A worker smooths a recently poured concrete deck with a house and some other workers in the background

To our passionate builders, every element of a pool build is exciting. At Summerhill Pools, we don’t just design pools – we design the perfect retreat right in your backyard. Want a gorgeous pool complemented by an eye-catching deck in your outdoor living space? We have the right materials and designs to fit any vision you have.

In this article, we are taking a closer look at one of the most important parts of the pool building process: pouring the concrete for the deck. In particular, we will be discussing the Collins Job which, when completed, featured a gorgeous pool with a built-in spa finished off with the perfect deck for guests to relax at as they dried off. Here is more information about the essential yet complicated process of pouring the concrete deck:

What Needs to Happen Before the Concrete Can Be Poured?

Before the concrete for the Collins job could be poured, there were several steps our pool building team had to do first. Here is a quick overview of those steps:

Excavation and Debris Removal

To install the deck properly, our pool building team needed to get the ground ready. This required excavation of the site and the removal of job site debris. Before any digging could begin, our pool experts marked the yard so that the team knew exactly where to dig. A laser level will was used to mark exactly how much depth needed to be dug for the pool. 

Once the excavation was complete, our team removed all of the dirt and debris that came as a result. While most homeowners understand that the excavation process will move a lot of dirt, many are astounded to see piles that are as big as an outdoor shed. All of these piles were hauled away using trucks, allowing our team to move to the next step of the process.

Rough Plumbing

Rough plumbing was installed to ensure that the Collins’ pool would have proper main drains, skimmers, and return lines.

Tying the Steel

Pool builders building custom rectangular pool

The Collins’ pool form was reinforced with a steel rebar, which was placed horizontally and vertically to form a grid. This grid formed the backbone of the swimming pool and supported the shell, preventing damage from the earth shifting. Our team secured the steel by tying wires at intersecting points as well as placing block spaces to keep the steel from sinking into the soil.

Running the Plumbing and the Electrical Lines

After the steel had been placed, we finished running the plumbing for filtration equipment and the water feature pumps that were asked for. Electrical conduits for the pool equipment were also installed and pool lights tested. Finally, the breaker box for the pool equipment was installed and ready for the equipment to be set and used.

Shooting the Shotcrete to Form Our Swimming Shell

Shotcrete was shot into the pool around the steel grid to create a shell for the pool. Reinforced with the steel, the Collins’ pool was hardy enough to last the family for years to come!

Laying the Framework for the Pool Deck

Finally, we laid down the framework for the pool deck so that we could create a beautiful and sturdy area for their friends and family to use to navigate around when swimming.

Each phase of the Collins job construction process was overseen by our designer Gary Burns and our superintendent Dave Jetter. They worked tirelessly to make sure that the pool design and construction processes were executed expertly and precisely while also adhering to local building codes.

Pouring the Concrete Deck

Pool builders building custom rectangular pool

Once the shotcrete pool shell was formed, we were ready to move onto the next stage of the project: pouring the deck. 

For this build, we built a concrete deck that went nicely with the modern pool design we had implemented. Once finished, the deck had a fire pit system, LED lighting, and other high-tech features. The fire pit and lighting were controllable by remote or smartphone. 

What Comes After the Concrete Was Poured?

Once the concrete was poured, our team smoothed it out and then waited for it to dry. After that, there were only a few steps left for the pool build to be completely finished. These steps were:

  • Installing the plaster pool finish
  • Implementing the deck lighting elements
  • Filling up the pool

Summerhill Pools is not the fastest pool builder in town, but for good reason. We take the time to make sure that your pool is built to last and that it adheres to local building codes. At Summerhill Pools, we use only the highest quality materials and the best construction methods. When you come to us, you can rest assured that you’ll get an alluring pool that lasts a long time. Call us today to learn more!

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