New Pool Build Los Angeles

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Well, all was not lost today. My equipment came, and of course it was not without issues. Nothing major...missing one GloBrite niche. And instead of the IntelliPH, I got an IntelliChem. I assume the IntelliChem cost more than the IntelliPh. And from what little I've read about the IntelliChem, it's not looked upon too favorably. I know they both dispense acid, and that is really all I care about, as long as it's not costing me more money. I'll mention it to my PB and see what they want to do. Plumbing and electrical are Wednesday & Thursday. They are going to try to get the inspection on Friday. And if I pass, that means gunite someday next week! :eek: Here are my boxed equipment pics to tide you over until next week, when the real fun begins.

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By the way, I've taken pictures of the serial number on the boxes, before they get thrown away. It will be easier than trying to get it directly from the equipment for registration after it's been installed.
 
You do need to read some reviews on the IntelliChem. The ones I found were not happy ones :(

Maybe your PB thinks he is being "nice" and upgrading you OR you got someone else LOL It will be interesting to see what he says.

Kim:kim:
 
LDVPool said:
Are they going to set your equipment before they build the equipment wall?
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Hi LDV,

I don't know what the plan is for the wall. My expectation is the wall would not be built until the equipment is placed; to allow for easier placement and spacing, and to ensure there is enough room to maneuver. However, the area where the pad is supposed to go has not been graded, and there are still two tree stumps that will need to be removed. When the excavator was here, I told him about the stumps and he didn't want to move them. So, I had to call my PB, who in-turn called the excavator's boss. There were 5 stumps and he reluctantly moved only three. And when I asked him about the remaining two stumps, he just looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language, and shrugged, so I just walked away. It would have taken him 10-15 minutes tops, to remove the stumps with his bobcat. Obviously he was PO'd at me for calling my PB. It was extremely frustrating :brickwall: , so I texted the site manager, and told him he was going to have to deal with it later if they didn't do it that day. (No response from site manager.) And if the site manager came on site, more than just on day one of my build, he'd see what needed to be done before the next phase. As I previously mentioned, I shouldn't have to manage their subs. :rant:
 
kimkats said:
You do need to read some reviews on the IntelliChem. The ones I found were not happy ones :(

Maybe your PB thinks he is being "nice" and upgrading you OR you got someone else LOL It will be interesting to see what he says.

Kim:kim:
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Hi Kim,

I've been reading every thread I can find on IntelliChem. :study: From what I gather in my reading so far, one of the issues is with what TFP recommends for CYA levels for SWG and how those higher CYA levels (and something to do with hydrogen-off gases) throw off the ORP readings. That in-turn causes the SWG to function at 100% trying to sanitize based on the off-kilter ORP levels. And as you said, most folks with SWGs are not happy with it.

However, there are a few that don't use the ORP portion and only use it to monitor PH. They seem to be content with it working that way. Obviously, if I were paying for a product to only use half it's functionality, I would not be happy either. But since it was a "free upgrade", I will try to make the best of it. Heck, until yesterday, I didn't even know what ORP stood for. I intend to keep reading up on the product, and studying water chemistry as much possible. On a side note: The IntelliChem and IntelliChlor are supposed to be able to work together, so it's interesting to me that this has been an ongoing issue for 6 years since the product first came out, and Pentair has not addressed it.
 
Tony411LA said:
Hi LDV,

I don't know what the plan is for the wall. My expectation is the wall would not be built until the equipment is placed; to allow for easier placement and spacing, and to ensure there is enough room to maneuver. However, the area where the pad is supposed to go has not been graded, and there are still two tree stumps that will need to be removed.
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Even with the wall up, you should have the room to move things in and out if there is a technical problem.

Above all, don't put the equipment in harm's way. They have to dig footings with shovels that hit things.
 
After a week's delay there is finally activity again. They started plumbing, and equipment placement today. I really like the plumber and his workers; very easy to talk to and willing to answer questions. Even moving the equipment pad over a couple of feet to give me more room around the filter. (I'm glad I was home to be able to ask for that, before they had actually laid the pipes.) It was pretty hot today, so I provided water and Gatorade. They still have another days work, but I included pictures of what's been completed so far. They are using 3 inch pipe, so that is a good thing....I think? The only thing that I am not sure about is the main drain going directly into the skimmer. I thought that I'd read somewhere that it is best for the main drain and skimmer to be on separate runs and then Tee into each other before the filter. Is this something I should be concerned about? Also, is there anything with the equipment plumbing that looks questionable?

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I prefer the main drains being plumbed separate from the skimmer. And, now that everything is still open is the time for you to decide if you want to do that. It's only a little extra pipe, a few fittings and a Jandy valve.

You could even have them plumb in an equalizer line where the present main drain to skimmer connection is now. This would allow the equalizer to kick in if the skimmer water level gets low and the diverter valve in the bottom of the skimmer kicks in.
 

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proavia said:
I prefer the main drains being plumbed separate from the skimmer. And, now that everything is still open is the time for you to decide if you want to do that. It's only a little extra pipe, a few fittings and a Jandy valve.

You could even have them plumb in an equalizer line where the present main drain to skimmer connection is now. This would allow the equalizer to kick in if the skimmer water level gets low and the diverter valve in the bottom of the skimmer kicks in.
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What he said ^^^^^

The reasons to have the done separate:

-IF something happens to the main drain down the road you can just cap it off

-IF something happens to someone ON the main drain (NOT AT ALL LIKELY with two done like that) you can shut it off with the valve

-If you want use the skimmer to manually vacuum you have to shut off the main drain

-It gives you more control (I like control LOL)

It can work like it is so it is up to you.

Kim:kim:
 
Have you looked into the type of main drains you are going to use? A channel drain instead of the 2 separate VGB main drains seems to be the newest advice - not sure what your plans are now.

I really wish I had put in a channel drain instead. It makes it easier on cleaners (robots or suction/pressure cleaners). I think it looks better as well...

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Our robot gets stuck all the time on the drains.
 
Plumbing is complete! Tomorrow is the pre-gunite inspection. Good Vibes that I pass! Overall, I am very happy with how the plumbing has been laid out. I asked him about separating the main drain and skimmer lines. But he said he usually did them that way unless it was specified differently. He said he put in a separate suction line that is controlled via a valve, if I want to use a vacuum. (My PB told me that was extra, so I didn't think I was getting that.) He did other things such as moving my bib-hose to the other side of the house, and ran electrical and gas for my future kitchen, (that was supposed to be NEXT YEAR's project, but somehow arrived today), so I am very happy.:p He also raised the location of my GloBrites, saying the depth that the steel guys had them would have been too deep. The pipes have been pressurized in anticipation of gunite day. The Gunite Guy also stopped by today to see what challenges there might be. But everything appears to be on track. So as long as a I pass the PG inspection, I am set for Gunite next Wednesday. I was initially bummed that it was a week out, but at least if I don't pass the PG inspection, there is still time to get it right and make the Wednesday gunite date. I apologize for boring you with similar pics from yesterday, but this is officially the way I am documenting my pool build.

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I feel for ya with having to manage the subs more than the PB or site manager. It sucks but that's what happens when we educate ourselves and are pro active to make sure things are being done right. These things cost a lot of money and no one cares more than you, the home owner, does. Glad you are finally moving forward!
 
You will be SO glad you have all of the pics down the road as well as the "story" to reread after you have had the pool for a few months. Once you are floating in your pool you will forget all of the back work that went into it!

Yeah we LOVE pics (even ones of tiny little dirt piles :roll: LOL). You can never have too many pics!

:hug:

Kim:kim:
 

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