How to build a swimming pool

Swimming pool builders have got their work cut out for them when it comes to the knowledge of how to build a swimming pool. The work is exacting and requires full knowledge of the requirements in order to come up with a perfect product. While one would hardly build their own pool, it is important for one to know the procedure of how to build a swimming pool in order to monitor construction at their own houses.

To start with, swimming pool builders need to appropriately mark where the pool is to be dug. This is one of the most important steps as the marking will not only show where the pool is to be built but should also already bring out the “square” of the pool. The square of the pool is simply a technical language meaning each corner should amount to exactly 90 degrees. This applies to both square and rectangular pools. If the “square” is not found at such an early stage, it will be difficult to ever find it once real work starts. That is how one ends up with a pool that is askew.

Once the square has been found, the digging may now commence. Swimming pool builders may use either hand or machine to did the pool. Either way, they should make sure to maintain the square and to reach to recommended or otherwise approved depths by the client. When the digging is complete the pool is nicely cut out so that all walls are nice and straight.  It is at this stage as well that the builders need to level the top surface of the pool. This ensures that the outside top of the pool is absolutely level. If it is not level, you will then see when complete that water might appear full on one side of the pool and yet way down on the other side. This is one clear sign that the builder actually did not know how to build a swimming pool.

The reinforcement work will now start at this juncture. The swimming pool builders will lay down a steel mash. Y8 or Y10 reinforcement bars are now taken and meshed together with the steel mesh, creating a very strong skeleton in the pool. It is important that the reinforcement is taken off the ground by a few centimetres right round. This ensures that when the concrete is poured, it will be positioned right in the centre of the concrete slab and not on the bottom.

Once this is done, the greatest step of them all is then carried out. The builder now pours concrete into the pool and meticulously moulds the walls and the floor of the pool with the concrete. This is done either by hand with spades or with a gunite machine sprayer. As a rule of thumb, concrete should be about 150 cm thick. Smaller radius concrete stones are recommended more than the big ones as they have a better and smoother finish and they bonder closer together, ensuring a better waterproof concrete slab. 

The concrete is left to cure for a couple of days. While it is curing, the swimming pool builders will add the weir, the aim flow, the lighting as well as all piping. Copings and pavers are also added at this stage. The pump station is also brought in and joined together. This includes the pump, the filter as well as the DB box. These pieces of equipment make the throbbing heart of the swimming pool.  

When all this is finished, the swimming pool builder now turns their attention to the finishing or lining of the pool. In South Africa, the linings of the swimming pool are typically fibreglass or marbelite. If the finisher is fibreglass, the builder must plaster the pool first with a very smooth finish. The fibre will then be laid on top of the plaster. If it’s marbelite, there is no need to plaster the pool. Marbelite is simply applied on top of the concrete.

Installed correctly, a swimming pool becomes one of the greatest assets not only of aesthetic value but also of incessant pleasure around the house. It is very important therefore that a potential client knows how to build a swimming pool.

Find out more on https://trademenpools.co.za/