New Build, Los Angeles, CA

[NickinLA]

Hey everybody,
I've been lurking a few weeks and finally signed the contract with my PB. Seems like the right time to post.

I'm building a small (24x16) pool with spa in the backyard of my home, with the goal of keeping about 1/3rd of our yard in place. (Please excuse the attached janky dimensions design I came up with; the PB's renderings look a lot better!)



After getting 4 bids, I've found a builder I really like and who gave a fair price. (I was a bit surprised by how unprofessional a couple of the quotes were, with people casually quoting incredibly round numbers for the price within minutes of seeing the yard, rather than providing a detailed estimates like any other large home improvement would entail. And these were highly rated folks on Angieslist...) The job is getting permitted as we speak and I'm hoping for a 6-8 week build, with the pool being available in mid-October. (Fingers crossed.)


Currently spec'd out with:
Plaster finish (possibly gray)
Poured in place concrete coping
Concrete deck
Pentair Intelliflo Variable Speed pump and motor
Pentair 420 Clean and Clear filter
400,000 BTU energy-efficient stackless gas heater (Just realized i don't have the brand or model number...)
"Added booster pump and motor to Intelliflo 8 by 160, 4-to-8 speed pump" to add 7 additional jets in the spa, bringing the total to 14
EasyTouch 4 control system with phone control
Automatic water unit
2 LED lights (one pool, one spa)
Firepit

The house is a midcentury modern and we're trying to maintain some semblance of that vibe with the design of the pool and the patio. We haven't picked the tile and coping colors yet, but we'll be doing it with that in mind.

Some initial questions for the group:

• How does this equipment look for the size of my pool?
• What is the conventional wisdom on gray plaster? I've seen some pretty scary mottling pictures...
• I'm still torn on ponying up for Pebblesheen... I want it, but it's like $3-4k more and I'm struggling to rationalize the expense.
• Is 14 jets overkill, given the spa size? I really want something intensely therapeutic, like what you'd find in an aboveground hot tub.
• Will 1 LED light be enough to really light up the pool?
• Is the heater spec appropriate for quickly heating up the spa?
• What do folks think of the automatic water units? Worth it or should I be worried about the fact that if it breaks, the pool could keep filling up forever...

I'm sure I'll have many more questions as the build progresses. Thanks in advance for the guidance!

 

[Killer95Stang]

Equipment appears to be fine, but look at a quad DE filter from Pentair to give you the clearest possible water. I personally think you need two LED lights in the pool and a full sized LED pool light in a spa of that size. Also, consider getting the easytouch 8, so you can add things like outdoor lighting, or solar heating down the road to your automation system. If you are someone that will have big problems if you get bottling in the plaster finish, then save yourself the stress and don't get grey. Last, autofill valves usually have an overfill line as part of the system. Your pool will never reach the top.

 

[Marlahoutex]

Since you didnt say how you were sanitizing your pool, I would recommend going with salt. Just make sure you size it 2-3x for the size of your pool. Bigger is better for filters and SWCGs!

Nice design! Can't wait to see the materials you pick out!

 

[NickinLA]

Thank you both. I will look into that filter and was worried about the single LED in the pool. That's very helpful! Marlahoutex, I'm planning to go standard chlorine.

 

[ctrav]

Congrats and welcome to TFP HM. Very nice design and huge baja shelf...how deep do you plan to go on the shelf? I second the SWG as others will as well. As for lights thats going to be tricky with your design...I say at least two but they will be in the swim lanes for the main part of the pool and I would consider smaller one on the shelf area. Good to see you are a TFP supporter and others will be along to provide insight! Ask any and all questions and don't be shy with pics. Folks are going to want to see the current back yard...

What part of LA are you in? We lived in Cali for over 20 years both Northern and Southern (Folsom, Pasadena, Van Nuys, Canyon Country).

 

[NickinLA]

Hi,
Regarding the SWG, I had a few concerns based on my research, in addition to price. I had read that wear and tear on equipment is increased, that there ends up being salt lines across the water level tile and that it is worse for grass that is near the 14 inch coping, should water spill over. Any truth to those? Is the primary upside the smoothness/feel of the water and/or reduced chlorine expense?

I was thinking 10" deep on the Baja shelf. I had read about some gorgeous but overpriced chairs that said that was the max depth before they would float off. What is the conventional wisdom on an ideal depth?

For LEDs, I had resigned myself to the shelf not being well lit, but now am trying to imagine how it would look if it was nicely lit. I can't remember how much my PB was charging for addl lights...

Between talk of SWG and extra lights, I see my fear of signing up for this community and getting sage advice that results in an extra 5-10K in spend were warranted!

 

[mknauss]

Regarding the SWG, I had a few concerns based on my research, in addition to price.

A SWCG is a means to chlorinate your pool with less intervention. You currently plan to chlorinate conventionally, which means Liquid chlorine additions - DAILY. Never miss. Or you can install a Stenner pump and tank for liquid chlorine and fill it up every 5 - 7 days.

SWCG are blamed for anything that goes wrong around a pool. It is salt so any plants or lawns near the pool that get splashed should be watered thoroughly so the salt does not build up in the soil. But remember, the salt is at 3000 ppm, a normally chlorinated pool will have a salt content of 500-1000ppm due to the liquid chlorine adding salt.

Cost of SWCG has been shown to be a wash with buying liquid chlorine over the life of your SWCG.

You are in Los Angeles, you will not close your pool. Your SWCG will be working for your from late March until November. Once the pool water gets much below 60F, you turn the SWCG off and test FC once a week or so and add some chlorine, if necessary.

Lots of info -- good luck!

 

[NickinLA]

[FONT=&quot]Hi folks,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hoping for a bit of help. I’ve been trapped in Permit Purgatory for the last 2 months but things are finally looking up. The utility company took forever to send someone to look at the power lines and easements, but alas, someone finally came out and I have my permit. My dig is being scheduled for next week. I’m still dealing with a number of big decisions, with what surface to finish the pool being the biggest, but I think I’ll tackle them one step at a time. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]First up, hoping to get the community's advice on what type of equipment I should go with. As can be seen in the original post above, at about 8,000 gallons (according to an online calculator I used), it’s a small pool. My PB suggested the following:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Pentair Intelliflo Variable Speed Pump -- Are there any specifics in terms of version number I should be asking for? [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]SWG – My PB isn’t big into them as he feels they require him to do more service initially for customers and that they complicate things, but this board and other research has convinced me I want one. The Pentair IntelliChlor 20 would likely suffice for my pool size, but with the constant advice to size-up, I’m thinking of going with the 40. Should I, or would that really be overkill for 8,000 gallons?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Pentair 420 Clean and Clear filter -- I'm not sure which one he is suggesting. Should I go “Plus”? The suggestion above was that I change to a Quad DE Filter but I've been reading that the cartridge filters ultimately are easier to maintain. Is this true?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“400,000 BTU energy-efficient stackless gas heater” -- I don't have the brand or model number. I'm assuming it's the Pentair MasterTemp and will specify it as such. Any concerns I should have with this one?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The contract lists “Added booster pump and motor to Intelliflo 8 by 160, 4-to-8 speed pump to add 7 additional jets in the spa, bringing the total to 14" – Are there any specifics I should ask on this one?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]EasyTouch 4 control system with phone control -- If I'm only controlling the above and the pool/spa lights, will the 4 be enough and allow me to add solar heating down the road, or should I really shell out for the EasyTouch 8?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot](CTrav, I’m in the Eastern San Fernando Valley. I'm thinking of going 14" on the baja shelf.)


Thanks everyone![/FONT]

 

[bdavis466]

Pentair offers a packed deal for the Easytouch 8 and IC40 for $1500...

An Intelliflo XF can run 10 jets, 12 if you automate a filter bypass so that could save the expense of the booster pump and extra plumbing.

I'm a big fan of the Quad filters. They are basically a hybrid cartridge filter that you charge with DE. No need to backwash or plumb a multiport valve with them either. The quads are Pentair's most efficient filters as well.

Salt gets a horrible rap from those that don't understand it. I've never built a pool without a salt cell and I never will.... I've also never had any salt related issues. Poor water chemistry and lack of maintenance will create problems in any pool.

Pebble Sheen is a good product but you'll pay a premium for the Pebble Tec brand. NPT Stonescapes is much more reasonably priced.

Out of curiosity, what is your builder charging for colored plaster and what's the upgrade to PS? I would take AquaBright over PS any day but I'm also a little biased...

The MasterTemp is a good heater but I would take Raypak 406A over it any day. It's about the same price.

 

[NickinLA]

Thanks for the feedback, Brian. I'll definitely look into the XF pump instead of the booster and am now sold on the Quad DE. Builder is including gray or white plaster. Stonescape pebble is about $4K. I emailed you this AM about the potential for AquaBright, as that might be in the running.


Here are some before pics of the backyard. Dig scheduled for Monday!

 

[NickinLA]

Dig, plumbing and first inspection complete. Shotcrete on Monday or Tuesday. Tile and concrete colors selected but still racking my brain (and wallet) over the decision between AquaBright vs. SCP MiniPebble/MicroFusion.




The SWG isn't in here. They said they'd place it when they hooked up the electrical, which I thought was interesting, but I supposed I don't know any better.


I was too late in my reading that the Raypacks are quieter than the MasterTemp... Hopefully it won't be too loud, and I do plan to partition it off a bit.

Anyone know the difference between Pentair's Screenlogic vs. Screenlogic2? Looks like I have the original one in my gear and need to figure out whether to ask for version 2.

 

[NickinLA]

Anyone know the difference between Pentair's Screenlogic vs. Screenlogic2? Looks like I have the original one in my gear and need to figure out whether to ask for version 2.

Hi Folks,
Anyone know the answer to this? Thanks

 

[bdavis466]

I don't even think you can get the original ScreenLogic anymore. Do you already have it? What's the P/N?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Hi Folks,
Anyone know the answer to this? Thanks

N,

The box just says ScreenLogic, but inside on the "Installation and User's Guide" it should say ScreenLogic2... If you've got the ScreenLogic Bundle, the P/N will be 522104...

As Brian says, I doubt you can even get the older version anymore...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[NickinLA]

Thanks Brian & Jim. My bad. I assumed the box would have said ScreenLogic2 on it. It is 522104, so I'm good.

 

[Tony411LA]

Hey Nick,

Congratulations on your build. It's good to see another Angeleno on TFP. It also took me 2 months to finally get my permit. It has been an arduous process, but I promise you it will end well. My dig started on June 1st and I finally got plaster this past Friday. You are in good hands with all the knowledgeable folks here. I don't what I would have done without them.

 

[NickinLA]

Thanks, Tony. You've got a great looking build. Must be nice to be near the finish line. And yep, this community has already proven itself to be invaluable!

 

[NickinLA]

Shotcrete completed on Tuesday. Temps have been cooler and I've been watering it daily. Coping, tile and maybe even the patio going in this week. I'm starting to see a finish line in sight!

 

[bmoreswim]

The pool looks very nice! I will say though that the equipment pad layout is extremely tight and not laid out well. You will have to be a bit of a contortionist to clean the pump baskets and double jointed to open your filter. Probably not much to be done about it now but I don’t care for the setup.

Mine was also poorly designed and I finally replumbed it this year when I bought a robot and ditched the booster pump.

 

[NickinLA]

Interesting. Having never owned a pool before, I hadn’t thought about reachability. Makes sense. That being said, they had a very tight space to work with, sandwiched between a bush I wanted to keep for privacy and a breezeway I needed a semblance of access to. I am actually pretty excited they could fit it there, as all of the other options took up precious yard space and would have been an eyesore. I was stressing the location. I suppose I better start getting my core ready for those contortionist moves!