What to Expect When Building a Concrete Pool
Building a concrete swimming pool is the most preferred method in pool construction? Why? Simply put concrete pools offer versatility in every design aspect. For example, you can choose your corners, curves, length, width, and even the depth of your swimming pool. What’s more is you can choose the placement of jets, customise the addition of a spa to make a pool and spa combo, and much more.
Building a concrete swimming pool will usually take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks from the day of excavation. Outline below are some of the stages you can typically expect in the construction of a concrete swimming pool.
1. Pool Excavation
Excavation is the most exciting journey of a new pool build! It’s at this time of construction that you start to see your dream start coming to a reality.
Depending on the access you may have a smaller 3 – 7 tonne excavators if you have limited tight access. This will generally cost more money given it will take longer to dig your swimming pool. However, if you have wide access, using a 12 to 13 tonne excavator will cost far less and take much quicker to excavate your swimming pool.
If you live in a rocky area your pool builder might opt for a rock breaker to assist with breaking up the rock where your swimming pool is going to be located.
Also consider where the machinery will have to travel from the pool area to a truck if soil is to be removed. Your pool builder may use a bobcat to run the dirt back and forth, so having the area clear is ideal to make for a smooth and quick run out.
The Unexpected
Swimming pool excavation is generally where you can expect the unexpected. There are steps you should take to understand what you could expect and what to look for in your pool contract with your builder to make sure you know what you are signing up for.
Provisional Sum & Fixed Price Dig
First and foremost, you should check yours swimming pool contract to determine if you have a fixed price dig or a provisional sum / allowance? If you have an allowance set for your excavation then you need to expect that should the pool excavation take longer than expected, such as hitting rock, you may need to cover additional costs. However, likewise, if the excavation of your concrete swimming pool doesn’t take as long as expected you can usually expect a credit.
Keep in mind that if you have a fixed price dig on your contract, then there shouldn’t be any additional costs. However, it’s worth reading the fine print of your contract.
Relocation of Assets
It is important to note that while every swimming pool builder will do their diligence there may be some unexpected unforeseeable impacts yay in checking for assets, some council and house plans aren’t always accurate. As such, you should expect that there may be additional costs if diversion of electricals, sewer, or stormwater needs to occur.
2. Steel Fixing
After the swimming pool has been excavated and gravel placed in the bottom, the steel fixing occurs. Using premium steel Palm Beach pools will normally have this done immediately after the excavation taking 1 – 2 days to complete depending on the complexity and size of your swimming pool.
A critical step to reinforcing the concrete and providing extra strength and durability for your pool to last many years to come.
3. Pool Concreting
Another super exciting step in the pool construction process is the concreting stage. Here at Palm Beach Pools, we use 32mpa premium concrete. 32mpa concrete is used to maintain strength for high volume / traffic areas to ensure the integrity of the structure. It also makes for a quicker curation of your concrete pool shell to get to the strength it needs before continuing to the next stage.
With our team we put up sheets around your house, fencing, and garden to ensure there is no concrete spray beyond the pool shell. That’s right, we take every bit of care in protecting your property and leaving the site clean and tidy.
During the concrete stage any final touches to the pre-plumbing will be made to run pipes where your filtration equipment will be located.
4. Tiling
Once the concrete has cured – usually 1 – 2 weeks the tiling can occur. Whilst most people opt for a pebblecrete pool interior given the cost effectiveness, tiling of your pool interior and coping will typically occur at this stage. The tiling of the interior of a pool can take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, again depending on the complexity and size of swimming pool. Whilst the coping tiles typically take 1 to 2 days to lay.
Selecting the wright pool tiles for your pool can be the biggest challenge! You want to make sure they are durable, look good, tie in with your overall theme, and compliment the interior of your swimming pool. We’ve put together some tips on choosing pool tiles to help you make and informed decision.
5. Fencing
You pool fencing is typically fixed to a footing if it’s glass fencing, or another existing structure like decking, tiled surrounds, or a concrete slab. – Your pool builder should explain this to you during the design stages. Whilst this stage typically happens straight after tiling, some choose to wait until further landscaping is completed.
It’s important to recognise that the next stage of pebblecrete and pool water goes in due to legal requirements to have a barrier around a body of water. Refer to swimming pool fences and safety.
6. Filtration Equipment
Your filtration equipment installation can occur at any time after the concreting is completed. It will be installed and ready to go for when the pool is filled with water.
It’s important you check where your pool builder or you will need to organise an electrician to supply electrical outlets and connect the earth wire installed during the steel fixing stage. – Check with your pool builder before engaging so you can get some quotes and have clarity on any addition costs prior to engagement.
7. Pebble Interior
Woo hoo! This is the most exciting part of every swimming pool project. When it’s pebble day you know that water will be in your pool within 24 hours. On this day a licenced pebblecrete contractor will either spray or trowel the pebblecrete interior. Once applied it goes through a very light acid wash before the hose goes in.
Then the waiting game for the pool to slowly fill up.
8. Handover
Once your swimming pool is filled with water you can generally expect your pool builder to supply the chemicals. We supply the initial chemicals and salts or minerals for every customer! Your pool builder will fire up the filtration equipment and get everything going. Expect your builder to walk you through how to operate your swimming pool and test your water.
It’s important you brush you’re the pebblecrete EVERY DAY for the first 2 weeks to remove any dust and debris. Doing so will have your pool looking great! Also get your swimming pool water tested regular at your local pool shop by a skilled pool technician once every week for the first couple of months as this will help you get into a rhythm for future maintenance, whilst setting the cadence for regular water testing moving forward. – whether that be fortnightly or monthly.
Getting Started with your Pool Contractor
Are you ready to start the concrete pool construction process? Keen to turn your backyard into an oasis like no other? Get in touch with Palm Beach Pools for an obligation free quote today! We are the best pool builders Gold Coast has on offer.