we just broke ground yesterday too - norcal in marin co. -- amazing how fast these guys dig out the pool, looks awesome. will be watching your progress and will get my pics up today - happy to discuss pricing as well

After a long delay, we did dig last week. Things have been going smoothly. I've enjoyed viewing pics of other build, so I'm doing the same. Feel free to question/comment. I'd apprciate any feedback.

http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac342/misterb_sfbayarea/?action=view&current=misc028.jpg&newest=1

Here are the pics (I've got it figured out now).

Dig was on 06/10.

Our PM stopped by after the dig to confirm measurements and collet my first check. We asked about plumbing and were told they were about a week out, but indicated we'd be done by the end of July. Pleasant surprise to find plumbers at our house at 8a on sat!

It's good to see other pool builds close to the same stage as ours. We started our dig 6.10.09 (my wife's birthday, got a few miles out of that one). I could not believe they completed the dig in one day. (it's 108 paremeter ft.)

Monday they did plumbing and electrical, Tuesday rebar, Wednesday inspection and we're planning on gunite tomorrow. Unbelievable how effeceint these guys are.

I'll try to post some photos...need they are still on my camera.

I'll keep in touch on our progress

We should rename this thread "California Pools". I am in San Joaquin Co., Central Ca.

Purposelycreated (I'm a beleiver, too) - Where in SJ county are you? Who's building your pool? W'ere in Antioch and using Aqua Pool & Spa in Manteca. Extremely happy with the whole process so far. They're shooting gunite as I type. Post some details about your pool. Yeah, we should rename the thread...

Will you use chlorine or are you going to have a salt water chlorine generator system (Intellichlor)?
Also, your EasyTouch4 w/remote will control your 4X160 pump? Is your pump the VS or the VF?

Thanks. I'm building a similar pool and I am trying to understand all the components. I am located in the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

We will be monitoring/adding chlorine on our own. It was driven by our budget, but having said that, adding chorline manually isn't such a hard thing to do. Some folks like to "set it and forget it" and I don't blame them.

Yes, the EasyTouch4 will control our pump. Mine is the VS; Intellipro is the VS and Intelliflo is the VF.

misterb, good to know you are a believer! interesting times we're living in. Not sure if i'll get to use my pool before He comes again...oh ya, this is a pool thread...sorry.

I live in Ripon, a few miles south of Aqua Pool & Spa. They are doing fabulous work so far. They will gunite tomorrow.

Pool info:
Geometrical in shape: 37x16
108 paremeter '
600+ sq'
3.5' to 7'
Easy Touch 4
VS pump
In-Floor cleaning system
Water treatment: Chlorine *Aqua's will train us for 30 days, then we're on our own!
Pebble Fina, Bella Blue
(1)5' sheer descent
(2)2' sheer descents
18" bond beam
30" bond beam
Pool decking and patio decking will be a combination of salt finish and broom.

How long did it take them to gunite your pool? How often are you watering it down? Can you walk on it yet?

Neither of us may use 'em before He comes! Aqua is doing our build, too. We are happy with them as well and just had gunite today. They arrived at 7a and were gone by 1230p, though my pool is smaller than yours. We will start watering tonight and do it 3/times a day for the next 10 days. Who was your salesperson? We worked with Matt Tankersley.

We worked with Gregg Whitley. We actually designed the pool and had them quote and advise. Have been very happy so far.
One slight concern that I do have as we're shooting gunite tomorrow and that is the sides of our pool. The rebar is not completely vertical, but instead slopes in. The pictures that i've seen of other pools at this stage the sides appear to be completely vertical with a smaller radius at the bottom as it transitions to the floor. Not sure what to think...was yours this way? any input??

We had a landscape designer help us with something a few years ago. Aqua had some great ideas to tweak it and maximize pool size. I'm not sure our rebar was completely vertical, either. Close, but not quite. At least in some areas. I wouldn't sweat it, but if concerned give your PM a call.

Talked to PM this morning and he said per code the sides can only be vertical for 3', where then they must begin to slope in. That does make sense.

Never heard of that code before. There are codes that restrict the amount of slope on walls. Not that familiar with Ca. codes though.

I'm not in the construction business, so I would'nt know what the ca codes are. It does make sense from an engineering perspective though.

Most competition pools would not meet that code. Stainless steel walls with built-in surge tanks would not meet that code. Vinly liner pools would not meet that code. The majority of pools with deep ends in my neck of the woods don't meet that code.

If your thinking about retaining wall strength, it makes sense but if you consider safety, it doesn't.

It all makes sense to me. I hadn't thought about the safety aspect, renovxpt. Good point.

I am not suggesting the pool is unsafe but thought that was a strange sounding code. It could be a communication issue. There are a lot of California builders on here that probably know the answer.

This sounds like a misunderstanding of intent. This could be from the builder or the inspectors.
The NSPI standards read that the pool walls should be plumb within 11 degrees down to a depth of 2' 9" (which would be 3' down from beam), then the wall may meet the floor in a variety of different ways. Could be plumb with a radius, angle in ect.