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Swimming Pool Construction Process
You will have a few days, (check
how many)
from the time
you sign your swimming pool contract to the day actual
swimming pool construction
starts.
During this time the Swimming Pool Builder will be pulling construction permits with your
city, doing cad working drawings, checking for public
utilities, 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 backyard, the fence
must be removed.
If
you
are
removing your fence yourself, you should contact your
company when you have it down so they can start excavation.
Check
with your home owners association if you need any kind of
written permission from them.
Phase
2. Pre Grade
If
you have any
grass or other vegetation or hardscape to be removed this
will be done first. It
is called a pre grade.
The
grass will have to be
dug out at least 4 to 6 deep. Rock covering the
area where the swimming pool will be must be removed prior
to layout and excavation.
The
reason for pre grade
is to have a clean slate for layout. Any mixed
materials must be taken to land fills which are very
expensive.
Phase
3. Layout
The
outline of your swimming
pool will be spray painted on the ground per plan by a
company representative.
If
you are going to make any swimming pool design changes, try
to do them before your pool is marked on the ground in your
back yard.
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! Most
companies do charge a nominal fee for a second layout.
Your approval of the
layout should be made before the company starts excavation.
Phase
4. Excavation
The swimming
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.
Dont forget, the soil expands when it
has been excavated. If
you have them leave too much, expect a heavy charge for the
excavators to return to pick it up!
P.S. Some areas of the
country or your community are very rocky, have calache or
other hard dig soil conditions.
Your pool price is generally based on a standard dig.
Expect to pay more for the
heavier equipment, longer time to dig and higher dumping
fees. A good
company will give you the opportunity to have them get two
or three quotes from their regular excavators.
The best companies will
not put a profit mark up on the extra charge from the
excavator for the hard dig.
Phase
5. Plumbing and Equipment Set
Non-corrosive
schedule 40 PVC with schedule 40 fittings on the plumbing
should 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 to be placed throughout the pool
structure. There
will be rebar on the bottom of the pool, up the sides around
the skimmer, 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.
Be
sure your swimming pool builder has professionally engineered your
pool to insure the structural integrity for the life of the
pool.
A smaller diameter
rebar may be used by some companies, nor may they be
professionally engineered.
Ask.
(This
is the method best used in Arizona, other areas of the
country may vary).
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 should 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. Your pool builder should 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 6floor with an 8
transition. Some
companies install only 4 walls and floor which does meet
Arizona 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. Expect
changes after the pour to be expensive.
Phase 12. Tile
If tile is included in the design of your pool it will be installed at
this phase. One
row of 6x6 inch decorative tile will be installed around the
pool perimeter and any other areas indicated on the design
drawing.
Be sure your company is using tile that is frost proof and recommended
for swimming pools.
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
the pool company 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. Pre Plaster
Inspection
This inspection by the city authorities will require that all of the
barrier requirements be met prior to scheduling the
inspection.
Someone will need to be present at the inspection so that the inspector
can confirm the requirements in the house are met and
approved.
Again, the pool company will schedule the inspection and you need to call
your coordinator with results of this inspections.
The interior finish can be applied with a passed
inspection.
Phase 18. Interior Finish
Three types of interior finish are common in Arizona 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 pebbletec installed.
If you have existing grass, assist the crew to find a place to put the
slurry pit on another surface.
Phase 19. 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 20. ENJOY
Phew,
now that it's complete, we need pool furniture!
Outdoor
Living Shopping Directory
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.
Would
you like to visit a premier "Pool Park" in the
Phoenix area with three pools in the ground and all the
features and benefits? Send to make an appointment for
your personal tour here.
Click
here
to receive Your Personal Swimming Pool Design Guide and
Survey.
Check
out landscape ideas here.
Swimming
Pool
Furniture Available at these online sources:
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