New pool build

[Htranmail]

Hi, we’re very close to begin digging for our new salt water pool. I would really appreciate feedback on any aspect of the design, depth, equipment and placement of lights and skimmer and anything else. The approximate size is 23’x9’ (4’ to 5’6” depth) with a 6’x9’ spa (3’4” depth) in the pool, water feature and single automated pool cover.

Also, the PB is our new house builder (pool was included in the new house build cost) - house is almost done.

Thanks!!

 

[ajw22]

Pentair declared the EasyTouch system obsolete last year. There is no reason why a new pool should get a 20+ year old system.

Insist on the Pentair IntelliCenter bundle that comes with an integrated IntelliChlor IC40 SWG and two IntelliValves.

Intellibrite lights have reliability issues.

House builders are often not the best pool builders and not familiar with the best practices.

Pentair Automation Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Pentair LED Pool Lights - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

How to select pool equipment - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[kimkats]

Hi and welcome to TFP! We love to help people build their pools!

I am glad to see all of the model numbers for your equipment. Well done!

9' wide is going to be kind of narrow. I would love to see where the pool will be going.

Make sure your depth is WATER depth. That is measured from the bottom of the pool to the middle of the skimmer face. Some people measure from the bottom of the pool to the coping. If they do that you lose quite a few inches of water depth. 5'6" is a different depth. Not quite deep enough to cannon ball into without hitting your bum as well as most people will not be able to stand up in that area.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Only suggestion at this time is consider cutting the entry step into the spa at a 45.
If you could provide a larger layout with the house included more detail could be suggested.

 

[Htranmail]

Hi, adding pic with pool image that includes the location to the house.

 

[Htranmail]

Only suggestion at this time is consider cutting the entry step into the spa at a 45.
If you could provide a larger layout with the house included View attachment 555514more detail could be suggested.

Had them cut the spa corner, great idea! Thanks. And I uploaded another diagram with more details. Any other advice is appreciated.

 

[Htranmail]

Hi, adding pic with pool image that includes the location to the house.

 

[Htranmail]

Contractor recommended shallow end be 3’6” and not 4’ for safety for smaller children. Should I insist on 4’?

 

[ajw22]

Contractor recommended shallow end be 3’6” and not 4’ for safety for smaller children. Should I insist on 4’?

Yes.

Smaller children become larger quickly.

 

[Htranmail]

Yes.

Smaller children become larger quickly.

Agreed! Thx

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Is an existing pool and spa being removed?
If so, the red highlighted area is going to be of great concern when it comes to reaching the proper compaction.
Think about your options of having that area soil tested to confirm that it has the reached the required compaction. Over excavation of the pool/spa size from previous excavation or moving the location away from the previous excavation site is another option.

What type of material is going in the green highlighted area between the coping and paving patio? You are approximately 7’ distance from the house footing and the Bond Beam of the pool. This area is going to need the proper expansion joints to relieve movement between the two.

Pool entry steps at a 45 will look cleaner/match the spa steps also freeing up more floor space.

Shotcrete crew needs to be advised to “fish bowl” all the 90 degree corners some 18” below the tile line so the water and pool sweep will flow smoother in those areas. It won’t be noticeable from outside the pool, will still keep a straight line appearance.

All I have for now by looking at the very basic drawing provided and at this early stage, let me know if you need more details.

 

[Htranmail]

Is an existing pool and spa being removed?
If so, the red highlighted area is going to be of great concern when it comes to reaching the proper compaction.
Think about your options of having that area soil tested to confirm that it has the reached the required compaction. Over excavation of the pool/spa size from previous excavation or moving the location away from the previous excavation site is another option.

What type of material is going in the green highlighted area between the coping and paving patio? You are approximately 7’ distance from the house footing and the Bond Beam of the pool. This area is going to need the proper expansion joints to relieve movement between the two.

Pool entry steps at a 45 will look cleaner/match the spa steps also freeing up more floor space.

Shotcrete crew needs to be advised to “fish bowl” all the 90 degree corners some 18” below the tile line so the water and pool sweep will flow smoother in those areas. It won’t be noticeable from outside the pool, will still keep a straight line appearance.

All I have for now by looking at the very basic drawing provided and at this early stage, let me know if you need more details.View attachment 555780

Wow! Thanks!!
A soil compaction report was made for the removed pool/spa.

We were planning on permeable pavers for the green area too. What material should we stay away from for that area?

I will be sure to ask about the expansion joints and ensure the 90 degree corners are “fish bowled”.

That drawing is all I got from the builder…should I be getting more detailed drawings?

Thanks again for the advice and suggestions - this forum is super helpful.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

What material should we stay away from for that area?

No specific products to stay away from, just ensure that whatever product is used it has the ability to expand without applying pressure to the coping.

That drawing is all I got from the builder…should I be getting more detailed drawings?

You need to be informed of proposed locations of items like return lines, lights, skimmer(s), overflow tube, auto fill, elevation breaks in depth of the floor and other items that can be adjusted to your needs.

 

[Htranmail]

No specific products to stay away from, just ensure that whatever product is used it has the ability to expand without applying pressure to the coping.

You need to be informed of proposed locations of items like return lines, lights, skimmer(s), overflow tube, auto fill, elevation breaks in depth of the floor and other items that can be adjusted to your needs.

Got it, thanks!

I don’t think the builder has included spa jets, is that correct? Should I be installing 8 jets for that size spa?

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

That’s up to how you plan on using the spa, number of people who may be using the spa at any one time will have a direct relationship with the number of jets.

Also how you want the jets set up on the wall and floor.
Typically I suggest if the owners (parents) are going to use the spa most , a 4 jet per person setup ( 3 jets on the back and 1 for the calf or feet), this is designed to be on the main pump (XF vsp with 80 more GPM than a standard VSP).

6 X 6 spa in my opinion is small so 8 jets located correctly should be enough.

 

[Htranmail]

hi,
I've read on the forum to get as large a filter as possible...for my new pool build, would the Pentair 160448 FullFloXF 620 Sq Ft Cartridge Filter System C620 be overkill?

Also, will 2 of the Pentair 011075 pumps be sufficient for a waterfall feature and 8 spa jets - pool size is approximately 9x30 with integrated spa (9x6)? I'd like to be able to run the 8 spa jets, water fall and heat the entire pool/spa simultaneously. Conversely, I'd also like to be able to just run the spa jets and heat the spa only.