Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 4/26/2010

Question
hi, can you pls tell me what is the basic difference in the construction of basement and that of swimming pool?

Answer
Hi Femi, there can be several differences depending on the type of pool construction.  To do a basement foundation you have to have a certain amount of structural integrity built into the foundation to support the house that will be set on top of it.  Obviously, a swimming pool won't have that.  Most swimming pools are built with shotcrete or gunite which is a type of concrete that is shot from a hose onto a surface and then hand floated.  The hole is dug and a layer of concrete is shot onto the hole and roughed in, then the steel mesh is laid on that and this is followed by several more layers of gunite which is troweled to the shape of the pool.  Then a layer of hard surface is added to that such as crushed coral or other finishes Diamond Brite being one of the more popular surfaces.  A basement foundation is done completely different.  Footings are poured, walls are set on top of the footings (either poured concrete or masonry) and then the slab (basement floor) is poured.  I have seen some pools done this way but it is not the common practice.  If your pool is done this way, the floor would need to be sloped to provide a shallow and a deep end which would require stepped footings and graduated wall heights. Plus the plumbing is totally different from a basement.  Then the interior walls would need to be covered with plaster or stucco followed by a Diamond Brite finish..So I guess I am saying that yes you can do a swimming pool like a basement foundation but it will require additional work to make it function properly as a swimming pool.  I hope this information helps please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com