Our Blog | Advice on In Ground Swimming Pool Construction and Maintenance

Concrete (gunite) pools have created the opportunity for unlimited customization. Pool buyers are no longer limited to cookie cutter shapes and sizes, and limited liner options. Your pool builders experience and skill is the only limiting factor to what can be created. Home owners with small yards can have pools designed specifically to fit that space. Gunite pool contractors can design waterscapes that accommodate sloped yards, and many other factors that would have prevented the installation of a traditional pool.

With a high degree of customization, comes with decisions to make when you are planning your future pool project. One of these decisions is choosing the interior "finish" of your pool. Plaster and Aggregate are the main two choices, and they each come in a variety of colors and can be accented with different types of ceramic, glass, and stone tiles to give each pool a unique look.

No matter which type of finish you decide to go with, achieving your perfect swimming pool water color is not quite as simple as picking one from a group of swatches. That’s the best place to start, and can get you reasonably close, but it’s important to be aware of the other factors that will affect the color. 

You should start with an idea of the "color pallete" you want to achieve. Do you want a bright aqua or blue shade, a deeper more muted blue, a dark aqua or green etc.?  Your pool designer should help you choose a pool finish color that will create the motiff you are trying to achieve, while taking into consideration the other factors that will affect the color.

One of the less controllable factors is the environment around your poolscape . Some environmental factors will change from time to time, like the weather. Your pool water is going to look considerably different on an overcast day than on a bright and sunny day. Most everyone is aware of that, and know that it’s just a temporary change that shouldn’t really affect your decision. Other environmental factors are more constant. If your yard is heavily shaded by trees or existing structures, this is going to darken whatever pool color you select. The colors surrounding the pool will sometimes reflect off of the water and affect the color as well. You’ll want to select a finish color that will harmonize well with the natural surroundings.

Another factor that affects water color is the depth of the pool. The more depth a pool has, the deeper the color will be. A pool with a white plaster finish will be a very light blue over shallow steps or ledges, and a deeper blue over the deepest area of the pool. The photo to the right is an example of this. Notice how the gray finish looks different on the tanning ledge than the lower steps. Adjacent hot tubs (spas) can sometimes appear lighter than the pool as well, even though the finish is the same.

Water movement can impact the color as well. A pool with a fountain or waterfall will look more vibrant because of the light prisms created by the moving water. It doesn’t exactly change the color of the water, it’s more that it adds depth and variation to the color.

The final factor that affects the color is the water itself. If the water is cloudy or if there is algae present, this will obviously change the color of the pool. Cloudy water will not reflect the light in the same way crystal clear water will and you will loose that depth and vibrance. Water that is green with algae, or yellow because of high iron levels will drastically affect the color as well. So, if your water color isn't perfect at first, don't panic, all of these scenarios can be prevented by proper water treatment and filtration.  With proper water hydraulics and the right equipment, pool water today is easier to maintain than ever before.

If you would like to discuss pool finish options or schedule your no cost yard evaluation and consultation, give us a call at (501) 664-6861.

When you begin to plan your backyard project, you will find there are decisions you will have to make. Some of them are small decisions, like what type of plants you may want to landscape with. Some decisions are much more important, like choosing the shape of your pool. That is a permanent decision you'll want to get right the first time. Each decision offers you the opportunity to create a unique backyard oasis that is tailored to your family's needs. One of the decisions is choosing your swimming pool decking (patio around the pool). While this may not be as exciting as selecting pool features, it can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your backyard project. Here are some of the most common pool decking options you will have to choose from. 

CONCRETE

The most basic decking is concrete with a “broom finish.” This is simply concrete that is finished by pulling a special broom across the troweled surface. This is the most economical of all decking options. If you want to take it a step further, you can have the concrete stained and sealed after the concrete has cured. Basic concrete can also be scored to give the impression of tiles or a diamond pattern.

Exposed aggregate is a variation of basic concrete. Little bits of crushed rock, or small river stones are pressed into the wet concrete to create a more durable, highly textured, slip resistant surface. This is much less popular today than it has been in the past, but some home owners still choose this type of decking.

Another option with concrete is to have it stamped. In this case the stain is usually added to the wet concrete instead of being applied after it cures. Rubber mats are used to stamp the texture into the concrete. After the concrete is cured, this concrete is also sealed to protect it from the elements and pool chemicals. There are many different stamp patterns to choose from and a variety of colors that are available. It can mimic brick, slate, and flagstone at a lower cost than the actual materials.

Because of the smooth texture of stamped concrete once the sealant is added, this can create a surface that is more slick than the “broom finished” concrete. An anti-skid agent can be mixed with the sealant to make it less slippery, but it will still be slicker than most other decking options. 

The biggest downside to any concrete option is it’s tendency to crack. Contractors should place control joints to control where the concrete cracks, but it is still possible for it to crack elsewhere. If you have a stained concrete it may also need to be resealed periodically.

(Decking types left to right: aggregate, broom finish, stamped and stained.)

PAVERS

Pavers are a completely different type of decking option. These are brick like pieces that are made of concrete. Factories use a variety of coloring agents and molds to create pavers of different size, shapes, and colors. Most of the time, they are installed over a well-compacted base material topped with a 1-inch sand setting bed. After they are laid, the joints can be filled with polymer sand. Pavers offer a pool decking that is durable and slip resistant, with the look of natural stone. They can easily be added to or removed, and offer easy access to the ground underneath if any maintenance issues ever arise.

Pavers are somewhat more costly than poured concrete because of the extra labor cost. If the ground under them isn’t properly compacted, areas can settle over time leaving slightly sunken areas in the decking.  This is the least option we do at Parrot Bay Pools.

STONE

Another option Parrot Bay offers is natural stone decking. There are many different types of stone that are used to create beautiful pool decks. Most of them are very durable, have a non-slip surface, and resist moisture and heat. Some types of stone vary greatly in size and shape while others are much more uniform. Stone is usually the most expensive decking option because the materials are much more costly, but stone can also create some of the most beautiful and organic looking pool decks.

Parrot Bay Pools concrete contractors are members of the American Society of Concrete Contractors 

(ASCC)  Improving concrete finishes through education, maintenance and repair of concrete structures.

Still have questions? Call us today at 501.664.6861 to discuss pool decking materials in detail, or to schedule a free consultation and yard evaluation. 

With temperatures hovering around freezing this week, planning a pool project is the last thing on most people’s minds. But, waiting until the warmer weather encourages you to seek out a pool builder, your backyard project may not be ready until after summer is well underway. While it takes 8-10 weeks to finish most backyard projects, what customers don’t always take into account is that most "reputable" pool contractors will not be able to begin right away.  If there are several other projects in front of yours, the contractor may be a couple months away from breaking ground on your pool. Add 8-10 weeks onto that and April is the earliest new projects will be finished. If you are seriously considering a backyard project and want to get the most out of it this summer, NOW is the time to begin your search.

Below are some resources to help you get started:

In Ground Swimming Pool Financing

Getting the Most Out of Your Backyard Pool Planning Consultation

Selecting a Pool Shape - What is right for your family?

Thinking About Planning an Outdoor Kitchen? There are Three Things You Must Know

My neighbors pool down the street has all these wrinkles in the bottom of their liner.

A person I work with has a pool and their patio decking around the pool has separated from the other part of the patio.

These are typical comments I hear from potential customers when I meet with them.  Most of these issues are related to the soil conditions that exist in their yard space.  I have written an article that might place some of this in proper perspective.

A swimming pool is ultimately supported by the ground around it. The ground can be comprised or bedrock, soil or a combination of the two. The only concern with bedrock is how to excavate the space, but with ground that is part soil or completely made up of soil, things get a little more complicated. Your pool builder will have to take into account the type of soil and how it will affect your swimming pool and the surrounding decking. Each type of soil comes with a unique set of challenges that we want you to be aware of so you can ask your pool builder how they will handle problems that might arise with your soil type.  Additionally, determining what type of pool shell to place in your yard could depend on your "soil type".

The soil issues that are most likely to affect Arkansas pool builders are: 

• Expansive clay
• Ground water during excavation
• Lateral (sideways) soil support
• Pool shell settlement

While this isn't as common in Arkansas because of our warmer climate, "frost heave" is also something you should be aware of.

Expansive Clay is one of the biggest concerns for pool builders in Arkansas because it is a very common soil type here that can create expensive problems if the pool isn't built to accommodate it. Clay soils undergo volume changes with moisture variations. When there is more moisture available, they can swell, and when they dry out, they shrink. The forces behind this volume change can be substantial, easily enough to lift concrete decking and even a pool shell. This soil can be found through out the United States, but it is more of a problem in areas with semi-arid climates (Arkansas) where there is a distinct wet and dry season. 

The maximum depth to which clay soils seasonally change moisture content (and therefore volume) is known as the active zone. If the active zone is greater than the pool depth, expanding clay soil can readily lift a pool (expansion pressure can be as much as 15,000 pounds per square foot). If this is the case with your project, your pool builder has a couple different options. The structure can be strengthened to help it move as a complete unit or it can be separated from the soil using piers and void boxes. 

However, it is more common for the active zone to be less than the pool depth. In this case the only complication could be decking that rises and potentially cracks. This is known as deck heave. There are two common methods to deal with this. One is to remove 6 - 24 inches of the expansive soil and replace it with a non-swelling soil. The other option is to cause the clay to swell before the construction by pre-moistening it. 

(pool excavation site with expansive clay)

Ground Water is another problem your pool builder may encounter. It can be problematic during swimming pool construction and long term. Ground water can seep in through the excavated walls and cause instabilities and cave-ins. Pooled water at the bottom of the excavation site can also hinder placement of reinforcement materials and gunite.

If the groundwater seepage is not excessive, then the most common approach is to place a layer of clean gravel (6 to 12 inches) in the bottom of the excavation with a sump pump installed near the main drain area. 

The buoyant force from elevated ground water can cause the pool to float and pop out of the ground if it is empty. Any time groundwater is present, a pressure relief valve should be installed in the bottom of the pool along with a gravel layer, which allows water to easily flow to the valve. Always consult a pool professional before draining your swimming pool.

Lateral (sideways) Support is necessary to support the weight of the pool walls and water. The soil around the pool should "push back" against this weight and support the pool shell. The problem occurs when the soil around the pool hasn't been properly compacted. If the soil is loose it is softer and can't always support the weight of the pool. This is usually seen in spaces that have had fill dirt brought in like new construction sites. If the new soil is not properly compacted, it won't offer as much support as the swimming pool needs. Pool builders can work around this by structurally strengthening the pool (gunite / concrete pool ) so it acts as a free standing pool instead of relying on the support of the soil. 

Pool Shell Settlement much like lateral support is a problem only when new soil has been brought in and is not properly compacted. If the fill has been placed under controlled conditions with proper moisture conditioning, compaction and testing, it is known as “engineered fill” and may be relied on for structural support, (parrot bay pools in this case, always gets the soils engineer to "sign off" on the compaction testing, before proceeding).  If not, it is known as “uncontrolled fill,” and it cannot be relied on for structural support of a pool shell. Building a pool on uncontrolled fill can result in cracking once the pool settles.

Frost Heave is something we are unlikely to see in Arkansas because it usually only occurs where there is sustained freezing. However, it doesn't hurt to be aware of it. It happens when rising moisture within the soil is trapped below a frozen surface layer. The moisture condenses and freezes along the bottom of the layer, forming “lenses” of ice. Over time, these lenses can build up and cause the ground (or decking) to heave and crack. If a pool is drained over the winter, frost heave can crack the floor of the pool. The best defense against this is well drained soil and not allowing water to pool around the shell and decking. The pool should also not be drained over the winter unless your contractor assures you of good drainage in the underlying subsoil.

l you have any questions or concerns about your soil type, chances are we have dealt with soil types previously in your area. If you would like to discuss this you can call our office at 501-664-6861 or email larry@parrotbaypools.com.

Click here to see a video of the excavation or read about the concrete pool construction process here.