Swimming pools can be built using vinyl, steel, polymer, gunite, plaster or cement. The installation method for each type of swimming pool is considerably different. The following is a description of each stage of pool construction to give you a better idea of what to expect when you have a pool installed.
Here’s how they build different types of inground swimming pools.
Beginnings
Every pool begins the same. The area of your backyard where you want the pool to be situated is marked out and excavated.
Vinyl Liners
After the excavation, the wall panels are put up. The walls may be made of steel or polymer but the construction process is the same for both, except that the walls and braces are made of different materials.
The pool wall panels are set on blocks to make sure that they are all the same height and at the right grade level.
Options Added
Any added options, such as a walk-in step unit, skimmers and jets are added at this point. Some of the plumbing pipes are run around the pool, as well.
Wall Braces
Metal braces must be attached to each pool panel. After the wall has been set to the right height and is level, cement must be poured on each brace to keep the wall in place when it is being backfilled. The cement also adds strength to the walls for when the water is added to the pool. A solid concrete collar is poured around the bottom of all the panels later, to ensure stability.
Pool Floor
Sand is added to the pool floor and smoothed out with trowels to make it flat. Some homeowners may wish to have a cement floor. At this point, the pool starts to take shape and you will get an idea of what it will look like when it’s finished. Once the floor is ready, the vinyl liner is installed.
After the liner is in place the installers will make the final adjustments to ensure there are as few wrinkles in the liner as possible. The pool is then ready to be filled with water.
Backfilling
After the pool is filled with water, the area around the pool walls is backfilled with dirt and the diving board stands, ladder and rail cups can be cemented in. When the dirt around the pool has had time to settle in a few weeks, cement, bricks or other deck-work can be added to the pool area and the ladder, rails, diving board and landscaping can be added.
Gunite, Cement and Plaster Pools
After the excavation, the shape of your pool is outlined using wood framing. Using steel rebar, the installers shape the wood frame into the final shape of the pool. When the shape is perfect, gunite, or shotcrete is power sprayed into the form.
Next, the plumbing fittings are installed and other elements like rock coping and inset tile at the top of the pool wall can be put in. This type of pool allows for a lot of creative options.
Surface Options
The actual surface of the pool walls and floor can now be installed. You have many options for completing the surface including:
- Diamond Bright
- Gunite
- Marble dust
- Plaster
- Paint