Swimming Pool Construction Process

You will have a few days from the time you sign your contract to the day actual construction starts.

During this time, we will be pulling construction permits with your city, doing  working drawings, getting things ordered and staged for construction. 

You may want to cap off your irrigation, move any plants or other things you want to save.

Phase 1. Fence Removal

If there is not a gate or open access to your yard, the fence must be removed.

If you are removing your fence yourself, you should contact us when you have it down so we can start excavation.

Phase 2. Pregrade

If you have any grass or other vegetation or hardscape to be removed this will be done first.  It is called a pregrade. 

The grass will have to be dug out at least 4” to 6” deep.

The reason for pregrade is to have a clean slate for layout and dumping mixed materials.

Phase 3.  Layout

The outline of your swimming pool will be spray painted on the ground per plan by a company representative. 

This is the BEST time to make any changes or alterations to placement of the swimming pool or spa.  Be sure this is what you want.  This is your LAST chance to move the pool!

Your approval of the layout should made before we start excavation.

Phase 4. Excavation

The pool is excavated or dug. The actual hole will be 6” larger than the finished dimensions of the pool in all directions.  Forming material will be placed around the outer edge of the pool or spa.

This ensures your bond beam dimension.  This should be a 6” x 12” bond beam.

Dirt removal should be done the same day of excavation.

If you want any dirt left on site be sure to arrange where it should be dumped and how much BEFORE excavation. 

The whole pool is a LOT of dirt.  Don’t forget, sometimes the soil expands when it has been excavated.  If you have us leave too much, expect a charge for the excavators to return to pick it up!

 

Phase 5. Plumbing and Equipment Set

Non-corrosive schedule 40 PVC with schedule 40 fittings on the plumbing will be used throughout  the pool.  A vacuum breaker should be installed at the water source.  The plumber will place and set the state of the art equipment per your plan.

Phase 6. Steel

3/8-diameter steel reinforced rebar will be placed throughout the pool structure tied on 10" centers.  There will be rebar on the bottom of the pool, up the sides around the skimmer(s), and into the bond beam. 

Concrete spacers insure the steel is not against the wall or the floor of the pool.  This system allows shotcrete to be evenly distributed under and above the steel.

We professionally engineer your pool to insure the structural integrity for the life of the pool.

(Larger spacing between the rebar may be used by some companies, which will result in a weaker structure.  Ask!)

 

Phase 7.  Electric

Wiring will be run from your electric panel to the equipment.  Then from the equipment to lighting in the pool.  Electric wiring and all grounding will meet and/or exceed National Electric Code standards.  Ground fault interrupter devices will be installed for protection against electric fault.

Phase 8. Inspections

Throughout construction, detailed inspections should be performed by your pool company project manager or superintendent.  

At this phase of your pool construction local building authorities are required to make an inspection. We will be the one to contact local authorities to schedule inspections.  

Your coordinator or project manager/superintendent will also notify you before inspection so gates are unlocked for access.  

The day of inspection check the status after the inspector has left and let your coordinator know the results.  This will keep things rolling without delays.

 

Phase 9.  Shotcrete

Concrete is pneumatically applied to create the pool shell and bond beam.  

The strongest pool shell has a 6” wall and 6”floor with an 8” transition.  Some companies install only 4” walls and floor which does meet Tennessee building code.  

Water curing is critical and must be done by spraying the pool shell with water up to four times a day for four days during warm and hot temperatures.  

Two or three times a day in cooler weather.  This is done to prevent premature curing and to minimize shrinkage cracks in the shotcrete shell. Check with your coordinater for best scheduled waterings during the weather of your swimming pool construction.  

Water curing is usually the responsibility of the homeowner.  

Phase 10.  Waterfall and Boulder Set

If you have a natural rock waterfall or accent natural boulders on your pool, they will be installed at this time.  

Phase 11.  Decking and Coping

The decking that surrounds your pool can be concrete, brick, stone, or many other materials.

All coping should cantilever 1 ½” into the pool. Stone materials will vary in thickness. 

Concrete decking around the pool should be 4” minimum thickness. Expansion joints of the most modern material should be used (not felt expansion joint material) to control cracking of the concrete.

This is an integral part of the design and adds a decorative dimension to the surface of the deck.

Any deck shape changes, additional deck or deletions should be made at the time prior to forming.  Changes should not be made after the deck has been poured.  

Phase 12.  Tile

One row of 6x6 inch decorative tile will be installed around the pool perimeter and any other areas indicated on the design drawing.   

Phase 13.  Acrylic Deck Application

If your pool deck is to have an acrylic overlay applied to the concrete, it is done at this time.  The process takes one day in the summer and two days in the winter to set up.   

Do not walk on the material for 24 hours after it is applied.  

 

Phase 14.  Clean-Up

All construction debris will be cleaned up in both the interior and the exterior of the swimming pool.  Any tire tracks, dips where trenches were dug will be filled in.  Clean-up is a preparation for the plastering phase and will be coordinated just prior to the plaster date.  

Clean up generally does not include sprinkler or landscape repair.  

Phase 15.  Fencing

If the exterior fence was taken down, it will be put back up at this time.  Either by us or the homeowner.  

Phase 16. Barrier Requirements

Some cities require pool safety barriers to deter children from entering the pool.  These should all be installed prior to pre plaster inspection.  

Check your city for any pool safety barrier requirements.  Your design/sales person should inform you at time of contract.  Your coordinator should remind you of them if you are installing them yourself.     

Phase 17.  Interior Finish

Two types of interior finish are common in swimming pools.  Finishes may vary in other areas.  

Plaster is pneumatically applied in two coats then hand troweled to a non-slip waterproof surface.  In white pools, small color tiles should be placed periodically  on the steps and benches for safety.  

When the plaster is complete the crew will begin filling the pool and/or spa.  You must have a garden hose available for the fill.  Let the water run until the pool is in the center of the six inch tile at the top edge of the pool.  Turn the water off.  

Do not turn the water off during the fill.  A bathtub like ring could occur and stain your pool.  

Pebble Tech is a two day process.  The fist day the pebble tech will be shot onto the shell of the pool.  The second day the pool will be acid washed.   

Immediately after the acid wash the crew will begin filling the pool and/or spa.  

You must have a garden hose available for the fill.  Let the water run until the pool is in the center of the six inch tile at the top edge of the pool or to the center of the skimmer.  Turn the water off.  

There will be a slurry pit left in your yard for three days.  It needs to sit and harden, then will be removed.  

If you are scheduling landscapers, be sure slurry pit is not in area to be landscaped or schedule your landscapers on the fourth day after your pool has had pebbletech installed.  

If you have existing grass, assist the crew to find a place to put the slurry pit on another surface.

Tile is also available, though not very common.  This can allow you to install a design or mosaic into your pool.

Phase 18.  Start Up

When your pool is complete and filled to the proper level, a start up profession will start your pool equipment.  At this time all equipment will be started, any detailing will be done and the cleaning system installed.  

You need to be present about an hour later for instruction, explanation and demonstration for your new swimming pool. Be sure to schedule the time. 

Phase 19. ENJOY  

P.S.  Remember, no matter how automatic and how self everything your pool is you still need to check the chemicals and empty the skimmer and leaf baskets.