New Build w Retaining Wall- NC -decking complete (?)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Thanks @kimkats for your inout- I don't see anything in the contract regarding any of this, but I've no doubt they've protected themselves somewhere in it!

@jimmythegreek - gunite is complete, but I'll ask again about them creating a larger slab. My first request to do this in concrete was dismissed... he basically said it would crack eventually and would be a lot more expensive. :rolleyes: I let it go since he said it would be a large precast slab. That's not what I would think these are... More like large stepping stones!

I'm not as concerned with the irrigation tubing, other than whatever they did that caused flooding in the crawlspace, so I'm OK letting that go if it gets into a "Not my problem" scenario. The one thing I will fight is the retaining wall and electrical issues. I just can't fathom they didn't see this as an "oops" moment. The plumbing is ~40" from the start of the retaining wall stone. Do these need to be moved?

Don't know why this is sideways... Sorry about that...
2DD3BA12-7769-4360-B47A-9F83540F1B96.jpeg

Forgot to add a photo of the plumbing going to the equipment pads... There will be TONS of grading everywhere since my backyard is so sloped.
65BD2782-DE5A-43EE-9234-E8954C0F52BD.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Riddler0520
I'm digging this back up since I've been so fed up with this whole process. The landscaper in charge of the pool decking just finished pouring the concrete late last night. They left a HUGE mess in the road and didn't cut control joints in the decking (and the expansion joints are questionable). I mentioned to them last night about them adding the joints, and they said they were just about finished. This morning I texted the owner to get confirmation they were coming back to cut the control joints, and I've yet to get a reply. Left voice message as well since doesn't this need to be cut within a certain number of hours? (It's been 16 hours since they "finished"... it's 70 degrees, cloudy, chance of rain later today). Also, for those that have had any concrete work done, does your road end up looking like a blast zone? I just think they've brush my concerns off throughout this whole process - sometimes I feel like I should just be quiet and let them do their job regardless of quality because nothing I say sways their work.
 
Various sites say control joints should be cut within 12 - 18 hours.

Control Joints in Concrete - When To Cut & Spacing - Concrete Network

Tips for cutting control joints in concrete slabs including information about when to make cuts, depth, proper spacing, corners, and more.
www.concretenetwork.com

WHEN TO CUT CONTROL JOINTS

Make sure you are cutting joints soon enough. In hot weather, concrete might crack if joints are not cut within 6-12 hours after finishing concrete.
 
Last edited:
ajw22 said:
Various sites say control joints should be cut within 12 - 18 hours.

Control Joints in Concrete - When To Cut & Spacing - Concrete Network

Tips for cutting control joints in concrete slabs including information about when to make cuts, depth, proper spacing, corners, and more.
www.concretenetwork.com

WHEN TO CUT CONTROL JOINTS

Make sure you are cutting joints soon enough. In hot weather, concrete might crack if joints are not cut within 6-12 hours after finishing concrete.
Click to expand...
Exactly- that’s the source I was referencing. I’m not sure what‘s considered hot weather, though. I’m wondering if I should go out there myself with some home made tool! (joking... no way I’d be able to cut a straight line). 😄
 
Hot weather is 90+ degrees. But you should get your control joints cut ASAP.
 
Some photos... and yes... my backyard is very sloped, full of orange clay and leaves! I guess I could buy a pump to get the questionable water out of the pool, but it shouldn’t be much longer...

BD1A09B5-632A-4E4E-970F-AFA39E5F5C18.jpeg

Here’s our cul de sac... it doesn’t look as bad in the photo, but there is quite a bit of sludge from the concrete.
8CFB6794-6A46-413F-BD29-51A316AD8674.jpeg
 
For sure they should have cleanup up after themselves especially on the public property. Also should have done the control joints when they poured the concrete. Mine was done with the pour. They never had to come back for anything.
 
kimkats said:
what will you be doing to hold the dirt/clay/rain run off out of the poool?
Click to expand...
There is a smaller wall going up at the top to redirect the mess (they started on that yesterday)... I'm bringing in another landscaper to work on the overall drainage and landscaping since my current one is way overbooked with the pool company.

Workers just arrived to start cutting the control joints. I asked why didn't do it earlier, and he "reassured" me that they need to wait to let it cure a bit so the saw doesn't kick up rocks. :unsure: It's supposed to rain all day so good luck to them. They know I'm worried about it cracking, so we'll see how it goes. I'll inspect it once they're done.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
This is from the camera today... the landscapers are out to "finish" their job today, which includes a long list of items (1. fix the existing retaining wall- closest to house- since they made it bulge when compacting the gravel, 2. fix the left upper steps to align with the pool retaining wall, 3. Add more drainage on the left, and on and on...)

Then I need to plant lots of stuff to get rid of the orange everywhere!!! I'll add some small trees/ shrubs right behind the last retaining wall🌳🌳🌳 and figure out what will grow on the hill in the morning sun, mid to late day shade. 🥴
Backyard 20201102.1.jpg
 
They maybe they sent in their ghosts to do the work for them?? sigh.............

Mondo grass!!! They have black and green. Their is also "dwarf" mondo grass that is shorter. It fills in as it grows. VERY hardy and hard to kill. I think it very pretty as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pleinjane
kimkats said:
They maybe they sent in their ghosts to do the work for them?? sigh.............

Mondo grass!!! They have black and green. Their is also "dwarf" mondo grass that is shorter. It fills in as it grows. VERY hardy and hard to kill. I think it very pretty as well.
Click to expand...
Oh yes!! My mom used to have some of the black dwarf mondo grass... more expensive, hard to find, but unique and beautiful. I plan on adding the green dwarf mondo grass around the stepping stones at least. I could start a lifelong project of planting it all in the back yard. Or, try to terrace it out for different landscaped areas. I’m so excited this project is almost done And I’ll be able to see colors other than orange!

The landscapers did arrive yesterday and punched through everything. There are a few other things I added (potentially adding some boulders to the right where there’s still a good slope toward the pool, then I have to find homes for the rest of the flagstone, mulch, plants). We moved some furniture on the patio, as well as the trampoline... I told my daughter it’s only there temporarily until my nerves get the best of me and it’ll have to move, LOL... now to clean the dried mud off everything- not sure if I should do that now or wait until the pool is complete. Maybe at least on the original wall and wooden deck.

0420A023-A5C3-4A09-B1BC-0403F5BA7301.jpegA7A1CDB9-F861-4142-8108-3E086A06A263.jpeg27D6B0F4-E44B-49EE-8F84-A6B558141400.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: PoolGate
Nikilyn said:
I don’t think I could have the trampoline that close to the empty pool.
Click to expand...

I couldn't/wouldn't have a trampoline at all. Hands down the most dangerous thing you can put at your house. My MIL bought one for my kids when they were young and I literally tossed it in the trash without even opening it.
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: Matt F 1 and Nikilyn
Not sure anyone has mentioned this to you but throw the mineral cartridge for your FusionSoft away (or sell it) and never use it. The chlorine generator portion of the FusionSoft is excellent though I have it myself. Make sure your builder doesn't take the blockout plate for the mineral cartridge as they are hard to replace. Snatch up any mineral cartridges you find around the build site and hide them. I got a new one plus the starter cartridge that I have been meaning to throw on ebay.
 
PoolGate said:
Not sure anyone has mentioned this to you but throw the mineral cartridge for your FusionSoft away (or sell it) and never use it. The chlorine generator portion of the FusionSoft is excellent though I have it myself. Make sure your builder doesn't take the blockout plate for the mineral cartridge as they are hard to replace. Snatch up any mineral cartridges you find around the build site and hide them. I got a new one plus the starter cartridge that I have been meaning to throw on ebay.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reminder about the mineral cartridge- but I didn’t know about the blockout plate... I’ll add this to my notes to check. This is where I need to freshen up on all the knowledge I’ve read over the past few months!

As to the trampoline, I understand your concerns- we know the trampoline is too close to the pool... it’s a temporary place until we can get another section of our yard leveled. It’s something she jokes about (having it so close to the pool to jump in), and while she’s an extremely safe kid, she may have friends come over eventually that aren’t so safe. So no - it isn’t staying and she hasn’t and won’t jump on it while it’s there. However, since she’s a competitive gymnast, and refuses to do any jumps or flips on surfaces not as bouncy as a gymnastic’s floor, she will do flips on this per her coaches’ instructions. At least when her gym was closed, they still did certain practices at home with a trampoline. Her team doesn’t even do parades, and they are discouraged to do any jumps or flips on grass or the road. Now to find its new home in the yard is the struggle. 😁
 
PoolGate said:
I couldn't/wouldn't have a trampoline at all. Hands down the most dangerous thing you can put at your house. My MIL bought one for my kids when they were young and I literally tossed it in the trash without even opening it.
Click to expand...
We’ve had ours since 1998. No net. Five boys. No injuries. My husband told them we will be getting rid of it when the pool is done and they were all very sad about it, including the 26 year old. Our 10 year old is disappointed that we will have a fence around the pool. He was hoping to jump into the pool from it at least once before we get rid of it 😆. I’ll be sad too because it was such a big part of my kids growing up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pleinjane
Pleinjane said:
Thanks for the reminder about the mineral cartridge- but I didn’t know about the blockout plate... I’ll add this to my notes to check. This is where I need to freshen up on all the knowledge I’ve read over the past few months!

As to the trampoline, I understand your concerns- we know the trampoline is too close to the pool... it’s a temporary place until we can get another section of our yard leveled. It’s something she jokes about (having it so close to the pool to jump in), and while she’s an extremely safe kid, she may have friends come over eventually that aren’t so safe. So no - it isn’t staying and she hasn’t and won’t jump on it while it’s there. However, since she’s a competitive gymnast, and refuses to do any jumps or flips on surfaces not as bouncy as a gymnastic’s floor, she will do flips on this per her coaches’ instructions. At least when her gym was closed, they still did certain practices at home with a trampoline. Her team doesn’t even do parades, and they are discouraged to do any jumps or flips on grass or the road. Now to find its new home in the yard is the struggle. 😁
Click to expand...
I just have a fear of heights. Her jumping on it would most likely be no different than if it were in the middle of a flat yard. Why would it be? But being next to the empty pool with it going down farther than the ground just makes my mind feel like that would automatically make her fall off, which it wouldn’t.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply