Construction
Every pool is unique and varies in options and equipment; however a majority of the phases are the same. This page will explain the major phases of pool construction to give you a better idea of what to expect when we build your pool.1. Presite
Our construction supervisor will come to your house prior to the construction starting and go over the pool location, placement and access to your backyard. He will also check to see if the utilities have been located, if there is any landscaping in the way that needs to be removed and the location of the pool equipment as well as many other items.
2. Layout, Dig & Steel
Once we have obtained the appropriate permits and posted them with our sign on your property, we will layout the shape of your pool with wood forms. An excavator will then come in to remove the all of the dirt inside of the wood forms. Typically, the hole is dug slightly larger than the actual forms. The main drains and any other plumbing in the floor will now be installed and pressured up to make sure there are no leaks. Last, the steel reinforcing bars are installed inside of the hole forming the floor and walls of the swimming pool. Once all of these items have been completed, there will be an inspection by the municipality that issued the permit. If you have decided to add a spa to your swimming pool, all of the steps are the same as the pool.
3. Concrete Shell
Once the steel inspection has been passed, the concrete shell will be installed either in gunite or shotcrete. The steps and benches will be hand formed, holes will be left in the walls for the returns and a larger hole is left in the deep end floor of the pool to equalize any ground water pressure that might exist. The concrete is installed pneumatically through a pump system and shot into place. This is a neat process to watch, but make sure you don't get too close. The concrete shell will typically take 24 to 48 hours to setup, so please do not try to enter the pool shell. Once the shell has set up, the wood forms will be removed, the shell will be back filled with dirt and the immediate area of the pool deck will be graded.
4. Plumbing
During this time the plumbing for the pool will be installed around the perimeter of the pool shell. A large trench will then be dug from the pool area over to where the pool equipment will be installed. The pump, filter, chlorinator & heater (if included) will then be installed and plumbed in. The entire plumbing system will then again be pressured up to make sure there are no leaks in the plumbing. At this point, some municipalities may require an inspection of the in ground plumbing.
5. Tile
Once the plumbing inspection has passed, if required, the tile will now be installed. The top of the pool shell will be waterproofed, leveled, the tile installed and grouted. Smaller tiles will be install on the tops of steps and benches for visual reference. Any spillways will be installed and any certain water features that you might have added will be installed at this point as well.
6. Electrical
Once the plumbing has been installed the electrician will mount a panel on the house wall next to the pool equipment and wire everything into it. The panel mounted on the wall is your time clock and circuit breakers for your pool. The electrician will also install the underwater pool and spa lights, mount and required GFCI outlets and any light switches that might be needed. The electrician will sometimes come out during a later phase of construction depending on the schedule or inspection requirements. Sometimes you will need to be home when the electrician is scheduled due to the possibility of accessing the electrical panel inside of your home.
7. Deck
Depending on whether you have chose a concrete deck with a knock down texture or a paver deck, the process will vary. If a concrete deck is being installed, the deck area will be formed around the outside perimeter with wood forms and the inside edge of the pool will be formed with Styrofoam forms. Grounding wires will have been installed around the perimeter of the pool shell and a termite treatment spray is also required. Once these items have been completed, there will be an inspection required by the municipality that issued the permit. Once the inspection passes, the concrete deck will be poured, the knock down texture applied to the deck and a first primer coat of paint laid down. A final sealer coat of color will be applied at the end of the construction once everything has been completed leaving you with a clean freshly painted deck.
If you have decided to have a paver deck installed, the initial steps leading up to the inspection are similar except there will be no Styrofoam forms on the pool shell. After the inspection has passed only a concrete ribbon footer will be poured around the outside perimeter of the deck area, not the entire pool deck area. The pool edge coping will be mudded down to the top of the pool shell and pavers installed in the pool deck area on a compacted substrate of lime rock or a crushed concrete mixture. The outside perimeter pavers will also be mudded down on top of the ribbon footer locking everything together. The very last step in the paver deck installation involves spreading very fine sand over the top of the pavers and working it into all of the small gaps to lock everything in tight.
8. Screen Enclosure or Fence
Now is when your screen enclosure or yard fencing will need to be installed. The screen enclosure or fence is not typically included in your swimming pool contract. A separate permit is required for the fence or screen enclosure so it is normally contracted separately. We will offer to obtain pricing from a reputable screen company of our choosing but it is your option to go with the company of your choice. This is your permanent barrier for people getting into the pool from the outside. There is also a barrier that is required to be installed between the pool and the openings from your home, doors & windows. This is usually accomplished with the installation of an approved child fence or door & window alarms. If you have decided to add a gas heater to your pool or spa, now is a good time to have your gas company install the tank and run the required lines to the heater. I can sometimes take a couple of weeks for the gas company to get the required permits and schedule the work, so make sure you plan for this ahead of time. This is also another item that is not included in the pool contract.
9. Plaster
This is the last major phase of construction. The plaster crew will clean out the pool shell and make sure all of the plumbing coming through the shell is sealed and water tight. The plaster material is mixed up and then hand trowel applied the concrete shell. This is the finish that you will see underwater. Once the interior finish has been applied to the entire surface, the plaster crew will then wash the surface down with an acid solution. You do not want to be around when this step takes place. When the acid wash is finished, has been neutralized and pumped out; they will start filling the pool with water. This is very critical time. The finish needs to stay hydrated while it starts to set up. After the plaster crew has left, it is helpful to soak down the exposed plaster with water every so often. Make sure the water does not get turned off until the water level reaches the tile line or it could leave a line or "ring" on the plaster finish where the water level stopped. If you chose a pebble type finish, it is common for the plaster crew to come back the day after the plaster has been applied to complete the acid wash and start filling the pool with water. Don't try to go swimming just yet; the pool is still not quite ready for you to get it.
10. Fire Up & Orientation
Now, our construction supervisor will get everything running. He will start the pump up and clear out all of the plumbing lines, clean the filter, adjust the valves appropriately and make sure everything is running the way it should be. Wall returns, therapy jets and any infloor cleaning heads are next to be installed as well as any required safety fittings. We paint and label all of the pipes that are exposed above ground so you know what they are for and to protect them from the sun. At this time if you have decided to add a heater to your pool, gas or electric, we will test fire the heater to make sure it heats properly as well. Once all of this has been completed, we will add some chemicals to the pool and get everything balanced properly. If you decided to add a salt system to your pool, the salt cell unit will be installed but the salt will not be added to the pool for at least two weeks to make sure the finished has cured appropriately.
The construction supervisor will also schedule a time with you so he can go over all of the equipment and teach you how to take care of the pool and maintain the equipment. It is crucial during the first 30 days since the pool was filled with water; that you brush the pool everyday with the brush given to you by the construction supervisor. This will remove the top "cream" layer of the interior finish and expose more of the colored crystals in the finish. If you do not brush the pool well during this time the finish can look splotchy and uneven.
Now its time for you to go swimming. Enjoy and don't hesitate to give us a call with any questions that you might have.
Thank You,
Wiseman Pools
