New Build Spain

[Fr33pool]

Hi TFP

Been lurking for a while and have really learnt a lot from all you contributors, thank you.

Well we started this project back in July but for one thing or the other we have only just started the build last week. It amazes me how much you have every part of the build regulated (good in most parts) Things are a little bit more “flexible” here, but I´ve incorporated some like dual main drains and equipotential bonding into my build. Most of the builders we got quotes from are still offering yesteryear systems and were not keen on much input from us. So we finally split the build between the actual pool structure itself and a system installer who were far more accommodating with what we want to do.

Here is an overview of what we are looking to do, sorry no mock up pictures with our PBs so this is my best effort. Any advice or comment is very welcome.

Will continue to post build updates

Design Overview
6.5m x 4m x 1.55m(avg depth) 40m3 10,500 gallons
Fully tiled
Semi submerged

Filtration
ESPA Silen Plus 1M 1.1KW variable speed pump
Sugar Valley Hidrolife SAL 22 SWCG

• pH probe and dosing pump
• Temp probe
• WiFi module for remote monitoring and control (automation)

Hayward Swimclear C150SE cartridge filter
2 main drains
2 wide mouth skimmers independently plumbed
3 returns
All DN50 - 2” piping
All ball valves

Solar heating
12 OKU solar panels
OKU Suncontrol controller
ESPA Silen I 650W single speed pump
T off suction lines before filtration pump
T into return lines after filter
Flowvis flow meter
DN50 - 2” piping up to roof
DN40 - 1.5” piping down from roof

 

[Flying Tivo]

If you can get NeverLube Jandy type 3-way valves its much better. Ball valves will brake sooner than later. About the skimmers, if you are sure that your predominant winds are on that side of the pool then its ok. I prefer to have them on opposite sides of the pool. I would recommend at least one more return on the wall and consider installing at least 3 floor returns for you solar heater.

 

[Fr33pool]

Thanks for the feedback.

Unfortunately no easy way of getting Jandy products here, ball valves are the norm, I´ll see if other 3-way valves are available locally. I monitored the wind with my mini weather station for a few months, that´s why both the skimmers are located on that side. Can probably get 1 floor return in at this stage.

 

[Fr33pool]

Getting rid of our beloved almond and mandarin trees were the hardest part.


Site cleared and ready for the long hard dig... by hand. Due to access limitations we couldn´t easily get a digger in.


Used a rotavator to loosen up the top soil, we only had to go down about 60cm. But less than half way down we hit bedrock! So out with the jackhammer.


2 weeks later we were had the dig complete...so we thought

 

[Fr33pool]

Since the polt is on a hillside the norm is to make terraces. Turns out that half the pool plot is on back fill, rocks and soil whilst the other half was on solid rock. The PB said it wasn´t a problem, the geo engineer recommended we to dig down to the bedrock and back fill with only the rocks and throw a layer of concrete on top. We erred on the side of caution and dug.

Luckily solid rock was less than a meter down. After backfilling we were now finally ready to start the build 6 months later!


The block wall surround was up in about 4 days with the gravel fill and rebar taking another 3 days.


Now waiting for the plumber/installer to do their bit before we can gunite.

 

[Fr33pool]

PB just wants to connect the rebar to an earthing rod but I want to bond everything metal and the water together.

Question regarding bonding wire as the regs don't stipulate size or type. We only have #2 and #5 stranded available, I can't source #8 solid, I'm assuming better to bond with a large stranded than nothing?

Does the bond wire have to be a closed loop? I was planning on using the #2 from 4 points of the rebar to the mesh I'm putting under the deck and then run #5 to the pump etc from this mesh. Will this work?

 

[cowboycasey]

It should work but I would really want some kind of solid copper wire... You want to connect the water and anything metal and the pool shell and deck to the bonding wire to include the pump, salt water generator or anything else with power..

 

[Fr33pool]

Bit of progress since the last update, gunite was shot and initial piping install completed.

Sand and cement were mixed by hand before shoveling into the gunite machine.


Took 3 days to shoot it all. Calling emergency services to come get him out of a tight corner

Unfortunately they plastered a thin layer to prepare for the tiling the day after the gunite was shot. In hindsight should have made them wait for at least a week so the gunite cures better. I watered it 3 times a day for a week anyway.

Created the equipotential bonding loop then pulled out 5 attach points around the pool to connect to various metal objects close to it.


PB said waterproof coating wasn't necessary, however since grout isn't waterproof I decided to do it myself anyway. Now need to wait another week before we can start the tiling.

 

[Fr33pool]

Structure finally complete, now on to the electrics and plumbing

Machine room but could make a nice man cave


Pressure test, think we have a problem


Terrace ready for the concrete


Trap door to the machine room


No, you´ve put the wrong colour tiles!


Phew... it´s only the protective paper


Now got to wait 2 weeks before we can start filling

 

[PoolGate]

Wow so nice! I love fully tiled pools but I think fore most people in the US it would be cost prohibitive.

 

[cowboycasey]

I LOVE IT... I wish I could have gotten that type tile here without costing an arm and a leg

That is going to be an awesome looking blue color...

 

[Flying Tivo]

Very nice, congratulations! Which tile color and brand is it?

 

[Fr33pool]

Wow so nice! I love fully tiled pools but I think fore most people in the US it would be cost prohibitive.

Thanks. The price per sq meter for the mosaic tiles is around 15euros. Including installation comes to about 12% of the build price. So not that prohibitive, that´s why almost all built pools are tiled here.

 

[Fr33pool]

Very nice, congratulations! Which tile color and brand is it?

It´s a light grey (gris niebla claro 514) from Vidrepur

 

[Flying Tivo]

Its not the square foot price, mostly due to installer cost labor in the USA.