Construction Process

Pool excavation is a messy, dirty process that is exciting and unavoidable. Please be reminded that it is your responsibility to clear any planters, decorative rocks, sprinkler heads/lines etc. that may get in the way of the construction access.

An excavation crew carefully digs, forms and hand-trims your pool in precise accordance with every detail of your swimming pool's design specifications.

The excavation process usually only takes one day; however, it may take longer depending on the soil conditions or unexpected weather delays. They will be able to give you an estimate as to how long it will take and if there may be any additional charges should we encounter soil conditions.

You will note the wooden forms around your swimming pool. They are there to guide us in the rest of the construction, please do not tamper with these wooden forms.  

Most dirt from the excavation process will be removed the day of the excavation. Don't be concerned if some dirt remains, as they will use this for other phases of the construction. If for some reason you would like a portion for landscaping purposes or some other uses, you must let them know where and how much you desire. Be cautioned that if you ask them to leave the dirt and then you decide you do not want to keep it, there will be an extra charge to bring the truck back to remove it. They'll be out soon to inspect the excavation and install a temporary fence across your open access area. Now, he will inform the coordinator to order plumbing, steel and electrical.

Your Pool is now ready to be plumbed with high-grade National Sanitation Foundation approved "Scheduled 40" PVC pipe designed to prevent leaks or deterioration. All pipe connections are solidly bonded and the entire plumbing system is hydrostatically pressure tested.

As with every other stage of your new Swimming Pool, the plumbing is done in accordance with your pool design specifications and they insure the plumbing meets rigid standards of quality and design. If during the construction process you decide to make any changes, let me know and you will be given a new pool design for you to use as a reference point.

A steel crew forms a rigid contour grid of reinforcing steel to create the backbone of your swimming pool. You will see bars crossing one another for the utmost reinforcement. Notice the tie wires at every other intersection, they tie the steel together.

Be advised that even though they bend the ends of the steel bars the steel may be sharp. Please be careful when inspecting the progress of your pool's construction.

You will note that there are block spacers under the steel. This helps to hold the steel above the soil, so the steel will end up being approximately in the middle of the gunite.

A supervisor will inspect the construction process at this point. The City Inspector will also do what a Pre-Gunite Inspection. No work can proceed beyond this point until the city/county gives them permission.

Using National Electric Code approved conduit, wire and bonding, your licensed professional electrical contractor carefully makes all the electrical connections for your pool.

The lights are installed; the pumps are wired and electrical breakers installed. Please don't attempt to turn anything on.

Without the water in the pool the lights will melt and the pumps will burn up.

A supervisor will inspect the construction process at this point.

The next process of your pool construction is the application of the gunite. Gunite is a mixture of sand, rock, cement, and water, which will be applied by an experienced technician. These technicians will skillfully shoot the concrete around your pool's steel reinforcement grid.

Client is to spray the pool thoroughly, top to bottom. Don't worry about the water collecting in the deep end 'of the pool, it's normal and will be pumped out before they apply your pool's interior finish.  *Please note if you have not yet confirmed your decision on tile and deck choice you need to do this a soon as possible as not to delay the construction of your pool.

If this is an option you have decided on, your city's gas line / propane tank requirements and your individual lot size will determine whether your gas line or propane tank can be buried underground or must be above ground. If it can be buried, the trenches will be dug and the pipe will be laid at the time of the plumbing of your new pool. This pipe must be inspected by the city/county and the entire process typically takes 3-5 days. Do not be alarmed if the actual hookup of your gas or propane does not happen until your pool has been complete. Having a gas line or propane tank installed can run concurrently with other construction phases and will not necessarily hold up further construction.

If you have chosen to add a beautiful rock waterfall or have decided to enhance your Swimming Pool with an exclusive fountain or descent feature. This is the time when the rocks will be installed. Your professional rock installers will carefully place the rocks in accordance to your pool design specifications. However, since rocks and stones are a product of nature, they cannot guarantee an exact shape or size.

Depending on the interior surface option you have chosen for your new pool, the next step in the construction process is the installation of your waterline tile. Your new pool will get a high-glazed, weather resistant waterline tile that will be hand- laid and carefully grouted around the waterline of your pool by a skilled crafts person. Shimmering tiles in the color that you have chosen will be the perfect highlight to your pool.

The tiling of your waterline should take one to two days to finish, please make sure that you let the tile cure at least 24 hours before examining or wetting the tile and grout. Once the tile has set securely, you will have a durable, non-porous surface that will last years.

If you have chosen a brick or stone pool edge the same process will apply. This may add a few days depending on amount of material.

Once this process has been completed the tile crew will come in and start applying your tile, brick, or stone. 

The next process of your pool construction is the application of the gunite. Gunite is a mixture of sand, rock, cement, and water, which will be applied by an experienced technician. These technicians will skillfully shoot the concrete around your pool's steel reinforcement grid.

Client is to spray the pool thoroughly, top to bottom. Don't worry about the water collecting in the deep end 'of the pool, it's normal and will be pumped out before they apply your pool's interior finish.  *Please note if you have not yet confirmed your decision on tile and deck choice you need to do this a soon as possible as not to delay the construction of your pool.

Forms for your deck will be set either or on the day of your pour. Prior to any concrete work, all the following must be complete:

After the deck forms, have been set, they must remain undisturbed. The slightest change will result in your deck being poured incorrectly or unevenly. If these forms must be reset, it will result in additional charges.

All cement products are inherent to shading and texture variations. When choosing deck colors, they cannot guarantee exact color matching of samples used to present them. Shading variations are inherent due to mixing, moisture, content, temperature, wind, etc. outside of our control.

All barrier requirements/alarms must be in place prior to final city inspection and completion of your pool.

* Additional features (i.e. BBQ's, Patio Covers, Landscaping, Fire Pits, Pool Fencing, etc.) will be started at or around the completion of deck.

Depending on who is responsible for closing the access during the construction? It must be closed now before they can call the City/County for a pre-plaster inspection.

The fencing at the access area will be repaired to its manner before excavation. Code requires that all gates allowing access to the pool area open outward away from the pool and be self-closing/self-latching. This is required before a final inspection may be requested.

Now the interior of your pool is being cleaned and prepared for the application of your interior finish. Pipes protruding from your pool will be cut accordingly. If there is water present in the pool, it will be pumped out.

Some cities require a final inspection prior to the plaster being completed. If there are any corrections that need to be made, they will be done at this point. Inspectors will be inspecting the pool, gates, fencing, and alarms, and or safety pool fencing.

This is the final phase of construction. Everything must be in perfect working condition before they apply the finish coat to the gunite finish. The finishing on your pool is very delicate and it is essential that everything must be in order so that they do not mar the beautiful surface of your pool.

When the plaster is complete, the crew will begin to fill your pool with water. After they leave, please don't stop the flow of water until the pool is full.

Don’t put any chemicals into your pool unless requested to do so by them. When the water level is in the middle of the tile line, call and the start-up will be scheduled.

The plaster crew will set fill hoses (provided by the pool owner) in the deep end of the pool. The nozzle end is covered with a clean, soft cloth. Once water is introduced, the pool should be filled within 36 hours (or other period time per plasterer’s recommendation). Water should not be stopped until the pool is filled to the middle of the skimmer or tile line. Water should not be sprayed or allowed to run over newly plastered surfaces. A water stain or "bathtub ring" may occur if water is turned off even for a brief period during the initial filling of the pool. The plasterers shall not be responsible for after-plaster stains which may occur from foreign objects laying on the surface of the plaster after completion of the plaster process (such as leaves, bugs, dirt, footprints, fertilizer, etc.)