New Build SEPA

[Dave1096]

Is the dirt and grass repair included in your build or are you planning to fix yourself or hire someone?

My build includes regrading, but no landscaping. They do have a landscape division, but I haven't contracted any work with them. The plan is to get the pool in, get the fence in, then take a look at what landscaping needs to be done and address it at that time.

I find it surprising that they used your driveway, because they told me they DIDN’T want to use mine because it could get damaged. Did they not have any other choice?

Yeah, the other side of my house is not a great option. It's tight and there's trees/bushes in the way. They were upfront about the involved risk to the driveway, though.

 

[Dave1096]

I noticed the gunite crew forgot to account for the two umbrella sleeves that should be on the ledge. The builder told me no problem, they'll drill and install on plaster day. Is there any downside to this? Will the integrity of the sleeve or pool shell be compromised in any way?

 

[bmoreswim]

I noticed the gunite crew forgot to account for the two umbrella sleeves that should be on the ledge. The builder told me no problem, they'll drill and install on plaster day. Is there any downside to this? Will the integrity of the sleeve or pool shell be compromised in any way?

No worries with doing this. I love your build as it looks just like our pool (except we don't have the ledge). And the grey paver coping looks great with that tile. I like your tile more than ours. It's the least favorite part of our pool. But as you said, small potatoes.

Do you have a whole house surge suppressor? I finally just bought one to install. Pool equipment is expensive/a pain to replace in the case of a surge.

Our asphalt driveway took a hit during construction too. If it's only that corner, you could easily make a repair yourself. Cut out and remove that corner, buy bags of the QPR asphalt patch, tamp, drive back and forth over. Done. But doing it when it's still warm out, it will get soft easily. No problem if you are only going straight on it. Turning can mess it up. I do that stuff in mid-late fall. Also putting sand on top takes the oiliness out of the surface for feet or dogs.

 

[Dave1096]

No worries with doing this.

Great, thanks for the reassurance.

I love your build as it looks just like our pool (except we don't have the ledge). And the grey paver coping looks great with that tile. I like your tile more than ours. It's the least favorite part of our pool. But as you said, small potatoes.

Thanks again. We are certainly happy with how it's turning out so far.

Do you have a whole house surge suppressor?

You would think I would considering I work in the critical power industry, but as of this writing I do not. I've been meaning to get one, though. I think I'll place an order now.

Our asphalt driveway took a hit during construction too. If it's only that corner, you could easily make a repair yourself. Cut out and remove that corner, buy bags of the QPR asphalt patch, tamp, drive back and forth over. Done. But doing it when it's still warm out, it will get soft easily. No problem if you are only going straight on it. Turning can mess it up. I do that stuff in mid-late fall. Also putting sand on top takes the oiliness out of the surface for feet or dogs.

Good to know. I haven't put much thought into these kinds of things yet. I'm in a holding pattern until the destructive portion of the project is completed, and then I'll start figuring out what I need to do to clean up this mess.

 

[Dave1096]

Decking went in today. Not happy with the white expansion joints. No offense to anyone else who has them, just my preference, but I really don't like the look of them. I told the builder this during our pre-construction meeting, but shame on me for not following up before now to make sure they ordered the grey expansion joint inserts.

Other than that, super happy with the progress so far. Grading next, then fencing, and finally landscaping. That'll be it until we plaster in the Spring. Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[SecoSteve]

Decking looks good! Nice clean edges. Did it dry to a white brushed look? Maybe the expansion joints will blend in better. I thought the only options they offered were brushed white and exposed aggregate. Did you order something else?

 

[Dave1096]

Decking looks good! Nice clean edges. Did it dry to a white brushed look? Maybe the expansion joints will blend in better. I thought the only options they offered were brushed white and exposed aggregate. Did you order something else?

We went with the standard brushed white. Would have loved to do pavers or possibly even stamped concrete, but we decided back during the budgeting phase to go a more practical route and put our money into maximizing the pool size rather than in the finishes. It's definitely lightened up since I took those photos and is starting to blend in much better. It's a me thing...I've never liked the look of white control joints, but it's another one of those small details I'm not hung up on. Overall my experience through this build has been great.

 

[SecoSteve]

We went with the standard brushed white. Would have loved to do pavers or possibly even stamped concrete, but we decided back during the budgeting phase to go a more practical route and put our money into maximizing the pool size rather than in the finishes. It's definitely lightened up since I took those photos and is starting to blend in much better. It's a me thing...I've never liked the look of white control joints, but it's another one of those small details I'm not hung up on. Overall my experience through this build has been great.

Please share a daytime pic of the cured decking if you get a chance.

 

[Dave1096]

Please share a daytime pic of the cured decking if you get a chance.

Here's a couple.

 

[SecoSteve]

That really lightened up and the white isn’t as noticeable. I’m sure the expansion joints will fade as well.

So jealous as we are still at plumbing and almost to gunite.

 

[SecoSteve]

We have finally reached gunite stage tomorrow with our build. Was there any blowing gunite that got on anything, such as the filter, heater, or anything else with your build?

Also, with regards to the empty skimmers, I have noticed rainwater collecting in mine. Has PM discussed a plan for this in the winter? I am concerned that they won't be "winterized" like in a regular closing.

 

[RDFBocephus]

We have finally reached gunite stage tomorrow with our build. Was there any blowing gunite that got on anything, such as the filter, heater, or anything else with your build?

Also, with regards to the empty skimmers, I have noticed rainwater collecting in mine. Has PM discussed a plan for this in the winter? I am concerned that they won't be "winterized" like in a regular closing.

A good company will wrap your pool area during the shooting process to ensure it doesn't get everywhere. They typically use the plastic rolls you can get at hardware stores.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Yeah, the company that did mine was so good about 'tenting' the area, it completely obliterated my view through my security camera. They had plastic sheeting about 5-6' above grade hanging from rebar or some other type of metal rods they drove into the ground, completely surrounding the pool.

--Jeff

 

[Dave1096]

We have finally reached gunite stage tomorrow with our build. Was there any blowing gunite that got on anything, such as the filter, heater, or anything else with your build?

No, but there really wasn't anything directly near the pool that was a concern. My equipment is 40' away on the side of the house. Good luck on gunite! Post some pictures.

Also, with regards to the empty skimmers, I have noticed rainwater collecting in mine. Has PM discussed a plan for this in the winter? I am concerned that they won't be "winterized" like in a regular closing.

I'm not sure. My PM gave me a quick rundown of what to expect over the winter, but to be honest I don't remember much and need to have that conversation again.

 

[Dave1096]

Yeah, the company that did mine was so good about 'tenting' the area, it completely obliterated my view through my security camera. They had plastic sheeting about 5-6' above grade hanging from rebar or some other type of metal rods they drove into the ground, completely surrounding the pool.

They didn't do any of that, but there really wasn't any mess when they were done either.

 

[Dave1096]

We received a good amount of rain today, and I noticed a steady stream of water getting in from around the tanning ledge light. We're not plastering until Spring, and I realize it's the plaster that will waterproof the shell...but is there any cause for concern in the meantime with what I'm seeing here? Errosion under the deck, around the outside of the shell, etc.?

I couldn't figure out how to upload a video, so the screenshot of the video I took is the best I could do...but it's not a slow trickle (think bathroom faucet half open).

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dave1096]

Here's the video of water coming in. Would really appreciate any feedback anyone can provide on whether this is a problem or not. I sent the video to my builder as well and am waiting on a reply but wanted to get some unbiased opinions here as well

http://www.youtube.com/shorts/Mwiq4hswHKE

 

[duraleigh]

Gravity doesn't let water flow uphill so the ground water around the perimeter of your pool is higher than that shell penetration for the light. Plaster may very well seal it but I don't like the idea of groundwater that high up around your shell.

If it were my pool, I would place a french drain around the outside perimeter (you'll have to dig a lot) or perhaps dig a couple of well points that you could lower a submersible pump into to drain that groundwater somewhere else.

What was used for backfill?

 

[sktn77a]

Don't like the idea of just "plugging the leak" with plaster (although hydrostatic pressure should be pretty low at that depth). Call the pool builder and ask him to come out and look at it. Looks like they did a great job on the rest of the pool so hopefully, he'll have a workable solution.

 

[Dave1096]

Gravity doesn't let water flow uphill so the ground water around the perimeter of your pool is higher than that shell penetration for the light. Plaster may very well seal it but I don't like the idea of groundwater that high up around your shell.

If it were my pool, I would place a french drain around the outside perimeter (you'll have to dig a lot) or perhaps dig a couple of well points that you could lower a submersible pump into to drain that groundwater somewhere else.

What was used for backfill?

We got an unusual amount of rain, so groundwater was really high. The pool has hydrostatic relief valves which I thought are supposed help with any issues high ground water might cause. Should I be concerned with our plan to not plaster until Spring leaving the shell empty like this over Winter?