New build - St George UT

[stevo777]

Well technically, not building yet, that will commence in the fall, but at least we've signed a contract. We are in the St George, UT area. Climate is similar to Las Vegas - hot summers, mild winters, year-round outdoor recreation opportunities.

We have a 1.7 acre lot in the desert near St George UT, so we have plenty of room, but this project will require existing cinderblock courtyard walls and the existing patio be demo'ed, and then rebuilt. I'll have a separate contractor do that work, as well as possibly build a small equipment room to contain the pumps, heater, etc. There is an HOA to contend with, but I've selected contractors very familiar with attaining approval from and maintaining compliance with.

Here's the basics of the project. Fairly simple as you can see, minimal bling. Totally undecided with respect to plaster, tile, etc.

36' x 15' rectangular pool, depth 3.5' to 5'
7' x 7' combo spa, 7 jets
sunshelf
Coverpool automatic cover
SWCG, Pentair IC40
2" suction and return lines
one skimmer, plumbed independent of drains
8 returns
dual main drain
auto fill
Pentair Whisperflo 1 1/2 hp for circulation
Pentair Whisperflo 2 hp for spa jets
Pentair MasterTemp heater, 400k BTU
Pentair 420 cartridge filter
Pentair 400 watt pool light
Pentair spa light
Pentair Easytouch automation
Paramount In floor cleaning system with separate pump

I wasn't too happy with him spec-ing the Whisperflo pumps, but I strongly suspect that as this install will occur in the fall or winter, that he will have to upgrade to the Intelliflow VS pumps due to the new federal law. I'll force the issue if need be. Efficiency, and noise level, are important to us. We do have 16 kW of solar power generation, so that will help with the electricity bills, but that was sized without a pool in mind. Perhaps adding onto it is an option in the future.

We anticipate using the pool April-ish to October-ish, and the spa year round. I expect pool heat will only be needed in the shoulder season, and to heat the spa on demand. We use our existing portable spa heavily, and have become accustomed to jumping into it on a whim; with the combo a little more pre-planning is necessary, but I think we can adjust.

In the photo below, the existing wall lies approximately where the centerline of the pool will be. You can see wooden stakes marking the far right corner of the pool, and beyond that, the far right corner of the new courtyard wall. The existing portable spa sits in almost exactly the position that the inground spa will be. The shade structure will remain, but the patio will be demo'ed and replaced.

The hummingbird feeder will also have to move, as it appears to be the approximate center of the pool ;-)



Here's a sketch of what we are building. Still unsure the level of noise that will emanate from the pumps, so I'll potentially build a shed to contain the equipment pad. One of the early problems to solve will be how to get the excavator in without damaging the septic leach field which flows south and east of the septic tank in the lower left of the sketch.


So, after a couple months of thinking and planning, we're moving forward, and it is exciting. The hard work is to come, but my thanks to the forum and its members for all the information I've gathered so far.

 

[Texas Splash]

Hello and welcome! I used to make that drive to St G from Vegas back in the day. Looks like a great place for a pool, and you appear to have been doing some homework. You have a good list thus far, nothing really for me to critique, but maybe some others have some advice. I'm sure others will reply. Have a good weekend.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I would just commit to the Pentair Intelliflo & Intellicenter now. Lose that Easy Touch. You'll have a quiet pump running on lower RPMs 24/7 if you desire. That's what I read a lot of posters do. And its cheaper than a single speed and much quieter. You can't even buy a single speed for that pool now... I wonder if he's pushing the last of his stock?

I'd suggest a second skimmer- allows the pool to stay up and running if ever the other skimmer is clogged or out of service for some reason. Place the skimmer(s) in a way that takes advantage of wind patterns around your home. This naturally helps the skimming of debris to go better.

I figure that pool size will run about 18,000 gallons. The SWG looks good.

Keep us in the loop as this progresses, please. LOTSA pics!!

Maddie

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum.

The IFCS can work well, or not. A few members have luck with them. Many do not. Just be sure you have regular pool returns in the pool wall and that you can bypass the IFCS when running normally. Skimming action with IFCS is non-existant. And you will need to run the pump at higher rpm. I see you say a separate pump. That is an odd setup as the flow must go through the filter.

With an autocover, the spa will not be raised, correct? I would recommend two skimmers. Wind does not always blow in the same direction.

An IntellifloVS and Intellicenter are the smart choices. An additional spa booster pump is fine. Single speed is OK, as long as you do not mind the noise. The federal regulation does not apply to 'specialty' pumps. Only main pumps for circulation.

 

[stevo777]

Thanks for the comments, one of the reasons we are thinking IFCS is that our home is in the desert, fine grain blowing sand happens. And those low courtyard walls not only let the views in, they let the sand in too. These systems seem somewhat popular around here to cope with the issue, it seems. As I mentioned in my introductory thread, the next door neighbor just installed a pool as part of their new construction, by the same PB. A virtual clone of the pool we’ve planned, but with a bit more bling - waterfall, fire, bubblers etc. they are happy so far. She does say that some dirt does tend to gather in a corner, so occasionally needs to be vacuumed out, but not a huge deal. I don’t have expectations that it will keep the entire pool spotless, and I can add a robot later if need be. But hopefully the IFCS will sweep the sun deck, steps, spa and much of the pool floor.

I’ll ask about how it is plumbed. I think her IFCS runs on a separate pump with a separate schedule, the normal mode is circulation thru skimmer and/or drains and 8 returns in pool wall.

The PB does seem to be a bit “old school”; he knows what has worked for him, and what things has caused warranty headaches for him in the past. But generally amenable to ideas, once you let him grumble a bit. I don’t see an issue getting him to VS pump or Intellicenter, the question would be the $$$ to do so.

Yes, the spa is at pool water level; the auto cover slips over it.

So it sounds like the Whisperflo single speed pump is ok for the spa jets, and VS for circulation and IFCS.

Is Intellicenter needed to control the VS pump? Or is it also controllable by the Easy touch? I’ve not found specifics about the differences, other than more schedules, color display and “intellicenter is better”.

 

[sl7vk]

Oh man. Looks like Kayenta in Ivins.
I'm jealous.

 

[mknauss]

Is Intellicenter needed to control the VS pump? Or is it also controllable by the Easy touch? I’ve not found specifics about the differences, other than more schedules, color display and “intellicenter is better”.

You can use the EasyTouch with Screenlogic. I have that. But it is the 'old tech' from Pentair. You cannot update the firmware without major expense and hassle. The Inteillicenter has the remote access built in and does firmware updates over the internet.

Your choice on the IFCS. A robot, on it own, will fully clean the pool.

 

[stevo777]

Oh man. Looks like Kayenta in Ivins

That, it is

 

[stevo777]

Getting closer. I’m on the PB’s schedule for a mid-September dig. I’ve dumped the Whisperflo in favor of Intelliflo VS circulation pump, the old-school halogen lights in favor of Microbrites, and the IFCS in favor of a TBD robot, probably Dolphin.

we had a good meeting this week with the PB and the contractor who will demo and reconstruct the courtyard walls, and we’ve found a safe path to bring the mini-ex around the septic field.

Next month we go to to the HOA for approvals; I don’t anticipate issues from that. And then, it will REALLY start feeling real.

 

[stevo777]

Baby steps. We now have HOA approval, but the city has within the last month placed a requirement on all new pools prior to issuing a permit - a soils report, which requires a 15’ deep hole to be dug. But, that means the site should, within the next 3 weeks, start looking like a construction zone….

 

[YippeeSkippy]

<fingers crossed!>

Maddie

 

[stevo777]

OK! finally some machinery in the back yard. The soils test outfit came in to dig a 25' deep hole to take soil samples. No clay, no water, and, no oil. Just well compacted red sandy soil and some sandstone. Preliminary impressions are positive. No idea why the city requires testing 25' down for a 6' deep pool.

Next step is to knock down the courtyard wall and demo the existing patio, and then pour the footers for the new courtyard wall. Dig will happen mid-September. I've attached a sketch of our current thoughts on pool design.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I'd go deeper all around for a pool that stays a fraction cooler. Make sure you make it clear to builder what depth you want for the *water* as some make the depth the wall depth and folks get disappointed.

 

[stevo777]

We got word from the PB a couple days ago that he wants to move the dig up to mid-August from mid-September. So, the destruction begins in preparation of the dig.

I'd go deeper all around for a pool that stays a fraction cooler. Make sure you make it clear to builder what depth you want for the *water*

Yes, agree. And PB and I are in agreement that we are talking about water depth.

 

[sl7vk]

Yes. I like your design but I'd go deeper than 5.5 feet. At least 6 IMHO for that size pool. I also think the very small round step into the pool is a bit dated looking, I'd do something that goes futher down your benches.
I have a 30 foot pool and have 4 globrites fwiw. I think lighting is important and it isn't easy to add more in the future.

 

[stevo777]

Yes thanks for your comments, we are thinking of going 4’ water depth to 6’ or 6.5’. Deeper the better to keep the pool cooler in this hot climate. And we’ve abandoned the shelf in favor of an L shaped bench on the long side adjacent to spa, and after demoing the area, discovered a great view of the canyon, so might put a small bench there too to take advantage of the view. We’ll nail down the details, including steps, at our meeting with the PB in the next week.

 

[johnywess]

Yes thanks for your comments, we are thinking of going 4’ water depth to 6’ or 6.5’. Deeper the better to keep the pool cooler in this hot climate. And we’ve abandoned the shelf in favor of an L shaped bench on the long side adjacent to spa, and after demoing the area, discovered a great view of the canyon, so might put a small bench there too to take advantage of the view. We’ll nail down the details, including steps, at our meeting with the PB in the next week.

Your pool is almost the exact same size as our sports pool and you're doing similar depths. I've been shocked at how warm the water has stayed all year long (88-94), so with you in St George it would be even warmer. I've only used my heater once so far and that was just to play around with it, not because the water needed to be heated up. If I were doing your design, I would do 4' to 6'5" or 7'. I think it would be more useful all around and help keep the temp down a bit. We also did the intellibight color LEDs.

 

[stevo777]

Yard demo is done, and the footings poured for the new courtyard walls. Little stakes with red streamers mark the approximate corners of the pool. We are now #2 in the PB's queue for the dig. Here's the blank canvas...

 

[travelfeedsthesoul]

I gotta say...waking up to those views...wow! Lucky you.

I know pools aren't an investment, but THAT pool in THAT area will be a great "investment" for you guys. I can imagine just hanging out all day in that set up and cooling off in the pool.

 

[stevo777]

Yes, mason is laying the 1st two courses of the 3’ tall concrete block wall today. Leaving a gap to leave access for the PB. With that we can really visualize what the finished project will look like. Exciting!