​ This custom inground pool has some unique features.  It is a 14'x35' with a custom built in step that measures 7 ft wide.  The floor of the pool is designed to play volleyball with deep area depth that measures 51" of water.  The deck is 550 square feet of brushed concrete that cantilevers over the pool for a refined finished look.  The interior of the pool has one color changing LED light.  Positioned on both sides of the deck sitting area are laminar deck jets with color changing LED lights.
 
 Rather than a fence to surround the pool we have installed a ASTM approved Automatic Power Safety Cover by Coverstar.  This technologically advanced cover will be opened and closed by a coded touch pad that will send info to any mobile devise and inform the user who has opened and closed the cover as well as how long it has remained open.
 
All the functions of this pool including, pump and heater operation and laminar jets and lights are controlled from anywhere in the world through any mobile device with Pentair Easy touch automation.

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​The Mad Designer is the lead designer for Doyle Pools.  In his extensive, world and outer space travels, while touring a pool chemical manufacture facility, he fell into a tank of experimental pool chemical, it changed his life forever.  From his observations in life, he create designs in his head and with his computer he is able to bring them into a 3D perspective.  When he isn’t creating his art, he can be found fishing where he lives in a van down by the river.

​Typical pool construction is generally completed in 7 phases.  In this article we will cover each of these phases and also some special considerations.

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​Early planning can save a lot of headaches.  It’s a good idea to call your municipal and also your H.O.A. (Home Owners Association) and get their complete list of rules for new pool construction.   Assuming that you will have your licensed contractor pulling the permit for your pool, it would still be a good idea for you to understand the permitting process for your municipal.  This education could end up saving you a lot of time and avoiding aggravating delays.  For instance, my first experience working in a township in the metro Detroit area I learned that they consider anything 9” above grade is an “outbuilding” and requires board approval.  This board meet once a month and only takes a limited number of applications each month.  Remember anything above 9” requires it.  This particular proposed project was going to have a diving board and the top of it would be more than 9” above grade.  We were trying to do this project in September but the board was not taking any more applications until December.  The pool application and permit would be quick and easy to get but, out building (Diving Board) was going to take months.  This delayed the project for an entire year.  If you have an H.O.A they may have an application and approval process as well as a list of approved colors and materials.  This is all good information for you to gather during your project planning phase.

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​In this phase not only will you chose a size and shape of the pool, but you should also understand what pool equipment, such as what pump and filter will you be using.  Your pool designer can help you understand the size required for your pool design.  In this phase you will decided your pool will be a deep end hopper design for diving or a sport floor for water basketball or volleyball.  You will chose how many ladders or steps and their locations and also features such as sheer descents, deck jets or bubblers just to name a few.  Remember this is your pool and you will have it for a long time.  You should understand everything about your project design, so that you can make the best decision for you and your family.

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​In this phase someone needs to call Miss Dig at 811 before a shovel goes in the ground.  This is a free service that is required by law.  All your utilities will be flagged with their respective color flags.  With your list of setback and all the little colored flags in the yard, you know exactly what kind of space to work with, and it’s time to lay out the final position of your pool.  

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​Say goodbye to your beautiful green grass and probably your irrigation system, because there is now saving them now.  Just remember you have to break and egg to make an omelet.  It’s time to dig a big hole.  This hole could be hundreds of cubic yards of dirt, sod, and rocks, yet it’s not just a hole.  This is a hole that will be the shape or your pool with incredible accuracy.

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Now that the excavation is complete it’s time to put it all together.  The pool will made of wall panels and will need to be bolted together in a particular order.  The panels are supported with “A” frames to prevent the wall from tilting inward or outward.  After all the wall panels are in their places and supported as needed, concrete will be poured as a footing at the bottom of the wall to lock it all together and make sure that the pool will never move.  Coping or liner receiver will be bolted to the top of the wall panels also skimmer and returns attached to the wall panels.  Finally, the floor can be shaped with pool base.

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​The liner locks into the coping or liner receiver without any special tools or hardware.  We vacuums to suck the air out from between the liner and the wall.  Now you can see how good the liner fits the shape of the pool before the water goes in.  Special consideration will be taken to seal the liner to things such as main drains or steps.

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​The timing deck installation will be decided on by a couple factors.  Depending on the pool wall structure and decking materials used, the deck may be completed before the liner and water goes in and in other cases we may complete the deck after the liner and water goes in.   It’s preferable to complete the deck before the liner and water, but isn’t always possible.

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​Pat founded Doyle Pools in 2001.  His background in the pool industry has over 30 years of history and has put him into Business Management, Pool and Spa service and also Pool Construction positions. He is in charge of business management, project management and also project design.  He is especially thankful to all his mentors and is proud to now be a mentor and advisor to others.  Pat is a C.P.O (certified pool operator) and has won awards for the Most Beautiful Residential Pool and Best New Dealer by Fibre Tech Inc. Pat’s project won a Beautification Award by the City of Midland Mi.   Pat’s has a passion for art and design and often jokingly quotes Oscar Levant “There Is a Fine Line between Genius and Insanity”. His three children are the center of his life.  He love traveling and performance boating

Gunite and Shotcrete are forms of pneumatically applied concrete, meaning they are sprayed on with a high-pressure air hose. Crews shoot the material over a reinforcing network of steel bars.
As you research information on a potential new backyard swimming pool, you will often encounter the term “gunite.” What exactly is that anyway? Is it different from concrete? And what’s the deal with shotcrete—is that the same thing or something else?
Gunite pools provide unparalleled levels of design flexibility and aesthetic quality. Let’s take a look at some basics about this material, how it’s used in pool construction, how close it is to shotcrete, and the great advantages that both gunite and shotcrete deliver. 

Known for its dependable structural strength, gunite is a concrete blend of sand, cement, and water that’s applied through a high-pressure hose. Once it cures (dries), gunite becomes rock hard, forming a thick, solid structure.
For decades, it has held a special place in swimming pool construction, where it is always paired with another strong building material—steel—as well as an interior finishing coat of plaster.
After a hole is excavated for a new pool, crews install a network of steel bars, known as rebar. Carefully placed at specific intervals, these metal rods form a cage-like frame that extends throughout the entire stretch of the future pool, as well as the spa if there is one. Extra steel goes into areas requiring especially high levels of reinforcement, such as a deep end or free-standing raised wall.
Set on concrete blocks, the cage is suspended several inches in the air so it does not touch the soil beneath it. This way, plenty of space remains to be filled in by fresh gunite material.
With the steel backbone in place, the pool is ready for gunite. Crews spray the concrete blend at high velocity onto the steel across the entire pool, creating the dense pool floor and walls. Gunite is highly adaptable to the pool form; it produces flowing lines, various contours, depths, and shapes—all coming together in a cohesive, visually appealing structure.
After the gunite properly cures, a third material is applied to complete a gunite pool: plaster. Composed of cement and marble dust, the smooth blend may also contain colored quartz aggregate for added durability and aesthetics. (For some pools, a high-end pebble plaster may be used.) Plaster is what actually waterproofs a gunite pool, and this final coating is what everyone sees as the pool’s gleaming interior surface.
Other critical elements go into building a gunite pool, including tile, plumbing, electric, and perimeter coping. However, what sets gunite construction apart from other types of pool is the gunite, steel, and plaster. And what sets the completed project apart is the incredible durability and design versatility that this trio provides.  Both gunite and shotcrete are used to build swimming pool shells—the rock-hard vessels that can withstand pressure from shifting soil and the weight of thousands of gallons of water.

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What’s most important to understand here is that both gunite and shotcrete are a form of concrete. Between the two, the term gunite is more widely used in reference to swimming pools. However, it’s worth nothing that gunite is actually a type of shotcrete.
It’s true: Gunite is the offspring of shotcrete. The only variations between them are the preparation and a single ingredient: Gunite is a dry mix—with water added to it with a hose at the job site; shotcrete is a “wet mix” that’s blended up beforehand. Shotcrete also contains some gravel, whereas gunite does not.
First, let’s look at building a pool with gunite. A truck or gunite rig brings a dry load of sand and cement to a job site. There, the material goes into a container called a hopper. From there, the material feeds it into a mixing system known as an auger.
The auger feeds the dry gunite mix into a high-pressure hose. The hose has a nozzle and is operated by a professional known as a nozzleman.
Using an additional separate line and tip that connects to the gunite hose, the nozzleman adds water to the dry mix as it exits the hose. Now the blended gunite mixture is wet and it’s ready to be applied to create a swimming pool.
Now, turning to shotcrete: The material is composed of sand, cement, and pea-sized gravel. These dry materials go into a large truck with a huge, rotating barrel—you have probably seen these rather imposing-looking vehicles on the road before.
The barrel, which also contains water, mixes the dry material with the liquid to produce a smooth blend that will be ready for use as soon as the truck arrives at the job site. As with gunite, a high-pressure hose is used to spray the shotcrete into the pool hole to create a solid structure.
Don’t get caught up in the distinctions between the two materials. Again, both are concrete, and both will create tough, long-lasting pool shells. Around the country, reputable pool builders construct inground pools using either. Depending on where you live, you’ll find gunite pools, shotcrete pools or both.
Due to various local factors, pool contractors often use one material over another. In some regions of the U.S., gunite is dominant; in others, shotcrete is more commonly used. Or the use of each might be more evenly split.
Either way, it’s all good. What matters most, is both gunite and shotcrete are ideal for swimming pool construction. Both create solid, monolithic structures with superior durability and flexibility for any backyard design.
Note:
Because the term gunite is so widely used in discussions about pools, from here on, this article will simply use “gunite” when describing pools built from either gunite or shotcrete.

​Because it’s so versatile for design and durable for longevity, gunite has long been the standard for both commercial and residential swimming pool construction.
Millions of gunite pools across the country provide fun, fitness, relaxation, and visual appeal in residential backyards. Thousands more provide the same at motels, hotels, schools, universities, athletic facilities, and community home developments and associations.
For a beautiful, enduring aquatic upgrade, homeowners almost always prefer a pool built in concrete over other kinds. Fiberglass and vinyl liner pools may allow for quicker installation, lower initial cost, and limited choices for design. However, when it comes to the finished product, they fall way short of their gunite counterpart.
With gunite, options for pool design cross the full spectrum. Whether building pools with smooth curves, sharp angles, or both, gunite delivers. From beach entries to elevated spas, a myriad of design features can be added to boost your pool’s overall style and beauty. You can have a private aquatic resort in virtually any size, shape, depth, and configuration that works best for your budget, backyard, lifestyle, and style preferences.
 
—Built to last
Along with distinctive style and ultimate design flexibility, there’s another reason that gunite is so widely used for pool construction. Gunite provides an enduring result: a stable, steel-reinforced concrete structure that holds water and stands the test of time.
Gunite’s proven track record spans decades and all parts of the country (and globe). The key to its performance lies in its tensile strength—its ability to endure external force until it is compromised.
Along with boasting an extremely high tensile fortitude, gunite brings something else to the table: flexibility. That’s right, being flexible makes gunite perform even better in a swimming pool.
The reason comes down to dirt—that is, shifting ground. Never entirely static, soil under and around a pool moves in place. It contracts and expands from factors like compaction, water intrusion, freezing and thawing, and dry conditions like drought. And of course, soil changes occur from earthquakes—even tiny ones we do not realize ever happened.
The lesson here is that a pool shell needs to “give” and be able to “go with the flow.” The structure—as tough and solid as it is—must have a dual personality so it can move and expand—and do it all without cracking!
 
It’s this twin-set of attributes that makes gunite a superstar. The gunite shell can handle the pressure that most any backyard can dish out. After all, it’s not a coincidence that in California—earthquake country—hundreds of thousands of homes have pools that are gunite.
The same goes for commercial pools. There’s a reason it’s rare to see any pool besides gunite at a hotel or resort. Businesses that own and maintain these properties know what works best and provides the most value. They need facilities that can be used by scores of guests and still hold up their appearance, safety, and durability.

​Pat founded Doyle Pools in 2001.  His background in the pool industry has over 30 years of history and has put him into Business Management, Pool and Spa service and also Pool Construction positions. He is in charge of business management, project management and also project design.  He is especially thankful to all his mentors and is proud to now be a mentor and advisor to others.  Pat is a C.P.O (certified pool operator) and has won awards for the Most Beautiful Residential Pool and Best New Dealer by Fibre Tech Inc. Pat’s project won a Beautification Award by the City of Midland Mi.   Pat’s has a passion for art and design and often jokingly quotes Oscar Levant “There Is a Fine Line between Genius and Insanity”. His three children are the center of his life.  He love traveling and performance boating

Spring is on the way and so is the time move your family into a new home.  A swimming pool is a great addition to any home.  It gives years of entertainment, exercise and serenity for family and friends, it can also be the most beautiful part of an outdoor living space.
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Who are your potential buyers?
Home buyers can be categorized in many different ways.  They can be young growing families, professional couples with or without kids, empty nesters or retirees.   Your realtor will have much better advice on how to handle those buyer categories. 
I’d like to talk about three simple buyers.   Buyer number one is the one who has no interest in a home that has a pool.  You don’t even need to worry about this one, no matter how perfect your home is for them they just are not going to buy a home that has a pool. 
Buyer number 2 is the buyer who is specifically looking for a home that has a pool.  This buyer is more likely to be an emotional one who loves the idea of a pool and all the benefits that it offers.  It’s been in their dream and they can see themselves enjoying the pool and outdoor space.   
Buyer number 3 is the one who isn’t necessarily looking for a home with a pool, but is open to the possibility of your home if is what they are looking for. This buyer knows and likes the benefits and that a pool offers and is more likely to be a logical thinker.  Logically, they will balance the benefits of each home being considered, in order to make the decision that fits their needs best.
 
Why should this matter to you as the seller?
Everyone who buys a new home has some kind of vision of giving their home a personal touch.  It may be simply painting a bedroom or a complete gut and remodel.  Most anyone can walk through a big box store and understand what it could possibly cost to remodel a kitchen, for instance.  They can calculate the cost of kitchen cabinets, a gallon of paint, 100 square feet of ceramic tile and a new faucet.  It’s also possible that in a previous house they have experienced a remodel and its cost.
 
A pool is not the same as the home
 The average home owner doesn’t have a clue how much is will cost to resurface the interior, replace the tile and coping or a vinyl liner.  Worse yet, is the pool is leaking?  Will a $5.00 fitting and a little labor fix it?  Or does it need to be completely re-plumbed including removing and replacing the concrete deck or brick pavers to get access to the pipes underground? 
 
Then there is the concern of safety
Do you know that a deeper pool DOES NOT make a safer diving pool?  Do you understand how someone can get electrocuted by an un-bonded handrail?  Do you know what a safety ledge in the deep end of the pool is, and how unsafe it really is? I’m not asking these questions to make anyone feel bad if they don’t know the answers.  The truth is that the typical home owner has no reason to know the answers.  I’m only pointing out that in recent years building requirements have changed and that we still see a lot pools that are by today’s standards considered unsafe.
 
A pool can be a deal breaker.
A pool, like anything will age and need to have some repairs or updates done on it over time.  Not all repairs, maintenance, and updates are expensive.  However for someone who doesn’t know how much it could cost they are probably not willing to take the risk for an unknown expense or repair.  If your home has a pool that looks like a potential project, it will probably kill the deal.
 
So, how can you prevent losing the sale?
I don’t believe that you should just throw money at your pool to make it look new again.  Doing that you could end up spending tens of thousands of dollars that you will never recover from the sale.  You should have the pool inspected to find out what needs to be done, what can wait and what isn’t an issue.  If you do this, you will greatly increase the odds of a fast sale and possibly bring more money on the sale.  Contact Doyle Pool today to learn more about how we can help you make the right decisions and not spend a bunch of money.