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
Concrete repair work on the north stairs in the baby pool.
Concrete repair work on the north stairs in the baby pool.
Concrete repair work on the north stairs in the baby pool.
Concrete repair work on the north stairs in the baby pool.
The pitted floor, with holes and remnants of old cut-off hardware visible.
The pitted floor, with holes and remnants of old cut-off hardware visible.
The heavily deteriorated north stairs (leading into the main pool, just west of the baby pool). These stairs would later require significant repair work.
The heavily deteriorated north stairs (leading into the main pool, just west of the baby pool). These stairs would later require significant repair work.
The south stairs, shown in considerably better condition than the north stairs. Some concrete repair work has started.
The south stairs, shown in considerably better condition than the north stairs. Some concrete repair work has started.
The south stairs in the baby pool.
The south stairs in the baby pool.
The east wall in the diving well. Many cracks are visible in the wall face, and in the south wall of the main pool around the corner. This surface also had more marcite build-up leftover than other surfaces. B&G inquired as to why with the plastering contractor – and was assured this was “OK.”
The east wall in the diving well. Many cracks are visible in the wall face, and in the south wall of the main pool around the corner. This surface also had more marcite build-up leftover than other surfaces. B&G inquired as to why with the plastering contractor – and was assured this was “OK.”
The south wall in the diving well. The water accumulated in the bottom of the diving well is coming up from the hydrostats in the ground that relieve groundwater pressure.
The south wall in the diving well. The water accumulated in the bottom of the diving well is coming up from the hydrostats in the ground that relieve groundwater pressure.
Cracks visible in the shell of the pool.
Cracks visible in the shell of the pool.
The diving well wall. Note the aforementioned leftover build-up of marcite. Visible in the pool light niche is one of the orange pull strings, in anticipation of the installation of the new LED lights. The swirl pattern created by the water blasting is very apparent in this wall.
The diving well wall. Note the aforementioned leftover build-up of marcite. Visible in the pool light niche is one of the orange pull strings, in anticipation of the installation of the new LED lights. The swirl pattern created by the water blasting is very apparent in this wall.
Concrete repairs on a staircase.
Concrete repairs on a staircase.
The main pool – with some string guides in place for future tile work.
The main pool – with some string guides in place for future tile work.
Another view of the main pool.
Another view of the main pool.
A pool wall.
A pool wall.
Another look at a pool wall.
Another look at a pool wall.
Concrete repair underway on the south stairs of the main pool.
Concrete repair underway on the south stairs of the main pool.
Various cracks and holes on a pool wall.
Various cracks and holes on a pool wall.
The heavily deteriorated north stairs.
The heavily deteriorated north stairs.
A view of the main pool from above.
A view of the main pool from above.
A view of the diving well from above.
A view of the diving well from above.
The main drains in the diving well. A utility pump is used to pump out accumulating ground water.
The main drains in the diving well. A utility pump is used to pump out accumulating ground water.
The diving well east wall.
The diving well east wall.
Another view of the diving well east wall.
Another view of the diving well east wall.
October 3rd
Removed gutter covers in the baby pool area.
Removed gutter covers in the baby pool area.
Removed gutter covers near the north stairs of the main pool.
Removed gutter covers near the north stairs of the main pool.
Removed gutter covers near the south slide.
Removed gutter covers near the south slide.
A look into the main drain pipe at the bottom of the diving well. Some sediment still visible here – would later be flushed out.
A look into the main drain pipe at the bottom of the diving well. Some sediment still visible here – would later be flushed out.
A look at the whole pool, with the gutter covers removed.
A look at the whole pool, with the gutter covers removed.
Removed gutter covers on the south side of the main pool.
Removed gutter covers on the south side of the main pool.
The pool contractor’s truck, used for cleaning out gutters.
The pool contractor’s truck, used for cleaning out gutters.
October 5th
Newly installed lane marker tile.
Newly installed lane marker tile.
A close-up shot of one of the newly installed lane marker tiles.
A close-up shot of one of the newly installed lane marker tiles.
A look towards the west end of the main pool with the new lane marker tiles installed.
A look towards the west end of the main pool with the new lane marker tiles installed.
Newly installed lane marker tiles.
Newly installed lane marker tiles.
New wall targets. The shape and location is slightly changed from the prior design to closer match modern standards for swimmer visibility.
New wall targets. The shape and location is slightly changed from the prior design to closer match modern standards for swimmer visibility.
Concrete repair on the north stairs.
Concrete repair on the north stairs.
October 10th
New plaster in the transition area from the baby pool to the main pool.
New plaster in the transition area from the baby pool to the main pool.
New plaster in the south portion of the baby pool.
New plaster in the south portion of the baby pool.
New plaster in the north end of the baby pool.
New plaster in the north end of the baby pool.
New plaster in the north end of the baby pool.
New plaster in the north end of the baby pool.
New plaster in the north end of the baby pool.
New plaster in the north end of the baby pool.
New plaster on the reconstructed north stairs of the main pool.
New plaster on the reconstructed north stairs of the main pool.
New plaster on the reconstructed north stairs of the main pool.
New plaster on the reconstructed north stairs of the main pool.
New plaster on the reconstructed north stairs of the main pool.
New plaster on the reconstructed north stairs of the main pool.
A view of the west end of the main pool. Plastering of the west end (and diving well) would commence on the following day.
A view of the west end of the main pool. Plastering of the west end (and diving well) would commence on the following day.
A view of the east end of the main pool with new plaster.
A view of the east end of the main pool with new plaster.
A wide view of the east end of the main pool with new plaster.
A wide view of the east end of the main pool with new plaster.
The pool contractor’s plastering equipment, located on the south pool deck and outside the pool deck fence.
The pool contractor’s plastering equipment, located on the south pool deck and outside the pool deck fence.
Preparation and temporary worker supports installed in the diving well.
Preparation and temporary worker supports installed in the diving well.
Surface preparation and temporary worker supports installed in the diving well.
Surface preparation and temporary worker supports installed in the diving well.
The south stairs in the main pool.
The south stairs in the main pool.
A tile lane marker.
A tile lane marker.
A look at the stair tiles.
A look at the stair tiles.
A look at the main pool plaster, east of the tile break line.
A look at the main pool plaster, east of the tile break line.
Pool Lights
With the help of B&G’s junior assistant, all of the old pool lights were removed from service. Picture taken on September 24th, 2022.
With the help of B&G’s junior assistant, all of the old pool lights were removed from service. Picture taken on September 24th, 2022.
Each light was removed with a pull string attached to aide in the installation of new lights. This junction box serves 5 of the 10 lights, providing an above water level termination point between the pool light wiring and the wiring that runs to the pump house.
Each light was removed with a pull string attached to aide in the installation of new lights. This junction box serves 5 of the 10 lights, providing an above water level termination point between the pool light wiring and the wiring that runs to the pump house.
The removed lights and wiring, as located in the pump house on September 24th, 2022. The parts will be sold and recycled to recoup costs as much as possible.
The removed lights and wiring, as located in the pump house on September 24th, 2022. The parts will be sold and recycled to recoup costs as much as possible.
9 of the 10 new LED lights, ready for installation. Picture taken on September 30th, 2022.
9 of the 10 new LED lights, ready for installation. Picture taken on September 30th, 2022.
The new LED light wiring, attached to the pull string, ready for installation. Picture taken on October 5th, 2022.
The new LED light wiring, attached to the pull string, ready for installation. Picture taken on October 5th, 2022.
All wires have been pulled – a picture of the mess of wiring and pull string!
All wires have been pulled – a picture of the mess of wiring and pull string!
All wires pulled in anticipation of termination following the installation of lights into the niches.
All wires pulled in anticipation of termination following the installation of lights into the niches.
A view of the new lights installed, taken on October 17th, 2022.
A view of the new lights installed, taken on October 17th, 2022.
Miscellaneous
A test of the time-lapse photo camera, taken on September 4th just after 8 pm (note that the timestamp on the photo is wrong – the time zone was configured wrong at this point).
A test of the time-lapse photo camera, taken on September 4th just after 8 pm (note that the timestamp on the photo is wrong – the time zone was configured wrong at this point).
Workers beginning demolition on a partially-drained pool.
Workers beginning demolition on a partially-drained pool.
The new motorized main drain valve and isolation valve. Installation of these valves had to coincide with an empty pool (hence replacement during the pool renovation). The new motorized valve will be used to better balance return water flow from the main drain vs. the gutters. More technical details regarding this valve are located on the Wiki (and may be the subject of a follow-up article in the future).
The new motorized main drain valve and isolation valve. Installation of these valves had to coincide with an empty pool (hence replacement during the pool renovation). The new motorized valve will be used to better balance return water flow from the main drain vs. the gutters. More technical details regarding this valve are located on the Wiki (and may be the subject of a follow-up article in the future).
The sump pump drain pipe from the pump house has been broken for several years (at least). When an extensive amount of water is pumped out (as is the case here, while draining the surge tank), water washes back through the concrete wall penetration into the lower level of the pump house. We suspect the pipe froze and broke at some point. Repairs are planned during the spring of 2023.
The sump pump drain pipe from the pump house has been broken for several years (at least). When an extensive amount of water is pumped out (as is the case here, while draining the surge tank), water washes back through the concrete wall penetration into the lower level of the pump house. We suspect the pipe froze and broke at some point. Repairs are planned during the spring of 2023.
A look into the manhole cover, just outside the fence at the northwest edge of the pool deck. Several pool deck pipes drain into this basin. The blue hose is connected to one of the pool contractors’ pumps for emptying the pool.
A look into the manhole cover, just outside the fence at the northwest edge of the pool deck. Several pool deck pipes drain into this basin. The blue hose is connected to one of the pool contractors’ pumps for emptying the pool.
Another look at the manhole cover, just outside the fence at the northwest edge of the pool deck.
Another look at the manhole cover, just outside the fence at the northwest edge of the pool deck.
Another look at the empty pool, taken on September 6th.
Another look at the empty pool, taken on September 6th.
Another look at the empty pool, taken on September 6th.
Another look at the empty pool, taken on September 6th.
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.
