Going to shift from indoors to outdoors..longing for the days we can spend warm days and evening in the pool and on the decks!
Installing the pool was the easiest part...as the pool company does that work! The construction of a deck and walls to enclose it was a huge undertaking for Mr. Seventies...not to mention building a pedway from the existing deck (which he constructed in 1994!!).
Deciding on placement of the pool was fairly simple...off to the left of the back entrance..where it would receive full sun for 8-10 hours each day. And, since we are part of the city...regulations required we be a certain amount of feet from our property line. That also factored into the decision of the size of pool we installed...21 foot round is a perfect size for us.
First, the site had to be excavated and made perfectly level...a large snowball shrub needed to be uprooted..but it was a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.
Loads of fill were brought in and levelled...(that is the neighbour's kiddie pool you see next door)..
The finished product...one giant cereal bowl in the back yard!!
This was as far as we got before the first snowfall hit...time to hang up the hammers til spring!
Then...it was time to start putting up walls...enclosing the pool for swimming privacy! We live on a high traffic road...kinda felt like a fish bowl...
One casualty of the excavation was our back walkway...which was cement pavers. Most we were able to re-use for another walkway off the pool deck into the back yard...but we wanted something a bit more dressy for the main walk...we hired a company to pour a concrete walkway...and stamp a brick pattern into it. And you can see here the colour chosen for the pool decks and walls...Tibetan Orange!
We made a huge error in applying the wrong type of stain on the deck floors and steps! As soon as they were stained...they would begin to peel and blister. A trip to our local Home Hardware store to converse with the knowledgeable paint staff....we were advised we purchased the wrong product! We had chosen an opaque stain...which is fine for deck walls and railings...but a semi-transparent stain is required on the floors and steps! Semi transparent stain would not blister and peel, but would wear away with use and weather. We apply a fresh coat each year...as snow, ice, and scapes with shovels can show wear and tear, which doesn't bother some folks, but we like to start fresh each year!
What this meant, was Mr. Seventies had to sand the huge pool deck and smaller deck...with a palm sander. We tried numerous strippers and power washer, to no success. Why is it when you want to remove something it is so difficult...especially since it wouldn't stick in the first place? It was a huge undertaking...but lesson learned for us...chose the right stain for the job!!
Finally, last summer....the deck floors were stripped and restained with the proper products!
My little $20 metal patio table I spray painted..it is the perfect size for this small deck..and after having not one, but two glass patio tables explode...I'm happy I found this one on kijiji. I ordered the umbrella from Walmart...and my daughter had an extra umbrella stand she was not using.
Here you can see the pedway which connects the two decks...
My summer oasis..we live here pretty much two-three months of the year...
And gates are needed to keep the dog(s) safely enclosed...our grand dog visits regularly...he and Liesel love to relax on floats in the pool...you can also see one of two ramps Mr. Seventies built for them to get in and out of the house with ease...
Looking over from the small deck to the pool deck...the barbecue is behind the wall where the swim sign hangs...
Because it gets extremely hot on the pool deck, we sit there for short periods. I placed an outdoor rug, two zero gravity lawn chairs and small table for cool drinks...to sit and warm up after a swim. I can't find a photo...but when I do I will share.
Seeing these photos makes me long for warm, summer days! Lots of projects to do outside this year...there may be a whole new looking pool this year!! We sustained some damage over the winter, as soon as weather permits the pool company is coming to assess the damage and do the necessary repairs. We've ordered a beautiful new liner...did you know the life span of a liner is only 5 years? So, we did well to get 9 years with the current one!
There is a perfect spot on that deck for a hot tub!! I guess a girl can dream...unless I win a local contest Ive entered every day for a spa package valued at $15,000!!! Now that would be a great post to share!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment