Predig
Your project manager will set up a meeting where they will provide you with a detailed schedule of the construction process. The PM will then spray the design layout on your existing yard. This is the final opportunity to make adjustments to the pool location or structural design. A Wi-Fi-enabled camera will be installed for you and your PM to monitor progress. In addition, they will set up trash receptacles, project signage, and drop off any materials needed for the first phase.
Excavation
Typically large, heavy equipment is used for clearing and digging. This equipment can damage irrigation and drainage lines if present. Fences will be removed for access. Most dig operations take 1-2 days. It’s important to note that if you are in an area with rock, rock excavation is not included in the proposal and may take several additional days to complete. Upon completion, the driveway and street will be cleaned and the access path graded to fill in any ruts.
Rebar & Bonding
The next step includes installing the steel skeleton of the pool. Blue Fire’s standard minimum steel schedule is ½” thick bar at 10” on center. Additional bars are placed on the bond beam (or top rim) of the pool as well as the floor and other stress points as needed. #8 copper bonding cable is installed around and connected to the pool in four locations.
Plumbing
Plumbing is the lifeblood of any pool. Incorrectly sized plumbing can ruin the best designs. Blue Fire uses in-house engineering to design each plumbing system to perform at its optimum level, this ensures the best pool performance and the highest efficiency. All piping used is schedule 40 PVC or stronger. Minimum pipe suction and return lines in spas and water features are 2.5” in diameter. Each skimmer is individually plumbed into the equipment manifold for best performance.
Gunite
The gunite application completes the pool’s structure. After the shoot is complete, a densifier is applied to aid in the curing process. Gunite requires water to fuel the hydration process and achieve ultimate strength. Manufacturers recommend watering twice a day for 7 days. Most builders leave this process to the homeowner, Blue Fire utilizes an automatic watering system, provided the weather is above freezing, to keep the gunite moist and alleviate homeowner hassle.
Tile & Coping
Tile and Coping work begins about a week after gunite. It is important to allow the gunite surface adequate time to cure before installing finishes. For surfaces that are elevated and retain water, adding a waterproofing coating first is critical to help reduce the development of efflorescence. We can apply a wide range of materials to your pool such as porcelain tile, glass tile, natural stone, and precast concrete products.
plaster
Blue Fire installs pebble plaster because of its lifespan and greater resistance to chemicals compared to quartz plaster. Prior to plaster, the pool will be cleaned, and lighting and equipment will be tested. We highly recommend landscaping prior to plastering to reduce the risk of dirt and staining the pool. The day after plastering the pool will be acid washed and cleaned in preparation for filling. Glass beads or abalone shell flakes may be added to produce a sparkling and shimmering effect.
Fill & Startup
Once filling begins, it must continue until the pool is full. Blue Fire utilized a chemical injection system that helps balance the water while filling. Doing this protects the new plaster from scale. During the initial balancing period, it is important to brush the pool twice per day. Your Blue Fire PM will maintain the chemical balance, monitoring it for the first 5 days. During this period, the equipment will be labeled, the system programmed, and they will ensure the system is running properly.
Pool School
Approximately 1 week after the fill, your Blue Fire project manager will schedule a meeting to provide a comprehensive training session on all chemical maintenance, pool operation, and pool maintenance. You will be shown how to test and add chemicals, how to operate your pool both with the app and manually, and when and how often to clean components.