Gunite in Louisiana - Swimming!

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Here’s a picture of a mini step on top of the reef step, with 7” of water on the reef step and 3” of water on top of the mini step. In order to end up with the plaster height directly below the tile line the Shotcrete crew has to shoot the mini step at least 7” below TBB.

 

[kimkats]

Good call on the SWG! Got to love someone who knows them self to know how to get a tool that will keep their pool out of the GREEN zone!

Kim

 

[Staceyleah22]

Dig day!

I installed a Nest cam last night so I can check progress while I work. It was quite entertaining lol.

 

[kimkats]

Let the MUD begin!!!

Now run out there with the plans and a tape measure. Is it wide, deep, long, etc enough? Add about 8" for the shell, steel, and plaster.

Kim

 

[Staceyleah22]

Dig Day 2 is a wrap! They stayed until almost 7 pm tonight. They had to finish today because rebar is getting installed tomorrow.

Took some measurements and forgot to factor the 8” so thought they got it wrong there for a minute.

 

[kimkats]

forgot to factor the 8”

Heart skip a couple of beats? I feel for you but it is all good!

 

[Staceyleah22]

Heart skip a couple of beats? I feel for you but it is all good!

I’m still not 100% convinced it’s correct.

They got rebar installed today. It looks like they’re missing a step but I’m not sure if maybe for smaller steps they don’t add rebar?

 

[Staceyleah22]

Heart skip a couple of beats? I feel for you but it is all good!

Another false alarm haha. Sent some photos to the PB and he said it’s correct. And it’s also one of the most common questions they get asked.

 

[Staceyleah22]

Day 3 - rebar installed. Looks pretty weird to be honest.

Tomorrow they’re going to do some plumbing & electrical grounding inspection then planning for gunite on Monday!

 

[Staceyleah22]

Day 4 - plumbing, bonding, & electrical inspection.

I stopped by the pool store today to drop off a check and chat with the builder. We are scheduled for gunite on Monday.

It’s been super hot here so I asked about spraying the gunite. He said the most at-risk is the spa because the benches are solid gunite. I’ll start spraying the shell and fill the spa over the bench height Monday when I get off work.

 

[kimkats]

You can also use a sprinkler set on a timer to wet it down when you are not there.

 

[SKEDADDLE]

Congrats!! Off the bat, from my recent build, that chlorinator will not produce when you run your variable speed pump on low circulation rpms. If you can ditch it, get a salt water chlorine generator. If you feel you want a tab fed chlorinator (not advised), get one for low flow systems.

As for us, the tanning ledge was one of the most wanted, highlighted, features before build. Now that we are using the pool, it's the one thing we wish we had not done. Useless but for taking up good swim and play area. Not trying to sway you, just for consideration and to think through, but your ledge and steps take up 25% of your pool.

Just curious why do regret doing it?

 

[Toxophilite]

Just curious why do regret doing it?

Folks lounge under the pergola, porch, or deck under umbrella. No one has ever used it, ever, other than for a long walk to step into the pool. Given all the other places to sit or lay, is giving up 9 feet of my pool, in the shallow end where there would be more room for water basketball, volleyball, or swimming, worth the trade for the ability to sit in a chair in 9" of water? IMHO, they are pointless! Sorry, just my rant

 

[Staceyleah22]

We have gunite!!!!

It definitely looks much more like a pool now.

I was surprised how quickly it went. They were onsite around 7am and finished/cleaned by 11:30am.

I’m doing my first round of watering now.

 

[kimkats]

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

 

[Staceyleah22]

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

Ya’ll are awesome. Thank you!

Edit: I have been lurking on TFP since 2017-ish. I learned the hard way of how not to treat a pool when I put in an above-ground that stayed green more than clear.

When I’m not obsessing over tile colors and tanning ledge depths, I’m an engineer that deals with industrial water treatment (clarifier, UF, RO). I’m a big proponent of test and adjust based on results.

I am not patient enough to see what my PB provides so I bought a TF-Pro Salt with SmartStir. My sister is getting a fiberglass installed in the next couple weeks and she has her kit too.

 

[Newdude]

I am not patient enough to see what my PB provides so I bought a TF-Pro Salt with SmartStir

He is brining a razor scooter. You got yourself a Ferrari. WELL done.

 

[Staceyleah22]

Day 10 update

Things have slowed a bit. We got gunite Monday (day 7), no work Tuesday, Wednesday they ran plumbing and removed the form boards (day 9), and today they dropped off the tile. So now we wait for the tile guy to show up.

Here’s a couple photos of my sprinkler setup, the white waterline tile, spa curved benches, and plumbing installation.

 

[kimkats]

Good job on the sprinkler system. So glad the tiles came in. Is the grout there as well? That is going to be SO pretty!

 

[Staceyleah22]

Day 12 - Tile in the Heat

So the tile guys showed up today. They unloaded most of the coping & set up some framing.

It’s Saturday so I was surprised to see them. It’s also hot as heck. 95F with 103F heat index at 5pm.

The weird thing is they worked from 9am to 1:45 pm then sat in their truck until 5:30pm. I get it, it’s hot and miserable but why stay here?! My friend works for the PB and she says they pay them by the job not by the hour.