallow end shall be no more than 3'6" deep and slope at no more tan going down 1' for every 7' out.

The superintendant will be measuring the pool next week which is what will be holding up the deck layout because they dont' want to have to shoot more gunite over new deck.

Ok thats a long answer but we'll be done before xmas. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[ehorn]

We got some good news today, the depth of the pool is correct so I guess it was just my imagination but I had measured it as too deep. They did go ahead and lay out the deck but prior to us actually confirming that the plan was correct. The sales guy will be out Thursday morning to review the plans and make changes. It is starting to come together fast and the pool should be done in a week or two once the deck is poured which could be Friday or Monday.


http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20836.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20837.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20839.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20840.jpg

[Phillbo]

in the last pic of your pump/filter equipment I see that they painted the PVC. I've been wanting to paint mine to protect it from the sun. Can you find out if they used a special paint or home depot krylon..

[Socal_biker]

in the last pic of your pump/filter equipment I see that they painted the PVC. I've been wanting to paint mine to protect it from the sun. Can you find out if they used a special paint or home depot krylon..

For myself, I just used Krylon spray paint for plastics from Home Depot.

[ehorn]

I asked the pool builder and he said the same, just some plastic spray paint would work. Most plumbers carry a brown or some sort of neutral for the yard. He also recommended Krylon for Plastics.

Be sure to paint it soon, PVC will grey and become brittle pretty quickly. It can take as short as 3 - 6 months depending on where you live.

Eric

[ehorn]

Okay here are some pictures of yesterday. A crew came out and layed out the deck according to what we wanted after we had a discussion with the sales guy. We had wanted to add more of the deck on the deep end side of the pool and just a small strip the rest of the way around. I'm thinking we might do some flag stone between the deck and the house, but that will happen more when we start landscaping.

They are coming to pour the deck sometime today so I'll have pictures of that this weekend. This weekend I'll also be getting everything ready for final inspection so they can do the pebble tec finish and fill the pool next week (keep fingers crossed!!!).

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20897.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20899.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20900.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20902.jpg

[divnkd101]

Looking great. What type of decking did you decide to go with? Are there any requirements in your area for reinforcement on the deck? Seems strange that they are ready to pour but have not stretched out any rebar for the deck. I wish you luck in meeting your New Year deadline. Keep the pics coming.

[ehorn]

Okay well the desk was done yesterday, I wasn't expecting them to pour the concrete and do the kool deck all at the same time so I was pleasently surprised when I came home to see it finished. I was talking with a neighbor of mine who said he also didn't have any rebar in his slab. After talking with the builder they said they now put kevlar strands in the concrete mix which holds it together. This is unconfirmed if that is true or not and not sure if they used that on my deck.

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20909.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20908.jpg


http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20907.jpg


http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20906.jpg


http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20905.jpg

[ehorn]

One more:

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20903.jpg

[ehorn]

Just an update on our pool... final inspection was today and the inspector caught a couple of minor things.

1. Double gate didn't have a stop for the down rod to lock it in the down position. (I put in two L brackets and even had a hole to put a pad lock so nobody can open the down rod... ha we'll see how he likes that!)

2. Door alarms needs to be screwed into place, I had used double sticky tape, which was included with the kit. (Well if they sell kits that meet code why include the tape if you can't use it?!)

3. One window had it's latches too low so need a way to prevent it from opening more than 4". (Will install a screw in the track for this)


So we are up for the inspector to come out tomorrow now to re-inspect the changes. After that they can finish the pool - Carribean Blue pebble tec. Tomorrow the plumbers should show up to install the in-floor cleaning system heads and other plumbing fixtures.

Wish us luck, we're trying to get pebble tec before the weekend so the pool will be filled for xmas!


Oh almost forgot, a crew was out today to clean out the pool and spa. Took them a while to get all the junk out from all the messy work. This included removing the dirt and morter that had built up from installing the deck and the rock features. The pool looks all clean now and is begging for the pebble tec.

[No Need]

Looking good.

[ehorn]

Good news we passed final inspection. The in floor system heads go in, in the morning and pebble tec guys are supposed to be scheduled for the same day. We'll see how that goes!

[ehorn]

Well unfortuantely the pebble tec didn't come as planned. Right now it's scheduled for this Thursday. The heads for the in floor cleaning system was installed.

So far they haven't put in any of the heads for the returns or the main drains and jets in the spa. Does anyone know if they do this when the pool gets pebble tec or should this be done before? I called the PB and he was too busy to talk today, or just too lazy on his vacation.

[ehorn]

Okay after much waiting and complaining with the pool builder the pebble tec is finally done today!!! We had a delay because they wanted payment before doing the finish but failed to tell us and took us off the schedule without even a phone call. So with some complaining and because of a cancellation we got pebble tec today instead of on Monday the 8th. Tomorrow is the acid wash and then get to fill the pool. Oh I can't wait, this weekend will be fun watching it fill with water.

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20918.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20919.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20921.jpg


http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20922.jpg

[ehorn]

Okay today the pool was acid washed and the fill process is under way. The fill was started around 1 or 2pm this afternoon. We'll see how long it will take to fill.


http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20926.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20927.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20928.jpg

[No Need]

You need a Bigger hose! Looks Great.

[No Need]

Is it full yet? Lets see the pics!

[ehorn]

Well it's taking a while to fill with water. I must have low pressure to the house. It should be done tomorrow. Here is a picture of the pool almost at noon today.

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20931.jpg

[ehorn]

Okay the pool is full. I added another hose yesterday afternoon which was connected to a foucet closer to the water main. This dramatically increased fill time... last night I only left on one hose at low flow because it would have filled in the middle of the night but the PB says not to stop the fill process till it's done. Anyways I'm really enjoying the look of the pool now. I can't wait to start landscaping to get a final product.

Here are some pictures of the pool in the afternoon. I got the pictures a bit late and the house shadow started to cover the pool. I really like the carribean blue finish.

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20933.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20934.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20935.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20936.jpg

[ehorn]

Okay well I checked the breaker box and looks like the pool lights were already turned on. I decided to check the switches and wow they came on. Nobody told me they were ready so I took some more pictures. Can't wait to get the heater running so I can break it in at least once.

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20938.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20939.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20940.jpg

http://www.greyhounds2go.org/pool/images/Picture%20941.jpg