In our earlier blog, “Gunite swimming pool construction process (Part 1)”, we talked about the three starting phases to the process it takes to build an in-ground guinte swimming pool. We will now discuss the final three phases. The final three phases are setting the tile, laying the plumbing and pouring the concrete for the deck around the pool. After these three steps are completed, you will only have to plaster your pool and set up the system, but we will get to those steps in a different blog.
Setting the tile for a swimming pool can be a difficult process, depending on the size and shape of the pool. If your pool is just a basic rectangle, or an “L” shape that has straight walls, this process is very simple. If you have a bean or kidney shaped pool (or any other custom, curvy shape), this process can get a bit tricky. The first step is to choose the tile you want on your pool. If you have a straight edge pool, you can simply go with an elegant 6×6 tile. If you have a curvy pool, you might want to go with a mosaic tile that will contour to the walls and edges of your pool better. These tile come in different shapes and sizes, but the reason they are able to fit better in a curvy pool is because they are not one solid piece. The tile is grouped together on a piece of mesh so it is malleable. Regardless of the type of tile you use, we will set it into the wall prior to the plaster so that everything is square and even when it is finished.
Next we have to lay down all the plumbing lines so your pool can operate properly with the pool equipment. The equipment pad includes products such as the pool pump, filter, heater and chlorinator, all of which need to be connected to your pool in order to keep it clean and working properly. The process of laying the pipe is quite simple (if you know what you are doing). We simply dig up trenches from different areas of your pool (skimmers, main drain, return lines) to where the equipment pad will be placed. These trenches will be the housing for the plumbing pipes. Once the pipes have been laid, we bury the pipes and leave the ends stubbed up where the equipment pad is going so that we can connect them at a later point.
Finally, the last step before you plaster is to set the deck. Some clients are ok with just a basic concrete deck, but some people love the look of a paver or natural stone deck. Either way, before we can plaster, we need to set the deck. We do this because the plaster is the final step and makes your pool look beautiful and new. We wouldn’t want to ruin the plaster by accidentally dropping material into the pool while setting the deck. If you are simply going to get a concrete deck, we will frame out the deck and pour the concrete. We then smooth out the top to give it a nice finished look. With a concrete deck, you can get it spray coated which protects it from the elements and gives it a nice color. Once the deck is done it is time to plaster!