New Build South Louisiana

[TigerTater]

Embarking on a new pool build. Have been in our home 4 years, and working on a growing family. This past summer the heat broke us and we have decided to put in a pool. It was always a possibility, but just moving up our timeline. We have a large yard 1 acre, for a neighborhood. The pool will be off the back of our home, outdoor kitchen area. We are preserving a green space for playing and hanging out in front of the pool area, and will have a large yard behind the pool as well for yard sports.

• Gunite pool- 34x19.5- odd dimensions, was originally 36x18, but after laying it out and measuring many others, based on our plan we needed more width to allow a better utilization of the actual pool floor.
• 2 tanning ledges one deep 18" and one shallow at 8"
• 8x8 spa

• Pentair equipment
  • 3HP VSP Intelliflow
  • 520 cartridge filter
  • Ic 40 Salt cell- my PB tried to talk me out of it citing corrosion etc. I don't buy it, and believe it was his experience and clients having poorly managed water
  • Mastertemp 400
  • Ultratemp heat pump 140 - south Louisiana summers are no joke, and what's the point of a pool without cool water; contemplated a glacier, but felt the performance wasn't going to be sufficient and its already half the price
  • Microbrite lights
  • Intellicenter- my PB once again did not want to use this as he prefers the older and eventually obsolete My Touch, I had to ask for it specifically, but I would rather not use tech that will be legacy soon
• Stone coping, concrete decking 1200sqft with SunDek application
• Diamondbrite plaster; pebble top drains
• Plumbing specs- all lines to be 2" with spa-main-and spa jets being 2.5"

Should be breaking ground next week as weather permits, will be cutting my sod up in that area to transfer to another area of the yard that was not sodded! Cant stand to see all my beautiful grass go to the dump truck!

I have a few questions-

• Heater bypass- thinking for sure to put on the master temp, should I do the automatic with the pump giving the signal? Would you do a bypass on the heat pump as well, if nothing else but in case it needs to be worked on, I have seen the data on flow/power consumption, and I think that speaks for itself
• Should I zone the lights separately since I seem to have enough relays?
• Pool safety devices? Alarms? planning on a mobile fence for sure initially

Any advice of constructive critiques ? Thanks for looking, I've been reading as much as I can!

TT

 

[HermanTX]

Pentair equipment

• 3HP VSP Intelliflow
• 520 cartridge filter
• Ic 40 Salt cell- my PB tried to talk me out of it citing corrosion etc. I don't buy it, and believe it was his experience and clients having poorly managed water
• Mastertemp 400
• Ultratemp heat pump 140 - south Louisiana summers are no joke, and what's the point of a pool without cool water; contemplated a glacier, but felt the performance wasn't going to be sufficient and its already half the price
• Microbrite lights
• Intellicenter- my PB once again did not want to use this as he prefers the older and eventually obsolete My Touch, I had to ask for it specifically, but I would rather not use tech that will be legacy soon

Great that you stood your ground. It is your money and it will be better off in the long run.
BTW - ask if you are getting the IntelliFlo3 (which is newest model) or just the IntelliFlo (which is still a great pump)

Heater bypass- thinking for sure to put on the master temp, should I do the automatic with the pump giving the signal? Would you do a bypass on the heat pump as well, if nothing else but in case it needs to be worked on, I have seen the data on flow/power consumption, and I think that speaks for itself

Put the bypass in now.

Should I zone the lights separately since I seem to have enough relays?

this gives you the most flexibility if you have each light on a separate relay.

 

[kimkats]

I love your design. The different depth's are going to be fun in the future I bet.

I do have a couple of questions:

-What is the depth of the swim line/area?

-Is the spa wall raised at all?

 

[TigerTater]

I love your design. The different depth's are going to be fun in the future I bet.

I do have a couple of questions:

-What is the depth of the swim line/area?

-Is the spa wall raised at all?

Thanks!
Sunken spa

Pool is mostly an activity pool, 3,6” to 5,6”

 

[TigerTater]

Dig day is here!
Quick question for anyone.
What should the slope be from shallow to deep? We’re going from 3,6 to 5,6…do I keep the shallow flat for say 10 ft and then slope down giving roughly 1” drop per foot? My PB said he usually just pulls a string from shallow to deep and makes it just a very gentle slope …

Just not sure if I want more of a top shallow area then slope then deeper shelf ?

 

[TigerTater]

Gunite done!

 

[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.
Kim

 

[TigerTater]

Yes I have started to water the shell in! Sprinkler is set to run during the day. Temps are dropping here this week, lows in the 30s. So that should help with cure temperature! Thanks for the links @kimkats