Building in Houston!

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fmaxprelude

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Mar 11, 2018
23
Houston, Texas
Hi everyone! My wife's been on this site alot over the last couple week as we're planning on our first pool build. Neither of us grew up with a pool so I'm sure we'll be in for some surprises along the way. We've been in discussions with many PBs over the last couple weeks and finally selected our PB Wednesday. We submitted our approval documents on Friday and had it approved Saturday. We also had our pool sprayed out on Saturday!

If weather holds up, we're hoping for excavation on Wednesday, rebar/plumbing on Thursday, and gunite on Friday. At least that's the estimated timeline for now. We'll see how things progress! Never done this before but we've read alot of great things from this site to help us along.

Pool
Size Ave- 39’ x 16 (Longest Length 38’& Width 20’)
Perimeter – 108’
Sq. ft. – 608
Depth – 3’6”– 4’ – 6’
Gallons – 16,255
Coping – Travertine 3cm
Tile – ceramic or porcelain
Tanning Ledge – Yes
Fill line - auto
Over flow – yes to drains
Raised beam – 6” & 18” w/Split Face Stone
Columns – (4) 2’x 2’ Raised 24” & 12”
Bench - 2
Returns - 7
Skimmers - 2
Main Drains - 4
Pool light – (2) – LED Colored IntelliBrite (1) GloBrite
Plaster – Pebble Sheen (Level 1 Color)
Pump – IntelliFlo Variable Speed (Pentair)
Automated System – EasyTouch 8 wireless
Blower – 1.5 HP Silencer
Chlorinator – 320 Rainbow
Heater – 400,000 BTU MasterTemp (Pentair)
Cleaner – Racer (Pentair)
Cleaner Booster Pump – ¾ HP
Waterfall Pump – 2HP WhisperFlo (Pentair)
Filter – 420 Cartridge (Pentair)

Deck
Surface – Spray Deck (609sqft) Pool Deck
Resurface & Top existing patio - (431sqft)

Spa
Size – 7’x 7’ w/ BI-level seating
Returns – (8) Hydro Air Jets
Shape – Round
Light – (1) – IntelliBrite LED Colored
Air Button – Yes
Spillway – Stacked Stone
Raised – 12”

Water Features
Stone Scuppers – (3)
Bubblers – (3) on actuator run on pool pump
Water Bowls - (2) CSW 32” on WF Pump
 

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Have you read the pool school article on how to chlorinate your water? You might want to rethink that Rainbow thingamabob, as we discourage the regular use of chlorine pucks in pools. Pool School - How to Chlorinate Your Pool

For a cleaner, you could get a more up to date robot which would save you the cost of another pump and extra plumbing, it would clean *much* better and it only requires an electric outlet near the pool deck.

Just some options to think about. We'd love to watch this build along with you if you'll share lots of pics. It sounds like a lovely pool.

Maddie :flower:
 
So today was the pool dig. Very impressed with the whole crew. Our pool builder's supervisor was there before the excavation team got there and was the last one to leave. While the diggers were hauling the dirt to the dump site, he even hopped into the bobcat and kept working. They didn't wrap up until everything was up to his standard which was around 9pm. Our PB was also there during the dig for a couple hours and we ended up making some changes on the spot. We've been debating reducing the size of our sun shelf from 7'8" to now 6' after reading up on this site. This was why we ended up choosing who we chose for our PB and so far its been good! Rebar tomorrow morning at 7am and plumbing in the afternoon. Moving quicker than we've expected.

Pool Dig - Floor View - 30 Sec - YouTube

Pool Dig - YouTube
 
Love everything I just read and saw! SO nice when someone cares about their work like your PB super does! To the point of getting dirty with the crew! That is doing work right!

Nice they were willing and able to do the change right then and there. This is it is so important to be there on this day. The next time you will want to be there is rebar (kinda) and gunite shoot (for sure!!!).

I am still going to give you "homework" as it is best practice-go out with your pool plans and measure it. Add about 8" for the gunite and plaster. Is it big, deep, wide, long, etc enough? I am almost sure it is BUT "trust but verify" to be on the safe side.

Kim:kim:
 
Thanks for the FYI Kim! Yes, the supervisor and I walked and measured the length, width, sun shelf, and benches. They have given about 12" for rebar/gunite/plaster around the whole pool (with a little bit of wiggle room). It's still dark outside and the rebar crew is already here!!
 

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There was one build that also did the filming. The super would wave at the camera as he rode past on the bobcat LOL

Gunite on Saturday?? That is TOMORROW!!!! Make sure to be out there so you can give input if they come up with any concerns or ideas (said knowing you will be but....).

Kim:kim:
 
Yup! Looks like rain chances have decreased. If we spray tomorrow then the long plumb and equipment come Wednesday and tiling at the end of the week. Not much time to decide coping and tiles!!

After reading up on this site about robot cleaners we reached out to our PB and are looking to switch to a robot. Need to figure that out before they spray tomorrow.

- - - Updated - - -

Short plumb videos from yesterday afternoon. They had a crew of 4 so it only took them a little over an hour.

Short Plumb - 30 Sec - YouTube

Short Plumb - Floor - 30 sec - YouTube
 
Gunite crew showed up early this morning and did a fantastic job! PB supervisor was there every step of the way and made sure everything was where it needed to be (pipes, lights, drains, etc). He also directed the crew quite a bit and also got dirty and shaped a couple areas himself!

Cleaning crew showed up about 3 minutes after the gunite crew left. These guys so far are operating pretty smoothly! Definitely impressed! I think things will start to slow down a little bit though. Plumbing and electrical next week and tile/coping near the end of next week or the following Monday. See below for short clips!

Gunite - 30 Sec - YouTube

Gunite and Clean Up - 30 Sec 2nd Story Cam - YouTube
 
:shock: the sun was not even up when they go there! WOW! You have such a good PB! There are some that have only showed up to get the next check!

Have you been bonding with the pool yet? aka watering it. This helps with the curing progress.

GUESS what time it is!!! Time for YOUR set of links!!

Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule

Pool School - Recommended Levels

Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

PoolMath

Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

Make sure to ask any and all questions you might have no matter how small! We have all been where you are at one point.

Also ask that wonderful PB of yours what test kit he provides and let us know so we can fill in any holes.

Kim:kim:
 
Thanks! Been a while since updating but the plumbing is in and tile and coping beginning next week!

So we switched to a pentair 930 prowler and got the ScreenLogic 2. It was pretty much an even swap for the booster pump and racer we were going to get as our cleaner. We still have the cleaner pipe laid and stubbed our next to the equipment pad.

Soooo glad we’ve been able to find this site! Just donated for silver level so hopefully this pic comes through!

Kim - a standard testing kit was delivered but we’ll need to upgrade.

Thanks!!!
61d0d9446c127e6828a44a80f487c24f.jpg
 
:hug: for becoming a supporter!

Look in my siggy below for the link to the best test kit AND you get a discount for being a supporting member. Make sure to look at the big bundle that has the whale wall brush, speed stir, test kit, etc. That is all stuff you will love to have.

Kim:kim:
 

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