Phase 5 — Shotcrete & Gunite • Homeowner Checklist • DIY Pools & Spas

Why this phase matters

This is the milestone day — your pool becomes a pool. The choices you make here on elevations, spillway widths, and umbrella sleeves are baked in. Watch the pressure gauge before the crew arrives, and start watering down the shell immediately after.

Customize first. Some items only apply to certain projects (spa, fountains, art rock, etc.). Toggle the Project Options below before printing or sharing.

Homeowner

Dig Date

Plan Ahead

Before This Phase

Pressure check at the equipment pad. Plumber set it around 30–35 psi. Major drops mean a leak — fix before gunite.

Coordinate with your art rock crew — alongside gunite or right after?

Decide on shotcrete vs gunite with your sub if you have a choice. Shotcrete is premixed, cleaner, no rebound. Gunite is dry-mix at the nozzle and requires rebound removal.

Walk every elevation you want set with the crew before they shoot — seat heights, spillway notches, and any feature elevations specific to your design.

Set Elevations

Day Of

Confirm with the crew the spa spillway notch width — wider for a dribble, narrower for a sheet/cascade look.

Decide on overflow style: pipe out the back of the skimmer port, or a notched device set into the gunite (1" deep, 4" wide notch).

Ask the crew to install weep hole(s) for the high water table — extra protection during the cure.

Confirm umbrella sleeve hole locations in the Baja / reef seat now (sleeves go in at plaster).

Verify all return-line fittings, lights, bubblers, and skimmer ports are taped/sealed so no shotcrete material gets inside.

Check that bonding whips are sticking up out of the shell at four locations — they shouldn't get buried.

Optional

Pro Tips

After gunite: water down the shell per your sub's recommendation (typically 1–2× per day for 7 days).

If you used gunite (not shotcrete), make sure all rebound is removed from the pool and trenches — leaving it can cause structural weakness.

Continue monitoring the pressure gauge through the rest of construction. Note any drops.

Take photos of every elevation and feature placement — useful for plaster phase and personal record.

Optional

Notes

Pool shell is in. The hard part is over.

Keep the shell wet, watch the pressure gauge, and get ready for tile and coping.