- Sep 8, 2013
- 606
You have to have the patience of a saint. Will you have all this done and the pool completed for the warmer months of swimming?
New Pool Build in Miami
- Thread starter jro33176
- Start date
Yes, my PB would rather deal with the limestone than muck or trash. A friend who lives only 2 miles away had to deal with muck and hitting the water table. It was a messy and $$ dig for them.
@ martinkennedy -- Well, my fingers are crossed for swimming this summer. My PB keeps telling me we will be swimming this summer. This week we finally saw "real" progress!
Great news on the pool front. Things are now moving along... 
As scheduled, Monday, the power company and my electrician were out finalizing the new underground electrical lines.
This big "box" was installed. It contains a transformer that routes the old lines entering our property with the new run, which juts off the left. The wires in front are the old ones they cut.
A big new fancy meter box
They finished this work around noon. Later that day, after returning home, I see a PB truck parked at my house. I'm thinking there might be a problem here. But no, PB is spraying my yard with more paint to mark the lines...
PB tells me they will be here Tuesday at 8:00 to start excavation!!! I am beyond EXCITED at this news!!!
As scheduled, Monday, the power company and my electrician were out finalizing the new underground electrical lines.
This big "box" was installed. It contains a transformer that routes the old lines entering our property with the new run, which juts off the left. The wires in front are the old ones they cut.
A big new fancy meter box
They finished this work around noon. Later that day, after returning home, I see a PB truck parked at my house. I'm thinking there might be a problem here. But no, PB is spraying my yard with more paint to mark the lines...
PB tells me they will be here Tuesday at 8:00 to start excavation!!! I am beyond EXCITED at this news!!!
That's awesome news. Take lots of pics. Soon you'll be enjoying the summer in your new oasis.
Now we're actually building a pool in Miami
Tuesday and Wednesday were excavation days.
8 full loads of dirt and rock were excavated.
It took 2 full days to dig out the pool. I was amazed with this machine and how carefully he dug out the shape of the pool.
Just getting started...
It took about 10 minutes for him to dig up the first full load (the top layer was all dirt) for the dump truck. The truck would leave and he would start digging/breaking up and scraping the rock into a pile. Just as he finished, the truck would be back for another refill.
He started on the "shallow end" and worked his way to the "deep end."
Around 1:00, got a call from PB that digger accidentally hit the internet/phone line.
That was an understatement as he actually ripped the interface completely off the wall!
I called AT&T to request an appointment. Kudos to AT&T, they were out in less than 1 hour to repair the U-Verse service! I was impressed and pleasantly surprised.
Getting deeper.
When I say break up and scrape up rock, I mean it seriously. I am still amazed by the solid limestone!
He actually maneuvered the machine into the pool to make sure the slope was level.
Checking the depth
After two days
Even the dog is impressed. She walked down the sloped slide to explore.
Tuesday and Wednesday were excavation days.
8 full loads of dirt and rock were excavated.
It took 2 full days to dig out the pool. I was amazed with this machine and how carefully he dug out the shape of the pool.
Just getting started...
It took about 10 minutes for him to dig up the first full load (the top layer was all dirt) for the dump truck. The truck would leave and he would start digging/breaking up and scraping the rock into a pile. Just as he finished, the truck would be back for another refill.
He started on the "shallow end" and worked his way to the "deep end."
Around 1:00, got a call from PB that digger accidentally hit the internet/phone line.
That was an understatement as he actually ripped the interface completely off the wall!
I called AT&T to request an appointment. Kudos to AT&T, they were out in less than 1 hour to repair the U-Verse service! I was impressed and pleasantly surprised.
Getting deeper.
When I say break up and scrape up rock, I mean it seriously. I am still amazed by the solid limestone!
He actually maneuvered the machine into the pool to make sure the slope was level.
Checking the depth
After two days
Even the dog is impressed. She walked down the sloped slide to explore.
- Jul 1, 2013
- 220
Very nice! And a talented excavator you have there! ... Looks like the dog was a good supervisor!
Re-bar
The update continues --
Yesterday (Thursday), a crew of four guys started installing the main drains, skimmers and re-bar.
First they built the wooden frame and then placed this chicken-wire-with-paper-attached material all around.
After that, they put in the re-bar.
This is the shallow end with the steps. They doubled up on re-bar in that area and although you can't really see it in the picture.
Here is the deep end with the main drains in place.
This gauge is attached to a plumbing line. Is this to "pressurize" the plumbing system?
Not sure what that means really although I think it's to test for air leaks in the fittings.
They still have more re-bar to put in and another skimmer box. After this part is complete, we will have an inspection scheduled. No one came today (Friday) to finish so I contacted the PB. He said the inspection is scheduled for Monday so if they don't get here today, they will come tomorrow (Saturday).
I hope all goes as scheduled!! :angel:
The update continues --
Yesterday (Thursday), a crew of four guys started installing the main drains, skimmers and re-bar.
First they built the wooden frame and then placed this chicken-wire-with-paper-attached material all around.
After that, they put in the re-bar.
This is the shallow end with the steps. They doubled up on re-bar in that area and although you can't really see it in the picture.
Here is the deep end with the main drains in place.
This gauge is attached to a plumbing line. Is this to "pressurize" the plumbing system?
Not sure what that means really although I think it's to test for air leaks in the fittings.
They still have more re-bar to put in and another skimmer box. After this part is complete, we will have an inspection scheduled. No one came today (Friday) to finish so I contacted the PB. He said the inspection is scheduled for Monday so if they don't get here today, they will come tomorrow (Saturday).
I hope all goes as scheduled!! :angel:
Awesome progress. The gauge is to test for leaks in the system. They will fill the pipes with water and pressurize up to 30 - 35psi. Inspector will come and check the pressure and that there is actual water in the lines. Then you can move forward.
Well, I'm happy to report that the crew DID come on Saturday to finish up. They installed the second skimmer box and laid in the re-bar for our "spa alcove".
Here is the re-bar for the spa area.
Here is the re-bar for the spa area.
Inspection was today, Monday. We passed the main drain and steel inspection. Soil document was approved. Pool barrier was a partial pass and a second inspection is required. PB said that would happen Tuesday. Then, we start shotcrete. This surprised me as my jets and returns are not plumbed yet. We're meeting tomorrow and PB said he would review the process with me. Has anyone heard of this before - cement before all plumbing is in?
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,211
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
At a minimum the plumbing penetrations need to be installed (if not all of the plumbing). In your case with a wall behind the shotcrete, it's easy to put in the returns/jets and tie them to the rebar and through the pegboard. It's nice to have it all done first just for the brain to appreciate the orderliness of the process, but not necessary. That said, plumbing happens fast and they would only need a few hours to do those lines with a group of people working.
Apparently that's how the process goes down here. The shotcrete crew will open holes where the return pipe will go. Look at my picture below. Then after plumbing is done they will fill around the pipe with hydraulic cement.
Look at the far wall and on top of the step. That's where 2 of my returns go.
Congrats on passing the inspections.
Look at the far wall and on top of the step. That's where 2 of my returns go.
Congrats on passing the inspections.
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,211
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Northrider, thanks for posting the photo. You describe exactly what my PB explained to me. I can't say I totally understand the reasoning behind it, but at least it is a format that others are using...
I appreciate your input, bmoreswim. It's definitely interesting to see the differences in pool contruction.
Tuesday, late afternoon, we had some "internal" plumbing added. This is a spa jet that will be inside the pool.
And another one of those gauges put in.
The county came out for a partial plumbing inspection and it passed today.
PB also delivered a large pile of sand...
Tomorrow, the Shotcrete is scheduled.
This week has been incredibly hot so I went out and bought lots of drinks and ice for the crew tomorrow.
- - - Updated - - -
Here is the tile we are using.
It's the "Spanish Colonial" tile from Noble, I think. We'll use it on the raised wall and planters. The solid blue will be the waterline tile.
I appreciate your input, bmoreswim. It's definitely interesting to see the differences in pool contruction.
Tuesday, late afternoon, we had some "internal" plumbing added. This is a spa jet that will be inside the pool.
And another one of those gauges put in.
The county came out for a partial plumbing inspection and it passed today.
PB also delivered a large pile of sand...
Tomorrow, the Shotcrete is scheduled.
This week has been incredibly hot so I went out and bought lots of drinks and ice for the crew tomorrow.
- - - Updated - - -
Here is the tile we are using.
It's the "Spanish Colonial" tile from Noble, I think. We'll use it on the raised wall and planters. The solid blue will be the waterline tile.
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,211
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Could you explain the meaning of the word "hot"? I seem to recall hearing that in the past but it's been so long I've forgotten.
Ah, the memories of that first week of the pool build!!! Take more pictures than you think necessary. I still find myself looking back to determine how specific things were done or where they are located. And as later projects come along I expect to do that as well. My DW suggested we make a photo book of the pool build. Great idea, I just haven't done it yet. I think I wanted to wait until there was at least a base layer of planting completed all around the pool.
Good luck with Shotcrete and beyond!
