10,000 gal pool reef. 38,000 liters

[Sisterlimonpot]

I personally use imgur.

[karimwassef]

Ok! Working with Imgur... here’s the excavation.

The dark zone is 6’-9’ deep where the geothermal pipes will go under the reef. It’s wet Houston black clay so that’s really good for cooling but terrible for structures. It’s why I’m using helical piles and a lot of rebar to structurally support the structures.







And the mountain after most of it has been hauled away



And here’s the view from the plumbing trench



And here’s the very expensive p-trap ($3500)



They had to dig 3’ horizontally under the slab and make a 3” hole through it to access... $1200 unexpected extra for that

Anyway... we’re getting close to squaring and leveling the floor!

[karimwassef]

Started buying the material and realized that I don't have enough room around the massive crater I've created to store all of it.

Between back fill dirt, concrete, sand, gravel, wood, pvc .... I don't have enough remaining room to store it all without some major "juggling". I am using 1400' of 2" PVC pipe and 1700' of 0.5" rebar...

It's an interesting problem to have with potential rain coming...

[travisstewart]

Hey I lease portable storage units in DFW area that we can drop 8x20’ container in drive way if it’s HOA approved


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[jmsilhy]

Originally Posted by karimwassef

Started buying the material and realized that I don't have enough room around the massive crater I've created to store all of it.

Between back fill dirt, concrete, sand, gravel, wood, pvc .... I don't have enough remaining room to store it all without some major "juggling". I am using 1400' of 2" PVC pipe and 1700' of 0.5" rebar...

It's an interesting problem to have with potential rain coming...

Karim, you can borrow my backyard and garage (1 space) if you want, it's in McKinney near Custer and Virginia

[McPuff]

It's happening!! Been looking forward to this for a long time. Great to see it in progress, Karim! Very exciting!

[karimwassef]

Originally Posted by travisstewart

Hey I lease portable storage units in DFW area that we can drop 8x20’ container in drive way if it’s HOA approved


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How much a day is that?

[karimwassef]

Originally Posted by jmsilhy

Karim, you can borrow my backyard and garage (1 space) if you want, it's in McKinney near Custer and Virginia

Appreciate the offer but the logistics of moving tons of material are just as daunting! Thank you though.

[travisstewart]

Monthly basis with two month minimum...lol

$75/month plus delivery and pickup


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[karimwassef]

Originally Posted by McPuff

It's happening!! Been looking forward to this for a long time. Great to see it in progress, Karim! Very exciting!

It is like childbirth. Exciting and painful - but I’m the mother on this one so it hurts extra

[jmsilhy]

Originally Posted by karimwassef

Appreciate the offer but the logistics of moving tons of material are just as daunting! Thank you though.

Sure, keep in mind I can help on whatever you need, just let me know in advance to organize with my wife and 3 kids busy life

[karimwassef]

Right now, I’m struggling with the mountain of earth that I need to spread out and flatten.

Nothing really fun happening yet.













Geothermal deep hole mostly done

[karimwassef]

I may need some help putting the cooling pipes together actually. I get the PVC on Wednesday. It’s 1000’ of pipe.

[jmsilhy]

All right, let me know!

[karimwassef]

The plumbing fixtures are delayed till Wednesday but yesterday was “eventful”

The helical piles went in... I’m in Dallas and we have Houston black clay that heaves and cracks foundations so the piles tie the rebar in the floor to the rock deep underneath. 12 piles at $500 each...







Then the 100A external sub panel went in (~$1100)



Rain was coming so I attempted to tarp it but they had overdug by a couple of feet...



That’s a 30’ x 40’ tarp and it couldn’t handle the wind. It started to snap and I took it down. I know how to do it better now but it was hard to do as it was and I was running out of time.

[karimwassef]

Then... it rained... thunderstorm downpour... and this morning:





There’s good news and bad news. Bad news first - I have an undesirable swimming pool in the dark clay that has to dry or be pumped out. Guess I got a harbor freight trip ahead of me.

Good news:
1. The walls held.
2. Most of the excavation is in decent shape.
3. The geothermal depth is clearly going to be saturated!
4. The sidewalks are cleaner so my neighbors don’t complIn about the mess.



The forecast looks rough though... probably losing a week unless I’m really stubborn:



Hint- I’m very tenacious... I ordered a 40’ x 80’ tarp this time and I’m going to tarp the entire yard now!

I know it’s not fun but this will likely require some help. If you’re “tenacious” like me and are willing to duke it out with the elements ... just pm me and let’s plan for an epic struggle to protect the yard...

So dramatic, I know ...

[karimwassef]

The tarp arrived. It weighs 55lbs! Getting it ready to cover the yard will be a “journey”...

[mnguyen878]

Originally Posted by karimwassef

Then... it rained... thunderstorm downpour... and this morning:





There’s good news and bad news. Bad news first - I have an undesirable swimming pool in the dark clay that has to dry or be pumped out. Guess I got a harbor freight trip ahead of me.

Good news:
1. The walls held.
2. Most of the excavation is in decent shape.
3. The geothermal depth is clearly going to be saturated!
4. The sidewalks are cleaner so my neighbors don’t complIn about the mess.



The forecast looks rough though... probably losing a week unless I’m really stubborn:



Hint- I’m very tenacious... I ordered a 40’ x 80’ tarp this time and I’m going to tarp the entire yard now!

I know it’s not fun but this will likely require some help. If you’re “tenacious” like me and are willing to duke it out with the elements ... just pm me and let’s plan for an epic struggle to protect the yard...

So dramatic, I know ...

Sending positive vibes from Southern California. I’m buckled in, with in hand. Can’t wait for more updates


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[sfsuphysics]

yup see the HOA vibe now, all the same roof shingles, same siding, that is definitely a "planned community", good luck with the project.

[karimwassef]

Yes. It was a hard thing to get approval but we got it. Most of the uniqueness is hidden so it’s safe.

[karimwassef]

Running an experiment with Thoroseal cementicious waterproofing:



I’m using a 6’ section of my old DIY skimmer embedded in concrete to see how much pressure the sealant will hold:

[karimwassef]

More material arriving:

100s of PVC connectors, pipes
100s of rebar, wood
ESP foam stacks with more on the way

Feels like I moved a couple of tons of material into my garage









That’s the 40’ x 80’ tarp... stitched with mil grade parachute rope... going up on the metal fence posts with concrete bases.... my latest attempt to thwart Mother Nature...

[karimwassef]

The first of 100 geothermal lines 10’ long each
4” PVC feed and 2” lines...

[Sisterlimonpot]

Did you run into a snag? What's the latest??

[travisstewart]

Yea can we come swimming yet?!


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