From start to finish - a yard needing lots of Love

[S4cruiser]

My wife and I are on the finishing end of installing a pool and re-landscaping the yard of our new to us home (I say that tongue and cheek as the yard really had no landscaping when we started).

A close friend is a landscape architect and was kind enough to draw us up a plan that the wife and i could execute in small portions. We've almost completed the hardscape work and then plan to take a break until the fall when we'll plant trees, shrubs, etc.

Few pics along the way...i also used the GoPro and took timelapse pics during certain work days for video documentation.

We did a majority of the work ourselves but did contract out the pool dig/install to Rising Sun Pools in Raleigh. We're fairly happy with their work..communication was a bit thin but overall acceptable.

Before work started...

Dig day...

Time lapse of the dig...

Day one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/68342109@N03/13668805304/in/set-72157643419360484

Day two: https://www.flickr.com/photos/68342109@N03/13651411175/in/set-72157643419360484

 

[S4cruiser]

The old/barely existing deck was way too small and kinda dangerous...a total redo was in order. I drew up the plans, pulled permits and started building. I'm very pleased how it came out...this was my first solo deck build.

Lots of wiring for indirect LED lighting...

Concrete work...

Time lapse video of the poor: https://www.flickr.com/photos/68342109@N03/14068783350/in/set-72157644272089940

Lots of stringers for the stairs but I didn't want any view obstructions...

 

[S4cruiser]

On to landscaping...mainly hardscapes up till this point.

Gravel path to pool equipment area...

Grading...machines make this seem so easy...

Sunken fire pit...larger bolders are N-S-E-W

6x6's for driveway...where future garage will be

Another view...

Mulch, topsoil and gravel...spreading by hand and wheel barrow is awesome exercise...also some raised beds for veggies...

Dog being obsessed with water and auto cleaner...

 

[jjwalker]

love it! what an awesome job. love the hand railings on the deck. can't wait to see more pics...

 

[DeeMac]

You have done a great job. The deck is really nice and the water in the pool looks very sparkly ! Fabulous

Sent from my GT-P5210 using Tapatalk

 

[cudavic]

WOW! That looks great. It absolutely transformed your yard.
One thing I did not notice during the first time lapse video of the dig was concrete around the base of the metal pool walls?
Did I miss that or is that not really required? Just asking out of curiosity as the pool looks spectacular.

 

[doobs41378]

Looking great. I see you have the sink for the outdoor kitchen already waiting on the deck just itching to be installed : )

 

[jjwalker]

double post, sorry

 

[S4cruiser]

WOW! That looks great. It absolutely transformed your yard.
One thing I did not notice during the first time lapse video of the dig was concrete around the base of the metal pool walls?
Did I miss that or is that not really required? Just asking out of curiosity as the pool looks spectacular.

You have a keen eye! I stepped out during the afternoon of the first day and my camera died during the time they poured the footing...it's there for sure!

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Oooh oooh!! I keep seeing adorable little green houses made out of old window panels on Pinterest or Houzz. Did you by chance save those??

 

[S4cruiser]

Oooh oooh!! I keep seeing adorable little green houses made out of old window panels on Pinterest or Houzz. Did you by chance save those??

We saved a couple and gave the others to friends for craft projects. We took one and painted the panels with chalkboard paint to write our weekly dinner menu!

 

[suzook]

So you did the deck??? Awesome work! BTW, where is all the clay I usually see down south? Looks like you have some nice soil.

 

[S4cruiser]

So you did the deck??? Awesome work! BTW, where is all the clay I usually see down south? Looks like you have some nice soil.

Yep, the entire thing from design to completion...if have an OCD personality when it comes to small details/building things.

There is some clay in our yard but not much in the hole they dug for the pool, so we lucked out. The dirt is still expansive though.

Thanks for the compliments!!

 

[cudavic]

Good deal, I am sure your project manager (cat) would have caught that if they tried to skip it. LOL

 

[Rocco]

I just finished installing new boards on my parents deck, they want to add a railing around the deck now. How did you secure the railing post to the deck?

 

[S4cruiser]

I just finished installing new boards on my parents deck, they want to add a railing around the deck now. How did you secure the railing post to the deck?

Hey Rocco - I notched the deck railing posts so they slid down next to the outer band boards and then they are attached to the band boards via 5 1/2" TimberLock bolts. I'll see if I can find a pic detailing this...easier shown versus explained.

 

[cudavic]

Can you tell me a little bit more about the zeobrite product.
I have a Hayward sand filter and often times when I am done back washing and rinsing the filter and switch back to filter I get some residual sand come out into the pool or spill over spa.
How does this compare to sand? I assume it is a better filter media, however to you get any residuals after back washing and rinsing? Thanks in advance, Vic

 

[S4cruiser]

Can you tell me a little bit more about the zeobrite product.
I have a Hayward sand filter and often times when I am done back washing and rinsing the filter and switch back to filter I get some residual sand come out into the pool or spill over spa.
How does this compare to sand? I assume it is a better filter media, however to you get any residuals after back washing and rinsing? Thanks in advance, Vic

Hi Vic - I'm not sold on any type of sand alternative media just yet. If the zeobrite wasn't part of the PB's 'Deluxe' upgrade package (SWG, 2spd pump, automationc, etc.) then I would have just went with plain old sand media. I did get residual the first time I backwashed...mainly b/c I forgot to 'rinse' before switching back to 'filter' DOH!

After normal backwashing and rinsing i get no noticable residuals so you may have something else going on with your filter??

 

[S4cruiser]

Couple night shots...

 

[MBG75]

Any more pics of the concrete and pool coping?