Another Pool Build in Cypress, TX

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After pebble???? Fill 'er up! Then scary water chemistry!!!!!

Our deck is almost finished. They didn't come yesterday, but are here today! There is so little left to do. But in Houston it is 2:15pm, which for this crew, means they have little work-time left (looonnnngggg lunch break, then much slower after lunch and some take a brief nap). I won't complain, but I think it's a little odd. Then again, they are doing hard work in the broiling sun. So maybe I'm being a real witch about it. Maybe this is the norm! After all, you don't see me out there doing that work! I like what they're doing, they're tidy, and very polite and flexible. Those are my main concerns. If I were their boss, I might feel differently. My price is the same no matter how long it takes!

I think most with the pool will be done after plaster. Pool school. My last big phase will be the landscaping, and that shouldn't take any time at all. But I can be patient with that. I just want the water in since my older son plans a trip down here in August.

Thanks so much for keeping in touch!!!!
Suz.
 
That sounds great!! I remember our plaster day like it was yesterday. I had gone to work because plaster was supposed to be later that week. Then I got a call that there was a cancellation and home I went. Now I'm actually headed to a friends house to test water for them. She wants to gain control of her cloudy pool. You'll never have a cloudy pool though.
 
Couple of things...

First - on the stairs I feel the tiles placed in a diamond pattern looked the best. HOWEVER, a few days back you had asked for advice on one of your benches and I think there was an overwhelming number of responses for square being the cleaner option. I feel if you start mixing square and diamond patterns it's going to conflict. My suggestion, since the stairs definitely have to be diamond, consider a diamond pattern on the bench but use less of them. When you had a bunch of them all stacked next to each other the square looked better.

Secondly - when they installed your glass tile I thought (didn't go back and confirm) I saw they used a white thinset as specified in the lighstreams installation instruction. On the glass tiles below your waterline tile, it looks like its a different grey product. What was the reason? Is it because one is in the water? Do you see any color differences in the glass tile between the different installation methods? Only ask because they'll soon start installing my steel blue. The tile team said they typically use a grey thinset. I was going to force them to use what is recommended in the lighstreams installation instructions.

Finally - can't wait to see the plaster pics. Going to be beautiful I'm sure!
 

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spool said:
My suggestion, since the stairs definitely have to be diamond, consider a diamond pattern on the bench but use less of them.
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Oh boy. That sounds like it has potential. And, if they are spaced out a bit, there might be 3,4,5? that could be diamonds on the Suz stair as well. I am going to have to scroll back through threads to find a pic of all the ledges, stairs, benches etc. To try to get an overall shot.

Suz, You have so many great features, it is hard to remember the forest for the trees so to speak!

Another thought. Are those shimmery squares similar enough to the cute odds shapes on the ledge that you could sneak 1 square between each strip? And if so, would that allow you to have one extra strip of the cute odd shapes to use on that tiny Suz step?

See Suz, you are already getting your exercise from the pool, even without water.....
 
Patrick_B said:
Suz, the chemistry is not scary. You've done 100 recipes in your life that were FAR, FAR, more complex. Don't make me fly to Houston and prove it to you. (I'll make you come to Hobby and pick me up). :mrgreen:
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Ha! Other replies I should be making first due to time needs for the tile install today.... BUT, I have to reply to
Patrick now!

Oh, heavens Noooooo!! NOT Hobby.... PLEASE, not Hobby! That IS my nightmare airport drive. IAH is 32 minutes from my house, easy, easy drive on the Beltway!

I'll definitely be fine with water chemistry compared to the threat of Hobby! (obviously, you know more about Houston than most out-of-towners!)

TFP Houstonians are all cracking up in agreement!

Thanks for the ice bucket of perspective!
Suz.
 
Marlahoutex said:
Suz- just the opposite for me! I'll take Hobby (20 min drive) over IAH any day! That's a nightmare drive for me whether it's on 59 or 45!
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I concede! It's all in what you are used to or which way has the easiest route!!!

I'm with you, I go ALL the way around Houston rather than go through DT on 45. (I'm sure there are those who like that better for a direct route...)

Marla, it's now a tie! 1 vote for Hobby, 1 vote for IAH (Bush)!

- - - Updated - - -

spool said:
Secondly - when they installed your glass tile I thought (didn't go back and confirm) I saw they used a white thinset as specified in the lighstreams installation instruction. On the glass tiles below your waterline tile, it looks like its a different grey product. What was the reason? Is it because one is in the water? Do you see any color differences in the glass tile between the different installation methods? Only ask because they'll soon start installing my steel blue. The tile team said they typically use a grey thinset. I was going to force them to use what is recommended in the lighstreams installation instructions.
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Thank you, Spool!!!! OMG, I am sick to my stomach. I did NOT catch that the tile guy wasn't using thinset. How did I miss that!!!! I read your post from my cell. I thought you didn't realize he was grouting at that point. But nooooo, on my computer, he clearly used only grout. I've been so careful about the glass tile install. I'm most concerned about how using grout only will hold the tiles especially these that will always be underwater.

But you're right, using the dark grey/blue grout definitely diminishes the colors. The only thing I can say, is that I did not notice the color difference until now. So maybe that is minimal.

As for your tile, I would insist they use the white thinset which is prescribed by LightStreams. The first day of my install, I had a question for Brian at LightStreams (can't remember what it was). He was MOST concerned that it HAD to be a white thinset. Our guys used the local brand of thinset and grout, and Brian said that isn't what they prefer, but he said the most important thing was that they were using the white thinset. He also made me go check that when they first spread the thinset with the trowel that leaves the lines, to make sure it was being spread smooth before the placement of the tiles. This guy did all of that. And he's the one who installed the glass tile below the waterline. SO, he KNEW what he should be doing. On top of that, there will be only a week of cure time compared to the 3 weeks LightStreams prescribes. I've been told that is not necessary. But they make the product and want to insure the best installation.

Now, today's few tiles will be installed I bet without the thinset and only a two day cure time. All of this could have been installed weeks ago, if someone had acted when I called and called about it!!!!

I will call Brian at LightStreams this morning, but he won't be in until 12 noon my time. I hope he can give me some reassurance.

I knew I was getting more and more tired keeping up with the details. But this will be a mess if they all start popping off.

I REALLY appreciate you catching this, Spool. Another great example of why this site is soooo helpful and important.

Now, I'm going down into the pool and play with step tile pieces on the bench. You have another very good idea. I had been a little worried about the number of tiles I used to trim the bench, but no one mentioned a concern. So, I'll take more pictures and see what they show.

Take care.
Suz.
 
3 weeks of cure time seems kinda long, esp if it's thinset. Concrete will be completely cured in 28 days, iF I remember correctly (which of course is a BIG "if"!). Sounds like you have really good tile guys, so you could ask them. I would also ask Brian why 3 weeks. Just my 2 cents...
 
SuzfromTexas said:
Now, today's few tiles will be installed I bet without the thinset and only a two day cure time. All of this could have been installed weeks ago, if someone had acted when I called and called about it!!!!
Take care.
Suz.
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EXACTLY You don't wait till the day or 2 before plaster to add these very expensive pieces to the pool IMHO but who am I to judge? I would also think there should be some cure time.. Oh well - guess we will find out shortly.. :hammer:
 
Patrick_B said:
Suz, the chemistry is not scary. You've done 100 recipes in your life that were FAR, FAR, more complex. Don't make me fly to Houston and prove it to you.
(You'll have to come to Hobby and pick me up.) :mrgreen:
Click to expand...

Bush! It's about 30 min drive and easy in and out! I'd rather poke my eye out than drive to hobby! So when are we planning this trip?
 

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