An in-ground swimming pool involves a complex structural design. It’s not just a hole in the ground that someone has poured with concrete. Sophisticated calculations are used to construct the pool and ensure that it holds up against the weight of the water inside it and the earth around it, and that it does not break down over time.
One of the most important components of an in-ground pool is also one of the least-well known: The bond beam, which is also sometimes known as a “hodge” or “locking collar.”
What is the Bond Beam?
A bond beam is a thick course of concrete that fills in the space along the top of the pool, all the way around the perimeter. It creates a barrier between the pool and the surrounding dirt. The bond beam is quite thick – at least a foot or more wide – and it is reinforced with rebar and other materials. The beam creates some extra support and protection for the pool while also providing a means to join the pool with the border and surrounding patio.
A raised bond beam can be used on a pool that rests against a raised area of turf, creating a kind of retaining wall for that area of earth.
Blending the Bond Beam with the Patio and Other Elements
The bond beam also serves an aesthetic function. Though you can’t see the bond beam when the pool is finished, the bond beam provides a layer for the coping, the pool border, and the patio around the pool. In many cases, your pool installer will pour all these elements in one unit, which helps with structural integrity.
You may want pavers or natural stone to form the border around your pool. In that case, the bond beam would be installed separately and then sealed before the pavers are installed. Then the patio would be poured behind that row of pavers or stones.
Whenever you see the brick or cement border around fiberglass or gunite pools, you can know that the bond beam is underneath – providing structural support for the pool, as well as a base for the decorative border.
Installing the Bond Beam and Other Elements
Experience and expertise are needed to properly install a bond beam so that it provides the right structural support for your pool and also so that it blends seamlessly with your pool border, patio, and other elements. Mistakes can lead to costly problems for your pool down the road. You need to hire the right professionals to get the right look and lasting results.
The professionals at Triad Associates have been installing pools for nearly four decades, and we are committed to producing high-quality workmanship for a beautiful pool that will last you for decades. We offer many stylish options for your pool coping, border, patio, and more. We would be happy to help you understand your options so that you can design the pool of your dreams. Call us today to meet with one of our pool experts to talk about your options!
