Apr 07 2012

Pool has been re-started

Today I decided to start to get the pool back into operation. We had some days already this season where the temperature got up to 91F . This is crazy hot for this time of year. …foretelling the summer?

I had taken the cover off all winter to allow it to dry so I could upgrade it. It had deteriorated over the years, developed a set and the insolation was water logged.

wpid-IMG_1016-2012-04-7-15-48.jpg

I wrapped it in plastic, tilted it so the sun would heat it up and forced air into the bag to hold it open. Sort of like a solar collector of heat to back out the water.

wpid-IMG_1017-2012-04-7-15-48.jpg

It has worked great and the cover now weighs MUCH less due to the release of all the water that was in the foam. Tony is going to come over in a few weeks and we are going to reglass it.

The pool was a nice green color when I started treating it. A buddy (expert engineer in water systems) taught me a great trick to start the pool out for a season. Shock the heck out of the water to kill everything in the water, the use flocculate (a alumn clarifier) to gather up all the particles in the pool which then settle to the bottom at which time you vacuum out the crud. You are left with nice clear water….

wpid-IMG_1004-2012-04-7-15-48.jpg

Guess what, that is EXACTLY what your local water treatment company does for the water you drink everyday. Sand filter your river water, floc it, let it settle and ship it off to you to use. This is the next day. It will settle for 48 hrs and I vacuum out the crud.

wpid-IMG_1018-2012-04-7-15-48.jpg

Next the back of the house work!

Apr 05 2012

Sun N Fun 2012 with Ed

Last week I went to Sun N Fun in at Lakeland Florida and stayed with my buddy Ed and his wife Sue.   Ed has a airport home which is a joy to fly into.  He even has an wireless door system so he can open the hangar door and taxi in without getting wet when it is raining.   What a great time!  Here is a quick video of the show and my flight back to Charleston.  The city you will see from the air is Jacksonville Fl, and finally my airport in Charleston, SC.   Enjoy

Apr 03 2012

Pouring the half walls

I LOVE pouring concrete… Such a dramatic change in so little time. Plus you can shape it, tilt it and it is weather proof. I would love to have a concrete house!!! Concrete and brick are sooooo cool to work with. When the house gets done, all the trim that I have newly installed will be Hardy Plank (concrete board). No rot ever.

To finish off the 1/2 wall I started by forming up the center 1/3 of the wall and pouring it. This way I had something I could use to clamp the forms on for the succeeding pours. My pipe clamps were somewhat limited and I had to make concessions to use them.

wpid-IMG_0982-2012-04-3-17-22.jpg

The second pour was so quick. Just slide the form down, paint it will some more used cooking oil (release agent) and pour. Took an hour or less.

wpid-IMG_0993-2012-04-3-17-22.jpg

I finally figured out how to keep the concrete from oozing down onto the brick. I cut a 1/8”x 1/2” slot along the inside edge of the form and then stuffed the little slot with some 1/2” round foam I picked up from Home Depot for filling gaps for caulking walls. It formed a seal to keep the concrete contained and off the bricks. Much easier than the first attempt using cheap walk calk to fill the gaps.
cast in about a 1/4” tilt to the top of the wall so that any water that hits the flat part will be directed away from house. I wanted to keep the top flat so I could put flower planters on it, but didn’t want rain water to run onto the main part of the porch.

wpid-IMG_0996-2012-04-3-17-22.jpg

Main brick work and walls are finished. I really like the look. Putting up the column caps and trim will be easy and quick and will really change the look of the project.

wpid-IMG_1013-2012-04-3-17-22.jpg

But.. The completion of the front porch will have to wait for a bit. I have decided to attack the back of the house again to finish off the painting and roof above the pool BECAUSE I need to get the construction scaffolding out of my yard and back to the owner. It will be much easier working with his scaffold than with my ladder…