Introduction
At Bliss Pools, we believe in creating more than just a swimming area; we build a resort-style oasis tailored to your unique style. While the finished product—the sparkling water, the custom tile, the beautiful surrounding landscape—is what you enjoy, the true magic lies in the structural integrity beneath it.
For homeowners in Montgomery County, Texas, and the surrounding areas, a custom pool requires a robust foundation. We’re pulling back the curtain on a recent project to walk you through the exciting, critical early stages: The Custom Gunite Pool Construction Process.
Phase 1: Building a Solid, Engineered Foundation
Before a single drop of water can fill your new pool, we focus entirely on strength and stability.
For this particular project, we constructed an engineered pool, which means specific reinforcements were designed to meet the unique requirements of the soil and site. This process begins with foundational work:
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Installing Piers: We drilled and installed 24 piers into the ground. These act like deep pilings, ensuring the pool shell has unwavering support, especially in areas where soil conditions demand extra stability.
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Digging Footers & Installing Rebar: Our excavation crew returned to dig out the footers—trenches that will contain the structural reinforcement. We then install and intricately tie the rebar (steel reinforcement bars). This steel skeleton connects the piers, footers, and walls, creating a single, formidable structure ready for the next step.
This meticulous rebar work is essential. It is the framework that will hold the final shape and resist the massive pressure of the soil and water for decades to come.
Phase 2: Gunite Day – Shaping the Custom Pool Shell
With the steel framework complete, it’s time for one of the most exciting days of the entire process: Gunite Day!
Gunite is a specialized mixture of cement and sand. What makes it unique is the application:
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A compressor and sand truck deliver the dry mix to the job site.
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The gunite is propelled through a high-pressure hose.
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Water is mixed in only at the nozzle, which allows for incredible density, strength, and structural integrity.
Our skilled technicians “shoot” the gunite around the rebar framework, completely encasing the steel to form the monolithic pool shell. This application allows us to meticulously form every curve, corner, sun shelf, and custom step precisely to your approved design. This is the moment your custom pool vision truly takes a tangible shape.
The Next Steps: Curing, Plumbing, and Electrical
The transformation from a hole in the ground to a finished gunite shell is rapid. The entire process—from the first shovel of the dig to the final shot of gunite—took our team just Monday to Saturday!
But the work isn’t done yet. Once the shell is completed, it enters a critical curing stage:
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Curing: The shell must be consistently watered down for approximately one week. This slow curing process ensures the gunite reaches its maximum designed strength.
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Rough Plumbing and Electrical: After the shell cures, we move on to the next set of essential internals. We install the main plumbing lines and complete the rough electrical work, preparing the pool for its filtration system, pumps, lights, and other modern features.
Conclusion
Building a custom, resort-style pool is a complex undertaking, but when done correctly—with attention to engineering, quality materials, and a commitment to speed—the result is an unparalleled outdoor living space.
At Bliss Pools, serving Montgomery County, Texas, we pride ourselves on a transparent, high-quality construction process that ensures your beautiful custom pool is built to last.
Ready to see how fast we can turn your backyard into a luxury retreat? Contact Bliss Pools today to begin the journey toward your new engineered gunite pool and outdoor living space!