After meeting with PB(s), and receiving price(s), I'm now leaning more towards an OB pool. I've asked a few questions in various threads, but figured I'd start a new OB one, to ask for input before taking the step of submitting my sketches to pooleng to create a drawing for permits. I'm a PE, so comfortable with designing a project workflow, timeline, sub-contractors, and working the plan. However, I'm not in the construction field of engineering.
We've owned a pool in the past and had the VS, SWG, and know I want them again for sure. I also used the TFP method for years, so no question on that path.
Here's the general breakdown of what I'm planning. I've also attached pictures of the sketches. One pic of the lot, with the pool position and equipment nearby. The second is the hand sketch I'm going back and forth on now, before submitting to pooleng. I'm not sure how much detail they need, outside the layout 2D plan view. Its Houston, so the lot is pretty flat, except a slight grade for drainage.
In-Ground Pool
15x29 Geometric Gunite
North/South running shallow to deep, with shallow being South side, and in shadow of the House until late morning
Pebble(ish) plaster (yet to be decided)
3.5'-7' depth with most of pool being between 3.5' and 5' and only last 1/3rd dropping deep
Small corner stairs to max swim space
No sun ledge, nor bubblers
18" Bench run shallow to deep
Small bench between columns
2 skimmers
4 x returns
Overflow Line to street
Autofill
4 x LED MicroBrite lights pointed away from viewing area.
Spa
7x7 spa on one side - outside pool to max swim space
360 Perimeter Overflow into trough, then spillway back into pool.
1 x LED MicroBrite light
Outside Pool
Raised wall
Two columns
Two Natural Gas Fire Bowl (one on each column)
1 X Large 36" descent in middle of wall
Umbrella sleeves at various locations
Travertine coping
Paver Decking (material TBD)
Equipment (located less than 20' from pool and 15' to gas meter. Elec Panel is other side of lot, 100' away)
VS Pump - Pentair 3HP
Blower for Spa (if needed. Spa is ~50' from equipment pad)
SWG - IC40
Pentair 400k BTU heater
Pentair 520 Cartridge Filter
Pentair IntelliCenter w/ IC40 transformer, and two Automation Valves
Second adjacent concrete pad for future pool supply box/shed
Robot Cleaner
Questions
1. I'm trying to read up on Best Practices for the plumbing pipe size. Seems like if I run 2.5" at a minimum, with all returns having separate runs, I'm safe. However it also seems recommended to run 3" to the SPA for both supply and return? And A loop?
2. Any advice for skimmer placements? We're in a master plan community, with fencing all around, so no really prevailing winds.
3. For a full 360-degree spill over spa, what is the recommended width of the spill way, if any? I assume the coping will overhang some, so if I make it 5", and the coping hangs over 2", woudl that be sufficient?
4. If I have an 18" bench running the full length (shallow to deep), on the closest side, should the lights go above or below the bench? I assume if above, the bench would cause a shadow. I'm not sure how deep (water depth) benches are, but assume not much more than 12"
5. I'm looking at the MicroBrites. Would 4 running full length evenly spaced on the 30' side be too much? Currently I spaced out two, and put one in shallow end (house side, firing away), and one under the small bench under the Descent, shooting upward. Suggestions?
6. Can the MicroBrites be installed on an angle (somewhat)? I'm also wondering about positioning two closer to the corners and shooting light towards the center instead.
7. If I go OB, which sub's typically handle the gas runs from the meter? The Plumber? Whomever trenches to the pad, would just need to trench another 15' to the gas meter on the other side.
8. If I go OB, which sub does the waterline tile, and coping? I plan to have a sub for paver decking, so I assume it would be the same? If I'm doing glass tile for the raised 360 sill over spa, should I be looking for a special tile shop?
9. For the spa, are they just returns, with different heads? Any advice on how many, and layout for a 7x7 IG spa. Number of jets? Blower? Lots of threads but all seem very specific and I couldn't find a "how to design an IG spa"
10. Should I plan a separate pump for either the Spa or Descent? Or both?
11. Recommendation on Return locations? I assume 1, if not two, running along bench to keep clean.
For anyone who's utilized Pooleng, is what I have sketched with dimensions added sufficient for them to run with? Their site suggests a fairly fast turn around.
If anyone has subs in Houston to recommend, that would be appreciated. I'm foreseeing a week or two of chasing up subs for quotes after i get the drawings back from pooleng, and I know this is the busy time of the year for all the subs.
We've owned a pool in the past and had the VS, SWG, and know I want them again for sure. I also used the TFP method for years, so no question on that path.
Here's the general breakdown of what I'm planning. I've also attached pictures of the sketches. One pic of the lot, with the pool position and equipment nearby. The second is the hand sketch I'm going back and forth on now, before submitting to pooleng. I'm not sure how much detail they need, outside the layout 2D plan view. Its Houston, so the lot is pretty flat, except a slight grade for drainage.
In-Ground Pool
15x29 Geometric Gunite
North/South running shallow to deep, with shallow being South side, and in shadow of the House until late morning
Pebble(ish) plaster (yet to be decided)
3.5'-7' depth with most of pool being between 3.5' and 5' and only last 1/3rd dropping deep
Small corner stairs to max swim space
No sun ledge, nor bubblers
18" Bench run shallow to deep
Small bench between columns
2 skimmers
4 x returns
Overflow Line to street
Autofill
4 x LED MicroBrite lights pointed away from viewing area.
Spa
7x7 spa on one side - outside pool to max swim space
360 Perimeter Overflow into trough, then spillway back into pool.
1 x LED MicroBrite light
Outside Pool
Raised wall
Two columns
Two Natural Gas Fire Bowl (one on each column)
1 X Large 36" descent in middle of wall
Umbrella sleeves at various locations
Travertine coping
Paver Decking (material TBD)
Equipment (located less than 20' from pool and 15' to gas meter. Elec Panel is other side of lot, 100' away)
VS Pump - Pentair 3HP
Blower for Spa (if needed. Spa is ~50' from equipment pad)
SWG - IC40
Pentair 400k BTU heater
Pentair 520 Cartridge Filter
Pentair IntelliCenter w/ IC40 transformer, and two Automation Valves
Second adjacent concrete pad for future pool supply box/shed
Robot Cleaner
Questions
1. I'm trying to read up on Best Practices for the plumbing pipe size. Seems like if I run 2.5" at a minimum, with all returns having separate runs, I'm safe. However it also seems recommended to run 3" to the SPA for both supply and return? And A loop?
2. Any advice for skimmer placements? We're in a master plan community, with fencing all around, so no really prevailing winds.
3. For a full 360-degree spill over spa, what is the recommended width of the spill way, if any? I assume the coping will overhang some, so if I make it 5", and the coping hangs over 2", woudl that be sufficient?
4. If I have an 18" bench running the full length (shallow to deep), on the closest side, should the lights go above or below the bench? I assume if above, the bench would cause a shadow. I'm not sure how deep (water depth) benches are, but assume not much more than 12"
5. I'm looking at the MicroBrites. Would 4 running full length evenly spaced on the 30' side be too much? Currently I spaced out two, and put one in shallow end (house side, firing away), and one under the small bench under the Descent, shooting upward. Suggestions?
6. Can the MicroBrites be installed on an angle (somewhat)? I'm also wondering about positioning two closer to the corners and shooting light towards the center instead.
7. If I go OB, which sub's typically handle the gas runs from the meter? The Plumber? Whomever trenches to the pad, would just need to trench another 15' to the gas meter on the other side.
8. If I go OB, which sub does the waterline tile, and coping? I plan to have a sub for paver decking, so I assume it would be the same? If I'm doing glass tile for the raised 360 sill over spa, should I be looking for a special tile shop?
9. For the spa, are they just returns, with different heads? Any advice on how many, and layout for a 7x7 IG spa. Number of jets? Blower? Lots of threads but all seem very specific and I couldn't find a "how to design an IG spa"
10. Should I plan a separate pump for either the Spa or Descent? Or both?
11. Recommendation on Return locations? I assume 1, if not two, running along bench to keep clean.
For anyone who's utilized Pooleng, is what I have sketched with dimensions added sufficient for them to run with? Their site suggests a fairly fast turn around.
If anyone has subs in Houston to recommend, that would be appreciated. I'm foreseeing a week or two of chasing up subs for quotes after i get the drawings back from pooleng, and I know this is the busy time of the year for all the subs.