Penguin Pools West Rand knows how to get the job done.
The Construction process of our hand packed Concrete Pools is as follows.
Layout
A site meeting will me held, whereby a layout of the pool will be finalized and marked out in the correct place. Placement of the steps, a martini seat if required as well as the weir and deep end of the pool can all be finalized. Lighting options are discussed as well as any other queries the client may have.
Excavation
This is the first step of the construction process. 80% of pools are hand dug by a digging crew, this is mainly due to access constraints encountered with most gardens. Large pools with access can be dug by machine if it is feasible. Once the majority of the whole is dug the digging crew will "cut" the walls of the pool and carve the overall shape with very strict attention being given to the overall shape of the pool.
Steel Reinforcing
The steel Reinforcing is made up of a combination of Y10 Rods and Ref156 Steel Mesh. The Y10 rods offer both overall strength and make up the critical ring-beam surrounding the pool. We run our Y10 Rods at 500 mm centres on the floors of all our pools to ensure that they are extremely strong in their most vulnerable areas.
The steel Reinforcing is made up of a combination of Y10 Rods and Ref156 Steel Mesh. The Y10 rods offer both overall strength and make up the critical ring-beam surrounding the pool. We run our Y10 Rods at 500 mm centres on the floors of all our pools to ensure that they are extremely strong in their most vulnerable areas.
Concrete
Concrete is supplied either my La Farge or Pronto, it comes in a ready mix form and has a guaranteed strength of 30mpa, this is the industry standard and is stronger than the foundations in most high rise buildings. The Concrete is hand packed and shaped into the dimensions of the pool. At this point the weir is installed and any lighting that the pool may contain. Space is left for the return pipes to the pool
More Than 500 Pools Done
Plumbing
All Pipe work is then installed. This includes all return pipes to the pool, the connection to the weir and the complete plumbing of the pump, motor and filtration unit. For conventional filters a backwash is also installed. The Pump, motor and filter are then covered by filtration housing. Saltwater chlorination and heat exchange pumps can also be installed at this point in time.
NB. Salt can only be added to swimming pools that have a new layer of marbalite after a minimum of 6 weeks. Within the first 6 weeks the pool needs to be maintained with standard chemicals.
Mosaics and Coping
We use only the best in finishes. Coping is usually supplied Creative Stone in a variety of different colours unless the customer would like another alternative that he or she has seen. Mosaics are supplied by Douglas Jones ( www.douglasjones.co.za/ ) and are available in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes. We make use of douglas jones magic blue as our standard mosaic. The reason being that with white marbalite the blue tiles reflect into the water giving the water a very nice blue shimmer. For a very special touch, custom mosaic logos such as a family crest, a company logo or some under water sea creatures can be created and marbalited into the overall finish of the pool.
Electrical Connection
We Supply and install a waterproof DB board that is connected to both the swimming pool pump and the swimming pool light. The connection to the mains has to be done by a qualified electrician if no power point is given.
Cleanup
Once all other construction surrounding the pool is complete a cleanup of the entire area surrounding the pool is undertaken. Any work such as wooden decks or alterations to surrounding buildings need to be completed before the final finish of the pool can be done.
Pool Finish
The majority of our pools are finished in "marbalite". Marbalite is a cement-based, coloured marble plaster, specifically formulated for application onto gunite or hand-packed concrete pool shells, it comes in a variety of colours. Because of its composition it can never be guaranteed for its consistency in terms of colour. We over the years we have found that White Marbalite seems to be the most consistent in colour and is our most common finish. Just like concrete floors, colour is never 100% consistent; this is ultimately what adds to the beauty of marbalite.
Start-up
Once your new pool is full a formal handover will be done. This will include advice and the procedures to follow on the maintenance of your pool. A formal handover sheet with instructions will be left for you as well as chemicals, a soft nylon brush and a scoop.