Moving.. Going to do a DIY Build.

Looking for a little help on some accessories. I'm looking into umbrella inserts and handrails. Yup. we're getting up there and although I don't like the looks of a handrail, we can use it for safety and that should come first.

I'm looking at:


and this with the deck inserts:

 
Yup. we're getting up there and although I don't like the looks of a handrail, we can use it for safety and that should come first.
If you're going to need it during the time in your current house, nows the time. They make retrofit stuff but it's never the same as the ones that are meant to be there.

Hang tight for thoughts on your choices.
 
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If you're going to need it during the time in your current house, nows the time. They make retrofit stuff but it's never the same as the ones that are meant to be there.

Hang tight for thoughts on your choices.
I am looking at Amazon to keep my cash budget in order for other stuff that always comes up..
 
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That's about as nice as a hand rail can look. And I like that it isn't metal. If any of its mounting hardware is, make sure you see that it gets bonded.

I don't like umbrellas, and would never put one in my pool. I don't like the notion that it could act as a lever that could compromise the plaster. I don't know that that is a thing, but it seems like it could be. Those sleeves will collect crud and can be a place in which algae can hide.

Alternate idea: I have a shade sail over one end of my pool. 100% wind-proof (unlike umbrellas), and there are no poles or other hardware impeding movement or chair placement under it.

This is where I got mine. Have a look at their photo galleries for ideas, if you're open to something other than an umbrella.

 
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That's about as nice as a hand rail can look. And I like that it isn't metal. If any of it's mounting hardware is, make sure you see that it gets bonded.

I don't like umbrellas, and would never put one in my pool. I don't like the notion that it could act as a lever that could compromise the plaster. I don't know that that is a thing, but it seems like it could be. Those sleeves will collect crud and can be a place in which algae can hide.

Alternate idea: I have a shade sail over one end of my pool. 100% wind-proof (unlike umbrellas), and there are no poles or other hardware impeding movement or chair placement under it.

This is where I got mine. Have a look at their photo galleries for ideas, if you're open to something other than an umbrella.
Can you please share the link?
 
I looked at the shade sails and they are pretty expensive but I'll probably use one in the corner of the house to extend the existing covered patio over the stairs.

Over the Baja Shelf is going to be more difficult due to no support on the south side to pull the cables from. Therefore, I'm going to stick with Umbrellas and am still looking for information regarding the inserts to use.

I've also run across these railings which look pretty good. I suppose they need to be bonded back to the pool grid so the bond wire needs to be installed before shotcrete..


Which Stainless is recommended for salt pools?
 
I looked at the shade sails and they are pretty expensive
I cannot argue that! ;) There are less expansive ones, and down-right cheap ones, too, if you just want to experiment before you buy a good one. I think that company probably makes the very best available. They are made incredibly well, and all the hardware is top shelf, so they are priced accordingly. I've had mine for close to eight years and it still looks brand new. I "fly" mine only during swim season, so that should double its lifespan.

Over the Baja Shelf is going to be more difficult due to no support on the south side to pull the cables from.
I had a similar issue and had to get creative. I've got one corner attached to my patio cover, a second attached to a 4x4 post that gets hidden by a tree, but for the third I had to span a long cable over the pool to another post. Not the greatest solution, but honestly I don't see it anymore. Because the sail is flat, and the cables are small-ish, to me, visually, the sail is less in my view than an umbrella would be.

This compromise was worth it to me, because the shade is always available (which I need every day), without me having to fiddle with an umbrella. My wind patterns are such that I'd at least have to raise and lower it each day, and probably have to actually remove it from the pool each day. I'm too lazy for that.

Many people have umbrella fixtures in their pool, but I can't advise on them. Did you search the forum? They are not an uncommon topic, as I recall.

I also have an umbrella on my deck. A sort of "mobile shade." I built a set of wheels for it, so I could move it around easily, as the sun moves. Then I built a hitching post for it, to keep it from getting blown over when not in use. Not useful for your quest for the sleeve, I realize, just another alternative idea for ya.

umbrella.jpg
 
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I got the quote in finally from the "Premier Pool Builder" in my area whose logo is "Affordable Excellence".

Laughable at $60,000+ over what it'll cost me to do it and it doesn't include the tile material which we are buying plus it specifies InteliTouch plus a $600 add for the phone app WiFi adapter.

Excellence? Maybe.
Affordable? Not even close at $147,000!
 
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I had to GC my build anyway and it was twice as hard to deal with the subs through the PB, instead of directly. I also likely would have never chose them in the first place.
 
InteliTouch plus a $600 add for the phone app WiFi adapter
Really? Intelli-Out-Of-Touch, maybe. Is Pentair still selling that? Be sure you take the time to understand what automation can and cannot do, and what each model can and cannot do. That was my single, biggest mistake in buying pool equipment, and I ended up with the wrong thing, which I am still regretting. Ask here, download and read the manuals, etc., before you buy. Also, get a handle on how the warranties work, because what, when and how you buy/install can be the difference between no warranty, 60 days, or up to three years. You want the three years!! ;)
 
I'm installing IntelliCenter.

I should get three years because all my equipment is being purchased from a jobber (Pool Products and Electrical, aka PEP) through my plumbing contractor and are being installed by licensed contractors.

It was the Pool Contractor who had the InteliTouch in their ridiculous bid. They probably bought it in bulk and are dumping it on unknowing customers.
 
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I'm installing IntelliCenter.
Check.
I should get three years because all my equipment is being purchased from a jobber (Pool Products and Electrical, aka PEP) through my plumbing contractor and are being installed by licensed contractors.
Check.
It was the Pool Contractor who had the InteliTouch in their ridiculous bid. They probably bought it in bulk and are dumping it on unknowing customers.
And check! Exactly what I was thinking on all three points!! I think I got stuck with my controller because that's what he had in his shed!

I think, technically, the equipment is supposed to be purchased on the same invoice. Double check on that.
 
Hmm.. Due to supply chain constraints my 011056 IntelliFlow Pumps and one IntelliBright Light were on separate invoices. I bought available equipment when available so no one else would buy it! Everything else was on one invoice. Actually, it all was on the original quote but had to be bought separately..
 
I should add that that overpriced premier pool builder has a 6 to 8 week lead time before they even start and then a 3 to 4 months time to finish. I started a week ago and I’ll be blowing Shotcrete a week from now.
 
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Hmm.. Due to supply chain constraints my 011056 IntelliFlow Pumps and one IntelliBright Light were on separate invoices. I bought available equipment when available so no one else would buy it! Everything else was on one invoice. Actually, it all was on the original quote but had to be bought separately..
Without going into the gory details, I acquired the three-year warranty even though technically I didn't qualify. My pool guy wangled that for me. Though he was an authorized Pentair repair center (dealer?). So Pentair does allow some wiggle room. If you go to them and explain, especially considering supply chain issues, they should make allowances.

I tried to get mine in writing but they wouldn't provide it. You might try the same, just in case. My stuff made it three years, and they honored all the appropriate warranty repairs during that time, so in my case they did me right. I have always found Pentair support to be relatively good.
 

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