Back Yard Pool Project

[Pullstart 67,166]

I figured it might be a decent idea to start this thread.  It’s a major undertaking, but many necessities are being taken care of in one project.  We will have two graduation open houses in the next two years and many family functions end up here during summer months.  Winter too, I suppose.

 

1. Our deck was in rough shape.  We could re-do the deck boards, but it was also a very poor size and design.  It’s gone now!

[Pullstart 67,166]

I did some welding work and have done some maintenance / repairs on a neighbor and friend’s equipment lately.  Instead of charging him, I banked rental time.  For example, the dump truck had major tailgate issues and I remedied the route problem in a simple way.  Same for his mini excavator when the track blew off on a side hill and the grease zerk fitting stripped out.  I took care of it cheaper and faster than most mobile wrench shops might have.
 

2. The concrete was very broken, un-level and a trip hazard for all ages.  It was also quite small around the pool and we were quoted nearly $13,000 to level the slabs and epoxy seal the cracks.  I ended up with a quote for $14,000 to pour much larger concrete, and will pour a bit around the back of the house to support the A/C unit and encapsulate the propane line.

 

We roasted the deck and pulled up the cement.

 

 

[Pullstart 67,166]

3. Pool leak, pool piping update.  We were quite surprised this spring to open the pool, and it was nearly empty.  I managed to use blue food coloring in a Tony Chatcherie food injection syringe to prove the bottom drain/return pipe had water flow out of it.  A test plug proved to stop the water loss.  Come to find out, the 1990’s flexible pipe used in pool plumbing was soy based.  Mice, worms, and even ants like to chew on it.  Time to update to schedule 40 pipe.  @Bow_Extreme I’m going 2”!

 

[wallfish 18,308]

8 hours ago, Pullstart said:

We roasted the deck and pulled up the cement.

Please don't burn pressure treated wood because of all the chemical toxins and heavy metals involved. The ash is also poisonous so be careful. AI states even a teaspoon of the ash could be lethal.

Yes it's more of a PITA to get rid of but...

Illegal to burn PT lumber in all 50 states. Delete the evidence!

 

Looking forward to seeing the finished project

[kpinnc 14,795]

6 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Come to find out, the 1990’s flexible pipe used in pool plumbing was soy based.  Mice, worms, and even ants like to chew on it.

 

Just had to replace my daughter's Toyota engine wiring harness for the same reason. Apparently the insulation made from soy products tastes like gummy bears. A mouse ate $2400 in wiring harness... 

[Wayne0 1,265]

4 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

Just had to replace my daughter's Toyota engine wiring harness for the same reason. Apparently the insulation made from soy products tastes like gummy bears. A mouse ate $2400 in wiring harness... 

The little bastards got into my Taco's wiring too. $1200 and change. Knock sensor harness under the intake manifold.

[Bow_Extreme 575]

22 hours ago, Pullstart said:

3. Pool leak, pool piping update.  We were quite surprised this spring to open the pool, and it was nearly empty.  I managed to use blue food coloring in a Tony Chatcherie food injection syringe to prove the bottom drain/return pipe had water flow out of it.  A test plug proved to stop the water loss.  Come to find out, the 1990’s flexible pipe used in pool plumbing was soy based.  Mice, worms, and even ants like to chew on it.  Time to update to schedule 40 pipe.  @Bow_Extreme I’m going 2”!

 

 

Things are getting serious!!  Isn't that pipe on the bottom side of the pool?  Assuming you're going to fully excavate into the pool now?  Next Steps:  Top Notch DE Filter System, Variable Speed Pump with timer-based settings and or separate timer, and a saltwater chlorinator!

[Pullstart 67,166]

It’s been quiet around here the last two days since Grandma’s passing.  Not much banter here, but trying to keep progress going on the project.  Concrete comes in 9 days.

 

 

[Pullstart 67,166]

 

[Pullstart 67,166]

On 8/27/2025 at 7:51 AM, Bow_Extreme said:

Isn't that pipe on the bottom side of the pool? 

yes, our bottom drain is an issue.  The pool store fella and I decided I’d stub in a pipe as deep as possible using repipe, and plumb it through the new slab as if all were normal.  In the next 2-5 years when we need to replace the liner, we will dig into the back of the deep end and tie into that pipe, replacing the drain basin and all.  For now, the test plug will remain in the drain pipe that is currently there, and that pipe will stay in the ground just under the new slab to keep that straw tall.  Less likely to siphon out…

 

This 2” pipe is 10’ long and completely below grade.  The 45 degree sidewall of the deep end is vermiculite.  I am pretty sure I sunk my 2” auger down to the absolute bottom of that corner.  It should be near touching and easy to find, perfectly in line with the drain.

 

Edited Friday at 11:53 AM by Pullstart

[953 nut 60,572]

Kevin, you cut off the second video too soon.  We never got to see you eating the Blueberry Danish,                how was it.

[WHX?? 52,033]

Kinda with 'Fish on the burn. I burn it in the pit now and then but just small scraps. Built many a deer stand with repurposed decks. 

Built a new wall at spike camp out of an old loading dock from the HVAC shop. All treated... friggen treated is wicked expensive now a days and since EPA outlawed the old stuff with arsenic not worth a hoot. 

[953 nut 60,572]

8 hours ago, WHX?? said:

friggen treated is wicked expensive now a days and since EPA outlawed the old stuff with arsenic not worth a hoot.

        I built a large deck a dozen years ago and the junk PT was so bad we had it taken down and are going to go with a paver patio instead.

[Pullstart 67,166]

Every project has its victories and setbacks.  We found the boiler lines…

 

 

[adsm08 3,393]

20 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

Every project has its victories and setbacks.

 

 

I'm just waiting for the setbacks to start on my garage build. I'm half expecting them to find the old septic tank at some point.

 

City water was run through our neighborhood about 25 years ago when a school was built on the far side from town. Neighbors who have lived here that long have told us the tank is still in the ground. The lines leaving the house run straight towards the build site.

[Handy Don 14,207]

15 minutes ago, adsm08 said:

I'm just waiting for the setbacks to start on my garage build. I'm half expecting them to find the old septic tank at some point.

City water was run through our neighborhood about 25 years ago when a school was built on the far side from town. Neighbors who have lived here that long have told us the tank is still in the ground. The lines leaving the house run straight towards the build site.

Not just the tank, but the field to be considered. A properly filled-in tank will not cause much trouble; drain lines vary. 

[Pullstart 67,166]

The shed did not make the move.  Bummer, but I have a blank slate for concrete!

 

 

[Pullstart 67,166]

All our 1-1/2” piping was soft sided SOY BASED piping.  Since we were there, we replaced everything with hard 2” PVC schedule 40.  I ran a chase from the house as well, for an auto fill water line, and anything else needed.
 

 

[EB-80/8inPA 1,879]

On 8/26/2025 at 8:11 PM, Wayne0 said:

The little bastards got into my Taco's wiring too

What year is your Taco?  Do you happen to know if Toyota ever corrected this defect or when?

[Wayne0 1,265]

3 hours ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

What year is your Taco?  Do you happen to know if Toyota ever corrected this defect or when?

2016. The defect is the mice!

[adsm08 3,393]

4 hours ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

What year is your Taco?  Do you happen to know if Toyota ever corrected this defect or when?

 

No. All manufacturers are still using soy-based wire insulation because it's "eco friendly".

[Wayne0 1,265]

On top of that, this was a daily driver. Never sat longer than overnight! They like the warm spot under the intake manifold.

[Pullstart 67,166]

6 days until we pour.  We’re in the 1 step forward, 2 steps back stage.

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 28,765]

Good management!!! 

[Pullstart 67,166]

Yesterday I successfully found the sump pump outlet pipe, and the LP line on the side of the house.  With the mini excavator!  Oops… the LP company will be replacing and updating the line with something more modern.  We will sleeve it through a 2” PVC pipe in the concrete.  The drain line needed to be deeper for the concrete anyway.  
 

I also found a jar of shine squirreled away behind my A/C unit.  I don’t recall doing that, it must of been good!  

 

 

Today, I don’t know how many loads of sand I hauled out of the pit down the road.  I think 35-40 yards of sand has been trucked in.