The pool journal. Please forgive my long winded explaination, but I wanted to journal our experience of having the pool put in. The pictures may be what you really want to see (and I don't blame you.). Feel free to read or to head over to the picture pages.
April 15, 2007
As I go back today and read of all the trials and tribulations of putting in the pool, I can smile knowing that it is now such a wonderful part of our life. The friends who share with us this waterhole! (In more ways than one!). The moments of peace spent sitting on the edge of the water and sharing a moment with all those we care about so deeply. The flowers that have grown up and spread out in the walkway, and on the back. The aborvite, which continue to fill in and surround the pool like silent gardians. Our Lealands have soared so high, they have had to be trimmed back, and provide a solid fence line, as they reflect every night into the pool. The pool is covered today, but the opening is planned for May, and we look forward to the summer of fun and sun ahead.
May 29, 2005
Memorial Day Weekend! Finished. Hard to believe. Got down on Thursday afternoon, and the dirt was in, but no sod. It had rained and I figured things had gotten set back. Once inside, message from landscapers for us not to freak out, that the rain had set the sod back because it could not be cut on Wed. Friday morning, Lynn came in at 6 am. Landscapers were here at 9 am. Sod work began and was quickly finished. What a feeling to see the sod go down and to have grass after all the dirt and mess. It was like nothing and everything. The joy and excitement we both felt was incredible. The buterflys were doing loops in my stomack. Lynn and I ran out to look at Grills, and ordered a beauty from Lowes. Came back and got a truck from Joe, who ran to the store with me. Grill came home, door was bent, took it back and then home. Spent most of our day shopping for landscaping stuff which was not the origional plan but we got a lot done! All the neighbors stopped over to see the finished product and loved it! Missy and Jake were released from the deck, and I think I saw a tear in little Miss Missy's eyes as she ran back and forth in her new lawn. Of course she went around the pool edge just to freak me out. She is the happiest dog in the world today! Then Jake came down to check it out. Slow but steady, he ambled around the lawn, both Lynn and I had tears in our eyes as we were so glad he was here to celebrate with us. It is the small miracles that give the greatest joy. New chairs were delivered by the boys on Thursday, and they look great on the deck. They certainly did get filled up over the weekend. Sat. was cold but we got up and got our selves to the beach. We were the few who braved the cold and wind. Had our lunch, and headed home. It was warm and cozy at the pool! Mudslides started to flow, Trixie went for a swim, the Club Splash Flag was hung, Missy wore here self out running around the lawn, the neighbors all showed up and we had a great opening of Club Splash!
This is the entry I had waited to make for so long. Club Splash is finished. She is beautiful. She is part of our life, part of our journey, and part of the many memories we will make.
May 12, 2005
Well, it has been an up and down week, but the concrete deck is in, and the fence post are up. Concrete deck was scheduled to be poured on Monday, but our contractor had a family emergency and had to put it off until Wed. I of course had already called and scheduled the fence and landscapers on Sat. and could not call them one more time to change the date. So, Lynn told the contractor, we were having the fence and trees put in on Thursday and Friday and we hoped it would all work. So far so good. Concrete is drying up nicely. Deck looks really nice. Fence people arrived and delivered all the fencing, and set the posts. The landscaper is suppose to deliver the 25 trees and fill up 75 feet of our backyard along the back of the fence. How awesome this is going to look. So far everything is going really well, and I am so happy. Lynn will be down tonight with the puppies, what a strange two days without them. I laid the vinyl down for floor of the pool house and it looks really nice (if I do say so myself!). When I first got down the concrete people had left a pile of dirt, 5 feet tall and 10 feet wide, all in the way of the fence and the trees. So, I used what was good soil and spread it out, mostly around the shed. Picked up all the wood they had left on the grass and moved it to the corner. Oh, my aching back. The sides of the garage and the back of the house need lots of fresh soil built up, but really can't do that until the seal is finished. We have lots of landscaping work to do. I really hope we get the wall built. It would save a great deal of work and be so pretty. However, it really may have to wait. Ok, I am waiting for fence and landscapers to show up.....
May 5, 2005
Concrete Day! Delivery of Pool House! (aka shed). Thursday morning, 8:30 concrete guys show up and begin to finish layout. 9:00 Little house delivered, and set down in back yard. No problems with the hardness of the ground. Concrete suppose to be delivered around 11, but finally arrived at 1:00 in the afternoon. Worried about rain on Friday, and trying to get the pour in. Rain not expected until Friday at noon. Beautiful sunny day, a little cool. They are working on the sidewalk right now. It is really happening. I feel like crying. Such a long process. JT is playing in the background, making me feel summer in my bones.
Friday, April 22nd to April 25
Got down on Friday, and were very excited to see the concrete company trucks!! Oh my!! We thought "this is it, two weeks and it is all done". We walked around back and saw our new layout for the sidewalk up to the pool along the garage, very cool. We looked at the coping and at first look the color was great. However, when we picked it up, it was very, very rough and was scratched and chipped. If you sat on the edge of our pool you would rip your suit, or tear your skin. NOT what we wanted! SO, we spent the weekend discussing options and waiting for the concrete contractor to call us back. Monday morning Lynn was on the phone at 7 a.m. dark hundred talking with pool salesman, and contractor. The contractor and salesman then went out to find brick that would meet our needs and our origional request for quality! He had a brick shipped over night from Oklahoma, and we got it on Tuesday. Nope, looks brown and we want a gray brick....you wouldn't think it could be so hard. It is! After all this we wish we had not gone with coping, but done the stamped to the pools edge. ( cannot do now, because they have already laid the footer for the coping. So, Lynn is leaving for LA Wed. morning. She is having 2 samples of bricks sent to her there. If color and quality are right, we will order the bricks for delivery in a week. That puts them at starting work around May 5 or 6. Figuring around 5 days of work to finish we may have this part done by May 12. Then we can have the fencing, and the landscaper come in and finish the next week. The stress is thick. Must admit that at this point I would not do it again if asked.
One bright spot, we went out shopping for a pool shed for storing all the pool stuff. Since the garage is full! We found a really nice one, 10x12 (and big), with double doors, and a window (colors match the house). So we will have that in 2 weeks. That is exciting! It will fill up fast Im sure. Lynn thinks we should camp out in it some night.......I am campy...I do NOT camp! LOL!
Friday, April 15th to April 16.
Promises, Promises. Well, the backyard is a mess but leveled out a little. The gas company came today to lay the line to the heater. My wonderful neighbor at the beach Scott, drove to our home in Va. and picked me up (after sinus surgery on Monday) and drove me to the beach house so I could be here for the gas company. (Lynn would not let me drive, for good reason). It was bad from the first moment. They cut a water line for the pool pump. Then they cut the cable line, then they hit the old sewer pipe...peee u. Well, par for our course. The pool company (Kim) did come out and shut everything off. They cannot repair until Monday morning however. Cable company came and fixed the line. We have been put back another week by the concrete company, who now says coping next week, and concrete the last week of April. Of course, it will rain....and who knows. Bright Spot!!! Landscaper came over Sat. afternoon and did a "true" landscape grade on the back and side. We now have a flat backyard free of ruts and ready for fence. I feel better and it looks better even as dirt!
We are hoping for Memorial day. 4 months for a pool. What a mess. It should not take more than 2 months for a fiberglass pool. Even our neighbors only took 3 months. We hope soon to have the fence and landscaping and just take a dip on a warm night (maybe turn on the heater)....
Wednesday to Sunday, March 23 to 27, 2005
Spring Break, so I headed down to the beach on Wednesday. Lynn to follow on Thursday night. I got down to meet the electrician as he came in to wire the heater, lights, pump, etc. After 4 hours, they called me out to show me that everything worked. They turned on the light! Very cool fiber light that changes colors. Then they opened the valves and turned on the water to get the air out of the pipes. The water gurgled and started pumping.....wow! May seem like a little thing but to me it was the coolest sight. They opened up the pump next, and water "whoosh", water flew everywhere, (mostly on me as I was standing next to the pump!), it wasnt down tightly, and I got soaked. Also the pipes were leaking becasue they didnt use enough glue. Electrician, was very informative, and gave me plenty to talk to the pool company about. None of it positive. Shoddy work. Friday, two people from Parker Enterprises came by, and fixed the pump, and reglued the pipes. They will not clean the pool until after the concrete is laid. (We are subcontracting this out, for many reasons). We are having stamped concrete laid to look like slate, so we hired a contractor that specializes in this type of work. Friday morning, we were up at 5:00 a.m. to drive over to Seaford to see a concrete job and pick out our colors. Of course concrete contractor is behind because of all the rain, but will hope to be done by middle of April. (Crossing fingers and toes). They had marked out in wood where the concrete was going and we measured and they were short 1 foot all the way around the pool....they are re-laying out the area this week, if and when the rain stops. P.S. The weather was cold and rainy for Spring Break. Easter Sunday the rain held off until later in the day, and by that time, I was almost home.
Saturday, March 5th, 2005
We traveled down to the beach to see that backfilling is done, and water had actually been put in the pool. It was very exciting, to see this step finally happen. Pictures from March 5th weekend. They called on Friday, and informed us that water truck was coming and they were going to fill up the pool. So we kidnapped Susan (from doing chores) and headed down for the day. It was very exciting to see the water filled to the brim. The trees reflect off the water and the vision is coming alive. We still have a long way to go, but it is getting better. My lord it seems like more than a month has passed since this began.
PDATE: February 26th, 2005
Disappointment again! They have done nothing with the backfill since I was there on Monday. Just goes to show you that unless you supervise, the contractors go away. The weather didn't help, and the boss got the flu. Then it snowed. So we are pushed back one more week.....We went down to find the light (which was in) now out, and laying in the snow.....I guess it's waterproof, but still there lack of caring about our property and pool are making me nuts. Lynn I think stays calm as the ying to my yang. Believe me I'm pretty yanged! Boxes with instructions to the filter, heater, and other items, just laying around in the mud. They have treated our backyard like a construction site, that no one lives at instead of someone's home. We decided to at least have a little fun, and stepped down into the pool. A giant step for us! Snow on the ground, and we are in the pool. (see the pictures). Duck took the first dip!
UPDATE: February 21st, 2005
We had the pool guys show up and begin the process of backfilling the pool. This was very interesting. Three guys, one the boss, 2 young men, who mostly sat around and watched the boss. They kept telling me that it was too muddy to get the backfill machine to the pile of dirt. As they said this I looked at the two young men, and the wheel barrow, and wondered what happen to good old fashion work. No these two just layed around on the backfill, and on the deck and scooped a shovel load in every few minutes. It was making me crazy. Oh, well the process is interesting. They have to fill the pool with water, then backfill the pool with sand and the water they pump out of the pool. It is a very slow process, they got a bit done, and said they would be back...will see.
UPDATE: Friday, February 18, 2005 (9:00 a.m.)
Club Splash is FINALLY IN THE HOLE FOR GOOD, I hope!!! We have a team of 4 men here today to work on the pool, and they will be backfilling and even putting water in over the next 4 days. Hopefully the weather will hold and Monday will not be snowing or raining. I am so happy and excited to have the pool sitting in the hole. This was such a critical stage, and we are finally passed it. Of course we still have the backfill, electrical, plumbing, and cement work....but that we expected. So we are 3 weeks behind schedule, but we are now moving forward and that is WONDERFUL!
UPDATE: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 (2 Weeks behind Schedule) Pool still on its side
Club Splash is now hanging over the pool we are told by our neighbors, crews are made up of 2 people, and we get excuses and no resolution. Called the owner Dave Parker, and he told us we have to wait. So far my recommendation would be to not hire or work with this company. They require 30% to order, 30% on delivery to their warehouse, then 30% more when they start the dig. So here we are with 90% of money laid out and we are being told 2, 3, 4 maybe more weeks before it is even set in the hole. Parker Enterprises are not professional, nor can they do the job they promise when the sales person arrives. We had other choices and judging from our experience with this company, I would not recommend their work.
Update: Sunday, February 13, 2005
Club Spash still sits 1/2 out of the hole. We were promised Thursday, then Friday, then Saturday, but no one showed up.
Update: Saturday February 5, 2005
Lift UP, Around, and In ....then Lift back Out...sort of :(
Well, Club Splash was lifted from the front yard and slowly moved along the side of the house, around to the back and set into the hole Saturday. Of course this seemed too good to be true...and it was! After measuring and checking, the hole on the deep end was 11 inches too high. It would seem the plans gave the wrong depth. So, OUT came Club Splash...well almost out. The lifter truck got very stuck. For 5 hours! This left Club Splash hanging half in and half out of the hole. After 5 hours they brought in another loader to pull out the lifter. The ruts in our back yard are 4 feet deep. Check out the pictures of the pool being moved, and dropped in.
UPDATE: February 4, 2005 4:30 p.m.
Club Splash DIG DAY is over, we now have a huge hole, a muddy mess of a backyard, dirt piles. To be filled with Club Splash Sat. morning Feb. 5.
DIG DAY PICTURES
Day ONE
Part 1: The Dig oh what fun it is to make mud pies and mud holes!!
Part 2: Lynn, Karen and the Duck and a front loader arrives The front loader is now in our backyard, and Sat. morning it will pick up the pool and drop her in. Club Splash Lift off scheduled between 7 am to Noon! We will post pictures when it is done!!
UPDATE: FEBRUARY 3, 2005
CLUB SPLASH IS STILL LOCATED IN THE FRONT YARD!! Digging may begin this weekend.!
DIG DATE FEBRUARY 4th/5th. We are heading down this weekend, with hopes that they will be digging on Friday. If the weather holds, if not they may dig on Sat. So if anyone is down and wants to see a huge mess....your welcome to pop over!
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Created in anticipation by heidi.wildwood@beachtime.net
Club Splash is under construction!! The pool design we picked out is the Venetian 14 x 28 in ground pool. The depth goes from 3.6 to 5.4. Steps and a bench in the shallow end and steps-up to a bench in the deep end. This is a party pool, and we can't wait for the first party.
The dig date is set for February 4th. Because it is fiberglass, they dig the hole and drop the pool in, and fill with water the same day. Then it sits and settles for four to six weeks and then the work begins on the coping and concrete decking. After that the fencing will be completed, then the landscapers will get to work on the back yard. By June, Club Splash will officially open for drinks ...or yes and ..... swimming!
Preparation for Pool Delivery: Sept. to November
- Water lines from the well to house had to be relocated,
- In ground gas tank relocated to front yard,
- AC unit relocated to side of house.
- Sea grass removed along deck to make room for the decking.
- A few trees and bushes moved or removed.
The backyard is now a muddy mess, and it will get worse before it gets better.
This is the model:
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