So the story goes like this... I normally don't hire anybody to do anything but I figured the pool build would be a little over my head. I have a construction background but have no real knowledge of pools parse. Anyway, I hired a guy to build my pool. He says he’s starting in a week or so. I'd like to iron out some of my concerns before he starts the pool. The pool is going to be 18' x 36' rectangle. Cantilever concrete coping with about 25 yards of concrete surrounding pool. LED light, heat pump, steel stairs full length of shallow end. My concerns:
1. Ground is shale and clay. Builder says he wants to back fill with the material he pulls out. I told him I want it backfilled with gravel. I'm going to order the gravel this week and have it delivered. I was told by another builder that if it was not possible to daylight a French drain pipe that he would have to backfill with crusher run instead of gravel. He stated that water wouldn't penetrate through the crusher. Not sure if I believe that... What is the proper stone to use for backfill with out a French drain?
2. We’re going for a crisp sharp look and builder says he can do a 90 degree corner with the vinyl liner. I remember I read somewhere that it was not a good idea. I was under the impression that a 6 in radius was the minimum. Am I wrong here?
3. I never spoke to him about it but I noticed on the contract that it is quoted for 2 in flex pipe. I told him I wanted the increase from 1 1/2 in pipe to 2in. He said it was a waste of money but I told him to do it anyway. I just figured he'd be using pvc schedule 40 pipe. I think it’s a better pipe for underground especially with all that gravel on top of it. I was going to ask him to change that as well.
I don’t want to be a pain in the *** but I tend to over build things in general. I want this pool built correctly so I plan on just watching over everything. I really would like the help of some people on the forum who take pride in their work and build things correctly the first time. Unfortunately I don't think my pool builder is that guy. Any advice and guidance would be greatly appreciated. Changes builders is not an option at this point.
1. Ground is shale and clay. Builder says he wants to back fill with the material he pulls out. I told him I want it backfilled with gravel. I'm going to order the gravel this week and have it delivered. I was told by another builder that if it was not possible to daylight a French drain pipe that he would have to backfill with crusher run instead of gravel. He stated that water wouldn't penetrate through the crusher. Not sure if I believe that... What is the proper stone to use for backfill with out a French drain?
2. We’re going for a crisp sharp look and builder says he can do a 90 degree corner with the vinyl liner. I remember I read somewhere that it was not a good idea. I was under the impression that a 6 in radius was the minimum. Am I wrong here?
3. I never spoke to him about it but I noticed on the contract that it is quoted for 2 in flex pipe. I told him I wanted the increase from 1 1/2 in pipe to 2in. He said it was a waste of money but I told him to do it anyway. I just figured he'd be using pvc schedule 40 pipe. I think it’s a better pipe for underground especially with all that gravel on top of it. I was going to ask him to change that as well.
I don’t want to be a pain in the *** but I tend to over build things in general. I want this pool built correctly so I plan on just watching over everything. I really would like the help of some people on the forum who take pride in their work and build things correctly the first time. Unfortunately I don't think my pool builder is that guy. Any advice and guidance would be greatly appreciated. Changes builders is not an option at this point.