building – Page 2 – Specialised Build

Pool transformation, pool made bigger, pool tiled and leaks repaired

We completely renovated this old leaking swimming pool. The first thing we did was diagnose the source of the leaks. We diagnosed leaks in 2 runs of plumbing, in both the skimmer pipes and the return pipe.

The bridge, which didn’t really have a purpose was removed so we could make the pool wider, as at this point it was very narrow. The pool looked even narrower once the bridge was removed. It is not normally recommended to alter the structure of a pool, but in this case it was feasible, as we were working on the shallow end of the pool, where there was less stresses involved.

Steps were built into the shallow end of the pool that also serve as a seating area, perfect for enjoying the panoramic views from this villa in Mijas.

Once the pool had been made wider and the steps had been built in, we cast a new “marmolina” pool surround. The marmolina is white concrete that is floated to give a uniform smooth surface, but still is non slip. To make the marmolina we have to build shuttering around the pool and pour the mix into it. After the shuttering comes off, we polish the edges and put expansion cuts in it.

After this the swimming pool can be tiled, grouted and cleaned ready for filling.

The plumbing is all new, for a trouble free future. When planning works to the pool, it is important to consider the future.

After all this work, the transformation was complete with a tropical turquoise tile and a beautiful new surround. This was quite an amazing transformation, taking our superb team about 2 weeks. For perspective, the pool measures 15m x 5m

Pool building and renovation works, Mijas

Complete building service, Costa del Sol

Leaking swimming pool in need of reform, Mijas

Making the swimming pool wider, Mijas

Swimming pool construction

Exterior , Landscaping

Retaining walls for gardens, swimming pools, villas, terraces etc

If your land is moving, a retaining wall is essential. In the mountainous areas at the back of Mijas, Fuengirola, Marbella and Estepona, the houses are built on quite steep slopes and a retaining wall is essential.

Our building team can advise the most appropriate solution, depending on the terrain and type of build and then construct it.

Block and steel retaining walls, reinforced concrete, gabions and stacked rocks are the most common types of retaining wall on the Costa del Sol.

Depending on the size of the project we can advise how best to proceed. Sometimes a retaining wall is not needed, banks can be stabilised by spraying with concrete.

Retaining walls are needed to prevent the land from moving. Where a slope has been excavated to provide a flat pad for building, the land will need to be stabilised both above and below the pad. The design and build of the wall has to take into account the rainfall and drainage. A poorly designed wall can act like a dam, creating a bigger problem in the future.

The block and steel wall is normally used for lower walls. It is built on a concrete foundation, from high density concrete blocks. Steel rods run vertically and horizontally through the blocks. The blocks are then filled with concrete, making a very strong wall. The blocks can either be rendered after, or decorative blocks can be used so no finishing is required.

Reinforced concrete walls. A concrete raft is poured to give a wide footprint to help support the load. On top of this, steel cages are made, shuttering is built, then it is filled with concrete. This is an immensely strong wall, supporting huge loads without moving.

Stacked rock retaining walls are designed to be used to support earth, where some movement is acceptable, for example at the edge of a plot of land, edge of the garden etc..

Gabion walls are made from rock enclosed in steel mesh cages. This creates a strong supporting structure that allows for drainage. The walls can be made to look very decorative.

Sprayed concrete is used to prevent ground slip in low risk areas. By spraying with concrete, rain is prevented from washing away embankments and other slopes.

We have contacts for drilling micro piles and piles for particularly unstable ground.

Here we have a few examples of retaining walls that we have built over the years.

Earth retaining system

sprayed concrete on embankment

stacked concrete blocks

collapsed retaining wall

slope-stabilization-feature-1

stacked boulder retaining wall

Exterior , Landscaping , Swimming Pools

Swimming pool renovation in Marbella, Mijas, Estepona and Fuengirola, Malaga

Common problems with swimming pools. Swimming pools, like most things require maintenance. A tiled pool requires acid washing and grouting around every 8-10 years. The acid washing is to remove calcium and mineral deposits from the surface of the glass mosaic tiles. After this, new cement based grout is applied. If the tiles are in good condition, this leaves the pool looking much younger.

If the grout is neglected in and older pool, algae starts to take hold. This can be in the form of black algae in the grout lines, or worse, the algae can get behind the tiles and then the tiles start to come off. Once the tiles start to come off it is important to act quick to limit the damage.

Swimming pools are prone to leaks. Pool leaks can come from a number of sources. The most common is leaking plumbing lines, after this, the problems start to become structural. Structural pool leaks can be due to old concrete becoming porous, or cracks in the structure.

We have equipment for diagnosing leaks and repairing cracked or leaking pools.

Repairing and renovating a swimming pool is often part of other building works. We can reform your swimming pool by adding steps, changing the shape, or even adding a Jacuzzi area.

Building a seating area in a swimming pool is a great way of adding useful value, it gives a comfortable place to relax and enjoy a drink.

Retiling a swimming pool gives stunning impact and leaves the pool looking like new. If the surround is changed at the same time, this improves the general look of the pool area.

We can then combine this with constructing a new terrace around the pool, outdoor kitchens, barbecue areas, bar areas, pergolas, outdoor toilet to create a truly personal area that will be the envy of your friends.

Pools can also be improved by adding heating systems, cascades and slides, the only limit is your imagination.

Here are some examples of recent finished pools.

Complete swimming pool renovation in Marbella, including decking and landscaping

Renovated swimming pool with pergola and new terrace, Alhaurin el Grande

Total renovation of pool, with newly constructed garden walls and 100m2 tiled terrace, San Pedro

Small atico swimming pool, waterproofed and retiled in Estepona

A large pool in a villa in Fuengirola, completely renovated and reformed with new build pool surround

Exterior

Collapsing garden wall retaining wall and terrace re built

Collapsing garden wall retaining wall and terrace re built, Estepona, Malaga, Spain

Due to poor quality of building this garden wall became dangerous, showing huge cracks. It was about to collapse into the street. Once we started to demolish the wall, we found that there was nothing supporting the terrace and the wall had no reinforcing. Inside the terrace the wall is around 1.60m high, but out in the road it is just under 2.5m high, so if it was to collapse it could do significant damage, injure someone, or block the road.

The wall had cracks and would have eventually failed but the damage was aggravated by heavy rain at the end of 2016. The torrential rain flooded the terrace, then washed out the earth from underneath. If the wall had been built properly in the first place, this would not have been a problem.

We will completely demolish the wall, pour new reinforced concrete foundations and then rebuild the wall. The terrace will have a new concrete slab poured with the correct steel reinforcing and drainage points put in.

We will then tile the terrace in non slip tiles (essential in a swimming pool area), leaving it looking like new.

If you have walls with cracks, it is best to have them looked at by a professional builder before they become dangerous. It is possible that the damage can be halted, or underpinned, saving money.