Backyard Oasis Build Thread - Houston - All Done. =)

[JMSMommy]

Hi All,

I am back! Thank you to everyone who helped me go through design and specs before I signed the contract. We signed the contract first week of November and with the holidays and a few comments coming back from the City, there was a brief delay...but we should be starting this week!! =)

Question: Does anyone already have a spreadsheet listing out check points for their build - like things to remember, what to look for, reminders, etc? I was going to make one today, but if someone already has this, I would love to recycle/reuse (my previous consulting days are coming into play here!)

Question: Does anyone have a list of things to discuss with pool project manger before they start? Expectations, etc?

Question: Did anyone specifically install a construction camera? If so, how did you do that? Should I have a camera out there?

Here are the specs of our pool:
Here are the pool specs:

Geometric Pool with two raised wall
Pool Dimensions: 33x20.5x16
Spa Dimensions: 8x8
Perimeter 113
Gallons: 17,000
Dept Max: 5.5
1600 sq ft decking
3 bubble gushers
3 sheer descents
Attached covered patio with kitchen

Equipment:
Jandy Aqualink PDA 8
Jandy Aqualink
CV580 filter
Dolphin Cleaning Robot (haven't picked one yet)
Jandy Salt Cell PLC 1400 APUREM Power
JXI 400,000 BTU
Jandy Epump Variable Speed
2HP Water Feature Pump
1.5 HP Dedicated Spa Pump
Jandy Watercolor LED Lights for Pool and Spa
Pebble Sheen Blue Surf

Attaching updated pictures.

 

[ajw22]

Have you read...

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[gingrbredman]

Question: Did anyone specifically install a construction camera? If so, how did you do that? Should I have a camera out there?

I put up three temporary cameras just to watch the build. I plan to have cameras out there anyway, and have several ethernet cables out to the backyard anyway so it was easy for me to hang them and run the wire. I really liked watching the work whenever I wanted, and even saving some of the videos along the way. Could be helpful as well if there is any damage from any of the subs and no one wants to take credit for. You can see in this picture the black cable hanging there. Now that my project is about done, I'll work on a more permanent mounting solution in the spring.

 

[JMSMommy]

Dig started and was all complete yesterday. Today steel reinforcements, etc. I did end up installing a solar powered wireless security camera. It definitely helps because I can take pictures and see who is coming in and out of my backyard. Anything I need to look out for? I believe plumbing stub out next and gunite is already on the schedule soon (pending inspection, etc).

Please let me know if there is anything I need to look out for before they do gunite. Anything plumbing specific I should specify? Thanks all!!

 

[JMSMommy]

Completed pre plumbing the other day...just waiting for gunite

 

[JMSMommy]

Hi All, the plan is for gunite tomorrow. Do we need to do anything in preparation? Should I go out and buy a sprinkler head?

What are things I should look out for the gunite crew is doing their thing? What about after?
Thanks!!

 

[JJ_Tex]

Congrats. Have you verified that the returns, lights, skimmers, etc are all as you expected? Same thing with the depths? Everything looks good from what I can tell on the pics, but those things become much much harder to change after gunite so you want to be sure.

As for the sprinkler, I bought one but never used it. I liked getting in there with the hose and making sure every nook and cranny got watered. Good luck.

 

[JMSMommy]

Congrats. Have you verified that the returns, lights, skimmers, etc are all as you expected? Same thing with the depths? Everything looks good from what I can tell on the pics, but those things become much much harder to change after gunite so you want to be sure.

As for the sprinkler, I bought one but never used it. I liked getting in there with the hose and making sure every nook and cranny got watered. Good luck.

thanks! I measured and we looked at the plumbing stub out and all looks good to me.

 

[JMSMommy]

And they are done with gunite. started at 7AM. I haven’t seen it up close yet - just through the camera. I did spy my PM measuring away.

I’ll measure when I go home. Anything else I need to do/look for besides watering?

 

[Nikilyn]

That's about how long mine took, maybe a bit longer but they were having problems with a hydraulic something leaking.

 

[JMSMommy]

Do I need to worry about these little blips on the sheer descent walls? My PB said not to worry bc they will float it with mortar?

just double checking...

also attaching the completed gunite for reference

 

[JMSMommy]

Hi all! Just a quick update with on plumbing - it’s all complete and they are waiting for the plumbing and electrical inspection. We are about two weeks behind thanks to the great Texas freeze...luckily gunite was done and the pool was able to curate before the freeze happened.

For my bubble gushers and sheer descents the plumbers have both water features on the water feature pump. The water features have actuators so i can turn them on with a remote/phone. I am told that i can control the water pressure with a ball valve.

attaching a few pictures for a reference. So far everything looks good to me...but what do I know!

 

[stack24]

Coming along nicely love the look of it!

 

[gingrbredman]

Looking good!

My bubblers work the same way. Can turn them on or off with the actuator through automation, and setting the right pressure is done with my valves. Once I set the right pressure for how I like them to behave, I haven't touched them since...but one day if I want to really fire them up, I can open the valves all the way.

 

[JMSMommy]

Silver travertine coping, porcelain waterline tile that looks like travertine, and the spa wall/pool back wall tile is in! The guys are finishing up the glass tile for the spa later this week.
The travertine is a lot ‘creamier’ then I thought. The back wall seems really white to me. I am hoping it all comes together at the end.

The back wall tile will also be around the fire pit and In the kitchen so hoping everything balances out. The decking will have an artificial turf boarding the pool and then silver travertine that matches the coping.

Any thoughts? Please tell me all will look great.

 

[JMSMommy]

So far so good here...just updating with more pics. Drains were done yesterday and the structure is going up fast. I think we have 13-14 drains?

 

[JMSMommy]

Hi everyone! Travertine decking was done last week...I have a question regarding pavers.
When walking barefoot on the pavers, I can feel that some pavers are higher then the others - meaning it’s not all flush together. Is that normal?

They still have a few things to do, but wondering if I need to bring this up.
Attaching pictures of the progress so far!

 

[Fiveflat]

Are the pavers just set in sand? I don't think they settle much so if it's annoying have them fix it.

FYI - my uncle has pavers and little bits of sand are always getting in his pool (he's nit picky about his pool though so take that for what it's worth)

 

[JMSMommy]

Are the pavers just set in sand? I don't think they settle much so if it's annoying have them fix it.

FYI - my uncle has pavers and little bits of sand are always getting in his pool (he's nit picky about his pool though so take that for what it's worth)

Thanks. Some areas are set in sand and some are set on sand on top of existing concrete. I’ll talk to my PM tomorrow

 

[JMSMommy]

Closing the loop - they still need to put the polymeric sand; everything will level out at the end. I guess I wait now.