25 May 2024 Update: Gave up and decided to convert my new pool to an underground badminton court!
Folks,
Just kidding on the title! It's really supposed to be:
Managing schedule, Traversing the permitting maze and spa jet learning's
It sure would have been easier if I'd had my DIY design company do the pool design and the enclosure. But, it would have been very difficult to get exactly what we want that way. We had no idea how the back would look when we were at the pool design stage and we had no idea how personal preference decisions might affect the enclosure cost and budget is already in bad shape with "Robin's influence". It's not a cheap item, in fact even after some economizing it's one of the most expensive parts of the pool very close to the cost of the gunite! So I got the design for the pool independent of the enclosure. The enclosure supplier wanted me to do the footers most of them seem to work that way with builders. He subs them out and I saved about half the deduction by doing them myself. So I had to get the design from the enclosure permit application he filed then just formed up the footers with my paver crew while they built the retaining wall. Then the enclosure guy told me they had a permit issue and needed to reapply and this would push out his installation almost 2 months. Normally not an issue we just start without the enclosure and he installs after we have the pool well broken in. Wrong! The final inspection prior to adding water (obviously has to be done prior to plaster) is to do final electrical and child-proof barrier. Yep that's what the enclosure does normally. The only way I can get approval to add water is to install a 4' min ASTM compliant child barrier - $4K installed and about 100 5/8" holes in my beautiful marble pavers! When I have a permitting dilemma I always have found it's best to consult with one of them. This was just like all my previous dilemma's. Since it's temporary I can install in pvc pipe around the area and it will pass. That still costs me $2K if I do it with hired labor myself but I guess it's protecting neighbors grand-kids and dogs so probably worth it. So that's the plan. Fence parts were delivered yesterday.
I think I've figured the spa plumbing and all the other returns. Finally got all the plugs out today. They were super tight probably to pass the pressure test then also had cement slopped into the threads. Ended up using pvc cement to the screwed in plugs and twisting it with a pipe wrench to get them loose. Should be able to blow air tomorrow. Now I can also see how they work with the different nozzles in the Hayward manual below. Finally not worried about any of this anymore. They should also be great for Robin's back. Couldn't seem to find a lot of help on these Hydrotherapy jets so I've pasted some photo's of the important manuals in case some other OB decides to use these.
We're so close I can taste it but I'm so tired of "next week" that I now tell people we're not finishing it and decided to make it into an underground badminton court.
Chris
Hayward manual for our in wall spa fittings

Finally got the **** plugs out
Here's the inside of the jet fitting. Inside the back is a hole at the bottom and top. Water and air enter here and pass through channels in the nozzle fitting to create the swirl. Several different types that range from pules to jet blast. Will be fun to play with these and 3rd party suppliers after the pool's done.
$2K for a DIY fence that will be in place for less than 2 Months!
