Just curious as to why your not going with Natural Gas to heat your pool? It's so cheap here in Utah!
Owner Builder -Utah
- Thread starter utmom
- Start date
Gas isnt really cheap. To heat the pool for ONE weekend, you'll see about $200 on your bill. For less, I can use a heatpump and enjoy the entire month of warm water.
So just an update--after a REALLY LONG delay, the rest of the tile will arrive tomorrow, so the tile guy can finish. The first part of the auto cover tracks are down and the concrete will start Monday. We ran plumbing for the auto fill and a spigot over the weekend and finally got the yard closed up (mostly). I'm seeing progress, though it's slow.
I guess I cant upload any photos...I've spent an hour now just trying.
I like TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing Video Hosting for posting pictures. No membership required. You just upload them and then copy the IMG code here under "Go Advanced" when making a post.
Yippee
Yippee
Sooooo....the concrete (pool deck) is starting today! Is there anything I should be thinking about or doing prior to the pour? Here is a current picture of the project. Ignore the cardboard on the bond beam--it's covering up the exposed sheer decent--keeping them out of direct sunlight.
prior to the pour? Here is a current picture of the project. Ignore the cardboard on the bond beam--it's covering up the exposed sheer decent--keeping them out of direct sunlight. 
You don't say where in Utah but I assume you have hard freezes? The flex pvc in the foreground is awfully shallow for a cold weather area.
Those are for the pool lights (not sure it makes a difference knowing that). We are very south--so our weather is more like Vegas--not cold like northern, snow is rare, if it actually sticks.
As for being hands on, DIY....I'm glad I did it, but I don't necessarily like it! So stressful (I over think EVERYTHING)! TFP has been a help though, for sure. There is so much to think about, I'm just afraid of forgetting or overlooking something, so I appreciate the feedback for sure. It's also hard relying on the subs, hoping they know more than I do...but there have been a few times that has not been totally the case.
As for being hands on, DIY....I'm glad I did it, but I don't necessarily like it! So stressful (I over think EVERYTHING)! TFP has been a help though, for sure. There is so much to think about, I'm just afraid of forgetting or overlooking something, so I appreciate the feedback for sure. It's also hard relying on the subs, hoping they know more than I do...but there have been a few times that has not been totally the case.
So, it's DONE...well...mostly.
We still have some finish tile to do around the steps, all of the landscape behind (landscaper coordination have proved difficult in these parts). The tile is a simulated polished travertine (NPT), it's glossy so it's easier to keep clean (that's my theory anyway). We went with a white plaster with blue quartz in it. I liked the pebble, but I didn't want a rough surface, and we already have so much silk dust around here, I figured it would get in the nooks more. Also, I was so burned out with decisions and subs...I didn't want to think (or spend) anymore. I actually like it just fine. Our cover is a Coverstar-Mocha color. It's mounted to the gunite bond beam, not the under mount of the coping--which I was happy I made that choice. Our raised bond beam is also out of gunite, which was a pretty big headache, mostly because they didn't do it the way I suggested. They wanted me to do a block wall, but I went gunite instead for the strength. Incorporating the waterfalls and the pool cover proved to cause more thought than typically required of them (apparently) but in the end, I'm happy with the result. If I were to do it again, having a little experience (now) will give me more confidence with some of the subs that tried to explain I was wrong (then having to do extra work because their technique didn't work). ;-) We just dropped Bigfoot (robot cleaner) in the water this morning, so it's too soon for that review. My initial impression is that it seems to spend a lot of time in corners and on the steps. Almost as if it's stuck--but I walked away and came back later to see that he's moving around nicely--so maybe it's one of those things where you cant "wait and watch for the water to boil". The only pitfalls I had during construction was when the guy formed the bond beam, he was quick to tell me it needed to be 18" so that the 3 tiles will fit properly...good call...except he forgot about the inch or two needed for the cover tracks--so the top tiles had to be cut short anyway--the coping hides it. When they did the gunite, I asked them to oil up the 2x4's I purchased and to place them 3" into the side and be sure to make that side a little thicker--I provided EVERYTHING. They told me I was crazy and did it their way, which required them to come back and properly chisel out the areas that were not deep enough and not even. This also caused them to go all the way to the rebar (wasnt thick like I asked)--so I'm hoping I wont find rust trails making their way out of my tile. On the waterfalls--they notched out the back for the pipes--but only large enough for the pipe--so when they were not perfectly aligned, this caused a big headache for that phase. Why would they not have made the back a big notch to allow for a little plumbing play?? No idea! The cover, we did the sensors that shut off the falls if the cover is closed. I was supposed to run 2 conduits for this--but the cover "professional" didn't mention this until the install. Mind you he came out about 4 times during the process. So I ran both in the same conduit--whatever...it works. I did hit a few walls with some phony "professionals" but like all construction--things go wrong and you figure it out. Thanks to TFP which did help out a lot and provide a ton of tips and tricks...even if my subs didn't listen!
We still have some finish tile to do around the steps, all of the landscape behind (landscaper coordination have proved difficult in these parts). The tile is a simulated polished travertine (NPT), it's glossy so it's easier to keep clean (that's my theory anyway). We went with a white plaster with blue quartz in it. I liked the pebble, but I didn't want a rough surface, and we already have so much silk dust around here, I figured it would get in the nooks more. Also, I was so burned out with decisions and subs...I didn't want to think (or spend) anymore. I actually like it just fine. Our cover is a Coverstar-Mocha color. It's mounted to the gunite bond beam, not the under mount of the coping--which I was happy I made that choice. Our raised bond beam is also out of gunite, which was a pretty big headache, mostly because they didn't do it the way I suggested. They wanted me to do a block wall, but I went gunite instead for the strength. Incorporating the waterfalls and the pool cover proved to cause more thought than typically required of them (apparently) but in the end, I'm happy with the result. If I were to do it again, having a little experience (now) will give me more confidence with some of the subs that tried to explain I was wrong (then having to do extra work because their technique didn't work). ;-) We just dropped Bigfoot (robot cleaner) in the water this morning, so it's too soon for that review. My initial impression is that it seems to spend a lot of time in corners and on the steps. Almost as if it's stuck--but I walked away and came back later to see that he's moving around nicely--so maybe it's one of those things where you cant "wait and watch for the water to boil". The only pitfalls I had during construction was when the guy formed the bond beam, he was quick to tell me it needed to be 18" so that the 3 tiles will fit properly...good call...except he forgot about the inch or two needed for the cover tracks--so the top tiles had to be cut short anyway--the coping hides it. When they did the gunite, I asked them to oil up the 2x4's I purchased and to place them 3" into the side and be sure to make that side a little thicker--I provided EVERYTHING. They told me I was crazy and did it their way, which required them to come back and properly chisel out the areas that were not deep enough and not even. This also caused them to go all the way to the rebar (wasnt thick like I asked)--so I'm hoping I wont find rust trails making their way out of my tile. On the waterfalls--they notched out the back for the pipes--but only large enough for the pipe--so when they were not perfectly aligned, this caused a big headache for that phase. Why would they not have made the back a big notch to allow for a little plumbing play?? No idea! The cover, we did the sensors that shut off the falls if the cover is closed. I was supposed to run 2 conduits for this--but the cover "professional" didn't mention this until the install. Mind you he came out about 4 times during the process. So I ran both in the same conduit--whatever...it works. I did hit a few walls with some phony "professionals" but like all construction--things go wrong and you figure it out. Thanks to TFP which did help out a lot and provide a ton of tips and tricks...even if my subs didn't listen!
if only they would listen the first time!!!!! gurrrrrrrrrrrrr well alls well that ends well!I love it! SO pretty and relaxing looking!
Kim
- Jun 18, 2015
- 712
- Pool Size
- 11000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,284
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Is that a Big Foot cleaner? I've heard rumors of its existence! How's the big fella doing?
Yes! I'm on the fence about it. The pool was quite dirty (we get a lot of sand and silt dust) and I ran it two times today. It seems to spend A LOT of time in the same areas, not accomplishing much. But I see the filter baskets did have quite a bit--so clearly it is doing the job. I'll have to let it run a couple more days to determine. It does a lot of wall and tile cleaning--ironically I'd rather it spend more time on the floor.
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,284
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Thanks for the reply. And of course if I had read your post I would have gotten that info! I remember seeing the pics but missed reading it.
Good details on the process and pitfalls. And good to hear you won't be able to empty your pool out onto your cover! Sounds like a good call. I like your cover color too! Aerospace 303 Protectant is a good product to use on it after cleaning it. I waited into the third year but will try to do it every other year. One gallon should do at least two applications.
Good details on the process and pitfalls. And good to hear you won't be able to empty your pool out onto your cover! Sounds like a good call. I like your cover color too! Aerospace 303 Protectant is a good product to use on it after cleaning it. I waited into the third year but will try to do it every other year. One gallon should do at least two applications.