The building of your new pool requires the scheduling and coordinating of nearly 100 craftsmen and supporting personnel. Involved also are dozens of vehicles, ranging from small trucks to tractors and gunite rigs. In one way or another, all are involved in the necessary process of removing, delivering, installing and finishing literally tons of materials.
As you can appreciate, planning and controlling this small army of men, materials and machinery is both an art and a science of logistics. A constant stream of information from the new-pool site is fed through Backyard Amenities Construction Office and then orders and work schedules are constantly being dispatched to material suppliers and craftsmen in the field.
Unlike a factory line, where each worker performs repetitive work in one area, our craftsmen and equipment are constantly moving from one job to another in your area. In addition, our custom pools are never identical, and construction tasks vary from site to site. To make efficient use of this expensive equipment and manpower, it requires precise planning, careful timing and constant attention by the people who operate Backyard Amenities construction department.
During construction of their pools, many homeowners call to ask exactly when installers and equipment will be arriving. This is natural and we understand the reasons for it. But pool building is a complex process, and it is impossible to tell homeowners with any degree of accuracy the exact times men and equipment will be arriving during the building process.
Please be assured no one is more conscious of time and schedules than Backyard Amenities. It is to our benefit to expedite construction as quickly and efficiently as possible. But knowing the realities of construction work, we make it our practice to give you the approximate time we plan to have workers and equipment at your home.
Now that you have made the decision to build a new pool and have chosen the design…
What happens next?
Permits
Plans and engineered specifications are now submitted to your local city building department by Backyard Amenities. Some cities issue permits within a few days while others may take a few weeks or more. Please be patient and know that the construction cannot begin until they issue all required building permits. Once the permit is issued, it will be hung at the construction site and must remain there throughout the construction of the pool. Each city has different rules and inspections. There will be different inspections scheduled throughout the building process. These inspections must be done before we may proceed to the next step. Backyard Amenities will handle scheduling all of these inspections.
Layout
Someone from Backyard Amenities will come out and “mark off” your pool as per the layout drawing we did of your backyard. This is the time to change the placement of the pool. Let us know immediately if the pool is not positioned as you desire. You will be asked to sign off on the placement of the pool before we start digging.
Excavation
This is the day you’ve waited for! Pool excavation requires heavy machinery and dump trucks to remove any dirt not needed around the pool. Your backyard will now begin to resemble a battlefield. The landscaping in the pool area and access area will be virtually destroyed. Know that we will do everything possible to keep the mess to a minimum. The excavation crew will pre-grade and set up form boards. Most pools can be dug in one day.
Steel & Pre-Plumbing
Soon after the pool is excavated, the steel crew will arrive. Steel rods will be installed forming a cage of steel. A crew will set and tie a network of steel reinforcing bars to conform to the shape and contour of your pool.
Safety Note: The steel has sharp edges that can cut deeply if anyone climbs around on the rebar – so please be careful. We don’t want to see you or any member of your family injured.
Once the steel is installed our plumbing crew will install the pre-plumbing. At this time, you will notice there are no steps in your pool. Don’t panic, they are solid gunite and will be installed during the next phase. Plumbing and lighting fixtures that will be built into your pool will be carefully positioned into place. Most areas require an inspection to be done at this time.
Once the steel is installed our plumbing crew will install the pre-plumbing. At this time, you will notice there are no steps in your pool. Don’t panic, they are solid gunite and will be installed during the next phase. Plumbing and lighting fixtures that will be built into your pool will be carefully positioned into place. Most areas require an inspection to be done at this time.
Gunite
The next step in the process is the gunite phase. Gunite requires large equipment. This, most people say, is the most exciting process of the pool installation to watch. Our skilled craftsmen will pneumatically apply the gunite over the steel to form a single piece gunite shell that will provide the structural strength for your pool…a structure that will endure a lifetime! The crew will trim out the final shape of the pool and cut-in such features as the steps and benches. Prior to leaving the job, the crew will cut three or four holes in the bottom of the gunite pool. These holes are called “weep holes”. Their purpose is to allow any underground water beneath the shell to “weep” through and into the empty pool.
After the gunite is installed, you will need to wet the gunite thoroughly twice a day for seven days. Wet the pool with a spray nozzle on the end of a water hose for approximately 10–15 minutes at a time. Don’t worry about the water that collects in the bottom of the pool as you hose it down, our plaster crew will pump this water out prior to plastering at a later date. Do not permit anyone to walk on the steps or the rim of the newly gunited pool for at least one day. This will cause cave-ins and delays in finishing the pool.
Tile & Coping
Our tile installers will now arrive and set the ceramic tile that you have selected around the water line perimeter of the pool. The coping that you have selected will also be installed, giving your pool an attractive, durable edge. Make sure not to let anyone walk on the tile or coping until it has had time to set and dry.
Electrical
Our electrician will install the electrical conduit and connect in the electrical wiring for the pool. He will install lights and controllers at this time. If you are going to have in-house controls, arrangements will need to be made so that someone is there to meet them. Some cities require an inspection at this time.
Waterfall & Water Features
If your pool is going to have a waterfall or other water features, they will now be installed.
Decking
Now you can realistically see how your pool will look in your backyard. It’s time to set the forms for your decking. Many of our agreements allow you to alter the decking shape and size at this time, as you can now more easily visualize how you may want your deck. If you want to alter your deck from the original plan, please contact the Construction Coordinator at our office before the forms are installed. Someone will meet with you to revise the plan and advise you if there are any additional costs. Decking will now be installed around your pool. Grading will be done and the decks will be formed for your approval. Once decks are approved they will be poured. As mentioned earlier, each city requires different inspections and they will be scheduled as required by the city. Decks can not be poured until all inspections are done. Adequate expansion joints are installed.
Note: Be sure NO ONE walks on or touches the deck until it has cured for 24 hours.
Plaster Preparation
We will prepare your pool for the final finish by pumping out any accumulated water and cleaning out construction debris. If step trim or accent tiles need to be installed, they will also be done at this time in preparation for plaster finish.
Plaster & Fill with Water
It’s now time to cover the gunite with the interior finish you have selected. Crews will mix-up and trowel the finish on the surface. When completed, they will begin filling your pool with water. We will need your help at this time…watch the water level and turn it off when it reaches the middle of the skimmer opening or middle of the waterline tile.
Note: It is very important that you do not stop the water until it reaches the middle of the tile because if you do it will leave a permanent “bathtub” ring around the plaster. Do not let anyone get in the pool as it will stain the new plaster.
Clean up
If it has not been done already, the clean up crew will be out to do any necessary final grading and clean up.
Start up
Once your pool is full, call our office so we can schedule someone to start up your system. Someone will return and start up your pool pump and filtration system. We will inspect the system for proper operation and make sure everything is performing its best. Your automatic cleaner will also be installed at this time. The proper chemicals will be added as needed. If you have a salt system, the proper amount of salt will be added in about 4 weeks once the plaster has cured to prevent staining.
Note: It is very important to now brush your entire pool (walls and floor), everyday for the first 21 days.
Note: It is important that you bring in a sample of water into our lab within a week of you pool’s start up. This allows us to “fine tune” your water for maximum clarity, sanitation, and comfort.
Your pool will usually clear up in about 24 – 48 hours.
Now the moment you have waited for…
JUMP IN AND ENJOY!
Orientation
Finally, an appointment will be set up for one of our experienced staff members to meet with you and give you a personal instruction lesson on how to operate and maintain your new pool. Be prepared to ask questions…there are no dumb questions. We want you to have as much knowledge as possible. The more you know, the easier you will find it to care for your pool.