Florida Block-Pool Build

[timjs]

6" cmu's would be nice to work with. I'm a little surprised they are cheaper.

I had 2 step downs. I suggest you "overlap" the footer by about 12-18 inches where you step down and bend some rebar to make that extra strong. Overkill, I am sure, but pretty inexpensive.

Yep, looks like it'll save me about $700 in blocks using 6". Plus the savings on concrete due to smaller cores. I know what you mean by bending the rebar into Z shapes to get one continuous bar in there, and I'll do that.
I wonder how I should handle the floor. I don't care for the traditional "hopper" design for a deep end. I like the idea of straight walls going down full depth. And only a slope from shallow to deep, straight across the floor. Simpler to build, and measure for a liner.

 

[sls]

Yep, looks like it'll save me about $700 in blocks using 6". Plus the savings on concrete due to smaller cores. I know what you mean by bending the rebar into Z shapes to get one continuous bar in there, and I'll do that.
I wonder how I should handle the floor. I don't care for the traditional "hopper" design for a deep end. I like the idea of straight walls going down full depth. And only a slope from shallow to deep, straight across the floor. Simpler to build, and measure for a liner.

My concrete block/vinyl liner pool is like that, but 3'6 to 8' sloped and no hopper. The slope bottom is great for party's because everyone can find just the right depth. I have 90 degree corners and they have worked fine for (3) liners. My pool is over 30 years old and is holding up strong. My bottom is actually just sand.

 

[timjs]

My concrete block/vinyl liner pool is like that, but 3'6 to 8' sloped and no hopper. The slope bottom is great for party's because everyone can find just the right depth. I have 90 degree corners and they have worked fine for (3) liners. My pool is over 30 years old and is holding up strong. My bottom is actually just sand.

Very cool! I'd be interested in some pics if you have any, maybe some taken when the liner was out? I wish I could just do a sand bottom here but the water table makes that impossible unfortunately.

 

[timjs]

Just dropping in here to say this project is still on. Me and a couple guys starting tearing out the old pool deck and digging the old back fill. Well, it's harder work than we thought. I purchased one of those Chinese mini excavators, and when that arrives I'll post pictures and really get the ball rolling on the pool build.

 

[timjs]

Hey guys! I have updates! But first, the forum shows
"Hello timjs, This is an inactive thread. Any new postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. You will get much more visibility by  Starting A New Thread"
Is anyone seeing this post, or should I start a fresh thread? Thanks

 

[kimkats]

You are good! It just has been a while since you updated. Once you posted that tag went away. POST up please!

 

[Newdude]

+1. Update your own thread at any time for continuity of your journey.

A newb posting a 'OMG me too' post should start their own thread for their own journey.

 

[duraleigh]

welcome back!

If you are doing the foundation in segments, be sure you pin it well with rebar.

 

[timjs]

Alright! Sorry for the delay! My occupation is the foreman at a car dealership, and on the side I do car modifications for people. It seems like everyone and their grandma wants a race car lately, so I've been preoccupied with everyone ELSE'S projects, and no time for my own! However, those distractions are mostly over now.

I figure the best way to update is make a quick video, so I'll embed it here.
Over this time period, I've made some changes to my plans. I no longer want a constant depth pool. I talked to a lot of people, and came to the conclusion that if I don't have a reasonably shallow end, that kills a lot of the usability of the pool. Gotta be able to stand up and wade and jump around in the water.
I also decided against a constant slope from shallow to deep for a couple reasons. I got comments of "feels like you're always falling over" from owners of that style of pool. Also, I don't want to build a stepped footer.

I'm doing to go for a traditional design with a hopper for the deep end. This will allow me to use one solid single level footer, use less blocks since they won't be going to full depth on the deep end, and I believe fitting a liner will be easier.

 

[timjs]

OH! You'll notice in the video there is NO gravel backfill, and no concrete ring around the base of the walls! Lucky me!

 

[kimkats]

What an adventure so far! Keep sharing and asking questions!

 

[timjs]

What an adventure so far! Keep sharing and asking questions!

Will do! This weekend I'll need to install more well points around the area. The one point I have is pulling 400 gallons/hour from the ground directly below the hopper (I installed the well at an angle). 400 just isnt enough, the water level only dropped by 1/2" over 3 hours of pumping. The pump I have should be able to support three wells, so I'll put two more in. I'm hoping that's enough!

 

[timjs]

Did some more digging today see video below.

There were some tree roots FIVE INCHES in diameter running along the top of the pool wall back there! Holy cow! Seeing that, now I'm certain the pool was built around the time the house was, 1980 or so. Amazing how nature can get into every nook and crannie!
Also, everytime I'd lift another section of decking, HUNDREDS of carpenter ants come pouring out. I've seen large carpenter ant nests before, but WOW my entire pool is one big nest!

QUESTION: I'm contemplating digging out the pool even larger than planned. It's originally 17x27ft oval. I'm thinking 18x32 now. Maybe even longer?
Is there any reason to go to any particular dimensions? Perhaps to get more standardized parts such as pool covers? Maybe the liner is significantly cheaper to have made if none of the dimensions exceed "X" for instance?

 

[kimkats]

What a mess for sure. That has been there for a while!

Size-I would find out what is the biggest oval liner they make that is not custom and make it that size. That will make it faster and easier to find and get.

 

[timjs]

No oval for me! It'll be a rectangle.
Yes, definitely a mess back there. But it's all a calculated mess.

 

[kimkats]

LOL calculated mess is the best mess in the end.

Okay so find a liner and make the pool to match the liner! I would go as big as you can fit in the yard!

 

[timjs]

So, my original plan for this pool was to DIY my own automatic pool cover. I'm more than capable of designing and fabricating the parts involved, in fact I have much of the required stuff laying around in the ol' stash..
However, the more I think about it the more I just want a simple solution. Reason being, I don't plan on living here more than a couple more years so I'll save my auto cover for my next pool build.
For now, I found this guy on youtube. I like how simple this design is!
Does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks

 

[kimkats]

Why do you feel the need to have a cover? (real question to see where your head is and what you are thinking).

 

[timjs]

Why do you feel the need to have a cover? (real question to see where your head is and what you are thinking).

Lots of trees. Also want to keep sunlight from burning up chlorine. No kids, so don't need the safety aspect.

 

[Newdude]

Also want to keep sunlight from burning up chlorine.

A reasonably priced DIY cover is one thing. Spending $12k to $15k to save some chlorine is another story. (At the next house)

Lots of trees

A solar cover will stop most of the tree crud. It can all be swept or blown to a corner to scoop off.