Pool hydraulic design, pressurised pipework and testing for builders
Pebble Pools works with developers and builders of private pools in Phuket and southern Thailand. We design the hydraulic system, cast pipework in under pressure, test finished shells and commission the pump room.
Upgrades & repairs for hotels and villas · Pool systems & design
Hydraulic design and clear division of responsibility
Villa developers and building contractors often prefer to cast the concrete pool shell with their own crew while bringing in a specialist subcontractor for the water engineering. We handle the hydraulic package so your pool circulates properly and buried pipe damage is found before the concrete sets.
- Calculating circulation flow, pump and filter sizing, and pipe routing for domestic skimmer and overflow pools
- Specifying the positions of floor and wall inlets, main drains, vacuum points, overflow channels and balance tanks
- On a hydraulics-only job, structural design stays with your structural engineer
- When we design the whole pool, the shell is designed and signed by a licensed engineer who is our partner
Pressurised cast-in pipework, testing and pump rooms
A pipe damaged during concreting is hard to reach once the shell has set. We hold the pipe network under pressure throughout the pour, so any damage shows straight away.
- Embedded pipes and fittings coordinated with your construction team
- Pipework pressure testing coordinated with the builder
- Carrying out independent pressure testing and quality acceptance with a written record for buyers or developers checking a finished pool built by another contractor
- Installing and commissioning the pump room equipment after the pool finish is complete, whether finished by your team or in PebbleCrete by us
Water levels, site staging and how we coordinate
We align our visits with your site engineer around reinforcement, concrete pouring and surface finishing. For existing pools requiring an acceptance test, an inspection decides whether the pool must be drained or tested with water lowered, and the programme is agreed for the individual project.
- Dry shell construction: first-fix pipework, pressure holding during the pour and pump room assembly take place before the pool is filled
- With water lowered or pool drained: independent pressure testing of an existing pool depends on access to inlets and main drains, confirmed at inspection
What to send for a first discussion
Send us your project details so we can review the hydraulic scope with your team.
- Architectural or structural drawings of the pool and pump room, or site photos if construction has started
- The project location, pool size and whether it is a skimmer or overflow pool
- What you want us to handle: hydraulic design, pressurised cast-in pipework, independent pressure testing, pump room commissioning or the PebbleCrete finish
Where we have done this
- The Talay — Working from the bare concrete shell cast by the client, we set the embedded pool fittings and completed the render and PebbleCrete finish.
- Private Residence, Bang Tao — pool stripped to the shell — After stripping the pool to the shell, we reset the embedded fittings, sealed leaking light niches and installed new pumps.
- Private Villa, Rawai — Irish Green — During the renovation, we broke out the pool floor to relay leaking buried pipes before applying the new PebbleCrete finish.
CompletedThe Talay
- Scope
- New pool finish from the bare shell, with the embedded fittings set by us
- Material
- PebbleCrete Classic · Pearl White
- Applied by
- Pebble Pools
- Completed
- 2025
CompletedPrivate Residence, Bang Tao — pool stripped to the shell
- Scope
- Pool renovation: strip-out to the shell, leaking lights redone and sealed, new pumps, fittings reset, new render and finish
- Material
- PebbleCrete Classic Aquamarine
- Applied by
- Pebble Pools
CompletedPrivate Villa, Rawai — Irish Green
- Scope
- Old tiles taken off, leaking floor pipes relaid, pool refinished in PebbleCrete
- Material
- PebbleCrete Classic Irish Green · PebbleCrete Glass Sea Mist Green on the spa and the steps
- Applied by
- Pebble Pools
- Completed
- 2025
Questions we are asked
Why do you keep the pipes under pressure while the builder pours concrete?
Pressure testing helps identify pipework damage during construction. We coordinate checks and any necessary repairs with the builder.
Can we hire you only to pressure-test a pool built by another contractor?
Yes, we offer independent pressure testing as a standalone service for villa buyers, developers and project managers, with documentation of the inspection scope.
Do you sign structural drawings or apply for building permits?
When we design the whole pool, structural design of the shell and drawings for permits are prepared and signed by a licensed engineer who is our partner. When you bring us in for the hydraulics only, the shell stays with your builder and their engineer.