THE SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION

PROCESS

At Pacific Pools we specialize in creating beautiful, durable, and functional pools that enhance your outdoor living experience. While you do not have to be an expert, having a basic understanding of the construction process is essential for turning desires and ideas into reality. Below, we guide you through each step of our design and construction process to ensure you know what to expect when building your dream pool.

Step 1: Initial Consultation

The journey to your new pool and outdoor living space begins with an in-depth initial consultation. During this meeting, we will sit down with you to discuss your vision, preferences, and any specific requirements you may have. During our consultation will cover:

Your Vision: Share your ideas, inspirations, and any specific features you want in your pool.
Pool Design Options: Explore various shapes and styles, including freeform, geometric, infinity edges, and more.
Size and Shape Considerations: Discuss the optimal size and shape for your backyard and lifestyle, whether for family fun, entertaining, or relaxation. We will make the most out of any given area.
Budget: Outline a detailed budget to ensure your project remains within your financial comfort zone.
Permitting and Local Regulations: Review local building codes and regulations that may impact your project.
By the end of this consultation, we aim to have a clear understanding of your desires and expectations, setting the stage for a successful project.

Step 2: Design & Planning

Once we have a grasp of your vision, we will create a comprehensive design for your pool and outdoor living space. This stage includes:

Custom 3D Renderings: We provide detailed 3D renderings that allow you to visualize your pool and outdoor living space in your backyard, helping to ensure that every detail meets your expectations.
Material Selection: Choose from a wide variety of finishes, tiles, and coping options to create the perfect look for your pool. We’ll guide you through various textures, colors, and styles.
Outdoor Living Spaces: Our team will plan for surrounding features such as decks, patios, and summer kitchens that complement your pool design and enhance your outdoor space.
Feature Integration: Discuss options for water features (like waterfalls, fountains, or jets), lighting, and heating systems to personalize your pool further.
You’ll have multiple opportunities to make adjustments to the design until it perfectly fits your vision and lifestyle.

Step 3: Permitting

With a finalized design in hand, we will handle all necessary permits and approvals upon initiation of a contract. We are well-versed in local regulations and HOA guidelines and will ensure that your project complies with all safety codes and zoning laws. This vital step ensures a smooth construction process and prevents any delays caused by permitting issues.

Step 4: Stake-Out and Excavation

Once permits are secured, we will begin the excavation process, which is a critical phase of pool construction. Our skilled crew will:

Site Preparation: Stake-out the pool area according to the approved design, ensuring accuracy for the intended shape and depth.
Excavation: Utilize heavy machinery to excavate the site, digging to the required depth. This process also includes creating any necessary slopes for proper drainage and ensuring that the pool is structurally sound. Dirt is usually hauled away from the jobsite, but may remain for construction purposes and/or personal (client) use.
Site Cleanup: After excavation, we clean up the area to prepare for the next stages of construction, ensuring that the site is safe and organized.

Step 5: Steel, Stub-Out & Electrical Bonding

After the pool has been excavated, our steel crew will install the steel frame of the pool.

The pool will half-inch steel rebar perimeter beam, while the wall and belly will all be .375-inch steel rebar.
Once complete the pool will be bonded 360-degrees with #8 copper wire to ensure safety from potential electrical hazards.
Before gunite can be applied, we will install the necessary plumbing that will be encased inside the gunite walls of the pool.

Step 6: Gunite

Once the pool has passed its steel/bonding inspections and has been fully stubbed-out, it is now ready to be gunited.

Gunite is pneumatically applied (min. 4500 p.s.i.) and is applied to a thickness of 8-12-inches.
Because of the intense pressure at which it is applied, gunite hardens incredibly fast making it an ideal material for forming a pool.
Depending on the size of the pool, the entire gunite process generally takes one day.

Step 7: Plumbing, Electrical and Equipment

Once the gunite shell is in the ground, pluming installation will continue from the stub-out point to the Equipment pad.

All plumbing and electrical will be run to a designated area where a concrete pad will be constructed to support the equipment (we often elevate equipment pads to prevent potential damage from flooding).
All of our base (necessary) equipment is manufactured by Pentair and includes the pool pump, filter, cleaner, and lights.
Beyond the necessary equipment are optional equipment upgrades, such as heaters, chillers, and in-floor cleaning systems.
All Pentair equipment comes with a three-year manufacturer warranty.
Pool equipment generally includes, but is not limited to the following:

Filter Pump: Pentair's IntelliFlo3® VSF Pool Pump

The IntelliFlo3 VSF Pool Pump is designed to be versatile and smart, allowing you to control pool lighting and more. It operates quietly and is available in two horsepower models: 1.5HP and 3.0HP to suit your pool's needs. The pump has received accolades for its unparalleled efficiency, quality, and technology, and is designed to take the pool industry to the next level.

App Connectivity: Get real-time status information, alerts, and notifications in the Pentair Home app or on the pump touchscreen. You can connect the pump to Wi-Fi to keep the software current with over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Automation: Optional entry-level automation allows you to connect your pump to two additional pieces of pool equipment, such as pool lighting, for easy control from anywhere, anytime - using the Pentair Home app. The pump has received accolades for its unparalleled efficiency, quality, and technology, and is designed to take the pool industry to the next level. Including the most advanced pump-based automation system with seamless Wi-Fi control, so you can monitor the pump from anywhere.
Flow Control: The pump features built-in sensorless flow control for effortless optimal flow. It automatically adjusts to the pool's needs to keep it clean and running smoothly. It turns up after a storm or party or down when the pool is not in full-use mode.
Energy Savings: The combination of variable speed and sensorless flow saves you up to 90%* on energy consumption. Slower speed and regulated flow save energy for pool owners.
Quiet Design: This VSF pool pump offers unparalleled performance without the noise.

Cartridge Filter: Clean & Clear® Plus Cartridge Filters

Clean & Clear Plus Cartridge Pool Filters have a corrosion-resistant, injection-molded, fiberglass-reinforced, polypropylene filter tank featuring superior strength and reliability. The cartridge assembly uses four, nonwoven, polyester cartridges. There is no need for backwashing.

Heater (optional): MasterTemp® High Performance Pool and Spa Heaters

Save money and energy with the MasterTemp High-Performance Heater. Already known as being dependable and efficient, MasterTemp now offers smart features and an optional energy-saving Smart Bypass Valve Kit to help you ensure your pool is ready whenever you are.

Smart connectivity via the Pentair Automation Systems enables you to manage pool functions anytime, anywhere.
Full-text digital display combines new functions and a user-friendly menu for easy operation and diagnostics.
Digital connectivity with your pool's automation system and an advanced ignition control module with flame strength sensor help to ensure optimal heater performance.
Alerts pushed to a smart device to keep you updated on heater performance and real-time status.

Pool/Spa Lights: MicroBrite® Color And/Or White LED Lights

Give your pool the ultimate lighting upgrade. MicroBrite® Color and White LED Lights provide exceptional brilliance, lighting uniformity and amazing colors. For new pool and spa designs, their compact size delivers the freedom to add dynamic lighting in places never before possible. Let your imagination take you to brighter places.

Energy-saving, LED efficiency from the industry's most compact 12V LED plastic light
Connects to any Pentair automation system, including Color Sync™ Controller for Pentair Color LED Pool Lights

Pool Control (optional): IntelliCenter® Pool Control System

IntelliCenter Pool Control System is the most versatile Pentair automation system, delivering better than ever technology you can trust. Easily expandable, this system connects to the Pentair pool app for centralized control for multiple pool devices, from water features to lights to pumps. This system makes pool life as easy as it should be.

Setup wizard makes it easy to program, with step-by-step, on screen instructions.
Color touchscreen interface displays intuitive instructions in clear text and rich colors.
Easy control from anywhere, any time with the Pentair pool app.
Pool peace of mind with remote monitoring and control for white glove service.

Pool Chiller (optional): The TropiCool® Water Chiller

Designed to lower the temperature of your swimming pool to a refreshing and enjoyable experience throughout the summer. A heat pump gives you consistent performance, while evaporative cooling systems struggle to keep up in humid climates.

Set your desired temperature to maintain
Helps conserve water, does not work on evaporation
Consistent performance regardless of humidity
Titanium heat exchanger impervious to harsh water chemistry
New SMART control panel with 24 character full-text display provides easy-to-read menu options and unit status

Step 8: Water, Fire and Other Optional Features

A number of features may be added to your pool and outdoor living area to enhance the space and truly bring it to life.

Fire bowls are a great addition to pools. They may be installed as a stand alone features, or they may be combined with a water element, such as a sheer descent.
Custom fountains, water bubblers and laminar jets are other optional water features that create elegant ways to return water back into the pool.

Step 9: Tile and Coping

In many ways, the tile and coping you choose are a reflection of your personal style and design aesthetic.

Coping comes in various forms (straight edge or bullnose) and can either be man-made (porcelain, brick, ect.) or can consist of a natural stone paver, such as travertine, marble and limestone. Many of the natural stone pavers come either tumbled (a smooth, finished surface) or sandblasted (a coarser/grainier surface).
Pool tile comes in either ceramic or glass variations. Tile is used to line the inside waterline perimeter of the pool/spa. It can also be used to line the spa spillway, infinity edges and as trim tile on steps and benches.

Step 10: Pool Decking, Summer Kitchens and Pergolas

The pool's decking is an integral feature of the both the aesthetic and functionality of your complete outdoor living space.

Pool decks are generally constructed with concrete and finished with either a textured paint (spray/cool deck), a stamped or patterned finish, or with a natural stone or porcelain paver.
Other additions to consider for your outdoor living space are:
- Summer Kitchens
- Pergolas
- Firepits (these may be controlled via the pool's automated and wireless control system)

Step 11: Plaster

The final step before filling the pool with water is application of a plaster coating.

Plaster is a cement, sand and water mixture that not only brings beauty to the interior of the pool, but also completely seals and protects the exposed gunite preventing any leakage.
Plaster can come in a variety of colors and finishes. Some of the most popular finishes are pebble and quartz finishes.

Step 12: Start-Up

Once the pool has been plastered and has filled with water, we commence a "start-up" process that treats the new plaster coating ensuring that it properly cures.

The process consists of a low alkalinity (acidic) solution that is added to the water, along with vigorous brushing over the course of the process.
The process generally takes 2-3 days and terminates with the balancing of the pH level of the pool with sodium bicarbonate.
The pool is now ready to enjoy!

Step 13: Pool School: Caring for Your Pool

After the start-up process has completed, we will guide you through the complete operation and care of your pool and all of its features.