Pools!!!! Some tips so I don't install the wrong stuff!

Air450

Air450

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I'm going to remodel the pool. It's 18' x 40'. If you have any tips of this vs that I'd love to hear from you. Plaster vs Pebble tec. Getting some feed back that the Pebble tec tears up the kids feet if they are in playing, bouncing off the bottom a lot. Would you put in a jacuzzi? Don't have one now. Baja shelf? Big, small, steps on the side vs all the way across. 6', 8', 10'? How deep for the Baja shelf? 8", 12", 16"???

After a few years does the pool coping, deck, etc show signs of cracks from expansion, moving around? Saw cutting vs scoring marks for the decking area? Drains? Thin ones at/along the coping or put area drains? 3" or 4"?

It is summer! So lets get the pools stories going!!! :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

Thanks
 
I agree with the above. Built one 22 years ago and kid used it for 18 years and now we barely look at it. But we pay a pool boy to maintain it and I get to replaster it next year.

The Baja shelf is great for laying in and the kids/dog to play on. Lower built in seats on the deep end are nice to sit in water up to your nips.

White Plaster lasted me 22 years with some staining for dirt, never cracked.
 
They are money pits! My wife will not back down on putting one in the new house. Planning to do DIY build to save some cash
 
megadesertdiesel said:
I agree with the above. Built one 22 years ago and kid used it for 18 years and now we barely look at it. But we pay a pool boy to maintain it and I get to replaster it next year.

The Baja shelf is great for laying in and the kids/dog to play on. Lower built in seats on the deep end are nice to sit in water up to your nips. I have these already.

White Plaster lasted me 22 years with some staining for dirt, never cracked.
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Thanks
 
We did a gemstone finish (similar to pebble tec) I don’t think it does any more “tearing up of feet” anymore more than some of my buddy’s plastered pools. I think it all comes down to having a good crew install it.

Baja shelf for sure, with a hole for an umbrella. Makes a good spot to chill out and hang around. Also add in bench seating along the walls of the pool. I have one whole side that also crosses the jacuzzi that is a built in bench. Gets used a lot and it faces the pool bar / gazebo area with the TV.

Waterfalls or water features are very nice to have for the noise.
 
Good thread. Remodel the pool is in my future (not too soon I hope LOL)
 
Remodeled my pool 20 years ago.
Went with A Pebble Tech Sheen, looks like pebble tech but is ground smooth so it looks like pebble feels like plaster.
The one thing I would do differently is the decking. My existing cool decking was chipping up so I had them chip off the cool deck but left the concrete. They also added a piece of concrete and then put the fake stone decking on. In about a week after two years (only got a two-year warranty) the decking started to come up. Every piece of decking that had existing concrete is peeling up and needs to be re-done, except for the section of new concrete it still looks good. It is a little faded by it all is still attached. So, if you're putting down new decking, put down new concrete.
 
Love my pool, money pit or not its been bad ass ever since i built it. Did probably75% of the work myself so it saved me big$$. Baja shelf for sure but the depth depends on what chairs your going to be using. Just make sure its not to deep and you float. I went with a dark grey plaster so it gives it a lagoon look but make sure to add a boarder to separate the baja shelf from the pool. Dont want to swim into it... I went with all Pentair equipment, saltwater, LED lights and threw in a waterfall along with the spill way from the spa to add some water noise.
 
When I quit our pool, I put in what I thought was a bigger bench and table. Now I wish I had made it even bigger. Every single pool party, this is the gathering point and if/when I remodel the pool, I'll be extending the bench and table another 2 feet.
 
Mac said:
When I quit our pool, I put in what I thought was a bigger bench and table. Now I wish I had made it even bigger. Every single pool party, this is the gathering point and if/when I remodel the pool, I'll be extending the bench and table another 2 feet.
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We have 2 shelves...one 6" deep for the small kids and chairs and one 18" for hotter days...and a walkway along the wall between the two. The pebble of today is much finer and easier on feet and labias. If I had it to do over again I would go with the cantilever concrete edge...durable and easier to care for. Pentair stuff still breaks...
 
MWB said:
Remodeled my pool 20 years ago.
Went with A Pebble Tech Sheen, looks like pebble tech but is ground smooth so it looks like pebble feels like plaster.
The one thing I would do differently is the decking. My existing cool decking was chipping up so I had them chip off the cool deck but left the concrete. They also added a piece of concrete and then put the fake stone decking on. In about a week after two years (only got a two-year warranty) the decking started to come up. Every piece of decking that had existing concrete is peeling up and needs to be re-done, except for the section of new concrete it still looks good. It is a little faded by it all is still attached. So, if you're putting down new decking, put down new concrete.
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Yes we will be doing all new concrete. Right now it is a combination of about 4 different pours over the years. I will check the different companies and styles of pebble tech.
 
If you are making changes one of my favorite additions I put in was an outdoor solar shower. I love that thing. Hot days I put my head under it for 1 minute while working. It also has a lower spigot that my kids love to use to wash their feet off. And lastly people leaving the pool can rinse off with warm water to get the salt off their bodies. I’ll get a pic this weekend
 

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Air450 said:
Yes we will be doing all new concrete. Right now it is a combination of about 4 different pours over the years. I will check the different companies and styles of pebble tech.
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I did nice colored, stamped concrete and wish I didn't. Have to re-seal every year to keep it looking nice and it is slippery. If I could turn back time I would have did flagstone or similar natural stone all around the pool. It is naturally slip resistant and a lot cooler to the touch on hot days. more money up front but probably balances out after not having to seal it every year.
 
Baja shelf for sure - bigger the better. I doubled the size that was originally planned and super happy I did. Depth should be based on what chairs - you want to be sitting in a little water but not to low in water or you float. I think mine's 18". Pebble tech isn't any harsher than plaster in my opinion and way, way better looking. Salt water and Pentair. Multiple holes for umbrellas on shelf - that is where everyone spends most of the time. Seats / bench is a big bonus.
 
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