As long as I’m showing you the U-G-L-Y you ain’t got no alibi this week, I might as well show it all. This is what you guys are used to seeing of our backyard….carefully photographed portions.
The facade slipped when the fence was replaced earlier this Spring.
Then we were back to pretty pictures.
But if you look closely at the pool, you’ll see a nasty little secret that’s been brewing there since before we moved in. The pool needed to be resurfaced when we bought the house, but the seller refused. We thought we could hold off for a year or two, but now here we are 6 years later, same problem, only bigger. The plaster was wearing away from the sides, leaving large exposed areas of concrete…which happen to be algae magnets! We finally tired of dumping in unhealthy amounts of chlorine (not to mention blistered toes from the rough surface!), and decided to have it replastered.
First, a team of 3 guys showed up with lots of tubing and a generator to drain the pull.
After only 2 hours, the pool was empty, and by the end of the day it was prepped for the plaster.
The next morning, this mondo-truck showed up to mix and pump the plaster. This is why I don’t DIY every project! Can you even imagine trying to mix all those bags of plaster in a ridiculous 5-gallon bucket?!
Not to mention, it took 6 guys to spray and smooth layer after layer of plaster. We were all mesmorized by the process, and the rigged-up cleats they wore on their shoes!
Three hours later, we had a blindingly bright white surface that was smooth as glass.
Now we’re the a$$holes who get to spend the next two days filling our pool….while the rest of the state struggles through a horrendous drought! There should be a system where they drain your pool into a large tank, then refill it with the same water. It would certianly make better environmental sense!
We are using All Pro Pool, and could not be happier with the service, speed of operation and the outcome. I highly recommend them if you’re in the Dallas area. (They aren’t giving me any kick-backs for saying that!) We’re told we’ll back in the pool by the weekend, too! They are replacing the trim (or mastic as the pros call it) between the brick and deck, so I’ll show finished pictures once it’s all complete. What types of projects do you leave to the experts?
Wow! That looks like a great transformation and definitely a reason to hire out the pros!
What a change! You must be thrilled. It's funny what makes a big difference in our lives–like having the pool resurfaced. 🙂 I leave drywall to the pros. Then I suffer through cleaning up the dust!
abby
Oh wow, major project going on. Your water bill will be huge this month. My sister was told that you can call the water company and they may be able to split the cost in like a 3 month span. May save you having to dish out a pretty penny at one shot. Can't wait to see it all done.
Marvelous transformation!
Lookin' good!! When the kids were growing up our home was the hangout as we had the large pool! Love them even though sometimes pools are difficult to maintain!!
I felt bad about draining and refilling our hot tub this week! I'm in Texas too 🙂
Cassie, we're doing this exact project this week! This is one for sure to leave to the experts! We bought a house with an indoor swimming pool and the time had come to resurface the pool. We'd put it off long enough. A couple years ago when we were going to do this their plan was to drain the pool and store the water in a big tank. I guess they don't do this anymore. We'll be filling soon, too. Your plaster looks beautiful!
Is it sad that I just assumed the pool people also handled filling up your pool for you too LOL? Clearly I am no pool owner.
Such a big project – thankfully there are experts to do these things! We do most everything around our home ourselves, but we left the installation of a new HAVC to the experts. Somehow I can't see the value in renting a crane and/or trying to lift a 3 ton hunk of metal myself 😉
You are such a great story teller! Yes, this is one of those projects you leave up to the pros and boy does it look great! When are you having us all over for a pool party?
Cassie – we just installed an above-ground 15×30 pool this summer. So, yeah, we were the *assholes* on our block filling it up too 😉 My hubs was dead on that he was going to install it himself. It took me a week to convince him that was a very BAD idea…..he is so glad we hired this out now. After the grading, backhoe, retention wall, levelling…he actually admitted to me that it would have been a disaster if he'd been allowed (yes, I said allowed) to attempt it himself. You know, you can get a water hauler truck to deliver water. They must have that where you are? Just a thought for next time. I found that out a little too late.
Looks fab, ENJOY!
WE just did a before and after on our pool also! Congrats! Love you
WOW! Look at you go! It looks great…and omg, I had no idea you had to refill with a HOSE! That's going to take for-ev-er! Haha! 🙂
Pools are a must during the summer time! It looks so good!
I feel your pain. We had a pool for over 20 years that had a vinyl liner and held 33,000 gallons of water. Plus there were trees all around it and our water had iron in it. I know you understand. BUT, I loved it and I really miss it since we moved. I know you'll be back to days of water-filled enjoyment shortly.
oooo, I'm jealous! It looks like a little slice of paradise, right there in your backyard!
Ohhh what a job, no wonder you put it off!
Hey girlie, looking good. Be sure to tell your water company you are filling a pool, so you don't get charged the "extra" sewage rate!! When we lived in NY way back when, you could actually get the fire dept. to fill them at times.
Oh, I love your pool, and they did a super fantastic job. Have fun swimming!
Same thing happened at my pool and pool area in Sweden. And in the living room-the cabinet that I took forever to pain…the doors fell off rotted… It's amazing what happens to our homes when we live in them…!!
Wow, what a huge project…definitely one to leave to the professionals. I can't believe they don't fill it up for you too, that will take forever. Good luck!
Wow! What a project and a beautiful finish! We don't have a pool (and since it is raining here in Seattle in July- I guess that is a good thing! I can't imagine trying to tackle this project as a DIY! I leave drywalling and roofing to the pros! I like the *little* projects that are rewarding and fulfilling- like painting and recovering furniture 🙂
It looks fabulous, and it makes me wish I lived somewhere where we could have a pool. 🙂 In the meantime, when's your next pool party? 😉
Y'all are really gonna enjoy it, now that it's all purty and stuff. 🙂 We're facing sinkholes in our backyard and THAT is one job we're leaving to the pros. Ugh, the checkbook isn't happy, but it will be great when it's finished and off our plate!
Heidi @ Show Some Decor
So jealous of your pool- it looks so good now! I'll be right over!
I don't know how you have made it while the pool is getting re-done…we MELT without the pool! Yep, it's official. I'm done with summer…bring on the FALL!!! Pool looks *AWESOME* btw…
You have done a beautiful job on your backyard! It is quite challenging to work between these tall wooden fences, but it can be done! Nice work:)