New Build in NE FL

[Big Will]

If the edges are not secure the entire patio can shift. That is something they need to fix asap.
Even as the water drains down it will eat at the compacted dirt and sand over time and if the ends are not secure nothing is keeping the patio tight

 

[Brentr]

You will enjoy watching them build your screen cage. They have to be very precise. I would get 2 screen doors one on either side of your pool and make sure one of them is a double door. It is cheaper to get them done now as opposed to doing them later as we have done.
Pavers should be mortared secure to the footer before they attach the base of the screen. The screen people know what they need as they will be ensuring the screen.
I had these panels put in to secure water spigots and electrical outlets.

Here is a pic of my screen base and the pavers. The pavers are mortared directly to the footer. My footer is raised to the left of the pic and then it stepped down flush with the ground

 

[ShantellyLace]

We looked and they did mortar to footer but half of them are not secure with mortar at all. Also, the footer wasn't poured square apparently so there are areas whwre the pavers extend a few inches past the footer and are free floating. The loose mortared areas has to be fixed esp bc the screen doesn't bolt down through every single paver.

So one issue I hadn't posted about is the long step by the spa. It is at a crazy angle and not square at all. When the guy was out to build it (the owner of the tile company who effed up the glass, shocker!) my hubby was explaining to him to make the stair square and straight to the screen and house. I even drew a picture bc he kept acting like he didn't understand English (which we have now learned is fake and he speaks almost perfect English). It looks awful and you couldn't see how off it was until the deck was put in place bc of the straight lines in the deck. Today the construction manager was out and he was appalled at the step. He said his 3 year old kid could have done a better job. So he called PB and laid into him about it and then went off on the tile sub. He argued and tried to say WE told him to put it like that. Which is BS bc we told him to make it square. So construction manager told tile guy he has two days to get out here and fix it (and tile guy said he wants to be paid to fix it!!! Omg) and if he doesn't fix it, they will get the deck crew to do it and will send tile guy the invoice.

Construction manager said he cannot believe all the messed up things that keep happening and only out here. He doesn't understand it at all and he is so angry at the subs esp bc they can't reprimand them and they just argue back.

Then he finally looked at all the 12x24 bull nose travertine that the coping guy cut up into skinny pieces and has no clue what he was thinking and more needs to be ordered (uh yeah I have told them about that for 2 months now) and then told me he was going to have the head deck guy order more travertine. Sorry NOPE. We specifically ordered the travertine from TM bc of the quality and color. I will not have other companies mix in bc they scratched so much up and need to fix it. So I told construction manager under no circumstances was any travertine going down except from TM and he said he would tell PB. I will be following up with TM and making sure an order is placed. After the stone color issue, he should know I follow up and check and expect to get what we pay for.

So the cluster wheel keeps turning. At least now the construction manager sees that it's not us and these messes just keep happening here.

And we also foubd out the head tile guy has effed up at other places too bc construction manager has told PB I know you like him and all but you need to fire him and get someone else.

The whole glass accent thing is a prime example. We either have to delay our pool a min of 2 months to FIX the glass or completely give it up to get the project completed and yeah, we get an upgraded plaster, but we have talked about a pool for 11 years. I had a vision and that included the glass tile but bc of his irresponsible and unprofessional actions when he placed it, we either dont get it or delay further. It goes beyond a financial impact and yeah, we could still get it but at a min 2 month delay?? Ludicrous. So yeah, giant cluster.

 

[pushin glass]

Construction manager said he cannot believe all the messed up things that keep happening and only out here. He doesn't understand it at all and he is so angry at the subs

I got the same exact spiel from my pool builder on several occasions. I don't know for sure, but if I had to guess, they say the same thing to every client. Get mad at the subs and blame everything on them to try and deflect the frustration from them. The concrete guys I hired are often subcontracted by my pool builder and thought the same thing. Funny how I never had any issues with my concrete work when I decided to take over the design and management of that task myself. Unfortunately in my situation, there is only one pool builder servicing my area. Regardless, the pool builder is the contractor and is responsible for oversight and the quality of their subcontractors work. Not that it really matters, but if it's any condolence, I imagine his other clients are suffering a similar fate. I honestly think it is the modus operandi of the industry, which sure makes it hard to recommend to others without a pool to go through the process. Hang in there. Once complete, the frustrations will slowly fade away as you float around in your pool, I assure you.

 

[Brooksrandy81]

It's evident by the way things have gone that they do very little overseeing of the subs and anything that has been pointed out has been by us. It's very poorly managed.

 

[ShantellyLace]

What's interesting is this construction manager is new (maybe 6 weeks in?) and came from another local and large pool company. He was just thrown into the midst of the cluster so is seeing how badly or rather, not at all, managed the subs are. Our issues have been the fact that we are basically the contractors and having to over see the subs ourselves.

I will say though, the head tile guy and the owner of the deck company are both huge jerks (most colorful language I can use here) and I have heard them on the phone arguing with PB and construction manager so they dish out the poor attitude to the home owners and their head contractors. But you are right, ultimately this comes down to poor management from the PB and we have expressed that. I feel for the construction manager as he was thrown into the snake pit at I am sure more than our place though we did see the dig crew guys about a month ago and they said they couldn't believe our build was so far behind other builds that started after ours and ours was the most delayed. The dig crew was really good as were the 2 guys (Edgy and Manny) who work under jerk tile company owner. The plumbers were ok though they messed up with the heater but at least came and got stuff done. Poor electricians have tried to come out twice now to do their work and havent been able to bc... Well poor management!

 

[ShantellyLace]

Well, one of the perimeter pavers that was not set into the mortar and was unlevel over on the short stair broke when they tried to secure the screen into it. I am still not understanding how pieces of deck can be replaced and reset when the screen is going to be on top of it???

Also, this is something that bothers me, not so much hubby, though the crooked stair bothers him more than me so go figure.

But my thoughts were when the ledger stone was done on the spa and wall etc that it was done above the level of the deck. I saw the space they left, esp under the spa stone, and my thoughts were the deck would go under the stone so it looks like the stone is sitting on the deck, right??

With the photobucket issues, I am having a hard timr locating pics of projects with raised spa and stone to see if their stone is on top of the deck or the deck is cut around it. If anyone has input and esp pics they can post not on photobucket, would love to see them.

Here is around the spa, columns, and back of the wall. I kept asking how that would look but was assured it would look good. I, personally, dont like the way it looks now and thought the space left under the stone was enough for the deck but clearly it wasnt.

Thoughts?

 

[kimkats]

I think it could go both ways. I think it looks fine. Seems as if the only way for the deck to be under the wall would have been if the deck was done first. One of those hind sight things I guess.

Kim

 

[SuzfromTexas]

My stone work on the spa, columns, etc was installed before the deck. In many places, my deck is cut around the stone, but the stone doesn't even reach down to the deck. There is this space where I need to caulk (I believe it's deck-o-seal or something). Sighhhhhhhh, another item on my never-ending to do list. Yours looks much better.

Sorry no pictures due to PhotoRansom. I can text pictures if you want to see them. Send me a PM.

 

[ShantellyLace]

Thanks ladies. I won't ask for it to be fixed. It is a preference thing. I saw the space left below the stone on the spa and wall and such and thought that was where the deck would go. It doesn't look bad per say, just not the way I prefer. I guess kind of like the unsquare step - doesn't bother me as much but bothers hubby.

I just realized I forgot to share pics of the enclosure progress today. Other than the broken paver, it went well. I did notice the end of the gutter on one side is directly above the blower for the spa and if they put the downspout right where the gutter ends, it will put water to the equipment pad. We cant bury a French drain there bc of the water and gas lines. Hubby had a thought that they could run a gutter down the top of the enclosure so the downspout is at the opposite corner, away from the house and equipment pad. Will talk to the guys tomorrow and see. They were really nice when we talked to them today, discussing the doors and such.

7" super gutter

The end where the downspout will be on top of the blower and pour to the equipment pad. Hoping the gutter can come towards the camera and end at the corner behind where I am standing

 

[kimkats]

Yeah the gutter drains does need to tweaking. I am sure they will have some ideas when you point out your concern.

Kim

 

[Brentr]

It is all coming together. I love it

 

[PoolGate]

Nice!

 

[ShantellyLace]

The screen guys have been working hard and are almost done. They had hoped to finish today but ran out of time. All that is left is to finish putting some screen in, applying the tension cables, and clean up.

The screen is HUGE. It looks awesome. We ended up getting the 20/20 on the sides bc of the no see ums. It really doesnt change the clarity much at all (we have the wider mesh on the top as the no see ums don't go up that high).

Tomorrow deck crew is coming to clean up their mess. I called PB and made sure he knew I expected additional pavers to be ordered from TM and told him I already contacted them to make sure they had some in stock currently for him to order. We discussed what else needed to be done and then I said "We decided to give up the glass accent tiles bc we don't want to delay the build any further and will go with the upgraded plaster. So we want Tropics Blue with glass beads and abalone in mix and hand cast." He said ok. I didn't even give him a chance to say he needed to check the cost or anything like that bc at this point, getting this plaster is the least they could do.

So after chatting with Big Will about his finish and what he did to customize it, I sent the info over to my PB. He called and said he was going to have the head plaster guy call me directly so I could tell him EXACTLY what I want to make sure there are NO mistakes. So that is promising.

I did go out and look at the deck again today bc they assemble the trusses on the ground, attach the screen, and then use pulleys to lift it up. While its waiting to be lifted up, its sitting on the travertine and yup, more badly scratched pavers. Originally I told PB 1 crate should be enough but at this point, I think 2 crates need to be ordered bc there are only so many pieces of each size per crate. He hasnt responded to that yet...

Here are some pics of the screen enclosure. It is hard to get the camera to pick up how large the space really is. It is large and pretty spectacular.

Also, the dog keeps walking through the water that is being pumped out of the pool and as you can see, there is a lot of iron in it. We now have blobs of dried iron all over the deck from him walking on it and then the water dries. We tried sweeping and scrubbing it dry and wet and it won't come off. We ordered a stone cleaner by Dupont that is recommended by TM but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? I have read you have to be careful using harsh chemicals bc the travertine is so porous that it will slowly deteriorate.

 

[Brentr]

Yeah it looks awesome

 

[kimkats]

That thing IS huge!! WOW! I love it!

No ideas on the footy prints. I would grab a extra (haha I know ) piece and put some of the dirty water on it and see what takes the stain off without hurting the stone.

Kim

 

[SuzfromTexas]

Have you tried a magic eraser? When one of my tile guys left a razor blade rust stain on my coping, I used a dab of MA. It took it right off. That was fairly little, and I didn't know about magic erasers then. I don't know how big or widespread the rusty paw prints are. I definitely wouldn't be mopping the travertine with an MA solution! Lol!!

Be sure to leave a low bucket with water near the pool, and tell him to rinse his feet off sometimes! Lol!!!

 

[Brooksrandy81]

I can't believe how big it seems. It's awesome

 

[ShantellyLace]

I read not to use bleach bc the travertine soaks up the bleach into the pores and it slowly breaks down the stone. I am hoping this stone cleaner helps.

Kim, good idea bc lord knows we have a LOT of scrap pieces.

Also, after lots of chatting with Will, bless him for answering my 103847 questions, but looks like we will have a super blingy pool like he does! I want our monies and stress worth of bling if I cant have my glass accents. So when plaster owner calls me, I am going to tell him I want the blue blend glass beads (likely 400# but will ask him how many # first) and also 2 bags of shells per mix and 3 bags for hand casting. Me and Will can communicate via morse code with the way these 2 pools are going to shine!

 

[grumpiebk]

I've used the stone tech. It's ok. But you need to get to your stains quickly. It's better for maintenance than stains.