@TampaKathy Thank you, yes this is in the southern Utah desert - red rock cliffs, hot in the summer, mild in the winter. Most of the parcels in the community we live in are 1.5 to 2 acres in size; I do have neighbors, but they are 150 ft or more away in all directions. Planned and built to integrate into the land with the views in mind, but still providing for privacy, quiet, and dark night skies.
New build - St George UT
- Thread starter stevo777
- Start date
TampaKathy
Gold Supporter
I live in a neighborhood with similar lot sizes to you but our houses were definitely not "built to integrate into the land" lol. But I can't see any houses from my back porch so that's at least good (and why I picked this lot)!
Still in a holding pattern; the designer asked us to pick a 1st and 2nd choice tile out of the NPT catalog; we chose Veracruz Cream or Sand, in the large format 24” x 12” size. turns out both are out of stock with no ETA. Probably sitting on a ship in Long Beach harbor. So, we are looking for choices 3 and 4, and looking at tiles from other vendors. A similar tile in gray would be fine, too.
At least I think we are good on the equipment side; our PB had the foresight to pre-buy and hoard a lot of equipment- filters, heaters, pumps, etc. He says he has a garage full of the stuff - much to the chagrin of his wife/financial controller I suppose.
At least I think we are good on the equipment side; our PB had the foresight to pre-buy and hoard a lot of equipment- filters, heaters, pumps, etc. He says he has a garage full of the stuff - much to the chagrin of his wife/financial controller I suppose.
The lead on our pool project shot this drone video during the shotcrete process. Thanks to Joel for providing the video!
Shotcrete Drone
Shotcrete Drone
Hey! Go tell that neighbor with a pool a mile down from you about TFP! 
Wow...that's some view. Impressive on all sides.
Does it feel as hot outside as it looks? You'll get some serious evaporation, I imagine?
Maddie
Wow...that's some view. Impressive on all sides.
Does it feel as hot outside as it looks? You'll get some serious evaporation, I imagine?
Maddie
Well, I haven't updated much recently, because frankly, there hasn't been too much to update. We've fallen victim to the all-too-common scheduling woes of the pool business it seems.
The PB and his coordinator - lets just say that planning and communication are not their strong suits. They cannot tell me when any milestone will occur, nor will they respond to my requests for schedule. Like many of the PBs in the area, I don't think they know what they are doing the day after tomorrow.
We ran into availability issues on our tile selection; we chose new tile on 10/21 and ordered it on a 2 week lead time. And it actually arrived ahead of schedule.
On 11/3, in response to my question when the tile was to be installed, i was told "you're next in queue".
Two weeks later, asking the same question, i was told "there's 2 jobs ahead of you". No explanation for the change in priority. Tile was actually installed on 11/30.
On 12/7, we attended an urgently called meeting to map out the patio and select concrete color. Urgent, because, well, PB was just about ready to come to pour. It would happen "very soon". "Map out patio" apparently means the coordinator squirts spray paint on the ground to mark the patio, unfortunately coordinator brought the wrong paint. Not a big deal, I handed them the plan that I drew while designing the project. Coordinator also forgot to bring any literature to help select concrete color; we'll figure that out later.
Today, 12/20, no action, no communication. Just typical, i guess. Difficult for me to coordinate other work which is outside the PB's scope in this unpredictable way of working.
Here's the tile we chose, a swirly grey in large format (24" x 6")
The PB and his coordinator - lets just say that planning and communication are not their strong suits. They cannot tell me when any milestone will occur, nor will they respond to my requests for schedule. Like many of the PBs in the area, I don't think they know what they are doing the day after tomorrow.
We ran into availability issues on our tile selection; we chose new tile on 10/21 and ordered it on a 2 week lead time. And it actually arrived ahead of schedule.
On 11/3, in response to my question when the tile was to be installed, i was told "you're next in queue".
Two weeks later, asking the same question, i was told "there's 2 jobs ahead of you". No explanation for the change in priority. Tile was actually installed on 11/30.
On 12/7, we attended an urgently called meeting to map out the patio and select concrete color. Urgent, because, well, PB was just about ready to come to pour. It would happen "very soon". "Map out patio" apparently means the coordinator squirts spray paint on the ground to mark the patio, unfortunately coordinator brought the wrong paint. Not a big deal, I handed them the plan that I drew while designing the project. Coordinator also forgot to bring any literature to help select concrete color; we'll figure that out later.
Today, 12/20, no action, no communication. Just typical, i guess. Difficult for me to coordinate other work which is outside the PB's scope in this unpredictable way of working.
Here's the tile we chose, a swirly grey in large format (24" x 6")
Attachments
TampaKathy
Gold Supporter
Ah yes, "very soon" and my favorite so far, "sooner rather than later (it was not sooner rather than later)." Translation: No freaking clue, stop asking. 
So much fun, isn't it?!
So much fun, isn't it?!Progress! PB has had a crew out 4 of the last 5 days, working on grading, deck concrete forms and deck bonding grid. We finalized on concrete color, the 18” closest to pool will be broom finish with a cantilever edge for the pool cover track. The surrounding deck to be a fine aggregate, held 3-6' back from the courtyard wall for landscaping. Concrete pours should happen next week, but the actual schedule is at the mercy of the concrete sub.
Electrical rough-in is done, the gas line has been installed and inspected, and our plumber has roughed in the drain for the outdoor shower. Gradually, the open trenches and piles of dirt are disappearing, and I can see in full scale the actual sizes of patio and landscape areas. Its nice to see things coming together.
Electrical rough-in is done, the gas line has been installed and inspected, and our plumber has roughed in the drain for the outdoor shower. Gradually, the open trenches and piles of dirt are disappearing, and I can see in full scale the actual sizes of patio and landscape areas. Its nice to see things coming together.
Attachments
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,049
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
After a 3 week hiatus, part of the patio was poured today - the coping around the pool. Once this sets, the rest of the patio will be poured, exposed aggregate. Hopefully next week. This delay will be due to needing to let the broom-finished coping cure sufficiently to not be damaged by the releasing agent which will be applied to the rest of the patio to expose the aggregate.
I think the broom finish of the coping will make a nice contrast to the aggregate, and I am pleased by the look of the cantilevered edge.
Here’s a time lapse of the 8 hour job, condensed to 8 minutes.
Pool Coping Pour
I think the broom finish of the coping will make a nice contrast to the aggregate, and I am pleased by the look of the cantilevered edge.
Here’s a time lapse of the 8 hour job, condensed to 8 minutes.
Pool Coping Pour
Exposed aggregate 1400 sq ft patio was poured yesterday, and finished today with saw cut control joints. We are down to four major milestones now- equipment install, courtyard wall build, plaster, and fill. I took a time lapse of the pour, and can post it once I process it if there is interest. In the mean time, here’s a shot of the completed patio at sunset tonight. 
an1vrsy
Bronze Supporter
- Jul 10, 2018
- 1,239
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Our concrete contractor recommended that the exposed aggregate portion of the patio be sealed with a matte clear coat. We’ve seen several examples of this and the results are beautiful. However, the treatment gets pricy, both initially and with the need to recoat every couple of years.
I’ve heard that there are a couple different materials being used - acrylic and polyurethane. Any comments on the pros and cons of each are appreciated-
I’ve heard that there are a couple different materials being used - acrylic and polyurethane. Any comments on the pros and cons of each are appreciated-
- Sep 3, 2018
- 1,340
- Pool Size
- 17000
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I would like to hear this too. My husband would like to seal our waterfall because we like the wet color better but I'm worried about the upkeep.
Happy to announce the end of this nearly 8 month project is in sight! A couple bumps along the way, but plaster is scheduled for one week from today, morning of March 8. Fill will begin later in the day, and then I envision getting a lot of practice brushing, 3x per day, for three weeks. Plaster will be white with teal and blue quartz. Equipment is in place and plumbed, the panel and electrical still to do, but should happen in the next couple days. The courtyard wall will be up by Monday, and stuccoed within a week or so. After that we’ll turn to landscape and lighting, and of course planning the pool opening party ;-)
Turbo1Ton
Gold Supporter
- Dec 26, 2019
- 1,995
- Pool Size
- 14500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
And to close on my earlier question about deck sealing - we have decided on an acrylic solvent-based matte clear finish on the aggregate. No sealant on the broom finished concrete coping at the recommendation of the concrete contractor - looks better that way, and should provide a nice contrast to the sealed deck. Both the coping and deck have a mild red tint to them, complementary to the general desert environment, house and courtyard wall color. The sealed aggregate will have the same appearance as if I pour some water on the existing unsealed surface. There is some maintenance involved - a recoat every year or so, but will be much less expensive than the original treatment.
My research indicates that the polyurethane lasts a lot longer (7-8 years), is much more expensive, and when it wears out, must be completely stripped off and reapplied. I believe I’ve seen applications of this in high traffic areas such as malls or Disneyland, and to my eye, looks thick and plastic-y.
Acrylic is applied initially with 2 coats, and recoated in a year or two with one additional coat on top of the original, as long as you keep up with it - don’t let it degrade over a period of years where it starts to flake. With a matte clear coat, you get a natural, wet look with good protection and durability.
My research indicates that the polyurethane lasts a lot longer (7-8 years), is much more expensive, and when it wears out, must be completely stripped off and reapplied. I believe I’ve seen applications of this in high traffic areas such as malls or Disneyland, and to my eye, looks thick and plastic-y.
Acrylic is applied initially with 2 coats, and recoated in a year or two with one additional coat on top of the original, as long as you keep up with it - don’t let it degrade over a period of years where it starts to flake. With a matte clear coat, you get a natural, wet look with good protection and durability.
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At long last, plaster is scheduled for tomorrow. The valve pictured is a hydrant meter - standard practice around here is to fill from the fire hydrant with a 2-3" firehose - fills the pool in a matter of a few hours. The fire hydrant is on the same culinary water system that feeds the homes around here. PB is on top of the need to protect the plaster from hose fittings and the inrush of water. I should get a good read on the pool volume this way as well.
Turbo1Ton
Gold Supporter
- Dec 26, 2019
- 1,995
- Pool Size
- 14500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40