Excavation

Once the necessary permits have been obtained, swimming pool excavation can begin. Depending on the site, this will be accomplished with a back-hoe, front loader, or a track-hoe. Four inches of gravel are placed in the bottom of the excavated hole, in order to isolate the floor of the pool from the dirt.

Steel

The steel reinforcement process follows excavation. The gravel at the bottom of the excavation helps keep the pool steel off the dirt, and makes for a more uniform gunite floor. The above view shows floor beams and pier locations to further reinforce the gunite shell.

Plumbing

The first step involved in plumbing is called the plumbing stub, and is typically done the day after steel. The plumber installs the skimmers, inlets, main drain, Polaris fittings, and any other fixtures that extend through the pool wall. During the second step, the plumbing lines are hooked up to the stub plumbing, and are then carried to the pool equipment area where they are connected to the equipment.

Gunite

This is perhaps the most interesting part of the construction process. The gunite used in pools is a seven sac mix, compared to a five sac mix that is commonly used in concrete drives and foundations. The walls, beams, seats, and steps are 'shot' using a 'gun', though the actual forming of these areas is done by hand. Weep holes are cut in the bottom of the pool, allowing water to flow into the pool should the groundwater get too high. This prevents the pool from moving or floating out of the ground.

Tile & Coping

A 6" band of frost-proof tile is placed around the inside perimeter of the pool at the top, which is commonly known as the waterline tile. Tile may also be installed on steps, walls, benches, and sundecks. For a spectacular effect, the entire pool may be tiled. While this is more expensive, all-tile pools can actually save money. The cost saving comes from the fact that all-tile pools do not require plaster, they are easier to maintain, and may never need to be tiled again.

Coping is the material that sits on the beam of the pool, just above the waterline tile. The choices for coping vary, and can consist of rock, pre-cast stone, pre-cast plaster, flagstone, and cantilever deck.

Deck

The types of deck that may be used are as varied as the types of coping. Deck can be constructed of plain concrete, pattern concrete, flagstone, brick, or wood.

Electrical

The first part of the electrical process is the setting of equipment. Once set, the electrician wires the lights and equipment. In a normal pool, there are two pumps (pool filter pump and pool cleaner pump), one pool light, a freeze guard, two time clocks, and various switches and breakers. In the case of an added spa, there would also be a spa light and perhaps a spa booster pump and spa blower.

The client also has the option of installing additional equipment, including a pool computer and heater. The computer allows complete control of the pool and spa from inside the house. Almost all aspects of the pool, spa, fountains, lights, and automatic pool cleaning systems can be controlled from the house, or with a remote from any place on the property or from the office on any phone. It is possible for the owner to call the pool computer and turn on the spa so that she will be hot and ready by the time he arrives home from work.

Plaster

The final step in pool construction is applying plaster. Gunite itself is not waterproof, and requires plaster in order to hold water. White plaster is the most common color used in a pool, and is what gives the pool a blue appearance. The plaster can also be dyed a variety of different colors, and there are additional methods of applying the plaster that would give the plaster surface a pebble-grain finish.