Pool Design & Construction

Excavating

The digging is easy as long as it's dirt, but as it nears the bottom, the excavator strikes ledge, aka solid rock. So into the hole goes a hydraulic rock splitter for a day of chipping and breaking. When all is done, some 150 cubic yards of dirt and rock are taken out, half of which is used for backfilling and grading. The rest is hauled away.

Plumbing and Reinforcement

After laying in 6 to 8 inches of sharp-edged "trap rock" for a stable base, PVC plumbing for the drain and cleaning system, and a layer of gravel, the crew from the pool's skeleton with 3/8-inch and 1/2- inch rebar. The criss-crossing rods are wired together, and the whole assembly is then electrically grounded to slow corrosion and to protect against accidental shock from pool equipment

Forming the Concrete Shell

A barely moistened mix of cement and sand — called gunite for the way it's sprayed in place — shoots from a pneumatic nozzle to create a pool bottom and sides that are up to a foot thick. It takes a day and about 45 cubic yards of gunite to make this shell, plus a full week of twice-a-day watering to keep the concrete wet while it cures and hardens.

Smoothing and Step-Building

The concrete goes on rough, so before it hardens the workers take their floats to it, not only to smooth the surface but also to make steps, benches, and other underwater features. None require any rebar or reinforcing mesh; they're formed from solid concrete and lots of elbow grease. After the concrete has been worked, the ground around the shell is backfilled and graded and compacted to prepare for the pool deck.

Filling

The finish plaster hardens and cures in the presence of water, so as soon as the pool is done it's filled immediately with water that has been brought in via water trucks.