Hello from an excited Newbie in Bixby Oklahoma!!

[Nursenini]

I'm so sorry everyone! I have been working so much OT, working in the pool and have had a horrible long lasting case of vertigo, I never got back to all your comments and information. Please forgive me for the silence. I have been testing almost daily, swam 4 or 5 times, had our first large group (15 people) get together, lots of brushing, trying to read and learn about my chemistry, had pool school (VERY quick education) and clean up & grading of my yard finally happened.

I don't cry or even tear up much anymore, but I did just that when I opened your thread a few minutes ago and saw the photos of your gorgeous, gorgeous pool! Denise's pool!!!! This was so worth waiting for! I am stunned and unbelievably happy for you. After my enthusiastic reply for the first plaster, I decided I couldn't post again, until I saw the for real pictures of a filled pool. I've been holding my breath and peeking in.

Your finish is THE perfect color for LS Peacock glass tiles! You nailed it, Nini!!!! I truly love every pool I see (unless it's green and slimy). I've never seen a pool with TFP water and thought it wasn't beautiful. But I'll admit, I do have a few favorite pools and a few favorite pool finishes. Yours has just become my new favorite. And look at those shells! I've never seen so many show up in a photo like they do in the photo of the corner step out. Wow! And from experience, I know that means in person, they are dazzling!!!! As Kim said, I'd need to wear sunglasses to stare straight into that pool, or my eyes would fry!!!

Hugs and kisses!
Suz

ps..... I 'replied with quote' on purpose. Those pictures deserve repeating - over and over again!!

Suz, you are too kind and sweet! I'm glad mine ranks up there with your other favorites, like spool's and appelbe's. That is certainly HIGH PRAISE!! Your pool ranks as my absolute favorite! The peacock tiles and the shells do make all the difference!! Thank you for all the encouragement, ideas, support and friendship! Hugs and kisses to you, my friend!

Congrats Denise!! Your pool is beautiful! Love all of the LS tiles! Did you end up using the Shell Beach tiles anywhere? I really liked the LightStreams but alas my DH did not.

You have a pool! You have a pool! I know it really does seem surreal. Happy swimming!

Thank you, Marla! I know you know first hand just how surreal it is to finally having a pool after longing for one for so long! I really tried to find a spot for those shell beach tiles but there just weren't enough. As it turned out, it was a good thing, too, since they had to reshoot the plaster, all the original trim tiles got plastered over with the 2nd round.
We are really happy with the peacock tile, though. We get lots of compliments on them, especially from the pool guys.

Hello from England!
I spent all weekend reading your thread and am so impressed that you managed to stay so calm throughout all the 'challenges' you faced. Well done! Hopefully now you will be able to relax into learning how to care for your pool and reap the benefits. It certainly has been a long time coming.
Wishing you all the very best pool vibes ��
XXX

Hello from across the pond, Sandissimos! I'm impressed you actually waded through this whole saga and feel a bit bad about the amount of time it took, but 6 months worth of build news takes a few pages to tell Thank you! Learning the chemistry and the equiptment is a bit nerve wracking. Hopefully, this learning curve won't take too long!

Your water chemistry actually looks pretty good for this stage. Your pH and TA will come up on their own from the plaster, but you could add some calcium hardness unless that's all being handled by the PB. Even so, I wouldn't take the CH up by very much just yet. Hopefully one of your other followers with more experience than me comes along to confirm, but I would be quite happy with those numbers at this stage. You could increase pH a bit for sure if that's what the PB wants, but if they're looking after it, then warranty becomes more important.

Among other things, a pool store would tell you to raise TA and then you'd end up reducing it later.

Just double-checking... you're going to chlorinate with liquid?, i.e. this is not an salt water pool?

It is a salt pool. I didn't realize it wasn't in my siggy. Now it is!

Everything looks just perfect! You guys did a really wonderful job. Water and the entire pool looks very inviting! I may swing by next time I'm in jenks! haha!

thank you, bdrex2! Inviting was just what I was going for! I forgot your mom lives in Jenks! Lol!

One more note on start up. Run your pump 24x7 at somewhere around 1200-1600rpm. Whatever circulation level makes the water look good to you. And backwash your filter when the pressure rises 20-25% above clean level.

Are you getting much plaster dust when you brush? Did they do an acid wash the day after plaster, day of fill?

I am still seeing some plaster dust as of 3 days ago. The last 2 days with them doing clean up, fill/grading of my yard there has been a ton of dirt in the pool. It's been a royal pain to try to clean it out. Today it looks better. I vacuumed yesterday and ran the pump on high for a couple hours after I brushed. I'll brush this evening and see how much dirt and/or plaster dust is left. The spa takes longer to clear the dirt than the pool....

OH nini! You did it! You really have a pool AND it is SO pretty! WOWER! Look at those sparkles!!! Coffee by YOUR own pool! OH happy day!

ahhhhhhhhhhh all is right with the world today!

Thanks to you, Kim, and so many others, I have almost made it to the end. Your enthusiasm, encouragement and empathy were/are invaluable! I plan to give you a big hug in person one day! I'll call you when we bring the grandbabies to FL for Disney World. That's a promise!

Your pool looks awesome!! So happy you are going to be swimming this weekend!!!

Thanks, Amanda! I still love your pool!

Awsome looking pool. Make sure you run your spa jets and spa floor drain to flush fresh chlorine in them at least once a day. I run the spa main drains for 15minutes each day and also the spa jets for 5 minutes and blower for one minute during that time.

I was doing that just yesterday and PB stopped by, asked me about it and said I didn't need to...think I will anyway. Better safe (and chlorinated) than sorry (and algae).

That water is just gorgeous! Just imagine how much more perfect it will be as time goes on! So happy to hear that you were able to enjoy the bubblers and the shelf - I hope some of your stress is melting away!

Thank you, TBL! So far those bubblers and shelf are a huge hit with the babies!! Now I'm stressing over the learning curve with all this! Ha!

It's gorgeous Denise! Your water color makes me second guess mine which is quite dark. That is just beautiful!!! Congratulations! I know it had to feel good to finally sit out there with water and drink your coffee as planned. I'm so so so happy for you!



This helped me a ton too!!!


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TM- thank you! Your pool is stunning!! Hubby and I were talking about your dark finish this morning and saying the exact same thing about going with a darker finish! So funny! Both our pools are beautiful and perfect for us!

 

[Nursenini]

Here's some pictures from last Thursday when the kids all came to swim for the first time. Everyone had a good time!
The water color has changed some since then

 

[kimkats]

nini! NOTHING dull about that water!

The pics with the Grands----------those are the Grand Jewels right there!!!! LOVE the smiles! That shelf is purrfect and it will get lots of use for many years to come!

I can't remember if I gave you the "new pool owner" links I put together so I am going to give them now.

Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule

Pool School - Recommended Levels

Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html

Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry


It is a LOT of info. so take it a little at a time. The ABC will help you understand the WHYs of TFP.

Did you know there are videos of the tests? If not look in my siggy for the link to TFtests. The videos are there.

For the PH I think you have it spot on with the color match. One thing I do is hold a white, plastic plate behind it and move the plate back and forth to help with the color match.

Nini, girl! You did it! Now to finish up with the dirt and punch list to get everyone except family (and us) out of there!

 

[Marlahoutex]

Oh wow! That water sure sparkles!

On the tests where the color changes, it's done when the color no longer changes. So if it turns blue (or red/pink) and you add another drop and it turns darker, you aren't done, so add another drop. If it then stays the same you are done and so you subtract that drop. Ex. You add 14 drops and it turns blue, add another and it turns darker. You are at 15. Add another, 16, and it stays the same. So you subtract that last drop and use 15. Or you add 14 drops, it turns blue, you add another drop, 15, and it stays the same. You subtract the last drop and use 14. Hopefully this hasn't confused you even more! Or if I am incorrect the experts will chime in to let you & me know!

 

[Nursenini]

nini! NOTHING dull about that water!

The pics with the Grands----------those are the Grand Jewels right there!!!! LOVE the smiles! That shelf is purrfect and it will get lots of use for many years to come!

I can't remember if I gave you the "new pool owner" links I put together so I am going to give them now.

Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule

Pool School - Recommended Levels

Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html

Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry


It is a LOT of info. so take it a little at a time. The ABC will help you understand the WHYs of TFP.

Did you know there are videos of the tests? If not look in my siggy for the link to TFtests. The videos are there.

For the PH I think you have it spot on with the color match. One thing I do is hold a white, plastic plate behind it and move the plate back and forth to help with the color match.

Nini, girl! You did it! Now to finish up with the dirt and punch list to get everyone except family (and us) out of there!

Thanks, Kim!! Yes, those babies' faces and seeing them have fun is just THE BEST!!!

You DID give them to me and I have been reading them over and over!! I have been studying, teacher! And I remembered you saying that about the plate, so I'm using one!

I go in and out of the house, too. I haven't looked for the videos yet. I am kicking myself for adding all that calcium hardener!

Pergola is supposed to start sometime this week and then a few odds and ends...ALMOST DONE!!

Oh wow! That water sure sparkles!

On the tests where the color changes, it's done when the color no longer changes. So if it turns blue (or red/pink) and you add another drop and it turns darker, you aren't done, so add another drop. If it then stays the same you are done and so you subtract that drop. Ex. You add 14 drops and it turns blue, add another and it turns darker. You are at 15. Add another, 16, and it stays the same. So you subtract that last drop and use 15. Or you add 14 drops, it turns blue, you add another drop, 15, and it stays the same. You subtract the last drop and use 14. Hopefully this hasn't confused you even more! Or if I am incorrect the experts will chime in to let you & me know!

Thanks, Marla! It looks even better now as that was less than a week after fill.

Thank you you for clarifying on the tests. That's where I messed up, not continuing until the change stopped. I can't do anything about it until Monday (except pH and Cl) everything else will have to wait until then.

 

[Nursenini]

Today's pool water looks pretty clear. I can still see some dirt in it but it's not full looking like it was yesterday. Too bad they have to come back and add more dirt to the yard....

 

[Nursenini]

Forgot to give a full update on the rest of the construction-

All of the scuppers will be replaced with hammered copper ones. The other 2 scuppers have started delaminating as well. We have decided to wait to do the wall demo and replacement until fall when swim season is over so we don't lose any more pool time.
I went with the hammered copper because, I really believe the masons tore up the clear coat on the scuppers, causing openings that allowed the acid wash water to penetrate, resulting in the delamination. With the hammered copper, there's no clear coat and if the masons scratch them, it won't show.

We lit the firepit on Sunday after a family gathering and we all got burnt by popping rocks. We even moved back but we're still getting hit. If PB doesn't have a solution, we may be switching to glass sooner than I planned.

I'm going to shop for my robot this week. I'm hoping to find a sale!

That's all I can think of at the moment!

 

[kimkats]

Sad to hear about the scuppers doing that but glad to hear they are taking care of it AFTER the swim season!

Popping rocks?? The lava rocks? OUCH! Lowes sells glass, fire rocks. Check them out for pricing and ease of getting.

Decking do over or fix or just live with it? I tell you NO will even notice the deck. All they will be able to see is that water looking like a jewel!

I can hear the kids now............lets go to Nini's house!

 

[Nursenini]

Decking will definitely not be a do over but maybe a little more of a fix...We'll see what actually happens vs what we were told...
I'll check out Lowe's, tanks for the tip!

 

[kimkats]

Shop firepit glass at Lowes.com: Search Results

Here is the link. If they do not have it in the store they can order it. I THINK there are other colors but cannot find them now of course!

 

[needsajet]

Thanks so much for the pics with the grandies! That's what it's all about

 

[IrwinK]

Forgot to give a full update on the rest of the construction-

All of the scuppers will be replaced with hammered copper ones. The other 2 scuppers have started delaminating as well. We have decided to wait to do the wall demo and replacement until fall when swim season is over so we don't lose any more pool time.
I went with the hammered copper because, I really believe the masons tore up the clear coat on the scuppers, causing openings that allowed the acid wash water to penetrate, resulting in the delamination. With the hammered copper, there's no clear coat and if the masons scratch them, it won't show.

We lit the firepit on Sunday after a family gathering and we all got burnt by popping rocks. We even moved back but we're still getting hit. If PB doesn't have a solution, we may be switching to glass sooner than I planned.

I'm going to shop for my robot this week. I'm hoping to find a sale!

That's all I can think of at the moment!

Thanks for posting all the wonderful pictures. Glad you and your family are enjoying your pool and addressing the remaining problems. I know what you're going through as I have my own Punch List and PB back to his old slow routine again after his vacation.

When considering your Robot don't forget to look at the Doheny Discovery (Dolphin S200). I'm very happy with mine and it's still on sale:
http://www.doheny.com/poolsupplies/Dohenys-Discovery-Powered-By-Dolphin-13416.html

If you purchase one don't forget the $10 coupon and check MrRebates.com for 4% Rebate.

 

[Sandissimos]

Just checking in on this thread and wanted to say thank you for putting all the photos of your grandies enjoying the pool. They're so cute and the water is super sparkly - love it!!

 

[twinkiesmommy2009]

Love all the pics Denise and seeing the babies enjoying the pool! I've felt very MIA and behind on catching up with everyone's threads. Working on it little by little (you're at the top of my list!) but I think I must feel like you do after days of working overtime! Lol. ...At least we're enjoying our pools!!


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[bdrex28]

If the lava rocks were popping, they must have something on or in them that is reacting. The lava itself can't do that without an outside material.

As for rocks, as mentioned, Lowes has a good selection. You you also search for glass on Amazon and the internet and possibly even better prices than Lowes. Plus perhaps free shipping if you have Prime.

Good luck, that water looks beautiful!

 

[karynkjd]

I know I am really late to this party, but wow. Really, WOW. I think I may have to agree with Suz, on this one! You truly nailed the entire pool, everything really compliments everything else. The placement of the glass stone is perfect, and gorgeous, I love the size of the spa, I love your patience through this entire build, which I certainly did not have! Your pool is now one of my all time favorites, I hope you are enjoying it so much, the last picture is purely stunning, it literally looks like diamonds in the water. Congratulations on the new babies, even more people to enjoy your pool. I come home almost every day to some member of our family and their friends swimming in our pool - it makes me so happy to see people enjoying the pool.

We just finished our bar/shaded pavers and tv area, and we are in love! We didn't do the outside kitchen, but just added a refrigerator to the bar, not sure if that will change in the future. But I'm looking forward to your finished landscaping and pergola as you have amazing design ideas!

 

[kellyfair]

Just got back from a two week vacation to Alaska, and all I can say about your last photo is Wow. Stunning!

 

[sheree202]

Gorgeous water and grandchildren!!!

 

[Marlahoutex]

So has the water cleared completely?

 

[Geosage]

I assume the sparkle I'm seeing in the finish is the abalone, it looks awesome in the photos!