Construction
(Of an in ground pool)

   If you are going to buy a pool from a company that sells pools, you must remember that they only sell pools.  Essentially, they have nothing to do with the construction process that goes into the actual building of the pool.  Instead, they will hire a subcontractor to build the pool and the only other time that you will see them is if you have a complaint or to pay your money.  So, the pool will only be as good as the contractor.  Decide how big the pool will be (width, length, depth) and then shop around for a company that sells that type of pool.   
    Once the contract is signed, the contractors will begin by bringing in an excavator, like the ones shown Here.  The machine will need access to the area where the pool will be, which means moving such things as fences, sidewalks, trees, and anything blocking the access route.  Also, if there are any electrical or plumbing/sewage lines where the pool will be, they will need to be rerouted before construction and these costs may not be included in the contract that was signed, so you will need to check these things out ahead of time. 
    After the site has been excavated, a two or three man crew will come out and create a kind of skeleton in the hole.  This usually consists of 3/8 inch rebar and are bent to form the sides of the pool.  Also, any concrete patio that will be present after construction will need rebar, so at this time, the construction crew may bend the rebar out over the top of the pool.  A wood form will also be built around the pool where the pool will meet the patio. 
    PVC piping will be used for the plumbing of the pool.  At this point, the owner may want to consider certain safety devices for their drains so that no one is dragged into the drain.  See the accessories section for various safety devices.  Depending on the size of the pool, the process of building a pool will have taken 2-3 weeks up to this point.  The deck/patio will now be poured and needs approximately 24 hours to dry.  Usually, contractors will use what is called a broom finish on the deck, meaning that a broom is dragged across the cement to avoid slipping when it dries.  One important thing to remember is the the areas around the pool should slope AWAY from the pool in order to avoid debris and extra water running into the pool. 
    Several different options are available for the finish on the inside of the pool.  A commonly used one is plaster, which gives the inside of the pool a very smooth feel in the water.  Plaster also lasts for several years when taken care of.  As soon as the last of the plaster is applied, one can begin to fill the pool with water out of the hose.  If the color of the water is a little green or yellow, it may be from a mineral problem and this can be fixed easily through the use of a pump and filter 24 hours a day.  After this, if the water is still not clean, a shock treatment of chlorine and acid can clear up the water.  You are now ready to enjoy your new pool.

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