Our Pool Construction Process

The time has finally come. You’re officially building the pool of your dreams. We’re excited to be on this journey with you, and thankful you’ve chosen us to make your dream a reality. Though we wish it could happen overnight, the reality is most pool projects take 8 to 10 weeks. And, factors such as weather and permit delays can impact the timeline. We’ve found it works best when our clients have an idea of the steps involved in the swimming pool building process. So, let’s take a tour through the typical build to give you an idea of what you can expect.

Approvals

There are state and local, and often HOA, rules and regulations that must be satisfied before pool construction can begin. Texas Outdoor Oasis will obtain all necessary permits ahead of time. The homeowner is responsible for obtaining the written approval of their HOA, where applicable, before any construction may begin. HOAs are all unique, some with more flexible approval processes than others. We will provide you with the necessary plans and any lists of building materials that may be required. And, we will be available for any questions or concerns that come from your HOA.

With these approvals secured, before any excavation begins, a representative from Texas Outdoor Oasis will come out and draw the actual outline of your pool on the ground. This will provide a clear visual of the pool plan you and your designer developed. You will sign off on the final outline. Outline complete, we bring in the diggers! On average, we budget 10 days for the approvals phase of a pool build.

Excavation

Usually one of the most exciting days for the homeowner is when we bring in the big machinery. During this one- to two-day window, you’ll see the most dramatic progress. Hello – we’re digging a giant hole in your yard!

It is important to remember that large machinery requires a lot of space. Your project manager will explain the path the machinery will take to access the dig site. We ask our homeowners to move any decorative rock, outdoor furniture and the like from the projected path. Though some precautions may be possible, sprinkler systems are often damaged and should be factored in as ancillary costs a homeowner will incur during the pool build. The same applies to plants and grass along the path. We encourage our clients to work with our experienced sprinkler and irrigation teams to devise a plan for post-construction.

During excavation, layers of hard rock may be encountered. When this happens, in order to proceed with the dig, special equipment will need to be used to break up the rock. Given the extra time involved in breaking up the rock, excavation costs will inevitably increase. Your project manager will be available to keep you informed throughout excavation. In the vast majority of cases, excavation requires no more than two days of work.

Structural Steel

Water is heavy. Steel bars are used to form the shell of your swimming pool; you might think of this as the skeleton. A strong skeleton. The bars will be laid horizontal and vertical, forming a grid onto which concrete will be poured. Steelwork typically takes one to two days.

Plumbing Stub Out

Whether you realize it or not, there is a lot happening behind the scenes of a swimming pool. Pools are designed to move water around efficiently for a myriad of reasons. Most importantly, water circulation keeps your pool clean, moving about the sanitation elements. If you’ve chosen custom water features, such as a fountain or waterfall, pipes will be used to route the water where it needs to go for feature operation. Because none of this is seen in a completed pool, all the plumbing goes in before the concrete is laid. A certified plumber is used to install the plumbing infrastructure and equipment. This part of the process is usually complete in one to two days.

Electric and Gas Infrastructure

Electrical and gas work, where applicable, next takes place. Your pool equipment and the project lighting will all be wired into place. If you’ve opted for a fire pit, gas powered pool heater or gas grill, the gas infrastructure will most likely be completed here as well. When the time comes, your electric and gas providers will bring your pool and other features online; your project manager will be in touch throughout the construction regarding this timing.

When this work is complete, before we can move on, we must get final approval on the work from a city inspector. This is one of what is normally two city inspections we will be required to obtain. Texas Outdoor Oasis works to stay on top of the project progress and proactively schedules inspections wherever possible.

Gunite Application

After excavation, the concreting will usually be the most visually impactful day for the homeowner. It is at this point that the actual pool, as it will be when complete, is clearly visible. Even those with limited imagination can now visualize the final product. Gunite, another term used for the mixture of sand, rock, and cement in the base of the pool, is sprayed onto the steel frame through a large hose. The project manager will be in contact with the homeowner regarding the timing of the installation, as the homeowner will play a role in the curing process. Because concrete must stay moist during the curing period, the homeowner will be asked to maintain a regular schedule of water application onto the new concrete surface. In most cases, the concrete application will take one day. Curing generally lasts five to seven days.

Tile Work, Coping and Special Features

Once the concrete has cured, the waterline tile will be installed, as will the coping, which is the surface at the edge of the pool. Popular coping options today include natural stone, poured concrete, and precast concrete. It is also at this time that any hardware for special features, including waterfalls and deck jets, will be completed. The duration of this phase of the project will vary based on the size of the pool and the number of special features chosen. But, on average, it takes no more than one week.

Decking & Outdoor Living Spaces

The decking is the surface surrounding your pool, installed adjacent to the coping. There are many options of decking in use today, including specially surfaced concrete, decorative pavers and tile. Work during this phase will involve leveling the ground ahead of decking installation.

Many of our customers choose to create outdoor living spaces beyond the pool. Options might include an outdoor kitchen, an outdoor fireplace, permanent seating, pergolas, other covered outdoor living areas, and more. Usually this work is commenced during the decking phase; but, in some cases, work on the overall outdoor living area will be completed in tandem with earlier phases of the pool build. Timing here is dependent on the size of the area, the materials chosen and the elements included in the outdoor living space. Simple decking could be completed in as quickly as a couple of days.

Pool Equipment Setup

The pump and filter system is installed and set into place. The equipment for your pool is designed to give it the best circulation and filtration for crystal clear water, efficiency and power as well as ease of maintenance.

City Inspection

Before the final pool surface application can take place, the city must conduct a final inspection. One important component to the inspection is the confirmation that required safety elements are in place. Your project manager will be working with you throughout the building process to ensure compliance in this area. Completion of this phase is, again, dependent upon inspector availability, but is generally completed within three to five days.

Pool Surfacing & Finish

Most pools today are finished with a pebble-based surface. This material, like the concrete, is sprayed onto the surface of the pool. It requires at least 24 hours of cure time. And, once cured, the surface is washed with acid to finish it out. We budget two days for this step in the process.

Fill Up and Start Up!

Then, at last, it is time to put water in your new pool! Our staff will ensure water chemistry is properly established at fill. They will also advise on when to turn on the equipment. Though we cannot guarantee a comfortable water temperature right after a hose fill, feel free to jump right in!! Depending on the time of year, and whether or not you have chosen to use a pool heater, the pool water will gradually warm up. Your project manager will work with you to schedule a time to have one of our technicians walk you through all the components of the new pool equipment. Our goal is to have you comfortable and confident in the operation of your new pool.

Have more questions? Contact Texas Outdoor Oasis today.