Lots of work done. In fact, almost all of it. The water is flowing right now and should fill up the pool about 7pm tomorrow night before moving the hoses over to the spa.
I wanted to post some more pics for anyone that is interested in what different stone combinations or colors look like. I know that I learned a lot from looking through old builds. Heck, I still look through these threads for little tidbits here and there.
Decking
The biggest change is that the decking was poured. Simple pea gravel, but I wanted the pool to be as much of a focus as I could even with all of the other items in this project.
We're happy with the look. As mentioned before, we wanted some type of division between the pool's decking and the upper patio decking. We were worried that the two types of concrete (stamped and pea gravel) wouldn't work well together, but I think it looks great. We were definitely ready to get rid of the brown water though.
Pebble Sheen Application
Almost from the beginning of this project, we seemed to be leaning to Blue Granite for our Pebble Sheen color. We just always seemed to enjoy that color when looking at other's builds. The night before we had to email the color selection to our PB a shift happened.
Well, that shift led to Blue Surf.
It boiled down to seeing most sun shelves and steps looking very grey. While this isn't bad, we wanted the pool to pop a little from the coping which is obviously grey. It came down to wanting the steps and shelves to be blue also. From the pictures we found in the forum, it seemed that Blue Surf fit the bill. All I had to do is get over the fact that "Blue Smurf" is more appropriate, and who really wants to be reminded of Smurfs when they see their pool.
Fill
Thankfully, I read enough pool builds to remind me to put a sock over the metal tip of the hose and to tie off a soda bottle to the end. The cleaners did a great job with the acid wash but did nothing but put a hose in the pool and turn the water on. I was out in the front yard doing some work and noticed that they were driving away. I tried to stop them but they just drove off. Oh well. I knew what to do at least- fortunately, I already had the water softener bypassed.
How I found the fill
The TFP approved method
My water meter is showing about 10gals/min flowing with the 2 hoses. I figured I'm looking at 33 hours of filling so I should have a full pool tomorrow evening about 7-8pm. That makes me happy as I've seen enough threads where the pool is filling up and anxious owners are having to check the fill in the middle of the night.
I do have a few questions for those that have read this far-
1. What chemicals did you have on hand for when it was time to take over the care of your pool? How much of each?
I've been told that the PB takes care of the water from the time the equipment is turned on until pool school which, in my case, will probably be the end of next week. I want to have the bleach and other items on hand.
2. How long after equipment start up before jumping in the pool?
Me, I don't like cold water but I'm betting a 9 year old isn't going to wait very long. I know no heater and no robot for the first 30 days, but I doubt a little boy is going to stay out very long.
3. Anything I should pay close attention to with the startup of the equipment or just wait until pool school to see how to set up the pump and automation?
4. Any other advice for the first few days after the pool is turned over to the owner?
5. I found a thread with best places to buy bleach. Are there any similar threads for the CYA, muriatic acid, etc?
6. Any close ups of any areas of the pool that anyone desires?
Again, thanks. I was already sitting out by the "pool" today while it was filling and it already seemed relaxing!
)
At least you had a heads up.
Better safe than sorry.
