It was one of those crucial moments that are part of every project. Would the swimming pool frame actually FIT in the cement box?! There had been some miscommunication with the cement man, some confusion about dimensions. I was holding my breath.
We hired Folkman Underground, a landscaping contractor in Nampa. After some surveying, Mr. Folkman expertly operated his tractor. He and his friendly crew-of-one had that hole dug with sharp, square lines in no time. The sprinkler and irrigation pipes were tucked under the hole in a way such that they could be accessed from the sides, if there should be repair and re-routing needs in the future.
While Mr. Folkman worked through the hardpan clay to put in a French drain, the cement man came and began putting in the forms for the foundational slab. The French drain will empty a few feet away from the pool, a few feet under ground. I had never heard of a French drain before this, but fortunately my husband knows about these things!
It was the final good-bye to the huge locust tree that was removed at the beginning of this whole project. The last of the roots from the-stump-that-was-conquered poked up from the bottom of the hole like so many underwater worms waving in the ocean current.
With visions of geometry word problems about volume and area dancing in my head, I watched my Computer-Brain Husband supervise the walls going up. There were moments when the forms would begin to give way and he would run to his stash of scrap wood to supply support.
A few days later, Folkman Underground filled in around the outside of the cement box. Now, it was time for the final test. After sweeping the loose cement out, Greg would set up the base of the swimming pool frame in the box. If that fit, we would be on the home stretch. It was perfect!
He also hosed down the cement, evaluating how the drain worked. All water drained away!
Voila! You can see the wood box portal for the pipes for everything from the heater to the Fastlane current generator. We bought our whole pool set-up from Snake River Pool and Spa. This includes the Tuff pool, the filter, heater, and Fastlane. Snake River Pool and Spa has been a great company to do business with!
Right now, the Inventor Husband is creating a heated housing for the equipment that will be outside. I have gone along to shop for parts and listened to amazing explanations of his plans. He says “they” just don’t sell the right thing, so he will make it. Who am I to get in the way of genius?
