So, with my first post here, and after reading too many build threads, it is time for my wife and I to join in the action! Our build is already in progress, as we are currently at the tile/coping stage. We have been very fortunate with the rain lately (jinx) in that it has avoided us (mostly) on scheduled working days. Our pool builder has been fantastic throughout this process. We broke ground on 7/7 and are hoping to be done in 2 weeks or so.
The main pool will be a 31' x 16' mod rectangle with big wide stairs off of our current patio, and a tanning ledge off the back.
The dig was a rough one. The crew arrived at 6:15 and got to work.
Our 2 year old son absolutely loved watching the "scoop scoop" work. By lunch we were only half way through with the skeleton crew they had brought.
Then the rain came. The crew never stopped as there was a constant light rain for most of the afternoon. The PB and excavator operator were top notch during this phase and were super careful to not hit my carport. The deep end of the pool is only 4' away from the edge of the slab. At about 9:00 that night we were digging the final corner when the totally expected happened, a big old south LA cypress tree stump. So without fear of neighbors complaining, they broke out the chainsaw and cut that sucker out. Finally at 10:00pm the crew was loading equipment heading and heading out.
This turned out to be one of the most challenging digs they have done in recent years. I feel special for we will always be remembered by them as "hey, remember that terrible Houma dig! " From there, things smoothed out greatly. By 6:30am the next day our PB and the rebar crew were here doing what they do best. It was amazing to see them set and tie all of that rebar in such a short time. By lunch time they were on the road to the next pool.
A few days later the gunite crew was here making it look like a real pool! And again they knocked it out the park. By 11:00am this was the final result.
Then came the plumbing and equipment setup. Again working in the rain.
At this very moment they are setting the ivory travertine coping and will be back tomorrow to finish with the waterline tile. We have chosen to go with NPT Artic Ice 1x2 glass tile for the water line. All that is left after this is final electrical hookup, Travertine French pattern decking, and plaster.
We are also trying to decide what landscaping we will be doing around the pool. We will most probably go with some type of "living wall" along the carport of either Japanese Yew, or adding more of the aluminum shutters that surround the back and other side of the carport and planting Jasmine or similar growing on them. The goal is to separate the pool and carport with a soft look for aesthetic and safety reasons (6' deep end) and as my wife puts it, to hide my junk collection. Lol.
This process has been overwhelming and stressful at times but it has also been a wonderful and rewarding experience seeing our thoughts come to life as we transform our backyard.
The main pool will be a 31' x 16' mod rectangle with big wide stairs off of our current patio, and a tanning ledge off the back.
The dig was a rough one. The crew arrived at 6:15 and got to work.
Our 2 year old son absolutely loved watching the "scoop scoop" work. By lunch we were only half way through with the skeleton crew they had brought.
Then the rain came. The crew never stopped as there was a constant light rain for most of the afternoon. The PB and excavator operator were top notch during this phase and were super careful to not hit my carport. The deep end of the pool is only 4' away from the edge of the slab. At about 9:00 that night we were digging the final corner when the totally expected happened, a big old south LA cypress tree stump. So without fear of neighbors complaining, they broke out the chainsaw and cut that sucker out. Finally at 10:00pm the crew was loading equipment heading and heading out.
This turned out to be one of the most challenging digs they have done in recent years. I feel special for we will always be remembered by them as "hey, remember that terrible Houma dig! " From there, things smoothed out greatly. By 6:30am the next day our PB and the rebar crew were here doing what they do best. It was amazing to see them set and tie all of that rebar in such a short time. By lunch time they were on the road to the next pool.
A few days later the gunite crew was here making it look like a real pool! And again they knocked it out the park. By 11:00am this was the final result.
Then came the plumbing and equipment setup. Again working in the rain.
At this very moment they are setting the ivory travertine coping and will be back tomorrow to finish with the waterline tile. We have chosen to go with NPT Artic Ice 1x2 glass tile for the water line. All that is left after this is final electrical hookup, Travertine French pattern decking, and plaster.
We are also trying to decide what landscaping we will be doing around the pool. We will most probably go with some type of "living wall" along the carport of either Japanese Yew, or adding more of the aluminum shutters that surround the back and other side of the carport and planting Jasmine or similar growing on them. The goal is to separate the pool and carport with a soft look for aesthetic and safety reasons (6' deep end) and as my wife puts it, to hide my junk collection. Lol.
This process has been overwhelming and stressful at times but it has also been a wonderful and rewarding experience seeing our thoughts come to life as we transform our backyard.
Welcome to TFP!!!
