Fibreglass Company

Gunite Pool Installation Process

There are more concrete pools in the world than any other type. The basic materials that make up the pool structure have been around for millions of years, and a combination of these materials have been used to construct pools for decades. However, even the concrete pool has not escaped the attention of modern engineering, or creative pool builders. Whether known as Concrete, Gunite, or Shotcrete, these pools can be a whole lot more than Uncle Jeds “Cement Pond”.

	1. Planning. We work with the customer to determine what the pool or spa project will be, and what it should look like. These specifications are included in the contract.
	2. Permitting. We prepare engineering, plot plans, and other required documentation, and work with the relevant city or county agencies to attain approval, and receive a permit for the proposed project.
	3. Safety Check. We notify local underground utilities of the planned excavation, and they verify that they have no pipes or wires in the affected area.
	4. Layout. The area to be excavated is marked out to specific dimensions.
	5. Elevations. The finished height of the pool can greatly affect the look and drainage characteristics of the project. We calculate grade conditions and evaluate pool engineering plans to determine the optimal depth for the excavation.
	6. Dig. Great care is taken to insure the hole is excavated to proper depths and dimensions. Adjoining trenches for plumbing and electrical are dug as well.
	7. Electrical. Conduit is run, and wiring is pulled from the homes main electrical service to the pad where it will supply pool equipment.
	8. Rebar. Steel reinforcement bars are criss-crossed throughout the excavation forming a tight grid.
	9. Rough Plumbing & Electrical. The Skimmer(s) and Main Drains are set. The pipe is run between the pool, equipment pad and other features.
	10. The piping is pressurized and tested against leaks. The piping will remain pressurized throughout the next several phases of construction to verify that it has not been damaged.
	11. Inspection. The Building Inspector verifies that all work to date meets code requirements, and is per engineered plans.
	12. Shooting the Shell. A dry mixture of cement and fine aggregates are forced through a hose and shot over the rebar cage using high pressure air and a spray of water. It is built up to between 6 and 12 inches in thickness, and shaped to the proper contour.
	13. Tile. Tile is set at where the waterline will be when full.
	14. Equipment. The pump, filter, timer panel, sanitation system, and other equipment is placed on the pad. Here it is plumbed and wired.
	15. Backfill. The trenches are covered, base materials are compacted, and the site is prepared for concrete.
	16. Form-up. Concrete forms are placed to form the desired shape of the pool deck or patio.
	17. Pour. Concrete is delivered and pumped into place. Finishing a pool deck is a very specialized area of concrete work.
	18. The light is installed and carefully bonded to ensure safety. Final interior preparations are made for the plaster.
	19. Another inspection.
	20. Plaster. The interior of the pool gets its final surface. Whether white plaster or a Pebbletec finish, it’s almost time to swim.
	21. Clean-up. The jobsite is picked up.
	22. Start-up. The pool is filled with water, the proper water-care products are added, and the new pool owner gets a lesson on how the whole thing works.
	23. Final inspection. The building inspector makes one more trip to the jobsite. His primary focus is to insure that the required safety barriers are up and functioning properly. The barriers required vary from place to place, but usually include at least a 5 foot high fence, a self closing gate, and battery powered door alarms if house doors open to the pool area.
	24. Follow-up. As the new pool owner becomes familiar with their new oasis, they usually develop some additional questions about using features or maintaining proper water chemistry. Maintaining the positive relationships we form during the construction process is essential to us. As such, we are always ready to answer those questions, or come back to a home to demonstrate a particular feature.