New Build in Maryland

[kfosburg]

After months of planning and talking with different builders and interviewing all our friends with pools, we bit the bullet and signed up for our own. Kids are 7 and 9 now, so it's now or never we feel.

Dig starts tomorrow - one week ahead of schedule!

Builder: Maryland Pools
22x40 Gunite w/deep end, Pentair systems including SWG, cartridge filter, and PCC-2000 built in cleaner.

I'll post as many pics as possible during the build.

Karl

 

[kfosburg]

Before pics... We don't have a lot of nice level spots, so we are moving the playset out and the pool it taking its place. The playset will move up the hill a bit...

Original:

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Cleared area:

[attachment=1:upzwud7a]IMG_1642 copy.jpg[/attachment:upzwud7a]

When I originally built the retaining wall I had extra block, so I decided to use it as edging... Seemed like a good idea at the time, but removing all of them was back breaking! Each of those blocks is 85 pounds... The little Kubota makes it a lot easier though. Saved the 20 tons of pea gravel too for landscape and the new playground...

[attachment=0:upzwud7a]IMG_1639.jpg[/attachment:upzwud7a]

Karl

 

[y_not]

Coolness!!
That's quite the project, taking all that out and moving it, setting it back up and getting it nice again.
Good job, you're a trooper!!

My brother calls those things "Little Mickey Mouse Backhoes". :lol:

Do you have plans or a drawing/mock-up for your pool that you can post?
BTW, your kids will just LOVE the pool. Most kids are like fish, they're just so fearless.

It may be too late, but have you read on here about the troubles and problems associated with in-floor cleaning systems and the preference for more reliable and serviceable automated suction side or electrically/battery powered cleaning robots?

What sort of pool surface are you doing over the Gunite?

Looking forward to watching your build. Always so much fun and I hope it goes smoothly for you.

 

[kfosburg]

Hi,

Yes, I've read a lot of posts both positive and negative regarding the in floor cleaning systems. I have two friends with the same system and they swear by it. One who has it lives next to a forest and has never had to vacuum his pool in 7 years. I'll take that chance with it - with a good guarantee and maintenance.

Finish will be standard white plaster. I would have loved to do PebbleTek, but it pushed the budget over the limit.

Here's a rough drawing:

[attachment=0:1829ik1s]IMG_1636.jpg[/attachment:1829ik1s]

Should have some landscape drawings early next week.

Karl

 

[kfosburg]

Couple more pics of the dig... Just in time to get filled in after Frankenstorm :blah:

Nice skid steer! Made quick of this hole!

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Geez... I really need to power wash my siding on this side of the house! Disgusting

[attachment=1:2mkscmcz]IMG_1653.jpg[/attachment:2mkscmcz]

Taking shape.

[attachment=0:2mkscmcz]IMG_1657.jpg[/attachment:2mkscmcz]

Karl

 

[kfosburg]

Hole dug, gravel down. We may be able to swim Tuesday if the forecast is right... :|

Cleaned the siding too... Any suggestions on keeping mildew off the north side of a house with vinyl siding?

[attachment=1:swkvz9q1]IMG_1660.jpg[/attachment:swkvz9q1]

[attachment=2:swkvz9q1]IMG_1662.jpg[/attachment:swkvz9q1]

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Karl

 

[bmoreswim]

Before I saw your post, I was wondering what a new pool dig would look like with 4-8" of rainfall greeting it. I guess I'll find out soon. Hope it doesn't create more than just a short-term headache for you. We are planning to start a similar sized pool in the early spring about an hour east of you.

I look forward to watching your build.

Kurt

 

[y_not]

Cleaned the siding too... Any suggestions on keeping mildew off the north side of a house with vinyl siding?

I come from a land of much rain where they have moss, algae and mold on most everything. But it's very beautiful country.

Supposedly copper flashing strips can be tacked down on the roof line, on the side that get's the mold and this will reduce or prevent organics from growing. I don't know how well it works, I have just read about it after seeing rolls of it for sale and marketed for that purpose.

Maybe rigging some on the side up high where rain will hit it.
Copper is a natural algaecide. In our pools it's not good due to it's reaction with chlorine. But there isn't any of that on a house or roof.

 

[kfosburg]

Survived Sandy without issue. No power loss and pool didn't cave in the slightest bit. About 8 to 10" of rain. They may be out to start plumbing tomorrow even.

Muddy mess:

[attachment=0:t5dknqf6]IMG_1666.jpg[/attachment:t5dknqf6]

Karl

 

[bmoreswim]

That's some good draining soil! Good news about no cave-ins too.

 

[kfosburg]

Plumbing is done. Just going to stub it out until spring and then they'll put in the hardware.

Infloor cleaning drain:

[attachment=2:24aomnei]IMG_1676.jpg[/attachment:24aomnei]

Skimmers:

[attachment=1:24aomnei]IMG_1677.jpg[/attachment:24aomnei]

Overall:

[attachment=0:24aomnei]IMG_1678.jpg[/attachment:24aomnei]

Karl

 

[kfosburg]

Overall view this morning:

[attachment=0:z764xb86]IMG_1682.jpg[/attachment:z764xb86]

Rebar guys were on site at 7am this morning and expected to be done by 4...

Should be ready for gunite soon!

Karl

 

[kfosburg]

Rebar done...

[attachment=2:3v0qmbv6]IMG_1683.jpg[/attachment:3v0qmbv6]

[attachment=1:3v0qmbv6]IMG_1684.jpg[/attachment:3v0qmbv6]

[attachment=0:3v0qmbv6]IMG_1685.jpg[/attachment:3v0qmbv6]

Karl

 

[kfosburg]

More shots...

[attachment=1:3jr3bayo]IMG_1686.jpg[/attachment:3jr3bayo]

[attachment=0:3jr3bayo]IMG_1687.jpg[/attachment:3jr3bayo]

Gunite soon it looks like...

Karl

 

[bmoreswim]

Great progress and the week looks good. Is the plan to do gunite, tile and coping then wait for spring?

 

[kfosburg]

Plan is for tile and coping and some basic concrete decking. Then, finish up in the spring. We'll need to put some water in it according to the pool builder, but that will be thrown out in the spring.

Karl

 

[kfosburg]

Confirmed: Gunite tomorrow. :-D

Weather looks good - that storm looks like it will only hit further north and east... up where Sandy hit of course

I'll take some pics during the process - or my wife will...

Karl

 

[kfosburg]

Guniters have arrived and kicked into gear at 7am sharp! They estimated that they would be done around 2...

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Karl

 

[bmoreswim]

That's great you've been able to work around/through two storms and are making good progress. Looks to be warming up a bit too for your watering period. Just out of curiosity, what is the gunite company's name? I'd be curious if we end up with the same crew come spring.

 

[kfosburg]

I think they are called "Top Gun" out of Loudon, VA.

Karl