New fiberglass pool build in OBX- Current stage Fence and Landscape.

[Wolfepack88]

For the record, I believe yours looks splendid !!

Agree 100%!!

 

[gingrbredman]

This is not my pool, but my builder's pool as she was putting the tiles over the concrete lip by the auto cover, but you can see the waterline tiles along the side. This is an Ocean Blue Latham as well, it looks pretty sharp with the sparling water! Like you said, just looks a little off because of the shell so unfinished and sitting in a lot, but I have seen this pool in person and you will love it.



The only real difference I saw with the G2 and the G3 Ocean blue is the G3 has a lot more "sparkle" to the finish. They both look very similar, and the G2 is a great choice if that is what it is, but my wife insisted on upgrading to the G3 "bling" and can't say I even argued about that for a second. The upgrade for us was only like $1,500 and compared to the $5k or so for the tiles, the G3 won.

 

[TX2OBX]

Jealous of the Tile. That was supposed to be what we were getting but they ran out. Im excited to see what the plan b pick looks like up close. That Water looks gorgeous.

Tomorrow as long as it stays hot and sunny should be delivery day for the shell. But this whole process has been hurry up and wait lol. Haven't broached the second skimmer yet with PB, waiting to pick the right time to do that. At second glance it also looks like the spa is missing half the jets. At this point im just happy to have a shell when some people are being delayed years on their build. So not going to complain to much. But when Latham has both me and PB sign an order sheet specifying all these things, you'd think they'd follow it.

 

[TX2OBX]

Getting to the annoying part of the build. PB stopped by today to chat. Shell delivery is now next Tuesday, hopefully third time is a charm. But other than drilling for lights he is not willing to do much more to it unless I "refuse" the shell and send it back to Latham, which could add weeks to just looking at a hole in the ground. Spa has all the jets, I just couldn't see the lower ones. But keeps reiterating im going overkill with 3" plumbing. Which I keep telling him is impossible.


Noted discrepancies between the order sheet and what arrived.
-1 skimmer vs 2. PB is unwilling to cut in a second skimmer due to the tile. (Very very annoyed at this)
-Only one bubbler on tanning ledge vs 2. PB Is unwilling to cut in a second one. Already doesn't want to do the one. I kind of understand this since the one is in the middle of the ledge. But we could do one behind the other instead of side to side. (kind of annoyed but I can live with just 1 to be honest)
-Only 2 returns vs 4 in the pool. PB "might" add a third one but doesn't think its needed. (also super annoyed at this. IM sure 2 would be ok, but now the only source of water to the tanning ledge is the bubbler, and there is no return in the deep end at all.
-No light holes drilled. PB will remedy.
-We already knew this but only one set of mains in the spa vs 2 sets. So went down to single pump for spa. (ok with this)
-Spa doenst have circulation/make up return. PB will add this however.

So just want some guidance on what to do here. Theres been no mention on things getting cheaper. But all of what's said above is in my contract. So I presume since im getting far less than I spec'd I should be getting some considerable money back??

I also have some technical questions now.

-Since im going from 2 skimmers to 1. Should I "compromise" by making the pool main drains 3" (vs 2") since I have one less pipe that can be used to bring water back to the equipment?

-Also they drilled and installed the spa jets, but didn't run the loop. PB wants to use flex pipe for this. This makes me uneasy, I told him PVC pipe bends pretty easy with heat applied. He also noted that the connections for each jet are only 1.5" so thinks its ok to make the loop 1.5". With 8 jets will this be a constraint? 3"PVC will be used to and from the spa however (3" from mains to pump, 3" from pump to 1.5" loop). Or should I insist on 3" being used around the loop and just reduce it at each connection. You can kind of see the connections in my earlier post, they're combo air water (air on top water on bottom I guess).


Sorry for the long post, just a lot to process today. Thanks for the advise!

 

[Apsuhead]

I only have 1 skimmer and 2 main drains and 2 returns on my new fiberglass pool. While I wanted another skimmer and more returns, they have been adequate. The skimmer takes a lot of effort to keep clean and replace the skimmer sock every few days, so one is easier than 2.

 

[ajw22]

3" on main drains is not going to get you anything over the 2".

At least you will have one skimmer AND a main drain so your pool can run if the skimmer has a problem.

3" pipe to the spa jet loop then 1.5" for the loop will work fine. Solid PVC is more lasting then flex PVC but if his plumber has no experience bending solid PVC then using flex may be best. You should talk to the plumber who is going to do the work about this.

 

[rcs29]

Our pool dimensions are the same. I have one skimmer, one main and 2 returns. No issues with circulation. I do wish I had a second skimmer as it just seems to take forever for stuff to get to it but it does the job honestly. If you don't have a return near your tanning ledge I'd ask to have one put there. And you said there isn't one in the deep end either? So where the heck did they put them right across from each other to play water swords?

 

[TX2OBX]

Our pool dimensions are the same. I have one skimmer, one main and 2 returns. No issues with circulation. I do wish I had a second skimmer as it just seems to take forever for stuff to get to it but it does the job honestly. If you don't have a return near your tanning ledge I'd ask to have one put there. And you said there isn't one in the deep end either? So where the heck did they put them right across from each other to play water swords?

Just about lol. Im going to attach the order diagram with what was supposed to make it and explain what didn't. Were doing the deep end return at least. I think it will be fine too, its just one of those rather have it and not need it type things. IM also expecting one skimmer is going to need at least twice daily cleaning since I have a lot of trees and pine needles around me.

Diagram of order form. Already said above what's missing.

But obviously "SK2" isn't there.
IM actually kind of glad none of the lights made it as I dont know why he left "L1". All I asked for was the three on the wall facing away from the house. I might see if theres a spot for them to install the spa light not facing the house either.

But the pool showed up with one bubbler in the middle of the ledge and only "R1' and "R2" pre drilled. R3 and R5 in the pool as well as R4 in the spa are missing. Hes going to add r3 and r4 at least. But like the issue with the skimmer doenst want to drill through tile for R5. I guess I can program the Omni to run the bubbler every now and then to refresh the water on the tanning ledge.

3" on main drains is not going to get you anything over the 2".

At least you will have one skimmer AND a main drain so your pool can run if the skimmer has a problem.

3" pipe to the spa jet loop then 1.5" for the loop will work fine. Solid PVC is more lasting then flex PVC but if his plumber has no experience bending solid PVC then using flex may be best. You should talk to the plumber who is going to do the work about this.

Hmm, He agreed to 3" from the pool mains, even if it wont make much difference at least I feel like I got "something" lol. Now since were drilling into the shell I wonder if I can go for broke and ask for an auto fill to be plumbed in lol. Will talk to the plumber when he shows up, you might be right about bending PVC, I know the videos ive seen on YouTube make it look easy, but I bet its not that easy.

 

[kimkats]

PB wants to use flex pipe for this.

You should talk to the plumber who is going to do the work about this.

Do all you can to find a plumber that knows how to do the hard pipe. We have a pool right now where they used the flex pipe and she is digging it up as it failed and it is less that one year old

 

[Casey]

Please don't use flex on your suction line. Hard plumb it. I'm dealing with it now and it's not been an easy 10 days with no water flow. We were up all night last night working because it's too hot. We were finally able to dig under the decking and expose the skimmer line. It's over 150ft run too.

 

[Wolfepack88]

Getting to the annoying part of the build. PB stopped by today to chat. Shell delivery is now next Tuesday, hopefully third time is a charm. But other than drilling for lights he is not willing to do much more to it unless I "refuse" the shell and send it back to Latham, which could add weeks to just looking at a hole in the ground. Spa has all the jets, I just couldn't see the lower ones. But keeps reiterating im going overkill with 3" plumbing. Which I keep telling him is impossible.


Noted discrepancies between the order sheet and what arrived.
-1 skimmer vs 2. PB is unwilling to cut in a second skimmer due to the tile. (Very very annoyed at this)
-Only one bubbler on tanning ledge vs 2. PB Is unwilling to cut in a second one. Already doesn't want to do the one. I kind of understand this since the one is in the middle of the ledge. But we could do one behind the other instead of side to side. (kind of annoyed but I can live with just 1 to be honest)
-Only 2 returns vs 4 in the pool. PB "might" add a third one but doesn't think its needed. (also super annoyed at this. IM sure 2 would be ok, but now the only source of water to the tanning ledge is the bubbler, and there is no return in the deep end at all.
-No light holes drilled. PB will remedy.
-We already knew this but only one set of mains in the spa vs 2 sets. So went down to single pump for spa. (ok with this)
-Spa doenst have circulation/make up return. PB will add this however.

So just want some guidance on what to do here. Theres been no mention on things getting cheaper. But all of what's said above is in my contract. So I presume since im getting far less than I spec'd I should be getting some considerable money back??

I also have some technical questions now.

-Since im going from 2 skimmers to 1. Should I "compromise" by making the pool main drains 3" (vs 2") since I have one less pipe that can be used to bring water back to the equipment?

-Also they drilled and installed the spa jets, but didn't run the loop. PB wants to use flex pipe for this. This makes me uneasy, I told him PVC pipe bends pretty easy with heat applied. He also noted that the connections for each jet are only 1.5" so thinks its ok to make the loop 1.5". With 8 jets will this be a constraint? 3"PVC will be used to and from the spa however (3" from mains to pump, 3" from pump to 1.5" loop). Or should I insist on 3" being used around the loop and just reduce it at each connection. You can kind of see the connections in my earlier post, they're combo air water (air on top water on bottom I guess).


Sorry for the long post, just a lot to process today. Thanks for the advise!

I have 16 x 40 fiberglass with tanning ledge and imbedded spa. I have one skimmer in the deep end and two main drains on the side wall not on the bottom of the pool (in deep end), 1 return in the deep end and 2 returns on the tanning ledge pointed to the deep end, one return in the spa. Now I have an auto-cover that is closed unless we are swimming so that helps with the skimming. I had asked about a second skimmer but the factory had a knock out if you will for the model I have in the deep end. A second one would had to go on the side wall vs the tanning ledge. I kinda of wish I did it for redundancy and extra skimming power. My one does the job and my water is TFP sparkling but spring time (May and Early June I had pollen on surface that I think a second skimmer would have helped clean faster). So do you need it 100% no, but you wanted it for a reason so if its gonna nag you then send the pool back but then the relationship with the pool builder might get harder unfortunately unless you think he would be ok with it.

 

[ajw22]

Please don't use flex on your suction line. Hard plumb it. I'm dealing with it now and it's not been an easy 10 days with no water flow. We were up all night last night working because it's too hot. We were finally able to dig under the decking and expose the skimmer line. It's over 150ft run too.

The OP is discussing flex PVC being used only on the short spa jet loops which is on the pressure side and not buried with the weight of soil on it. Very different usage then what you have.

Being on the pressure side it should be fine if used although solid PVC is always preferred.

 

[Wolfepack88]

The OP is discussing flex PVC being used only on the short spa jet loops which is on the pressure side and not buried with the weight of soil on it. Very different usage then what you have.

Being on the pressure side it should be fine if used although solid PVC is always preferred.

My builder's plumbing guy was going to use it on that exact application and I said nope use solid. They didn't complain and used solid. It's easier for flex in the nooks and crannies of the spa but I didn't care I wanted solid, they did solid and everything has been "solid" with the spa.

 

[TX2OBX]

Please don't use flex on your suction line. Hard plumb it. I'm dealing with it now and it's not been an easy 10 days with no water flow. We were up all night last night working because it's too hot. We were finally able to dig under the decking and expose the skimmer line. It's over 150ft run too.

Thankfully its all hard plumbing for suction and returns as AJW pointed out only spot theyre trying to use it is the spa jet loop. But your thread updates are literally my main reason for pressing hard on PB to do a second skimmer. Thankfully were doing mains in the pool that could be an emergency back up for suction if skimmer is down (on top of normal circulation). But Id still want a second skimmer just for a situation like yours. With only one im in the same boat as you. With two, I could just shut the problem one off and deal with it in the fall when its cooler. Its prob a battle im not going to win, but im going to bring it up again Monday when theyre here doing final prep for the shell to arrive Tuesday. If it wouldn't be a warranty issue I would gladly cut the hole myself. Ive cut holes on glass tile shower walls before, So (hopefully), this wouldn't be much different.

My builder's plumbing guy was going to use it on that exact application and I said nope use solid. They didn't complain and used solid. It's easier for flex in the nooks and crannies of the spa but I didn't care I wanted solid, they did solid and everything has been "solid" with the spa.

Exact reason PB says hes using flex. But to me it shouldn't be any more difficult whether its solid or flex to get into those nooks and crannies, other than with solid it has to be heated up and bent first. Trying to see if I could find a source to get that done for us or even buy it pre curved but not having much luck.

Edit- text from pb. "Being honest neither me or the plumber have much experience with attached spas. Most people here usually do separate above ground spas, what makes plumbing this harder for us is the jets aren't all at the same level, not sure how to plumb with hard pipe when each jet is lower or higher than the last one"

Looking at the pics he sent me looks like 4 are at one hight and 4 are lower, in an alternating pattern. So I do see his point. What's usually done in this situation? He is already uncomfortable with it all it sounds like. Do we do 2 separate pipe loops?

 

[ajw22]

Looking at the pics he sent me looks like 4 are at one hight and 4 are lower, in an alternating pattern. So I do see his point. What's usually done in this situation? He is already uncomfortable with it all it sounds like. Do we do 2 separate pipe loops?

Post the pics he sent of the way your jets are placed.

 

[gingrbredman]

Just one more thought on all this....

which could add weeks to just looking at a hole in the ground

Would a couple more weeks with a hole in the ground be worse than getting the pool exactly like you want?

If the order to Latham is clear, and they sent the shell like that, which as you pointed out, has several things wrong, and the PB will not fix it on site, why not just refuse it and send it back? I know the first reason.... The shell is close, and refusing it may create even further delays, I do get the uneasy feeling this is bringing on, but is it worse than the uneasy feeling of not having the shell installed exactly as you ordered a worse feeling, one that will stick with you long after the pool is done, and you look at it every day?

I know a lot of us are trying to help find ways to make the best of it, I just wonder if the best thing is to hold you ground and send it back. I'm not saying that's the perfect answer, just wanted to "say it out loud" and think about it.

Looks like the order does also say "Ocean Blue G3", so that may be a positive, and the tile does look great installed. But the second bubbler, returns, and most important to you, the skimmer, all could have been done correctly at Latham and someone dropped the ball. Why do you have to accept less than what you are paying for? It's easy for Latham or the PB to just tell you to "deal with it", but it is not their pool it is YOUR pool, and I just wonder if in the long run your compromise to get the thing in the ground will follow with a lot of regret.

Did not mean to make the situation worse, it has to suck, but just wanted to throw that out there.

 

[TX2OBX]

Post the pics he sent of the way your jets are placed.

Trying to attach, they're ones he sent me not ones I took and it keeps telling me improper format or something.

Just one more thought on all this....



Would a couple more weeks with a hole in the ground be worse than getting the pool exactly like you want?

If the order to Latham is clear, and they sent the shell like that, which as you pointed out, has several things wrong, and the PB will not fix it on site, why not just refuse it and send it back? I know the first reason.... The shell is close, and refusing it may create even further delays, I do get the uneasy feeling this is bringing on, but is it worse than the uneasy feeling of not having the shell installed exactly as you ordered a worse feeling, one that will stick with you long after the pool is done, and you look at it every day?

I know a lot of us are trying to help find ways to make the best of it, I just wonder if the best thing is to hold you ground and send it back. I'm not saying that's the perfect answer, just wanted to "say it out loud" and think about it.

Looks like the order does also say "Ocean Blue G3", so that may be a positive, and the tile does look great installed. But the second bubbler, returns, and most important to you, the skimmer, all could have been done correctly at Latham and someone dropped the ball. Why do you have to accept less than what you are paying for? It's easy for Latham or the PB to just tell you to "deal with it", but it is not their pool it is YOUR pool, and I just wonder if in the long run your compromise to get the thing in the ground will follow with a lot of regret.

Did not mean to make the situation worse, it has to suck, but just wanted to throw that out there.

Very good point, and points all around from everyone. (confirmed pool is g3 which im very pleased about) I agree with you on this. Two major things stop me, one I think it would damage relationship with PB as I am already a very annoying customer to have, I warn this upfront and try to be reasonable, but im picky lol. Second and honestly the bigger issue is part of the hole is less than 2 feet from the house, every rain storm more and more erodes away and if not taken care of soon its going to put the houses stability at risk. Or at the very least the slab on the first floor. Second floor is held up by pilings. But id just like to avoid that if at all possible.

On this same issue with the yard ungraded ive had to put sand bags in front of the sliding doors and was out there in the middle of a storm last week with a shovel trying to make trenches to run water away from the house, somewhat successfully. But im willing to live with just 1 skimmer to protect the integrity of the house at this point. In the Carolinas in the middle of summer, severe storms pop up almost daily.

After our (friendly) back and forth's were going to correct everything but the second skimmer and bubbler. But I can live with that I think. With the bubbler I understand as theres really no way to add a second one on the tanning lounge (ledge idk ive called it about 6 different things lol) without it looking funny. He is open to putting it somewhere else in the pool, im trying to figure out a spot it might look good at. Added bonus is since hes ok with drilling holes I have him talked into an auto fill. Which im pretty happy about. Hopefully he will also be willing to run a 3/4 inch overflow line as well.

I talked to him about letting me cut the hole for the skimmer and hes not comfortable with that which I understand. Im not sure I would be comfortable with customers working on things im trying to sell them. I also offered to tow the pool from his yard to the house using my 40 foot flatbed trailer and truck, since hes apparently running into trouble finding a truck driver lol. But that also was a no. So Tuesday shell drop is still up in the air depending on if he can secure a rig. Only thing really we are still figuring out is the spa plumbing. If he was willing id also be willing to attempt this myself too. But I get it, becomes a liability thing. Im always more than willing to get dirty to get what I want

 

[kimkats]

Tell him he can drive the truck and trailer to take you out of the equation. It is your stuff but he will be in control.

Good job on knowing how you are and working around it with him.

 

[TX2OBX]

Tell him he can drive the truck and trailer to take you out of the equation. It is your stuff but he will be in control.

Good job on knowing how you are and working around it with him.

Great minds think alike. With that, Today happened. . Still waiting on his crane, but for now they're drilling the holes for returns and lights on the flat bed while waiting for the crane to arrive.

 

[gingrbredman]

Looking good!