So frustrating. Has your morning coffee talk involved kidnapping and holding for ransom one of their workers until it's completed? No? Us either......
New Member, First Build...What have we gotten into?
- Thread starter RangerBob
- Start date
Well let me know if I need to dress up in biker gear and come down to back up Bob in the intimidation department to get things moving. I gotta warn you though. I am born to be mild. I do however have a really cutting wit, that can be quite sharp when needed....
Also I make a mean mudslide. Which might do more to help.
I had a month of promises of plaster before we finally got some. Of course I don't have electricity....
Also I make a mean mudslide. Which might do more to help.
I had a month of promises of plaster before we finally got some. Of course I don't have electricity....
Very slow progress since the last update - and really it's been as interesting as watching paint dry - since that's all that has taken place - carpenters staining. Why it is taking so long is beyond me, except another carpenter has been "fired" from our project by the project manager. Go figure. Last night two guys show up around 4pm and worked into the night to about 7 pm. I'm going to go ahead and post the picture, but Bob and I have already decided we don't like the stain color. However, we are not going to bother the PB with that. Since it is supposedly the stain color that matches the house, and Bob was the one who had Sherwin Williams mix the stain and since it's taking so long to have the PB stain it the first time - we decided it isn't worth mentioning at this point. Once they get the stain done, at some point, we'll call the guys back that stained our house and have them fix it (besides I need to paint inside my house as well). The stain and anything related to it, appears to be our albatross.
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr
I mentioned that previously they came in and cut the pipes, sealed the pipes and then cleaned out the pool. Since then we had a couple of days of rain, but here are photos of that - and this is also for tstex so he can compare his gunite shell to ours
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr
The next two photos I took since it has been a long time since I could actually climb down into the pool - so I figured while I was there, I would take photos from the angle of being in the pool.
Steps from house into pool. And now I picture having to stand on them to brush like Eva has mentioned. And also the early words of Buckeye Chris about brushing are coming back to haunt me now as we start thinking plaster may be some day soon.
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr
From the steps/shallow end looking into the spa and spillover:
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr
Lastly, the tiny little toy bobcat that they think they will be using to start pushing the dirt (and rocks) around. Next week, they are supposed to begin the back fill, fixing sprinkler lines and fences. We happen to have the water department running new pipes in the front yard (down the entire street) so there is extra fill from that and some of the neighbors yards that we will be able to use.
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr
So as you can see, not much really exciting to comment on. The big thing we are waiting on is the countertop samples from the PB. We are anxiously waiting for the countertop, so that the appliances can be installed. We purchased the appliances outside of the PB, and so our warranties are directly with the companies and we want to make sure that there isn't too long of a period between our purchase of them and installation.
Eva - we may need some of that electricity magic too - as we haven't heard a peep about when the electrician will be back out.
For the heck of it, I'm posting some of the inspirational photos we used for the design of our pool. I'm pretty happy with it all coming together (slowly but surely)
Outdoor-Living-Features-by-Scallon-Custom-Pools-Austin-Texas-14 by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr
11s_theswimmimgpoolman_4287 by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr
2 by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr
-Karen
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on FlickrI mentioned that previously they came in and cut the pipes, sealed the pipes and then cleaned out the pool. Since then we had a couple of days of rain, but here are photos of that - and this is also for tstex so he can compare his gunite shell to ours
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on FlickrThe next two photos I took since it has been a long time since I could actually climb down into the pool - so I figured while I was there, I would take photos from the angle of being in the pool.
Steps from house into pool. And now I picture having to stand on them to brush like Eva has mentioned. And also the early words of Buckeye Chris about brushing are coming back to haunt me now as we start thinking plaster may be some day soon.
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on FlickrFrom the steps/shallow end looking into the spa and spillover:
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on FlickrLastly, the tiny little toy bobcat that they think they will be using to start pushing the dirt (and rocks) around. Next week, they are supposed to begin the back fill, fixing sprinkler lines and fences. We happen to have the water department running new pipes in the front yard (down the entire street) so there is extra fill from that and some of the neighbors yards that we will be able to use.
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on FlickrSo as you can see, not much really exciting to comment on. The big thing we are waiting on is the countertop samples from the PB. We are anxiously waiting for the countertop, so that the appliances can be installed. We purchased the appliances outside of the PB, and so our warranties are directly with the companies and we want to make sure that there isn't too long of a period between our purchase of them and installation.
Eva - we may need some of that electricity magic too - as we haven't heard a peep about when the electrician will be back out.
For the heck of it, I'm posting some of the inspirational photos we used for the design of our pool. I'm pretty happy with it all coming together (slowly but surely)
Outdoor-Living-Features-by-Scallon-Custom-Pools-Austin-Texas-14 by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr11s_theswimmimgpoolman_4287 by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr2 by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr-Karen
The stain, oh the stain of it all! I say use the extra to do the house so it matches the pool area! You should have enough!
I like it but I like bold colors so...................
Do you have corner brush? You are going to need one like Eva. It will something you buy now for when you get your finish.
They think that little bitty thing will be able to push enough dirt to back fill your area? How long will they budget for that job? WEEKS????? LOL I KNOW you will take and share a video for our enjoyment!
Kim
I like it but I like bold colors so...................
Do you have corner brush? You are going to need one like Eva. It will something you buy now for when you get your finish.
They think that little bitty thing will be able to push enough dirt to back fill your area? How long will they budget for that job? WEEKS????? LOL I KNOW you will take and share a video for our enjoyment!
Kim
Glock
0
They should have used a transparent stain rather than semi-transparent. That color would not be do bad if you could still see the wood grain. That is the same issue I had with the fence guys who did my fence. Still, it looks much better than my outdoor kitchen which doesn't exist. lol
Is that the normal process to cut and seal pipes before plaster?
Fittings will go on after plaster, correct?
We might be plastering our pool someday and was just curious. Pipes are still hanging out everywhere.
Fittings will go on after plaster, correct?
We might be plastering our pool someday and was just curious. Pipes are still hanging out everywhere.
The fittings go on before plaster, Jimbo, at least they did in my pool. not the final eyeball return pieces, but the surrounds they screw into did. I didn't watch them plaster so I'm not sure if they unscrewed them or anything or just wiped the plaster off around them as they were laying it. There might be a picture of them on my build thread - edit - there are some on page 6 of my thread Jimbo. You can see them on the tanning ledge bubbler return fittings clearly.
The stain looks a tad orange. Of course it could just be the photo. I think your pool looks way better than the inspiration pictures, even without water yet - but it sounds like you are getting closer, what with fittings going in and all. I can't wait to see you guys having to brush!!!
The stain looks a tad orange. Of course it could just be the photo. I think your pool looks way better than the inspiration pictures, even without water yet - but it sounds like you are getting closer, what with fittings going in and all. I can't wait to see you guys having to brush!!!
I think the only thing that will fit between the stones in that last pic is a toothbrush. 
Corleone
0
I know for the price you're paying, you expect perfection, but as an outsider let me tell you: it's going to look perfect. Unbelievable build, love the concept, love the entertainment area, stonework looks fantastic. You guys are going to be the envy of pool owners everywhere including this soon to be pool owner.
Look forward to more pics, keep em comin!
Nick in So Cal
Look forward to more pics, keep em comin!
Nick in So Cal
Thank you Nick - it has been a long process but I do finally feel it's coming together and I'm very happy with it. Besides, what fun is a project that runs smoothly and gets done in record time
[yes envious of "another pool build in North Dallas' 31 days]. But I guess it's sort of like a wedding, those that had something go wrong always have great stories to tell in later years "remember when the reception hall burned down and we had no place to seat the guests so we had to send everyone to Golden Corral buffet????" I have to say, I am totally in love with your pool design as well - especially with the backdrop of the hill behind it AND the travertine - gorgeous. -Karen
Yesterday, the project manager brought by the long awaited countertop sample. It was worth the wait, as the PB designed and created a special mold for our project (and now that they did that think they will continue to market to other clients). The countertop will be made of rebar-reinforced concrete with a rough edge finish. The sample countertop was made by having the concrete formed into balls and then pushed into shape. The cavities between the balls of concrete form created "veins". Once it dries, the veins are filled with epoxy paint. The edges were shaped with a grinder and then brought to a company who makes rubber molds. That rubber mold company made two 10 foot sections.
We have decided we are going to go with a darker brown concrete and black veining. We opted for the smoother top finish (towards the middle of the sample) versus the rougher/bubbly finish on the edges.
Rough edge
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr
Black veining
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr
We have decided we are going to go with a darker brown concrete and black veining. We opted for the smoother top finish (towards the middle of the sample) versus the rougher/bubbly finish on the edges.
Rough edge
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on FlickrBlack veining
Untitled by Ranger_Bob, on Flickr