MARCH 2025
Check out a pool project from start to finish!
Step 1. Layout & Set Elevations
The first step for your gunite pool build is to flag out the pool in your yard so that you can picture what it will look like. If any adjustments need to be made that can happen easily prior to digging the pool. This is typically done during your Pre-Construction meeting with you sales/designer, project manager, and production assistant. During this time we also set the elevation that the pool will be built at. Since the pool must be level any grading or retaining wall work that might be needed will be determined prior to even removing any dirt. As a high end pool builder we do not cut any corners and build every pool as if it were in our very own backyard
Step 2. Strip Topsoil
Now that the pool location has been approved by the customer, the first day of construction will consist of stripping all the topsoil and stockpile the dirt to be returned at the end of the job at no extra cost (or hauled away if that is in your contract). Many companies charge extra machine time and or require you to pay for additional topsoil. At K&D, we dig our own pools and we do not use any subcontractors for this process so we are able to spend the extra time to grade the job without additional costs.
Step 3. Excavate Pool & Pour Filter Pad
By digging our pools in house we set our dirt grade right when we dig the pool. We do this so that later down the road when the deck is being stoned you will not run into any additional stone charges like you would with many other companies. When digging our pool we hand shape the sides of the entire pool to ensure a true consistency of Gunite all around the pool and ensure a solid foundation for your pool.
Step 4. Install Stone Base
In the Northeast region the freeze and thaw of winter is a constant threat. We take many precautions in the build process to ensure this yearly occurrence will not compromise the structural integrity of your pool. Based off our our engineers recommendations, we add stone to the bottom of every pool and in some cases we will need to install hydrostat plugs. These plugs go into the stone and come through the bottom of the pool. Typically in pools with hight water tables or drainage issues. Should you ever need to drain your pool you simply unscrew those plugs and any ground water under the pool can flow into the pool. Without this if you ever drained your pool the ground water can pop your entire pool up out of the ground!
Step 5. Install Plumbing and Equipment
Right after the pool is dug all the plumbing is installed. Some builds will have plumbing stub plumbed, until the equipment pad is ready to go, and some pools all the plumbing is installed 100% right from the get go. Either way we can charge the plumbing system with air from a compressor to ensure there are no leaks. This test gets performed many times throughout the build process to ensure nothing has been broken during construction. We also install any electrical conduit in the same trench with the plumbing this way everything is together and decreases the chance of electrical conduit being damaged later.
Step. 6 Install Steel
Our entire pool is caged in ½” 8 gauge steel rebar. Many companies use 3/8” 6 gauge
Our bond beam which is the top perimeter of the pool contains 4 separate runs of ½” steel to maximum strength to handle freeze and thaw. Our bond beam is 12” thick where other companies are 10” thick.
Step 7. Shoot Gunite
There are two main types of concrete pools that you can buy. The two choices are Shotcrete or Gunite.
Shotcrete is a wet mix. This product is cement out of cement trucks. This product is much cheaper and the main reason why many companies still use it today. The nature of
concrete as a material is to crack, having a pool shell that can crack will cause major costly repairs down the road. Besides the cracking this product come straight from a concrete plant, which can have problems with their mixes, the trucks can get stuck in traffic making the concrete mix too long, there are a lot of uncontrollable variables where things can go wrong.
Our choice is Gunite!
Gunite on the other hand while costing more cures to a much higher psi than concrete and is a dry mix. The water for the Gunite is added right at the hose nozzle. This way the applicator can control how much water he is adding at all times. By adding water right at the nozzle the mix comes out perfect with no need to stack the material. Our pool walls are straight with a small bowl at the floor, this way you can swim up to the side of the pool and stand straight up with the arms on the coping. Once the Gunite is shot you will need to wet down the entire shell for 7 days. This wetting of the shell is what helps the Gunite to cure to its highest and strongest psi.
Step 8. Install Tile & Coping
Prior to this step you will have chosen your selections from many included tiles and copings available. There is something for every taste. Once the Gunite shell has cured tile and coping will be installed. Normally this is a one-day process we bring a wet saw to each job and cut every coping brick in order to make a uniform joint around the perimeter of the entire pool. This is when the pool starts to come to life●•
Step 9. Pour Deck
With so many different options to choose from for your pool deck, ask to see some pictures of previous jobs, this is a great way to get a feel for what you are really looking for. We install 4” of stone under the concrete to allow it to move with the freeze and thaw of winter. We then pour 4” of concrete per your plan and you will only be charged the square footage price for what we actually pour. We do include brushed concrete decking in our base pricing so you can upgrade your pool decking to stamped concrete, pavers, travertine or natural stone. All of our joints are sawcut for the best finish look. Some companies use plastic expansion joints which break over time and are very difficult to replace.
Step 10. Regrade Topsoil
Now that the deck has been poured we are ready to rough grade the topsoil that we stripped and stockpiled at the beginning of the job. Many companies will charge a machine hourly rate to re-spread this dirt, we include this at no additional charge.
We do offer an additional service we refer to as rake and seed. We bring in a machine with a rake as well as men with hand rakes to fine tune the topsoil and get rid of rocks and branches. This will get your yard “sod ready”. We then spread seed so you can grow grass just like before we started the project. Ask us about rake and sod to skip the time to wait for seed to grow, sod is instant grass!!
Keep in mind, you don’t want a beautiful pool with brand new decking and dirt leading up to your pool. This will make a mess of your new pool very quickly so make sure to include a budget for this part of the project!
Step 11. Plaster and Fill
The final step of the build process is the interor finish, plaster, ie, the finish coat on the inside of the pool. Whatever product and color you have chosen is hand troweled to a nice smooth finish. When the plaster is first applied it may seem like a different color than the one you picked. Do not panic! Once the plaster is on the plasterers still have to take the cream off the top. Once they finish the process it will look just like the color you chose! Once the pool is plastered it gets filled with water the same day. Once your water chemistry is balanced your ready to swim!!!
Step 12. Design and Install Landscape Package
To finish off you project with a bang, you can meet with Zach, our landscape specialist, and he can design a custom landscape package for your new pool. Zach and Bree started Acer’s landscape to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the world, one outdoor space at a time. Which is why we work so well together and our clients love their designs and finished product. They really do bring your new backyard Oasis to life.
Step 13. Share your experience with us!
The entire project from start to finish will typically take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks weather permitting. We love to hear from our customers. Please take the time to write us a review about your experience. Our company is built on our fantastic reputation, and we have our customers to thank for that!
Learn More with K&D Pools
Ready to take the first step toward building your outdoor Oasis , then look no further than K&D Pools!
We offer personalized service for every customer, so you can rest assured that you will receive exactly what you want.
Call us today and let’s see how we can help you create your outdoor Oasis!
