Pool greenhorn needs guidance
- Thread starter clarkboy
- Start date
You pointed me in the right direction I didn’t expect you to look it up for me. I’m very grateful! You all are such a selfless group of people willing to help strangers through this process. I can’t say thank you enough.
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I was just informed they will be shooting gunite tomorrow. The only problem is the temps over the next few days. The low temps for the next three days are 29, 14, and 29. I was told they will have heaters and blankets so there shouldn’t be a problem with the temps. Still wish this was being done with the temps above freezing.
NOPE! Your pool=your rules aka timing of the work. Here is one thread about it. There are several others.
www.troublefreepool.com
They may "punish" you by really delaying your shoot but it will be worth it in the end.
Cold Weather Gunite Questions
All...thank you for reading my post. We are currently in the middle of our pool build...yes, in December...in Michigan... Our PB moved forward with applying the gunite and my concern is that it was done at very cold temperatures and that the following “curing days” are very cold as well...
www.troublefreepool.com
They may "punish" you by really delaying your shoot but it will be worth it in the end.
+1. At worst you'll lose weeks or months. That's peanuts in the life of a pool which will last decades.
Not sure yet I will send a text now to ask. I’m looking in the thread you sent now. I don’t want any problems with the pool or the builder. I would prefer this be pushed to another time when it’s not going to be in the teens.
Make sense. I’m reading what Kim sent now. I probably need to make the decision tonight though. I wouldn’t want a crew showing up to do the work and I cancel it.
I spoke with the builder and he assured me that there wouldn’t be problems with the shoot. He said because the temps haven’t been consistency below freezing the ground temps will be fine for the shoot. And to be on the safe side they’ve covered the pool and setup heaters over night to keep the ground at the ideal temps. He said after the shoot the concrete will be covered for 3 to 4 days with thermal blankets which will help retain heat generated from the concrete curing. Daytime temps here will be 45 tomorrow then low 30’s for two days then jump above the 50’s for a few days. The nighttime lows are the concern. The builder also said he felt confident in his planning, and that they shoot multiple pools each winter without issues. He did say if there was any precipitation it would be canceled.
Part of me wants to keep the build moving to get this done as soon as possible. The other part is anxious about the potential for structural damage if this is not done properly. The builder has been honest and upfront through this whole process. Not sure why he would try to deceive now. My wife says let the professionals do their jobs, and if there are problems we will get them addressed. Wondering if anyone has turned to drinking to get them through the pool build process.
The FINE folks at TFP helped keep me out of the nut house most days. 
(Build thread in sig)
It can be done and it seems they're on top of the proper precautions. It's a tough call though, there's alot of *if* and the only payoff is a slightly faster build in the big scheme of things.
I understand this thinking BUT if there is a problem it will not be seen any time soon. It will be down the road long after the PB is gone. Rock and hard place for you
Haha, so I’m not the only one.The FINE folks at TFP helped keep me out of the nut house most days.
That’s what I’m afraid of as well. Praying I never have to look back on this as a I told you so moment. Thank you all for giving the best advice and sharing your concerns in this situation. I’m blaming it all on my wife if anything bad happensI understand this thinking BUT if there is a problem it will not be seen any time soon. It will be down the road long after the PB is gone. Rock and hard place for you
.This seems to be in conflict with the recommendation that concrete should be watered after application. I don’t mean to cause any additional conflict with the PB comments but you may wish to ask that question.
From our Wiki on Watering Concrete
The most critical time is in the first 3-4 days. There really isn't a great reason to go more than 14 days with this process.
The benefit of keeping concrete from drying too quickly mostly happens at the surface and in the early stages of curing.
We laughed. We cried. We threw stuff. You are not alone.
Nothing rhymes with happy husband.
Ain’t that the truth. No love for all the husbands out there.Nothing rhymes with happy husband.
Well against the recommendations of the good people of TFP the concrete was shot today. The whole thing was pretty amazing to watch. I watched them from start to finish and interrupted from time to time to ask questions or voice a concern. They were trying to use rebound to build up the stairs and benches, but I put a stop to that immediately. I let them know the rebound needed to be removed from the pool and not used. The only time I intervene was when they were shaping the shell. They kept trying to use the wall trimming in the bottom of the pool. On three different occasions I stressed not to do that. I was watching from an upstairs bedroom, so I had to come downstairs a few times about that.
They started shooting around 7 and finally finished around 3:30. They showed up at my house at 5:30. I had no idea it would start that early. I worked last night until 4:30, so I was exhausted most of the day, but I kept watch the whole time. I didn’t leave until the pool was blanketed and tented.
Here are some photos from today. I’m pleased with how everything went and how it turned out.
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Well done!
3??? sigh..................no pride in their work or just lazy??? GURRRR
AND that is what counts!!!!
Now guess what YOU get!!!! YOUR own set of links!!!
The first set is all about what to do and ask about to get a great plaster job. The second set is all about how to care for your pool after you get the plaster.
Plaster links:
Ten Guidelines for Quality Pool Plaster Best one of all
All Plaster Finishes Should Last 20 Years
Not All Color Pigments are Good for Pools How to pick a good color for plaster.
A Plastering 'Watch List' | Professional Watershaping | Watershapes
Trouble Free Pool
Trouble Free Pool
Pool care links:
Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule
Pool School - Recommended Levels
Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals
Trouble Free Pool
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Now is also a good time to ask what test kit your PB will be providing so we can fill in any holes.
Kim
Thank you for sharing. Now I have homework again, ugh.Well done!
3??? sigh..................no pride in their work or just lazy??? GURRRR
AND that is what counts!!!!
Now guess what YOU get!!!! YOUR own set of links!!!
The first set is all about what to do and ask about to get a great plaster job. The second set is all about how to care for your pool after you get the plaster.
Plaster links:
Ten Guidelines for Quality Pool Plaster Best one of all
All Plaster Finishes Should Last 20 Years
Not All Color Pigments are Good for Pools How to pick a good color for plaster.
A Plastering 'Watch List' | Professional Watershaping | Watershapes
Trouble Free Pool
Trouble Free Pool
Pool care links:
Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule
Pool School - Recommended Levels
Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals
Trouble Free Pool
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Now is also a good time to ask what test kit your PB will be providing so we can fill in any holes.
Kim
Thank you for sharing these. Now I have homework again, ugh.Well done!
3??? sigh..................no pride in their work or just lazy??? GURRRR
AND that is what counts!!!!
Now guess what YOU get!!!! YOUR own set of links!!!
The first set is all about what to do and ask about to get a great plaster job. The second set is all about how to care for your pool after you get the plaster.
Plaster links:
Ten Guidelines for Quality Pool Plaster Best one of all
All Plaster Finishes Should Last 20 Years
Not All Color Pigments are Good for Pools How to pick a good color for plaster.
A Plastering 'Watch List' | Professional Watershaping | Watershapes
Trouble Free Pool
Trouble Free Pool
Pool care links:
Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule
Pool School - Recommended Levels
Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals
Trouble Free Pool
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Now is also a good time to ask what test kit your PB will be providing so we can fill in any holes.
Kim
I think it was a little of both, no pride and laziness. I even brought Dunkin coffee and donuts for the crew.
I wasn’t aware that the PB would provide any test kits. I was planning on purchasing a TF-Pro Salt with a speed stir.
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Some PB do provide test kits. We have even had a couple that bought the TF test kit for the pool owner when shown it. We also saw one where they gave them an OPENED bottle of sample test strips with only 3 strips in it 
It never hurts to ask.
It never hurts to ask.Could someone tell me what these two pipes are sticking out from the bottom of the pool?
