Katy Texas pool build- updated pics as water is balanced

[colinn]

good evening everyone. I’ve been reading different topics on this forum for the past month and am amazed at the knowledge that people share. Are there any Katy Texas residents that are currently going through a pool build? What stage are you in and are things getting a bit better we far as Gunite is concerned. I already signed a contract a few weeks ago and currently waiting for hoa approval. If hoa approval comes through I think my builder will have an October or November start.

 

[Texas Splash]

Congrats on the new project. I'm sure other members will chime in soon. Have a nice weekend.

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Whiskeyfox]

Not katy but spring here. Gunite is not getting better especially after the rain delays and the hurricane that was coming for us originally. You can expect a lengthy timeline to your gunite unfortunately

 

[colinn]

It's been a while since I started this thread. I went from looking into a pool and thinking about it to deciding that covid-19 isn't going anywhere so now is the time for a pool build. I originally signed my contract back in august 2020 and had my dig date pushed back because of weather, Gunite, and covid delays. I terminated that contract and went with a builder who uses shotcrete and got my build started in December 2020. I will attach some photos of my progress. Thanks to everyone who has posted their builds and those that respond with insight. It has definitely been worthwhile to learn so much about pool building and maintaining a pool.

 

[colinn]

Build cont’

 

[colinn]

Current stage at 2/1/21

 

[HermanTX]

Nice to see your build. Appears you are not far off of Westpark/1093 on way to Fulshear.
Many members on Forum from Katy, Sugar Land, Richmond and Houston area.
Be sure to order your TF-100 test kit and practice on your fill water. Do you have a water softener? If so, you need to figure out if your fill water is through the softener or not.
Keep us update.

 

[Nikilyn]

Good for you for finding a builder who could get it done faster. It's really moving quickly. We're at about the same stage as you as our tile was started today.

 

[hosseisemi]

Will be interested in your choice of Plaster Color. That waterline tile is a top contender for our build.

 

[colinn]

Will be interested in your choice of Plaster Color. That waterline tile is a top contender for our build.

Thank you. I had a hard time picking out a water line tile. I originally wanted a glass tile but the price difference compared to regular ceramic tile was too much for me to go ahead with. I also didn’t want to be scrubbing tile to prevent calcium buildup. I tried to go with a tile that can hide some of the calcium buildup. I thought the waterline tile I chose blended with the back wall. Next big step is choosing a plaster. Will keep the thread updated. All the best with your build.

 

[colinn]

Nice to see your build. Appears you are not far off of Westpark/1093 on way to Fulshear.
Many members on Forum from Katy, Sugar Land, Richmond and Houston area.
Be sure to order your TF-100 test kit and practice on your fill water. Do you have a water softener? If so, you need to figure out if your fill water is through the softener or not.
Keep us update.

Hi there. Yes I’m off of 1093 and 99 but closer to 1463. Are you also in Katy? I just ordered my test kit this morning. I do have a water softener but it’s not plumbed into the hose bibs. Is softened water better for your pool? I was under the impression that it was bad for your plaster?

 

[HermanTX]

Hi there. Yes I’m off of 1093 and 99 but closer to 1463. Are you also in Katy? I just ordered my test kit this morning. I do have a water softener but it’s not plumbed into the hose bibs. Is softened water better for your pool? I was under the impression that it was bad for your plaster?

I am east of 99 but go to Fulshear a lot to see family. Softened water is neither good or bad, just need to know what you have. If your fill water is city water then it will have calcium in it whereas softened water will not. The only way to remove high calcium is to drain your pool so something you need to watch during the summer as you add water due to evaporation and splash out. Some people have set up to use softened water for fill. My hose bibs are all connected to the water softener so each set up is different. I need to watch mine that it does not go too low so I sometimes need to add Calcium Up to my pool.
Test your hose bib and your inside tap water to compare. The only real difference should be the level of calcium. Neither will have CYA and both could have trace amounts of chlorine.

 

[colinn]

I am east of 99 but go to Fulshear a lot to see family. Softened water is neither good or bad, just need to know what you have. If your fill water is city water then it will have calcium in it whereas softened water will not. The only way to remove high calcium is to drain your pool so something you need to watch during the summer as you add water due to evaporation and splash out. Some people have set up to use softened water for fill. My hose bibs are all connected to the water softener so each set up is different. I need to watch mine that it does not go too low so I sometimes need to add Calcium Up to my pool.
Test your hose bib and your inside tap water to compare. The only real difference should be the level of calcium. Neither will have CYA and both could have trace amounts of chlorine.

Ok we’re close by. Thanks for your input about softened water. I will test the hose bib to make sure.

 

[colinn]

Hello to all. It’s been a while since my last post. Things took a major pause after tiling and coping were done. Then the freeze hit Texas and pushed everything back. We were able to get back on track at the end of March and early April. Electrical work was done and patio was poured. I added extra concrete as I figured there is never too much. I chose a plaster finish called finest finish radiant fusion series in regal blue. Plaster was done on Thursday and Friday was acid wash and to begin filling. I will add pictures below.

 

[colinn]

Acid wash and fill

 

[colinn]

This is where I was at 11pm tonight. I slowed down the rate of the water just slightly so it won’t over flow during the night.
Builder is supposed to come by Monday to start up the equipment. I will start brushing tomorrow morning.
So far I’m pleased with the radiant fusion. The water is clear and today was a raging cloudy day. I can’t wait to see what it looks like in direct sun. The texture is not smooth as traditional plaster but not rough as some pebble finishes.

 

[colinn]

Fill complete

 

[colinn]

Will be interested in your choice of Plaster Color. That waterline tile is a top contender for our build.

My builder uses finest finish plaster products. I went with radiant fusion regal blue

 

[colinn]

Decking texture was completed this week. It’s a spray finish, from innovative surfaces of Texas. The color I chose is Arizona sand. It hasn’t been hot enough yet to test it out but it is comfortable on bare feet to walk on.

 

[colinn]

These are pics of the water today. The plaster finish of finest finish radiant fusion regal blue.
When it was first filled it had a green hue to it but since the pump has been going continuously for the past two days and the addition of acid and chlorine, it’s been clearing up everyday. Still a bit of plaster dust but not as much as initially.