The Paramount PV3 In-Floor Cleaning System is the ultimate upgrade for pool owners who value efficiency and cleanliness. With built-in pop-up heads that sweep debris and improve circulation, PV3 creates a self-cleaning pool that uses fewer chemicals, reduces maintenance, and always looks perfect—so you can spend more time swimming and less time scrubbing.

Circulation is the key to a clean, healthy pool. Paramount’s EcoPool system uses rotating floor returns to push water evenly throughout the pool, reducing dead spots and cutting down on chemical use. It’s a game changer for water quality—and a perfect setup for next week’s feature: the PV3 in-floor cleaner, the ultimate in pool efficiency.

Construction delays are a normal part of building a swimming pool, but the best builders work hard to keep them rare. Weather, subcontractor availability, material shortages, municipal inspections, and mid-build changes can all affect a project’s timeline. Great builders stay ahead of these challenges through smart planning, strong communication, and careful project management—helping keep your pool on schedule even when the unexpected happens.

Pool School is the essential orientation new pool owners receive once construction is complete. It’s a hands-on walkthrough that covers water chemistry, equipment operation, maintenance routines, safety basics, and how to protect your new interior finish during the first 30 days. By the end of Pool School, homeowners feel confident, prepared, and ready to enjoy their new backyard oasis with ease.

Pool startup is the phase where a brand-new pool officially comes to life. After the interior finish is applied and the pool is filled, technicians begin balancing the water, running the equipment, brushing the new surface, and preparing the system for long-term health. This stage ensures the finish cures correctly, the water clears, and every component works as designed. Understanding the startup process helps homeowners know what to expect during the first few days of owning their new pool—and why this phase is so important for protecting their investment.

The decking phase is one of the most exciting parts of pool construction because it’s the moment your backyard starts looking like a real outdoor living space instead of a construction site. As forms are built, grading is completed, base material is compacted, and the patio surface is installed, the entire area begins transforming quickly. Decking ties the pool into the rest of the yard and sets the stage for seating areas, walkways, and the overall flow of your outdoor oasis. It’s a major milestone—and often the moment homeowners finally see their backyard coming to life.

Gunite Day is one of the most dramatic and exciting moments in pool construction. It’s loud, fast, and incredibly satisfying to watch as the pool transforms from a rough dirt outline into a solid, sculpted concrete structure. Using high-pressure equipment, craftsmen spray and shape the gunite mixture to form the steps, benches, ledges, and curves that define the pool’s final design. It’s the day your pool truly takes shape—and the moment most homeowners finally see their vision come to life.

Tile & Coping is one of the most exciting milestones in pool construction because it’s the moment your new pool begins to look like the finished design you imagined. After weeks of structural work—excavation, steel, plumbing, and gunite—this phase introduces color, texture, and craftsmanship. The waterline tile adds personality and protects the pool’s interior, while the coping creates the smooth, polished edge that ties the pool into the surrounding patio. It’s the first time the project starts resembling a real outdoor oasis rather than a construction zone.

Backfill is one of the most unexpectedly satisfying phases of pool construction. After weeks of excavation, plumbing, steel, and an exposed concrete shell, this stage starts putting the yard back together. Crews place soil around the outside of the pool, covering plumbing, stabilizing the ground, and rebuilding the general shape of the yard. It’s messy, muddy, and not exactly glamorous—but it’s a major visual milestone that signals the project is shifting from raw structure toward the finishing phases that make your backyard feel like a backyard again.

Excavation is the first major phase of building a concrete pool—and it’s where your backyard starts looking wild in the best possible way. Heavy equipment moves in, dirt piles up, wooden forms appear, steel rebar is installed, and plumbing lines run in every direction. It may look chaotic from the outside, but each step is carefully planned to create a strong, long-lasting structure. Excavation is the moment your pool shifts from a design on paper to a real, physical shape in your yard.

Before excavation ever begins, every pool project starts with the layout—the moment your future pool is physically outlined in your yard. This simple but essential step ensures the design fits the space correctly, meets all setback requirements, and aligns perfectly with the vision created in your plans. Understanding the layout phase—and the major construction phases that follow—helps homeowners feel prepared, confident, and informed as their new pool starts taking shape.

Before construction can begin on a new swimming pool, the first major milestone is permitting. It’s not the most exciting part of the process, but it’s one of the most important. Permits ensure your pool meets safety standards, follows environmental regulations, and won’t create drainage or structural issues on your property—or your neighbor’s. Because every city and county has its own rules, the permitting process can look very different from one municipality to the next. Understanding what goes into it—and why delays sometimes happen—helps set realistic expectations and ensures a smooth start to your project.

Understanding Construction Draw Schedules in Pool Building

When you build a swimming pool, payments aren’t made all at once—they follow a draw schedule. Because pools are built in phases, each stage has its own labor, materials, and costs. A draw schedule ties each payment directly to the progress happening on your project, ensuring you never pay ahead of the work.

Larger phases like excavation and decking often carry higher draws, while the final interior finish is typically a small last payment designed to give homeowners peace of mind. This structure keeps the project fair, transparent, and on track from start to finish, protecting both you and your builder throughout the entire process.

At Staycation Creation, we use only the top-of-the-line Hayward products. With seamless automation, industry-leading warranties, and a commitment to innovation, Hayward delivers efficiency, reliability, and peace of mind—so you can spend more time enjoying your pool and less time managing it.

Plaster pools last about 10 years before needing an expensive refinishing, but PebbleTec and PebbleSheen finishes are built to last for decades. With stunning colors, natural textures, and options like Luminous and Shimmering Sea additives, PebbleTec isn’t just beautiful—it’s the most value-driven upgrade you can make for your pool.

Main drains are critical for both safety and circulation. Thanks to the VGB Pool & Spa Safety Act and modern drains like the MDX-R3 and RDX, entrapment risks are virtually eliminated. These drains improve safety, pull in debris, and keep water moving for a cleaner, healthier pool.

Your pool pump is the heart of your system—and bigger is better. A 2.7 HP variable speed pump saves energy, runs quieter, and keeps water healthier. But it only works if paired with larger plumbing, 45s, and sweeps to reduce friction. At Staycation Creation, we design circulation systems that save you money while keeping your pool crystal clear for years to come.

Heat pumps keep your pool warm in spring, summer, and fall—and even cool in the heat of summer—but they stop working below about 55°F. That’s why we say they deliver ten months of swimming. For spas, or quick heat on demand, a 400,000 BTU gas heater is the perfect partner—efficient year-round comfort without the sticker shock of heating your pool entirely on gas.

When comparing pool builders, the lowest bid doesn’t always mean the best value. At Staycation Creation, we help you look beyond the initial cost to build and consider the long-term cost to own. Energy efficiency, durability, and reduced maintenance can save thousands over the life of your pool—protecting both your wallet and your weekends.

When investing in a pool, shopping around is essential—but comparing proposals can be tricky when most builders leave out key details. At Staycation Creation, we encourage homeowners to explore their options because we know our quality, value, speed, and pricing stand apart. Once you experience other sales methods, you’ll see just how different our process really is—and why families trust us to deliver a pool that’s built to last.