The homeowners requested a small, unique gunite swimming pool in their courtyard. They reported they had noticed water damage at the back doors and the carport storage room had flooded shortly after purchasing the house. No drainage issues were noted on the home inspection.

When we arrived to inspect the property, we found all the rain water was being directed towards the house. The drainage system that had been installed was poorly designed and clogged. The soil was up to or covering the weep holes on two sides of the storage room. We determined the drainage issues had to be corrected before a pool design could even be created.

Step 1

We redirected the water by digging out the old tree stump and multi-layer patio. Then we dug down the courtyard where the old patio had been located and slopped the ground away from the house creating a natural drainage flow that now flows around the house and down to the city's drainage system. The owners have reported there has not been any more standing water in the courtyard or water damage to the house.

Step 2

The owners decided on a final swimming pool plan that included a 14’x22’ swimming pool with steps, a sun ledge, two benches, and a firepit with a waterfall. The materials were also chosen.

Step 3

We constructed a 6"x6"x12’ retaining wall with gravel and an 8’ deep flowerbed across the back of the courtyard to direct the rest of the rain water away from the courtyard. The pool equipment will be behind the short wall.

Step 4

The swimming pool was dug out, formed with 2”x4” lumber, plywood, and rebar, and the plumbing was stubbed out. The work passed the city inspection.

Step 5

The swimming pool shell was gunited by Gunite Pros on a sunny Friday morning.

Step 6

The following week the forms were pulled, the plumbing was run from the pool to the filter pad, the yard was cleaned up and the tile and coping were installed.

Step 7

The 6”x6” posts for the wall to close off the carport were installed, the firepit/water fall unit was built, the drainage pipes and boxes were installed, and the gravel was spread in preparation for the paver deck.