Concrete was the original ‘production’ pool material; the Romans invented concrete and some of the pools and fountains they built are still in use today. Concrete is the only structural pool material that actually hardens (without turning brittle) as it ages and the only material not adversely affected by direct contact with pool water. In Freeze conditions, special precautions must be taken, such as dropping wood logs into the pool or placing foam composite ‘bumpers’ along the walls to the depth of expected ice layers. Concrete doesn't fare well either, when earthquakes hit. A greater distinction can be drawn between ‘package’ and ‘custom’ concrete pools than between concrete and the other types of pools available. An extra two inches of cement on the walls makes more difference in the durability of the shell than does the specific use of shotcrete, gunite, fiberglass or vinyl.

In this photograph, the ‘shoot’ has proceeded just beyond the shallow end, the walls are being shaved smooth on the upper 12”; pool steps built out of re bound (the shaved cement shoveled into a pile and troweled smooth) will eventually cover the lower wall.

In this photo, the shooter stands near the main drain and sprays cement onto the deep end walls. Notice the coiling of the gunite hose to absorb recoil. Generally, shooting the material more than 3’ or 4’ allows the cement to ‘air dry’, impacting the wall in a dryer state, making the shell set too quickly, resulting in cracks. Notice also the shooter has done the pool ‘radius’ first (where the floor and wall meet) to both give the wall structure a base and to make sure the incredible hydraulic pressure of 60 tons of water doesn't harm the pool here. In the final photo below, notice the spacing of the gunite wire. The walls of this pool are set to 3” 3.5”, the corners are fleshed out by intuition. If the crew goes by the form and wire, the corner concrete will be minus 1” thick. This is visual argument why you need to check corner tile grout in any gunite pool when the stop level is in the tile line.

The excavation stage is one of the most critical stages in the construction process. Depending upon the accessibility of your backyard, excavation crews dig, form and hand shape your pool to the precision engineering specifications. In most cases, a back hoe and dump truck work in tandem to prepare the site. In tight access locations, a bobcat excavates the pool and loads a remotely located dump truck. 

Crews create the plumbing system of your Master Pool with NSF approved schedule 40 PVC pipe and fittings, specifically controlling the water pressure and circulation for each area of the pool. After the plumbing is complete, the Southwest steel crews create a reinforced grid of settlers - strategically formatted to protect the pool surface from oxidation staining.

Shotcrete crews integrate the steel frame into the structural foundation of your pool using shotcrete's scientific combination of sand, rock and cement. 

The craftsmen create a focal point along the waterline as well as decorative accents throughout your pool before the interior finish is applied. 

Your pool deck compliments the strength of the pool design. Master Pool decks are built with a continuous steel reinforced footing, locked into the pool's structure through the bond beam. The deck is finished with multiple types of decking materials

Craftsmen take special pride in creating the ultimate interior surfaces. The result is an interior surface which elegantly follow the shape of your pool with a uniformity of texture and finish.. Choose from plaster, pebbletech, pebblesheen, and many other types of pool finishes. 

The final phase of the pool process; this is the "handing-over-the-keys" to your new Pool. The pool professional performs a complete initiation of your pool, conducting the last of a myriad of inspections to ensure your pool exceeds the strict standards. Then, the a professional walks you through your personal oasis, conducting an orientation with the equipment and its operation.