Having a swimming pool in their backyard is every homeowner’s dream. However, construction projects of this magnitude can seem intimidating. Before you take the plunge and hire professionals to build your pool, you must understand what the swimming pool construction process entails.
To help you get started, here is a guide that will help you plan and complete your backyard project easily.
Select Your Pool Location
One of the first things that you need to decide about is the placement of the pool. Ideally, aim for a spot that gets a lot of sunshine. This will not only help you get that much-needed vitamin D but will also help to keep the temperature perfect for people to stay in the water for longer periods. You will also need to factor in privacy when it comes to building a pool. This will ensure you can enjoy priceless moments with your family without compromising on privacy.
A good pool builder can advise on the placement and help you choose the optimal position in your home’s outdoor space. Similarly, they can also help in pool landscaping, maintaining the right distance between trees and the pool in the backyard.
This is important because branches and leaves from trees can make the pool water dirty. The roots of the tree can also continue to grow and cause structural damage to the pool shell from below.
An experienced contractor can guide you on the right type of grass and plants you can install near the pool that won’t affect the pool water.
Select the Pool Type
Homeowners have to choose between fiberglass, concrete, and vinyl pool. Fiberglass pool can cost more initially but are very durable and have low maintenance. This makes the material perfect for households that don’t want to go through the hassles of regular maintenance and upkeep. It has built-in steps that give it a beautiful look. It has a non-abrasive surface that is manufactured in a controlled environment which makes it very easy to install. However, this also means they are not easy to customize.
Concrete pools are more customizable and also offer long-term durability provided they are maintained regularly. However, installing a concrete pool can take a lot of time and can cost a lot more.
On the other hand, vinyl liner pools are customizable in any shape and even have lower installation costs. However, the liner has to be replaced frequently, which can be frustrating for a lot of people.
Select the Ideal Pool Shape
To choose the shape of your pool, you must understand why you want to use it in the first place. Will the pool primarily be used for swimming to improve your fitness or do you want it as part of a larger landscaping project? If your primary purpose for building a swimming pool is recreation, then L-shaped, pond, or kidney-shaped pool shapes are some options you can think about. You can get as creative as possible!
The shape of your pool will also largely depend on your budget and the amount of space you have available. Rectangular pools are the most common and are preferred by people looking to incorporate swimming in their daily routines. They are easier to build and do not require as much maintenance as other pool shapes. A good pool builder will assess your space, and the architecture of your current home as well as the features you want to incorporate in your backyard before recommending the ideal pool shape.
Excavation of the Ground
To get the construction process started, the company you hire will first excavate the ground. Don’t try to think of this as a DIY project as you could get seriously injured. Leave the excavation to the experts rather than trying it yourself using shovels. Hire someone that has a contractor’s license and has the experience needed to get the job done. Professional pool builders have the right heavy machinery and the expertise to get the work done safely and in time.
The process starts when a professional draftsman measures the backyard dimensions so they can craft a construction map. This guides them and ensures accuracy in their work. The markings of the perimeter of the pool help them excavate according to the required shape and allows them to dig down according to the depth of the pool they want. Lastly, they will also haul away the waste from your house and dispose of it safely.
Installing the Swimming Pool Base and Cage Reinforcement Setup
The company will make sure that the base after the excavation is flat and uniform. They will assess the soil to ensure it is not loose. Otherwise, they will make it more compact with the help of gravel or natural soil. They then build a pool base with a slope or gradient so that water drainage is easier.
After this, it depends on the type of pool you want to install. If you want a concrete pool, the interior surface of the swimming pool will get steel reinforcements inside the pool’s perimeter before concrete is poured. In the shotcrete procedure, the floor and the wall get a concrete structure installed in one piece.
On the other hand, if you are installing a fiberglass-based pool or vinyl liner-based pool, then the pre-manufactured parts will have to be transported in and placed according to the design. After this, the contractor will start working on the drainage, plumbing lines, and the provision of stairs.
Filter System Installation
Once this is done, the contractor will start working on installing the pump and filter system. This is an integral part of the pool’s filtration system. With its help, the pump pushes water from the pool through a tube and into the filter, which removes debris and other contaminants such as bacteria. This ensures that the water being distributed is clean and warm.
Concreting
In a concrete-based pool, the floors and walls are filled with cement. The thicker the concrete is, the more durable it is against cracks and fissures. Ideally, the thickness is recommended to be around 6 inches. If you have used fiberglass, then re-enforcing rebar must be attached to the perimeter of the pool and around 8-inch thick concrete needs to be poured around the perimeter to give it strength.
Similarly, with a vinyl-based pool, a concrete beam needs to be poured across the parameter of the swimming pool.
Tiling and Coping
Tiling refers to laying the tiles on the surface of the swimming pool while coping refers to a decorative edging that provides a border. You can use tiles, ceramic, and glass to waterproof the pool if it is concrete based. Tiles are available in many different shapes and sizes and this is what makes these concrete-based pools so versatile.
However, you must measure your pool before purchasing tiles. Consider how you want the swimming pool to look, as well as its shape. Tiles can be arranged in different patterns and colors to express the aesthetics you are hoping for. Different selections of tiles can include ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, marble tile, granite tiles and other natural stone tiles.
Hardscapes Installation
The next step involves hardscaping and putting decorative material around the pool. They are water-efficient and also don’t require much effort to maintain. Before you start installing hardscapes, call 811 so that the company doesn’t accidently damage any electrical cables or pipes during the digging process.
This will also help you with the right positioning of the fire pit, grill surround, circle patio, and retaining wall you want to install in the landscape. A professional team will know how to dig, compact the surface, place paver pallets and install the features properly.
Pool Safety Work
Unfortunately, a lot of drowning accidents happen because the safety features on most pools are not up to the mark. This is why you must work with a pool builder that can install safety features for your pool. One way is to install a fence around the parameter of the pool.
Similarly, you can ask the designer to incorporate no-slip materials around the pool to protect people from falling. You can also have a pool alarm that raises an alert if someone falls in the pool.
The Importance of Finding the Right Contractor
Once you have decided what features you want to have, you need to get some estimates from contractors. They will brief you about the design options, material choices, and how much time will be required for the completion. After collecting some quotes, do an in-depth research before selecting a contractor.
Check their Credentials
The first thing you should do when looking for a swimming pool builder is to check the credentials of the company. Make sure they are licensed and insured. If you hire a company that is completely new to the pool building business, then problems can emerge that can affect the life expectancy of your pool. So you must choose one that can deliver quality work.
Similarly, you want to be working with a company that is big on ethics. A lot of pool companies try to cut costs by dumping waste from construction sites. They end up in landfill sites which increases home carbon footprint. They also try to use leftovers from previous jobs. This is why it’s essential you work with an honest contractor.
See if They Offer Financing
A lot of people don’t have the budget to afford to pay for the construction in one single payment. This is why you must search for a company that offers their clients financing for pool installation. Experienced companies have strategic financing partners on board that help finance the pool without putting a dent in homeowners’ wallets.
Check Out their Portfolios
One great way to assess the capabilities of a company is to see their portfolio of work. The designs can help you gauge their creative skills and what they deliver. This will help you decide if you can trust the company with the responsibility of delivering on your expectations.
A new company usually doesn’t have a portfolio and might try to scam customers by keeping their costs extremely low. This is why you must check out their portfolio and read reviews before hiring a pool builder.
Communication Skills
It’s also imperative that you work with a pool builder that has good communication skills. Only then will you be able to feel comfortable around them and express exactly what you want in your backyard. If the company isn’t methodical in its approach or the construction process, this could lead to costly mistakes. The last thing you want to do is spend on frequent pool repairs. A poorly installed pool can also affect the value of your property—which is something no homeowner wants.
On the lookout for reliable pool contractors in Sterling? At Perfect Pools, their team takes great pride in helping homeowners build the backyard of their dreams. Their award-winning pool contractors in Sterling work with clients to understand their requirements so they can deliver pools that are simply perfect. Their designs improve the aesthetics without affecting functionality.
Their pool builders have worked with countless homeowners across the Northern Virginia region, including Leesburg, Hamilton, Ashburn, and surrounding areas.
Check out their portfolio here. Contact them today to learn more.
