Hello, my name is Lee and I am in the process of getting proposals for a small to medium sized (16X36) in-ground, shotcrete, pool from several area builders.
I've been busy reading away - and so I'd like to say thanks to the forum owner(s).
I'm not a newbie on computers or forums, but I am to modern swimming pool maintenance, so there's a good chance I will need some hand holding from time to time.
Lee
New Member Intro
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- I'm new here
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri 09 Apr, 2010 21:59
- My Pool: 16 X 32 Blue Dolphin IG fiberglass, about 15K gallons. 1.5Hp Hayward pump, 3inch puck style Hayward cholrinator, 100 sq. ft. pleated cartridge filter. Jandy Valve controls and diverter for solar heating panels (three 4 X 10 panels on an elevated pressure treated wood rack).
- Location: Virginia
New Member Intro
Good luck to you, Lee. Before I decided on a fiberglass pool I eyed the shotcrete option.
Tell me, what made you decide in favor of it? Custom size, options, or some other factors?
Tell me, what made you decide in favor of it? Custom size, options, or some other factors?
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- Swimming Pool Pro
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Sat 05 Dec, 2009 17:25
- My Pool: Geometric 16K gal shotcrete w/exposed aggregate; Pentair EasyTouch w/wireless, 2 Intellibrites, VS-3050 pump, C&C 200 Filter, IC-40 SWG; Heliocol solar. Rocky's reel
- Location: Space Coast, Florida
New Member Intro
In my area the only viable fiberglass vendor has a very poor reputation for customer support after the sale. I know of no one that has gone the vinyl liner route - I think because we have such high ground water issues. After our last rain storm the ground water level rose to within ~3 feet of the turf.
In terms of progress, the shell/tank is in, plumbing done, waterline tile up. Remaining items are decking and equipment pad & equipment, then plaster & water.
While it's obvious there is still work to go, I have been pleasantly surprised several times by the PB crew, their work ethic, and willingness to go the extra mile.
In terms of progress, the shell/tank is in, plumbing done, waterline tile up. Remaining items are decking and equipment pad & equipment, then plaster & water.
While it's obvious there is still work to go, I have been pleasantly surprised several times by the PB crew, their work ethic, and willingness to go the extra mile.
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- I'm new here
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri 09 Apr, 2010 21:59
- My Pool: 16 X 32 Blue Dolphin IG fiberglass, about 15K gallons. 1.5Hp Hayward pump, 3inch puck style Hayward cholrinator, 100 sq. ft. pleated cartridge filter. Jandy Valve controls and diverter for solar heating panels (three 4 X 10 panels on an elevated pressure treated wood rack).
- Location: Virginia
New Member Intro
lbridges wrote:In my area the only viable fiberglass vendor has a very poor reputation for customer support after the sale. I know of no one that has gone the vinyl liner route - I think because we have such high ground water issues. After our last rain storm the ground water level rose to within ~3 feet of the turf.
In terms of progress, the shell/tank is in, plumbing done, waterline tile up. Remaining items are decking and equipment pad & equipment, then plaster & water.
While it's obvious there is still work to go, I have been pleasantly surprised several times by the PB crew, their work ethic, and willingness to go the extra mile.
I don't know about current technology of shotcrete pools but, as I recall, those pools required Marcite to be applied every 5 or 6 years. The other "con" was the constant leaching of alkaline from the concrete into the pool water.
I know that a number of companies specialized in the application of fiberglass to the walls of shotcrete pools.
My "Dolphin" pool was supposed to be in the ground and ready to go in 6 to 8 weeks...I should have realized that was a pipe dream. It took most of the summer. I should have insisted on a performance clause in the contract.
I thought I was being smart by upgrading my filtration system to a Hayward EC-65 DE filter system. By the 2nd year of operation I was field stripping and cleaning the grids about once a week. 15 bolts to remove in the cover, to access the grids. Last year I dismantled the DE and went back to the pleated cartridge.
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- Swimming Pool Superstar
- Posts: 401
- Joined: Sat 16 May, 2009 09:20
- My Pool: 16 x 32 gunite21000 gal., Diamond Brite Blue, Swimquip XL pump, DE36
- Location: Texas
New Member Intro
Marcite is over 25 years old type of plaster composition. The cheapest and obviously not the most durable.
For a couple of thousand more considering 16x32 diving size, there are highly durable, modern plasters available. BTW, my marcite was installed in 1984. I did replace it in 2009. So the 5-6 year life span you have mentioned is a myth. Any honest and experienced pool builder will tell you that gunite is the way to go, if you can afford it. A clear winner in every aspect, hands down. Fiberglass is just a step up from the vinyl shell.
Maintaining a Mercedes or a BMW does not come cheap, but the ride is worth it.
For a couple of thousand more considering 16x32 diving size, there are highly durable, modern plasters available. BTW, my marcite was installed in 1984. I did replace it in 2009. So the 5-6 year life span you have mentioned is a myth. Any honest and experienced pool builder will tell you that gunite is the way to go, if you can afford it. A clear winner in every aspect, hands down. Fiberglass is just a step up from the vinyl shell.
Maintaining a Mercedes or a BMW does not come cheap, but the ride is worth it.
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