11m x 4m outdoor swimming pool in 3 weeks (with paving)

[JulianPH]

Andyjc86 said:

Brilliant thread OP, hats off to the builders!

Have I got this right, you're having a patio put down for 2 weeks until the proper one goes down?

No!

I can understand why you thought that from recent posts. The copping stones that sit around the pool are proving to be a nightmare, so Nick suggested we put something temporary down with silicon that we could easily take up when the real stones arrived.

All the paving (about 2,000 square for of it, I believe) is going to start going down on Tuesday and is very permanent!!!

Thanks for the comment, Nick and his team have been incredible - no 'can't do' attitude, only a 'we will do everything possible to make it happen' attitude. Something that is not common these days.

[Andyjc86]

JulianPH said:

Andyjc86 said:

Brilliant thread OP, hats off to the builders!

Have I got this right, you're having a patio put down for 2 weeks until the proper one goes down?

No!

I can understand why you thought that from recent posts. The copping stones that sit around the pool are proving to be a nightmare, so Nick suggested we put something temporary down with silicon that we could easily take up when the real stones arrived.

All the paving (about 2,000 square for of it, I believe) is going to start going down on Tuesday and is very permanent!!!

Thanks for the comment, Nick and his team have been incredible - no 'can't do' attitude, only a 'we will do everything possible to make it happen' attitude. Something that is not common these days.

Ahh I see. That makes sense!

[JulianPH]

Okay, all is over for today with everyone back tomorrow morning at 7:00. Here are some pics I have just taken, not much to see since yesterday but it keeps the time line going!









The worlds worst shed...



And I think I might be needing some turf!

[Japveesix]

Great thread. Nice story and and amazing amount of work going into the project, really impressive how quickly it's all getting done.

The picture of the lorry delivering patio slabs is great, I doubt my local B&Q gets deliveries of that magnitude in one go!

Looking forward to the pics of a finished pool surrounded by PHers colourful cars and a load of balding and slightly tubby men in the water

[Sterillium]

Regarding the world's worst shed...

If a block building is a planning nightmare, could you get a smaller (lower?) shed for rain protection duties and then build a nice block wall, level with or similar in style to, the existing bricks and mortar?

[Caddyshack]

I would chuck a dose of ph up in there now and then later a big (5 gallons) of liquid shock chlorine to get it ready for filtration, give it a good stir round and then let all the crap settle.

You will need to get used to adding liquid chlorine and remember that it will ruin clothes with one splash so always wear something old.

I think some people over test and never get it stable, I have found that one liquid shock, ph up after a rain or thunderstorm and then one chlorine tablet in the skimmer per week and they need little else (other than a robot cleaner to scrum the sides - I use a tiger shark)

People always ask if I am on a water meter, they think I must use a lot of water, I remind them how often it rains and getting rid of water is a more regular problem. Water metering saves money in my experience.

I do not use a maintenance company as it is soooo easy to look after. Just get the installer to show you how to back flush the filter and if you are switching off in the winter you need to properly over winter the plumbing as it WILL split if not.

[JulianPH]

Japveesix said:

Great thread. Nice story and and amazing amount of work going into the project, really impressive how quickly it's all getting done.

The picture of the lorry delivering patio slabs is great, I doubt my local B&Q gets deliveries of that magnitude in one go!

Thank you!

Japveesix said:

Looking forward to the pics of a finished pool surrounded by PHers colourful cars and a load of balding and slightly tubby men in the water

I call that camouflage...

[JulianPH]

Sterillium said:

Regarding the world's worst shed...

If a block building is a planning nightmare, could you get a smaller (lower?) shed for rain protection duties and then build a nice block wall, level with or similar in style to, the existing bricks and mortar?

Now that is a good idea. I spoke to Nick last week about something similar but we decided a decent shed/summer house would be a quicker and less expensive fix, but upon reflection (due to your comment) this could be a serious option and continue the courtyard feeling...

[JulianPH]

Caddyshack said:

I would chuck a dose of ph up in there now and then later a big (5 gallons) of liquid shock chlorine to get it ready for filtration, give it a good stir round and then let all the crap settle.

You will need to get used to adding liquid chlorine and remember that it will ruin clothes with one splash so always wear something old.

I think some people over test and never get it stable, I have found that one liquid shock, ph up after a rain or thunderstorm and then one chlorine tablet in the skimmer per week and they need little else (other than a robot cleaner to scrum the sides - I use a tiger shark)

People always ask if I am on a water meter, they think I must use a lot of water, I remind them how often it rains and getting rid of water is a more regular problem. Water metering saves money in my experience.

I do not use a maintenance company as it is soooo easy to look after. Just get the installer to show you how to back flush the filter and if you are switching off in the winter you need to properly over winter the plumbing as it WILL split if not.

I'll run that past Mike (the pool guy) on Tuesday as I also have a UV filter going in to reduce the chlorine required and don't want to bugger that up. Obviously I need to turn the swamp into safe clear swimming water ASAP though.

Cheers

[Sterillium]

JulianPH said:

Now that is a good idea. I spoke to Nick last week about something similar but we decided a decent shed/summer house would be a quicker and less expensive fix, but upon reflection (due to your comment) this could be a serious option and continue the courtyard feeling...

That was my thinking. It could move forward with the "quick 'n easy" shed plan, but with careful tinkering, might lead back to the overall "beautiful courtyard" plan. Might be especially useful to end up with power cable etc. already piped in to the area behind your extended wall; lighting options etc...

Also, in the spirit of the thread, I need to add a line about quick and easy erections taking place behind a wall.

[JulianPH]

Sterillium said:

That was my thinking. It could move forward with the "quick 'n easy" shed plan, but with careful tinkering, might lead back to the overall "beautiful courtyard" plan. Might be especially useful to end up with power cable etc. already piped in to the area behind your extended wall; lighting options etc...

Also, in the spirit of the thread, I need to add a line about quick and easy erections taking place behind a wall.

Very good point...

Whilst it has massive girth, there are still several inches to spare when it comes to the length available sticking out from it - so there is the potential for another hard erection next to it.

Hi Gretchen! I thought that tree could have been a problem in building a new wall, but it appears to snugly fit.

[Gretchen]

I went out late at night a few weeks back in my nightie, watching for splash back, to shock the pool.


Still had to put a load of chemicals in it.

[Caddyshack]

The best thing for green water is raise ph (quite apt for your forum name), liquid chlorine and then allow to settle and Hoover up. The UV is a good idea as long as the water doesn't pass too quickly and you change the tubes regularly. Chlorine shouldn't bugger the tubes, the problem with the uv to clear the green is that the water needs to circulate and that keeps it in suspension, it is quicker to kill it and Hoover.

The uv will stop it coming back.

[Caddyshack]

The best thing for green water is raise ph (quite apt for your forum name), liquid chlorine and then allow to settle and Hoover up. The UV is a good idea as long as the water doesn't pass too quickly and you change the tubes regularly. Chlorine shouldn't bugger the tubes, the problem with the uv to clear the green is that the water needs to circulate and that keeps it in suspension, it is quicker to kill it and Hoover.

The uv will stop it coming back.

[JulianPH]

Sterillium said:

JulianPH said:

Now that is a good idea. I spoke to Nick last week about something similar but we decided a decent shed/summer house would be a quicker and less expensive fix, but upon reflection (due to your comment) this could be a serious option and continue the courtyard feeling...

That was my thinking. It could move forward with the "quick 'n easy" shed plan, but with careful tinkering, might lead back to the overall "beautiful courtyard" plan. Might be especially useful to end up with power cable etc. already piped in to the area behind your extended wall; lighting options etc...

Also, in the spirit of the thread, I need to add a line about quick and easy erections taking place behind a wall.

Yes, the lighting is pretty much fixed now (certainly anything hard wired in) and with the benefit of hindsight I would not try and undertake this project in just three weeks. More planning time would have been helpful and so four week should have been allotted!!!

[JulianPH]

Caddyshack said:

The best thing for green water is raise ph (quite apt for your forum name), liquid chlorine and then allow to settle and Hoover up. The UV is a good idea as long as the water doesn't pass too quickly and you change the tubes regularly. Chlorine shouldn't bugger the tubes, the problem with the uv to clear the green is that the water needs to circulate and that keeps it in suspension, it is quicker to kill it and Hoover.

The uv will stop it coming back.

the "ph" in my user name was simply a lack of imagination! Could you let me know exactly what I should be putting in the water tomorrow morning to start the process off before the filtration is connected Tuesday afternoon. It would be much appreciated!!

Many thanks!

[JulianPH]

Gretchen said:

I went out late at night a few weeks back in my nightie, watching for splash back, to shock the pool.


Still had to put a load of chemicals in it.

I often wonder if it is still possible for you to shock your pool Gretchen

[JulianPH]

All I can think of now is the film 'Cedar Rapids'! If you have not seen it then do so straight away!

[Gretchen]

JulianPH said:

Gretchen said:

I went out late at night a few weeks back in my nightie, watching for splash back, to shock the pool.


Still had to put a load of chemicals in it.

I often wonder if it is still possible for you to shock your pool Gretchen

Indeed. It's seen some fun and frolics over the years. Little neglected over the winter, old and falling apart really. There are younger, better models out there, but they don't have the same history or experience. It's definitely what you make it, strip off and there's a lot of fun left in her yet.

[JulianPH]

Gretchen said:

JulianPH said:

Gretchen said:

I went out late at night a few weeks back in my nightie, watching for splash back, to shock the pool.


Still had to put a load of chemicals in it.

I often wonder if it is still possible for you to shock your pool Gretchen

Indeed. It's seen some fun and frolics over the years. Little neglected over the winter, old and falling apart really. There are younger, better models out there, but they don't have the same history or experience. It's definitely what you make it, strip off and there's a lot of fun left in her yet.

I've long believed that the exuberance of youth can never quite compare to the experience of maturity. And - as recent experience has taught me - the more time you spend working on anything, the dirtier you become...



Edited for stupid typo