Build thread: 16x34’ in ground pool on an extremely sloped back yard

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

I spoke to the builder today and added a second light in the pool. We also changed the depth to 4/5/4 instead of 3.5/5/4. Dig day is September 4th, so if anyone has any other suggestions before then, I’m all ears.

 

[kimkats]

SWEET! Good changes there!

Okay you need a light by the equipment. You will thank me when you have to go out there at dark for something.

Do you have an overflow pipe planned? If not do so. You know how much it can rain at one time. You sure don't want to have to run out there and drain water during a big storm. Show us what the PB wants to do about this one so we can make sure it is the best way to do it.

If I think of anything else I will pop back in.

Kim

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

Yep there’s are already lights where the equipment pad will be. I have soffit lights all the way around my house, so there’s at least three overhead bulbs above the equipment pad. I will double check on the overflow pipe. They sent me the equipment list and everything looked good except the salt cell. They had included a 25k salt cell. I requested to upgrade that to 40k.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

Dig day happened today. Most everything went smooth except we were just a tad off determining where the septic line was. Naturally, we got into it in one spot. But everything else went without a hitch. Plumber is coming tomorrow to fix the septic line. Steel guys will also be here tomorrow to install the rebar. Then the plumber will be back Friday to plumb the pool.

 

[kimkats]

Let the dirt/mud begin!!! Now run out there and make sure the measurements meet your design!! Add about 6" for the steel, shell, plaster. NOW is the time to tweak or fix.

What a pretty house you have! Love the shape and colors!

 

[RoyR]

Remove the fill dirt and go with cement all the way to the good dirt….prevents cracks in the future.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

Remove the fill dirt and go with cement all the way to the good dirt….prevents cracks in the future.

There is no fill dirt. Thats all my soil. No dirt was brought in from off site.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

And today we have steel. 1/2” grade 40 rebar in all the beams. 3/8” grade 40 rebar everywhere else. All rebar is on 10” centers except in the floor and exposed walls where it is on 5” centers. Gunite will be 10” thick everywhere except on the out of ground beams where it will be 12” thick. Making progress. Barring any rain tonight, we will get the plumbing done tomorrow and gunite next week.

I tried to add pictures, but the file size is too large.

 

[ajw22]

I tried to add pictures, but the file size is too large.

Picture Posting and Resizing - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

And we have plumbing. 2” suction and 1 1/2” returns. Split main drains in the pool and spa, two skimmers, and six returns. Also, two bubblers in the tanning ledge. Weather permitting, we will get gunite early next week.

 

[ajw22]

Caps should be put on those pieces of rebar sticking up. They are a major safety hazard and a liability to your builder and you.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

Good call on the caps. I would have never thought about that.

We went with one skimmer on the north end of the pool and one on the south end. Our prevailing winds in the spring and summer are out of the south. The rest of the year is an even split between north and south winds.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Will a auto fill be installed and a dedicated overflow line?

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

At this point, no. I’ve been pushing for it, but this particular pool builder doesn’t want to do it. Their thought is that with lots of use and splashing that there will we constant draining and filling of water. My thought is with our heat there will still be constant filling, only it’ll be manually by me. I’m not sure why they are so adamant that it’s unnecessary. This is really the only thing we haven’t agreed on through this whole process.

It’s not like it would be difficult to install. I live in the country on thousands of acres so I could just discharge the overflow water out in the pasture.

And honestly, I’m bumping up against the top of my budget as it is, so I’ve decide to just go along with them on this one. If worse comes to worse, I can build an autofill to run off of a garden hose if I’m ever out of town for an extended time.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

The auto fill at this point in the project is pennies on the dollar and the overflow pipe is under $20, you can have a inline valve installed on the overflow line in a valve box and only have the valve open during winter months if concerned about the loss of water.
It’s a very common install on swimming pools in this are.

 

[KevMo]

I will echo the auto fill. Filling by water hose in Texas can become a frequent task in the summer. My guess is younwoukd end up with a water hose on the deck with the auto fill attached to the side. If it causes the problem the builder is describing you can always turn it off when you dont want to use it. Make sure there is a valve near the supply. However, adding (and hiding) one after the fact is not easy. It's your pool and you will be the one living with it for years. If your builder/plumber does not know how to add one there are several experts here to describe it in detail.

 

[kimkats]

Just think about you big rains you get in TX just like we do here in FL. You NEED an overflow tube. If they install one like posted above and where it is installed ( just under the coping) You should not lose much water from splashing.

 

[TinFoilHat]

I will vote yes on the autofill. Mine has been spectacular for over 20 years. The only time a hose is in the pool is if I have needed to drain water out.

 

[bmoreswim]

Regarding no autofill, how do you manage evaporation losses when you go on vacation and the water gets below the skimmer? A cover? Maybe TX isn't the peak of evaporation areas.

Or a tropical storm when you are away on the overflow side. Just wanted to put some specifics to the conversation. Builders don't always know best.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

They’re going to shoot the gunite tomorrow. I won’t be home all day for a week to water it down. I was going to set up a sprinkler on a timer. How many times a day and for how long each time would yall recommend watering?