back for more 2020

[Richardz202]

Hello TFP, I'm back with new plans. Last year, I got some really sound advice regarding my current in-ground liner kit pool which is 16x36. I was hoping to do a simple swap out, but it would have never worked due to ground issues, etc. I'm currently clearing some landscape around the pool and prepping for plumbing and rebar.

Current equipment plan:
-Pentair SuperFlo VS 1.5 HP
-A salt water generator that I haven't found yet
-And a filter that I'm still researching

My new plans are to:
*Add plumbing to current structure in ground. I'm thinking 4 inlets and 1 skimmer return (No drains). 2" rigid PVC/Hayward SP108520M square pool skimmer

*Rebar current opening in ground. stairs on one end, Small bench in deep end. If anybody has any cheat sheets on rebar or helpful info for pools, that would be very helpful.

*Gunite company to come spray and form gunite.

*A simple tile for coping.

*Epoxy paint. I am completely maxed out on budget, this is one thing I cannot make the upgrade to plaster.

Thank you in advance for all your feedback! The landscaping is very messy today, so will hopefully be able to upload pics by the end of the day.

 

[bmoreswim]

I'll just be honest that this isn't a pool we are going to really get behind as you are not putting any plaster on the pool surface. Relying on epoxy paint to waterproof the shell and provide a decent feeling interior surface is not best practice. Or better said, nobody does this. I'm nervous for you.

You mention tile for coping. Typically coping is concrete or stone/brick. And for waterline tile? Are you passing on doing that as well for cost purposes?

 

[Richardz202]

That’s terrifying. I feel like I’ve read enough articles and nothing has made me feel that bad about the paint vs plaster.

I see company’s that offer 20 year warranties on 2 part epoxys. Is it all just hype and actually a terrible product??

I can’t get 5 good years from 2/3 coats?

Thanks

 

[Richardz202]

Regarding the coping/waterline tile, I meant waterline tile. Coping will most likely be decking.

 

[bmoreswim]

I think people here may be hesitant to provide input, but we'll see. For me, when I see someone taking a shortcut, it makes me leery because I then know there is then a tendency to do more themselves than is advisable or than they have knowledge of or ability for. I'm just giving you my honest feedback.

On the paint, epoxy paint, I'm not an expert on this, but I have heard folks discuss that epoxy paint of days gone by had additives that made it much more effective than today's versions. And rarely is gunite very smooth as a subsurface.

 

[Richardz202]

No corners being cut here. We bought the house with a liner kit pool that had seen its lifetime.

Im just trying to make the best out of my situation, and budget.

thanks

 

[Richardz202]

I’m trying to make the move to plumbing this weekend. I’ve updated plans to 2 wide mouth skimmers that I will place on the down-wind wall, and 4 or 5 returns. I am surrounded by 100’ pine trees.

I’ve decided on running independent lines to each return. I’m not sold on the layout of the jets though. My Pentair VS 1.5hp comes with 1.5” fittings, should I run all 1.5” for the returns? 2” on my skimmers.

Im uploading some pics of places where I think 4 returns will work, if anybody has any input on moving any to more suitable places, that would be great. Currently 3 in the deep end(2 high, 1 low)and the 4th in the shallow end.

Thank you!

 

[malba2366]

Painting the concrete will probably not work very well. If the budget will not allow for plaster, why not replace the liner?

 

[Richardz202]

Painting the concrete will probably not work very well. If the budget will not allow for plaster, why not replace the liner?

The walls have very little structure left in them. Large rust holes in quite a few spots. The liner track has no place to install.

If I remove the walls and try to replace, too much ground would cave in.

 

[Richardz202]

I’m looking into a product called sider-Crete. A cement based plaster that can be rolled on and mixed at home.

thoughts?

 

[Richardz202]

So I’ve moved into going with Sider-Crete. I’ll only need 40ish bags delivered compared to 100+ Portland mix to get the job done. First you install a 1/16” top coat, then roll on cement plaster and squeegee. Seems easy enough. I’m not a professional plasterer, but I can certainly apply it.

I decided to go with 5 returns, they are all but 1 plumbed in. Trying to prep for skimmers and rebar before next weekend.

 

[Richardz202]

Updates.
Pool equipment is here. Went with an sj-40 and Pentair 1.5 HP VS.

rebar is 80% done. Electrical starting tomorrow. Bought wrong skimmers with necks

 

[Richardz202]

Steps in the right direction..

Rebar work: 12” grid not too difficult, terrified of stairs with no natural backfill, adding 2 small benches in each end of deep end. All returns installed and tested, swg and pump in. Still deciding between which cartridge filter to purchase. Don’t actually have a setup in mind for shed.

If I had to redo the project I would have dug out the 45 walls with sand from the previous vinyl liner, and straightened out the deep end. I also would have built a sun deck across the entire shallow end. I got outvoted 1-1 by my wife.

In the deep end I’m going to wet the the sand on the 45’s and manually pack in some gravel to help with the spray.

3/4 plywood for a form about 3” out from the old steel coping this week, along with skimmers which shouldn’t be fun. Done all the research, but still first time. (Skimmers)

 

[Richardz202]

First pool. 6000 labor and research hours later. Two babies, and a 12 year old.

I’m 9 days away from plaster. Bmoreswim, you were right. Painting gunite would be insane.

I couldn’t go with a second skimmer, I was afraid of the metal walls from the previous
liner pool caving in.

I literally can’t afford coping and bricks on top of this hunk of concrete. I’ll figure it out next year. I want to surround the entire pool with wood decking, but ehhhhh, I just hate the step-up.

Waterline tile is complete. Even slapped some tile lines in the stairs. Epoxy grout In the 93 degree heat has a working time of about 15 minutes, and then you scrub and buff for 3 hours. Looking forward to the next half Tomorrow.

The “bench” I made in the deep end can barely hold one of my butt-cheeks on it. It’s basically a “step-out” of the deep end for code now. lol

Still have to connect pvc plumbing in pool shed. Also need to figure out how to run the pool for 30 days without the SWG, find a cover, etc. etc. etc. etc.

 

[bmoreswim]

Happy and tired for you. Hope you can take a nice float in about 10 days. Other troubles for other days.