Q & A on Pool Construction

Q – What does the layout and/or stakeout entail?

A – This entails marking the dimensions of the pool onto the ground of the proposed site. This is how you will see the outline of the size and shape of your pool. This is also your final opportunity to adjust the size or location of your pool if needed before the ground is actually broken for excavation.

Q – What happens during excavation?

A – This is the process of removing the earth and rock and preparing the site for the pool construction. Skilled equipment operators dig out the initial pool site to prepare it for forming and steel workers.

Q – What is the forming and steel for?

A – This part sometimes makes a homeowner a bit uneasy due to it being visually unappealing – wood and steel beams are put in place in  preparation for the gunite or concrete phase. The steel rebar beams provide strength for the structural integrity of the gunite and is an important step in the overall construction process.

Q – What is the next step in the process after the forming and steel is done?

A – Before the gunite is “shot” (a spraying process) into the pool, we will install all the plumbing and electrical – making sure that all the plumbing is pressure tested and that the electrical work is up to code (City & State standards).

Q – What is the “gunite” process?

A – This is very exciting to see for the first time. Normally this process involves a team of men that “shoot” the gunite (a type of concrete) through a pressurized hose into the excavation to create the inner shell of your new pool.

Q – What else has to be done after the gunite is finished?

A – The decking surrounding your pool has to be constructed as well as the plastering of the pool, laying of tile, coping and stone. The pool decking can also involve somewhat elaborate architectural features, like water features or  fountains, natural stone benches, etc.

Q – You have mentioned tile & coping as well as stone and plaster. Can you provide me a more input on those?

A – Pool construction currently has a large selection of slates, ceramics, natural stone tiles, and mosaics available. The pool coping (pool’s edge material) is created in many cases with natural limestone here in Central Texas, but it can also be designed with brick, cement or an assortment of other decking materials. We use very talented stone masons and hard working craftsmen and we are very proud of their collective abilities. The work our craftsmen produce is second to none. Putting on the plaster is a very difficult and quick process. It is blown onto the gunite and requires a hard working crew to smooth the surface quickly to assure a beautiful finish. The pool is then immediately filled with water.