New Build in Sacramento!

[Rich D]

The biggest concern I have with the submerged shelf is that the boulders are placed on top of the plaster. The PB said I could place the boulders directly on the plaster However I did not think this was a good idea so I made a pad for each Boulder with some high strength non shrink grout. So my issue is if the plaster is what makes the pool water tight and plaster does eventually fail, how will I ever replace the plaster that is now under the boulders... That is one question you might want ta ask the PB.

My fall back plan now is if I ever do develop a leak on the Boulder shelf then I will hopefully be able to seal the front and bottoms of the boulders to the new plaster so water can no longer get beyond the front face of the boulders...

 

[Rich D]

My guess is that the entire area on the shelf should be filled with rock and a cement product rated for under water, up to the top of the pool beam so no water can get in there from the start.

 

[Jasop3]

So, the Oregon Creek is... from Oregon? I could totally see that, there's a lot of rocks here. Them's some big boulders to ship across the country!

I like the natural rocks, all the veins and variegated colors, irregular shapes... I think I'd do natural rock too.

Yes this was from Oregon. It’s the same type of granite we get here in California from the Sierra mountain. Surprisingly it was only 3 cents more per pound from our Sierra boulder.

 

[Jasop3]

Thanks @Rich D for the pictures and your experience. Your rocks and waterfall look great. I would say it must be nice to have free rock but it sounds like they cost a lot in blood, sweat, and tears. I’m sure it’s nice to relax in your pool and be able to say “ I built that”!

"how hard could it be" those words get me in trouble all the time? I actually said that when we started getting quotes... my wife adamantly said no. I still think I could do it but I’m so busy it would probably take forever.

I’m actually quite surprised there is plaster under the rock. In my mind I figured it would only be sealed and filled much like you state with rock and a cement product. I will definitely talk to my pool builder more about his plan on sealing everything.

 

[Rich D]

Thanks @Rich D for the pictures and your experience. Your rocks and waterfall look great. I would say it must be nice to have free rock but it sounds like they cost a lot in blood, sweat, and tears. I’m sure it’s nice to relax in your pool and be able to say “ I built that”!

Thank you. As always it was more work then I had anticipated. We spend a lot of time out there now and do take pride in the fact that "WE" built it... I could not have done it without my faithful 'Rock slinger'

"how hard could it be" those words get me in trouble all the time?

Says the man who is on his 3rd year finishing the house lot...

I’m actually quite surprised there is plaster under the rock. In my mind I figured it would only be sealed and filled much like you state with rock and a cement product. I will definitely talk to my pool builder more about his plan on sealing everything

I had always thought that I would build on top of the gunnite then they would seal the plaster to the boulders but I was very new to the whole pool thing and went with the PB recommendation. I see potential issues both ways. I really thought this would be something they do all the time and was hoping for some hands on help from the PB but it turns out neither of those were true...
I would be interested in how @bdavis would approach building a submerged Boulder waterfall with real boulders and what products he would use.

 

[frogabog]

Yes this was from Oregon. It’s the same type of granite we get here in California from the Sierra mountain. Surprisingly it was only 3 cents more per pound from our Sierra boulder.

The price difference probably reflects less than 300 miles transport to your area. I think I was looking at a poster's locale above and thought you were in Omaha.

I like that big rock with the veins. It'll look really pretty when wet.

 

[Jasop3]

Unfortunately I had to go with different rocks. The previous place didn’t seem to want to sell to me so I decided to go direct to the source. It’s hard to tell for the picture but it’s the same type of rock. My dog also got to go running through the forest and a swim.

I’ll get better pictures when the get moved and I can wash them. Digging begins Monday!

 

[kimkats]

Cutting out the middle man! NICE! Those are some pretty rocks right there! WIN for sure since doggy got to run and swim as well!

Why did the other company not want to take your money?? Silly people

Kim

 

[frogabog]

Ohh! I like the Bluetick!

I really like the rocks too. Very pretty. I have a thing for rocks... Those are going to look really nice when wet.

 

[mguzzy]

Unfortunately I had to go with different rocks. The previous place didn’t seem to want to sell to me so I decided to go direct to the source. It’s hard to tell for the picture but it’s the same type of rock. My dog also got to go running through the forest and a swim.

I’ll get better pictures when the get moved and I can wash them. Digging begins Monday!

So where did you go for the rox? I'm local to you so I'm trying to figure out where those shots are... seems familiar. I just may have to seek you out and see this Waterfall in person when its done.. The rock choices look awesome.

 

[Jasop3]

Why did the other company not want to take your money?? Silly people

Not sure. I went in 4days in a row trying to get them to weight out the boulders and set up delivery. I needed the weight because they didn’t have enough and I had to go to a different yard for the remainder.
Every time I went in it was an excuse, we got busy, I had a meeting. Tuesday I went in to get the weight after a worker on Friday promised he would do it. There was another guy picking out rocks when I showed up Tuesday morning. They weighed his and loaded it for him. I then asked how much my total weight was and more excuses, but more promises about getting it by noon.

I decided not to wait and made a phone call to the quarry. Meet him out there Wednesday morning and he delivered Wednesday night.

Glad I didn’t wait either because I got a call that they still hadn’t weighed it Tuesday night. I told her not to bother anymore. She gave a snide fauxpology, essentially telling me I wasn’t patient enough. I also saved my rock guy $2k in the process. Here’s hoping he pays it forward!

 

[Jasop3]

I have a thing for rocks...

I have a thing for rocks as well. There were some out there I wanted so bad. I knew they were to big, but it was hard to resist. I wish I had more access because I would have got them.

 

[Jasop3]

So where did you go for the rox? I'm local to you so I'm trying to figure out where those shots are... seems familiar. I just may have to seek you out and see this Waterfall in person when its done.. The rock choices look awesome.

I will definitely let you come check it out. I got them east of Truckee. I can dm you the website if you want the owners information.

 

[mguzzy]

I will definitely let you come check it out. I got them east of Truckee. I can dm you the website if you want the owners information.

sure please do... you go to much east of Truckee and you're in the next state!

 

[Jasop3]

sure please do... you go to much east of Truckee and you're in the next state!

Dm sent. I meant west of Truckee.

 

[Jasop3]

Looking for insight on how you would plumb this pool. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Jasop3]

I guess I should add I have 2 pentair pumps, my choice of model. I’m thinking of adding a heater but it doesn’t have one at the moment. It also has a second skimmer that is not shown. There is 2 waterfalls, 1 large one and a smaller one.

 

[Jasop3]

The dig has begun. I posted in a separate thread about help with plumbing ideas. If anyone wants to chime in here or there. Thanks in advance.

 

[Rich D]

Great... . Things look very tight back there. It will be interesting to see what they will use to set those boulders .

How big did they decide to make the sunken Boulder shelf? Are they placing the boulders on the gunnite or on the plaster?

 

[Rich D]

I'm sure your rock guy knows better and I realize this might be a bit late but be careful about using rocks with heavy iron in them. Here is my rookie mistake. It does clean up with acid but kind os a PIA...