Step by Step Guide to Pool Construction

Understanding the steps neccessary in building a quality pool will help you be a better pool buyer.

Financing: Finding the right Loan Source is a very important part of the Pool Process.

Design: The design is the most important aspect in the Swimming Pool Construction processes. All the different options should be discussed. The Home Owner should be well educated, in order to make an informed decision of the exact options necessary in creating the Heavenly Reflection of their dreams. The property will be measured showing all the property lines and the setbacks from the house and existing structures. Elevations will be shot with a Transit; this will allow the forms to be properly set for the finish level of the pool. The Swimming Pool will be drawn to 1/8” scale. The Plan will indicate the exact location of everything associated with the Swimming Pool.

Engineering: Structural drawings will need to be obtained based on the elevations, depths, heights of Bond Beams, Upslope, Down slopes, Freestanding walls, Keyways etc.. These engineering sheets are necessary to be attached to the Design/Plan in order to obtain the Pool Permit.

PERMITS: Before digging your pool, we must obtain your pool permits from the county or city (depending where you are located). Once you have your permit approval, scheduling of all tasks can be started.

THE SITE: Prior to excavation, a representative will stake out your new pool or spa.  The layout is based on your custom design; and upon your approval, we are ready to dig the pool.

EXCAVATION: Once the necessary permits have been obtained, swimming pool excavation can begin. Depending on the site, this will be accomplished with a back-hoe, front loader, or a track-hoe.

GRADING: The soil surrounding a swimming pool should be graded to drain away from the pool, not toward it.

STEEL: The steel reinforcement process follows excavation.

PLUMBING: The first step of the plumbing is called the plumbing stub and is usually done the day after the steel. The plumber installs the skimmers, returns, main drain, pool vac fittings, and all other fixtures that extend through the pool wall.

GUNITE: This is perhaps the most interesting part of the construction process. The walls, beams, seats and steps are 'shot' using a 'gun'. The actual forming of these items is done by hand.

TILE & COPING: The water line of the pool always receives a 6" band of frost proof tile. Tile can also be installed on the steps, wall and benches. For a really spectacular effect, the entire pool can be tiled. While more expensive, all tile pools save the cost of plaster, are much easier to maintain, and may never need to be tiled again. Coping is the material that sits on the beam of the pool just above the tile. Rock, pre-cast stone, pre-cast plaster, bull-nose brick, flagstone and cantilever deck can all be used for coping.  

DECK: The types of decks are as varied as the types of coping stones. Often times the amount of deck and where it is placed may not be known for sure until the pool is in place, and you can visualize the space available for the deck area

ELECTRICAL: Once the plumber has set the equipment, the electrician will wire the lights and equipment. In the normal poo/spal there will be two pumps (pool filter pump and booster pump), two lights (pool light and spa light), two time clocks, and various switches and breakers. Time clocks are wired to the pumps to allow the system to run on a timed schedule.

A pool computer can be installed that will allow complete control of the pool and spa from inside the house. Almost all aspects of the pool, spa, fountains, lights and automatic pool cleaning systems can be controlled from the house, or with a remote from any place on the property or from the office on any phone. It is possible for the owner to call the pool and turn on the spa so that it will be hot and ready by the time they arrive home from work.

PLASTER: The final step in pool construction is the plaster phase. Gunite itself is not waterproof and requires white or colored plaster in order to hold water. White plaster is the most common color used in pools and is what gives the pool water its blue appearance. It is possible to dye the plaster a variety of different colors, and methods available that will give the plaster surface a pebble grain finish.