New pool build - Plaster 5-4-22(Southern California)

[r2sie2]

Yup, I just saw the DWV on it.

You should have blueprints of your pool to know what the pipes are for. What documents are the plumber using?

Tbh it was all verbal it seemed. I didn’t see any blueprints. They seemed to work together a lot and just went over it real quick. The only thing that’s a little different is they’re using the jets along the bench as returns so they had to go over that a bit

 

[ajw22]

Without any documents you play pot luck and take what they give you. It is not the way I work as the buyer.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

The straight pipe is fine. Both DWV & SCH40 straight PVC pipe have the same nominal wall thickness (2.375" OD x 0.154" wall for 2" nominal PVC)). It's only the fittings and couplings that matter. DWV fittings have a shorter glue joint.

If you can verify that the pipe diameters and wall thickness are correct and that the fittings are SCH40, you're ok

 

[JoyfulNoise]

You are in SoCal which is a highly regulated contractor environment. You should absolutely NOT being doing any of this on verbal information! You should have plans and a contract with detailed information in it. If you don't have that, you are seriously exposing yourself to risk.

I would immediately contact the Pool Builder and ask for all relevant information with regard to the build including plans that have been signed off on by a PE (professional engineer) as well as all documentation and contracts.

 

[r2sie2]

You are in SoCal which is a highly regulated contractor environment. You should absolutely NOT being doing any of this on verbal information! You should have plans and a contract with detailed information in it. If you don't have that, you are seriously exposing yourself to risk.

I would immediately contact the Pool Builder and ask for all relevant information with regard to the build including plans that have been signed off on by a PE (professional engineer) as well as all documentation and contracts.

Ok thanks I’ll talk to him. I have the basic blue print of the pool that was used to pull permits but I don’t have like a piping diagram of what’s going in.

 

[r2sie2]

Without any documents you play pot luck and take what they give you. It is not the way I work as the buyer.

I get what you’re saying but I have no idea what I’d be looking at in a plumbing schematic so I put my trust into him for that. Told him I wanted to skimmers which he said was already in the design. Beyond that I’d have nothing to add really. But you’re right I should have been more diligent in the plumbing. Inspection is Tuesday so we’ll see!

 

[flynwill]

For my pool build,also in Southern California (Los Angeles County to be specific), I never saw a detailed plumbing drawing (and it definitely was not among the drawings sent to the county for the building permit). The plan drawing did indicate the equipment location, and the location of the skimmer and the lights. Locations for things like SPA jets and the pool returns were discussed as the plumbers were working.

 

[ajw22]

I get what you’re saying but I have no idea what I’d be looking at in a plumbing schematic so I put my trust into him for that.

Even if you don’t understand it you can use it to show to others to confirm what is being done.

Told him I wanted to skimmers which he said was already in the design. Beyond that I’d have nothing to add really. But you’re right I should have been more diligent in the plumbing.

What about electrical?

What about layout of the equipment pad?

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Inspection is Tuesday so we’ll see!

Do not expect town inspections to provide you with any protections for builder errors or incompetence. They have their standard code things they check and no more.

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[r2sie2]

For my pool build,also in Southern California (Los Angeles County to be specific), I never saw a detailed plumbing drawing (and it definitely was not among the drawings sent to the county for the building permit). The plan drawing did indicate the equipment location, and the location of the skimmer and the lights. Locations for things like SPA jets and the pool returns were discussed as the plumbers were working.

Sounds exactly like my experience

 

[JoyfulNoise]

You don't necessarily see the plumbing schematics because many jurisdictions don't require it. The plumbing schematic is typically draw up during the design phase by the PE that the pool builder uses. They're not very exciting, mostly just lines on a page showing the water flow direction along with a list of specifications on pipe size and, sometimes, a detailed list of pipe lengths, fittings used, etc. It's mainly used as a guide by the plumber and pool builder when estimating plumbing charges.

BUT ... there should be a diagram that details the pool design and in that there should be markers calling out where the various plumbing components will be - skimmer positions, main drains, equipment pad locations, lines detailing where the electrical, gas & plumbing runs will be relative to the pool, home and property lines, etc.

And to @ajw22 's point - building inspectors are, by and large, useless. The inspector that came out to my home to "inspect" before gunite (rebar and rough plumbing/electrical) literally showed up at 5pm, walked to the backyard where the inspector documents where hanging on the equipment pad, opened it up, signed his name and then walked back to his county vehicle and drive off. I'm not sire he even lifted up his head to look at the pool when he walked by it.

You need to be more involved in the process and ask more questions. Otherwise you are completely at the mercy of the pool builder.

 

[ajw22]

Plumbing, electrical, equipment pad layout can be hand drawn diagrams. What is important is you, the builder, and the contractors are all working off the same plan. And it gives you something to review and check that you are getting what you expect.

 

[r2sie2]

Thank you for all the advice I’m speaking with my builder now. There are two lights going into the pool and one on the shelf. Do you guys have any recommendations on how to space out the 2 pool lights? I was at first thinking to evenly distribute them but thinking about it more might it be a better idea to space them a little further from each other one closer to the deep end and one closer to the shelf? I’m thinking where the lights meet up with each other it might be too bright at that part? The pool minus the shelf is 22” so I was planning on putting them every 7’4” measuring from the deep end. Wondering if you guys have any recommendations

 

[ajw22]

Please post what drawings and specifications of your pool you have.

On your lights let’s start with what your pool builder or designer recommends before we start second guessing them.

What lights are you using? Placement of the lights depend on the type of light, lumens, and lense.

 

[r2sie2]

Where they recommended it is where the skimmers are but the thing is that’s where it was recommended before I added the third light to the Baja. So now he wants me to mark exactly where I want them. All lights are going to be Hayward Colorlogic 320.

I don’t have access to the blueprint rn but when I do I’ll post a picture

 

[ajw22]

The ColorLogic 320 manual says it puts out 1100 lumens. Pentair recommends 4 lumens per square foot. Your pool is 450 sq feet. That says it needs at least 2,000 lumens. Two lights is probably fine, three lights is more then enough.

What color will your pool finish be? Dark colors will absorb more light then light colors.

I don’t think moving the lights a bit will make a difference. You more need to look at the spaces occupied by skimmers, returns, and other things on the pool walls to say where each should go.

Inyo Pools also has a good blog on How Many Lights Do I Need For My Pool? with a table summarizing the coverage of the different Pentair lights.

Jandy has an excellent LED Lighting Design Guide.

Hayward does not publish any guidance to the consumer.

 

[r2sie2]

The ColorLogic 320 manual says it puts out 1100 lumens. Pentair recommends 4 lumens per square foot. Your pool is 450 sq feet. That says it needs at least 2,000 lumens. Two lights is probably fine, three lights is more then enough.

What color will your pool finish be? Dark colors will absorb more light then light colors.

I don’t think moving the lights a bit will make a difference. You more need to look at the spaces occupied by skimmers, returns, and other things on the pool walls to say where each should go.

Inyo Pools also has a good blog on How Many Lights Do I Need For My Pool? with a table summarizing the coverage of the different Pentair lights.

Jandy has an excellent LED Lighting Design Guide.

Hayward does not publish any guidance to the consumer.

I remember reading somewhere that Hayward recommended their lights at least every 8 feet, I will try and find that documentation. Regardless though I’m glad I definitely have enough light I’m just worried about them being too close together and having the light being uneven.

I’m not sure if you’re able to see them in the pictures but the skimmers are spaced about every 9 ft on the side opposite the shelf. The shelf has 6 jets that are also the returns they are spaced about every 3 feet from each other. I spoke with PB and the 2” white pipes in deep end are suction lines for filter and bubblers pump.

 

[r2sie2]

The one pipe they installed in the center is a vacuum for a cleaner. I’m going to be using a robot as is so widely recommended here. Is there any reason to have it deleted now that the pipe is already there? Figure maybe it’s a good back up in case a robot goes bad.

 

[ajw22]

The one pipe they installed in the center is a vacuum for a cleaner. I’m going to be using a robot as is so widely recommended here. Is there any reason to have it deleted now that the pipe is already there? Figure maybe it’s a good back up in case a robot goes bad.

I don’t know which pipe in the center you are talking about.

A vacuum is the worst type of pool cleaner. If your robot goes bad then get another robot.

 

[r2sie2]

I don’t know which pipe in the center you are talking about.

A vacuum is the worst type of pool cleaner. If your robot goes bad then get another robot.

In between the two skimmers there’s a pipe. I asked what it’s for and he said it’s for a vacuum. I said I’ll be using a robot but he said it’s good to have anyways. I was just wondering if there’s any reason to tell them to remove it

 

[JoyfulNoise]

It’s fine to have a vacuum port. I have one. When your robot fails you can use a manual vacuum head to clean your pool. Believe me, they do come in handy as my robot is currently in the hospital and my only way to clean the pool is to manually vacuum.