Gunite Shoot finally occurred today FEEDBACK PLS

[Riddler0520]

After weeks and weeks of delays for a variety of reasons finally had pool shot today
Took a lot longer than I thought it would - the crew was here for 12 hours
8 trucks and about 70 yards
Wall thickness is 12”, not sure about floor but imagine it’s similar - not sure what “normal” is

Only one issue and that is the crew accidentally Gunited in the spa light fixture - think someone kicked/pulled it out and they obviously went over it - not sure how
PB doesn’t seem concerned but wasn’t happy either with them

ANYTHING I SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT OR MAKE SURE THEY DO SEEING THEY HAVE TO CHISEL OUT THE AREA AND RESET A NEW FIXTURE ????

Waterline selection, Travertine (Ivory) and flagstone/fieldstone to tie into existing patio

Any feedback?

What should I be thinking about additional - we already have drainage/gravel planned out around perimeter - need to think about lights for steps etc I think

 

[spd500]

I really like your design, that is going to be really nice!

Having to remove and redo the gunite for the spa light is a big deal.

On our pool we have a 12" beam and 8" thick gunite on walls and floors.

I think you have to plan the step lights before gunite is shot.

 

[Dirk]

I would have said the opposite. Maybe a big deal for them (labor-wise), but not for the pool. If the light was already planned, then chipping out for it won't affect the rebar. The gunite doesn't provide the waterproof seal around the niche, the plaster does, so that'll be a non-issue, too. Whatever space remains between niche and gunite they'll either fill beforehand or just shoot full of plaster. It'll all seal up just fine.

I had the wells of an entire main drain system covered over (on purpose) and they may or may not have used concrete for that, or just filled it in with plaster, but no leaks, no problems. The plaster will solve whatever chips or holes is caused by the fix.

spd500, I think the OP was referring to the lights in the exterior steps, not the lights in the steps in the pool.

Riddler, regarding what else to think about: is there a plan on how the landscaping patches are going to be irrigated? PVC for that should be in place before the deck goes down. I would want PVC, not just drip tubing. The PVC will hold up better if any gnawing critters find it. You won't be able to fix drip tubing later. I would lay in two runs of PVC, just to be safe (one as a spare). And then a third (PVC conduit) for garden lighting. Did you plan on any? If not, plan ahead. Lighting in those landscape areas would look amazing. Run conduit for all those patches now. Have them use a good size for that, maybe you'll want to run speaker wire in them later, along with the low voltage wires for the lights. And I would have a fourth run of PVC to add a hose-bib or two out near the pool. Great for spot watering of the landscaping, or hosing down of the deck, as opposed to having to drag a long hose all the way out there every time you need some water.

Be sure they've executed all the drainage for the deck. That should be in place, and enough of it to be assured it's going to work well.

Were you planning on auto-fill or overflow systems for the pool? It's a little late for that, but still possible. I wouldn't want a pool without both. You can always stop using auto-fill if for any reason you don't want to use it, but you can't add either system later.

All those things can't be done after the deck goes down...

 

[spd500]

I would have said the opposite

I meant to say the opposite, not sure why it doesn't say that it ISN'T a big deal

spd500, I think the OP was referring to the lights in the exterior steps, not the lights in the steps in the pool.

That makes sense, I have not considered path lighting on my build so I didnt think about that

Riddler, regarding what else to think about: is there a plan on how the landscaping patches are going to be irrigated

Very good point! We put alot of planning into adding extra pipe for everything. Sprinklers, mosquito misting, drainage, electric conduit, and extra "just in case"

 

[Dirk]

I like the "extra just in case." What is mosquito misting?

 

[spd500]

The mosquito misting system will automatically spray the entire yard for mosquitos and any other bugs on whatever schedule you program it for. Most people around here have them go off once a day in the middle of the night. I am installing a tank and pump system next to my ac units on the side of the house and planning to put the misting heads throughout the back yard and patio area.

 

[Dirk]

Wow, nice. I wish I could "mist" for squirrels. Or more accurately, turn them into mist!

Riddler, if you have a need for that, that's something else to plan for before the deck goes down...

 

[Riddler0520]

Thanks all for your input
Easier to post a pic for a better description

So the attached is the interior spa bench
The niche on the left is for the led light and to the right is the return line

Looks like they chipped out the area to expose both and will come back to reset light/return line

Most of this chip away is actually the interior spa bench seat - not sure if that makes a difference or not

Really appreciate the idea of having conduit installed so I can drop in lighting etc in those beds - such an easy to do now for sure

Drips lines for those beds make sense too - thank you

I’ve been thinking about gas torches around behind the pool but haven’t seen to many users talk about those products much on this forum

I’m sure we have some time until decking to spend some time out there and think about those things now.

I wish PB left the homeowner with a sheet of what to expect - really on each phase - sure would limit concerns and Q’s I’ve asked - whether it’s rebar, the dig or Gunite

For ex: day later, when the gunite is drying out, it has a white haze to it - is it normal.... assume so
Or things to take note of if small cracks emerge

I feel like I’m one of those homeowners who is asking a lot of Q’s and kind of annoy them

Also, I wasn’t outside for the entire Gunite shoot but saw them carving/shaping the walls - all the material that is shaved off - assume that it Rebound (bad) or no
I saw some guy shoveling some stuff out but I’m not sure if it was 100% of the time
Not sure if there is a different between rebound that doesn’t stick and bounces off to what is scraped off of the walls

I’ve learned so much from this forum
Really appreciate the expertise provided

Hopefully the back half of this project speeds up a bit now the Gunite wait is behind us

 

[Riddler0520]

I meant to say the opposite, not sure why it doesn't say that it ISN'T a big deal

That makes sense, I have not considered path lighting on my build so I didnt think about that

Very good point! We put alot of planning into adding extra pipe for everything. Sprinklers, mosquito misting, drainage, electric conduit, and extra "just in case"

I meant to say the opposite, not sure why it doesn't say that it ISN'T a big deal

That makes sense, I have not considered path lighting on my build so I didnt think about that

Very good point! We put alot of planning into adding extra pipe for everything. Sprinklers, mosquito misting, drainage, electric conduit, and extra "just in case"

Thanks all for your input
Easier to post a pic for a better description

So the attached is the interior spa bench
The niche on the left is for the led light and to the right is the return line

Looks like they chipped out the area to expose both and will come back to reset light/return line

Most of this chip away is actually the interior spa bench seat - not sure if that makes a difference or not

Really appreciate the idea of having conduit installed so I can drop in lighting etc in those beds - such an easy to do now for sure

Drips lines for those beds make sense too - thank you

I’ve been thinking about gas torches around behind the pool but haven’t seen to many users talk about those products much on this forum

I’m sure we have some time until decking to spend some time out there and think about those things now.

I wish PB left the homeowner with a sheet of what to expect - really on each phase - sure would limit concerns and Q’s I’ve asked - whether it’s rebar, the dig or Gunite

For ex: day later, when the gunite is drying out, it has a white haze to it - is it normal.... assume so
Or things to take note of if small cracks emerge

I feel like I’m one of those homeowners who is asking a lot of Q’s and kind of annoy them

Also, I wasn’t outside for the entire Gunite shoot but saw them carving/shaping the walls - all the material that is shaved off - assume that it Rebound (bad) or no
I saw some guy shoveling some stuff out but I’m not sure if it was 100% of the time
Not sure if there is a different between rebound that doesn’t stick and bounces off to what is scraped off of the walls

I’ve learned so much from this forum
Really appreciate the expertise provided

Hopefully the back half of this project speeds up a bit now the Gunite wait is behind us

 

[spd500]

They shave the pool into shape as they are shooting the gunite and throw the excess out. The guy with the shovel was probably just cleaning up as they went, no problem there. Did they tell you to spray the gunite with water at least a few times a day? They should have. I soak mine really good at least 3 times everyday because I work from home and have nothing better to do while I'm out for a quick smoke. The water helps the gunite to cure slower and stronger. The white color is nothing to be surprised about, it is just the gunite drying out. Even with them having chipped out a decent amount around the light I wouldn't be worried, they can fix that before or during plaster.

I actually really like the idea of gas torches! We considered doing gas lanterns on our back wall but never could find any that we liked for the style of the pool.

 

[Riddler0520]

They shave the pool into shape as they are shooting the gunite and throw the excess out. The guy with the shovel was probably just cleaning up as they went, no problem there. Did they tell you to spray the gunite with water at least a few times a day? They should have. I soak mine really good at least 3 times everyday because I work from home and have nothing better to do while I'm out for a quick smoke. The water helps the gunite to cure slower and stronger. The white color is nothing to be surprised about, it is just the gunite drying out. Even with them having chipped out a decent amount around the light I wouldn't be worried, they can fix that before or during plaster.

I actually really like the idea of gas torches! We considered doing gas lanterns on our back wall but never could find any that we liked for the style of the pool.

Homepage

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The above are the torches we found - kind of pricy but look really nice - always get what you pay for

We live in NC, so the remnants of Hurricane Sally are moving through today so just a constant good rain which is good - and yes, understand about the bonding time with pool - I’ve got a big yard sprinkler to see how that works once rain stops

Where are you at with your build ?

 

[spd500]

Hoping to get tile and coping next week, not sure about plaster yet.

 

[cbodie]

I only have one piece of advice. Make sure when they fill they bring the largest tankers for water or a very reliable source. On our recent re plastering they brought a small tanker and he had to go and refill three times. Even though the hose was kept on while he went to reload it left 3 distinct marks on the plaster. It's not the end of the world but annoying as heck. Also check out Volt for lighting I found some very nice lights for the wall adjacent to the pool and to highlight a couple of trees.

 

[cbodie]

One more thing, spring for the best plaster you can afford and really like because every time you look in the water you'll really appreciate that you went with what you liked the most. If you're going to be there a while (15 to 20 years ) the extra whatever it was will be worth it. At night with lights on everything is accentuated.

 

[Riddler0520]

One more thing, spring for the best plaster you can afford and really like because every time you look in the water you'll really appreciate that you went with what you liked the most. If you're going to be there a while (15 to 20 years ) the extra whatever it was will be worth it. At night with lights on everything is accentuated.

Thanks
We know we want Pebble Sheen
We are undecided on color
We want the medium/darker blue - lagoon type effect
Was looking at Ocean Blue (dark blue) see sample image
We have a part shade/part sun back yard with surround trees

I’m torn between this color and a medium blue - part of me thinks that a medium blue with shade might look like a dark blue in full sun - not sure why I think that except it makes sense to me
Was actually going to call Pebble Tech and inquire

 

[Whiskeyfox]

I was going to do Pebble Sheen in ocean blue but it was a $2300 upgrade over blue granite.

Now I'm looking at wet edge to see if they have any dark colors I won't have to pay extra for, and possibly doing their polished smooth pebble for the spa(primera stone)