Being in the business for over 30 years, KC Arnold has heard about every piece of advice on how to construct things properly. But it was while he had another contractor building his backyard pool, he heard the worst piece of advice. So much so that he knew he had to start a pool company to combat this pervasive BAD advice.

While shopping for a pool contractor, he was trying to decide between two builders. One of the builders made a promise that shocked him.

“With our company as your contractor, we can have your concrete pool finished in 2-4 weeks.”

Some pool companies promise a custom pool made of concrete in 2-4 weeks! Do not believe this lie!

What they are promising is a pool that may be quick to build but will have years of problems and cracks. Building a concrete pool start to finish can take 4-6 weeks to complete well. Concrete is used to create beautiful custom pools but that beauty can take time. For concrete to fully cure, it can take 2-4 weeks before moving on to final finishing steps. Rushing this step or being careless will ruin your finished product.

KC quickly decided to move on from that contractor and find one who knew how to work with concrete. So, he started his own swimming pool building company right here in Houston.

When choosing a pool contractor, builder, or designer in Houston, make sure to check their concrete procedure to make sure that you’re getting a quality product. We don’t want anyone to have a pool any less than perfect, which is why we never cut corners and educate our clients through ever step of the way.

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s a list of other sources that’ll tell you the same thing:

“…For Concrete Pools, 4-6 Weeks

Concrete pools take the longest to install, mainly because everything has to be done onsite. The extra work, along with the need to manage an array of subcontractors, adds to the installation time. Also, after the gunite or shotcrete is applied, it has to “cure” for up to a month. During this time, a lot of the remaining work has to wait.”

https://www.poolpricer.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-install-an-inground-pool/

“Question: One builder I am talking to says he pours the footings, lets them cure for 28 days and then pours the basement walls. Is this normal, or is it kind of like wearing a belt *and* suspenders?

Answer: That does sound like “belt and suspenders,” but in this case, it’s a good thing. If it were me, and I had the time to wait, I’d do it. If you look at curing time for concrete, it’s a very long curve. While it gains most of its strength in the first couple of days, it continues to pick up strength as time goes on. If you look at the link below, you can see how it takes a week to get to about 60% of maximum strength and about a month to get to about 100%. While you don’t need to wait until it gets to 100% before you pour again, obviously you will have a stronger base, with less chance of cracking, if you wait.

In addition, I don’t know what your weather is like right now, but colder temperatures slow down the speed with which concrete cures. I think you’ve got a responsible concrete guy, who wants to do a good job, and I’d pay attention to him.”

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2256276/how-long-should-foundation-concrete-cure

“…After marking out the pool area, excavators will come and dig the hole for your pool. When that’s done, workers will install a drainage layer and floor cleaning pipes. Following that, they will install a steel frame and do formwork. More plumbing will be done and finally, after this work has been inspected, the concrete will be sprayed. This whole process takes between three and four weeks.

The concrete must be left to cure for four weeks before further work can be done on the interior of the pool. While it cures, your landscaping can be done; paving slab poured; and filtration and heating systems installed.” 

https://www.homeimprovementpages.com.au/article/how_long_does_it_take_to_build_a_pool