How We Build Your Dream Home - Part 15

Hot weather!  No School!

POOLS!

What better time to talk about how we build your Dream Home and Dream POOL than when summer is about to smack us in the face?

Here at McCullough Design Development, we work with some excellent pool companies that make beautiful pools for the homes we build. Here is a little info on how it works!

All pools must be engineered and have permits that show they are following city specifications (like depth and steel requirements). 

Most pools are underground and must be dug.  Often the digging is done with a mini excavator or skid steer loader and the dug up dirt must be hauled out.  The pool we are featuring here is a rectangular pool with a zero edge and a Baja shelf   In other words, it is mostly underground with a vanishing edge that disappears over an exposed side. 

After digging, plumbing lines and gas lines are placed for the pool equipment.

Next steel work is laid as a framework grid using steel reinforcing rods or rebar.  They are spaced 10 inches apart and secured together with wire.  An inspection must be done to ensure that this has been done properly.

After the inspection the pool gets gunited.  Gunite is a mixture of cement and sand.  With the steel grid in place, a heavy coating of gunite is sprayed around the rebar.  A mixture of dry gunite and water make a wet concrete material.  It is then troweled and let to dry.

Next comes the coping.  Coping refers to the edging or cap on the edge of a swimming pool or spa.  It is often stone, tile or precast concrete material that caps the pool shell wall.

 

Any other features would be built at this time, including bridges, diving platforms, fountains, slides, etc.

Finally the pool gets a finishing surface.  Pools can be finished with plaster (mixture of cement, marble, sand), concrete paint, tile, exposed aggregate or fiberglass.  We often use a finish called Pebble Tec.  This is durable and expands and contracts for long-lasting resilience and durability.  It also delivers an elegant, luxurious looking finish. 

The pool gets a quick acid wash and then it is ready to be filled and used!

When building a custom home with MDD homes, you get to choose your home design and amenities.  Your home can be what ever you make it and so can your backyard and pool!  For more information on building your dream home and pool with us, visit our website at www.mddhomes.com or call Lori at (858) 431-9622.