Gunite
Gunite construction offers the most flexible design alternative. It is the most expensive of the three types of pools due to high labor requirements.
Steps:
- Site preparation and layout of pool area are important initial steps.
- Determining the finished elevation is a critically important step.
- Excavation to predetermined depth.
- Forming and setting rebar cage to provide the backbone of the pool is next.
- Rough plumbing lines, main drains, skimmers, returns, light niches, etc. are installed and pressure tested for integrity.
- Gunite is now “shot” in and around the rebar to predetermined thicknesses, and steps sculpted at this time.
- Curing is the next critical step, as concrete achieves its maximum strength in 28 days. The gunite is kept damp to ensure slow curing from the inside out.
- Forms are removed from cured gunite.
- Pool is carefully backfilled.
- Coping is now installed around the top edge.
- Perimeter Tile is installed.
- Plaster is applied and pool immediately filled with water.
- Pool now recirculates for approximately two weeks without chlorine and heat.
- Finally – swim.



