Good point, Rob. I hadn’t thought of that. This is my first house and we’ve only been in it a few months. I’ve got a lot to learn!
We have a hole in the ground! New O/B in Queen Creek, AZ
- Thread starter Copperhed51
- Start date
A question for the experts: It looks like the pavers will be ready for polymeric sand today. It is supposed to rain tonight, starting sometime between 7pm and midnight. It is supposed to be 65F and mostly cloudy today. Should they hold off a few days and wait until things have dried out after the rain or will it have enough time to dry if they get it done in the early afternoon?
I’ve tried to read the manufacturer’s recommendations, but they aren’t all that specific. I’ve already told them to hold off a few days to be safe, but I can still tell them to go ahead if it’s safe. Thanks.
I’ve tried to read the manufacturer’s recommendations, but they aren’t all that specific. I’ve already told them to hold off a few days to be safe, but I can still tell them to go ahead if it’s safe. Thanks.
This is one I don't know the answer to I am sorry to say 
I will learn with you. It will not hurt anything to hold off so there is that.
I will learn with you. It will not hurt anything to hold off so there is that.This is one I don't know the answer to I am sorry to say
Exactly my thoughts. We are holding off until it is dry enough and will remain dry for a few days after. They agreed that was a good plan.
In other news, they are pretty much done with everything except for the sand. Right now they are going through and pulling out all the pieces that don’t look great and replacing them with nice pieces. I’m very pleased with this sub. They don’t complain and seem to take pride in their work. I checked the coping with a laser level and it is dead on. That should make the tile job easy. That’s another job I am considering doing myself, but it’s only around $600 to have these guys do it. We’ll see.
Me? I would have them do it! It will be faster and working with your wallet is a good thing AND you already know they do GREAT work!!! They have the skills and tools. Let them have the work. Make sure to keep their names for the future for you and any one you know that needs some work done.
Kim
Kim
The sand will erode if it rains soon after. When it's applied it's only supposed to get a light misting until it sets up.
I had a job I had to completely redo because an unexpected storm came through and made a mess of the sand. The material was an irregular stone with much wider joints than yours but why take the risk?
I had a job I had to completely redo because an unexpected storm came through and made a mess of the sand. The material was an irregular stone with much wider joints than yours but why take the risk?
Yeah, we are waiting. They didn't put up a fuss about it at all and I feel much better making sure we get it done right. I don't know if they would have waited without me telling them to, but I suspect they would have based on their attention to detail thus far. Maybe if it was the middle of summer, we could do it 12 hours before it rains, but definitely not this time of year. I think you're right, Kim. I'm happy with their work and their willingness to work with me on things, so I'll probably have them do the tile.
All that's left now is polymeric sand on the deck, waterline tile, finish the block wall, install ledger stone on wall and spa, and pebble. I have an arm injury hampering my progress on the block wall, but there's really no rush anyway. I don't think we'll get the interior done until mid-February due to some vacations and work stuff coming up. I need to be here to monitor the water chemistry and brush regularly during startup. Not only that, but my bank account will have a little extra recovery time.
Sorry to hear about the arm. That would slow things down for sure
Better to wait so things can be done right and you can be there to start it up right.
Better to wait so things can be done right and you can be there to start it up right.
Been a little while since I updated, but things are progressing nicely. We are getting pretty close to being finished. We just have a little more tile and stone work to do. Right now, it looks like we will fill the pool at the end of February. I'm excited to be able to grab an adult beverage and relax in this thing.
Yeah, we are using muted colors for most of the build and really wanted something to grab your attention. It may be a bit much for some, but we are happy with it.
I’m planning to put iridescent glass tiles for step accent/markers. If anybody has advice on that, feel free to chime in. I will be using mortar for the bed, then Laticrete Hydroban, Laticrete glass tile adhesive, and Laticrete specraLOCK grout. If there are any other steps I should be considering, please let me know. Thanks.
?on the tile setting... can't go wrong with Laticrete.
Did you decide on the Bicarb Startup?
Did you decide on the Bicarb Startup?
I haven’t decided for sure yet. I’ve been so busy with everything else, I haven’t thought too much more about it yet.
I have a simplified version if you do choose to go that route. It's no more work than any other type of startup.
I’d love to hear it. I’m open to anything that can make things easier while still protecting the plaster
Once the plaster contractor has completed his job, let the pool fill. Once full, check the levels (specifically CH and TA), adjust the pH to 7.8-8.0 and add enough bicarb to raise the CSI to +0.6. From there forward check the pH daily and lower to 7.8 (no lower)... that's it.
I'll get more specific if needed and provide the science behind it if you're in to that but no problem if you're not.
I don't want to take anything away from Kim Skinner's (onbalance) method but I think it's a little too complicated for the typical new-to-pools homeowner and doesn't make a significant enough difference to warrant babysitting the pool while it's filling. I've been fortunate enough to meet Kim in person and even had him visit and use my pool for one of his studies so it's not like our interests aren't aligned.
Besides all that, what are you going to do with that 55 gallon drum when n you're done??
I'll get more specific if needed and provide the science behind it if you're in to that but no problem if you're not.
I don't want to take anything away from Kim Skinner's (onbalance) method but I think it's a little too complicated for the typical new-to-pools homeowner and doesn't make a significant enough difference to warrant babysitting the pool while it's filling. I've been fortunate enough to meet Kim in person and even had him visit and use my pool for one of his studies so it's not like our interests aren't aligned.
Besides all that, what are you going to do with that 55 gallon drum when n you're done??
I love those tiles for markers tiles. They are so pretty and add some BLING to the pool! I like it when people use the plaster instead of grout. I am not sure what @bdavis466 feels about that though. This can be a learning question for both of us.
Kim
Kim
I love those tiles for markers tiles. They are so pretty and add some BLING to the pool! I like it when people use the plaster instead of grout. I am not sure what @bdavis466 feels about that though. This can be a learning question for both of us.
Kim
It doesn't really make much difference one way or the other. The joints have to be left wider though when doing a pebble finish.