Design & Engineering
At this point we will obtain all necessary engineering and submit for permits from the local jurisdiction. It may be necessary for you to apply for a Home Owners Association (HOA) approval if necessary depending on your local community requirements. Once the building permit is obtained, the construction kicks off in high gear and the fun begins.
Layout & Excavation
This is one of the most exciting phases of swimming pool construction. Excavation is the digging and forming of the swimming pool. The very first thing the excavation crews do is the pre grade. Pre grade is the clearing of the pool site and the grading of the area for the swimming pool. This allows the crew to paint on the ground the final shape of your pool and at the same time the crew will stake the perimeter of the pool and add forms for the structure of the pool. The typical time needed to dig a pool depends on various factors. These factors include: access, soil conditions, and overall size and depth of the pool. Most pools these days are dug in 1 to 3 days. (Your pool will look larger as its dug 2ft wider x 2ft longer to facilitate concrete and steel.
Rough Plumbing & Electrical
Once the pool is dug, it’s time to move on to the rough plumbing and electrical. This is where all of the trenches will be dug for all the pipes and conduits necessary to operate your pool. Sometimes, the rough plumbing & electrical will be broken down in a couple of parts, otherwise all trenching and installation of the pipes and conduits will be done at the same time. This includes installation of the suction and return lines, water-feature lines, vacuum cleaner lines, fill lines, solar inlet and returns, gas lines for swimming pool heater and future barbecues and fire-pits, and the electrical service line. In most cases this will take 2-3 days to complete, and may be done either before, during or after steel.
Steel
The steel phase is the addition of rebar formed in the ultimate shape of the pool. A rebar contractor will “tie” the steel using bailing wire in a grid pattern determined by the structural engineer. A good crew will normally take a day to tie the steel depending on the size, shape and any raised walls or bond beams. At this point we will be ready for 1st inspection from your municipality a inspector will come to your residence that your swimming pool is up to code, and make sure everything is correct.
Gunite/Shotcrete
Up until this time, your backyard will look like one big disaster area, with trenches running here and there and a big hole in your yard with a criss-cross pattern of rebar running through. Gunite is the application of the concrete to the pool surface, it makes the shell of your pool. The crews will arrive and via a hose will apply the concrete in the end, the pool will have a close to finish look. The benches installed, and the pool walls and floor will have been completed. This will also be one of the first times you will be required to be actively involved in the construction of your pool. For the next 7 to 10 days, you will be required to hose down the swimming pool shell two to three times a day with water to help cure the gunite /shotcrete. You will be truly amazed at how much water the pool structure adsorbs.
Tile & Rock
After the installation of the gunite, the waterline tile and any rock or boulders will be installed on your pool. The tile is necessary to provide an easy surface to keep clean at the waterline. Rock or boulders are added to incorporate a natural “swimming hole” look and feel and for waterfalls and jump rocks. For pools with the contemporary look or classic style, tile is incorporated into the design and is applied not only to the water line, but also to any raise walls or water-features. Please continue to water the shell of your pool by watering underneath the tile that has been installed. (In some cases a pre deck inspection is required)
Decking
With the tile installed, the next addition to your swimming pool project is the decking (concrete, spray deck, Pavers, tile, stone, etc.). For the majority of swimming pool owners, the deck of choice is concrete/ spray deck. Concrete is durable and inexpensive when compared to the other options being, stamped concrete, flagstone, tile, stone, pavers. The installation of decking takes a minimum of 2-3 days for forming and finishing, then an additional 3-4 days before we can put the spray deck on if applicable. Or it can require multiple days and weeks depending on the surface. Now it is time for your pre plaster inspection/final inspection depending upon your municipality.
Plaster
This is the time when the excitement is building we are almost finished. Plaster provides the waterproofing surface for your pool. Plaster comes in many different forms from White Plaster, to Quartz to Pebble and polished surfaces. Typically, this can be done in a day. And for those of you where money is no object, this can be an all tile pool surface complete with Grecian borders. After the swimming pool finish has been applied, now is the time to start filling your pool. The pool will be filled by a regular garden hose provided by the home owner.
Construction Clean-Up & Start-Up
Once the bulk of the construction is complete, all excess and left over materials will be removed from the pool site. All empty boxes will be hauled to the dumps, and finally, your backyard will be ready to be enjoyed and not looking like a disaster zone. The last item left to do is to start up the pool. The start up process assures all equipment is operating and the swimming pool has all of the necessary chemicals.
