Having a pool built and need advice

[voidpointer]

Got a response from the PB about the chlorinator. I don't get the feeling they're being "pushy", but they seem to be saying "even if you don't use it, it's cheap enough that it's worth adding". Considering the job to finish the pool out is around $20k, what do you guys think? Would it be good to have in case I go on a 2 week vacation in the winter and can't add chlorine? What if I have regrets about the amount of maintenance burden of the pool later, will I wish I had added it?

My equipment isn't under pressure right now and they already have to check for leaks, which is why I assume it's cheap to add it now. Here's what they had to say when I told them to leave out the chlorinator:

The cost of the chlorinator is $168.84. We will certainly do what you want, but the times you need to supplement your chlorine you will have no method of adding chlorine into the pool other than buying a floating chlorinator or placing chlorine in the skimmers.

 

[mknauss]

"buying a floating chlorinator"

Much safer to use than an inline chlorinator. Will not destroy your heater.

 

[ajw22]

Got a response from the PB about the chlorinator. I don't get the feeling they're being "pushy", but they seem to be saying "even if you don't use it, it's cheap enough that it's worth adding". Considering the job to finish the pool out is around $20k, what do you guys think? Would it be good to have in case I go on a 2 week vacation in the winter and can't add chlorine? What if I have regrets about the amount of maintenance burden of the pool later, will I wish I had added it?

My equipment isn't under pressure right now and they already have to check for leaks, which is why I assume it's cheap to add it now. Here's what they had to say when I told them to leave out the chlorinator:

If you have a gas heater you do not want to use an inline tablet chlorinater. Even with a check valve it will over time damage the heater.

If you want to use tablets at any time use them in a floater.

 

[Newdude]

$5 at Ace Hardware

Amazon was $10 and the pool stores were $15. I guess you could take a loan if the time comes with the way the PB seems to think it's such a big deal.

 

[voidpointer]

Forgot about the heater stuff which you all said a few days before. Thanks for the reminder. I'm going to reaffirm with him that I do not want it. Merry Christmas yall!

 

[voidpointer]

delete me

 

[voidpointer]

A lot has happened! I'm suing the last pool builder in court, and I hired a second PB to come finish out the project. Plaster happening today! Very exciting.

 

[ajw22]

A lot has happened! I'm suing the last pool builder in court, and I hired a second PB to come finish out the project. Plaster happening today! Very exciting.
View attachment 474775

Great!

Discuss with the builder and plaster company what Plaster Start-up Guide you should be following…

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[voidpointer]

Pool builder said they're going to tell me what I need to do to the plaster after they're done. They haven't done it yet, as it's too early, but I do know daily brushing is in order...

 

[ajw22]

Pool builder said they're going to tell me what I need to do to the plaster after they're done. They haven't done it yet, as it's too early, but I do know daily brushing is in order...

The sequence of the chemicals and the right levels are as important as the brushing for the first few weeks.

See https://www.nptpool.com/pdf/npc-start-up-card-lsi.pdf

 

[voidpointer]

Wanted to ask you folks about something. Plaster is done, water is in the pool, and they started it up. Now I'm brushing twice a day for I think 14 days. I noticed there's some subtle "white stains" on the plaster. Some of them look like they might be footprints. The PB said those go away as I keep brushing, however after two days I don't notice a difference. Will these stains eventually go away? Pictures attached.

 

[ajw22]

Wanted to ask you folks about something. Plaster is done, water is in the pool, and they started it up. Now I'm brushing twice a day for I think 14 days. I noticed there's some subtle "white stains" on the plaster. Some of them look like they might be footprints. The PB said those go away as I keep brushing, however after two days I don't notice a difference. Will these stains eventually go away? Pictures attached.

Brushing will make no difference. That is busy work assigned by the PB to placate you and make you think you did not do it well enough.

Those are characteristics of the hand applied plastering process.

 

[voidpointer]

I'm sorry to argue when I'm obviously no expert here. I'm a "trust but verify" or in this case "trust but learn" kind of guy. I'm also not so naive to trust pool builders, especially after the Crud I've had to go through the past 16 months. Having said all of that...

Where does your skepticism from pool builders come from? Even when I search online about new plaster jobs, various sites say to brush a minimum of twice a day. Are you saying that's all BS? So if I don't brush at all for the next 2 weeks there will be literally zero difference?

Again, I'm not the expert, but I do feel stuck in-between two opinions, one from the PB which seems widely adopted and what you're saying. And I just want to learn as much as I can about both sides and feel comfortable in what I choose to believe.

 

[ajw22]

I'm sorry to argue when I'm obviously no expert here. I'm a "trust but verify" or in this case "trust but learn" kind of guy. I'm also not so naive to trust pool builders, especially after the Crud I've had to go through the past 16 months. Having said all of that...

Where does your skepticism from pool builders come from? Even when I search online about new plaster jobs, various sites say to brush a minimum of twice a day. Are you saying that's all BS? So if I don't brush at all for the next 2 weeks there will be literally zero difference?

Again, I'm not the expert, but I do feel stuck in-between two opinions, one from the PB which seems widely adopted and what you're saying. And I just want to learn as much as I can about both sides and feel comfortable in what I choose to believe.

Slow down Cowboy.

You asked specifically about footprints and white spots on your plaster. And you said …

The PB said those go away as I keep brushing

That was the context of my comment that brushing will not make footprints or white spots go away and is busywork for THAT purpose.

The purpose of brushing is to prevent plaster dust from settling on the new plaster and hardening. You want to keep the plaster dust in solution so it can be filtered out.

Brushing will not fix imperfections in the plaster.

 

[voidpointer]

Ok, I misunderstood you obviously. Sorry about that. Thanks for clarifying.

I'm not sure these are entirely characteristics of the plastering process. Like I said, some of these look like footprints. And I do remember the PB super walking on the tanning ledge (before they filled the pool) to spray water around the walls.

I don't want white marks caused by footprints stuck permanently in the plaster if I can avoid it... doesn't look good to me. Is this something I need to ask the PB about instead?

 

[ajw22]

You can ask the PB and if pressed he will offer to do an acid wash which will remove a layer of plaster, weaken the plaster, and maybe lighten the imperfections.

You can also try sanding areas with 80/100 grit wet/dry sandpaper and see what is revealed. Sanding with diamond pad power sanders is a better way to remove plaster imperfections but much more work for the builder then an acid wash.

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

White Spotting of New Plaster Pools

The problem of plaster spotting has been an ongoing puzzle and controversy in the swimming pool industry for over three decades. The generally round, smooth-yet-unsightly white soft spots in new plaster pools have long been a source of contention among pool plasterers, and pool chemical service...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[voidpointer]

So I already have my test kit from TFP I ordered last year. I know I'm going to get a biased answer, but is it recommended to buy the PoolMath app subscription? Just wondering if I should be using it starting out. I haven't had to test anything yet. The PB will handle pool chemicals until the end of March, I believe.

 

[Newdude]

I know I'm going to get a biased answer

It's $7 a year. Not monthly, yearly.

It saves all your logs and we can see them. When you have issues we can go back and spot any trends that you may have missed for a better plan going forward.

IMO, it's worth every penny from the help it provides alone.

 

[voidpointer]

Thanks, I just purchased a membership. $7 can't even buy a fast food combo anymore so that's a really reasonable price. Plus I've gotten so much support here that it quite frankly doesn't feel like enough!

I contacted my city water billing department and told them the start & end time of filling my pool and they sent a CSV of hourly usage in gallons. Surprisingly, it pretty much 100% matched up to the gallons that were on the original design. So I guess this proves that math works

19440 gallons is what I put on my profile. I guess it's good enough.

 

[Newdude]

$7 can't even buy a fast food combo anymore so that's a really reasonable price. Plus I've gotten so much support here that it quite frankly doesn't feel like enough

Thanks for the kind words.

It's impossible for us not to look biased when we say the subscription is great. But it's a STEAL and the TFP braintrust having access to your history can potentially save you hundreds of dollars, lots of fustration and/or stop a recurring problem.

Also, when the dust settles from the build, becoming a supporter will help ensure we are here to help down the road. You can select the predetermined amounts (with perks like discounts), or even go rogue with any amount.

We are all volunteer here so my only dog in this fight is that I REALLY don't want to have to learn a new hobby. I love it here.