Toy Collector
Well-known member
- Aug 30, 2024
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All of this info is cool and all but... how long should we run the pool cleaner each day?
Asking for a buddy...
Asking for a buddy...
Pools!!!! Some tips so I don't install the wrong stuff!
- Thread starter Air450
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John@Outfront
Forum Moderator
- Apr 30, 2021
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you mean, have you seen my pool at the drags?
There are many different pebble finishes. The original Pebble Tech brand was pretty rough in the feet. Now the standard pebble is much smaller, and they have mini and micro pebble. We have Mini Pebble. With micro we found they had allot less choices and you see more of the plaster vs pebble. Also like what I did is I had my mini pebble “polished” which basically means they go in and sand it down to take out the high or rough spots. Most good pool plaster/pebble companies sand or buff the edges anyways. So I just opted to have all the areas you can stand or sit polished.
Something else to consider. Some company’s offer what they call glass gemstones to the pebble to make it sparkle. But they don’t reflect very well past 4 feet. Another option to gemstones is to have them add crushed abalone to pebble batch mix. The abalone tends to reflect in deeper water and is much cheaper compared to the colored gemstone glass.
I just had a neighbor at my house last night as they are breaking ground on a pool and wanted to see my colors, finish and smoothness.
I’m told current plaster life span is 7-10 years. Apparently it’s not as good as it used to be due to the materials they can use. Maybe EPA or something? I’m told the only places that still really use pure plaster (So. Cal) are commercial pools. But residential it’s mostly pebble for the finish look and longer life durability.
Something else to consider. Some company’s offer what they call glass gemstones to the pebble to make it sparkle. But they don’t reflect very well past 4 feet. Another option to gemstones is to have them add crushed abalone to pebble batch mix. The abalone tends to reflect in deeper water and is much cheaper compared to the colored gemstone glass.
I just had a neighbor at my house last night as they are breaking ground on a pool and wanted to see my colors, finish and smoothness.
I’m told current plaster life span is 7-10 years. Apparently it’s not as good as it used to be due to the materials they can use. Maybe EPA or something? I’m told the only places that still really use pure plaster (So. Cal) are commercial pools. But residential it’s mostly pebble for the finish look and longer life durability.
Ripster
Active member
- May 7, 2021
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Having built a few pools, we built our Baja shelf the length of the pool 35 ft, and 8 ft deep for the pool chairs, the water is 7 inches deep, we added bubblers to keep the young kids and dogs busy, added the umbrella stanchions, steps at each end of the baja shelf, the drop off the baja shelf is waist level so adults can stand in the water and converse with whoever is on the baja shelf, then tapers into a linear deep end that's 6 foot deep by 35 feet, I used ground quartz, with abalone to give it a shimmer affect, yes it can be a little rougher on the feet but it will last longer than most products out, we used a stone coping that was a close match to standard grey concrete, which I prefer over colored, stamped or pavers, standard gray is timeless, plenty of expansion joints, definitely want a salt water pool with Auto chlorinator, stick with the standard filter system over a Di filter system they are a pain to flush, do a multi speed pump system, also add a programable LED lighting system. After building a few I like simple and carefree, I don't need a pool boy, having the right pool sweep is key
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Dune-Track-N
Well-known member
- May 5, 2021
- 1,122
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Remodeled our pool in 2024. Not sure when it was built but it had been redone with fiberglass at some point.
Wow what a process, four guys for three days straight jack-hammering!
Our entry steps were wack... this is after the jack-hammering and found this mini shelf
So we opted for a baja shelf and bench
White plaster with some silver shimmer flake
$16,500 all in....
Wow what a process, four guys for three days straight jack-hammering!
Our entry steps were wack... this is after the jack-hammering and found this mini shelf
So we opted for a baja shelf and bench
White plaster with some silver shimmer flake
$16,500 all in....
- Thread starter
- #26
Air450
Well-known member
- May 6, 2021
- 505
- 614
I essentially have the same pool! 18'X40' rectangle.
Thinking of doing a jacuzzi. lol Probably 25K extra! 8' Baja shelf. Steps to one side. I like the idea of some tile at the edges that someone mentioned. Already have some seats in the deep end corners.
Not sure we want to do the seat shelves down the length of the pool. I live in Torrance so the temps here don't get excessive. Usually in the summer the marine layer covers us up in the afternoon. Sunsets on the shallow side of the pool plus the house blocks the late afternoon sun. This winter is our summer and our summer will be the winter! lol
I'm leaning towards the pre-fabbed concrete coping. Just because it's thinner and easier to grab. I like the smaller pebble tech material and will look into the colors.
Never swam in a salt water pool but I'm probably going to stick with the regular water so far. Sounds like a lot of you guys like the salt water, but I make a living over the ocean so I know what salt water does to things!
Thanks for the ideas. I like some of them. We are definitely liking the simple way. We will be doing a pressure washed sand finish on grey concrete.
A salt water pool is not like the ocean. The salt is converted into a natural chlorine. That’s what the Salt Generator does.
You should ask your pool remodelers if they can give you a customer reference that has a salt pool and ask if you can see it and put your feet & hands in it.
- Apr 29, 2021
- 3,089
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On the jacuzzi. Grew up with a pool and built in jacuzzi. If I had to do it myself, I would build the pool but have a stand alone fiberglass Jacuzzi. Way more comfortable and the options are endless unlike a plaster built in. Sucks to have the coping against your back or shoulders, no real comfort options and your not getting 80+ jets.
Happy
Well-known member
- May 5, 2021
- 264
- 372
Baja is always good. I think mine is 18". I also invested in a stand alone Jacuzzi (spa). Get a good one. It's ready when you want it and I am in it most nights. Grandkids love the pool, I get the spa.It helps to have some privacy too.
Deviantduner
Active member
- May 10, 2021
- 132
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Psssssst, pools is what I do. lol
1)plaster sucks, we do maybe 1 plaster finish a year. Today’s raw materials for plaster is no where near what was avail 25+ years ago. Plaster warranties tend to be 3-5 years for a reason. Avg life span is 5-7 if you get 10 it looks and feels every bit of 25 year old plaster lol
2)Mini pebble is way to go, people that rip up skin either have old full size pebble, shit work, or their in the water for 5 hours where touching anything willl rub the skin raw but they blame the pebble because it has texture so that just be the reason. Typically 10+ year warranty and will still look close to same 20+ years later
3) adding spa is about 25k, but with that you deck will be coming out and that removal and replacement cost is on top of spa cost. Plus existing pump filter and heater need to be large enough to handle spa ( likely is, but sometimes on pool only no heater existing. If no heater existing and need to add gas line, that’s another added cost)
4) Baja’s are awesome for kids and a hang out for adults. Along with spas. Both are the 2 most common areas of use for adults with their pools
5) coping you have existing old school safety grip, where it meets deck it’s about 1in thick. Meaning replacement options are limited.
If deck coming out, it can be raised to meet new coping height. If deck remains you can do custom form pour in place w fiber mesh 2.25in face and drop it to meet existing deck. Or you can do stone coping ( similar to stone tread on stairs) or precast similar to what you have. All are pretty close costs
6) salt systems nearly every pool we build gets salt. It’s on 2800-3400ppm same as a water softener on house. Like a 1/10ppm of ocean water.
Some areas guys are doing ozone uv mineral systems and combos of those. How ever you still need to add chlorine or bromine to sanitize the water. Mineral systems in my opinion suck balls, they are literally dissolving metals continuously in your water like adding algaecide daily. At some point the ph will get out of whack and those metals will drop out making your pool very blue or purple or gray.
7) how old is pool, if copper plumbing, and deck coming’ out for any reason. Replace all pool plumbing. Add autofill add overflow
8) Torrance and Downey suck balls for pool permits. So if your able to remodel with out involving city the
I’m own SoCal Pools, SCP Construction, and KG Aquatic Designs. Tim - Been in the industry for over 30 years.
Peeps that are also on RDP know me as MelloYelloVector-socalpools we’ve done work for a lot a lot members over there.
I don’t wanna post number in case it’s frowned upon, but you can PM if you need quotes, designs, work done.
1)plaster sucks, we do maybe 1 plaster finish a year. Today’s raw materials for plaster is no where near what was avail 25+ years ago. Plaster warranties tend to be 3-5 years for a reason. Avg life span is 5-7 if you get 10 it looks and feels every bit of 25 year old plaster lol
2)Mini pebble is way to go, people that rip up skin either have old full size pebble, shit work, or their in the water for 5 hours where touching anything willl rub the skin raw but they blame the pebble because it has texture so that just be the reason. Typically 10+ year warranty and will still look close to same 20+ years later
3) adding spa is about 25k, but with that you deck will be coming out and that removal and replacement cost is on top of spa cost. Plus existing pump filter and heater need to be large enough to handle spa ( likely is, but sometimes on pool only no heater existing. If no heater existing and need to add gas line, that’s another added cost)
4) Baja’s are awesome for kids and a hang out for adults. Along with spas. Both are the 2 most common areas of use for adults with their pools
5) coping you have existing old school safety grip, where it meets deck it’s about 1in thick. Meaning replacement options are limited.
If deck coming out, it can be raised to meet new coping height. If deck remains you can do custom form pour in place w fiber mesh 2.25in face and drop it to meet existing deck. Or you can do stone coping ( similar to stone tread on stairs) or precast similar to what you have. All are pretty close costs
6) salt systems nearly every pool we build gets salt. It’s on 2800-3400ppm same as a water softener on house. Like a 1/10ppm of ocean water.
Some areas guys are doing ozone uv mineral systems and combos of those. How ever you still need to add chlorine or bromine to sanitize the water. Mineral systems in my opinion suck balls, they are literally dissolving metals continuously in your water like adding algaecide daily. At some point the ph will get out of whack and those metals will drop out making your pool very blue or purple or gray.
7) how old is pool, if copper plumbing, and deck coming’ out for any reason. Replace all pool plumbing. Add autofill add overflow
8) Torrance and Downey suck balls for pool permits. So if your able to remodel with out involving city the
I’m own SoCal Pools, SCP Construction, and KG Aquatic Designs. Tim - Been in the industry for over 30 years.
Peeps that are also on RDP know me as MelloYelloVector-socalpools we’ve done work for a lot a lot members over there.
I don’t wanna post number in case it’s frowned upon, but you can PM if you need quotes, designs, work done.
Last edited:
- Apr 29, 2021
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Those are not the spa picts I remember.
- Thread starter
- #32
Air450
Well-known member
- May 6, 2021
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- 614
Thanks! I have a guy coming tomorrow to give an estimate. My wife does custom homes and remodels so I don't think the city will be an issue. She knows everyone. lol Not sure I'm getting a permit yet either.Psssssst, pools is what I do. lol
1)plaster sucks, we do maybe 1 plaster finish a year. Today’s raw materials for plaster is no where near what was avail 25+ years ago. Plaster warranties tend to be 3-5 years for a reason. Avg life span is 5-7 if you get 10 it looks and feels every bit of 25 year old plaster lol
2)Mini pebble is way to go, people that rip up skin either have old full size pebble, shit work, or their in the water for 5 hours where touching anything willl rub the skin raw but they blame the pebble because it has texture so that just be the reason.
3) adding spa is about 25k, but with that you deck will be coming out and that removal and replacement cost is on top of spa cost. Plus existing pump filter and heater need to be large enough to handle spa ( likely is, but sometimes on pool only no heater existing. If no heater existing and need to add gas line, that’s another added cost)
4) Baja’s are awesome for kids and a hang out for adults. Along with spas. Both are the 2 most common areas of use for adults with their pools
5) coping you have existing old school safety grip, where it meets deck it’s about 1in thick. Meaning replacement options are limited.
If deck coming out, it can be raised to meet new coping height. If deck remains you can do custom form pour in place w fiber mesh 2.25in face and drop it to meet existing deck. Or you can do stone coping ( similar to stone tread on stairs) or precast similar to what you have. All are pretty close costs
6) salt systems nearly every pool we build gets salt. It’s on 2800-3400ppm same as a water softener on house. Like a 1/10ppm of ocean water.
Some areas guys are doing ozone uv mineral systems and combos of those. How ever you still need to add chlorine or bromine to sanitize the water. Mineral systems in my opinion suck balls, they are literally dissolving metals continuously in your water like adding algaecide daily. At some point the ph will get out of whack and those metals will drop out making your pool very blue or purple or gray.
7) how old is pool, if copper plumbing, and deck coming’ out for any reason. Replace all pool plumbing. Add autofill add overflow
8) Torrance and Downey suck balls for pool permits. So if your able to remodel with out involving city the
I’m own SoCal Pools and KG Aquatic Designs. Been in the industry for over 30 years.
Peeps that are also on RDP know me as MelloYelloVector-socalpools we’ve done work for a lot a lot members over there.
I don’t wanna post number in case it’s frowned upon, but you can PM if you need quotes, designs, work done.
Lol. You've probably drivin past my house. Just east of the city permit office and courthouse. I'll PM you.
HBLOWEN
Active member
- May 6, 2021
- 144
- 151
Built one in 2022 and we did the micro pebble with abalone. My feet nor did my kids feet get torn up. We used it at least 4 times a week and had several party’s with adults and kiddos. Not one complaint.
nzulmer
Active member
- Jun 11, 2021
- 129
- 104
Finally got final on our new funco..... I mean..... pool in January (started in August). We went with stonescapes mini peddle in French grey for plaster. We threw a bag of abalone to give it a little bit of glimmer. Not rough at all and much more durable than regular plaster. My wife wanted 2x6 waterline tile which cost more on labor. Go with a group 4 6x6 if you wanna save on cost. Our spa is the highlight, 11x13 champagne style spill over and has (2) bar stools in it. Its very comfortable with the angled tile on top and can seat 13-15 peeps. Went with 12x24 velvet tile so it has good foot grip for jumping into the pool from the spa. I dig the concrete coping vs stone or travertine that we went with.
My regrets are not having more lights installed (mainly in the section between the spa and pool), not adding vertical jets in the baja shelf and not adding a bench on the deep end. Having a bar and bar stools in the pool is badass. We added jets at the bar which was a cool feature. I run my pump for 6-8hrs. We have the poolside tech attendent automation system which is very easy to program and get tech support on. We have all pentair equipment and autofill.
Another regret was our builder. Choose who does your work wisely.... I will leave it at that.....
My regrets are not having more lights installed (mainly in the section between the spa and pool), not adding vertical jets in the baja shelf and not adding a bench on the deep end. Having a bar and bar stools in the pool is badass. We added jets at the bar which was a cool feature. I run my pump for 6-8hrs. We have the poolside tech attendent automation system which is very easy to program and get tech support on. We have all pentair equipment and autofill.
Another regret was our builder. Choose who does your work wisely.... I will leave it at that.....
hello_newman
Active member
- Nov 5, 2021
- 82
- 106
Pools with salt water chlorine generators are great, when they are working correctly. They save everyday work for sure, but IMO add another layer of complication/expense over time. If you will be maintaining the pool yourself, get onto troublefreepool.com and read up. The methods preached there are to 1) use only liquid chlorine (chlorine pucks are the devil), 2) test your water yourself using a quality test kit and 3) stay the heck away from Leslie's. Replastered my pool with Pebble Tec Fina about ten years ago, started maintaining myself using these methods. Not one algae issue since.
megadesertdiesel
Well-known member
- Nov 8, 2021
- 1,131
- 1,656
salt cells are nice to have but require alot of maintenance if you have hard water like we do in AZ. I have to pull mine and use muratic acid to clean the plates inside about every 4 months. Then when they stop working its $1000 to replace. I have been through 5 or so in 23 years.
one of these in the pump basket saves us from any alge.
one of these in the pump basket saves us from any alge.
ChEFF
Forum Moderator
- May 1, 2021
- 22,352
- 10,689
Fill it with dirt.
Best Advice! Peace
hello_newman
Active member
- Nov 5, 2021
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I'm kind of a pool care nut, always looking for things to make my routine easier, hadn't heard of this. The mineral they refer to on the box is copper sulfate, correct? Any problems with staining or green hair using this product?
megadesertdiesel
Well-known member
- Nov 8, 2021
- 1,131
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- Thread starter
- #40
Air450
Well-known member
- May 6, 2021
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Looks nice! But I understand about contractors. I've had mine since 1985! lol
