I was there for the dig, plumbing and decking on my first pool build. Work travel caused me to miss the other fun things (gunite, pebble). This time around, I am working with the job scheduler to maximize the time I can be there to "supervise". If nothing else, this Under Construction forum has made me aware of many things that can secretly go wrong that I need to be on the lookout for.
New Pool Construction Project in Houston: 2nd Time is a Charm
- Thread starter JayBauman
- Start date
I was there for the dig, plumbing and decking on my first pool build. Work travel caused me to miss the other fun things (gunite, pebble). This time around, I am working with the job scheduler to maximize the time I can be there to "supervise". If nothing else, this Under Construction forum has made me aware of many things that can secretly go wrong that I need to be on the lookout for.
It has begun....They showed on on time.
Monday: Digging
Tuesday: Plumbing
Wednesday: Plumbing
Thursday: Steel
Friday: Gunite
Weather permitting, of course.
Monday: Digging
Tuesday: Plumbing
Wednesday: Plumbing
Thursday: Steel
Friday: Gunite
Weather permitting, of course.
Nice! Broken ground!
Hope the weather behaves so you can get this thing cranked out soon.
Hope the weather behaves so you can get this thing cranked out soon.
Showed up at 7:00 this morning. Started digging just before 8:00. Job site cleaned up and everybody gone by 1:00. I guess that's the good part of being able to bring the trucks right up to the dig site. Here's the finished dig:
- - - Updated - - -
Positive: Quick excavation
Negative: Some deep ruts in my back yard....but hey, at least it's not muddy!
- - - Updated - - -
Positive: Quick excavation
Negative: Some deep ruts in my back yard....but hey, at least it's not muddy!
Last edited:
That is a clean looking dig! What a fast job they did! I bet it would have been fun to watch.
I wonder if it would have been better to keep some of the dirt in a pile under cover to put in the ruts when they are done? What do you do to fill in big truck ruts?
Kim
I wonder if it would have been better to keep some of the dirt in a pile under cover to put in the ruts when they are done? What do you do to fill in big truck ruts?
Kim
Glock
0
We're building a play pool, so the depth on the step side is 3.5', going to 5.5' in the center and then tapering up to 4' on the other side.
- - - Updated - - -
Yeah, the dig is extremely clean. I guess that's the benefit of living in constant near-draught conditions for the last few years.
The dig went so well that they're even ahead of schedule. Plumbing has already started, and metal workers will be starting tomorrow. They can get ahead all they want, but I'm not paying the 2nd draw (gunite) until Friday!
- - - Updated - - -
Hi Kim. When they are doing final lot grading, they will fill in all the various holes and ruts and other yard damage. Here in Houston, the "fill" is typically sand, on top of which they lay St Augustine sod. Can't believe that it works, but it does.
Nice to know there is a good end plan!
Sod on top of sand????? I wish it would work here!
Kim
Sod on top of sand????? I wish it would work here!
Kim
Plumbers were here and started trenching (in the dark!) before 7:00 this morning. It's only Day 2 of construction, but I'm impressed that my PB is honoring his communicated schedule. Unfortunately, I have to go into the office today so I won't have any "in progress" pics to share. I'll post some pics of what they get done today when I get back home this evening.
Moving along quickly.
Today saw start/completion of steel....
Spa....
Further work on plumbing....
[/url]
and the in-floor cleaning system....
End of Day 2
Today saw start/completion of steel....
Spa....
Further work on plumbing....
and the in-floor cleaning system....
End of Day 2
Corleone
0
Another Day....Another Bunch of Progress. This will continue until gunite shoot on Friday, then I'm sure we'll be doing a whole bunch of waiting...
Plumbing is complete
The "Boulder Impressions" guys showed up to start fabrication of the 18' gunite rock wall/slide/waterfall today. With a 1.5HP pump dedicated to the water feature, I'm thinking we'll be moving some serious water over this thing. It's hard to see right now, but all will be revealed soon.
I had to run off to coach soccer practice and it was dark when we got home, so no Day3 final pics.
Plumbing is complete
The "Boulder Impressions" guys showed up to start fabrication of the 18' gunite rock wall/slide/waterfall today. With a 1.5HP pump dedicated to the water feature, I'm thinking we'll be moving some serious water over this thing. It's hard to see right now, but all will be revealed soon.
I had to run off to coach soccer practice and it was dark when we got home, so no Day3 final pics.
It looks like they installed your ICS system where it should be, close to the pool. They installed mine near my equipment. I'm going to try and get them to move it closer to the pool, as they have not buried the lines yet.
Ah, from that last pic, it looks like all your equipment is fairly close to the pool.
Ah, from that last pic, it looks like all your equipment is fairly close to the pool.
Hi PigIron,
I had 2 options for pool equipment: either behind my water feature right next to the pool, or on the other side of my house about 200' (plus 2 90degree turns) away. The extra expense and reduced pumping ability made that decision quite easy. My ICS manifold is only 5' from the pool and only 5' from the dedicated pump.
The only thing I really don't like is the location of the check valve that keeps my elevated spa from draining out through the ICS plumbing. This will actually be buried 6" in the ground next to the manifold. They put clear windows on those things for a reason--so you can see if there is anything trapped in them! At least I'll know where to dig if I ever have spa draining issues.
Do you have similar issues, or does this not apply to your situation?
I did notice that on yours, and wasn't sure if they were going to burry the lines or create some enclosure that gave you access to them. On mine, I also have the check valve on the cleaner for the spa, and it will be just slightly above ground when the lines are buried. Do you have any inline chlorination going through your ICS?
My filtration loop is completely independent from my ICS loop. My not-yet-installed (I think PB forgot to order it!) SWG is set in-line after my filter and will be chlorinating the water entering through my side jets. My ICS has a dedicated pump and dedicated suction ports, so the 2 never meet. I guess it makes sense, as I suspect my filter pump will run more frequently than my ICS pump.
How is your system set up?