For anyone interested in seeing a gunite pool being built- ahh! crawly/jumpy things!

[tmq2766]

When is the party?

 

[luvflorida]

Day 15- Not a lot to show here, but I didn't want to leave any steps out. The electrician returned yesterday to do some more work.

He put piping/wiring from the house to the end of where the fence is going to go. We won't know exactly where the fence will be located until the cement decking is poured, so he just estimated and can fix it later. This will be for the placement of two switches, one for the pool light and one for a floodlight that will be put on the shed. He's also installing an outlet in the same location. Somehow all of this will be attached to or next to the gate going into the pool area.

This is the end coming up by the shed where the floodlight will be.

A few more days of wetting down the gunite until the next step can be completed.

 

[luvflorida]

Just wanted to let those of you who are following this thread know that I haven't forgotten to update, but we've hit a lull in the action. It is Day 26 and it's been twelve days since anything has been done on the pool.

We had to water the gunite for seven days, and then the tile was supposed to be installed last week. I talked to the pool company on Friday and they assured us that the tile would be installed today. When it got to be late afternoon and nobody showed up, my husband called the pool company. Oops, they didn't have the tile we chose so they had to order it.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! They've known for at least a month which design we had picked out. So, now they are saying that maybe by Thursday the tile will be here and they'll install it. I guess we shouldn't complain. It's the first snag we've hit so far.

But, it is hot and we want to go swimming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DVC Jen]

Let us know when the Dis pool party is.

It looks great. I am so envious.

While I am still envious (because you will have yours completed soon) I am not AS envious..because now we are getting a pool too.

Please don't stop with your updates I am loving watching, reading and learning through your experience.

 

[Sandy22]

I see your location is in Maine. So this type of pool holds up well in harsh winters? Do you mind sharing approximately what it cost (not counting the fence)? I'm sure it's a worthwhile expense considering your house now becomes like a holiday home or a cottage. No need to travel to get away...you just go to the pool.

 

[hugsquared]

basically just replying to this thread so I can keep on watching the progress. I'm enthralled watching someone else get a pool...maybe I need to get a life . Keep the updates coming.

 

[luvflorida]

While I am still envious (because you will have yours completed soon) I am not AS envious..because now we are getting a pool too.

Please don't stop with your updates I am loving watching, reading and learning through your experience.

Congrats on your pool! When will it be ready? I'm hoping the hot weather holds out up here so we can at least get a few weeks of swimming in before the snow flies!

 

[luvflorida]

I see your location is in Maine. So this type of pool holds up well in harsh winters? Do you mind sharing approximately what it cost (not counting the fence)? I'm sure it's a worthwhile expense considering your house now becomes like a holiday home or a cottage. No need to travel to get away...you just go to the pool.

From everything we hear, gunite pools are very well built. The walls are about 12 inches thick with steel bars in between the gunite. I just wish we had a longer swimming season up here.

The price of the pool was approximately $20,000. That includes a couple of thousand dollars for a heavy-duty winter cover. We went with a top of the line cover because of the amount of ice and snow we get in Maine. Add on the electrical costs, automatic vacuum, truck loads of water, and fencing, and the total cost is going to be approximately $27,000.

Oh, and we'll have to do some landscaping, buy new outdoor furniture for the pool area, various pool floaties, etc., etc.! Throw a few pool parties...

 

[Pembo]

I'm enjoying your pics too. I watched an infomercial one Saturday afternoon about this type of pool. They kept saying how much of the work you could do yourself?! I hope you get some swimming in before the snow too.

 

[ericamanda01]

That looks great! I can't wait to see the final result!

 

[ChrisLei]

Wow this is a great thread! Love how the pool is shaping up!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I can't wait to see the final product, very exciting. Thanks for the updates.

 

[Sandy22]

The price of the pool was approximately $20,000. That includes a couple of thousand dollars for a heavy-duty winter cover. We went with a top of the line cover because of the amount of ice and snow we get in Maine. Add on the electrical costs, automatic vacuum, truck loads of water, and fencing, and the total cost is going to be approximately $27,000.

I think you got an excellent price for the pool. I've heard quotes for a lot more for a similar product. Definitely worth it IMO.

 

[DVC Jen]

Congrats on your pool! When will it be ready? I'm hoping the hot weather holds out up here so we can at least get a few weeks of swimming in before the snow flies!

We haven't started the excavating yet.. haven't even signed the contract yet. But we did get the first design tonight. it will take they said 35 days from the day they start to excavate. So we are hoping no later than the first of October... maybe sooner depending on how long it takes to get the permit from the city. But first thing.. we have to get the design down and then get the price of the design.. and then add or take away depending on that. Probably take away knowing my expensive tastes.

 

[luvflorida]

So we are hoping no later than the first of October...

We're hoping to be able to use our pool until mid-September or so. And, I'm excited because the pool company called this evening and they're coming out tomorrow, (a day early!), to install the tile!

Today I went shopping for some pool goodies, (floats, tubes, foam noodles, etc.), and I was disappointed at the selection. Some stores were completely out and others had very little to choose from. I guess they figure summer is coming to an end. I actually found HALLOWEEN stuff but not much summer stuff!

 

[DVC Jen]

We're hoping to be able to use our pool until mid-September or so. And, I'm excited because the pool company called this evening and they're coming out tomorrow, (a day early!), to install the tile!

Today I went shopping for some pool goodies, (floats, tubes, foam noodles, etc.), and I was disappointed at the selection. Some stores were completely out and others had very little to choose from. I guess they figure summer is coming to an end. I actually found HALLOWEEN stuff but not much summer stuff!

If you find a giant blow up pumpkin that could work as a "beach ball".

 

[Poohnatic]

Lemme know what you want...we can get it year round at some of the tourist trap type places!

Suzanne

 

[luvflorida]

Lemme know what you want...we can get it year round at some of the tourist trap type places!

Suzanne

HaHa! Thanks! I actually found a few foam noodles at the grocery store. They were three dollars each. I'm guessing they probably sell for much less in Florida.

Maybe in a few months I can strap them on my boots and use them for skis.

 

[luvflorida]

Day 27- This morning the tile was installed all around the pool edge. It took two guys about three hours to complete the job.

The first step was smoothing on some type of plaster.

Here you can see a little bit of the tile to the right. The tile was on strips of paper about 12 inches long. The ceramic tile was cut on the strips, about an inch or so for each column of tile, so that the pieces could be shaped to fit the design of the pool.

Here is the completed tile around the swim-out area in the deep end.

A close-up of the design on the tile. We chose this color because we wanted to go with something light, sort of a Carribbean look.

Another close-up. My daughter said the design looks like snowflakes, which I guess would be very appropriate for Maine! If you look closely though, you can see that they are flowers! Next step will be backfilling and grading around the pool, then cement decking!

 

[KarenB]

Wow! That looks great! I like the tile you selected. I didn't read all the replies, just looked at the pictures, but will it be done in time to use this summer?

Oh-I LOVE your screened in porch!!

I am anxious to see the finished product,
Karen