New build concrete pool - Northern NSW Australia

SteveCo

0
Silver Supporter
May 11, 2018
19
NSW Australia
Hi all,

We're in the process of building a new pool to go with our new house which is also under construction.

The entire build is being done as cost+ rather than fixed price so although it's not owner builder, I'm fairly involved. When I'm not at my other job I'm spending a lot of time on site labouring.

We sent out our pool plans to a lot of pool builders, but found it very difficult to get quotes and those that did get back to us were very expensive. That being the case the builder and I decided that we would do it ourselves and get the necessary trades in. No disrespect intended to professional pool builders, it just seems that it's a very good time to be in the business.

Having come across this site I'm now inhaling as much information as possible as I'm keen to avoid any potential problems. This is the first time we've build a pool let alone a house and as such the entire thing presents a very steep learning curve!

The pool itself is 9.4m (31') by 3.6m (12') with an infinity (spillover) edge and catchment tank. The surrounds are honed concrete.

Screen Shot 2018-05-10 at 13.56.54.jpg

I've ordered pool lights - 3 by Aquaquip EvoMAX multi colour.

I haven't as yet chosen filtration equipment and the like.

Our block is a cut and fill, so there are numerous piers and footings to provide a solid surface for the pool to sit on. The pool dig occurred a couple of weeks ago with me spending a few days on the end of pinch bar levering out any rocks that stopped the auger:

20180426_085441.jpg

The piers were then steeled up and the concrete poured. I think we used 17 cubic metres for this:

IMG-20180501-WA0006.jpg

This week we've had the brickies come in and build the two retaining walls within which the pool will sit. I'll have to add those pics in a seperate thread as I'm exceeding my quota apparently.
 
HI and welcome! You are a brave and hard working person for sure! I love your design!

For the pics here is a way to get more storage:

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Kim:kim:
 
OH that badges looks good over there! THANKS!

I keep going back to your pics............that view.................love it!!! Will anyone be able to build on the other side of the pool at any time? I sure hope not!

So are the pics "real time" pics as in this is where you are right now in the build?

I am VERY glad you are overseeing the build. If you do much reading here you will see how needed it is. Better to catch any mistakes before they happen! Noe one cares like you do so be there and aware!

Kim:kim:
 
Hi Steve from Brisbane [emoji1309] I’m looking forward to following your build. That’s a beautiful looking design you have. Your block looks like it has made it an interesting site to build. Ask anything and everything... well not to me lol. You will receive so much help here. I’m so glad I found TFP when I did. Can’t wait to see all your photos along the way... we love photos here!
 
Thanks everyone for your kind comments.

The pics are up to date. I'll try to update as I go along.

Our property boundary extends to the bottom of the hill so no one will be able to build out our view.

In regards to the piers, they maxed out at 3m deep.

Here's another pic which gives a better idea of how the pool sits in relation to the house:
DJI_0089 copy.jpg

Steve
 

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Who put up and will maintain that white fence by the road? Did you have to put up and pay for the retaining wall by the road?

How many people live in the house on the other side of you? Is that one house?

When do you think the house will be done? Pool?

Kim:kim:
 
Who put up and will maintain that white fence by the road? Did you have to put up and pay for the retaining wall by the road?

How many people live in the house on the other side of you? Is that one house?

When do you think the house will be done? Pool?

Kim:kim:

That's a lot of questions! ;)

The white fence is just a temporary construction fence with the builder's banner on it. I'll be putting in a permanent fence in the next few months.

I did the retaining walls (with the help of an excavator) in January during my holidays. They're sandstone blocks of 1000mm (3.3 feet) by 500mm by 500mm. About 600kgs each. The three retaining walls down the slope as well, although they're of natural basalt that was pulled out of the cutting.

That's actually two houses on the other side of us. I can see how it looks like one though.

We're hoping to have the pool shotcreted in about 3 weeks. It will then be covered while the external slabs are poured. At this stage we're hoping to be moving in by the end of October.
 
Hi! :handshake: My name is Kim. I ask a lot of questions. I also help pool owners spend their money wisely! Nice to meet you. (sorry about all of the questions....one of my many faults. Just ask my poor husband. I love learning about new people and things.)

I hope I reading you right in that you will not be putting in plaster until later. I am hoping you mean after you move in as it is very important you can brush the new plaster at least 2 times a day. Liz (above aka rileydog) was told to brush her pool 4 times a day (poor thing).

Kim:kim:
 
No problems with questions Kim! :p

Re the plaster. At this stage we're planning on having the pool fully tiled, and that will be towards completion.

I look forward to you saving me money! Next on my list is to choose the pool equipment/filtration system. I love gadgets so would like to automate that side of things as much as humanly possible. Fire away with any suggestions.

Cheers,

Steve
 
ALL TILE??????????? OH YEAH!!! What tile??? glass? ceramic? What color??

Equipment-if you are wanting to automate it you will want to keep it all in the same "family".

Lets talk details:

-filter-here is a link to show the different kinds: Pool School - Pool Filter Comparison Me? I have and LOVE my sand filter but wonder if it would be a good pick for your area due to the backwash needing to go somewhere. I would worry about it washing away dirt and such on your hill behind the pool.

-heater-are you getting one? Raypac is the top name said on here for many reasons. The heater does not be in the same family as it is a kind of stand alone item.

-Pump-what kind of special features will your pool have? I see the spillover (man that is going to be pretty). Any bubblers, jets, etc? This will help us with size and number of pumps.

-lights-how many and where?

Something else I want to talk about........returns and skimmers. Start with the pool part and we will move to the overflow box. How many and where? or any?

Kim:kim: (at least these questions are all about the pool LOL)
 
Hi Kim,

We haven't really given a lot of thought to the pool tiles as yet. A lot will depend on how much $$$ is left as we get towards the end of the build!!

I don't know a lot (anything) about filters. What you're saying about erosion control is pertinent though so perhaps we're best off avoiding a sand filter.

Special features - apart from the spillover tank nothing else!

Lights - I've already ordered these as the electrician will be out sometime next week. 3 of these:

Aquaquip Evo MAX Led Multi-Colour 20m Concrete Underwater Pool Light Kit (1 Pack)

Lighting location (lights will be positioned under the ledge):

Screen Shot 2018-05-14 at 20.44.32.jpg

Heater - yes leaning towards getting one. By my calculations the pool is about 51000 litres (13500 USG) so will have to start looking at what's suitable.

Many thanks for all of the advice, it's really appreciated!

Steve
 
I say a cartridge filter will be best for you due to erosion and such that you will want to avoid. Get the biggest one your wallet can handle. The bigger is it the less you will have to clean it!!

With your spill over your pH will be a fight to keep down. It will be worth it to see and hear the spill over! Just know you will have to keep an eye on it. We can help you learn how to test and treat it.

Kim:kim:
 
We have just installed an Australian Energy Systems Heat pump. It’s not in use yet but I can report back once it is. I’ve attached a link to a company in Sydney that install them. I did a lot of research and nothing else comes close to the efficiency of this unit. It’s also full inverter. We went with the 45 model which is a size up from what we required. They make units to suit any pool. It wasn’t really much if any more expensive than an Astral etc for the kw. Our unit has a COP (unit of power returned for that used) of 16 in summer which is about 4 times the Astral equivalent.
Inverter Pool Heat Pumps, up to 50% More Efficient :NCS Pool Heating
 

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