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  1. bigorangesky

    UPDATE: My Pool Builder Was Arrested!

    @markayash After watching the pool building process, and learning along the way, I am 100% confident I could build pools myself better than 80% of PB's out there. This is the sad state of contractors in the US ...
  2. bigorangesky

    UPDATE: My Pool Builder Was Arrested!

    Exactly! I have no leverage at all ... my "measly" $100k project is just a drop in the bucket. But its not just pool builders, I've had same problems getting plumbers, architects, all other types just to call me back. @kimkats Yes thankfully I am not one of the ones with unfinished pool and...
  3. bigorangesky

    UPDATE: My Pool Builder Was Arrested!

    My pool builder was arrested! Apparently dozens of customers are left with unfinished pools, despite having paid the majority of contract amount. I decided to pay the extra $20,000 (directly to subs) and thankfully got my pool finished. I feel lucky to be able to put this all behind me...
  4. bigorangesky

    Lightning Detector? Frequent thunderstorms, and knowing when it's safe to swim.

    I'm trying to come up with a reliable way to keep my family safe when swimming. Do you recommend any lightning detector or app/subscription that will give accurate information on storms in the area? Normally it's easy enough to say "there's a storm, don't go swimming" ... but in the middle of...
  5. bigorangesky

    DPD Powder is clumping, and why do we need a "chlorine only" cylinder?

    So the pool store does have a purpose LOL. I've thought about this, think we've got some in the kitchen. For me, its just annoying to sit on the side of the pool scooping water up to my elbow to run each test. My powder still turns pink, so I guess still working. But I'll need more anyways...
  6. bigorangesky

    DPD Powder is clumping, and why do we need a "chlorine only" cylinder?

    Thanks for the tips, I'll keep the scoop out of other tests from now on. I keep my kit inside the house but maybe the scoop was wet a few times, causing the clumping. Here's a picture, is this grey or white? Looks grey to me, but I have no reference ...
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  8. bigorangesky

    DPD Powder is clumping, and why do we need a "chlorine only" cylinder?

    I've had the TF-100 for about 8 months, but my pool build just finished a month ago. The DPD Powder has some hard clumps and seems to give inconsistent results unless I scoop the real powdery bits. Should I replace it? Also, I'm curious why we need a separate cylinder just for the DPD-FAS...
  9. bigorangesky

    New quartz finish, after 1 week still not a lot of aggregate exposed.

    @Staceyleah22 How did it turn out, how rough is the surface now? Lots of plaster dust? And how did you decide when to stop .. can you visually see the surface change? I read some advice that says to use a separate pump, as to not damage your regular equipment ... but I also feel like just...
  10. bigorangesky

    Inground pool and abandoned septic tank?

    I had to deal with a septic tank as well, and it was much easier than I thought. I'd just let your PB deal with it while digging. If its in the way, I assume they will remove it, otherwise just leave it be. Plus city sewer is one less thing to worry about. In our case, we have the main...
  11. bigorangesky

    Sunstone finish question

    oh wow your picture looks just like mine, but white. I was here the whole time watching, no acid wash. I asked they guy and he said "we don't do that for this and that reason". I've been brushing 2x daily but I don't see much plaster dust at all after about 5 days. Can't imagine that much...
  12. bigorangesky

    New quartz finish, after 1 week still not a lot of aggregate exposed.

    @bmoreswim thanks for that, maybe the hot start is not overly difficult. I've also come to realize with pools you just end up replacing stuff when it breaks, no part of it is going to last forever. I had some tiles fall off while we waited weeks for the coping to get installed. 😕 I took a...
  13. bigorangesky

    Poor plaster job?

    What did you end up doing here? I am considering similar remedies in my new plaster job. I have white spots just like you https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/new-quartz-finish-after-1-week-still-not-a-lot-of-aggregate-exposed.256088/#post-2240191
  14. bigorangesky

    Sunstone finish question

    How did your finish turn out? Did you end up acid washing again? I'm in the exact same spot as you but my finish was not acid washed at all. https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/new-quartz-finish-after-1-week-still-not-a-lot-of-aggregate-exposed.256088/#post-2240191
  15. bigorangesky

    New pool with white streaks/blotches in finish on day 1

    Wow I have almost the exact same issues. How did yours turn out? I'm a week in with sunstone and have the same white spots as you. My installer did not expose the aggregate, so that is what I'm dealing with...
  16. bigorangesky

    New quartz finish, after 1 week still not a lot of aggregate exposed.

    Well I spoke with the manufacturer, CL Industries, and was very helpful. They confirmed my plaster guy simply did not do the procedure to expose the quartz aggregate, and this is obviously the whole point of getting it to begin with ... if you're not going to expose it, just get solid plaster...
  17. bigorangesky

    New quartz finish, after 1 week still not a lot of aggregate exposed.

    You are correct, there are some spots where the quartz is showing and these areas look great. The smoothness is wonderful, no complaints about that except the steps are a little slippery ... but I think this should go away. Good idea on the Manufacturer, I will see what they have to say.
  18. bigorangesky

    New quartz finish, after 1 week still not a lot of aggregate exposed.

    This did not happen. When they finished, it was just a smooth solid blue color, no quartz. As it dried started to get a white haze which has since come off but that's it. I don't understand this. Never once did I see this description from any manufacturer. I read all the info of what to...
  19. bigorangesky

    New quartz finish, after 1 week still not a lot of aggregate exposed.

    Text from the plaster contractor: It will take the whole curing process to come out. The samples are washed to show all of the rock. To do that over the whole surface of the pool takes 5 to 10 years off the life of the marcite. The finish feels really nice and smooth for the most part ... Just...
  20. bigorangesky

    New quartz finish, after 1 week still not a lot of aggregate exposed.

    They used CL Industries product, and I'm following the startup instructions to keep TA at 80, and pH at 7.2. I've been brushing everyday, but you can see in there pictures, only some aggregate is exposed. They told me brushing would expose it all ... But I'm getting worried now. I asked about...
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  23. bigorangesky

    UPDATE: My Pool Builder Was Arrested!

    Here is the quote for equipment purchase. We agreed I would pay this directly, and PB covers all other parts and labor to install. It's more than I thought, but I guess it costs what it costs if I want it today. Luckily that have it all in stock, this is the local SCP distributor. Looks to...
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  25. bigorangesky

    UPDATE: My Pool Builder Was Arrested!

    @JoyfulNoise great tips, will be looking into all of this. @jimmythegreek thanks for the context, so I guess my PB is not far off.
  26. bigorangesky

    UPDATE: My Pool Builder Was Arrested!

    Thanks for all the great advice here. I agree with perhaps consulting a lawyer, but I really don't want to turn this into a legal battle ... I'd much rather have the finished pool, even if costing slightly more than we planned. He actually suggested this right off the bat, which I guess is a...
  27. bigorangesky

    UPDATE: My Pool Builder Was Arrested!

    TLDR: My builder cannot complete my pool at contracted price, and asking for 24% increase to offset higher material and labor (sub-contractor) prices. I signed a contract in September 2020 for a gunite pool in South GA/North FL area. About 30k gallons with 8 ft deep end and 7 ft spa. Cost...
  28. bigorangesky

    Tile inlay on steps - Rate my install (with pictures)

    This is what I've come to realize, thanks.
  29. bigorangesky

    Tile inlay on steps - Rate my install (with pictures)

    This was my thought as well, asked him to go as close as he could. This was my original question. Is there a standard spacing?
  30. bigorangesky

    Tile inlay on steps - Rate my install (with pictures)

    No jig used, actually I adjusted some right after they left as it was still wet.