New Spa and Deck Idulgence

Koffee_Kosmo

Recently I purchased a Spa Pool

Not just any Spa pool but a Hydrotherapy massage spa with 3 deferent water filtering devises so a minimum of chemicals are used in maintenance. It's also fitted with a light system even behind the upgraded chrome jets
Its taken my wife about 10 years to persuade me to get one

The spa we originally chose was a Vortex brand Cerium 4 seater Hydro Plus Spa fom Spa World  in the Gypsum colour with anti slip surface as per link - http://www.vortexspas.com.au/vortexspas/cerium.aspx

However the factory that builds them must have made a serial plate mistake and we had delivered  a different colour  and no anti slip surface
I was extremely pleased with Spa Worlds service and problem fixing
Not only did they deliver the  pool on New Yeras day - they installed the incorrect pool so I can use it while waiting for the correct spec pool to be built and delivered in 8 weeks time

Not only did they do that they make the issue (as noted above) a non even because t they also upgraded me to the next model up with 5 dedicated seats the Cobalt as per link - http://www.vortexspas.com.au/vortexspas/cobalt.aspx

Spa World web site - http://www.spaworld.com.au/home/viewspaprices.aspx?utm_expid=922793-7

And I am pleased to say that it all happened as Spa World had promised and on time as planed
(Mind you that it takes two to tango and I was understanding )

Currently I am building a deck and safety fence for access

In the next few posts I will detail with photos the perpetration and install procedure in sequence ending with the deck and safety fence

KK

Koffee_Kosmo

First I had a solid concrete pad poured Heigher than normal at 300 mm tall to make the overall combined height with Spa in place over the pool safety standards at 1230 mm Unfortunately 2 tall palms had to be sacrificed to accommodate the concrete pad Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Koffee_Kosmo

Next job in the sequence - As the spa has several pumps it was nessasary to have a dedicated 32 volt electrical circuit installed by an electrician I also had an inline breaker switch installed near the Spa for service when required This was done prior to the Spa arriving Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Koffee_Kosmo

These sequence of events brings us to the present The new upgraded Spa arrived last week and during the wait of the build I arranged for a deck to be built by member Derrilex as I was impressed by his build ( he is a tradesman and specialises in this work ) See his build link - http://www.bestcafes.com.au/forum/off-topic/how-about-a-pool/ Our yard is a split level arrangement ( 3 of them ) you may have taken note from the photos The Spa is possitioned on the middle level The deck is on the highest level and built to extend and meet the Spa about 300 mm from the top Some prep work on the Spa deck Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Koffee_Kosmo

Now comes the hot dipped galvanised saddles and timber placed in concrete All timber used is good Australian spotty gum treated hardwood but we also prepped it further with tar to protect it from the elements This job is so over spec that it is worthy of a 3 mt high structure Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Brett H

Ah, you've got carpenter ants or as we call them Eastern Big Head Ants.  They eat through timber but not for food.  You'll need to get rid of them because if you can get a serious plague of them and they are bad news.  Also, they're an imported species from memory.  I bought gel and granules off eBay from America.  Only a small amount and we've prett much got rid of them.  Get them before they get comfortable.  The spa looks good too mate!

Koffee_Kosmo

A photo roll progress update  :thumb: Some of the joists are almost ready to be secured after a level check and a coat of tar paint Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Ol Grumpy

Aaaaah, so that's where my saw got too? :Lol3

Ol Grumpy

Actually, I hardly use the Bahco any more... Well maybe to chuck a cornice up... My Cordless Jig Saw does 95% of my notching....

Koffee_Kosmo

Last night I came to a decision regarding the type of product I am going to use to protect and beautify the decking timber I chose Cutek CD50 not a cheap product but I feel the best for my application - http://www.chemisys.com.au/cutek/index.htm Did some test pieces to see how it looks Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Ol Grumpy

Pity they don't let you view the MSDS... That can tell a story....

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1364350317:

Pity they don't let you view the MSDS... That can tell a story....

It's freely available here in PDF - http://www.chemisys.com.au/msds/ KK

Koffee_Kosmo

We had to use some muscle power yesturday morning We had to cut a 4 mt tree and replant it in another garden - A dracaena marginata Lucky they will spread roots from a cutting I had pre dug the hole to 600 mm deep Then we cut the trunk as low as possible Derrelex and I then manhandled it quite a distance and replanted it Attachment not found.

Ol Grumpy

KK, try clicking on the link... It requires registration and a password??? Maybe you have that?

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1364352119:

KK, try clicking on the link... It requires registration and a password??? Maybe you have that?

Hmm that's unusual as I was looking at it last night ? Try this one fom NZ - should be the same as the AU one - http://www.chemisys.com.au/msds/pdfnz/MSDS_CD50_NZ.pdf

Ol Grumpy

Yes, that's better. Doesn't give too much away but appears to be 70-90% solids which is pretty good. You see some 'timber treatments' that are 50% or more solvents. I tend to be wary/steer clear of those.... Personally, I prefer X-Troll, but to each their own. I'm sure that will do a magnificent job for you.... Nice of D to aris the corners for you too- saves on the splinter bum syndrome... Lol Lookin' Fine!

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1364353101:

Yes, that's better. Doesn't give too much away but appears to be 70-90% solids which is pretty good. You see some 'timber treatments' that are 50% or more solvents. I tend to be wary/steer clear of those.... Personally, I prefer X-Troll, but to each their own. I'm sure that will do a magnificent job for you.... Nice of D to aris the corners for you too- saves on the splinter bum syndrome... Lol Lookin' Fine!

X-Troll never came up in the searches and I had to make a decision quickly So I found Cutek to be what I was looking for in terms of protection and also natural beauty Better that the clear coat type deck finishes KK

Ol Grumpy

on 1364354957:

Better that the clear coat type deck finishes KK

Yep... In terms of oils- you got the Extra Extra Virgin.... Enjoy!

Ol Grumpy

More pics.... More Pics.... Must have more pics... Crack the whip KK... Bend his back.... More Pics....

Ol Grumpy

Actually, truth be known I'm a little envious of D... He gets to try the Strega :pan

Koffee_Kosmo

By popular request more photo updates Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Lacehim

Nice work guys.  Good to see Mr D hard at work!

derrilex

OG, I must give the xtroll a go one day. Interesting to see how the cutek goes. I'm not really keen on the bahco's either - way to hungry for my liking but ok for rough cuts. Anyhoo, just to steal KK's thunder I'll chuck a pic or two up as well.  No doubt about it, hardwood is still the king for decks buts its crap to work with. No two sticks are the same. Even 2 joists cut from the one length vary by 6 mm. Bloody shrinkage ! So its a lot of rooting around to get to the decking stage which will start ( and end) tomorrow. So we are ready to roll with the joists in, tied down, bitumen on top and joist protector on. A bit of blocking around the remaining tree and a bit more on the angled end joist to stop it rotating with the pool glass hanging off the side of it ( more work still to be done on that front though).

Brett H

Jeeze I love ya work mate  :thumb:

Ol Grumpy

I hear Ya D... The most telling thing that I noticed in those photos was the big dark stain right down the back of that shirt- I reckon you could stand it in the corner when you get home... I could watch you do that all day... Oh wait, I did... Lookin' real fine D....

derrilex

A bit warm today but most just the humidity. Pretty mild though, only a 1 shirt day. Plenty of 3 shirt days before xmas doing the pool deck Geez, if I knew I had a audience I would have taken the shirt off  :P :P :P

derrilex

Watch this space Brett. The dance floor should be down tomorrow so Mr & Mrs. KK and spin around the palm tree over Easter  :D

Koffee_Kosmo

Some more photo updates Today the floor section is going on Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Koffee_Kosmo

Derrelex tells me that I am doing all the right things as to pre prep The timber type is Spotty Gum hardwood After the planks are cut to size I treated the underside with the Cutek CD50 prior to nailing on to the frame Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Ol Grumpy

KK, by any measure D has gone 'above and beyond'... As a backyard deck- well if you extended it long enough you could just about use it as Brisbane's second runway.... :poke

derrilex

That cutek CD50 appears to go ok  :thumb: Well and truly oversized timber and construction methods normally reserved high verandahs (not that I build them any other way regardless) should see it go the distance. Glass and the spotty gum sleeper board walk still to come.