We apologize for the lack of pool renovation updates over the last few months. Several factors contributed to the delay, some of which will appear below. Here is where we stand with the pool renovation:
- We identified issues with the quality of the plaster finish as the initial work wrapped up in late October.
- After extensive discussions with the plastering contractor, we drained the pool to polish the surface.
- Additional cracks appeared when the pool was drained. The result of the attempts to repair these cracks was deemed unsatisfactory. However, winter was quickly approaching…
- The pool was winterized and covered in late November. We are withholding a portion of the final payment in anticipation of work resuming this spring.
We maintain a good working relationship with the plastering contractor and are confident all issues will be resolved this spring.
Time-Lapse Videos
Those following the YouTube channel may have noted an abrupt end to the updates after October 8th. Unfortunately, the plastering crew unplugged the temporary power tap for the camera to plug their equipment into on both days (despite the clear note indicating not to do so).
Without this footage, all plans for a beginning-to-end time-lapse collapsed. It’s difficult to find words to express the disappointment this brought.
The final videos (for Days 20 through 24) can be found on the YouTube channel.
Photos
We took a lot of photos throughout the project. Many can also be found in the prior project updates.
October 2nd
October 3rd
October 5th
October 10th
Baby Pool to Main Pool Transition Area
Pool Lights
Removing the Old Lights
Miscellaneous
Time-Lapse Test Photo on September 4th
Pool Surface Brushing
As mentioned in the original plan, 30 days of brushing the pool surface were necessary for the finish to cure correctly. Big thanks to Jim (our manager) and the board members who ensured this happened twice daily. As it turns out, brushing was only half the job; an uncovered pool is tremendously effective at gathering fallen leaves. We had as many as four people skimming leaves and brushing at night.
Issues
Unfortunately, this was a challenging job and not without difficulties.
- The initial finish quality did not meet our expectations. In the daylight, issues with the surface finish weren’t immediately apparent, but B&G noted significant imperfections under the lights.
- Before beginning the job, our references warned us to look for debris in the main drains. Accordingly, we monitored this closely and hired a company to run a camera in the drain line. The plastering contractor and B&G made additional efforts to ensure the drains were cleaned out as much as possible.
- Our pool gutter grates were already in moderately poor condition. Unfortunately, additional grates were damaged during the renovation. We have several possible avenues for replacing these grates that are being investigated.
Winterization
We didn’t close up the facility for winter until November 22nd. This typically happens during the week of Labor Day. Our original plan (when the project started) was to close up shortly after Halloween.
Our building and systems are set up strictly for seasonal use. This became problematic in mid-November when we hit a cold snap. Temperatures the weekend of November 20th dipped into the mid-teens. We can withstand a day or with low temperatures near freezing unscathed, but a hard freeze is another matter.
B&G performed a modest amount of winterizing to prepare for the freeze before the cold weather. This involved opening drain valves, removing drain plugs, and ensuring water had cleared all pipes to the best of our ability (short of the air blow-out that the pool contractor would later perform). We added anti-freeze to the sink and toilet drain traps. The mini-split unit in the snack shack was turned on to heat, and space heaters and fans were set up to circulate warm air as much as possible.
When the pool contractor arrived on November 22nd, they confirmed we did well winterizing with a couple of exceptions. A valve in the pump house cracked, and the water supply line to the south slide froze. The former has a replacement cost of less than $100. The extent of damage to the water supply line (if any) will not be known until the spring.
