Moving.. Going to do a DIY Build.

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This build is moving along quickly.

I didn't see where you got answers to your questions about the stainless steel or the inserts. Those aquastar inserts are the correct ones for an umbrella on your ledge, but you will need to determine the best color based on your choice of interior finish. It comes in a light gray and a dark gray (among other colors), so you will need to know which one blends in the best (we went with light gray for ours).

For the SR Smith handrail, you will want the Marine Grade stainless steel finish for a salt pool. We went with the SR Smith Artisan 1004 in Marine Grade Stainless and are happy with its looks and function, but they get hot in the sun. Pool has only been filled a little over 2 weeks now and I have already purchased a handrail cover for it. With the SR Smith handrails, you will probably need to purchase the anchors and stainless trim rings separately.

www.srsmith.com

Artisan Series Pool Stair Rail (ART-1004) | S.R.Smith

The Artisan Series Stair Rail (ART-1004) is a patented, designer inspired rail that provides an elegant custom look for any pool environment.
www.srsmith.com www.srsmith.com
 
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SWEET!!! That looks great! Have you started bonding with it yet? aka watering it to help slow down the curing.

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 get your test kit updated if needed.

Pictures-it might have been a hiccup with the pics. As far as I know there is no limit.

Are they drinking beer on site while working???

Kim:kim:
 
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Due to the shape of my pool one of the plaster contractors I'm talking to recommends plaster over pebbletech because it will be tough to maintain consistency without blotching when rinsing to reveal the pebbles. Thoughts?

We're probably going to with Harbor Blue from NPT Pool

www.nptpool.com

Pool Finishes: | NPTpool.com

PlasterScapes Blue Harbor plaster pool finish creates medium blue water color and is comprised of blue pigmented white Portland cement and marble aggregate.
www.nptpool.com www.nptpool.com

And I treat people working for me well. Sipping a beer while finishing up is a no harm no foul thing for me.
 
Tile samples along with mock up plus plaster colors. The darker is Blue Harbor. We're thinking of using it or the turquois blue. What do you think?

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Hard workers resting after a long day of shooting shotcrete. Fortunately this was scheduled while the temps were still only in the 90's. It's been over 105 since about day 5 or so of the cure.

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The repair shouldn't cost you anything.

To the extent possible, you should evaluate samples in your yard, both wet and dry. Surrounding elements affect your perception of color. Not to mention what a computer monitor does to color samples viewed online.

Things like the color of your house, the color of the deck, the fence, your neighbor's walls, trees and shrubs, etc. all affect how your brain will perceive the colors of your choices. Viewing your choices onsite is the best way to minimize disappointment.

That said, I always prefer darker colors. But darker colored pebble/plaster will likely show more mottling. I don't mind mottling at all, as to my sense of design it adds an organic feel. River and lake and ocean bottoms are not one solid color, but rather a collage of colored patches of this and that. That's what mottling simulates to me, so darker plaster is fine for me in that regard. I like the more dramatic look of darker colors, and there's at least some school of thought that the darker the bottom the warmer the water.

The flip side is that the lighter the plaster color the better your pool light(s) will perform. Darker colors tend to suck up the light, especially colored LED light.

That said, based on how the swatches look on my monitor, I'd say you've done an excellent job on your color palette. It all looks good. That multi-color tile ties lots of colors together, including landscaping and the walls of your house. (The cinder block wall not so much, but it's grey so it's not causing any visual tension.) If you later paint the house or the wall, you'll have lots of colors to choose from that will go with your tile.
 
Interesting.. The house will be changed to something more "organic" itself. The front of this 1960 Mid Century Ranch has an Arizona Sandstone on the bottom but it was painted gray which doesn't work at all. We're going to a more earthy tone but not necessarily brown, something more in the red or lighter rust color band. The deck will be natural grey and the CMU wall will eventually have a faux green hedge on it. I totally understand the lighter colors and light. I'm concerned a dark color will warm the water too much being that the backyard is due south and the pool has an average depth of probably 2' given the large baja shelf and max depth of only 4' - 6". Then there's keeping the massive baja shelf clean. The pool sweep won't get up there so it's a brushing every few days for me. Having a darker color will work better looking clean when it isn't..

In my samples above, it is probably best to look at the first step and shallow end tones because that is really all there is.
 
In regards to the repair it is a tough one. The plumber left the pipe close to the edge or the shotcrete guy didn't leave it partially exposed or not far enough away from the edge or the concrete guy should have been more careful setting forms. There's a collection of reasons and everyone is going to be pointing fingers at the other guy. I'm hoping to negotiate a fair split among all parties including myself. I'm open to suggestions here.
 
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Good point about the dark color. Not sure how best to research that, but I'd want to know what water temps to expect in your climate and then extrapolate from there. I always wish my pool was a bit warmer, so I was projecting about the darker color being better in terms of heat. Some say the color matters, others say otherwise. I expect your shallow water will drive the temp more than the color.

Baja shelves are so "in style" now that it's a shame pool cleaner tech hasn't caught up. Maybe it will someday.

Sorry, I forgot, are you owner-builder, or is there a general involved? The general would cover the damage, but if that's you, and you had the opportunity to observe how close the pipe was, but didn't catch it, then a multi-way split sounds reasonable. Seems all of you are somewhat to blame, so all of you should just pony up. Hopefully the repair cost won't be that big of a deal, especially split between you.
 
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Even though it has been over 100 for nearly two weeks and will be for a few days more that isn't normal.. or is it?? At any rate inland SoCal is typically in the mid to high 90's from late June until the end of August with over-night cooling. With the pool being due south and only one tree on the east side which the utility company needs to get more proactive on topping anyhow the pool gets exposure all day long even in the winter months.

Yup, I'm an owner-builder so it's kinda on me but it doesn't hurt to ask the others to contribute. Either way, I'm still saving a LOT of money on this.
 
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ShallowWater said:
Yup, I'm an owner-builder so it's kinda on me but it doesn't hurt to ask the others to contribute. Either way, I'm still saving a LOT of money on this.
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That's the thing about OB. You save money, but if this is your first pool, you're going to miss stuff because of your lack of years of experience. Just gotta chalk it up to the nature of the beast. If this is the only mistake that got by you, that's pretty darn good.

In fact, if the cost of the repair is not too steep, or even if it is, you might consider what asking subs for a share might do to their attitude towards your pool (if they've got more work to do). If they know you covered for them, maybe you'll be better off than if they think you're nickel and diming them. Human nature being what it is...
 
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Just what I need now.. A frickin hurricane in SoCal?! What a way to end nearly 2 weeks of punishing 100°+ Heat!


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Well it looks like a glancing blow but we're still projected to get as much as 2" of rain on Saturday and Saturdays are my work days. I have 25 tons of crushed recycled concrete base coming this morning and the schedule was to grade and prep the base for the concrete pour. Instead, I'm taking tomorrow off to do some preparations for the coming storm to keep water out of my covered patio area which is quite vulnerable right now. If this rain comes to fruition, it will make a big muddy mess that will most likely take a week to dry out.
 
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