Installing an Inground Swimming Pool
Along with the benefit of improving your home’s appearance and value you will also be providing a way for your family to cool down in the grueling hot summer months right in the comfort of your own back yard. Once installed these pools are easy to maintain as their non-porous walls resist algae formation, and you will save money by installing the fiberglass pool yourself.
Facts
Fiberglass pools are permanent and actually get stronger each year. Fiberglass pools are much stronger then concrete pools and can flex up to 12-inch, which is beneficial in the event that the ground shifts. There are many reasons that you should consider installing a fiberglass pool over the more traditional concrete ones: huge savings on chemicals and electricity, less maintenance, and the surface remains smooth so there is no need for acid washing, and resurfacing is never needed unless the pool has suffered some type of damage.
Making a Decision
There are many styles and shapes to choose from, and you will then need to hire an excavator to dig up the ground, as well as have access to a crane. You should use a chalk line to mark the area that will be dug up or grade stakes and string. You will also excavate the hole according to the specs of the inground fiberglass pool you have chosen. Some pools are level, but if you have decided on a pool with one end being deeper then there will be more difficulty with the digging. Make sure to measure frequently as the digging progresses. Having a level on hand is pertinent to getting the ground level. The ground should be dug 3 inches deeper than the pool’s depth to allow for the sand. You will want to excavate the hole to be 1 inch wider then the actual size of the pool. This will allow for the extra room in the over dig. You will also need to dig a 12-inch hole in the ground. The deepest side of the pool will be placed at the end with the hole in the ground. At this point a dry well sump will be installed. It should have a pea gravel bottom, plastic PVC pipe with an end cap attached to a PVC line that runs under the fiberglass pool and up and out of the excavation under the deck to allow for drainage. You should fill the remainder of the sump hole with pea gravel to allow for accumulated underground water.
Precautions and Setting The Pool Into Place
Check for electrical lines, and set them out of the way so that you can replace them after the sand has been poured into the hole. Next you will need to fill the hole with sand, spreading and shaping it to the shell of the pool. You are now ready to lower the pool into the hole with the crane. Once the fiberglass pool is positioned in place you will need to brace the pool with boards and clamps or string to hold it into place. Start filling the pool with a garden hose, but before filling the pool completely make sure that you drill out any holes for additional hardware that you may want to add in the future. You will need to install your skimmer hardware at this time also. Other good reasons for drilling holes can range from adding a slide to a diving board or even a waterfall. Once the pool is full, you can begin back filling the existing hole surrounding the pool. You must keep the water level 12 inches above the surrounding backfill. This will aid in helping the pool to keep its shape. Remember that you should not drain your fiberglass pool. It is designed to remain full at all times. You can cause severe damage to you’re new in ground pool if it is not properly drained according to the directions for your specific pool. All that is left now is hours of enjoyment in your new pool.
