Customizing the solar control electronics
With a plethora of manufacturers and models for pool solar controllers, it can be challenging to put together a system that just works, without resorting to sourcing everything from a single manufacturer and buying their overpriced controllers.
Swimming pool construction project
Solar heating preparations
Once the core project is complete, we’ll be having someone install solar-thermal panels on the roof of the house. It’s the one job I’ve decided to outsource as I’m not keen on spending a few days on the second story roof securing them.
Swimming pool construction project
Laying the coping tiles
Around the pool perimeter we’re laying 30mm ivory travertine stone and continuing it onto the pool deck. The 30mm thickness provides a nice lip for the pool edge.
Swimming pool construction project
Tiling the retaining walls
As discussed in the last tiling post, we’re using a slate stacked stone to provide texture on the retaining walls and to give a nice dark contrast against the ivory travertine deck and coping.
Swimming pool construction project
Let the tiling begin
With all of the structural elements in place, we can now begin the work of making everything look pretty. The bulk of this work involves tiling all of the surfaces.
Swimming pool construction project
Creating an integrated plant bed and storage cupboard
Where there is water, there should be plants. To this end, the design includes a generous flower/plant bed at the shallow end of the pool.
Swimming pool construction project
Drainage from the pool deck
As discussed in the “How to avoid your pool turning into a boat” post, the project requires a great deal of drainage:
Swimming pool construction project
Creating a private swimming environment
Our block straddles a a hill that slopes down towards the ocean. This provides tremendous views on the downhill side, but at the cost of providing the uphill neighbors an elevated perch from which to witness our summer frolicking.
Swimming pool construction project
Adding a vegetable garden
I haven’t bothered to write too much about the landscaping efforts surrounding the pool itself as it’s not particularly interesting, but below are a few photos of the vegetable garden built on the downhill edge of the pool.
Swimming pool construction project
The bond beam - connecting the walls to the top of the pool shell
A beam of concrete around 200mm thick is typically poured on the ground around the edge of the shell, locking it into place.
Swimming pool construction project
Skimmer installation
The original plan called for placing the skimmer on the deck side of the pool, simplifying the pipework and avoiding any interference with the retaining walls on the other sides.
Swimming pool construction project
Filling the gap
There’s a lot of backfilling to be done. In addition to filling the gap between the pool shell and the newly built retaining walls, there’s also the rear retaining wall that can now be safely filled in.
Swimming pool construction project