Need advice on gunite pool project

[SILV4NNA]

As a pool contractor, and a relatively new one at that, my first project is to build a 14x32 gunite pool with a 5.5-foot deep end. Now I've got a few questions coz I don't wanna mess this up. They trusted a newbie after all. Anyway I'm planning on 6" shotcrete walls, 10" floor, and a 12" beam. What else should me and my team take note of? I'd like some input from those with more experience please or anyone who knows better than me...

 

[Smoothsailer]

Brave project, but I'm sure you'll get it done perfectly. First make sure you oversize the hole to accommodate the floor and walls. Hire a nozzelman and I'm guessing you'll probably need to go for 4k psi mix and you'll need to make sure yo first do the floor and then the walls. Before shotcrete, make sure to plumb and run conduits and let it cure for at least a week. If the ground has risk of water, you might want to implement hydrostatic relief plugs. As long as you prioritize safety and inspection, you shouldn't have any problems with quality and longevity.

 

[BlueLagoonGuy]

When I jumped in to help with my cousin's first pool build, he was just as anxious,it was about the same size too. Halfway through, we noticed that the rebar spacing on one end wasn't even. Thankfully, an experienced guy from another crew dropped by, noticed the issue right away, and gave us a quick 15-minute lesson that likely saved the whole structure. The key takeaway? Don't hesitate to ask questions and double-check everything, often it's those little details that can make or break your first project.

 

[Jefferson1]

You can have perfect specs on paper 6" walls, 10" floor, 12" beam but if your steel placement, soil compaction, and curing process aren't dialed in, that pool will crack like a cheap teacup.

 

[El Churros]

You can have perfect specs on paper 6" walls, 10" floor, 12" beam but if your steel placement, soil compaction, and curing process aren't dialed in, that pool will crack like a cheap teacup.

100% agree. Specs mean nothing if your prep work is just sloppy especially with shifting soil or something. Also thanks for sharing that story @BlueLagoonGuy. It's always better to catch a mistake early than try to fix it after the gunite sets.