Central PA Pool Build

[thadius65]

Our 18x36 pool build begins in Central PA.

Concrete will be 4x4x4x5 around pool, then 1000 sq feet between it and our house. Will post pics as it progresses.

(2) - skimmers
(2) - returns
2" plumbing (spa flex)
Hayward 1hp 2-speed pump
Hayward 244T Sand filter
Aqua Plus w/ Cell-15 SWG
Aqua Pod
Hayward LED light
Summit 8TA Heat pump ( I know I will be sorry not getting gas! )
28 mil GLI Designer liner

Cantilever Capstone Concrete Coping

More to come! Hope weather stays warm for at least a week of use!!

Ted

 

[thadius65]

Backhoe's find the darndest things:

Nice job on the line marking Verizon (NOT!):

And of course the pre-city hook up septic tank was found. Right in the corner of the deep end. Two tri-axels of stone required:

Let's hope today has less surprises.

 

[thadius65]

So part of the wall section straddles the septic tank area (made of concrete block). This was filled with stone day prior and now had to be carved back and supported. Concrete collar is being poured tomorrow and I guess they plan on somehow filling the remaining from top of block to pool wall with the concrete? Then it will be dry packed when sides are hand formed.

Panel straddles the above with about 1/4 exposed into deep end, though behind the area to be dry packed.

Thoughts/Concerns?

Thanks!

Ted

 

[pool_snob]

It's tough to evaluate anything with those miniscule pics.

 

[Melt In The Sun]

Can't really see your pictures, so I'm having a hard time understanding the situation

If you link to them from an online photo storage site like Photobucket or Flickr, they are easier to manage.

 

[thadius65]

There that should look better. Sorry, will use Photobucket from now on.

 

[Melt In The Sun]

Yep, looks great

As long as it is backfilled up good and tight, I think it will be OK. Hopefully more comments will follow.

 

[avissean]

Just so the back-fill behind and under the block is solid, it should be okay from an engineering standpoint. The slope/stepped detail at the blocks with the stone certainly takes the load transfer where it would be if it were virgin soil. My concern is how much attention was paid to the type of stone used and the compaction of the stone under the blocks. River stone, although heavy, does not lock in very well. How deep is the septic hole below the bottom of the blocks? If deeper than 1' they should have used limestone and applied it in a couple different "lifts" with each "lift" being compacted. This will give you an engineered compaction similar to what is used under concrete slabs. Then apply the concrete blocks. The concrete blocks probably should have had the cores poured solid with concrete some staggered rebar within them as well. This is overdoing it. Back in the 1980's I was a foreman and part owner for Walizer pools in Lock Haven, Pa. We ran into similar situations with wells and sinkholes and this is the method we used. 30 years later the pools are still being used. Just my two cents.

What is the labor warranty on this pool?

Have a great night!
Concerned in PA

 

[thadius65]

Update on PB's method:

They are going to treat this side like a gunite pool. Taking what is seen in the above picture and placing rebar along the wall collar and all along the wall itself, down to the pool bottom, bent into shape needed and cement applied. So with it cemeted behind pool wall, down the wall and bottom, it should be good. There will be enough room left for the side to be dry packed as the other sides will be.

Both the lead PB engineer and owner came to the same conclusion independently last evening and communicated it to me this morning.

Appreciate the previous input and look forward any willing to share.

 

[thadius65]

Septic area is all buttoned up as seen in two pics, but unfortunately the pool god's don't want much progress for week 1.... due to Central PA flooding, there are no concrete trucks available until Tuesday.

Rebar in wall collar, through slope and into bottom concrete should lock it up tight.

8' curved cantilever steps look great. Having the cantilever concrete coping all around the pool and the steps should look nice.

 

[thadius65]

Each week, it seems we get one day and then rain.... here was today's work (horizontal pour):

By Thanksgiving, we should be good to jump in!!

 

[thadius65]

Dear Mother Nature (and Al Gore),

Please stop this un-needed and senseless rain in Pennsylvania. We are now closing on week three with only (3.5) working days having occuring due to weather.

Sincerely,

Soggy in PA

 

[bosox1086]

I feel for you. I live in Chester County and I've probably drained 20 inches of water out of my pool the last month. Not that this will make you feel any better, but we started construction of our inground pool last year on 8/30 and at most it rained 1 or 2 days in September. This weather is getting old.

 

[thadius65]

LET THE SUNSHINE! LET THE SUNSHINE IN!!!

Progress is finally occurring. Hopefully first of four pours tomorrow. Cantilever coping forms in place:

 

[thadius65]

First pour went very well. Slow go, but getting there. Pour two on Monday, bottom side finishes on Tuesday and hopefully liner/water on Wednesday. The patio portion will then be poured, as well as equipment hookup. Cantilever concrete coping turned out nice:

 

[thadius65]

PB indicated that he wants to put wall foam on as a no-charge add. There was some splatter on walls and he doesn't want to risk missing any and potentially hurting liner.

 

[thadius65]

It seems the daily allocation of sun per week her in Central PA is two days per work week. Today was pour two of four. The challenge was the step area today and it turned out really well. Hopefully tomorrow is pool sides, liner and water.

 

[thadius65]

PB working quickly to get bottom down as our 2 days of rain god approved work is nearly over:

Liner next!

 

[duraleigh]

I usually don't comment much on pool builds because3 I think it's important not to second guess PB or interject anything to perhaps cause controversy between owner and PB.

However, that masonry work your PB is providing looks absolutely impeccable!!! I can't remember seeing any other masonry work that precise or neat. They appear to be doing a great job!

 

[thadius65]

duraleigh,

Having been in the business with my family back in the early 80's, I would agree 100%. Luckily we only ever had rectangles with the trapezoid shapes to deal with, which you could cheat by using jigs, etc. This was a very tough process, much by eye and the lead man on the crew is very picky about his and his teams work. Thanks for the comments!