New build in Northern VA

[GoldMomVA]

If you wallet can take the hit they can use a jack hammer to remove the gunite then cut out the steel and redo the shelf.

Would we have to wait another two weeks for the new gunite to cure?

 

[kimkats]

Let me ask someone who does this for a living @bdavis466

 

[bdavis466]

How did the shelf end up at 3"? What was specified in the contract?

Yes, new gunite should wait at least 14 days before plaster

 

[proberts]

Hi, everybody!

We finally started our excavation yesterday. It took about a year of planning, permits and HOA meetings. I attached a pic of the dig from today, and a picture of the backyard from last year when we purchased the house. The steep slope and county easements were challenging, but here we go!

I am sure I will have plenty of questions and concerns as we move forward. The diggers already encountered solid rock today, so more $$ for equipment and labor tomorrow. Yay!

We know that we are very fortunate to be moving forward at all, given the current situation in VA and most of the US.

Thank you for having this forum!

Melissa

Who's the PB? We're beginning the process now ourselves in NoVA. Thanks!

 

[GoldMomVA]

Who's the PB? We're beginning the process now ourselves in NoVA. Thanks!

We are using Alpine Pools. They are great, but Walt said that they are completely booked for the rest of the year.

 

[GoldMomVA]

We are getting our retaining wall put in, and the casita is arriving on 7/29. The PB told us that the Wet Edge installer was able to get the black pebble as soon as it arrived in the US, so we should be ready to go for our appointment in 2 weeks.

I have a grout question. Our PB uses Laticrete Spectralock Epoxy grout, which I think is good? Our tile is glass with a dark background, but the tile is lighter in color. Since our Primera Stone is going to be basically black, he said we should go with a dark grout. I am not sure if I like that. Does anybody here have experience with the translucent grout?

Here are some pics:

 

[GoldMomVA]

Any advice on grout? My hubby wants black grout, but I think that makes it look like prison bars.

 

[kimkats]

I would NOT do black for the reason you state. I would do a med. gray. That will help blend the tiles into each other and look awesome over time.

 

[GoldMomVA]

Finally getting the pool filled! We got the Primera Stone Starfall, like we wanted. I got the lighter grout that I wanted, but was overruled on putting any tile markers on the steps or sunshelf. The Wet Edge instructions say 7 days before we can go in.

Thank you to everybody here for your help and advice through this process. I am sure I will have many more questions once our testing is up and running.

 

[kimkats]

OH YEAH!!!

Do not turn off the water until the water is half way up that pretty tile!

The pool color with may have some green in it. That is normal and will change as the water gets balanced and the plaster cures. The true color will show up fast and pretty!

Kim

 

[GoldMomVA]

A few more pics after it is done filling. It was cloudy all day today with a little rain. I will take more pictures if the sun ever comes out.

The filter is not going yet. The PB said that they will handle the brushing and water testing starting on Monday. This is different than what Wet Edge recommends. Hopefully that will be ok.

 

[kimkats]

No reason you can't go ahead and brush the pool. I wold also test the water and see where it at and go from there.