Pool Remodel - Houston, Oak Forest

14 years ago

Hello,

We are just about to start a pool remodel in the Oak Forest neighborhood of Houston, Texas. I've been exploring this forum for ideas and photos of of our options and figured I'd start my own post to get any last minute recommendations.

The pool (no spa) is probably 10-15 years old and is in need of resurfacing. The house was a flip and the sellers were up front that the pool needed more work. They acid washed and used pool paint on the plaster prior to selling but let us know that it was just a temporary, aesthetic fix.

So, two years later a lot of the pool paint is chipping off and we just had a baby so in anticipation of having kids running around more often, we also want to get it fenced off from the rest of the yard.

Here's a picture from last year to give you an idea of the layout.

{{!gwi}}From Pool Remodel

On the agenda right now is:

PebbleSheen - Prism Blue

New Tile - MasterTile Random Series

Sundek Decking and concrete seating area - Custom Scoreline or Masonry Effect

Update Coping - Either Sundek existing coping in contrasting color or replace with safety grip coping in contrasting color.

Fence - Mesh safety fence

Cedar Pergola over seating area

Pool Man out of Tomball will be doing the work (except for the pergola). I've put the deposit down but we still have to make our final decisions all the details.

I'm pretty comfortable with the Prism Blue and Random Tile but still struggling with getting the right color combination for the decking/coping and whether to replace the coping or just have it sprayed with Sundek. I would have liked to go with flagstone coping but I haven't been able to justify the upgrade price.

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Comments (40)

huskyridor
14 years ago
IMO, if your going to ante up for a new PebbleSheen pool finish and new waterline tile, jump on the upgrade to flagstone or a new coping brick.
It'll be worth every penny of the purchase price when you see the finished look.

I'm curious, how much were you quoted to upgrade to a flagstone coping?

See ya,
Kelly
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
The difference between just spraying Sundek on the existing coping and replacing it with flagstone is almost $3k.

I don't question that the flagstone would look the best but I think we'd be perfectly happy with some of the less expensive options if we can find the right combinations.

I'm still waiting to hear exactly what some of the other replacement options will run.
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gulfsynthetics
14 years ago
jluedemann,

I was browsing the internet and came across these forums and your situation and decided to join. I am a representative for Gulf Synthetics, the manufacturers of high-quality polymer coatings for wood and concrete. Our concrete product is UCF-30 and is very user friendly, environmentally safe containing no VOC's, and cleans up with water. UCF-30 can be tinted to any color of your choice simply by adding 1/2 gallon of latex paint to the kit allowing any decorative concrete finish to be achieved. For more information follow the link below or feel free to shoot me an e-mail. Good luck!

Taylor Z
tzaganas@gulfsynthetics.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Gulf Synthetics
huskyridor
14 years ago
quote" I was browsing the internet and came across these forums and your situation and decided to join. "paste

Taylor,
You should read the terms and conditions of membership.
It plainly states that joining the membership excludes those who join for the express of SPAMMING for sales.

Later,
Kelly
gulfsynthetics
14 years ago
My apologies, I was simply trying to help someone out.
poolguynj
14 years ago
If you set your profile to allow GardenWeb users to email you, then the registered members of the forum can click on your page and email you directly. This avoids the bots that harvest email addresses and allow people interested to contact you.

Your company seems to have some products that are complimentary to the pool industry, especially in the decking refurbishment arena. I did browse you site.

Please contribute appropriately. Suggesting in general terms is always welcome. We strongly discourage blatant advertising.

Welcome to our forum.

Scott
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
We decided to stick with our original plan of Sundek on the existing coping since it is in good shape and replacing it is significantly more expensive.

The remodel is scheduled to begin on Monday. I'll post some better before pictures and new ones as the project progresses.

I know most of the most the threads on here feature high-end, new-pool builds but hopefully this will be useful for anyone considering a budget remodel.
woodberg
14 years ago
Just saw your thread and thought I would comment. We live in Candlelight Estates and have a 1 year old pool built by the Pool Man. We ended up going with Pebblesheen - Blue Granite and we also have flagstone coping and pavers for decking. I know we had a really hard time selecting the pebblesheen color. Your welcome to come take a look at our pool if you would like.
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks woodberg, but seeing your flagstone coping might end up costing me $3 grand. :)

Actually I'm not worried about the pebblesheen color. As much as lighting, time of day, depth, etc affects the color, I figure once you narrow it down to those final two or three colors you're going to be happy with any of them. I went straight to the Turtle Bay, Prism, Slate, spectrum. Although wife would have gone even darker. I'd rather it was too light than too dark so we went with Prism.

As you know, pools are the exception rather than the rule in this part of town so that's why I'm trying to keep the costs down. I want a nice looking pool but it's all money I'll probably never get back so might as well try to be efficient in how I spend it. And while the pebblesheen is an extra expense, the value of it is a lot more obvious than in the flagstone coping, at least in my mind. If I was building a new pool that probably wouldn't be the case though. $3k out of a ~40k project is a lot different than adding $3k to a ~15k project.

I'm guessing you were happy with your Pool Man experience? I've read nothing but good reviews and have been very pleased with my interactions with them so far.
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
Finally got around to taking some better before pics. Obviously, the pool has been a little neglected knowing that this was in the works. There is a link to a few others.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Pool Remodel
ftwpoolgirl
14 years ago
This will be nice and like new once they get rolling on the remodel. You took some good before photos.
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
Day one is in the books. Pool drained, tile removed and plaster prep work started.

{{!gwi}}

This pic shows how much the pool paint faded in the two years since the previousowner painted it. You can see the chips with the original color mixed in the rubble.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Pool Remodel
fighting_irish
14 years ago
What are going to use to remove the paint. Make sure they do not put the bond coat on the paint it will not hold and you will end up with pop ups.
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
The plan is to sandblast it clean.
fighting_irish
14 years ago
That should do it. Sounds like a great remodel. Good Luck
poolguynj
14 years ago
Make sure they put up barriers around the pool. Sandblast media flies everywhere.

Scott
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
It's been a rainy all day but they were able to get the new tile put in first thing this morning. Back to surface prep tomorrow.

{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: A few more tile pics
poolguynj
14 years ago
I am surprised they tiled before sand blasting.

Scott
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
I wondered about that too but don't have any previous experience with this so I figure they know what they are doing.

They had chipped out a lot of the bottom of the pool yesterday, so when my contact from the PB came by this afternoon to check the progress I asked if they were still sandblasting or just planning to chip it all out. He wasn't sure but said could be either or they may chip out the floor and sandblast the walls. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

Everyone had high praise for the PB and they seem to be on top of things so I'm not really worried about it.
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
Chip hammers started up at 7:30 this morning. They are going to chip out all the old plaster rather than sandblast it clean.
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
Day 3: Plaster is gone and the main drain has been split into two.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Plaster Gone
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
They installed the new light yesterday and applied the pebblesheen today.

{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Remodel
poolguynj
14 years ago
I assume acid bath tomorrow?

Scott
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
I'd say yes but it's supposed to be stormy tomorrow so I'm not sure how that will affect the schedule. And I didn't get a chance to talk the crew before they left to find out.

Is that a problem if it rains the day after initial pebblesheen application? I was a little worried about water sitting in it over the weekend. Can the color be affected by something like that or should the eventual acid wash/buffing make it all uniform regardless?

Appreciate the insight.
poolguynj
14 years ago
It'll be fine.

I assume the hydrostatic plugs are currently removed or you have hydrostatic valves so any rise in the water table under to pool doesn't push it up. That would be on the plaster company and it's very likely they carry what is known as Pop-Up insurance.

Scott
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
There is one spot where there was a weep hole that the pebble still looks wet today. Is that a concern?

Here is a picture of the spot prior to the plaster being chipped away.
{{!gwi}}

And you can see the dark spot in the same area after pebblesheen.
{{!gwi}}
poolguynj
14 years ago
Did they make the "weep" hole? How big was the hole? Did they just plaster over it?

Scott
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
Not completely sure. I know they made two in the bottom of the pool on either side of the main drain the first day. (not where the new drains went) This wet spot didn't look as big as those but it has stayed wet throughout the process so I assumed it was another weep hole.

I wasn't around when they started the pebble application so I don't know what if any prep they did that morning.

I know they didn't appear to do anything to the weep holes when they patched around the new dual drains.
{{!gwi}}

It's obvious that spot still looks wet so I assume if it's a problem they will address it. I was just curious if I should expect it to be an issue.
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
New pics of the progress...

{{!gwi}}
Took about 48 hours to completely fill and water was very green.

{{!gwi}}
It's slowly turning more blue but the chemicals are still off (no chlorine or CYA) so I don't think this is the final color. It still has more green in person than shows in this photo.

{{!gwi}}
Prep work for Sundek has started. Previous owner had put pea gravel mix down on top of parts fo this slab to level it out so they went ahead and scraped all of that off to get down to the bare concrete and will build it back up a little with the Sundek.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pool Remodel
poolguynj
14 years ago
Congratulations! Just a little more work left to go before the fun starts.

Check the pH. Get it down to about 7.3- 7.6 as it's likely to be over 8. Use muriatic acid to lower it if the Pebble guys are not returning. Check daily until the rising pH that new finishes cause, slows it progression. The pool will tend to rise for a year. If you have a salt cell, that will add to the plaster's effect on the water.

Brush daily for 10 days or till the pool stops raising dust. Watch you filter pressure.

After few days, add 1 qt/10000 gallons of Clorox bleach for a chlorine level of 2 ppm.

After a week, balance and swim. If you are not sure how much of what to add, I have linked the pool calculator at the bottom. I believe props to JasonLion of TroublefreePools.com are in order. Great complimentary site. User supported like PBS.

No vacuuming for 3-4 weeks, depending on the water temp. No pool sweeps either. Soft edged scoop nets and brushing only. You don't want any scrapes, track marks or delamination in the finish.

Enjoy!

Scott

Here is a link that might be useful: The Pool Calculator
jluedemann
Original Author
14 years ago
Sundek is done. We're pretty happy with how it turned out. I think an even darker color on the coping might have looked better, but it looks good the way it is, so I'm not going to second-guess too much.

Definitely a big improvement over what we had before. We still need to get the fence installed, work on the landscaping and put the patio furniture back in place.

{{!gwi}}
Sundek, tile and water combo.

{{!gwi}}
Before.

{{!gwi}}
After. Custom scoreline to hide existing cracks and prevent them from reappearing.

{{!gwi}}
The water has definitely lost its teal color and is now a true blue.

Here is a link that might be useful: Remodel Album
grnlantern
13 years ago
Love how your remodel turned out so much I am trying to copy it. Is that Random tile MAS RM 104 . I have a sample and it is pretty brownish. Is that what you went with? We are having the flagstone but could not afford the pebble tech. Pebble tech would have almost doubled the cost of the project here in MD. They will be starting in about a week and so I will post pictures.
jluedemann
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks. Yes that is the Random 104.

I really should get some new pics up now that the fence and pergola are done. I think it came together really nicely. Now if my wife and I could just agree on new outdoor furniture we'd be set. Well, that and getting all of our grass to grow back. :)
grnlantern
13 years ago
Well they did the tile and coping today. I will try to up load photos. Not sure how to add them directly to post.
poolguynj
13 years ago
photobucket account (it's free)

you will see there are 4 options for html code. You want the 3rd.

1 pic, one line please.

ex.:

pic 1 code

pic 2 code

etc...

Scott
grnlantern
13 years ago
Thanks, Scott. Let's see if I can get it to work.

First pic of new tile and coping.
http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad184/grnlantern_2010/Pool%20remodel%202010/th_DSC_0559.jpg
jluedemann
Original Author
13 years ago
Finally got some pics of the finished product. Well, the yard still needs some help, but the pool, patio and pergola are done.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Pool Remodel
gaylek
13 years ago
Looks great! I like the pergoda also.
poolguynj
13 years ago
Looks like they did a nice job with the barrier fence. What did the installer use to attach to the house, they other fence, and in the grass?

Scott
jluedemann
Original Author
13 years ago
The fence is connected to the house and fence with the same little eye hooks that connect the different sections of the fence.

It also has the same in-ground sleeves that the fence poles slide into in both the concrete and the grass. Supposedly the whole thing can be removed fairly easily and they gave us some caps that cover sleeve holes. We haven't bothered trying though.

Pool Remodel - Houston, Oak Forest

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