LagunaPoolAndSpa.com - New Pool Construction | Swimming Pool Design, Contractor and Builder of Las Vegas, Nevada

This guide is provided to help you have a pleasant experience during a commonly frustrating process known as construction.

We have found that the most common cause of frustration is not knowing what to expect. We hope that this guide will assist you in understanding the swimming pool construction process.

THE POOL BUILDING PROCESS

Prior to excavation, all building permits must be obtained and on site (if applicable).

All scheduled dates are tentative and subject to change due to:

• Each phase must be completed and approved by the superintendent before scheduling
next phase.

• Adverse weather conditions, such as wind or rain, can delay steel, shotcrete, deck and plaster. If this occurs, we reschedule for the next available date.

• Revisions to the final approved plan will cause delays.

• There may be days when no worked is performed on site. This is due to the specialized nature of Laguna's crews and scheduling them in and out.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 .... Layout

4 Excavation

5 Caliche

6 Plimbing

7 Steel

8 Electrical

9 Pre-Gunite Inspection

10 Shotcrete

11 Tile & Rock Work / Waterfalls

12 Clean Up and Deck

13 Safety Barriers

14 Final Inspection

15 Plaster / Pebble

16 Start Up & Orientation

17 Final Walk / Punch List

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LAYOUT • Pool shape is spray painted on the ground per plan. • Superintendent checks the layout for accuracy and the lot thoroughly for construction conflicts. • If the homeowner wishes to make changes, now is the time. It is much easier to erase paint and respray, than to fill and re-dig a hole. Back to Table of Contents
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EXCAVATION • The pool is dug. • Mounds are formed at the location of steps. • Dump trucks full of dirt are very heavy. Concrete may break if they cross over it to obtain backyard access. • Trucks and tractors will make a mess of the access area. This can not be avoided. The access area will be cleaned when pool construction is completed. Back to Table of Contents
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CALICHE • If rock or unusual soil conditions are encountered during excavation, a hard dig could result. • Thesuperintendent will inspect and verify it is a hard dig. • If caliche is found, additional fees may be charged to continue digging and remove the caliche. • Outside bids for caliche removal are welcome, but will further delay construction. Back to Table of Contents
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PLUMBING • All plumbing and pool equipment are installed. • The system is pressurized and checked for leaks. • Any plumbing leaks visible by a wet area or drip are repaired. • Installation of any gas lines (if applicable). • The final gas hook up, connecting the stub to the meter, can only be performed by Southwest Gas. The homeowner is required to make an appointment and there is no charge for this service. Back to Table of Contents
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STEEL • Steel bars (rebar) are placed in a grid-like pattern throughout the pool. • Steel is placed on top of the mounds for the steps. • Preliminary electrical inspection is scheduled. • Steel tied to follow structural engineering calculations, every pool is different based upon depths and configuration Back to Table of Contents
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ELECTRICAL • Install light niche and rough electrical and bonding is performed. National codes require all metal within 5' of the water's edge is bonded. Bonding is a copper wire connected to all metal and is similar to grounding. • If someone other than Laguna is installing your wrought iron, make sure they perform the bonding sufficiently. • Be sure to leave all breakers off. • Pre-gunite (shotcrete) inspection is scheduled. Back to Table of Contents
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PRE-GUNITE INSPECTION • A city building inspector will check the electrical, plumbing and steel for proper bonding and to ensure the pool is ready for shotcrete. • Once inspection is approved, shotcrete will be scheduled. Back to Table of Contents
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SHOTCRETE • Concrete is sprayed to create the pool shell and the steps are formed. • Spray shotcrete with water thoroughly 2-3 times per day for the next 7 days. • Keeping the concrete damp enables it to cure properly and reach full strength integrity. Don't worry if water collects on the bottom while curing. • Shrinkage cracks are normal and not structural in nature. Proper watering on the first day minimizes shrinkage cracks, although it probably will not prevent them. • Ensure all color selections for tile, grout, flagstone, deck and interior finish are approved. Back to Table of Contents
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TILE & ROCK WORK/WATERFALLS • Waterfall or other rock work is scheduled. Superintendent meets with homeowner to discuss what to expect. • A row of 6” wide tile is installed under deck placement and where specified per plan. • Unless specifically requested, we do not place tile on rolled beams. • Pre-deck inspection is scheduled. • Upon approval, clean up and deck are scheduled. • Reminder – barrier requirements must be met. Back to Table of Contents
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CLEAN UP AND DECK • Prepare area for deck and place forms around edges. Check to ensure no changes are necessary. • Concrete is poured and deck is sprayed with chosen color. • Clean up around pool and yard is completed. • DO NOT WALK ON WET CEMENT FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS. Keep children and pets out of the area for 36 hours. • Schedule masonry if applicable. • Code gate if applicable. • Schedule headset for in-floor systems. • Schedule superintendent pre-final inspection. Back to Table of Contents
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SAFETY BARRIERS Safety codes are governed by the city to prevent children unsupervised access to the pool area. Typical barrier requirements are: - Minimum 5' high block wall fence around the yard. - An outward opening gate to yard that is self-closing and self-latching. - All windows opening to yard have locks 54” high to prevent windows from opening more than 4”. - Sliding glass windows must be self-closing and self-latching with the handle 54” high. - Doors opening to the yard must have a lock 54” high. - Doors opening to the pool area must have door alarms. • Laguna can be contracted to obtain current barrier codes and bring residence to compliance, otherwise it is your responsibility. • A final or pre-plaster inspection is scheduled. Back to Table of Contents
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FINAL INSPECTION • City inspector checks all safety barriers. • You must be home for this inspection. • Superintendent will check pool with you to ensure everything is correct. Back to Table of Contents
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PLASTER/PEBBLE • A 1/2” thick layer of plaster or pebbled finish, depending on your contract, is sprayed and troweled onto the shotcrete surface. • Immediately after finish is applied, water begins filling the pool and/or spa. • Continue filling until water level is halfway up the tiles. • For plaster finish pools, begin brushing 3-5 times per day once the pool is full. Back to Table of Contents
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START UP & ORIENTATION • When your pool is full, contact the office to schedule your start up. • Our technician will come out to get the pool up and running. • Do not attempt to turn on the pool yourself. • Homeowner is responsible for start up chemicals. • Technician will orient you on equipment functionality and maintenance. Back to Table of Contents
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FINAL WALK/PUNCH LIST • We will walk the project with you to note any unfinished items or necessary repairs. • A date for repairs will be scheduled with our office. HAVE FUN ENJOYING YOUR NEW LAGUNA POOL!! Back to Table of Contents