Jacksonville FL Pool Build

[malf]

alright... definitely jumped the gun last year, but thinking we are ready now.
Went through DIY Pools and Spas for construction plans, engineering and consult with a new design. Bigger pool and simpler construction.
Hoping to break ground by June 1st.

We are allowed one more revision before submitting for engineering, so I am starting this thread to document progress and for requesting feedback.

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• malf
• Apr 28, 2024

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• malf
• Apr 28, 2024

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• malf
• Jan 19, 2023

Revision1

www.troublefreepool.com

A mental note to myself on topics I'd like to expand on with this group:
1- High water table - typical dewatering process during construction
2- Retaining wall - CMU vs Cast in Place
3- Retaining wall first, use pool dig to backfill? Acceptable and worth any potential savings?
4- Deck grading - thinking 2% away from house til midpoint then back up
5- Depths - pool, spa, baja shelfs, seats
6- Plumbing diagram
7- Light configuration
8- Equipment selection

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

#5 A few items to consider in the photo below. Also, add 7” to the overall distance from the top of the coping to the first step (coping thickness and 3” tile above the water line).

 

[kimkats]

He has some great ideas up there. One thing I would change is the bench at the far end. That messes with your swim lane. I also worry about any one jumping in at that end hitting it if they don't jump far enough out.

 

[malf]

thank you!
sent in the approval to move forward with construction plans. I figured that all of these adjustments (seat height, removing bench, adding step) can be done after the fact.
Hoping to hear back within 5 days to put together the permit app

 

[StuartBound]

A suggestion for the Spa, and maybe the Pool, is these Channel Drains. I don't know how many times my wife and I, have tripped over or smashed our toes and spilled a beverage in a Spa, on those huge raised white suction/drain covers. What's also nice about them is you can make them match the plaster, tile, etc. and they do help with removing debris, although that may be a subject for debate.



Here's a video of one in use.

 

[malf]

Posting an update... but not much of an update....
Received the draft construction plans from DIY pools and had a couple of revisions to make, namely the removal of the deep end bench as suggested above
I have also asked them to remove the fire pit and outdoor kitchen to be executed in a later phase by me... so that plans show what I need contractors to be pricing.

I do plan on using a linear drain in the SPA (and pool if there is not much of a cost difference). thank you for the suggestion as well!

I should get this revision in the next couple of days and will submit for engineering... hoping to have the permit package completed and submitted by the 24th... this back and forth of revisions is taking longer than I expected... seems that every contact with them comes with the standard "please allow 3-5 business days"... first plans took 7 business days. Not too impressed with that so far.
So our new timeline has me breaking ground July 1st... oh well!

 

[malf]

Hello all, I am back...

We have received our engineering drawings after 64 days... the hopes and dreams of swimming this summer are long gone, with the positive that we can take our time and do things right.
Our property is in a flood zone AE6, and based on that the engineering firm has specified a 16" gunite, with a double layer of #3 mesh @ 6" OC for the entire shell... from all I've read, this seems way excessive, so I am actually planning on hiring a separate firm for a sanity check before spending double in steel and gunite for a WW3-ready pool.

I have already submitted it for permitting with the city of Jacksonville, unsure whether I can pause the plan review while I get new plans...

Am I tripping? Or have you guys encountered similar structural specs in flood zones?
My whole experience with DIY pools has been meh to say the least.

 

[malf]

Better late than never... completed the shell last week. We fought the high water table hardly and so far are winning

Hoping to pick our tile tomorrow once samples arrive - deciding between NPT Soleil Cleo (https://www.nptpool.com/tile/soleil/#cleo1x1) and Artistry in Mosaics Signature Series in Lapis Blue (Lapis Blue 1x1 (SS82323B3) - Artistry In Mosaics)
For decking, likely going with 24x48 "Travertini" porcelain tile by Belgard and matching coping

On plumbing... trying to make it all work with a single pump and 4 actuators...
Pool Mode (no spillover, bubbler on)
Pool Mode (with spillover, bubbler on)
SPA Mode (no jets)
SPA Mode (with jets)

In order to have a heater bypass I am always landing in 5 needed actuators... am I missing an option that would allow me to make it work with only 4? Considering adding a second pump to run just the jets
Also, where's the best place to plumb the vacuum line? Manual valve in pool drain/skimmer?

 

[tgurske]

WOW! That's going to be one heck of a nice back yard when it's done - and with a great view!

 

[JRMoody]

Glad to see an update! What did you do/are you doing for that high water table?

What did you do about the steel mesh?

 

[malf]

Glad to see an update! What did you do/are you doing for that high water table?

What did you do about the steel mesh?

Now we just left a hole in the bottom of the shotcrete shell and let it fill up...
Before excavation, wellpoint system around the area and once excavated rock and submerged pumps...

We got a different engineer who spec'd "normal" details... we ended up going with a 10" #3 mesh, and concrete thickness varying from 8" to 12"