Southern CA New IG pool: Steel framing complete

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If you do decide on water features, it's nice to have the ability to operate them remotely, either through a phone app or Alexa. Our waterfall/slide combo works off a separate pump independent of the pool plumbing. I used smart switches to control the waterfall, pool lights, and landscape lights. With one Alexa command or touch of a button on my phone, I can turn them all on and enjoy the ambiance. Not sure if your parents live with you, but if so, or if they visit often, they may benefit from the ease of automation.
 
Echoing some comments above and your goal...If you are trying to simplify, then don't include things that can cause issues/concern later. Water features are a tough one. They do create calm but can also create challenges down the road. It that proverbial 'one more thing to create problems'. Definitely robot over an in-floor cleaning system. Get two full-size color changing LED's. Or 3 or 4 smaller lights. Plus one spa-sized for the spa. Face them away from the primary seating areas (or at least not directly towards them). Preferably towards the neighbors so they don't want to look at your pool at night. Joke, sort of.

Definitely automation.

Get all equipment model numbers fully documented in the contract. Don't settle on this.

But my main comment is don't rush to sign if you aren't fully confident in your choices/contract. I'm not sure how you can be if you plan to sign tonight. Seems too rushed. There is nothing worse (or more expensive) than having to make changes and being at the mercy of the PB for whatever they want to charge you. You lose most/all bargaining power after the contract is signed. I understand the need to sign to dig soon, but get it right.
 
Rich D said:
You also have some huge storm water concerns with that site. Be sure you have a good drainage plan in place. You also need to consider the storm water during the excavation. Be sure to pipe those gutter downspouts away from the dig...
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Wow, GREAT advice Rich! I'll definitely ask about the soil compaction and make sure they have good drainage. Thank you for taking the time to help me!
 
Dutiful Daughter said:
Hi -- another single mom! I totally understand where you are coming from.

I'm working on a renovation -- but I've been taking notes, so here are some questions/punchlist items from around the forum that I've gathered.

I personally would not do a water feature. I think water features take a lot of time and effort, or money, to maintain over time. The opposite of rest and relaxation. I've never done a pool feature -- but I've had to deal w/ the 3 water features already on the property and its a PITA. So in the interest of future sanity I'd ixnay a water feature.

See below -- and the experts I know will chime in. I've cut some of the below from other posts. Hope its helpful.

Lay down conduits under the decking now for future expansion (extra pvc sleeves as trenches dug) consider low voltage, regular electrical, water, natural gas, Cat5 cable as future expansion possibilities.
Possible water line extension near to pool? Autofill.
install electrical outlet at deck near the deep end (future robot)
sufficient low voltage for lighting and future lighting
hardwired /cat 5 cable?
make steps smaller/different?
Insert Safety Tiles on steps (make sure grouting matches the color of the pool plaster or it will look bad)
Plumbing details; we will not have a spa but will have bubblers, a slide and waterfall. I asked a question about "will we be able to control everything separately" and got a "yes", but I know we are only having one pump so I am going to get more details on that. Want to make sure I can control on/off and flow rate for all three
need to really be sure the coping is right for us -- people complain a lot. . .
stub for a few electrical outlets in. backyard, it really helps down the line
put extra pvc sleeves in backyard while trenches are dug. Makes it easy for future landscaping or lighting (thanks beachhead)
speakers? Music outside? (more wiring)
oversize the filters and SWG to make it easier. . .
How do we drain pool if we go w/ salt? Do we need a line to the city?
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Thank you so much for sharing your list! I think I had most of it...Cat 5 wiring was new...good suggestion! Best of luck in your renovation too!
 
Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
If you do decide on water features, it's nice to have the ability to operate them remotely, either through a phone app or Alexa. Our waterfall/slide combo works off a separate pump independent of the pool plumbing. I used smart switches to control the waterfall, pool lights, and landscape lights. With one Alexa command or touch of a button on my phone, I can turn them all on and enjoy the ambiance. Not sure if your parents live with you, but if so, or if they visit often, they may benefit from the ease of automation.
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Hi Mike- Great advice as usual! I did spend the extra $$ for the automation and smart phone app. My parents are with me about 80% - 90% so it will be good to have that feature for sure!
 
bmoreswim said:
Echoing some comments above and your goal...If you are trying to simplify, then don't include things that can cause issues/concern later. Water features are a tough one. They do create calm but can also create challenges down the road. It that proverbial 'one more thing to create problems'. Definitely robot over an in-floor cleaning system. Get two full-size color changing LED's. Or 3 or 4 smaller lights. Plus one spa-sized for the spa. Face them away from the primary seating areas (or at least not directly towards them). Preferably towards the neighbors so they don't want to look at your pool at night. Joke, sort of.

Definitely automation.

Get all equipment model numbers fully documented in the contract. Don't settle on this.

But my main comment is don't rush to sign if you aren't fully confident in your choices/contract. I'm not sure how you can be if you plan to sign tonight. Seems too rushed. There is nothing worse (or more expensive) than having to make changes and being at the mercy of the PB for whatever they want to charge you. You lose most/all bargaining power after the contract is signed. I understand the need to sign to dig soon, but get it right.
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Thank you for your advice. I did end up signing the contract as the PB is my neighbor and all my other neighbors spoke very highly of him. He uses all Jandy products. As for the robot, he told me with a VS pump, they don't really work well so he stopped including them with his pools. Does that seem right to you? He has done over 700 pools in this area...said "don't waste your money...robot will just barely skim and turn upside down".
 
mknauss said:
A robot does not use the pump. A robot has its own pump and filter.
For examples, see Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaners by Maytronics
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So I can just buy a robot and connect it on my own, right? I don't need him to add anything to the equipment? I know this is a very rookie question. I promise, I'll start doing my reading about pool equipment and maintenance now that the design is done.
 
Right. No need to buy through the pool builder. It plugs in to its power center that plugs into a GFCI outlet in your pool area. Be sure there is one near the pool.
 

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RoyR said:
New design looks much better...where does the firepit go?
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Hi Roy...So you think it's a better layout than rectangular with a return for the baja that I had laid out? I have two in ground fire fits right outside of the covered patio and across the pool is a fire feature. I'm having PB plumb a gas line in the grass area. I was thinking if I want to add another fire pit, I'd add there. What do you think?
 

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That new design is very pretty! Has lots of eye interest. I like the "swim lane" from the wall to the spa.

Fire pits-I would look at some of the pretty fire pits you can buy that are not gas. You can move them as wanted/needed. I like having options with this kind of thing especially if they are going in a grassy area. Being able to move it to mow will be nice.

Make sure to list the equipment with model numbers so we can look over them.

Kim:kim:
 
Ok, TFP family...Day two of excavation complete. Here are pics from Day 1
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Day 2
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Now, a few questions:
1. Waterline tile- Not going with glass as PB did not recommend given issues he has seen on others pools. I went to a tile store and the woman told me I can only use specified porcelain tiles for the waterline. Is this true? I would like to use a long 12" x 3 or 4" porcelain tile if possible...but didn't see it at pool tile store. I have however seen it used on pools on Houzz so I'm thinking it can be done...just don't know if it has to be a special porcelain tile or would any porcelain tile work?
2. Decking - I have wood floors inside house. For the covered patio/pool decking, do you think I should go with one material? If so, then is porcelain tile a good option as I think stone will get too pricey? I am concerned about it getting too hot to walk on. Otherwise, I would could do a tile in the covered patio and poured in place concrete for pool decking. My concern here is that it would be three different materials from home to decking...when glass wall is open, not sure how that would look.
3. Returns/Skimmer - How many returns do you all recommend I should ensure they put in? I know some of you recommended two skimmers but builder and all crew I talked to said it's not needed....so unless you all insist, then its one for now. Not even sure if it's too late to add another.
4. Privacy from above neighbor above- Anyone have any good ideas on blocking view from above neighbor without upsetting her?
 
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Let the MUD/dirt begin!!! Fun times!

As soon as they say they are done go out there with your plans and a tape measure in hand. Is it long, wide, deep, etc enough? Add about 8" for the steel,shell, and plaster. NOW is the time to fix it.

Waterline tile-So long as the tile is rated for underwater use it should be fine. There are even tile at Lowes and Home Depot that you can use! Look online and see what you find and see if you can order it and it get there in time for it being needed.

I would think porcelain might be too slippery for by the pool or even on the patio as your feet will still be wet by the time you get up there. You can do an overlay on concrete that is very pretty and not slippery. Kool Deck in one brand that comes to mind. You can also get stamped concrete that is also very pretty.

Privacy-shade sails! You could anchor it so that end is lower to help block their view of the pool.

Kim:kim:
 
Wobblerlorri said:
Skimmers -- insist on two. It's $700 or so well spent. Sooner or later one will have an issue, and stop working, but guess what? YOU have TWO, so you're still getting your water cleaned! Having two also means stuff getting caught if one misses it.
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Agreed .. I wish I had 2. It really boils down to prevailing winds and how much junk you will actually get in the pool. If you have neighbors with pools I would ask them.

I would recommend getting a roll of 4" flex pipe from home depot and piping those gutter downspouts to somewhere other than the excavation. It is a little early to start putting water in the pool... :)
 
Rich D said:
Agreed .. I wish I had 2. It really boils down to prevailing winds and how much junk you will actually get in the pool. If you have neighbors with pools I would ask them.

I would recommend getting a roll of 4" flex pipe from home depot and piping those gutter downspouts to somewhere other than the excavation. It is a little early to start putting water in the pool... :)
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Where would you put the second skimmer? PB said you don't want it facing the house and as you can see from the pic of where the first one is, there is not a lot of room left given the baja and stairs further down.
 

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