L-shaped pool build progress

PoolMama0210 · May 19, 2023

Hello all! I’m so glad I found this site! I am in the process of locking in a contract. I have a pool proposal from a builder below. I really like the look of this gunite build but I still don’t know much so I am hoping to get feedback on what I can improve (remove / add) to make this better. I have been working with this builder for weeks. But just to be sure, I am meeting with a different builder tomorrow, for the first time, to see what they come up with and also so I can compare designs and pricing. By the way I already paid a $600 design fee for this one, to be used as part of the construction.

Looking forward to your feedback. Thanks so much!

Dimensions: 26’-10” L x 7’-6” w x 9’-2” w x 13’w Water envelop: 26’-10” x 13’
Perimeter: 80’
Area: 245 sq. ft
Depths: 3’-6” to 5-6”’
Volume: 5,607 Gallons
Benches: Per Plan
Lights: (2) Two @ 3’-6” & 5’-6”
(2) Pentair Niche-less Color LED (1)
Sun shelf: One @ 67 sq. ft.

MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT and OTHER
1L2 PENTAIR MicroBrite Color LED Lights IN POOL
1 PX100 Transformer 100w Intermatic with Built-in Noise Filter
Pentair 420SQF CLEAN & CLEAR PLUS CARTRIDGE FILTER IntelliFlo3TM VSF Pool Pump with RELAY BOARD 3HP
Pentair Hydro Boost Booster Pump (Cleaner Pump)
QUATTRO SPORT IG PRESSURE SIDE POOL CLEANER Pool Brush
LEAF RAKE/NET
VAC HOSE
TELESCOPIC POLE
AquaChek Silver 7-Way Pool Water Test Strips
DEL UV-C 50 Ultraviolet Sanitizer
POWERCLEAN ULTRA VS INLINE Chlorine Tablet FEEDER 2
1 Vinyl PLUMBING LABELS
8"X24"X.25" Aluminum Skimmer Coping Support Plate
2 CMP PRODUCTS Pool Defender WATER BOND SKIMMER
1 A&A AVSC Unlockable Drain FILLABLE PEBBLE TOP Drain Single Port 1 Umbrella Sleeve
4 10' Deck Drain (Stegmeier)
1 5GAL MIRAPRIME AQUA-BLOK XL WATER BARRIER
1 PENTAIR 2-POLE 20A GFCI CIRCUIT BREAKER
1 Surge Protection Kit

CONTROL SYSTEM
InteliFlo3 Pump has Wi-Fi/Bluetooth for App control of pump, cleaner pump, and pool lights (on/off only for pool lights)

POOL START UP
Start Up Pool
Pool School with Homeowner
Balance Chemicals

kimkats · May 19, 2023

Hi and welcome to TFP. THANKS for letting us help build your pool.

The first thing I want to ask you what parts of the pool design are MUST haves?

The reason I ask is I see a couple of things that I want to talk about:
-shelf-that eats up a LOT of your water play area. You have a great lounge chair area right outside that area. Me? I would remove the shelf and put the steps to one side of the pool to open up the play area.

-Depth-that is going to be quite a sloop from the 3.6 to 6.5 in that short of a pool. I think you would be better off having the pool being all one depth. The purrfect depth would be 4' or 4.5'

Let me know what you are wanting and thinking so I can understand what your wants and needs are.

PoolMama0210 · May 19, 2023

Hello! The tanning ledge / sun shelf is actually a must for me! That’s where I will be lounging, reading my books and eating my snacks while my daughter would be playing and swimming in the deeper area. The spot with the red umbrella and chairs will most likely be my yoga spot. Depth is 3’-6” to 5’-6” so it won’t be too steep.

We do have a neighborhood pool for swimming laps (my 7 year old is a swimmer, she takes swim lessons) so this is for having our very own private oasis. I cannot wait to surprise my daughter with this pool! It’s a dream come true for us.

I’m afraid to make a mistake of getting the wrong equipment, shape of pool, size of pool, or surface (plaster vs fiberglass). It’s scary to make such a big purchase but of course very exciting too.

Any other recommendations to make this better? All comments are appreciated. Thanks again in advance!

PoolStored · May 19, 2023

PoolMama0210 said:
MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT and OTHER
1L2 PENTAIR MicroBrite Color LED Lights IN POOL
1 PX100 Transformer 100w Intermatic with Built-in Noise Filter
Pentair 420SQF CLEAN & CLEAR PLUS CARTRIDGE FILTER IntelliFlo3TM VSF Pool Pump with RELAY BOARD 3HP

^^This is overkill for a 5000gallon pool...but you will get GREAT service life and you won't have to clean that filter but once a year. Great choice.

PoolMama0210 said:
Pentair Hydro Boost Booster Pump (Cleaner Pump)

I would not use a pressure cleaner for this size pool. You would get better service with a small robot.

PoolMama0210 said:
QUATTRO SPORT IG PRESSURE SIDE POOL CLEANER Pool Brush
LEAF RAKE/NET
VAC HOSE
TELESCOPIC POLE
AquaChek Silver 7-Way Pool Water Test Strips

Eliminate this and get a proper test kit. Link-->Test Kits Compared

PoolMama0210 said:
DEL UV-C 50 Ultraviolet Sanitizer

Have them remove this. UV is really only for an indoor pool. You will get plenty of UV from the sun. Please don't buy this.

UV Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

PoolMama0210 said:
POWERCLEAN ULTRA VS INLINE Chlorine Tablet FEEDER 2

We recommend using liquid chlorine or get a Salt Water Chlorine generator. Pucks add CYA to the pool. CYA accumulates over time. At some point your CYA will be so high, the only solution is to drain and replace water. Read through this-->Pool Care Basics

I would have them install a salt water chlorine generator. You will be much happier and less maintenance.

Salt Water Chlorine Generators

Salt Water Generators are designed to produce small amounts of chlorine continuously. This is perfect for day to day use and reduces work for the homeowner.

www.troublefreepool.com

PoolMama0210 said:
1 Vinyl PLUMBING LABELS
8"X24"X.25" Aluminum Skimmer Coping Support Plate
2 CMP PRODUCTS Pool Defender WATER BOND SKIMMER
1 A&A AVSC Unlockable Drain FILLABLE PEBBLE TOP Drain Single Port 1 Umbrella Sleeve
4 10' Deck Drain (Stegmeier)
1 5GAL MIRAPRIME AQUA-BLOK XL WATER BARRIER
1 PENTAIR 2-POLE 20A GFCI CIRCUIT BREAKER
1 Surge Protection Kit

Build looks exciting...will be a nice place to relax...

Welcome to TFP!!! :shark:

BDY · May 20, 2023

Are you sure about that volume? I have an 11x29 pool that goes from 3.5 to 5.5’ depth and it’s 9k+ volume. I was trying to do your 26x13 on a napkin and struggling to get 5k

Pool Volume Calculator

Check out Pentair's easy-to-use pool volume calculator to calculate the volume of your swimming pool water by choosing the shape, dimensions and depth.

www.pentair.com

AQUA~HOLICS · May 20, 2023

Umbrella sleeve on Sun shelf
Overflow pipe installed in B/B
Pour-a-Lids for skimmer and Auto Fill
Return line and LED Light on sun shelf
Is the pool elevation the same as the deck all the way around? It appears from the drawing that it may be elevated at a +(?)

PoolMama0210 · May 20, 2023

BDY said:
Are you sure about that volume? I have an 11x29 pool that goes from 3.5 to 5.5’ depth and it’s 9k+ volume. I was trying to do your 26x13 on a napkin and struggling to get 5k

Pool Volume Calculator

Check out Pentair's easy-to-use pool volume calculator to calculate the volume of your swimming pool water by choosing the shape, dimensions and depth.

www.pentair.com

Oh is it bec my pool has different widths? It’s an irregular L shape. It has narrower parts than 13 ft. If you take a closer look at the pics, maybe that’ll make sense.

PoolMama0210 · May 20, 2023

PoolStored said:
^^This is overkill for a 5000gallon pool...but you will get GREAT service life and you won't have to clean that filter but once a year. Great choice.

I would not use a pressure cleaner for this size pool. You would get better service with a small robot.

Eliminate this and get a proper test kit. Link-->Test Kits Compared

Have them remove this. UV is really only for an indoor pool. You will get plenty of UV from the sun. Please don't buy this.

UV Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

We recommend using liquid chlorine or get a Salt Water Chlorine generator. Pucks add CYA to the pool. CYA accumulates over time. At some point your CYA will be so high, the only solution is to drain and replace water. Read through this-->Pool Care Basics

I would have them install a salt water chlorine generator. You will be much happier and less maintenance.

Salt Water Chlorine Generators

Salt Water Generators are designed to produce small amounts of chlorine continuously. This is perfect for day to day use and reduces work for the homeowner.

www.troublefreepool.com

Build looks exciting...will be a nice place to relax...

Welcome to TFP!!!

I’m taking lots of notes and reading your links. I will make revisions accordingly, a salt water pool makes a lot of practical sense but especially bec I have psoriasis. I understand it’s still chlorine but anything that is gentler on the skin makes quite a difference to me. I appreciate all this info so much. Thank you!

PoolMama0210 · May 20, 2023

AQUA~HOLICS said:
Umbrella sleeve on Sun shelf
Overflow pipe installed in B/B
Pour-a-Lids for skimmer and Auto Fill
Return line and LED Light on sun shelf
Is the pool elevation the same as the deck all the way around? It appears from the drawing that it may be elevated at a +(?)

Hello! I’m sorry I don’t understand everything you wrote. But I’ll try to answer.

Yes I am getting an umbrella sleeve on sun shelf

I cannot wait to lounge there!

What does this mean? - Overflow pipe installed in B/B

What does this mean? - Pour-a-Lids for skimmer and Auto Fill

Do you mean I should return this? - Return line and LED Light on sun shelf

Yes the pool elevation is supposed to be the same as the deck all the way around.

I don’t know the lingo as I’m very new, thank you for your patience

I am trying not to spend so much but still get what I want and get the most of my money. But there is so much technical stuff for me to even begin to know about!

BDY · May 20, 2023

Overflow pipe = drain inside pool that if you get heavy rains will shunt the water so you don’t overflow. Mine is piped to my French drains for example. Normally a few inches below top of pool or so

Pour a lids - matching lids for your skimmer plates and autofill plates so that it looks like your deck rather than plastic lids in the middle of the deck

Return line = water returning to pool from pump. He’s advising to put a water return for circulation on the shelf as well as a light

BDY · May 20, 2023

Ps - the two skimmers should be independently plumbed to the pad in parallel not in series. Skimmers in series may have trouble balancing them as one skimmer will always be dominant suction from a hydraulic point of view. Parallel plumbing means you can adjust the valves at the pad to equalize suction or to target where you get more debris etc…

Also what automation system is it? If Intellicenter… if you choose a SWG from pentair get the Intellicenter with the power cell integrated in it. It comes in two versions

PoolMama0210 · May 20, 2023

BDY said:
Ps - the two skimmers should be independently plumbed to the pad in parallel not in series. Skimmers in series may have trouble balancing them as one skimmer will always be dominant suction from a hydraulic point of view. Parallel plumbing means you can adjust the valves at the pad to equalize suction or to target where you get more debris etc…

Also what automation system is it? If Intellicenter… if you choose a SWG from pentair get the Intellicenter with the power cell integrated in it. It comes in two versions

Intelli PH Systems and Intelli chlor w-cell Sanitizer - this is what PB listed. Ok noted on the skimmers I will add this to my list. Many thanks!

AQUA~HOLICS · May 20, 2023

AQUA~HOLICS · May 20, 2023

It has been my experience that when a pool is at +0” (completely one level all the way around) the back yard elevation will not match up with the drawing due to most track homes have a grade difference from the house to the back fence (increase in elevation as you move away from the structure) and are not perfectly level.
I have highlighted this area of concern and you may want to consider asking your P/B in regards to this.

PoolMama0210 · May 20, 2023

AQUA~HOLICS said:
View attachment 493850 View attachment 493851 View attachment 493852

This is super helpful!!! Thank you

PoolMama0210 · May 20, 2023

AQUA~HOLICS said:
It has been my experience that when a pool is at +0” (completely one level all the way around) the back yard elevation will not match up with the drawing due to most track homes have a grade difference from the house to the back fence (increase in elevation as you move away from the structure) and are not perfectly level.
I have highlighted this area of concern and you may want to consider asking your P/B in regards to this.View attachment 493857

Ok I will ask about this. There is definitely a down slope there. Thank you!

BDY · May 20, 2023

My builder spent the most “design” time trying to get the relative elevation of our pool right. We ended up having to do a step down from house to pool because if we put the pool at the house patio level it would have been a foot above ground at the side of the garage. I’m the end it was a combination pool elevation and regrading.

Also think about drainage for your self and neighbors - adding a pool/patio/deck changes the water flow and not always for the best for neighbors unless it’s considered while building. We needed to addmore French drains in the yard for ours…

BDY · May 20, 2023

PoolMama0210 said:
Intelli PH Systems and Intelli chlor w-cell Sanitizer - this is what PB listed. Ok noted on the skimmers I will add this to my list. Many thanks!

Make sure salt cell is at least 2x the size of your pool.

Have a look around these forums on the intelliPH…. People seem to be on both sides of the fence on it

Pentair Intelliph - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

PoolMama0210 · May 20, 2023

BDY said:
My builder spent the most “design” time trying to get the relative elevation of our pool right. We ended up having to do a step down from house to pool because if we put the pool at the house patio level it would have been a foot above ground at the side of the garage. I’m the end it was a combination pool elevation and regrading.

Also think about drainage for your self and neighbors - adding a pool/patio/deck changes the water flow and not always for the best for neighbors unless it’s considered while building. We needed to addmore French drains in the yard for ours…

I do think the builder mentioned something about adding dirt to the sides and corners of the deck by the fence so the step wouldn’t be so high. These are things I don’t think too much about bec I’m so focused on the pool itself. Great tip. Thank you!

PoolMama0210 · May 20, 2023

BDY said:
Make sure salt cell is at least 2x the size of your pool.

Have a look around these forums on the intelliPH…. People seem to be on both sides of the fence on it

Pentair Intelliph - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Ok I’ll read up more on this. I’m concerned about the upkeep costs honestly I’ve been losing sleep due to excitement and worry over this pool project. I am so happy I found this forum!

Search