Not at all. It's a quality product and looks better than just about anything else out there
First Time Pool Owner (Houston Pool Build)
- Thread starter rhawke
- Start date
@rhawke - Just read through your build thread. Looks like you've done your homework! I'm new to this so I don't know if I've learned some from you or got more confused because there's a lot more to consider than I was thinking! What side of Houston are you on? I'm curious which of the "big" builders you met with? We are very close to signing a contract with one of the big guys but I'm wondering if I should give your builder a shot.
Hi all! Got two questions again!
1) What do you guys think about Pool Miser as a auto-fill and drain in one device so that we can avoid the overflow grate drain on the sidewall of the pool and not have the issue of losing water with high activity? I like this even better than the plastic blocking device I linked earlier. Any bad experiences with this thing?
http://s144276.gridserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/poolmiser_ins_sheet.pdf
2) What about umbrella sleeves in the bench or sun-shelf areas inside the pool (under water)? With our sun orientation it would be the best location, but I'm worried about cracks in the gunnite / plaster when there is a hole with an umbrella pole that will act as a lever (people holding on to it when getting up, kids goffing around, or just wind gusts when the umbrella is opened, etc.). The PB says he has done them a few times and has had no issues ...
Robert
1) What do you guys think about Pool Miser as a auto-fill and drain in one device so that we can avoid the overflow grate drain on the sidewall of the pool and not have the issue of losing water with high activity? I like this even better than the plastic blocking device I linked earlier. Any bad experiences with this thing?
http://s144276.gridserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/poolmiser_ins_sheet.pdf
2) What about umbrella sleeves in the bench or sun-shelf areas inside the pool (under water)? With our sun orientation it would be the best location, but I'm worried about cracks in the gunnite / plaster when there is a hole with an umbrella pole that will act as a lever (people holding on to it when getting up, kids goffing around, or just wind gusts when the umbrella is opened, etc.). The PB says he has done them a few times and has had no issues ...
Robert
That auto filler is absolute trash. Those floats are cheaply made and prone to getting stuck open.
Go with this one:
Stetson Development | Auto Water Level System. includes all the parts you need.
I've yet to have an issue with one and they come with a pour-a-lid cover (the same thing you should be using on your skimmer. They come equipped with a port for a drain as well.
I like to position the auto filler and skimmer next to each other wrapped in a Rebar cage (per engineering) and encased in 8" of Shotcrete.
The umbrella sleeves will be fine. The umbrella will bend or break long before anything will happen to the structure. Just make sure the Shotcrete is at least 12" deep in the areas you are placing them.
Go with this one:
Stetson Development | Auto Water Level System. includes all the parts you need.
I've yet to have an issue with one and they come with a pour-a-lid cover (the same thing you should be using on your skimmer. They come equipped with a port for a drain as well.
I like to position the auto filler and skimmer next to each other wrapped in a Rebar cage (per engineering) and encased in 8" of Shotcrete.
The umbrella sleeves will be fine. The umbrella will bend or break long before anything will happen to the structure. Just make sure the Shotcrete is at least 12" deep in the areas you are placing them.
Thanks Bryan! Do you think that 1/2 inch overflow is sufficient to keep up with a heavy Houston rain storm on our 450sf surface pool? Or should we add the overflow grate with 2in pipe just in case?
Not really sure since I don't really know what rain is. I would connect a 1" pvc line to that overflow and run that directly into a 3" drain.
The beauty of the overflow being in the equalizer tank makes it almost impossible for debris to clog the overflow line.
The overflows connected to the skimmer or grates can easily get blocked by leaves and debris.
For good measure hook a line to the skimmer knock out as well as the auto filler.
I talked with my pool builder when he will send me a detailed plumbing map or plumbing diagram. He told me the pool is rather simple and he only specifies the drains and skimmers, the rest the plumber will take care of. The 6 returns will be spaced equally around the pool he said. He said the way to control flow of each one is by using different type of eyeballs. He promised me the valves and lines will be controlled as specified in the contract since all that is standard for all his pools. So I guess I will have to take his word for it.
I updated my own drawing below to show where he has the skimmers located. It looks right based on the prevailing wind direction based on climate data? However, with the house, trees and fence there is no way of knowing whether the wind really blows from that side. Any objections?
I updated my own drawing below to show where he has the skimmers located. It looks right based on the prevailing wind direction based on climate data? However, with the house, trees and fence there is no way of knowing whether the wind really blows from that side. Any objections?
The skimmer right by the bench worries me. Know I am a "momma bear" so.......but what if someone is sitting right there in front of the skimmer and the equipment is on..........skimmers suck water in from the pool......my worry is it sucking hair or bathing suit or..........not best practice in my eyes.
Kim
Kim
The only other option would then be to put the second skimmer in the very narrow end of the swimming lane. We don't have any decking along the long side of the pool which rules out that side.
The skimmer right by the bench worries me. Know I am a "momma bear" so.......but what if someone is sitting right there in front of the skimmer and the equipment is on..........skimmers suck water in from the pool......my worry is it sucking hair or bathing suit or..........not best practice in my eyes.
Kim
Skimmers vent to atmosphere.. but that is still poor placement as a foothold / trip hazard.
Sorry, I'm not sure I understand. What do you mean by venting to atmosphere?
Is there a specific location based on the plan that you could recommend instead of by the bench?
It’s a form of suction release.
I recommend bringing any contention of inquiry to the contractor & his design department. They are the best aquatinted to the project & equipped to make adjustments.
OK I will try. They were the ones that placed it there, so I am pretty sure that their answer is that this is the best location ...
Here are my thoughts on the skimmers:
-right side skimmer-move it down to where the 13'6" line is.
-other skimmer-put it on the short wall on the other side of the spa. The left side of the 37' line
My thinking is the returns can be turned to make a good rotation of the water. The prevailing wind will be messed up by the house and wall. With the skimmers in the above spots your pool should stay clean.
Kim
-right side skimmer-move it down to where the 13'6" line is.
-other skimmer-put it on the short wall on the other side of the spa. The left side of the 37' line
My thinking is the returns can be turned to make a good rotation of the water. The prevailing wind will be messed up by the house and wall. With the skimmers in the above spots your pool should stay clean.
Kim
Tell them you are worried your wife, parents, children or guests will catch their foot and be injured. Liability changes minds.
The pool is marked, permits are approved and excavation is scheduled for Monday, rebar and plumbing for tue-thu and gunnite for Friday! Let's hope there won't be any rain next week and we should have a completed shell in 7 days 
