Custom Pool - Building Process
Sunset Pools – Luxury Custom Pool Builders in Cape Coral, Florida. Also Servicing Babcock Ranch, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, and Estero.
More than a new, custom pool or spa, a SUNSET POOLS creation is the definition of elegant outdoor living: Designed and constructed to blend perfectly with your surrounding environment, it will transform your outdoor space into the ultimate in luxury, creating a private destination that will satisfy the most discriminating tastes.
The Art of Great Design
Your SUNSET POOLS creation begins with a personal meeting with a member of our award-winning pool and spa design consultant team.
Together, you’ll select the best site, size, and shape of the pool and spa you desire: A site that fulfills your vision, as well as all zoning and planning requirements. While we’re the leading designers of custom free-form pools, we’re positive there’s no shape we can’t create, no style we can’t elevate, no vision we can’t match: “Begin with these options”, then let your imagination take it from there.
With your pool style and shape selected, we then design the surrounding architecture from quality patios and decking to magnificent waterfalls and fountains and end with an “OUTDOOR LIVING ENVIRONMENT” that fits both your life and unique sense of style.
Engineering and Permitting
After we meet your design expectations and you decide to move forward, the pool design is submitted to our engineering department.
Our Construction Plans are prepared by a Licensed Engineer or Registered Architect in accordance with the most current Residential Florida Building Code.
GENERAL PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS: Site plan or Survey showing the location of the proposed structure. Lot Grading/Drainage Plan and finished floor elevation.
We provide a specific layout of the proposed pool, spa, and deck area. The layout must show the pool perimeter in relation to any existing house, accessory structures and lanai foundations. The layout must include the locations of all pool features such as pool light(s), main drain(s), sun-shelf, swim-outs, and include pool depths from entry steps to the deepest point.
Layout and Excavating
The next step in the construction of your new SUNSET POOL is the excavation: a messy, dirty process that is exciting and unavoidable.
An excavation crew carefully digs, forms and hand-trims your pool in precise accordance with every detail of your swimming pool design specifications. The excavation process usually takes one day; however, it may take longer depending on the soil conditions as well as unexpected weather delays. You will note the wooden forms around your swimming pool. They are there to guide us through the rest of the construction process and are important that they are not tampered with.
The majority of dirt from the excavation process will be removed the day of the excavation. Don’t be concerned if some dirt remains, as we will use this for other phases of the construction. If you would like a portion for landscaping purposes or some other uses, you must let us know where and how much.
Steel Installation
Next, a steel crew forms a rigid contoured grid of reinforcing steel to create the backbone of your swimming pool.
You will see bars crossing one another for the utmost in reinforcement. Notice the tie wires at every other intersection, they tie the steel together forming a continuous bond. You will also notice that there are block spacers in between the steel and the ground. This helps to hold up the steel above the soil so that the steel will end up approximately in the middle of the shotcrete/gunite.
When the steel is finished it will appear like the steps are missing. Don’t be alarmed; the steps will be shot in at the next stage, which is shotcrete/gunite. Please be advised, that when inspecting the progress of your pool, the steel is sharp so please take caution.
Shotcrete/Gunite
The next step is the application of the shotcrete/gunite.
Technicians will skillfully shoot the shotcrete/gunite around your pool’s steel reinforcement grid. Your pool shell formed by this process is so strong that Sunset Pools backs it with a “Full Lifetime Warranty!” After your shotcrete/gunite has been completed, it will need a couple of days to cure before our next step.
Concrete pools can be made of either shotcrete or gunite. The difference is when the concrete mixes with the water. Shotcrete refers to wet concrete that’s already fully mixed before it’s shot out of a hose. Gunite is a dry concrete mix that only mixes with water at the nozzle when it’s sprayed.
Plumbing
All pipe connections are solidly bonded and the entire plumbing system is hydrostatically pressure tested.
Your pool is now ready to be plumbed with the high-grade National Sanitation Foundation approved “Schedule 40” PVC pipe designed to prevent leaks or deterioration.
As with every other stage of your new Sunset Pool, the plumbing is done in accordance with your pool design specifications and we ensure the plumbing meets our rigid standards of quality and design.
The plumbing crew will dig a trench around the pool where the suction and return lines will be placed. This trench will lead to the equipment location, marked on your print, where the pump, filter, chlorinator, etc. will be installed. After all the plumbing lines have been installed and inspections passed, the trench will be filled in with dirt, compacted and now ready for the next stage of the process.
Tile/Coping
The next step is the installation of your pool tile.
The weather-resistant tile will be hand-laid and carefully grouted around the waterline of your pool by a skilled craftsperson. The tiling process should take approximately 1 to 2 days to complete depending on the size and complexity of the job.
The skimmer will be set, step risers poured and tiled, precast coping set, brick coping set, and any other water features that are on the raised area of the pool will be installed.
You will find that the tiles are an attractive way to bring detail and personalization to your new pool!
Decking/Pavers/Travertine
Next, the outline of your decking is formed around the perimeter of your new Sunset Pool.
This “cantilever-formed” deck overhangs the interior perimeter of your pool to provide the swimmer with a non-skid safety edge. The procedure will begin with the crew forming the deck out of wood forms. They will be nailed in place and are not easily moved. The deck is usually formed in one day and inspected the second day and poured within one weeks time.
Depending on the weather, the deck may need several days to cure before proceeding to the next step. This is also a step in the construction process when the pavers/travertine will be installed if you elected to go with either of these instead of a concrete deck.
Electrical
We only use the National Electrical Code approved conduit, wire, and bonding.
Pools require some electrical equipment to maintain water quality, power the lights, run the pumps, etc. These electrical installations must be done according to the electrical code in our area. The electrical tasks of wiring for a swimming pool include: Securing the electrical Permit, wiring a subpanel at the equipment pad to power the pool equipment, bonding the metal components of the pool and passing the electrical inspections.
Our professional electrical contractor carefully makes all of the electrical connections for your pool. The lights are installed, the pumps are wired and electrical breakers installed. Sunset Pools will contact the city for all inspections.
Screen Enclosure
Once the deck has been poured, the screen measurements will be shot to begin the layout and assembly.
The screen sections are assembled off-site and delivered by truck to the job site for installation. The installation usually only takes about one day, however, will vary depending on the size of job and complexity. It begins with the installation of the gutters and the screen following right after. By putting some effort into your enclosure design, you can create a pool enclosure that reflects your personality, design sense, and still allow for a picturesque view if you have a home on the water.
A screen pool enclosure can help take your pool to the next level, making it easier to enjoy everything your pool offers and it does a great job with keeping out debris and bugs. If you choose to have a fence, it will be delivered and installed on site per our engineered plans.
Interior Finish
Now that your pool has passed the city building safety inspections up to this point, an experienced surfacing crew applies the pool interior surface you have selected.
Your interior finish will be installed in a two-day process; the first day the pool will be cleaned of any loose debris and prepped. The second day the crew will return to install the interior finish.
A Sunset Pools service technician will be out to start the pool up the day that it is filled with water. The start-up will consist of detailing pool, tile, and deck and chemically balancing the water. The chemical balancing will take a few weeks to become totally complete.
Child Safety Fence/Alarms
The final stage is the installation for child safety
The child safety fence is a removable mesh pool fence designed specifically to provide a safety barrier around residential swimming pools for toddlers and young children. The fence is installed in sections to provide convenience for easy removal and reinstallation by you, the homeowner. You may have also chosen to install alarms in place of a child safety fence.
The best way to prevent drowning is constant adult supervision of children and medically frail elderly people. However, as a backup, state law in Florida requires residents who have swimming pools, spas or hot tubs to also have safety features in place.
Orientation
When you’re 100% satisfied, a pool service technician will set up your pool orientation.
You will learn all the functions of your new pool and how to properly care for it. You will be asked to please tell us about your experience with the construction process which tells us how we did. We are constantly looking for better ways to improve our quality and customer service.
Depending upon the complexity of the pool, orientations generally last one hour and manuals are also given to homeowners for reference. Protect your investment and always follow the suggested maintenance and care for your pool/spa.
Tranquility, Enjoyment & Health
It will now be time to bring your family and friends together in your own Private Tropical Sanctuary.
Experience the joys of new family memories being created in your new Sunset Pool! When you build a pool, you’re actually creating a fun and relaxing space for your children, family and friends to spend time together without ever leaving your backyard!
Stay Healthy And Lose Weight – Instead of driving to the gym, you can spend time exercising in your own pool. Research shows that swimming provides an excellent total body workout with a low risk of injury. Spending time in the water also helps your body relax and get rid of stress.
Building a pool is a great investment that will reap rewards for a lifetime!
