The gunite shell has hardened and its time to get started on the pool waterfalls and boulder outcroppings.
As I had mentioned in post RB Project #6.4, the challenging slope we had to contend with now becomes an asset.
Just as nature would produce a pool of water at the base of a rockery slope, pool contractor Barry Marson’s lead foreman will work to develop this look further with boulders delivered to the site.
Coarse crushed stone is used as a base for the concrete footing that will support the pool waterfall features.
Before the concrete is poured, steel reinforcing rods are drilled and set into the pools shell. This structurally ties together the shell with the concrete footing so the waterfall cannot shift or settle.
To build the waterfalls the boulders are selected one by one and set in place using chains and straps with the mini-excavator.
The process is involved, and compared to how quickly the basic pool shell went in, the boulder and waterfall work is time consuming.
Never to be rushed, this is a key phase in creating the illusion of something “naturally occurring”.
The flow of water on these waterfalls can be regulated for different looks and degree of sound.
A pool waterfall should always appear normal and appropriate.
Too many times we see these random stacks of rocks piled on the edge of a pool with water coming out of it. Would you ever see anything like that in nature?
There are alternative water features that can be designed to give unique water effects, and at the same time fit logically into the setting.
Next in line for this project is the waterslide. You’ll see just how the slide is set into place. Here’s the previous post on this project.