West Florida Owner Build 20x40

[FingersCrossed]

I've been skimming through this forum for what feels like ages and can't describe how excited I am to finally start. The progress below has been over the span of about three days of work. One day for the initial layout and then two long days to get the steel and rough pluming in!

The biggest question/concern is about the skimmers which I thought I had completely figured out and if anyone has a definitive answer I would love to hear it! Should they be shot and cast into place when the gunite crew comes out or are they set later by another crew? I was absolutely certain it was the former but the sub and his foreman are trying to convince me otherwise and warn me that any issues that arise will not be on them.

 

[FingersCrossed]

Like the title says, please help me avoid making an expensive mistake.

The crux of the question is at which point in the process do we set and concrete the skimmers in place? My understanding, and from everything I've seen on this subject, is that the skimmers are shot in place at the same time as the shell BUT the sub doing the forming and steel is trying to convince me otherwise. I told him about it and they did set the skimmers in place but they again failed to put rebar around. It's not too late to fix it now but I'd like advise from you guys!

 

[kimkats]

My vote is what you think. I am also going to call in someone that does this for a living @AQUA~HOLICS input please!

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Sorry about the west coast delay in responding, you folks get up early.
I personally have yet to see a single pool with the skimmer being placed after the initial placement of the shell.
The goal in this process is to have the skimmer as one with the shell so not to have any issues with the two moving independently of each other.
It seems to me like the chances of the skimmer being placed incorrectly are greater regarding elevation and plumbing placement along with supporting the incasement of the skimmer itself.
Now with that being said, I also have yet to see tile being installed prior to coping and this is something that is common is certain geographic areas.
Unfortunately when a contractor tells you upfront that it’s going to be all on you, you can almost expect there to be a problem at some point.
Hope this helps to explain my perspective with this situation and you can find some solution to this matter.

 

[HermanTX]

Like the title says, please help me avoid making an expensive mistake.

The crux of the question is at which point in the process do we set and concrete the skimmers in place? My understanding, and from everything I've seen on this subject, is that the skimmers are shot in place at the same time as the shell BUT the sub doing the forming and steel is trying to convince me otherwise. I told him about it and they did set the skimmers in place but they again failed to put rebar around. It's not too late to fix it now but I'd like advise from you guys!

I think the vast majority is that the skimmer should be part of the pool shell.

See the various links below. Note the one on construction which discusses plumbing although not specifically about placement gunite with the skimmer in place.
How to Select Pool Equipment

How to select pool equipment - Further Reading

Construction Tips & Best Practices

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

Watering New Gunite & Concrete

Watering New Gunite and Concrete - Further Reading

Pool Start-Up Guidelines

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

 

[FingersCrossed]

Sorry about the west coast delay in responding, you folks get up early.
I personally have yet to see a single pool with the skimmer being placed after the initial placement of the shell.
The goal in this process is to have the skimmer as one with the shell so not to have any issues with the two moving independently of each other.
It seems to me like the chances of the skimmer being placed incorrectly are greater regarding elevation and plumbing placement along with supporting the incasement of the skimmer itself.
Now with that being said, I also have yet to see tile being installed prior to coping and this is something that is common is certain geographic areas.
Unfortunately when a contractor tells you upfront that it’s going to be all on you, you can almost expect there to be a problem at some point.
Hope this helps to explain my perspective with this situation and you can find some solution to this matter.

Thank you for the input! I stuck to my guns with your advice and the skimmers were shot along with the rest of the shell!