DIY 20' x 40' In-Ground Build - In Progress!

[Berger82]

ok yall forgive my ignorance.....Ive noticed on vinyl pools that there always somewhat "extreme" slopes on the sides (deep end) and the the mid point transition from shallow to deep. Why is that? Looking at that 2:1 slope, it looks like it is unusable space. I would think you would slide right down to the deep end, as opposed to a flat surface. So my question is, why cant vinyl pools be constructed like gunite in which the floor has a more gentle slope and the floor does not 45 down on the sides to the deepest depth.

 

[Newdude]

So my question is, why cant vinyl pools be constructed like gunite in which the floor has a more gentle slope and the floor does not 45 down on the sides to the deepest depth

So I'm currently building a vinyl pool with a diving board and per my PB and GC, the slope is now governed specifically for diving. 10 years ago they gave me a gentler slope to extend the deep end (3:1 ?) And this time they had to take the steep slope and push it 4 ft back. They said the reasoning for the steep slope was due to neck injuries hitting the lesser slope.

It seems that most plaster pools being built aren't deep enough to be 'diving pools' and the ones that are don't get diving boards due to most homeowners policies forbidding it. The overwhelming majority don't have the diving hangup and can gently slope from one end to the other.

 

[jastudee]

@jimmythegreek @wireform - thanks a lot for that feedback! I didnt even consider that, so the timing of your feedback is perfect. How rounded are we talking? Just simply cut it back a bit and put a little small radius on it? If I understand what your saying, it just needs to b a gradual transition from the angle to the flat of the shallow end, so I think I can keep most of what I have there and just trim it down and round it a bit.

This has been a tedious process - I of course notice every imperfection and it drives me nuts. I am going to get as close to perfect as I can, but at some point I think I need to accept that no matter how much I do - there will be noticeable imperfections with the light on at night. Although, I will probably be the only one noticing those... lol

 

[Newdude]

but at some point I think I need to accept that no matter how much I do - there will be noticeable imperfections with the light on at night

It is the faultfinder9000. It's best not to think about it. We call it 'having character' when we do see the faults. It helps.

Although, I will probably be the only one noticing those... lol

I can promise you this. Anyone who ever comes over is too busy being all WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE POOL !!!!!! To know or even care. They would give their left arm to have your pool with any imperfections, even if they have their own pool, because they don't know all your imperfections yet, and they do know theirs. Which you'll never see at their house cuz you'll be all WEEEEEEEEEEE POOL !!!!!!

I did have 3 or so friends start to study the pool looking for faults. I gave each and every one of them a nudge so they could inspect it closer. I am a thoughtful friend like that. They must have liked what they saw because they never tried again.

 

[duckcmmndr]

Looking really good....Props for doing the pool krete yourself. The guy I hired had 2 guys helping, one mixing and one carting it to him. He did 120 bags in about 6 hours. I could not believe it.

Yours looks nice and smooth!

 

[jastudee]

It is the faultfinder9000. It's best not to think about it. We call it 'having character' when we do see the faults. It helps.

I can promise you this. Anyone who ever comes over is too busy being all WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE POOL !!!!!! To know or even care. They would give their left arm to have your pool with any imperfections, even if they have their own pool, because they don't know all your imperfections yet, and they do know theirs. Which you'll never see at their house cuz you'll be all WEEEEEEEEEEE POOL !!!!!!

I did have 3 or so friends start to study the pool looking for faults. I gave each and every one of them a nudge so they could inspect it closer. I am a thoughtful friend like that. They must have liked what they saw because they never tried again.

Lol!! I like the way you think. Thanks for your outlook - it really helps me believe that I need to relax and just enjoy the pool!

Looking really good....Props for doing the pool krete yourself. The guy I hired had 2 guys helping, one mixing and one carting it to him. He did 120 bags in about 6 hours. I could not believe it.

Yours looks nice and smooth!

Thanks! Hindsight is always 20/20 - if I did it over again(which I won’t), I would have for sure hired it out.

 

[jimmythegreek]

Nothing crazy just don't leave a sharp edge. You can actually sand vermiculite with 60 grit paper on a sander if needed. The larger the trowel the flatter you get it. That's why guys use Fresno trowels.

 

[jastudee]

Boy, today was almost a soul crusher. Had one more day with the mixer, and the bond beam was getting poured. On top of that, it was a 100 degree heat index!

Multiple times I wanted to throw in the towel, it was the most miserable day of work ever - hands down. Thankfully a friend of mine helped with the bond beam, and he ran to get me some more supplies(that’s what I call above and beyond!).

I am so happy to say that pool crete is done and the bond beam is done! Feel like a huge weight is off of my shoulders! Just need to finish a bit of the auto cover rail and can get the liner in. Have to do a bit of touch up on the pool Crete before liner goes in though.

 

[jastudee]

oh, and it looks in the pictures like the ramp has “seams” a rest assured it is nice and flight. It’s just odd that in areas it’s dried differently.

 

[Newdude]

Multiple times I wanted to throw in the towel,

*trowel.

Too soon ?

 

[dleonard1122]

Looking good! How long from excavation to bottom and bond beam being completed did it take?

 

[jastudee]

*trowel.

Too soon ?

Nope, not too soon at all! That would have also been thrown in. lol

 

[jastudee]

Looking good! How long from excavation to bottom and bond beam being completed did it take?

Thanks! From initial start of excavation to bond beam was just over a month. From excavation completion to bond beam was just about a week. The excavation took a while - weather was absolutely horrendous, and continues to be still.

 

[Kidswimin]

Thanks! From initial start of excavation to bond beam was just over a month. From excavation completion to bond beam was just about a week. The excavation took a while - weather was absolutely horrendous, and continues to be still.

That floor looks great, when can you do mine? As far as the horrendous weather this week in WI, It was a great week to be in the pool, well a pool with water in it

 

[jastudee]

That floor looks great, when can you do mine? As far as the horrendous weather this week in WI, It was a great week to be in the pool, well a pool with water in it

Haha, thanks!! Yeah - a pool with water in it would have been nice! Lol.

As far as the floor is concerned, I don’t think there is any amount of money you could pay me to do it again… Well…. I’m sure there is SOME amount of money

 

[jastudee]

So my OCD is really kicking in with the pool base. I’m a bit disappointed in how it dried. It wasn’t as smooth as when I originally laid it(maybe it settled?). It’s not really noticeable to the eye, but when you run a level over it there are spots the are about 1/8” high or low.

I’m hoping either for reassurance that this is nothing to fret over, or if I should be spending more time on it.

On the bright side: skimmers are in, all autocover rails are on, polymer box is partially installed. Backfill stone is coming Tuesday.

Feel like I’m seeing light at the end of the tunnel

 

[jimmythegreek]

This is why I dry mix it on the hopper floor. I gave up using a mixer long ago we would spend too much time with it. You can sand it with 60 grit on an orbital. Dry Portland can be swept to fill in the tiny air bubbles if you have any. Ground water binds it all back together later. OCD sucks i redo stuff all the time my guys hate me often

 

[jastudee]

Talk about a total bummer today. Been making slow progress, and was really excited for todays step of putting in the liner.

Total disappointment when I see that they made the liner incorrectly. It seems to me they made it for the stairs to be on the opposite corner .

The seam for the 6” radius on the 20’ wall is actually on the 40’ wall.

That’s going to set me back, and I hope I don’t have to jump through hoops to get it replaced.

 

[TKpoolOH]

Total disappointment when I see that they made the liner incorrectly. It seems to me they made it for the stairs to be on the opposite corner .

That sucks big time! Good luck getting it replaced. you can get it quick!

 

[duckcmmndr]

That is a tough break...who did you get your pool kit from? I used pool warehouse for my pool kit and they were very easy to deal with on a few missing parts from my shipment.

The liner was the absolute last thing I did...so while waiting on a replacement you can continue on along with the rest of the plumbing/electrical/bonding/backfill/decking.