How Are Fibeglass Pools Installed?
- mike
- 2 hours ago
- 12 min read
After 30 years of buidlign pools for families across Northeast and Central Wisconsin we feel that we have the most comprehensive Fiberglass Pool Installation Process out there. We like to call it the Pool Pros Way.
THE PROCESS OF HOW FIBERGLASS POOLS ARE INSTALLED
This process was developed over time by learning what did and didnt work from not only our own experiences but dozens of other top pool contractors across the country. It didnt stop there though, we are constantly striving to develop new techniques to improve both the efficiency of the project and the final product. Lets start out by watching this video from Cristian and River Pools on How Fiberglass Pool are installed.
How are Fiberglass Pools Installed?
To be frank this might get a little overwhelming so lets break the fiberglass pool installation process ddown into 6 key segments. Check them out.
1. Excavation
2. Setting and leveling the pool
3. Plumbing the pool and filter system
4. Backfilling the pool shell
5. Coping and patio
6. Pool Fence
1: POOL EXCAVATION
Our team will be driving two vehicles: a work truck towing a skid steer, and a quad axle dump truck towing the excavator.We use the excavator to dig the hole and load the spoils into the dump truck. The skid steer is used to move dirt and gravel.
The first thing the crew will do is paint the pool on the ground and use a laser level to establish how high to set the pool in the yard. This will tell us how deep to dig the hole. We'll then position the dump truck close enough to the pool to load the spoils to haul them off the site.
While one crew member digs the hole the others begin to work on setting the pump and filter system.
Excavation of the hole usually takes between three hours and one and a half days, depending on the size of the hole and how long it takes to dispose of the dirt.
How Do We Know How Deep to Dig?
Our crew members use what's known as a dig sheet provided by the pool manufacturer to know how deep to excavate the hole at certain points. We mark these points with paint on the ground; these are called hash marks. As we dig, we check the depth of the hole at each hash mark until the desired depth is achieved.
Our excavated hole is about a foot larger on each side than the outside of the pool and about 4 inches deeper than the pool depth. In the next phase we'll place 4" of gravel in the hole which will be the foundation the pool will rest on.
What are Some Common Excavating Mistakes?
1. Overdigging
Inevitably sometimes the person excavating will dig too deep. The natural remedy is to place soil back in the hole to raise it up to the proper depth. That's a big no-no. It will most likely settle over time causing the pool to shift and a chain reaction of other problems to occur. The only remedy is to leave the area too deep and use gravel to bring it back up to grade.
2. Unstable soil or organics under the pool
Sometimes when digging you realize that the soil is not stable or that there is organic material buried in the pool area. Setting the pool on this material will result in settlement. It all needs be removed, regardless of how much additional excavation is required.
3. Digging too tight
After the pool is set in the hole there needs to be enough room to get between the pool and the side wall of the excavation to place gravel under the seats and steps of the pool. Typical overdig should be between 12 and 18 inches.
When Does the Pool Typically Arrive?
The pool will usually show up first thing the 2nd day, although it varies from job to job.
Once the pool arrives, our team will unload it with a crane, and set it directly into the ground.
RELATED ARTICLES
2: CLEAN STONE BASE
After the excavation is complete, we will place a 4" thick layer of gravel in the hole which the pool will rest on. This gravel base determines the height of the pool so we use a laser level to set the gravel at precisely the right elevation. We are usually at this point at the end of day one or the beginning of day two of construction. It's important to note that we use gravel instead of sand for our installations. Let's talk about why.
Sand vs. Gravel for Installation: Which is Better?
Back in the early 2000s, we installed all of our pools on sand. Thats what the manufacturers requiredd back then. Over the following years we found that a certain percentage of these pools had problems such as pool settlement, bulges in the side walls of the pool, and leaks in fittings and plumbing around the outside of the pool. We determined all of these issues resulted from using sand…and if you consider the properties of sand, it makes sense why. First, sand liquefies when saturated with water.
What do you think will happen to a pool filled with water that weighs tens of thousands of pounds and is resting on bed of liquid? Doesn't sound too reassuring, does it?
Second, when backfilling around the outside of a pool with sand, it’s almost impossible to compact that sand 100%. What do you think happens over the following 18 months when the sand backfill finally settles? It puts pressure on the side walls of the pool and the plumbing that it encases.
This causes the fittings the plumbing is connected to leak. The weight of the saturated sand on the side walls of the pool can also cause them to bulge inward. We eventually switched from sand to gravel backfill and the moment we did so all of these problems vanished. Okay, now that our gravel base is laid, we're ready to set the pool in the hole.
How Do We Set the Pool?
About 99% of the time, we use a crane. We can at times use an excavator or telehandler but there are drawback to using both. When using an excavator the pool has to be hauled in sideways so it clears the boom of the excavator and most lots dont have upt to 40' of clearance. Second when traveling with a pool on an excavator the pool bounces around alot and there is a risk of tipping the machine over if its not sized properly to handle the weight and the reach. For us it is safer and more efficient to set a pool with a crane.
Why is properly setting and leveling the pool so important?
Basically, the entire pool floor must rest on a solid foundation to ensure the pool is structurally sound.
This prevents it from shifting and settling over time. Many installation teams will strive to achieve our goal of getting the pool within one-half inch of level, all while ensuring the entire pool floor rests firmly on the gravel foundation. Although the industry standard indicates the shell should be within 1" of level. We feel it's important for anyone considering a fiberglass pool to know that fiberglass pools are never perfectly level. But if your installer says they're standard is 1/2", that's a sign you're speaking with a good installer. To ensure the pool your pool is level to standard, you may see the installer lift and place your pool shell several times, while making small adjustments to the base. A common mistake is to rush this critical phase of the process. That only leads to pools being out of level or eventually shifting or settling due to the pool shell not resting on a proper foundation.
It's not uncommon to have the pool in the hole and level by the end of day one or by the end of day two depending on the project. But it may take up to five days to reach this point. It all depends on the planning and logistics of each project.
Related articles:
3 PLUMBING AND FILTRATION SYSTEM
What is the filter system?
The filter system is composed of two major components: the pool pump and the filter.
The pump circulates the water and the filter removes debris and small particles from the water.
At the filter system you also typically find other elements such as valves that control the flow of water, salt water chlorinators if you have one, a switch for the pool light, and a heater if desired.
Where is the filter system typically located?
Usually within 10 feet but up to a maximum of 60 feet from the pool, but it can be much further away if the site dictates. If possible, it's best to locate the pool equipment (i.e. filter system) at the house, preferably somewhere inconspicuous. It's also not uncommon to locate it in the yard, somewhere out of plain view.
What is the best way to plumb a fiberglass pool?
Unique methods of plumbing fiberglass pools are used today that allows installers to offer warranties against leaks in the plumbing or fittings in the pool shell.
Plumbing Best Practices Include:
All rigid PVC pipe as opposed to flexible PVC pipe (read more below)
Plumbing straps that secure the pipe to the pool shell to prevent settlement
All plumbing is pressure-tested to ensure they are leak free
Gravel backfill to eliminate downward pressure on fittings and pipe
Can Fiberglass Pools Be Pre-Plumbed?
Pre-plumbing a fiberglass pool simply means that we run all the plumbing around the pool shell before placing it in the hole. This can be done on site or at the installers shop if they stock the pools in their own yard. Installers do this because it gives them more room to work and allows them to visually inspect every fitting and piece of pipe thoroughly to ensure it meets standards. If installers choose to pre-plumb a pool they will typically begin this process as soon as the pool is unloaded from the truck or at their shop.
Related Articles:
4: Backfilling and Filling the Pool Shell
Once the plumbing is complete and the pool is set in the hole and leveled it's time to start filing the pool with water and backfilling around the outside with gravel. It's important that the gravel on the outside and the water on the inside are brought up together to equalize the pressure. It's also important to install what's known as a drain pipe during this phase of construction. The drain pipe is an 8" PVC pipe that extends from the top of the patio to the bottom of the excavation. There is no permanent pumping system installed. This pipe simply allows the installer to access any ground water around the pool in case the pool requires draining in the future. Usually by the time crews begin backfilling the pool the electrician will have begun wiring the pool equipment. Ideally, the pump and filter system will be wired so the pump can start circulating the water as soon as the pool is full, although sometimes there are circumstances that prevent this.
What type of gravel is used to backfill the pools?
The type of gravel used for backfilling around a fiberglass pool is critical. Installers prefer to use clean crushed blue stone roughly 3/4" - 1" in size. Clean (in this regard) means that the gravel is free of fines, also known as stone dust. Gravel with stone dust would not compact when we dump it in the hole and therefore would require manual compaction...which is exactly what they're trying to avoid with sand.
Clean crushed stone compacts when placed. It drains very well. The point-on-point friction between the pieces of stone locks them together, allowing it to hold well on the side walls of the pool.
This is why they prefer crushed stone over pea gravel, which is round and acts like little ball bearings on the outside of the pool and can more easily slide down the pool wall if and when the pool is drained.
Usually by the end of day two or three, your installer has the pool shell installed and full of water with all of the plumbing completed. This completes initial installation phase of construction.
Before beginning the coping and patio work an inspection will be needed. Depending on weather and the schedule, it's not unusual to have a delay of one to two weeks between the completion of this initial phase and the beginning of the next major phase of construction, the coping and patio.
RELATED ARTICLES
5: Coping and Decking
With the pool completely backfilled and inspections approved the team is ready to install the coping around the top of the pool shell and the pool patio. There can be a delay of a few days to two weeks before the patio crew arrives depending on weather and inspection schedules. The patio can take anywhere from two to five days to install depending on the size of the patio and material used. One of the most important roles of the patio is locking the pool shell into place. The industry has adopted best practices, although there are no set, required standards in place.
What are best practices for installing a fiberglass pool?
Check out the following video to learn how these best practices eliminate the four most common fiberglass pool installation problems!
This particular practice calls for the use of a composite rod that fuses the pool and patio together to prevent structural problems. Once in place a concrete color is poured 8" below the pool's coping.
The composite rode and concrete collar, in conjunction with the clean crushed stone virtually eliminate the possibility of structural problems associated with pool movement. This methodology will often allow installers to offer a more robust workmanship warranty.
What is cantilevered concrete coping, how is it installed, and why is having an experienced contractor so important?
We discussed types of pool coping on our patio and coping page, but it's important to understand the importance of having an experienced contractor pour your cantilevered concrete coping.
Check out the related articles below to see for yourself the unfortunate results of not having a seasoned mason perform your work. You'll also see a video demonstrating River Pools method of pouring cantilevered concrete coping.
Related Articles:
6: POOL FENCE
With the pool installed and the patio complete, you're in the home stretch.
The typical project at this point has been in process for anywhere from two to five weeks, depending on the weather. All you'll need at this point is a fence inspection. Let's take a moment to cover some popular fence questions.
Is a fence required on every inground pool?
Yes. According to the national building code, every inground pool requires a barrier that completely surrounds the pool.
How tall does the fence need to be?
The minimum fence height requirement is 48", but each locality has the ability to require a higher fence if it chooses.
What other requirements must the fence meet?
There are quite a few specifications.
Some of the most noteworthy are that the gates must swing out away from the pool, they must self close and self latch, and the gate latches must be at least 54" from the ground.
Can the fence run to the house or must it entirely close the pool?
The house can serve as part of the pool barrier.
In other words, you can run the fence to the house.
But any door that leads from the house to the enclosed area containing the pool must be alarmed.
Typical home security alarms do not meet the code requirement but alarms are available that are battery operated and typically cost between $60 and $100.
How close does the fence need to be to the pool?
There is no requirement that states the fence must be within a certain distance from the pool.
As long as the pool is completely surrounded by a barrier, the location relative to the pool is irrelevant.
How is the fence installed?
Typical pool fence is installed by digging post holes in the ground outside of the pool patio. Sackcrete is used to secure the fence posts in the ground.
Related Articles:
Moral of the Story
Hopefully you've found this page informative. Just to wrap things up, here are 5 takeaways you should remember about fiberglass pool installations:
1. The total process usually takes anywhere from three to six weeks for a typical project.
2. The type of material used under and around the outside of the pool is critical. Based on widely adopted industry best practices, River Pools fully endorses and supports the use of clean crushed stone.
3. Setting and leveling the pool correctly is imperative if you want your pool to look great and last a long time.
4. How the pool and patio tie together is extremely important. The use of composite rods to fuse the pool and patio together will offer peace of mind.
5. And finally, crews love sharing in the excitement of your new pool. Installation can be stressful, but don't overlook the opportunity to enjoy the process, and keep your eye on the prize!
Learn more about today's fiberglass pool installation methods.
SHAMELESS CALL TO ACTON
For more information on how fiberglass pools are manufactured call Pool Pros today @ 920-771-0107. We are here to help answer any questions you have and provide a comprehensive pool layout/plan that is perfectly tailored to your needs!
