DFW New Build 7/6/21-Swimming On 8/28

[Indeeph2o]

Remember this conversation. Because once July comes we are going to wish we had these problems.. there is no doubt about it…Summer is Coming. And it will be scorching!

True. I think TX and Louisiana are being selfish by hogging all of the rain now though, maybe we could share it with some other areas for a few days

 

[Indeeph2o]

I can relate. We’re re-doing our outdoor kitchen and have no idea when the builder can start. Probably won’t be completed until late summer or early fall since we’re still in the permitting process. And my Spartan mosquito tubes aren’t workings at all this year! They really don’t work unless the temps are regularly hitting 85+, which we’ve only done on a couple of occasions. I haven’t even turned my chiller on yet this year - the latest into the season I’ve ever gone.

Oh the mosquitoes are next level-we have standing water behind our property because the storm drain is overwhelmed. Plus, our neighbor has had just gunite for weeks and it's holding the rainwater. Although they had their plaster done yesterday morning

 

[Indeeph2o]

We were scheduled for dig today, 7am the PB and excavator crew was here and shortly thereafter the PB broke the bad news: standing water in ruts behind our fence made the ground too wet for the equipment. They could come over the gas pipeline in a bob cat and shuttle the dirt out, but need permission from the pipeline and the bobcat wasn't on site. With rain coming in, today was a no go. Of course I'm disappointed & frustrated but since we got a lot of rain today it's for the best.

Now that we'll have to wait until probably next week, I have a few depth questions.

Shallow end-we want 4' (water depth) for some reason PB keeps pushing 3'5, deep end will be 8.5. Tanning ledge should be 12 inches. Now we're considering making the spa about a foot bigger and oval shaped instead of round, and asking for 42 inches of water so we can stand in the middle if we choose to. (and yes the bigger & deeper the more difficult to heat)

Thoughts? Suggestions? Drink recipes ?

 

[convan23]

and yes the bigger & deeper the more difficult to heat

Also the bigger and deeper the cooler it will stay in the summer, which may be more important considering where we live!

Lots of people on here prefer 4 foot shallow end. Personally, we started with a 4 foot shallow end but after spending some time in a resort pool that only went to 4 feet, we decided to do 3.5 feet on one side, 5 in the middle and 4 on the other. 3 feet is definitely too shallow for us, but both my wife and I are 5’10”/5’7” and decided that we prefer having atleast some 3.5’ section. But again, lots of people on here prefer 4 feet as shallow side. Personal opinion. I’m not looking forward to keeping our sub 15k gallon pool in direct sun cool in the summer.

As for drink suggestion….we dug about 11 weeks ago and still don’t have Gunite. It’s rained 8 out of those 11 weeks. If you can get 2 weeks of sunshine after digging, that’s the best you can hope for. You don’t want to get caught up waiting for the muck out crews to clean things up after rain…that’s where we are and it’s the worse. Personally, I alternate between whiskey and red wine depending on the stress from the day

Hopefully we can switch to something more tropical in a couple of months!

 

[Indeeph2o]

Also the bigger and deeper the cooler it will stay in the summer, which may be more important considering where we live!

Lots of people on here prefer 4 foot shallow end. Personally, we started with a 4 foot shallow end but after spending some time in a resort pool that only went to 4 feet, we decided to do 3.5 feet on one side, 5 in the middle and 4 on the other. 3 feet is definitely too shallow for us, but both my wife and I are 5’10”/5’7” and decided that we prefer having atleast some 3.5’ section. But again, lots of people on here prefer 4 feet as shallow side. Personal opinion. I’m not looking forward to keeping our sub 15k gallon pool in direct sun cool in the summer.

As for drink suggestion….we dug about 11 weeks ago and still don’t have Gunite. It’s rained 8 out of those 11 weeks. If you can get 2 weeks of sunshine after digging, that’s the best you can hope for. You don’t want to get caught up waiting for the muck out crews to clean things up after rain…that’s where we are and it’s the worse. Personally, I alternate between whiskey and red wine depending on the stress from the day

Hopefully we can switch to something more tropical in a couple of months!

Right? I am all about cooler, but hubby wants warmth in the spa. I can't imagine waiting 11 weeks for gunite...well I can, but don't want to.

I can do whiskey and beer and wait for those frozen drinks until I'm poolside. Might be staring/drooling at the neighbors as their new pool was just finished a few weeks ago.

 

[HermanTX]

Shallow end-we want 4' (water depth) for some reason PB keeps pushing 3'5, deep end will be 8.5. Tanning ledge should be 12 inches. Now we're considering making the spa about a foot bigger and oval shaped instead of round, and asking for 42 inches of water so we can stand in the middle if we choose to. (and yes the bigger & deeper the more difficult to heat)

The PB may be concerned that the last step may be a big step. Most steps are 12-14inches. If you have starting 4ft shallow, that last step could be 18 inches. That is unless the PB adds a step or makes other adjustments to the current step design.
I have 3.5ft but only for a very short distance as it quickly goes to 4ft then transitions to 5.5ft in the middle and back up to 4ft on the opposite end i.e sports pool. Obviously yours is shallow to deep with 8.5ft. Has the PB given you a reason why he wants the 3.5ft?

A deeper spa could be nice. My grandkids love the spa as they are able to ”stand” in it and it is only 36inches deep. I don’t think you have a significant delay in heating the pool if you have a 400btu nat. Gas heater.

 

[Indeeph2o]

The PB may be concerned that the last step may be a big step. Most steps are 12-14inches. If you have starting 4ft shallow, that last step could be 18 inches. That is unless the PB adds a step or makes other adjustments to the current step design.
I have 3.5ft but only for a very short distance as it quickly goes to 4ft then transitions to 5.5ft in the middle and back up to 4ft on the opposite end i.e sports pool. Obviously yours is shallow to deep with 8.5ft. Has the PB given you a reason why he wants the 3.5ft?

A deeper spa could be nice. My grandkids love the spa as they are able to ”stand” in it and it is only 36inches deep. I don’t think you have a significant delay in heating the pool if you have a 400btu nat. Gas heater.

Herman-you are always so helpful and you may be correct. I'll ask how quickly we can transition. Our friends down the street have a deeper spa and I think they stand in it as much as they sit because they can stand-feel the jets and lean over to the pool for conversation. I'll be so glad when we finally break ground.

 

[Indeeph2o]

from this to this

 

[Indeeph2o]

And they're doing the rebar today-no discussion about choosing tile yet-they are pumping out the water, soil injection probably tomorrow, short plumb either later today or tomorrow and scheduled for gunite on Friday. We are cooking with gas!

 

[Indeeph2o]

Okay experts-any issues? Suggestions? Feedback? Paging @HermanTX @Jimrahbe or @Texas Splash

 

[HermanTX]

Okay experts-any issues? Suggestions? Feedback? Paging @HermanTX @Jimrahbe or @Texas Splash

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Good progress. Just a couple of things to verify before gunite.
Did they have independent lines for each skimmer?
You have separat circulation for your waterfall. Verify which pipes are suction for that Pump.
Ensure your rebar is not sitting directly on the ground as you want the rebar to be in middle of the gunite when applied.

 

[Indeeph2o]

Good progress. Just a couple of things to verify before gunite.
Did they have independent lines for each skimmer?
You have separat circulation for your waterfall. Verify which pipes are suction for that Pump.
Ensure your rebar is not sitting directly on the ground as you want the rebar to be in middle of the gunite when applied.

Thank you! There are bricks under the rebar, does that cover it?

 

[Indeeph2o]

Soil injection was done today-waiting for gunite tomorrow.

 

[Indeeph2o]

Our dream is closer to reality and we couldn't be more excited! If you need me, I'll be watering the shell

 

[Indeeph2o]

Pool builder is bringing tile samples by tomorrow with what is available, so fingers crossed they'll have something in stock we like. Meanwhile day 5 of 7 watering the shell.

 

[Indeeph2o]

So, I've been on TFP for over a year, reading, researching, learning and drooling over everyone's pools. One thing I was excited about was tile choices and getting input especially from @kimkats as I know she's seen thousands of pools and knows what looks good, and what we should think about. But, due to supply issues we got a box of samples and needed to make a decision the same day. We gave him two choices and now we wait to see which one was available. I'm not complaining as we're thrilled our dream is coming true and that our builder is trying to keep things moving. Fingers crossed we chose wisely.

 

[Indeeph2o]

Tile, coping rock guy came by and checked pool measurements again-he said this was the tile that's in stock, based on our two choice. This was our 2nd choice. Fingers crossed it looks good. Has anyone else used this tile?

 

[kimkats]

HI! I am sorry I missed the start of your build! Thanks for calling me in!

That tile is going to be so much fun to pick through and install just right. It will have so many different and pretty tiles. It will also really make your plaster POP against it. The water color will be wonderful with it as well. Have you seen any gray liners? They make the prettiest water color out there!

Saying that make sure you get the tile boxes in as early as you can so you can go through them. Find the prettiest tiles to go where the eye will fall as you walk out the door. Also find the ugly ones to hide.

I am finding just in time to share YOUR own 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

 

[Indeeph2o]

HI! I am sorry I missed the start of your build! Thanks for calling me in!

That tile is going to be so much fun to pick through and install just right. It will have so many different and pretty tiles. It will also really make your plaster POP against it. The water color will be wonderful with it as well. Have you seen any gray liners? They make the prettiest water color out there!

Saying that make sure you get the tile boxes in as early as you can so you can go through them. Find the prettiest tiles to go where the eye will fall as you walk out the door. Also find the ugly ones to hide.

I am finding just in time to share YOUR own 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

I now feel "legit" since I have my links. Thank you!

 

[Newdude]

Hey Indeep !!! I have not built a plaster pool but have read from truckloads of folks who have. As the spectator this stage kinda makes me chuckle a little. This is the most critical thing in the world right now, And it’s even more critical when they install it and it sticks out like a sore thumb for 2 weeks before they plaster. It is absolutely center stage at the moment.

But once it’s all built, and the decorations go around the pool, Furniture popped open, Towels thrown in a ‘I’m not placing it nicely on a chair because CANNONNNNNNBALLLLLLL !!!!!’

The tile becomes just a cast member in an entire ensemble of characters. Sure it has one of the bigger parts, But this play is FULL of big parts.

So as long as it’s even remotely close to something you would like….. you will be in love with it. *Remember that* when they install it and it stands out like a giant neon sign against the construction backdrop and concrete colored shell. It will look a bazillion times better amongst its fellow cast mates when the time comes.