Pool Shell Complete!

Well a large portion of the first phase was checked off today with the completion of the pool shell. The forms were removed this afternoon revealing the rough shell of the pool. It will take several weeks to cure before the marcite plaster finish is applied.

While the shotcrete is curing, work will continue with the retaining walls, steps and grading in preparation for the patio paver installation in a couple weeks.

Also, all the mechanicals for the pool have been installed and plumbed. They just need to get the electric & gas run and those will be all set.

It's starting to look like a pool!!!

Shooting the Pool!

The team from Blue Water was able to start the process of shooting the pool today - as the weather finally cooperated!!

They prepared by adding the plumbing for the power falls on the back wall, then the crew came in to start the noisy, dusty process of "shooting" the walls. The guys did a great job, get 80%+ of the walls done today. This is hard, messy work -- but the end result is really cool!

The crew should be able to complete the process tomorrow, then it has to sit for a while to cure. I'm sure our neighbors will be happy when this phase of the project is complete!

Rain!

Well, the rains came Thursday & Friday and forced a postponement of shooting the pool walls. The Blue Water team worked through the inclement weather to secure the pool and surrounding area from the deluge.

Weather permitting, we'll try again Monday & Tuesday next week!

Forming the Walls

The work continues on the pool as the team set up the wall forms over the past couple of days. We're still tracking towards shooting the pool this Friday -- if the weather cooperates (thundershowers in the forecast).

The team from Blue Water Pools have commented on the challenging nature of this project due to the interesting terrain we have in our back yard. But that hasn't deterred them from rising to the challenge by applying their expertise and determination to create our unique pool. I have to say we've been very impressed with the team from Blue Water!

The Pool Floor is Poured!

The floor of the pool was poured today as progress continues on the pool. If all goes well, the forms for the walls will be in place later this week, targeting to pour the walls by Friday.

(Click on any image to view a larger version)

Shaping the Pool

The expert team at Blue Water Pools continued the work of adding rebar steel to reinforce the pool structure prior to the shotcrete process scheduled for next week. This is tedious work, but will pay off in a quality, long lasting final product.

The Big Dig

The big equipment arrived early this morning to begin digging the hole for the pool. It was quite a sight to see the large machine maneuver into the backyard and begin the delicate process of excavating the dirt. By the end of the day, the hole was completed and the bed or crushed limestone was in place. The team at Blue Water Pools will be back tomorrow to start the steel work in preparation for "shooting the pool" next week.

(click on any of the images to view a larger version)

We're Building a Pool!

We decided to put a pool in this year since Annierae loves the water so much. Our neighbor and friends, Lisa & Grant, gave us the name of Signature Outdoor Concepts as a landscape company that could help us install the pool. We contacted Signature and after several meetings decided they were the best choice to handle a project of this magnitude.

The team at Signature has been great to work with so far, and we're on an eleven week schedule to complete the project. So by the end of October, everything should be complete!

The process to prepare for and construct our pool began in earnest today. The tree guys were here removing several of the large trees in the way. They had quite an audience as some of our family and neighbors were on the deck watching & supervising. By days end we had tracks throughout our back yard and 5 large trees gone. Next week the real fun begins as the excavators show up to dig the hole!

(click on any of the images below to see a larger version)

Return of my Ramblings

Well as you can see, this is my first post in quite some time. To be honest, I forgot I started this blog (been busy with lots of family stuff lately). In any case, I've dusted off my old home page (www.sharkjet.net) and this blog. Over the coming weeks I plan to do more in both places. Nothing fancy, just something to occupy all my free time - oh yeah - that's right, I don't have any free time!! Ah well, I'll do what I can (and I promise, more of these posts will actually be interesting and have a point).

C ya!