Pool Rebuild ~ August 2016

It was a characteristically hot and humid midsummer in the Ottawa Valley, the kind of thick-sticky hot that could humble even the most warm-blooded Texan. Marcel's wife was serving up ice water/melon and cream puffs, checking in periodically to make sure we were wearing our hats (in true motherly fashion.) This most welcoming couple of retired school teachers had hired us to upgrade their kidney shape oasis with a set of stairs, and to repair some plumbing issues (new skimmer & fittings,) along with a liner change. They had also decided it would be nice to extend their concrete deck on either end.

The heat was on and this was going to be a solid few weeks work.

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After tearing out a chainlink fence they no longer needed and the old liner, we got strait to the meat of it. The deck needed to be cut so that we could break a wall panel out, where the new stairs would sit.

Yes we hand dig

Next we installed the stairs attaching to a small jumper panel to fill the gap. At this time we noticed that the old coping (track that liner clips into) was detached and loose in areas. Understanding that it would be a shame if this caused issues down the road, Marcel opted to have us install fresh 'new school' coping all around. To do this we (or should I say 'I' ~ thanks for the moral support Mike) carefully cut the deck around the perimeter.

I spent a good sweaty day breaking that gap and filling it after installing the new coping, while my partner played on his phone and kept the cement mix just right. The cap worked out nice and would eventually match better with a top seal applied at a later date. All in all, it served it's purpose well as opposed to laying a brand new deck and racking up the already sizeable, yet fair bill.

~ Marcel looking over our work and the big boss man 'Bam Bam' Reid behind ~

With all sorted, new skimmer installed and plumbing reconnected, it was finally time to set a liner! But not without a quick FYI from Marcel, the ex-French Immersion principal.

'Did you know that proper French was reserved for the elite's, in order to keep average laymen ignorant, subservient, and out of the loop? The church actually played a large role in re-educating the small folk in this jargon and thus empowering them. This is partly why French Canadians look at Anglophones funny when they speak classically taught French.'

I did not know that...

Better Yet

It was a most pleasant experience working for this couple. Even though the job turned out a bit more tedious than originally planned, we sure enjoyed the conversation and northern hospitality.

One last pic, with the deck extension finished

Till next time,

@gordiedavis