My only comment is that we too were concerned when they did our shotcrete. It looked like a long gradual slope and we expected more of a shallow area and slope to our 6ft deep end. We were told that the slope of the pool is all regulated by code (can't remember if it was city or state or federal code) and that's the only way they can build a pool. I would check with your builder to ease your mind.

The slope didnÂt change the morning of Gunite. My point is the hole was dug and steel laid and at that time a good indication of the pool bottom should have been evident.

Being that the pools are usually dug with bobcats, my bet is they kept the gradual slope to operate out of the deep end versus dig it deeper with a backhoe.

IÂm sure Gunite can be added with some additional work if you wish to create a longer shallower bottom before it drops off.

They did use a backhoe. I asked the builder when it was being dug about the slope and he said it would be to 4.5 feet before the big slope into the deep end. This is also what our contract says. We did not measure at that time assuming he knew what he was talking about and doing. Now that the concrete is in and we can get in and measure, it comes to 4.5 water height at 12 feet from the end of the pool. 5.75 feet at 18 feet from the shallow end.

There are actually three slopes that conform to code in Southern Arizona (I can't speak for your municipality):
9:1, 7:1 and 3:1. 9:1 is used for beach entries, so are far less common. Typically, a pool is 7:1 - for every 7' of length, you can drop no more than 1' in depth. Typical pools start at either 3' or 3'6" and drop to whatever depth is appropriate.

What was typically done for pools with a diving board is to put what is called a 'break line' that goes from the 7:1 raito in the shallow end to the 3:1 ratio to achieve the necessary depth because the bottom must meet certain depth profile to meet code. Different types of diving boards will dictate how deep the pool must be at any given length away from the diving board.

Your critical measurements are done from the deep end to the shallow in order to conform to the diving board requirements for depth. Your builder may have had to 'fudge' the profile at the shallow end because he didn't take the time to figure it out when he sold you the pool. That may not be the case, but it is something I see on a fairly regular basis.

Thanks for your responses...We just got an answer from the PB and he said they messed up on the depth and are going to fix it at their expense.