Here we go

[pcollins22]

All,

Can't believe I am starting my own "build" thread, and not sure if I am more terrified or excited

Have come across so many helpful tips and pieces of advice in my lurking over recent months, but now hoping for insight specific to my situation. Attached is a lot plan with the initial layout of the yard and pool (North is toward the top of the page). Below are some of the specific items we are looking at, please critique this as much as necessary as nothing has been set in stone yet.

Once I get feedback the next step is going to the engineer to get plans and permits, then contacting Subs.

Plan:

• Gilbert, AZ
• 16' x 26' Rectangular - no water feature
  • ~11,000 gallons
  • 4' to 5' to 4' (floor to mid waterline tile)
• 7' x 7' elevated spa (18") with spillover. (Sit and Spin style, within border of pool to save yard space for pergola/outdoor kitchen)
• 8' x 8' baja - next to spa
• Robot cleaner (no longer planning IFCS based on feedback here)
• Microbrite lights
  • Two on the South (long) wall - to face away from the house
  • One on the baja step
  • One in spa
• Mini Pebble
  • JewelScape's Yacht Club Blue
• Waterline tile - TBD
• Coping:
  • Travertine vs Limestone
  • "Pearlescent" is one option recommended by contractor (Monterrey Tile Company - Shop Pearlescent products today!)
  • Same decking to be used for coping, patio overlay, and pergola pad/outdoor kitchen

Equipment:

• *Will be placed on a pad along the West wall, behind a pergola
• Pentair Intellicenter i8PS combo with VS pump, 2 valve actuators, and IC40 SWG
• Pentair CCP420 Cartridge filter
• Jandy style valves (no ball valves)
• 2 skimmers - separate returns
  • One on the East (short) wall near the NE corner (d/t wind direction)
  • One on the South (long) wall (closest to the patio)
• Auto-fill connected to water softener in the garage (West wall near access door)
• Heater - HELP!

Questions:

• Should the travertine/linestone be placed in the equipment pad area also? Or just use concrete?
• Best HP for pump? (I am of the assumption this will power both the pool and spa on the same pump?)
• Return lines okay at 2", but all supply lines should be 2.5" minimum?
• Best Heater for my setup? Natural gas stubout available at back of the house, as well as at gas meter
• Chiller now or just have plumbed to add later? How much room do I need to leave/account for this at the pad?
  • Thinking a Glacier brand. Not sure if GPC25 is sufficient for my pool size, or if I really need the GPC210. (see attachment for specs)
• Baja 12" to waterline?
• Should I add steps off the baja into the pool? Or steps elsewhere? I don't want to cut into the baja with steps. But, 18" baja down to 4' is going to be a big drop.
• Do I need the Pentair 420 filter, or is the 320 model sufficient? (see attachment for specs)

 

[kimkats]

Auto-fill connected to water softener in the garage

Make sure you have a bypass for when you do not want to use your water softener.

Also make sure you have a overfill pipe added for when big storms go through.

Should the travertine/linestone be placed in the equipment pad area also? Or just use concrete?

Due to the weight of the equipment I would have at least a 4" pad poured. If your pad is going to be close the pool or you want it to be extra pretty you can put the travertine/limestone on top of it to help it blend in with the rest of the decking.

Baja 12" or 18" to waterline?

Sit down and measure where each depth will hit you on your body? Me? I love for it to come up higher on my body around the middle of my tummy. Also think about if you want to put chairs or loungers on it. Do you want your bum in the water?

Should I add steps off the baja into the pool?

YES! What I would do is put a set of steps from the coping down to the bottom of the pool on the house side of the shelf. Make them just wide enough to be able to walk down them. That way you don't lose much of the shelf. This will help getting onto and off the shelf from inside the pool AND onto and off the shelf from the edge of the pool.

This is going to be a fun pool to help build!! THANKS!

 

[pjt]

Attached is a lot plan with the initial layout of the yard and pool

If you relocate the shelf/spa, you can create a swim lane on the long axis of the pool.

4' to 5' to 4'

That's an excellent profile (same as my pool).

Microbrite lights

• One on the South (long) wall - to face away from the house
• One on the baja step
• One in spa

You'll want more than one light for the main part of the pool. 2-3 would probably be appropriate.

Will be placed on a pad along the West wall, behind a pergola

Give your equipment as much protection as possible against the AZ sun.

Pentair Intellicenter i8PS

Make sure you get the load center with the built-in SWCG transformer.

VS pump

Best HP for pump?

I'd highly recommend the 3 HP IntelliFlo3 (011075).

Pentair CCP420 Cartridge filter

Do I need the Pentair 420 filter, or is the 320 model sufficient?

The CCP420 will be fine. The CCP520 would be even better. A bigger filter means less frequent cleanings and better flow.

Should the travertine/linestone be placed in the equipment pad area also? Or just use concrete?

Just concrete/gunite will be fine. Oversize the equipment pad; you'll use every square foot for something.

Return lines okay at 2", but all supply lines should be 2.5" minimum?

For the pool, 2.5" is fine for the suction. The return line can be 2", but can be upsized to 2.5" for negligible cost. Are you planning a main drain for the pool or just the two skimmers? (I would personally get just the two skimmers.) Upsize to 3" for the spa pipes.

Best Heater for my setup?

Pentair 400k MasterTemp natural gas with bypass

Baja 12" or 18" to waterline?

Personal preference. I have 12" on mine and I like it.

Should I add steps off the baja into the pool? Or steps elsewhere? I don't want to cut into the baja with steps. But, 18" baja down to 4' is going to be a big drop.

Yes. Not so much for exiting the shelf, but for transiting from the pool up to the shelf. I wish I had a step or two at the base of my shelf to make the transition easier.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Possible suggestions for steps.

 

[pcollins22]

Great suggestions thus far, thank you.

I like the idea of the small steps that @AQUA~HOLICS suggests, as it won't take much usable space in the pool and also not cut into the baja.

How does my newest rendering look in re to lights, skimmers, etc? (Wind tends to blow from SW to N/NE)




Another Question:

• There are so many opinions about travertine vs limestone in regards to what's best around SWG pools, most/least slippery, needing sealing vs not needing sealing. Any tips on best guidance here? I unfortunately can't put much trust in my local contractors, as it seems everyone I have spoken with has the perpetual fear and warnings associated with "salt".

 

[Lampasas1]

There are so many opinions about travertine vs limestone in regards to what's best around SWG pools, most/least slippery, needing sealing vs not needing sealing. Any tips on best guidance here? I unfortunately can't put much trust in my local contractors, as it seems everyone I have spoken with has the perpetual fear and warnings associated with "salt".

Look into artistic pavers. I have some sitting on pallets waiting to be installed when I get to that part of my pool install. They are marketed as sw resistant, non slip, do not need sealing, cool in direct sunlight, and there are multiple options for coping around pool and spas.

 

[pjt]

How does my newest rendering look in re to lights

Looks good. You want the lights pointed away from the house/main seating area.

what's best around SWG pools

All chlorinated pools have salt in them. The salinity required to operate a SWCG is 1/10th that of seawater. I can't even taste the salt in my water.

I have travertine and like it. It's not slippery and doesn't get hot in the sun (color dependent). No need to seal. My neighbors have a porcelain tile deck, and I think it looks fantastic.

 

[pcollins22]

Look into artistic pavers. I have some sitting on pallets waiting to be installed when I get to that part of my pool install. They are marketed as sw resistant, non slip, do not need sealing, cool in direct sunlight, and there are multiple options for coping around pool and spas.

Happen to have a link of the specific product? Thanks!

 

[Lampasas1]

I am using the shellock product, but there are others that they offer. Browse around their site and look at the photo galleries

Artistic Paver | Products

Granitelock™ The timeless appeal of granite in a paver. Natural granite has been used for thousands of years in both interior and exterior applications due to its beauty and durability. However, granite often costs significantly more than man-made materials in most projects and the high price...

www.artisticpavers.com

 

[Jm13004]

+1 on the Shellock. I'm using their coping. It's concrete based so should be durable long term. Good luck on the build.

 

[Lampasas1]

+1 on the Shellock. I'm using their coping. It's concrete based so should be durable long term. Good luck on the build.

Did you use the coping around a concrete or fiberglass pool?

 

[pcollins22]

I like the Shellock ivory and Corallock ivory. I am waiting on my local salesman to bring me some samples. Please post pics of yours when it's installed!

 

[Jm13004]

Did you use the coping around a concrete or fiberglass pool?

I'm doing a gunite pool.

 

[mszporka]

I am also doing the shellock Ivory. It was just delivered today so hopefully getting installed soon!

 

[mbdesa]

All,

Can't believe I am starting my own "build" thread, and not sure if I am more terrified or excited

Have come across so many helpful tips and pieces of advice in my lurking over recent months, but now hoping for insight specific to my situation. Attached is a lot plan with the initial layout of the yard and pool (North is toward the top of the page). Below are some of the specific items we are looking at, please critique this as much as necessary as nothing has been set in stone yet.

Once I get feedback the next step is going to the engineer to get plans and permits, then contacting Subs.

Plan:

• Gilbert, AZ
• 16' x 26' Rectangular - no water feature
  • ~11,000 gallons
  • 4' to 5' to 4' (floor to mid waterline tile)
• 7' x 7' elevated spa (18") with spillover. (Sit and Spin style, within border of pool to save yard space for pergola/outdoor kitchen)
• 8' x 8' baja - next to spa
• Robot cleaner (no longer planning IFCS based on feedback here)
• Microbrite lights
  • Two on the South (long) wall - to face away from the house
  • One on the baja step
  • One in spa
• Mini Pebble
  • JewelScape's Yacht Club Blue
• Waterline tile - TBD
• Coping:
  • Travertine vs Limestone
  • "Pearlescent" is one option recommended by contractor (Monterrey Tile Company - Shop Pearlescent products today!)
  • Same decking to be used for coping, patio overlay, and pergola pad/outdoor kitchen

Equipment:

• *Will be placed on a pad along the West wall, behind a pergola
• Pentair Intellicenter i8PS combo with VS pump, 2 valve actuators, and IC40 SWG
• Pentair CCP420 Cartridge filter
• Jandy style valves (no ball valves)
• 2 skimmers - separate returns
  • One on the East (short) wall near the NE corner (d/t wind direction)
  • One on the South (long) wall (closest to the patio)
• Auto-fill connected to water softener in the garage (West wall near access door)
• Heater - HELP!

Questions:

• Should the travertine/linestone be placed in the equipment pad area also? Or just use concrete?
• Best HP for pump? (I am of the assumption this will power both the pool and spa on the same pump?)
• Return lines okay at 2", but all supply lines should be 2.5" minimum?
• Best Heater for my setup? Natural gas stubout available at back of the house, as well as at gas meter
• Chiller now or just have plumbed to add later? How much room do I need to leave/account for this at the pad?
  • Thinking a Glacier brand. Not sure if GPC25 is sufficient for my pool size, or if I really need the GPC210. (see attachment for specs)
• Baja 12" to waterline?
• Should I add steps off the baja into the pool? Or steps elsewhere? I don't want to cut into the baja with steps. But, 18" baja down to 4' is going to be a big drop.
• Do I need the Pentair 420 filter, or is the 320 model sufficient? (see attachment for specs)

View attachment 543081

Do the CCP 420. I work on these systems all day. The 320 is just too weak and some pools struggle with it. For the pump you want Pentair 011075, which is the Intelliflo3. Everyone and their uncle is going to try to sell you the older Intelliflo, don't do it. The "Drives" in them have so many issues and go bad prematurely. Good luck with your build.

 

[pcollins22]

Update:
Have been in discussions with my "contractor" assisting with the owner-build and providing recommendations. We are in the process of finalizing plans to be sent for permits and then start getting bids from Subs.

Here are where things stand in terms of the final design plans. Does anything jump out as worrisome?
(Note: the hardscape, pool tile, spillovers, etc. have not had the specific material chosen yet. This just inclusive of the overall design and plan)

 

[markdpratt]

Update:
Have been in discussions with my "contractor" assisting with the owner-build and providing recommendations. We are in the process of finalizing plans to be sent for permits and then start getting bids from Subs.

Here are where things stand in terms of the final design plans. Does anything jump out as worrisome?
(Note: the hardscape, pool tile, spillovers, etc. have not had the specific material chosen yet. This just inclusive of the overall design and plan)

Suggest you consider a 4’ to 6’ pool depth profile - 3.5’ is fairly shallow. Make sure the steps coming off the tanning ledge to the pool are not too steep to traverse easily - suggest a 7” to 8” rise per step.
With the cool desert nights, you may not need a chiller to cool the water during the daytime - just make sure that has been considered.
Good luck.

 

[pcollins22]

Suggest you consider a 4’ to 6’ pool depth profile - 3.5’ is fairly shallow. Make sure the steps coming off the tanning ledge to the pool are not too steep to traverse easily - suggest a 7” to 8” rise per step.
With the cool desert nights, you may not need a chiller to cool the water during the daytime - just make sure that has been considered.
Good luck.

4ft is what I wanted, but the problem became the baja steps. In order to keep it at only 1 step (which I want, to avoid cutting further into the baja), I am being told I need to have a 3ft depth in order to accomodate this. If I am willing to have a second baja step transition I can change it back to 4ft. I am really torn on this and don't want to make the wrong decision. 3ft is so Dang shallow.

 

[kimkats]

Go back up to the top to @AQUA~HOLICS idea about the smaller steps. You NEED it to be deeper as 3' is VERY shallow. Hold a tape measure up to you and see where 3' hits you while standing and while knelling down.

 

[tommelton]

This is how we did our steps for the shelf and pool - and the step out/deep end seat.