New Pool - New Pool Owner in North Texas

[regas14]

Hello! I’m so glad I found this site. We have just signed on with Hauk Custom Pools to construct a brand new pool, spa, and patio with kitchen & fireplace for our family of four - and all our friends! We are super excited and cannot wait to reveal this to our kids on Christmas Morning using the 3D rendered video they did for us.

But, we’ve never owned a pool and, I want to make sure that we get this right - it’s too much money to screw it up. So I’m counting on this forum to help me along. I’ve been reading a bit on this forum and already learned a good deal and I’m so impressed with the knowledge and willingness to share here.

Here’s a bit about the pool we will be constructing:

• Pool Dimensions - 34’ 6” x 32’ 6” Free Form Gunite
• Pool/Spa Surface Area - 765’
• Pool/Spa Perimeter - 118’
• Pool Depth Profile - 3’ 6” to 5’ to 8’
• Water Volume - 31,000 gallons
• Waterfall - 8’ Table Rock
• Weeping Wall with 4 water exits
• Bubbler on Tanning Ledge
• Bubbler/Fountain in Spa
• Natural Stone Spillway on the Spa
• Equipment
  • Main Pump - Jandy 2.7hp variable speed ePump
  • Booster Pump - Jandy 2.7hp variable speed ePump
  • Filter - Jandy DEV60
  • Sanitizer - Rainbow 320 In-lime Chlorinator
  • Ozone System - Jandy CD40 with CDIM Installation Kit
  • Heat Pump/Chiller - Jandy JE3000TR
  • Spa Heater - Jandy JXI400NK
  • Spa Air Blower - Jandy PSB220
  • Cleaner - Polaris 3900 Sport
  • Cleaner Pump - Polaris 1.5hp PB4SQ
  • Pool Lights - Jandy Nicheless LED Pool Lights (5 in pool, 1 in spa)
• Kitchen Equipment
  • Summerset Sizzler Pro 40” Built-in Grill
  • Summerset Outdoor Rated Refrigerator

Would love to hear any advice for things to look for in the building process. Here is a link to the 3D video rendering:

https://youtu.be/drfGjnngPCY

 

[Texas Splash]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Looks like a very nice project. One issue I would encourage you to review here by searching on the forum is sanitation. You'll find next to no positive recommendations for the ozone equipment related to an outdoor pool. Save that money and consider your chlorination. The in-line should only be used periodically when stabilizer is low or when on vacation. Chlorine tabs add stabilizer which puts your CYA level at risk over a season. So either be prepared to add regular bleach (Free Chlorine) to the water periodically or use the ozone-saved money for a salt water generator (SWG) which can produce the Free Chlorine for you. Either is fine, but it's a common issue for new pools or new pool owners. A little time here and you'll see what we mean. Great to have you with us.

 

[bmoreswim]

Welcome to TFP! That looks like a fantastic arrangement for your backyard dream.

I'll get things started with a few comments. Much of the equipment looks good, especially the two VS pumps for circulation and waterworks. On sanitation, you may have seen in your time on the site, that our approach is test and add only what your pool needs, in a very scientific based approach. The methods we recommend most for sanitation are SWCG (salt water chlorine generator), manual bleach addition, or automated bleach addition. Reason being that the pucks used in the in-line chlorinator continually add CYA (cyanuric acid) to your water. This eventually become unmanageable requiring draining pool water. I fully recommend a SWCG and ditch the Rainbow and definitely the UV. UV in an outdoor backyard pool is very unnecessary. The sun provides all of the UV oxidizing benefits. For indoor or commercial pools, UV can play a valuable role in sanitation.

Robots are the current best tech for cleaning pools. They are self-contained and get plugged in and dropped in the pool. Your setup currently shows an old-school pressure cleaner and booster pump. This is an outdated (or soon to be) method to clean requiring extra equipment and electricity and lesser cleaning ability. I too went with a pressure side cleaner and booster pump 5 years ago. AT the beginning of this season, I ripped out that plumbing at the pad and bought a Dolphin robot. Can't recommend that route up front enough. See these threads as proxies for the many good threads on robots. The M500 would be a good match for your pool.

https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/120447-Doheny-s-Discovery-S200-Active20-Triton-owners-club
https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/137201-Dolphin-Supreme-M-Series-Owner%E2%80%99s-Club

How many skimmers are they proposing? I'd want at least two, possibly three given your curvy, large pool.

 

[ctrav]

Congrats on the awesome pool design. Lots of water features are good and a pain at the same time....

 

[Shuck Water]

Looks sweet. I like the mountains in the background! Didn't see those when I lived in McKinney.

Is the patio cover existing or is the PB going to build it?

 

[regas14]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone!

@Texas Splash - I'll do some additional research and ask some more questions of my PB regarding the sanitation system.

@bmoreswim - Thanks for the tip on the cleaner. I will look into the robotic cleaners. We're still getting through the permitting process so some time yet to tweak the equipment. We do have two skimmers on in the deep end and the other near the skimmer.

@ctrav - We are excited about the features. I failed to mention we actually have two small water feature pumps in the back corner of the yard. One runs the waterfall and one runs the weeping wall. I need to double check and confirm the specs - I think they are the 1hp Jandy Waterfeature Pumps. This will allow us to control the spa, waterfall, and weeping wall all independently. What issues have you had with water features that I should be on the lookout for?

@Shuck Water - Those mountains must be out there somewhere - they were in all three of the renderings we saw! Haha! The Patio Cover is being built by Hauk as part of this project. It's about 900 square feet under the roof with another 300 square feet of decking uncovered.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!

With natural stone, water falls, weeping walls, etc, it would be wise to know what your water quality is, especially toward calcium hardness. Scaling and/or scale deposits will build up on those type of features. Also be aware that they will all be subject to efflorescence. Best to be aware of those things rather than six to 12 months later wondering why your pretty features are all splotchy with white deposits!

Take care.

 

[bmoreswim]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone!

@Texas Splash - I'll do some additional research and ask some more questions of my PB regarding the sanitation system.

I would ask my PB if I were you too. Though I'll predict the PB's responses. "You don't want that SWCG with all your stone." (False, you'll want to read around and ask to fully appreciate why.) "I put the UV in on every pool I sell. No one ever has any problems with them." (May be true but the also don't help any.) "Pucks in the Rainbow chlorinator are the easiest for you, that's why I put them in - and I've always done it that way." (That one's a two-fer. Easy = bad - rising CYA, and who cares what he's always done.)

Let's see how many of those responses you get! I just wanted to give you a little heads up on what you might hear. We'll always be here to help you evaluate the PB responses in light of science or broader experience.

 

[peirek]

Please tell us about the Christmas unveiling!

 

[PoolGate]

I see no automation! I suggest an iAqualink (Jandy) with full phone/computer programming capabilities. Hard to believe all that with no automation. Also 2nd the SWCG and lose the ozone!

Also I would lose the pressure side cleaner and go with a robot.

 

[regas14]

*****Update 1/5/18*****

So, the Christmas unveiling was a huge hit! We gave our daughters a sheet of paper with a QR Code on it. When they scanned the QR code, the pool video popped up on the TV in the living room. I took the PB video and added a soundtrack - "Mele Kalikimaka" and a few shots of Clark Griswold looking out the window. It was very fun!

HOA Approvals are done and city permits in process. We won't dig until the end of January because we are awaiting final engineering drawings for the full patio structure. Probably just about a week of delay, but no big deal.

We did make some selections today:

- Coping/Spa Cap/Wall Cap/Step Caps - Oklahoma Flagstone w/Chiseled Edge
- Stonework, Raised Beam, Post Boots, Spa Veneer, Wall Veneer, Kitchen/Bar Veneer, Fireplace - 70/30 Oklahoma Flagstone/Lueders
- Kitchen Countertops, Post Boot Caps - Cut & Polished Oklahoma Flagstone (looks almost like wood grain)
- Decking - Light Walnut Travertine 6"x12", Herringbone Pattern
- Pool Surface - WetEdge Primera Stone - Midnight Breeze (I'm still questioning this one)
- Waterline Tiles - Noble Tile Supply NVCC 668
- Grill - Summerset Sizzler 40"

We really struggled with the pool surface. For those that have Primera Stone finishes, what do you think? It was a pretty decent upcharge, for those who've had rougher pebble finishes versus this polished finished, what do you think?

Thanks,
G.R.

 

[shadetree]

glad to hear it's going well. We built with Hauk a year ago. I can't comment on the pool surface. We used the same decking and same pattern and really like it. We haven't had any slipping issues and it stays cool even on the hottest of days. Be careful when Hauk does cleanup at the end of the project- they used some granular shock (for some reason) and ruined the finish on a third of our deck. They eventually fixed it, so it wasn't much of an issue other than how long it took to get it fixed. Let me know if you have any questions about dealing with Hauk. Overall, we are very happy with our pool and have only had minor issues with it.

 

[kimkats]

Hi! I am just now finding this build! I watched the video. I bet it was a big hit for the kids! I really like how the pool is so incorporated with the house and leaves room for a yard! Well done!

I tried to look up your waterline tile but only got general hits instead of a good look at what it is. I would love to see what you picked out.

Can we have a pic of the yard as it look now? Do you have the pool painted or marked on the grass yet?

I would LOVE to see the spec sheet for the pool. Where are the returns, skimmers, lights, etc going to be? Those are some major, long term decisions.

You also need to talk to your PB about your plumbing and valves. You will want your main drain (IF you are going to have on. You don't have to if you don't want to) run back to the equipment pad SEPARATE from the skimmer. This gives you a lot more control over how they work. Valves-look into the "good" ones like these: Amazon.com : Jandy 4717 3-Port 2 to 2-1/2-Inch Positive Seal NeverLube Valve : Swimming Pool Pump Parts : Garden Outdoor This is just one example of one kind. This is just to give you an idea of what they are like.

Kim

 

[regas14]

I tried to look up your waterline tile but only got general hits instead of a good look at what it is. I would love to see what you picked out.

Can we have a pic of the yard as it look now? Do you have the pool painted or marked on the grass yet?

Will post some before pictures after I move the trampoline and clean up some stuff to prep.

I would LOVE to see the spec sheet for the pool. Where are the returns, skimmers, lights, etc going to be? Those are some major, long term decisions.

You also need to talk to your PB about your plumbing and valves. You will want your main drain (IF you are going to have on. You don't have to if you don't want to) run back to the equipment pad SEPARATE from the skimmer. This gives you a lot more control over how they work. Valves-look into the "good" ones like these: Amazon.com : Jandy 4717 3-Port 2 to 2-1/2-Inch Positive Seal NeverLube Valve : Swimming Pool Pump Parts : Garden Outdoor This is just one example of one kind. This is just to give you an idea of what they are like.

I’m not sure about the main drain question. I don’t think there is one but will have to ask. As for the valves, I have a vague recollection of the conversation with PB. I think he basically said the same things and told me it didn’t make sense to cut corners and that the Jandy valves were great, but I don’t see it specifically called out on the plans.

Thanks for the input! I’m still really uneasy with our decision on the pool finish - such a huge choice!

 

[PoolGate]

View attachment 71916



Will post some before pictures after I move the trampoline and clean up some stuff to prep.



View attachment 71917



I’m not sure about the main drain question. I don’t think there is one but will have to ask. As for the valves, I have a vague recollection of the conversation with PB. I think he basically said the same things and told me it didn’t make sense to cut corners and that the Jandy valves were great, but I don’t see it specifically called out on the plans.

Thanks for the input! I’m still really uneasy with our decision on the pool finish - such a huge choice!

What about automation?

 

[kimkats]

That is a pretty tile!

I see what I think are 5 returns......the arrows pointing out.....I like where they are but it is not enough. I think there needs to be one in the deep end and one on the shelf. This will help the water move in a circular motion to help keep the surface clear.

I do not see a skimmer. Maybe you can see if on the plans. I can't read the writing on the pic.

I THINK you do have a main drain in the deep end. See the two circles there? Those could be the main drain. With your pool being that deep I would get a main drain to help mix the water temperature wise. I would get this kind of main drain instead though:

http://www.poolfittings.com/channel-pebble-top/

Almost invisible and helps with cleaning. Do a search as I just grabbed the first link I found. There might be prices out there.

Don't worry about cleaning up the yard for us LOL

Kim

 

[regas14]

What about automation?

We’ll be using the iAquaLink 2.0 system. My understanding is that this system will control the main pump plus 6 other features, so we will connect as follows:

- Main Pump (which I believe also sets the heat pump/chiller)
- Spa (which I think also runs the NG heater)
- Tanning Shelf Bubbler
- Table Rock Waterfall
- Weeping Wall
- LED Lights
- Landscape Lighting

Also, I forgot to mention we’ve upgraded to the Dolphin s300i robot so that will be controlled separately from the Dolphin app.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!

I do not see a SWCG on your equipment list so you plan to add liquid chlorine daily?

If so, as the pool is fairly large, you will need to find a good source for the chlorine nearby as you will be using quite a bit of it in the summer.

Take care

 

[regas14]

That is a pretty tile!

I see what I think are 5 returns......the arrows pointing out.....I like where they are but it is not enough.

Thanks for that input. I’ll talk to PB about adding.

I do not see a skimmer. Maybe you can see if on the plans.

There are two skimmers, one is next to the tanning shelf in the lower right, the other is in the deep end right in the upper left. They are indicated by the circles on the deck. The other circle in the deck is the auto fill, but we had that moved over to a bit so that they weren’t sitting right next to each other.

I THINK you do have a main drain in the deep end. See the two circles there? Those could be the main drain. With your pool being that deep I would get a main drain to help mix the water

You got it. Two main drains in the bottom of the deep end. PB did two for safety (said they release suction like if a kid somehow got sucked to it it wouldn’t create a vacuum situation. Also the two will help pull more water for circulation depending on the pump speed I’m running.

Thanks for all the input and guidance!

 

[kimkats]

So the skimmers are right where people could sit right in front of them? The mommy bear in me comes out with this. I worry someone might get their hair or such sucked into the skimmer and cause problems. Just does not seem like it is a good idea. The one on the shelf could also be a trip hazard is someone is going from the shelf to the decking and they get their foot caught in the skimmer-OUCH! Somethings to think about.

The two main drain design is now a law/rule for the very reason your PB states. You can also get the channel drain set up and it does the same thing but blends in better and does not cause problems with a vacuum. Some vacuums have a problem getting over the higher, round main drain covers.

Kim