Full backyard renovation in Charlotte, NC

[ogjorge]

Hey Folks! Have spent the last week reading through a lot of great information. Thanks all for all your expertise helping us newbies!

So I've been wanting to buy a house with a pool for as long as I can remember, and I finally reached the financial position to purchase the house of my dreams with a large pool and hot tub for me and my family (wife and 2-12 year old boys). The previous owner did not do much to take care of the pool and my wife and I are talking to a couple of different companies to resurface the plaster, retile above the water line, and put down new flagstone deck pavers over the ugly and uncomfortable brick.

My wife and I really like the Quartzscape Caribbean Aruba Sky color (QuartzScapes® Caribbean Series | Pool Finishes | NPTpool.com). The Argent Blue 1x4 Santorini tile (Tile Series: NPT Boutique Santorini | NPTpool.com). And the Steel Blue Flagstone Pavers (Steel Blue Calibrated Flagstone | NPT Hardscapes | NPTpool.com).

Since this is the first time we're renovating a pool and backyard, I figured I'd ask for the wisdom of the crowds and seek second opinions to our plans. Below are some pictures of the current pool and deck areas. As part of our renovations, we are going to be painting all the brick on the house and columns in white with contrasting black windows and accents. Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can give!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

It looks like the pool is empty. We recommend never letting a pool be empty for long. Underground water pressure can cause the pool to pop out of the ground.

Are you sure the pipes have no leaks?

Show us some pics of the pool equipment pad.

 

[carnivalday]

Wow is this going to be an amazing transformation! I cant wait to see this happen.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I get a French Courtyard type vibe from the house.. I like it!

You'll obviously need that leaf catching net over the pool come fall... that's a lotta leaves!
I would question how hot the blue steel flagstone pavers might feel on bare feet?
Did your lender let you buy the house without a pool inspection- seeing as the pool is empty and all that?? Do you have a warranty on it and the equipment?
No handrail on the pool... I know, y'all are in great shape now but.... one knee blown out along with a ruptured achilles and you'll be helpless to get in that nice cooling-on-the-aches water without a handrail.

Just some thoughts-

Maddie

 

[kimkats]

In to watch this one for sure! That is going to be so pretty when you are done with it!

Did you put that new window set in?

DO put some water in the pool. Here is hoping your water table is low enough the rain we have been having is not going to mess up the pool.

 

[ogjorge]

Welcome to TFP.

It looks like the pool is empty. We recommend never letting a pool be empty for long. Underground water pressure can cause the pool to pop out of the ground.

Are you sure the pipes have no leaks?

Show us some pics of the pool equipment pad.

Not sure they don't have leaks. Will provide pics of the equipment tomorrow. It has water towards the deeper end, but is empty at the shallower end.

I get a French Courtyard type vibe from the house.. I like it!

You'll obviously need that leaf catching net over the pool come fall... that's a lotta leaves!
I would question how hot the blue steel flagstone pavers might feel on bare feet?
Did your lender let you buy the house without a pool inspection- seeing as the pool is empty and all that?? Do you have a warranty on it and the equipment?
No handrail on the pool... I know, y'all are in great shape now but.... one knee blown out along with a ruptured achilles and you'll be helpless to get in that nice cooling-on-the-aches water without a handrail.

Just some thoughts-

Maddie

French Courtyard is exactly what we're going for. Definitely a lot of leaves. I've already had the net cleared of leaves 3 times since October. I had the pool inspected, only comment was that the pool heater was at end of life and would need to be replaced in 1-3 years. Apparently, the rest of the inspection was fine. No warranty on anything.

Handrail is a great point. Hadn't thought of it, but will definitely add it. I'm very interested in your comment about the heat on bare feet. What deck material would you recommend to keep the feet cool in hot weather? Thanks for the suggestions!

In to watch this one for sure! That is going to be so pretty when you are done with it!

Did you put that new window set in?

DO put some water in the pool. Here is hoping your water table is low enough the rain we have been having is not going to mess up the pool.

Thanks. We've done a huge renovation on the inside and are incredibly excited about turning this into our dream home. We did put in the new sliding doors and can't wait to get started on the outside.

 

[ogjorge]

Update: Met with first contractor today. He recommended a mini-pebble Midnight Blue with a ceramic tile and Leonardo travertine deck. His ballpark number is between $50K-$60K, but he will provide me with a quote later this week.

Someone requested pictures of the actual pool equipment. Here you go! As always, advice and ideas are welcome!

 

[kimkats]

Where is the equipment at? It looks like it is in a room........Now take a pad of paper out and write down all of the brands, model numbers, etc for us.

Ask him if he will be doing a full chip out or a partial aka where they only chip out around the lights, returns, and such. Full is better long term but more expensive.

Kim

 

[ogjorge]

Where is the equipment at? It looks like it is in a room........Now take a pad of paper out and write down all of the brands, model numbers, etc for us.

Ask him if he will be doing a full chip out or a partial aka where they only chip out around the lights, returns, and such. Full is better long term but more expensive.

Kim

Yes, it's in a separate pool room off to the side of the house. Here's a list of the equipment I saw:

Teledyne Laars Series 2 ESG Heater (hasn't been turned on in 18 years)
Teledyne Laars LaarsLite Spa Heater (ditto)
Jandy CV580 Pool/Spa Filter
Century SQ1102 pool pump
Century Centurion 193995XCN Spa Pump
Hayward Goldline TCell940 Salt Chlorinator (both pool and spa)
Fiberstars WPC-04 Timers (both pool and spa)

The pool itself is about 20x40 with a perimeter of 106 feet. It goes from 3 feet to 8 feet deep.

Let me know if I'm missing anything from that list that should be there.

I will ask for a clarification on the full v. partial chip out. Thanks!

 

[kimkats]

Put all of that in your signature please: https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature

What are your thoughts about replacing the equipment? If you are thinking of keeping it you need to fill the pool up so you can see if it works. You will want to make sure it works BEFORE you replaster the pool as the filter plays a major part in the care of plaster.

Kim

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I believe travertine might be the coolest element to walk on if you want pavers.

Did you consider stamped and stained concrete? I've seen some jobs that could easily be mistaken for pavers.

When you consider the addition of the handrail to the pool, make sure that the builder attaches it to the bond wire, or uses one of the types that don't require bonding.

Maddie

 

[ogjorge]

Work has begun!

 

[l1ltaral1l]

This is going to be a beautiful transformation!

 

[ogjorge]

Final selections:
Midnight Blue Mini Pebble

Blue Marble with the blue gray pattern every 15 feet

Leonardo Silver Travertine French pattern for deck and coping

 

[l1ltaral1l]

LOVE the patterned tile. Love it!

Are you keeping the upper patio part? Or redoing that as well?

 

[ogjorge]

Thanks! No, we're doing the travertine from the house to the rear wall behind the pool. We're keeping it raised with the columns/ fence close to the house, but removing the raised area behind the pool and making it the same level as the pool and rest of the deck.

 

[l1ltaral1l]

Ahhh, I was hoping you said that!

 

[kimkats]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your picks! Well done! That is going to be quite a statement piece right there with that pretty tile!

Kim

 

[ModernCha]

We almost did the Leonardo but went Ivory based on our house. The Leonardo is a real nice classy product. We are in Charlotte as well. Who did you go with for the renovation of your pool? Looks like it will be very nice. One warning about dark pebble is pool lights will not reflect much so if you want a brighter pool at night you might need to add additional lighting. We went with mini pebble Tahoe Blue w/blue glass and our neighbor went with the white mini pebble. Same lights but his pool is 3 times as bright at night.

 

[ogjorge]

Like every construction project, we've run into "change orders." First was replacing the two skimmers and pool light. On the deck, the brick columns fell over after the railings were taking off. Settling had sunk the rest of the brick, so instead of raising the pool 1.5", it needed to be raised almost 4" to be flush with the new pavers. Oh, and the crew ended up removing 3 coats of plaster before getting to the shell. Apparently the previous 2 companies just replastered on top of the previous one without chipping first.

On the bright side, the crew is moving quickly and the PM says we should be swimming in the pool by the first week of March.

Pic updates!