Eden Pool Construction Page


Text  updated:  8/26/2005 15:58

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Hello Family and Friends!

 As most of you know we're putting in a pool!  This page will keep everyone abreast of the progress.  The pool is being built by Aquatan Pools  For details on the camera setup click HERE

A drawing of the pool is below

Still photo gallery


04/28/2005 We got wet!


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The PH was dropped for a few days to help cure the plaster.  Once that was done Aquatan starting getting the pool chemistry in line.   We're not there yet, but pretty close.

The Chlorine Generator was also plumbed in today, and we've had some plumbing issues with debris in the pipes and filters.. but it's progress.

I got the all-clear to heat the spa up to 80 degrees so we can break in the pool!  I also took a *VERY* quick swim from the diving board to the stairs. It was *COLD* (69 degrees), but the pool works. :)




04/22/2005 Pool Full!


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On 4/22 at 9:00 the pool was declared full!

Fill time:  54 hours
Fill gallons: 30,000 - 31,000

31k isn't 36k, but the pool is still big!

Next comes startup and acid wash.



04/21/2005 Filling!


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What could be more exciting than watching grass grow?

Paint Dry?

Think again, a pool fill!

Thursday I decided to share the joy by moving the webcam so it can be a
FILL CAM!
I started the cam as the water was reaching the first step.




04/20/2005  Plaster!


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Threat of rain delayed plaster until Wednesday.  It's looks great!

Check out the gallery for a bunch of stills.  They basically mix the plaster and "colorquartz" in a cement mixer and spray it on like  gunite.  Crews then trowel it smooth.  The crews wear shoes with a few spikes to minimize damage to the plastered floor (which they repair as they back out).

We started filling the pool with dual hoses around 3p on Wednesday it's estimated to take 2.5 days.

04/20 (plaster) Time Lapse Video:
Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, ~ 2M)
Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 6M)

04/17/2005 Grass!


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Back from NJ and time to get ready for tomorrow's  plaster.

Today sod was laid around the pool (and areas destroyed by construction).  I'm not sure I really want more to mow, but need something quick to keep the dirt on the slopes.  Nothing beats an instant lawn!

I got 3 pallets, but could have used 4 so a few non-critical areas will be done later with sod, plugs or seed.


04/09/2005 Cleanup


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On 04/09/2005 the cleanup crew came to remove the trash (well, most of it) from inside and around the construction zone, and grade the dirt around the pool.

It's looking great!  I've added some pictures to the gallery to show final grades and the clean pool.

Due to weather we couldn't get the plaster in before I head to NJ on a business trip, so I've put everything on hold until I return.  Landscaping (just grass for now) is scheduled for 9/16 and plaster on 9/18.



04/04/2005  - 04/05/2005 Fence


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04/04 Fence posts went in.
04/05 Fence panels (most of them) went in.

A tree in front of the camera is really hurting the video view.  There is no point capturing the fence video, you would only see 4 posts going in.

We are  supposed to get plaster and water this week, but with the winds and rain, I'm not sure that's going to happen...

Still pictures also updated in the gallery.


03/30/2005  - 04/02/2005 Equipment and Mastic


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Work has slowed a bit.. plus not much to see on the pool cam.

03/30 The equipment was plumbed into the pool today.
04/02  Mastic (like caulk) was placed between deck and coping.

04/02 (mastic) Time Lapse Video:
     Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, ~ 2M)
     Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 6M)

03/29/2005  Deck Pour


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The deck pour was today.  It took 3 cement truck loads!  Due to the multiple trucks and cool temperature the crew didn't finish until around 10pm.

The process was very interesting.  The concrete is poured, smoothed and allowed to partially cure. At this point it looks like a driveway.  The top level of sand is then  removed with water and brooms, revealing the finished surface. It takes a while, but looks great. See the video.

Still pictures also updated in the gallery.


Day 11 Time Lapse Video:
     Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, ~ 2M)
     Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 6M)
     Washing Concrete Video

03/23-24/2005  Decking


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The deck was laid out on 3/23 and 3/24.  It was tough deciding how big to make it.  You have to balance cost, maintenance (or landscaping around it) and usability.  I've also finalized the fence position.

Sometimes you don't see a lot of activity because a big patio is also going in by the back door.  (photo gallery updated)

The fence guys should start on Monday (3/28).
The deck pour may not start on Monday. (didn't see inspector Friday)
Next comes cleanup, plaster, and water!


Day 10 Time Lapse Video:
     Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, ~ 1M)
     Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 4M)

Day 9 Time Lapse Video:
     Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, ~1M)
     Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~4M)


03/21-22/05  Coping


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Coping is the flagstone around the perimeter of the pool and in the beach entry. Due to the shape of the pool, everything must be cut to fit!
 
On 3/21 the perimeter was  done.
On 3/22 the spa was done and the beach entry started.
(they ran out of  stone and finished on 3/25, off camera)

Day 8 Time Lapse Video:
     Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, ~ 1M)
     Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 4M)

Day 7 Time Lapse Video:
     Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, ~ 1M)
     Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 4M)


03/19/05  Tile


Today the tile was placed around the waterline of the pool.

Coping is scheduled for Mon, Tue,  The deck may begin Wed.

The video is good today.


Day 6 Time Lapse Video: (good)
     Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, ~ 1M)
     Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 4M)

03/15/2005  Gunite


Today the pool was sprayed with concrete!  It's looking more like a pool every day.  Diana and I also went and picked out the Tile and Coping.

More pictures were added to the pool construction Gallery

Day 5 Time Lapse Video:
      Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, ~ 1M)
      Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 4M)

03/11/2005  Steel


Today a steel crew came in to erect the frame for the gunite.  The plumbing crew then returned to finish their job.

Monday the city inspector drops by and we may shoot the gunite on Tue.

I put glasses on the web-cam today (see camera info) and the pictures are much better.

Day 4 Time Lapse Video:
      Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, ~ 1M)
      Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 4M)


03/10/2005  Plumbing


Today the plumbers completely destroyed our yard! There are pipes everywhere.  I would have through digging would have messed things up, but nope.. it's the pipes!
Day 3 Time Lapse Video: (video not very good today)
      Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, ~ 1M)
      Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 4M)


03/09/2005  Excavation Day 2.

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On  Wed  3/8 they finished digging. The pool looks huge now!

The web-cam did a lousy job today. Brightness is all over the map.

Notice the color line in the rock.  This is a soft/damp section.  I don't know what keeps that section wet while the rest is dry/hard.
Day 2 Time Lapse Video:
      Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, 2.6M)
      Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 4M)


03/08/2005  Excavation Day 1.

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On  Tue 3/8 they started  digging.  First step was moving the Gazebo.  This supposedly simple task turned into quite a challenge.  We thought the gazebo was just sitting on some bricks (we could see them).  It turns out it was attached to piers cemented into the ground!  The gazebo  is currently sitting on the ground w/o it's base.  We'll figure out exactly how to deal with it later.  We may need a crane to come lift it while a new foundation is built below.

Once the digging began, at about 2 feet we hit solid rock.  I  was more surprised at the 2 feet of dirt than the rock.  This slowed excavation and it will continue  tomorrow.

Day 1 Time Lapse Video:
      Windows Media:  5 Frames Per Second  (nice speed, 2.6M)
      Windows Media:  2 Frames Per Second  (slower, ~ 4M)


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The pool size was dictated by the desire for a good play pool (large shallow end) and a diving  (deep).   Matt at Aquatan designed it.

Specs:

Dimensions: (rough) 45' x 25'
Water Area:  800 sq ft
Water Perimeter 120'
Gallons: 36,000
Decking (including extended patio by house) 1038 sq ft



More updates later.  You can send comments via email.