Q: How exactly is a swimming pool built?
A: A swimming pool is built in a series of stages that begins with the design phase. Once you are satisfied with the design, your plans must be approved by the city you reside in, and permits issued to proceed with the work. Now you are ready for the actual construction phases:

• Lay-out
• Grading & Excavation
• Installation of Reinforcing Steel Bars
• Plumbing
• Electrical Wiring
• Gunite
• Tile and Trim
• Decking
• Interior Finish

Q: How long does construction last?
A: Once your plans have been approved by the city you reside in and the permit has been issued, actual construction time will depend upon the type of pool you have chosen. Typically a project will take from 30 to 90 days. The size o f the pool and spa, the amount of decking, and the number of water features, will play a part in the time necessary to complete the project. Hire Standards will make every effort to consistently move the job along and complete your project in timely manner.

Q: Will someone be at my house every day and will they start first thing in the morning?
A: The course of construction involves many different tradesmen and many different phases. Our crews are trained to perform specific functions and it is therefore not unusual for a crew to be scheduled on more than one job in a day. Depending on where the pool is, relative to the schedule, it is quite normal to see people arrive mid-day or even in the late afternoon. Generally, off days are planned to allow material to fully dry before the next phase of construction.

Q:  Can I expect that my yard or area used to access my pool will remain in the same conditions as when started?
A: A swimming pool is major construction. It requires accessibility for tractors that weigh thousands of pounds and workers that bring in and out thousands of pounds of materials. In the beginning the work is destructive. It may look like a bomb went off in your yard. Please be patient and don’t be alarmed, when we have finished we will level the yard and remove debris caused by construction. We do not expect you to do the clean up. What we will not provide, unless stated in the contract, is landscaping for your yard. Areas where the equipment must pass such as lawns and or sidewalks may have a small amount of damage.

Q: How long will it take to fill our pool?
A: The length of time required to fill a pool depends on a number of variables such as your local water pressure, the number of hoses being used, and the size of the pool. The average pool takes 24-36 hours to fill and it is important t remember that the water should not be turned off until the pool is completely full.

Q: Is pebble surface/ finish better than plaster?
A: Pebble finish has its unique advantages and disadvantages, the hardness of all minerals are by Mohs hardness schedule. Traditional plaster finish is a #2 level of hardness, # 1 being the softest. Compared to the pebble which is at #7, which means it’s less permeable, and there is less wear and tear. These issues withstanding each pool and every pool owner should choose the finish that complements their individual desires.

Q: When can I swim in my pool after it has been plastered or pebble coated?
A: Plaster Pools:
After you pool is plastered and it’s full of water, it does require a start up of the pump and motor and brush vacuuming. All this needs to be done before any person or animal enters the pool. If you go into the pool ahead of time you run the risk of leaving foot and hand prints on the plaster. This is because there are precipitated solids that come out of the water as the pool fills and forms what is called “plaster dust” that can leave a permanent mark in the pool.
    Pebble Coated:
After the coating has been applied and before the pool is filled with water, it will be acid washed. Acid washing removes all the imperfections that were highlighted as the plaster was extracted from the aggregate. After the Acid wash, the pool if filled with water. You should wait one day to allow the filter to remove any residue and to allow the water clarity to improve.
           
Q: What options are available to enhance my pool?
A: There are a number of things that new technology have made possible. Fiber-optic lighting, water treatment options, spa products, remote controls, automatic cleaning systems, and many other options are available to make your pool easier and more enjoyable.