oh yeah!!! Permits are a good thing!Deck-I suggest concrete all the way around. You could have a fancy stamp and coloring on the ones at the end. That is about a fire proof as you can get.
New pool construction in Austin TX - Gunite Phase
- Thread starter Valier
- Start date
oh yeah!!! Permits are a good thing!Deck-I suggest concrete all the way around. You could have a fancy stamp and coloring on the ones at the end. That is about a fire proof as you can get.
Hey everyone. I hope you all had a fantastic July 4th filled with fireworks and holiday fun! 
Great news on the pool building front!
We've moved past the permitting stage and have officially completed the excavation! The backyard is a bustling hub of activity as we’ve now entered the exciting phase of forming and steel. The framework is starting to take shape, and it's incredible to see our vision turning into reality.
We have a couple of questions for our pool experts here: are the skimmers sufficient in number? Also, do we have enough inlets returning water to the pool to ensure we avoid hot or cold spots? I also attached a picture of the skimmers and return lines, along with forecasted wind direction. Anything else we should be considering at this stage?
Great news on the pool building front!
We've moved past the permitting stage and have officially completed the excavation! The backyard is a bustling hub of activity as we’ve now entered the exciting phase of forming and steel. The framework is starting to take shape, and it's incredible to see our vision turning into reality.We have a couple of questions for our pool experts here: are the skimmers sufficient in number? Also, do we have enough inlets returning water to the pool to ensure we avoid hot or cold spots? I also attached a picture of the skimmers and return lines, along with forecasted wind direction. Anything else we should be considering at this stage?
Attachments
Consider having a step at the North/West corner of the spa (45 degree angle) to mirror the step on the Baja shelf.
They will need some for grading. Also, the entire deck was supposed to be excavated for the new pool deck, but they intentionally left some gated sections to ensure children's safety.
Are you referring to the area next to the floating steps? Is this step intended to facilitate traffic onto the Baja shelf from the other end?
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Ah, I see what you meant - thank you for drawing the picture and your great suggestion! We will bring it up with our builder.
Don’t forget to ask the builder about two seat elevations for proper locations (vertically) of the jets.
We hope everyone’s having a great start to fall (or spring depending on where you are!). It’s been a bit of a slow process on our end, but we’re finally in the plumbing phase of our pool build. We’re going through inspection before gunite, and while it’s exciting to see progress, it’s definitely a marathon, not a sprint!
We’ll attach some pictures to share the journey so far. In the meantime, we’d love to get some insights from this awesome community to make sure things are being done right.
A few questions for validation:
We’ll attach some pictures to share the journey so far. In the meantime, we’d love to get some insights from this awesome community to make sure things are being done right.
A few questions for validation:
- How do we ensure the rebar placement is correct? Does it being perfectly level make a big difference in the long run?
- For the plumbing, are there specific signs to confirm the pipes are properly supported and secured?
- What should we check to make sure the skimmers are installed at the correct height and angle?
- Any tips for confirming that the plumbing pressure tests have been done thoroughly before gunite?
- Anything else we need to watch out for at this stage?
Blackdirt Cowboy
Gold Supporter
- Aug 16, 2024
- 96
- Pool Size
- 17300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I think I see a few bricks holding it up, but not nearly enough of them.
This is very important as they walk all over it while getting the shotcrete in and you want the rear in the middle of the shotcrete, if they push it down then the rebar isn't where it should be when all is done. A quality job should have the chairs.
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Rebar needs to be properly chaired prior to shotcrete.
Some contractors will try to use their hands to lift the rebar into position during concrete placement. This is NOT acceptable practice.
They may add chairs the morning of shotcrete.
Some contractors will try to use their hands to lift the rebar into position during concrete placement. This is NOT acceptable practice.
They may add chairs the morning of shotcrete.
Thoughts to your questions,
#1 rebar needs to have the proper amount of Shotcrete surrounding it, this is more important than being perfectly level.
#2 plumbing support, on top of firm soil with no rocks in contact with pipes. When running through the rebar cage it needs to be secured to the cage so it can’t be moved during the Shotcrete process.
#3 top of skimmer needs to be to the top of the pool forms (typically), lay a level across the skimmer in both directions to ensure it’s level.
#4 pressure should still be present before and during the Shotcrete process, if it’s not, look for water present around any plumbing (fittings & straight runs).
#5 have a hydration plan in place for after installation of Shotcrete, pack the skimmer bowl with paper to keep out any shotcrete from entering, check all light plumbing for leveling as it enters the pool/spa. Check to ensure that there is a minimum of 3” clearance from rebar to dirt. Ensure that all pig tails are bent back towards the dirt. Dirt shell needs to be properly hydrated prior to Shotcrete application ( minutes before application).
Will you be present during the application process?
#1 rebar needs to have the proper amount of Shotcrete surrounding it, this is more important than being perfectly level.
#2 plumbing support, on top of firm soil with no rocks in contact with pipes. When running through the rebar cage it needs to be secured to the cage so it can’t be moved during the Shotcrete process.
#3 top of skimmer needs to be to the top of the pool forms (typically), lay a level across the skimmer in both directions to ensure it’s level.
#4 pressure should still be present before and during the Shotcrete process, if it’s not, look for water present around any plumbing (fittings & straight runs).
#5 have a hydration plan in place for after installation of Shotcrete, pack the skimmer bowl with paper to keep out any shotcrete from entering, check all light plumbing for leveling as it enters the pool/spa. Check to ensure that there is a minimum of 3” clearance from rebar to dirt. Ensure that all pig tails are bent back towards the dirt. Dirt shell needs to be properly hydrated prior to Shotcrete application ( minutes before application).
Will you be present during the application process?
Thank you for all the great feedbacks. Special thanks Aqua, that picture really helps! 
These are the pictures for the pressure, looks good so far. The builder mentioned that their engineer already took a look at structure and signed off. I requested to meet onsite in the next few days to review the potential concern on insufficient chairs which may potentially cause some issue with sagging.
From my layman perspective, I noticed what seems to be some sagging in this picture. Could this be an issue that needs addressing before we proceed with the shotcrete? I would think so.
These are the pictures for the pressure, looks good so far. The builder mentioned that their engineer already took a look at structure and signed off. I requested to meet onsite in the next few days to review the potential concern on insufficient chairs which may potentially cause some issue with sagging.
From my layman perspective, I noticed what seems to be some sagging in this picture. Could this be an issue that needs addressing before we proceed with the shotcrete? I would think so.
