Step 4: Excavation
Of course, the final step in building a pool is to dig up and build an oasis in the backyard! You probably spent a month or so finding the right builder, deciding on the type of pool, designing the best pool for your budget and needs, and getting the right permits. The rest of the construction work is expected to take 6-8 weeks.
See the article on how long it takes to build a pool for a complete overview. If you are planning to build a ground pool, please see the Ground Garden Preparation page.
Excavation
When your pool builder starts building your pool, they may do a soil test to assess the composition of the soil you are building. Salt, organic matter, clay, sand, gravel and silt can all affect pool drilling conditions. You need to make sure that the soil is uniform and suitable for pool construction. Then start digging with a heavy machine like an excavator. You will be amazed at how much dirt is coming out of the ground. It’s so dirty that it either drags or occupies most of the garden. Be prepared for damage to your yard when digging, moving, or storing materials. Heavy equipment and trucks create access roads through your yard and destroy your grass. This is a necessary part of the build process.
Steel work, Plumbing and Electrical
Next is the installation of electricity and water to make your pool work. This includes building equipment pads that house the pump and filter system. Ducts can be built underground or underlay in concrete, depending on whether they are unobtrusive or not. This process can be time consuming if the pool has many additional features such as lights, water features, and spa.
Installing the Pool Shell
Now for the exciting part! It’s time to build the actual “pool” part of your swimming pool. A gunite (sprayed concrete) pool will involve building a steel-reinforced rebar skeleton. This combines well with gunite because they bond well, they have similar expansion characteristics in different temperatures, and concrete protects the steel from corrosion.
When installing a vinyl or fiberglass pool, the process is usually faster because the pool walls or shells are created externally, shipped, and installed directly. Part of the fiberglass pool installation is to level the pool and measure around it. This often requires a lot of adjustment on the crane to ensure that the pool is safe.
Decking, Custom Features, and Landscaping
After the pool base is complete, the contractor will build surface level decks and additional features, install pool finishes and develop the surrounding landscaping. This can take some time, depending on how complex the pool is.
Adding Water, Chemicals, and Mechanical Start-Up
After installing the interior fittings, the pool will be filled with water. This may include pickling the day before filling. The technician then runs the system and install’s cleaners as needed.
Orientation
The day has finally arrived! Your pool is built and operated and you are ready to enjoy the extravagant joy of a refreshing pool. You will be guided through the pool by a project manager who will answer any questions or concerns you may have. They will give you the instructions you need to maintain your pool. Congratulations, you now have your own garden oasis!
If you’re just getting started and looking for a contractor, PoolXpert can connect you to a network of trusted professionals. Find a PoolXpert near you.
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