New Austin Build - We have a Pool!

[jdogbyo]

I am getting ready to install the IntellipH. Several other members here have done so and it seems to do the trick well.

--Jeff

Cool, what is the IntellipH? I’ll have to do some
research on it

 

[jdogbyo]

Gunite! It looks pretty good to me except there is a small piece of the rebar wire poking through next to one of the returns. It looks like it goes back a couple inches where there is no gunite around it. Is that going to be a problem? What should I do about it?

Also, What is the purpose of not building up the gunite around the pipes? I’ll get a better picture tomorrow. Thanks all

 

[kimkats]

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 ask what test kit your PB will be providing so we can fill in any holes.

Not building up around the pipes is so there is room for the fittings like the return eyeballs and such.

That piece of rebar needs to be dug out AND the area patched. Give your PB a call and ask someone to come out to take care of it so it cures along with the rest of the shell.

Kim

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Cool, what is the IntellipH? I’ll have to do some
research on it

It is an acid injection system. There are several good threads on here about them if you search Intelliph. The one from member Dirk is the one that nudged me to go forward with it.

--Jeff

 

[jdogbyo]

I’ve been watering 3x a day now since it is 90+ and in direct sunlight. Hopefully, they get the waterline tile and coping in without much delay because it is supposed to rain off and on this week

 

[DB-Cooper]

Cool, what is the IntellipH? I’ll have to do some
research on it

It basically regulates acid dispensing into your pool at a metered rate.

 

[DB-Cooper]

I’ve been watering 3x a day now since it is 90+ and in direct sunlight. Hopefully, they get the waterline tile and coping in without much delay because it is supposed to rain off and on this week

Weather forecast is improving substantially. It went from 80+% rain all week to <20%. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[Locotl]

It basically regulates acid dispensing into your pool at a metered rate.

Does Hayward or Jandy carry a similar product?

 

[DB-Cooper]

Does Hayward or Jandy carry a similar product?

No idea, a quick Google shows Jandy has something similar.

 

[jdogbyo]

Weather forecast is improving substantially. It went from 80+% rain all week to <20%. Fingers crossed for you.

Thanks! Of course the weather held today and the PB did not show up like they said they would. I swear this is what infuriates me most about this process. The lack of communication and not doing what they say they are going to do is maddening!!! I cannot stand this type of behavior.

I think I am going to add up the number of hours I have been doing the PMs job for them and issue them a change order at the end of the project for my time...

 

[Funkatation]

It seems like overall it’s progressing very fast. Many of my friends pools in Austin took 4 months or more!

 

[jdogbyo]

It seems like overall it’s progressing very fast. Many of my friends pools in Austin took 4 months or more!

Yikes! 4 months?!?? I’d go insane, haha. Like I said, I think what frustrates me is the lack of communication and not doing what they say. I think I am just more frustrated today because I stayed home from work and they didn’t show.

I have to initiate the request for updates and drive the schedule. I have had to baby sit every step of the process so far because there is no project manager or other PB rep onsite. There have been several mistakes that I have caught and rectified before they became a lot more expensive and required a lot more time to repair. I knew coming in that it would be stressful, I just didn’t realize that it would be another job, especially for the price being paid.

Sorry for the rant. Im going to try and stay positive and be thankful that we are track to finish well ahead of the 4 month timeframe being seen by some others! Thanks all

 

[DB-Cooper]

Yikes! 4 months?!?? I’d go insane, haha. Like I said, I think what frustrates me is the lack of communication and not doing what they say. I think I am just more frustrated today because I stayed home from work and they didn’t show.

I have to initiate the request for updates and drive the schedule. I have had to baby sit every step of the process so far because there is no project manager or other PB rep onsite. There have been several mistakes that I have caught and rectified before they became a lot more expensive and required a lot more time to repair. I knew coming in that it would be stressful, I just didn’t realize that it would be another job, especially for the price being paid.

Sorry for the rant. Im going to try and stay positive and be thankful that we are track to finish well ahead of the 4 month timeframe being seen by some others! Thanks all

4 months is quite fast to be honest. Just hang in there, but this is normal in this industry.

 

[Funkatation]

I am a bit behind yours, excavation was done last week. PM has been out 3 times I think? He's juggling about 15-20 pools, it feels like he probably spends more time driving than at the sites. I've only had a couple of small issues I've had to point out so far and a quick phone call fixed it. He's been very good about returning phone calls. They also stressed up front that not every day someone would be there. I have been trying to not be frustrated either, its hard staring at a hole in the ground!

 

[kimkats]

There have been several mistakes that I have caught and rectified before they became a lot more expensive and required a lot more time to repair.

AND this is why you have to keep an eye on every move they make

 

[jdogbyo]

I am a bit behind yours, excavation was done last week. PM has been out 3 times I think? He's juggling about 15-20 pools, it feels like he probably spends more time driving than at the sites. I've only had a couple of small issues I've had to point out so far and a quick phone call fixed it. He's been very good about returning phone calls. They also stressed up front that not every day someone would be there. I have been trying to not be frustrated either, its hard staring at a hole in the ground!

It is definitely hard! Glad you have a responsive PM. I can’t imagine how he can effectively manage that many builds at once! It seems like the Austin pool build market is booming right now.

 

[jdogbyo]

AND this is why you have to keep an eye on every move they make

Yes, exactly. And will have to do until it is finished!

 

[NCMike]

Its not just Texas, here in NC my pool builder is swamped right now. My project manager is juggling 20 pools and spends most of his time driving. Hes a great guy and very responsive but is just spread to thin at the moment. The pool builder just hired another project manager and is wanting 2 more. He said this month their office has had over 300 inquires for pools. Least year it was 75. My dig day was March 1st and I will consider it a success if we are using our pool by July 4th. Scheduling has been a nightmare because the subcontractors are just as busy and are bouncing around from project to project. We had gunite sprayed on April 6th and have been waiting since them for someone to start building the waterfall. They will finally be here next week. Good Luck!

 

[jimbethesda]

It is an acid injection system. There are several good threads on here about them if you search Intelliph. The one from member Dirk is the one that nudged me to go forward with it.

--Jeff

Plus one on IntelliPH. I love mine

 

[jdogbyo]

Coping started yesterday! Supposed to be back on Monday to continue coping, waterline tile and then the vertical split face!