Advice needed on my new pool
- Thread starter tfp_fan
- Start date
@mknauss, @ajw22 Hi Marty and Allen, my builder had stacked stone spillway in my original design, and you recommended to change it to 6"x6" tile to prevent calcium buildup from evaporation and/or efflorescence. My pool is under construction now, and here is what the subcontractor has done for the spillway (please see the photos below). Any input/comment is appreciated.
Attachments
- May 3, 2014
- 62,705
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Looks good. I hope they used epoxy grout. That will be more flexible and not crack. Also less porous.
@mknauss I don't think they used epoxy grout. Can we do any thing at this stage? for example using sealant?
Also I noticed that some of the tiles miss grouting in between. And also the edge of the spillway (top part) is sharp and there are space between some tiles.
Last edited:
- May 3, 2014
- 62,705
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
They should seal it. It will need to be sealed at least once a year. If it cracks, then scale will build up on those lines.
@mknauss Any suggestion for the type of the sealant to be used for the tiles? Can I use the same sealant to seal my coping, as well?
Also I noticed that some of the tiles missed grouting in between. And also the edge of the spillway (top part) is sharp and there are space between some tiles.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,705
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
The tile installer should have a sealer to use. Ask them what they will be using. I suspect they used Epoxy grout. It is an additive to the grout.
Grout should be in all the lines. Check with the installer. Also the style gave you what you have on the edge. Not sure what they can do to soften that.
Grout should be in all the lines. Check with the installer. Also the style gave you what you have on the edge. Not sure what they can do to soften that.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,336
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
If that tile work is done you need better grout work. There should be no open gaps between the tiles. The grout needs to prevent water from getting in between and under the tiles.
@mbeavers1 @ajw22 My pool is under construction and the subcontractor is installing the controller (Pentair Intellicenter i10PSIC40). I also purchased a transformer for my future landscape lights (VOLT 300 Watt Slim Line LED Transformer). I read your posts here about connecting the transformer to the Intellicenter. I am wondering if I need to have (purchased) a 15A circuit breaker for the connection (I am asking it based on the above diagram)? Is any other part(s) needed for installing/connection? I would like to make sure I have all the parts ready.
Attachments
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,975
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
When I connected mine I simply put an outlet where I was going to place the low voltage transformer and connected that outlet to my automation relay controller. This makes your life a lot easier as you are just putting in an outlet. I would suggest you put a dedicated circuit for this outlet but it isn't necessary. I put a dedicated circuit.
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,975
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
I have 2 outlets around my pool. Both outlets are home-runned to my automation load center. The lines were run and these were setup when my pool was installed. 1 of them I connected through a relay and an unused AUX port in my automation so I could control that outlet with my automation. I plug my low-voltage lighting transformer into that outlet.
If I was you, I would put a dedicated 15 amp circuit breaker just for the outlet you will plug in your landscape lights. However, you don't specifically need a dedicated circuit. You could use an existing circuit like if you have a courtesy outlet connected into your load center on its own breaker you could use that one. My load center had plenty of spare capacity.
@Jimrahbe Jim, does automation for a pool and spa combo (switching between the pool mode and spa mode) need installing valve actuators on top of the valves? My pool and spa is under construction and I have Intellicenter for my controller in the proposal/contract (I will also have 3 scuppers as water features). However, I don't recall the builder has mentioned anything about valve actuator in the proposal/contract. It will be my first pool and I don't have any idea about pool/spa automation.A,
If you have a Pool and Spa combo, then you really should get automation. To manually switch between the pool mode and spa mode you have to go out to the equipment pad, switch the position of two valves, turn on the heater and go back inside and wait for two hour for the spa to warm up.. With automation, you push one button on your phone and it tells you when the water is hot enough.
Yes, it can sometimes be added "later" but the time to do it is when the pool is built. It is much harder to do it later and unless the upgrade is planned for in advance, you might have to dig up 50 feet of new deck just to get the infrastructure in place.
Cost wise, I'd give up every water feature just to get automation.. Water features are just there to impress your neighbors, while automation makes your life easier.
I'd also find a builder that uses Pentair equipment..And, I would not have a pool, if it were not a saltwater pool..
Thanks,
Jim R.
Thank you, @Jimrahbe, for suggesting on installing a GFCI outlet in the side pane knockout. My builder had told me that they would install my Intellicenter next week. Would you please let me know which extra part I should purchase to give to the electrical subcontractor for installing the GFCI outlet. Which kind of GFCI outlet? Any other part?
Fan,
It is just a standard outside GFCI outlet with an waterproof cover.. Most installers just add them on their own.. I'd just tell the installer what you need, he probably has them in his truck.
Thanks,
Jim R.
It is just a standard outside GFCI outlet with an waterproof cover.. Most installers just add them on their own.. I'd just tell the installer what you need, he probably has them in his truck.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Fan,
Your pool can either be in the Pool mode or the Spa mode, but not both at the same time.
In the Pool mode, water is sucked from the Pool and and returned to the Pool. In the Spa mode water is sucked from the Spa and returned to the Spa.
The "Intake" valve selects where the water comes from and the "Return" valve selects were the water goes.. For your automation system to switch between the Pool mode and the Spa mode, both valves must have an electric motor (valve actuator) mounted on top of the existing Jandy valve.
Since you are getting an IntelliCenter and SWCG your pool builder should be buying a "package deal" that comes with the IntelliCenter, built-in SWCG power supply, the salt cell, plus two valve actuators.. Something like this one...
Thanks,
Jim R.
@Jimrahbe, Thank you for your reply: Three questions:
1) Regarding the valves, I don't think my builder has used Jandy valves. In the proposal/contract, we have "Pentair ComPool 2-way, 3-way, & checkvalve", however, I just noticed he has installed Hayward instead. Is it something that I need to talk to be changed, especially for automation?
2) Regarding the Intellicenter package, I had sent the builder the above link once before. However, I think he prefers to purchase the controller and the SWCG from his own supplier. And I am not sure he is thinking of adding actuators since we haven't talked about it or have it in the proposal. Any suggestion?
3) Actuators included in the polytechpool package are Pentair. Does it mean builders must use pentair valves to be able to use those actuators (i.e. compatibility)?
Fan,
Pentair, Hayward, Jandy, and others all make a "Jandy" style valves.. They are all used interchangeably..
The link I provided for the IntelliCenter is just for reference.. Your pool builder can buy the exact same "package" from his distributor.. Tell the pool builder you want to know the exact P/N of what he will be installing.. It should be something like 521906.. Let me know what P/N he give you.
Actuators are more or less universal and fit on any Jandy style valve.
Some pool builders are idiots, but I have yet to see one that installed automation without valve actuators
Thanks,
Jim R.
Pentair, Hayward, Jandy, and others all make a "Jandy" style valves.. They are all used interchangeably..
The link I provided for the IntelliCenter is just for reference.. Your pool builder can buy the exact same "package" from his distributor.. Tell the pool builder you want to know the exact P/N of what he will be installing.. It should be something like 521906.. Let me know what P/N he give you.
Actuators are more or less universal and fit on any Jandy style valve.
Some pool builders are idiots, but I have yet to see one that installed automation without valve actuators
Thanks,
Jim R.