Dig day is where margins are made or lost. This lesson covers layout and paint-out from the pool drawing, over-dig allowances per shell type, spoil management, and when to stop and call an engineer (groundwater, rock, fill soil). Then base prep: compaction standards, sand vs. gravel bases for fiberglass, vermiculite/grout floors for vinyl, and the […]

Each construction type has its own critical path. For fiberglass: crane coordination, lifting points, initial set-and-level, and the water/backfill balance rule that prevents bulged walls. For vinyl: wall panel assembly, bracing, and liner measurement points. For gunite: steel schedule basics and what the installer verifies before shoot day. The lesson ends with the five most […]

Covers suction/return line sizing, skimmer and main drain placement, pressure-testing lines before backfill (and why you photograph the gauge), and trench depth/bedding standards. Then the equipment pad: pump, filter, and heater layout for serviceability, electrical bonding points, and the handoff boundary between installer and licensed electrician. You’ll build a rough-in map for a standard 16×32 […]

Backfill done wrong cracks decks and pops shells. Learn lift heights, material selection, and compaction around plumbing. Then deck prep: sub-base, forms, expansion joints at the bond beam, and coordinating coping with the deck contractor. Finishing covers liner installation and wrinkle removal for vinyl builds, fitting trim and faceplates, and the punch-list walk you do […]

Incomplete handovers are a common cause of warranty callbacks. This lesson covers initial fill rules per shell type, startup chemistry sequence (balance before sanitize), equipment programming, and the cure protocol the plaster manufacturer specifies. Then the handover itself: a documented orientation covering equipment operation, chemical safety, and maintenance schedule, plus the signed completion form that […]