August 29, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, KeysPhoneWallet said: He’s doing a lot without charging bc he likes my MIl and she is elderly. She gives him fresh eggs. They’re neighbors I bet it’ll be fine. I’m just jelly because my wife and I couldn’t agree on the quartz and she won But at that price I bet I could have gotten her onboard. Good luck, sounds like it’ll be a complete transformation.
September 7, 20232 yr Work began today. Cleared some dead trees, started prepping the ground for a deck, and started chipping away the old plaster.
September 8, 20232 yr What I’d like to know is how much all this work would cost if we just cold called a company.
September 9, 20232 yr So I'm still having great fun with my DE Filter. You might recall my posts from a month ago about the shell burst and replacement. I had the system running great for several weeks. However, the pressure spiked again (DE powder was likely too clogged with dead algae from when I got it working again) and water started leaking on the DE filter between top and bottom shell. We shut off the pump and there is no visible damage to anything. I drained the filter, opened it up, removed and cleaned the fin assembly and reinstalled it. I put the filter back together and when I run the pump, it leaks water from the shell joint (where top and bottom shell meet) just above the inlet pipe to the bottom shell. I have tried numerous times rotating the top shell, rotating the clamp, rotating the O-Ring and always the same result - water leaking out in the same spot. I ordered a new O-Ring (factory part). I tried that out today and same result. I'm not sure what else I can do to troubleshoot/fix this issue. Leslie Pool Supply suggested trying a silicon based lube/grease on the O-Ring. I'm not sure that would make any difference. Ideas?
September 13, 20232 yr Day 2 of on site work. Chipped out the plaster and the old cool deck surface, took down another dead tree, cleared a lot brush, and made more progress prepping the ground for the deck. I was going to say to lube the o-ring and make sure it's torqued correctly.I told my wife to do that last night
September 19, 20232 yr Day 4 in the books. Dug out another tree, prepared the slab around the pool for resurfacing, redid the main drain plumbing to bring it up to modern standards, and it looks like we’re gonna set some poles soon bc they have turned up in their post holes…
September 20, 20232 yr Day 5: poles are in, deck is starting, slab was leveled, and the hand rail holes were dug out.
September 20, 20232 yr Pics make it really stand out just how much additional space you’re getting there. I’m sure once completed it’s going to make for a big change, in a good way.
September 20, 20232 yr About to move a year after putting in our pool. House moving to doesn’t have a pool. It’s going to need one. Are cost coming down at all??
September 20, 20232 yr Pics make it really stand out just how much additional space you’re getting there. I’m sure once completed it’s going to make for a big change, in a good way. This one may be the better angle.
September 20, 20232 yr 11 hours ago, KeysPhoneWallet said: Anybody else think this is cool? Yeah I do. I like seeing the process and the results.
September 20, 20232 yr That’s gonna be tits when it’s done. Keep with the updates, interesting to watch the progress.
September 20, 20232 yr 22 hours ago, KeysPhoneWallet said: Anybody else think this is cool? Love it, keep'em coming. I hear about redo's all the time but never really see them. It seem there are builders that know how to do them and others that don't...but pretend to. This looks great so far.
September 21, 20232 yr Love it, keep'em coming. I hear about redo's all the time but never really see them. It seem there are builders that know how to do them and others that don't...but pretend to. This looks great so far.I hope so, just kind of took him at his word for it…couldn’t find any online presence for his company.
September 21, 20232 yr I have a pretty large cedar elm near my pool. It has starting to shed leaves and about to drive me nuts cleaning them out of the pool. Any ideas other than putting a cover over the pool or tree removal?
September 21, 20232 yr About to move a year after putting in our pool. House moving to doesn’t have a pool. It’s going to need one. Are cost coming down at all??If you are in the central Texas area I could pass you this guys contact info. They build them from scratch that’s their main thing I think.
September 21, 20232 yr If you are trying to build a kid-magnet it’s going to take more than a pool. Our teens 8th and 12th grade rarely use ours after living here five years.You’re better off making a badass basement setup (or equivalent if you live where they don’t do basements). TV’s, comfy couches, snacks, good music playing setup. Build an arcade style multiple-Xbox setup and the teen boys will never leave. Good conversation pits for the girls. Add a spot for whiffle ball so you can kick them out from time to time. That’s my experience anyway.
September 21, 20232 yr I have a pretty large cedar elm near my pool. It has starting to shed leaves and about to drive me nuts cleaning them out of the pool. Any ideas other than putting a cover over the pool or tree removal?I got a big net and pull it tight with bungee cords staked in the grass or attached to furniture. That at least keeps the leaves off the bottom. But it’s a workout scooping them all out from now until January.
September 21, 20232 yr On 9/19/2023 at 8:34 PM, KeysPhoneWallet said: Anybody else think this is cool? The "I've Decided to Dig a Hole" thread is over >>> This is very interesting, can't believe you're getting all of that done for $12K. Congratulations!
September 21, 20232 yr Not meant to be snarky, just curious more than anything, but are lanais a thing in TX like down in FL? Seems like a ton of residential pools have them. (Referring to the pool screen type, not Hawaiian type meaning deck/patio space.)
September 21, 20232 yr So it looks like the deck joists are not pressure treated lumber. I’m told this is a critical issue and I need to take it up with the guy. I’ve done some research and if untreated wood is the only option given the budget, then I have a few things going for me: (1) the deck shouldn’t be exposed to too much water bc of the roof, (2) the joists are a few inches above the ground, and (3) untreated spoiled needs to be prepared with some chemical and then sealed every so often. I’ve read that a pressure treated deck will need maintenance in 10 years but untreated may need maintenance in 2-5 years. I’m also feeling some regret bc I probably could have done a slab instead of deck but at this point the materials are bought. [emoji2371]
September 22, 20232 yr 20 hours ago, thunderlounge said: Not meant to be snarky, just curious more than anything, but are lanais a thing in TX like down in FL? Seems like a ton of residential pools have them. (Referring to the pool screen type, not Hawaiian type meaning deck/patio space.) North Texas (DFW) not common at all. I'd say if it is common anywhere it would be Houston area due to mosquitos, but I don't recall seeing many when I've driven around down there.
September 23, 20232 yr So I talked to him about replacing the sealed joists with pressure tested and we’re going to work that out. And today they did the replastering, and they finished installing the new drains and the things that hold the jets, and the hand rail, and now the pool is filling. They will put in the light and the jet eyes once the pool is full I guess? But the quartzscape is supposed to stay west I think. The thing is the hand rail isn’t centered. I think he did it on purpose bc the top stair isn’t too wide so if we center it there won’t be much on either side, but the wife and MIL worry about people trying to get in on the wrong side and getting hurt and so they want it centered. What do people think?
September 23, 20232 yr This guy is actually really pretty amazing at building things, if anyone wants pretty much whatever built he seems like a good guy
September 23, 20232 yr Anyone have any recommendations for ways to kill weeds popping through newly installed turf?It sounds like regular weed killer will do, but want to make sure before ruining the turf and putting green. It’s nothing crazy, just here and there from the seeds and weeds that grew through the construction of the pool. I’ve been pulling the root best I can, but it’s hard as I don’t want to pull any of the turf itself.
September 23, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, KeysPhoneWallet said: So I talked to him about replacing the sealed joists with pressure tested and we’re going to work that out. And today they did the replastering, and they finished installing the new drains and the things that hold the jets, and the hand rail, and now the pool is filling. They will put in the light and the jet eyes once the pool is full I guess? But the quartzscape is supposed to stay west I think. The thing is the hand rail isn’t centered. I think he did it on purpose bc the top stair isn’t too wide so if we center it there won’t be much on either side, but the wife and MIL worry about people trying to get in on the wrong side and getting hurt and so they want it centered. What do people think? Given the width of that top step I think the builder made a good decision. If would be my preference as well seeing my inlaws use theirs with bad knees, the need to comfortable put both feet on same step as they get in/out.
September 23, 20232 yr 57 minutes ago, TTU13 said: Anyone have any recommendations for ways to kill weeds popping through newly installed turf? It sounds like regular weed killer will do, but want to make sure before ruining the turf and putting green. It’s nothing crazy, just here and there from the seeds and weeds that grew through the construction of the pool. I’ve been pulling the root best I can, but it’s hard as I don’t want to pull any of the turf itself. @cactusflinthead
September 23, 20232 yr Ya know... I anyways thought this thread would have more wimmen in it. Not convinced.
September 23, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, TTU13 said: Anyone have any recommendations for ways to kill weeds popping through newly installed turf? It sounds like regular weed killer will do, but want to make sure before ruining the turf and putting green. It’s nothing crazy, just here and there from the seeds and weeds that grew through the construction of the pool. I’ve been pulling the root best I can, but it’s hard as I don’t want to pull any of the turf itself. Turf as in fake grass? Round up won't do anything to plastic. Fire away. Actual live grass requires knowing a couple of other things. What kind of weed? How long has the sod been down? What sort of turfgrass? Pulling nutgrass can make it worse. Any latent tubers get a hormone signal to sprout leaves when a nearby stalk is pulled. Some stuff like prostrate spurge has a super fast life cycle. It can go from germination to producing seed in as few as 14 days. I still pull weeds, but I use pre-emergents and post emergents as needed. I don't give a damn if it's 'organic' or 'chemical'. I want it to work. I'll use vinegar or glyphosate. I won't use corn gluten because it's a fucking waste of time and money. Know your target and the environment it's in and you're halfway there. Edited September 23, 20232 yr by cactusflinthead
September 23, 20232 yr Given the width of that top step I think the builder made a good decision. If would be my preference as well seeing my inlaws use theirs with bad knees, the need to comfortable put both feet on same step as they get in/out.We put it in primarily for my mother in law bc she has bad knees and balance these days. I agree with you, they just see someone trying to use the wrong side without looking.
September 23, 20232 yr 2 hours ago, KeysPhoneWallet said: We put it in primarily for my mother in law bc she has bad knees and balance these days. I agree with you, they just see someone trying to use the wrong side without looking. It also functions as an intelligence test.
September 23, 20232 yr Turf as in fake grass? Round up won't do anything to plastic. Fire away. Actual live grass requires knowing a couple of other things. What kind of weed? How long has the sod been down? What sort of turfgrass? Pulling nutgrass can make it worse. Any latent tubers get a hormone signal to sprout leaves when a nearby stalk is pulled. Some stuff like prostrate spurge has a super fast life cycle. It can go from germination to producing seed in as few as 14 days. I still pull weeds, but I use pre-emergents and post emergents as needed. I don't give a damn if it's 'organic' or 'chemical'. I want it to work. I'll use vinegar or glyphosate. I won't use corn gluten because it's a fucking waste of time and money. Know your target and the environment it's in and you're halfway there.Yup, artificial! Appreciate the quick response, most things said good to go but I’d then come across the random blog saying don’t do it. In retrospect, it was probably a more “do everything natural!” blog.
September 27, 20232 yr Over the weekend they finished resurfacing the pool and doing the spray deck. Went over yesterday and they had torn out the sealed wood framing and replaced everything with new pressure treated wood.
September 27, 20232 yr Then today they had the deck boards in and started working on one of the rock walls that will become flower beds or somethingAlso, Gonna trade out the sand filter for a DE filter. Supposedly it will help me keep the pool clean and algae free. Was told it “Takes the maintenance out of the water and brings it to the filter system. “ hopefully that’s true bc the chemical fight was a pain with the sand filter. Anybody know if swapping the sand filter for a DE filter for $700 sounds about right?
September 27, 20232 yr My brand new Pentair Heater is already not igniting. At least everything is under warranty.Should I fire up the heater once a week or so in the off season?
September 27, 20232 yr 11 hours ago, Goofyboy said: My brand new Pentair Heater is already not igniting. At least everything is under warranty. Should I fire up the heater once a week or so in the off season? Shouldn't need to. Has heater been working and just stopped? Ignition usually either not enough gas supply or water flow.
September 27, 20232 yr Shouldn't need to. Has heater been working and just stopped? Ignition usually either not enough gas supply or water flow.It worked a couple of weeks ago. I’m on the work list for them to come out. Just wanted to make sure I didn’t skip a step.
September 27, 20232 yr Comments on sand vs DE filters welcomed…Big fan of sand. Just changed mine for the first time in 5+ years, pool still looked good but 3-5 yrs is good life for sand. DE filters require too much cleaning if that's your thing or you can drop some coin for new ones. Just too much maintenance for this guy compared to sand.
September 27, 20232 yr Big fan of sand. Just changed mine for the first time in 5+ years, pool still looked good but 3-5 yrs is good life for sand. DE filters require too much cleaning if that's your thing or you can drop some coin for new ones. Just too much maintenance for this guy compared to sand. From what I’m seeing you just backwash them once a month during the hot months then put more de in the skimmers to recharge. During the cooler months it’s once every 2 or 3 months. Then once per year you take them apart and inspect/wash the sleeves. Was that your experience with a DE filter? I was constantly battling algae with sand and it didn’t help that it couldn’t filter the stuff that well
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