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

[TKpoolOH]

Decking was completed today

What kind of concrete/decking is that? Reminds me of Nature Stone that I have in my basement. Yours looks great!

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

What kind of concrete/decking is that? Reminds me of Nature Stone that I have in my basement. Yours looks great!

Thank you. It’s just washed aggregate concrete. I didn’t specify the type or color of aggregate. It’s just the mix that the concrete company uses. I thought it turned out very well.

 

[RoyR]

I don’t see expansion joints?

 

[Valier]

It's looking amazing. The multiple levels around the pool add such a great dimension to the space and make the area feel so inviting!

 

[Valier]

It is time for your set of links! The first set is all about what to do and ask about to get a great plaster job. The second set is all about how to care for your pool after you get the plaster.

Plaster links:
Ten Guidelines for Quality Pool Plaster Best one of all
All Plaster Finishes Should Last 20 Years
Not All Color Pigments are Good for Pools How to pick a good color for plaster.
A Plastering 'Watch List' | Professional Watershaping | Watershapes
Trouble Free Pool
Trouble Free Pool

Pool care links:
Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule
Pool School - Recommended Levels

Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals
Trouble Free Pool
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

Now is also a good time to ask what test kit your PB will be providing so we can fill in any holes.

Kim

Hi Kim, do you have the updated links by any chance? Some of them ran into below error, for example: https://www.troublefreepool.com/content/139-recommended-pool-chemicals or https://www.troublefreepool.com/content/123-abc-of-pool-water-chemistry

Oops! We ran into some problems.​

The requested page could not be found.

 

[kimkats]

Thank you for letting me know. I am working on fixing them now.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

The plumbing was completed on Monday and the electricians are finishing up at the moment. I’ll post up a picture of the equipment pad when they get done. The only thing I’m disappointed in so far is they didn’t put in a heater bypass, but that’s an easy enough fix in the future if I decide I need it.

Plaster is scheduled for tomorrow and then the crew will come back Friday to acid wash and we will fill the pool over the weekend. The weather couldn’t be better for plaster. Tomorrow’s lows are in the 40s and highs in the 70s. I bought some hose bib meters so I can get a pretty accurate account of how much water is in the pool.

 

[reggiehammond]

So now I’m turning my focus to start up. I have already verified that my water is perfect for the bicar start up method. CH is 250, TA is 340, and pH is 7.2, giving me a CSI of +.23. CH + TA is greater than 500, so no additional carbonate will need to be added. As pH rises to 7.8, which I fully expect to happen, CSI will go up to +.83.

TA of 340... wow. You're going to use a lot of acid between May and October, in the future, just prepare yourself.

Once you figure it out, you'll know what to add every time you top up. I have to add water weekly, and for my pool, it takes a gallon of acid to counteract all the TA I'm dumping in with the fill water.

Given you that you say you don't have iron (which is very prevalent just north of you), you could have your irrigation controller run a program to add water 1-2x weekly once you figure out the pattern of evaporation.

 

[PoolStored]

So now I’m turning my focus to start up. I have already verified that my water is perfect for the bicar start up method. CH is 250, TA is 340, and pH is 7.2, giving me a CSI of +.23. CH + TA is greater than 500, so no additional carbonate will need to be added. As pH rises to 7.8, which I fully expect to happen, CSI will go up to +.83.

With a TA that high, you need this thread after your startup period.

Lowering Total Alkalinity (TA) Quickly with the Acid Aeration Method

Thought I'd make a post that might help others. We've had quite a few members this year with high TA, and I've been typing the same information over and over. I'm going to post this so I can link it to help others. High TA can cause rapid pH rise. High TA is typically caused by high TA fill...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

LHere are some pics of the equipment pad. Yes, there is an in line chlorinator. No, I’m not going to use it. It was part of the package and I just left it in as it was only a couple hundred dollars, and I thought it might be a convenient option if the salt cell ever failed and I also needed to add cya. If I ever have to do any plumbing work, I’ll probably remove it.

The original location I wanted to put the pad wouldn’t work due to the gas and electric service lines coming into the house. The second location wouldn’t work because of the extreme difference in elevation and distance from the pool. So we ended up having to put it out to the north of the pool in an area of the yard that won’t ever see much use. It’s about 50 feet away from the pool. I plan to build a nice little fence around at least two sides of it, maybe three sides to hide the equipment and help block some of the sound.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Think about having supports under the elevated plumbing.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

Yes I noticed that when I turned the valves some of the elevated pipes had quite a bit of play in them. I will probably add some supports to help that.

Are those regular tee fittings that are cut in half length ways, or is that an actual fitting I can purchase?

Would something like this work?

2" PVC Schedule 40 Snap-On Saddle (IPS O.D. x S)

PVC Schedule 40 snap on saddle 2"

drainageproducts.us

 

[TinFoilHat]

You can make them yourself.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

My plumber makes them out of standard tee fittings.

 

[reggiehammond]

The original location I wanted to put the pad wouldn’t work due to the gas and electric service lines coming into the house. The second location wouldn’t work because of the extreme difference in elevation and distance from the pool. So we ended up having to put it out to the north of the pool in an area of the yard that won’t ever see much use. It’s about 50 feet away from the pool. I plan to build a nice little fence around at least two sides of it, maybe three sides to hide the equipment and help block some of the sound.

With a VSP, you won't have noise. My pump at 1400rpms is so quiet that you have to be standing over it to even tell if it's on.

What you might consider is shade for the equipment, as that will help with longevity. Could be as simple as a mesh/lattice cap that sits on top of whatever fence you build around it...

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

Plaster was just completed. They’re coming back tomorrow to acid wash and then start filling. We went with stonescapes mini in aqua blue. I really wanted something a little darker, but my wife wasn’t too fond of the dark water, especially since we live out in the boonies. She wanted to make sure she could absolutely see the bottom so she didn’t go swimming with any of the creatures around here. I think this will be a good compromise.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

Finished the acid wash today around 1:00. I’ve got two hoses in the pool filling it. Looks like I’ll have to set an alarm for about 3:00 AM Sunday morning. Ugh! I tested the water again after filling the spa and I’m on point for the bicarb start up. Pool builder will be here Monday morning to start all the equipment up.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

Pool is almost full, but the builder won’t be back to start up the pump until Monday morning. I’m wondering if I should go ahead and try to start it up myself to start filtering out all the stuff floating on top. I sure wouldn’t want to mess anything up though.

During a regular startup, the NPC recommends waiting until day 3 to add chlorine. Would that be the same recommendation for the bicarb start up as well? Or should I go ahead and put some liquid chlorine in and brush it around to mix it up? I really don’t want to let algae get a toe hold if I can help it. Water temperature is 73°.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

.

 

[ajw22]

What color is your plaster?

Starting a new thread just makes it more difficult to figure out your situation.

What is your finish?

What is the source of your fill water?

Adding chlorine can bleach the color from your plaster. If is white then should not be a problem but keep it to 1-3ppm without CYA.