how is a concrete pool made

How Are Concrete Pools Made?

Full Answer

What is a concrete pool made of?

What is a concrete pool? Cement is actually a component of concrete, not the same thing, even though we tend to use the words interchangeably. Concrete is a mix of water, cement, sand, and a coarse aggregate (stone or gravel). A concrete pool shell is created by spraying either gunite or shotcrete.

What is a concrete pool shell?

Concrete is a mix of water, cement, sand, and a coarse aggregate (stone or gravel). A concrete pool shell is created by spraying either gunite or shotcrete. Gunite is a dry mix with water in the sprayer, whereas shotcrete is already wet. These two methods produce the same result and have no significant difference in quality if done correctly.

How do you build a concrete slab around a pool?

Pour concrete into the pool to create the bottom slab. Purchase plenty of shotcrete mix or gunite. Place it all in a mixing truck equipped with a big hose or dumping rail. Dump the concrete onto the rebar or spray it out with a hose attached to the truck. Use enough concrete to make the pool floor at least 6 in (15 cm) thick.

How long does it take to build a concrete pool shell?

For a pool shell, this takes about 28 days. The strength of concrete is measured by psi, the pounds per square inch necessary to crush it. An average concrete strength is 3500-4000 psi. It’s controlled by how many sacks of cement are added to the mix—the more cement, the stronger the concrete.

How are concrete pools made?

It generally takes 3-6 months to install and start up a concrete pool. If you’d like to learn more, you can read this more detailed outline of the construction process for concrete pools.

What is a concrete pool?

Concrete is a mix of water, cement, sand, and a coarse aggregate (stone or gravel).

What is the average cost of a concrete pool?

A concrete pool can cost $50,000-$100,000 depending on the region, but it’s not uncommon for them to cost more, especially with additional landscaping and accessories.

What are the pros and cons of owning a concrete pool?

The pros and cons boil down to this: concrete has significant advantages in terms of appearance. However, maintaining that appearance takes a lot of time, money, and personal effort.

What do you need to install before putting a concrete shell in a pool?

Before placing the concrete shell, the builders install the pipe needed to circulate the pool water. They installed much of this plumbing before the steel phase; however, some plumbing is supported by the steel and therefore installed after.

How long does it take to build a concrete pool?

In contrast to fiberglass and vinyl liner pools, which can be completed in several weeks, concrete pools require 3-6 months to install.

Why is concrete bad for pools?

Water chemistry is another issue with concrete pools. Because the algae embeds into the surface, you have to use more chemicals to reach and destroy it. Also, concrete is alkaline-based, which constantly increases the pH of the pool water.

What is concrete pool?

Concrete is responsible for some of the highest quality swimming pools ever built. When constructed properly, a concrete pool lasts for years before requiring basic maintenance or repairs. Concrete pools are made with shotcrete or gunite, mixtures of concrete or sand sprayed onto a metal frame.

How deep is a concrete pool?

An average concrete pool is something like 10 ft × 20 ft (3.0 m × 6.1 m) in size with a depth up to 10 ft (3.0 m). All of these dimensions can be changed depending on your ideal pool. The concrete pool needs to be at least 6 in (15 cm) thick, so widen and deepen the outline as needed to compensate.

How to keep track of pool level?

To keep track of the pool’s levelness, install stakes in the pool’s corners. Run strings between them. Pack the soil to the same height as the string to ensure it stays level throughout the pool.

What color is plaster for pool?

You have 3 different plaster options: basic rubber plaster, a pebble mix, and a quartz hybrid. Choose your color scheme carefully if you go with the pebble mix. For instance, if the bottom of your pool has gold pebbles, your pool water will look green. Try to avoid colors like orange, black, and brown as well.

How to design a pool?

Sketch a basic design for your pool. Pick up a pencil and a piece of paper, then create the pool you plan on constructing. Settle on the pool’s shape and size. Then, begin planning the features, including pool steps , lighting, and other accessories . Factor in limitations like the yard space you have available to choose the right pool for your situation.

What is the first step in pool construction?

There are multiple steps involved. The first stage involves planning and design, and the second stage is engineering. Once the engineering is approved, your pool contractor will move on to permitting. When the permitting is also approved, your contractor will confirm the pool's "footprint" with you. Then, you'll move onto excavation and pool installation.

How to keep a pool warm during rain?

The location you choose affects your pool. Put your pool above a slope so debris doesn’t wash into it during rainy days. Keep it in sunlight to warm the water naturally.

What to do after curing a concrete pool?

After curing of the concrete pool, proceed with coping. Various materials, including concrete, are suitable for this process. Then, finalize the pool deck using your most preferred material that enhances your pool’s beauty.

What is concrete shotcrete?

Concrete usually results in shotcrete or gunite. But typically, concrete is a mixture of sand water and cement. So ensure the blend combines appropriately. Afterward, spray the mixture on the rebar grid. Pool contractors ought to conduct this process carefully. Otherwise, it could turn into a huge mess.

What is included in a pool before concrete?

Before the concrete is added, your builders will also have to install the plumbing and electrical components of your pool. This includes your pool’s full circulatory system, including drains, pumps, returns, and any additional water features. It also includes all of the electrical for lights or other features.

Can you fill a pool with water?

Once everything is in place, you can fill your pool. If water is relatively cheap where you live, you can just use a garden hose to fill up the pool. Be prepared for it to take a while. If water is expensive or your pool is really large, you can have water brought in by truck. This is much faster.

How are concrete pools made?

How Concrete Pools Are Made. Concrete pools have one major advantage over vinyl and fiberglass pools. They can be made in any size or shape you like. That’s because unlike vinyl and fiberglass, the pool is not premade. Instead a hole is dug in the desired shape and depth of the pool. After the hole is prepared, the walls are fitted with rebar.

Why is concrete bad for pools?

Because concrete is filled with microscopic pores, it can host bacteria and algae that eventually will affect the water quality in the pool. Strong chemicals can also affect the concrete or the plaster that is often put over it.

What is the rebar used to build a pool?

Instead a hole is dug in the desired shape and depth of the pool. After the hole is prepared, the walls are fitted with rebar. The rebar will provide support for the concrete that will be poured. Once the rebar is in place, a mixture called gunite is sprayed onto the rebar to form the walls and floor of the pool.

How to clean pool after brushing?

After brushing, wait a few minutes to allow the loosened bacteria and algae to sink to the bottom of the pool. Then you can use a pool vacuum to clean along the bottom of the pool and collect the material you brushed off.

Why is my pool filled with bacteria?

This means that it is filled with tiny microscopic pores which can harbor bacteria. If the pool and its concrete walls are not cleaned regularly , these bacteria can flourish. Too much bacteria can affect the chemical balance and even visual quality of your pool water.

What is gunite in pool?

Gunite is a mixture of sand and cement. This mixture is a form of concrete. Once the gunite has cured, the walls and floor of the pool will be covered or treated in some way. One common way to smooth over the gunite is to apply a layer of plaster.

Can concrete be used as a saltwater pool?

Another feature of concrete is its reactivity. Concrete doesn’t mix well with certain chemicals . For instance, if you’re pool is concrete, you can forget about creating a saltwater pool.

What is the best concrete for a pool?

The quick answer: One of the most important variables to look for in a quality concrete pool shell is the calibre of its concrete. The very best concrete is made using the Dry Gunite process. It is superior to concrete made using shotcrete wet mix, which is pre-mixed in a factory.

What is the most important component of a pool shell?

And hands down the most important component of a pool shell is its concrete .

How often do you need to recertify for a pool?

Recertification is required every five years, but Betz recertifies every three years, just to stay ahead.

Why is Betz pool not ironclad?

The reason others don’t offer an ironclad guarantee is because they simply cannot be that sure of their product quality. One of the reasons that a Betz concrete pool is superior is because we use more reinforcing steel than other builders.

What is shotcrete wet mix?

Most companies use shotcrete wet mix, which is pre-mixed at the factory and then pumped from a truck and hosed onto your pool. Shotcrete is cheaper and easier to apply but requires a higher water-to-cement ratio, so when the excess water evaporates as the concrete sets you’re left with a more porous, less stable pool wall.

How to get pool information?

Surfing the Internet is a good start. But your single most important step for pool information is to contact a certified pool professional to make sure you get the custom advice you need.

Is dry cement made of sand and gravel?

Dry Gunite process concrete is made right on site. The exact ratio of sand and gravel is blended with Portland cement and pumped under high pressure to the point of application where just enough water is added to ensure proper adhesion. By using less water the resulting concrete is denser than can be achieved with ready-mix shotcrete.

What Is A Concrete Pool?

Concrete inground pools use a mixture of water, cement, sand, and coarse aggregate (usually stone or gravel) to create a pool shell.

How much does it cost to build a concrete pool?

Answer: On average, $75,000. Concrete pools are the most expensive pools to build and maintain. On average, you can expect to pay around $75,000 for just the pool, with landscaping costs potentially bringing the price up to $100,000.

How long does a concrete pool last?

You can get multiple decades of use from a concrete swimming pool, and it’s not unheard of for it to last over 50 years.

What shape is a swimming pool?

Regardless, most pools use one of these four shapes: Rectangular. Roman (rectangular with arched ends) Kidney. Freeform (lagoon style) If you want total control over the look, depth, and size of your swimming pool, concrete will allow that.

What is the difference between shotcrete and concrete?

Shotcrete, on the other hand, is more in line with what we think of when it comes to concrete.

Why do you need to monitor calcium hardness in a saltwater pool?

This is because salt likes to eat away at concrete, resulting in faster wear and tear.

Is vinyl pool competitive?

But recently, vinyl liner pools and fiberglass pools are offering an increasingly competitive option to the traditional concrete structure.

What is the most common in ground pool building material?

Using steel-reinforced concrete to form a shell, concrete and plaster are the most common in-ground pool-building materials and were the first ones used when residential pools became popular.

What is a fiberglass pool?

A swimming pool made of fiberglass will be sold as a large one-piece shell that arrives at your home by truck and then is positioned in the excavated hole with the help of a crane. Unlike concrete pools, fiberglass pools are ready-made, making it rare to request a customized design.

What is a vinyl pool?

Pools that are lined with vinyl are built with metal or plastic frames above ground or set into the excavated hole. Prefab supporting walls or panels made of plastic, steel, or aluminum are joined to the frame, making a form that is then lined with heavy vinyl to form the pool shell. The bottom of a vinyl liner sits on a bed of sand or other material, while the top is held down by the coping, which creates a finished edge and also acts as a border for the pool deck.

How long does a vinyl pool liner last?

Some liners come equipped with fungus and UV inhibitors, which can extend the life of a vinyl liner from 10 to about 18 years or so.

How does a hole in a yard work?

Here's how it works: after a hole has been excavated in a yard, the sides and bottom of the hole are lined or framed with rebar (steel rods). These can be sculpted into nearly any shape conceivable (from rectangles to boomerangs to hearts and guitars), along with adding steps, ramps, and other features.

How many types of in ground pools are there?

If you want something cleaner and more reliable than a rock-and-mud swimming hole in your backyard and more permanent than an above-ground pool, there are four main types of in-ground pools. While wood is a possibility, the cost of building one that would not deteriorate in a few years narrows the choices down to the most popular and efficient. Keep in mind that there are variations of the main types, allowing you more options.

Is fiberglass pool easy to build?

Steps, spas, and benches are usually pre-formed. Fiberglass makes the pool-building process quick and easy. Its smooth interior surface is slick, making it tough for algae to cling to. However, fiberglass can be more costly.