Is it time for swimming pool renovations? Reading this blog might be a step in the right direction if you’ve been thinking about it for a while but aren’t sure where to start.
We’ll take you through a complete step-by-step guide of the pool remodeling process and share some beneficial tips along the way. Tilling, adding water, and balancing the chemicals are all necessary tasks you must perform during this job.
There will be a lot to learn if you are new to this. So keep reading, and prepare yourself for the upcoming pool refurbishment.
What to Expect From a Pool Remodeling
First of all, you should be aware that unplanned mishaps constantly happen at construction sites. What you may not know is that most contractors calculate some of them into the opening date.
Some unfortunate events may derail your swimming pool renovations regardless of how well you plan. Luckily, that is nothing to stress about. It’s important to know that these things happen, and it’s unlikely that the pool remodeling will finish in planned time.
The first thing you’ll need to complete your pool remodel is a relaxed mind. Don’t worry about the little things or mistakes that the workers can correct. Contractors have backup plans for most of the work they do and, with a few adjustments, they will overcome any construction obstacles they stumble upon.
Swimming Pool Renovations – Step by Step
Draining
Emptying the pool is the first step of any remodeling job. Using a submersible pump is the proper way to do this. Place the machine at the bottom, let the hose leak the water to the outside, and your swimming area will be empty in 6 to 12 hours.
Depending on the size of the job, most workers will drain and chip out the pool on the same day.
Chipping out
Chances are, if you want to remodel, you aren’t satisfied with the current tilling of your swimming area. Therefore, most pool refurbishment jobs require chipping out. During this step, the contractors will remove the old tiles. It may be a bit loud and seem messy at first, but the workers will clean up once they finish this part of the job.
Tiling
This step is where your creativity goes to work. You get to choose what type, color, and size of tiles you wish. The workers will apply the grout.
The entire tiling process takes 1 or 2 days to finish, depending on the number of tiles needed.
Surface Application
Surface Application is the “big job.” The contractor will bring in trucks with pebble and plaster onto your property. Then, once the surface material is mixed, it will be poured into the pool using large hoses. The professionals will then trowel the surface for some time. This job usually takes somewhere between 4 and 6 hours.
Pebble Application
Pebble application won’t take too much of your time. Most often, this step is completed in a couple of hours. Once this job is done, we can proceed to the finishing touch – an acid wash.
Adding Water
Once the workers finish all of the previous steps, they will proceed and fill up the pool. It’s best if the pool owner is present during this process. The one thing you mustn’t do is turn off the water flow before the pool is full. If you do this, you risk leaving water lines on the surface.
Keep in mind that this step takes between 12 and 48 hours, so plan ahead if you can’t be around. Slowing down the water flow isn’t a big mistake, as long as you don’t turn it off completely.
Balancing the Chemicals
A chemical startup is a process of balancing the chemicals in your pool to make the water safe to swim in. If you, as a homeowner, plan on doing this yourself, make sure to prep and do your research before the beginning.
Water chemicals aren’t something to play with, and being safe is the most important part of the startup. Note that all water will require the same chemicals but in different quantities. It will take you more time to balance the water of a plastered pool compared to a pebble-based one.
House Owner’s Role During a Pool Refurbishment
If you hire a contractor to remodel your swimming space, there won’t be many chores you can do to help and speed up the process. However, some things may help the job go smoother.
For starters, be there when the mixer comes in. If you’ve decided on a colored plaster for your pool surface, you should be present when the workers mix the color. This way, you’ll be able to see and influence the hue before it’s all over the surface.
As we mentioned before, keeping an eye on the water level will be your job as well. Keep the H2O running, ensure the flow is consistent, and don’t let it flood.
And, the last task you are in charge of is hiring the people to do chemical check-ups. Even if you balance the water yourself, getting a professional to come out and do the testing themselves is the best idea, at least once in a while.
What to Expect After a Pool Remodeling
Tiny Cracks
The steps are the last area of the pool that gets filled up with water, so naturally, there may be some cracks along their surface. However, this isn’t anything alarming. These tiny imperfections won’t influence the overall look of the pool.
Stains
It is entirely normal for the final remodel to come out stained in some places. Workers operate with a variety of materials, and some of them will likely end up on the pool’s surface. Luckily, these are easily removable with an acid wash.
Pebbles Dislodging
This may happen if you go for a pebble-based pool. If it does, simply call a service that can help with this, and the issue will be resolved in no time.
Imperfect Matches
Getting your pool to be a perfect match to something you may have seen at a showroom isn’t an easy task. So, have a bit of compassion and understand that anything done by hand may look a bit different than what you’ve imagined.
This is one of the reasons why you should be present during color mixing and tile placement.
Hand-Troweling
As you probably know already, a hand can’t do the same job a machine can. Unfortunately, the same goes for trowelling. Some uneven spots may occur if your contractor does this job by hand. However, this won’t make a noticeable difference to the finished product.
If You Need Any Help
Are you thinking about installing a pool? If you are, and you live in South Florida, contact Florida Pool Patio. We’re here to help with any pool needs you might need.
Also, visit our website and check out the rest of our services.
