New Pool Build Los Angeles

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Yes, I did see that. I originally thought the tan was intentional (not my taste), but I didn't realize it was due to them using an incorrect thinset. I've read in several places they recommend the mortar bed (or pool shell in most cases) cure for 30 days to ensure maximum hardness and no shrinkage or additional cracking before the tile is laid. A hairline crack may not affect the integrity of the pool, but it could wreak havoc on glass tile. I will try to hold off on the tile installation as long as I can. It won't be 30 days, but maybe 21 days. Between the tile install and water, it will be impossible to wait. Because at that point, you see the finish line, and you just want everyone gone, and your home back.
 
AmyJo said:
Hi again - so it is 30 days curing time for the shell, not the mortar bed. Sorry about that. Since ours is a renovation, I get to fortunately skip that part (which is possibly the ONLY thing good about renovating). This is among the information sent by our glass tile company, but they also said to follow whatever the material supplier for waterproofing, thinset, grout, etc recommends:
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Thanks AmyJo. This is a good reference. It seems to be a pretty wide variation in the industry standard cure times, so it really seems to be based on what products are used, which is why everyone is reporting something different. I have seen PBs use the pool shell in place of a mortar bed. I will follow-up with my PB to see what they do. My backyard gets direct sun from 11:00 am until about 5:00 pm, this time of year, so I hope they plan on protecting the tile from direct sunlight during the curing process.
 
The above reference supplied by AmyJo was used by my pool builders to a certain degree. Our tiles were paper backed but they did screen them from direct sunlight for 28 days. The mortar bed was left for 3 weeks also.

Cheers
 
Pool Build Day 9 - Rebar is complete. Plumbing is scheduled for either Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm somewhat disappointed that my PM didn't initiate scheduling plumbing yesterday (for Monday) since she knew Rebar would be completed today. But I shouldn't complain since I wasn't expecting Rebar until next week. So we are still on schedule....(at least the schedule in my mind that no one else is aware of). Pics of my completed rebar.

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SoCalSoft said:
The above reference supplied by AmyJo was used by my pool builders to a certain degree. Our tiles were paper backed but they did screen them from direct sunlight for 28 days. The mortar bed was left for 3 weeks also.

Cheers
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Hi SoCalSoft, that is good to know. I'm looking at how beautiful your pool build is, and for the me, that is the "Gold Standard". I think those time-frames are reasonable, and I will try to follow that as closely as possible. Thanks for the input.
 
LDVPool said:
Did you change the design of the spa?

Shouldn't the dam walls of the spa be at or below the level of the pool bond beam?
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Good catch LDV, We did change the spa design. We are now going with a two-sided infinity edge. I wanted to change to 4-sided, but I reconsidered when my PB told me the price. Plus, it would have meant changing the fire feature that will be incorporated into the spa. But I am happy with the 2-sided infinity edge. I just hope they can pull it off with respect to the precision that will be required.
 
It is interesting how two pool builders can account for things differently. I don't think ours charged us per side. He charged us for the spa being raised 18 inches on all sides, though only 3 of the 4 are negative edge, with 2 of the 3 spilling into a trough. Of course, we were also charged for the labor to finish the additional surface area.

What did your PB want to charge for a 4-sided with trough?
 
LDVPool said:
It is interesting how two pool builders can account for things differently. I don't think ours charged us per side. He charged us for the spa being raised 18 inches on all sides, though only 3 of the 4 are negative edge, with 2 of the 3 spilling into a trough. Of course, we were also charged for the labor to finish the additional surface area.

What did your PB want to charge for a 4-sided with trough?
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I agree. I think they just pick a number depending on how bad they think you want it, or how much they don't want to do it. I was also charged more for the 18" raised spa, but not sure how much more. The spa was originally going to have just a small spillover in the corner. I asked if I could I open both sides up completely for a negative edge. He hesitated and suggested two 18 inches opening on each side instead. I told him I really wanted the negative edge, and he said okay. I was expecting him to tell me that would be a change order, but he didn't. Then I decided to push the envelope, and asked about going negative on all four sides. That's when he said it would be an additional $7k because of the additional plumbing, structure, and "precision work" required to level the tile on four sides. He also mentioned we might have to resubmit the plans, and that would delay the project. So, I settled for the two-sides with no up-charge. :silent:
 

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Tony411LA said:
I agree. I think they just pick a number depending on how bad they think you want it, or how much they don't want to do it. I was also charged more for the 18" raised spa, but not sure how much more. The spa was originally going to have just a small spillover in the corner. I asked if I could I open both sides up completely for a negative edge. He hesitated and suggested two 18 inches opening on each side instead. I told him I really wanted the negative edge, and he said okay. I was expecting him to tell me that would be a change order, but he didn't. Then I decided to push the envelope, and asked about going negative on all four sides. That's when he said it would be an additional $7k because of the additional plumbing, structure, and "precision work" required to level the tile on four sides. He also mentioned we might have to resubmit the plans, and that would delay the project. So, I settled for the two-sides with no up-charge. :silent:
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The 2-sides is really all you need. That's what you see from the house.

Plus, the 4-sides is beautiful, but so impractical. After the shotcrete, we realized how impractical and strange it is to try to enter the spa by stepping in the trough.

By the way, nice design change, raising the spa gives your pool and space an added dimension. Have you thought about what you are going to do with the back fence? I have some ideas.
 
Tony411LA said:
No, not yet. Aside from having it stuccoed, I haven't given it too much thought. What do you suggest?
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The easy, but not as flexible solution would be to plant a vine on the wall or some other screening plant. But that's sort of cliche and plants don't always thrive and cover.

So this is what I would do. Mind you, it is going to cost a little more money.

Cover a section of the wall, from the left to right, just up to the spa in a stone ledger panel. This will give that section of the wall some depth.

The remaining and longer section, you can treat one of two ways: (1) Paint it a color that complements the ledger panel or (2) the more expensive option would be to stucco it with a smooth finish and integral color or paint.

There is one more option I've seen a lot lately: Paint the whole wall white or a deep, earthy color. Get a fence contractor or woodshop to build you a decorative wood slat screen, something wider than it is tall and enough to cover one third of the wall. Install (float) the screen behind the spa.
 
Hey! They did not say no yet!!!!!!!!! But I will take a brick one dedicated to me! I do have a post lamp, a bench, a tree, a counter all named after me! I do think your plaster should be named after me! There is not more BLING than your plaster!

Kim:kim:
 
I'm sorry Kim, but I think I am more inclined to go with LDV's suggestion of ledgerstone. Not that I don't like murals, but I don't think it would go with my minimalist modern theme. If my backyard was a little more bohemian or organic, a mural would work. Whatever I do, it won't be right away, because the budget is already tapped out. I've already gone 20% over my original budget and I just started my build.:(
 
Well yeah there is that whole not going with your area thing............okay, I understand. One day, oh one day I will have a mural named after me and it will be wonderful! LOL

I am sorry to hear your wallet is hurting but it will be so worth it in the end!

Kim:kim:
 

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