Creating a concrete swimming pool in your home will bring much joy and entertainment to your family. This important project requires special knowledge, professional skills and tools, especially in safety matters. You must call the right concrete pool builder to accompany you in your construction. The company you choose must have experience and positive reviews and recommendations to ensure you a successful building. We will walk you through the process you can expect, step by step, during your concrete swimming pool build.
Step 1: Get your permit
A concrete swimming pool construction must start with a permit. Before asking for it, you must design your pool. You must create a conceptual design by determining its size, shape and depth.
This is the most critical step, as you won’t be able to change it after the pool is built. Take time to think about your future concrete swimming pool needs, whether you will use it for pleasure or to train. This will help you appreciate the design you need.
A structural engineer or a pool contractor will help you create engineering plans. This includes property lines, topography, utility lines and pool dimensions, location and materials. The professional engineer will analyse all elements and let you know if any upgrade or reinforcement needs to be done before you start the construction. It also takes into account all technicalities of filtration, electricity and safety.
Then, you can submit your permit to your local building department.
Step 2: Excavation
You are now ready to dig the hole following your design. The pool site will be graded and compacted so you have a stable base for building.
Step 3: Rebar grid
The steel reinforcement will help the structure to be solid and resistant. The rebar grid is critical for the safety and longevity of your concrete pool.
Step 4: Plumbing and electrical work
Following the original design, your plumbing pipes and system will be installed, making sure to cap the opening so as not to clog the pipes with concrete afterwards.
The electrical system needs to be wired correctly. That operation includes filtration systems, lights, and all the tools that work on power. An experienced plumber and electrician must do this work so your system is performant.
Step 5: Concrete time!
A skilled technician will apply and spray the concrete. You can use a shotcrete or a gunite, depending on your original design. That step will shape the pool structure. The concrete needs a twenty-eight days curing period. The concrete must be sprayed with water two or three times per day. That is crucial for the best quality and most robust structure of your concrete pool.
Step 6: Waterproofing, tile and coping
The concrete structure needs to be water-resistant. A sealant will be applied on all surfaces, as well as a waterline tile, to prevent water from entering where the edge of the water meets the pool surface.
The concrete will be covered in tile with a specific design, giving your concrete swimming pool a unique touch.
Around the pool’s edge will stand coping material that includes bricks, pavers, stone or other options.
Step 7: Fill the pool up!
Now, it is time for water to fill the pool! However, you will need more time until it is ready for swimming, as a 28-day period is required for the plaster to cure.
This is the best time to try out all your equipment, pump, filtration system and lighting.
Step 8: Final check before your first plunge.
Your concrete builder company must proceed with a final inspection to ensure your pool’s safety and well-functioning. The safety system must be checked for your family and pets to stay safe while using the pool.