The Complete Guide to Installing a Fiberglass Pool in Wisconsin — The Pool Pros Way. Your step-by-step walkthrough of the Pool Pros Fiberglass Pool Installation Process.
- mike
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
(This guide is perfect for homeowners in Wisconsin who want a detailed look at what it takes to bring their fiberglass pool project from design to splash!)
The anticipation that comes with purchasing a swimming pool can be overwhelming to some and the best way to overcome that is with clear understanding of the installation process. To better prepare soon to be fiberglass pool owners, Pool Pros has put together this article that breaks down our fiberglass pool installation process. * Quick disclaimer - This process can vary from project to project based on site conditions and weather. Overall this is our tried and true method of operation for installing a fiberglass pool anywhere in Wisconsin. Lets jump in!
1 — Planning & Permits: The key to successfully installing a fiberglass pool in Wisconsin
Before we get to the installation process there is the sales process and that truly starts during your on site design consultation. During the design consultation we go through the following:
Site evaluation: Assess soil conditions, drainage challenges, slopes, and access for equipment.
Local permits: Wisconsin municipalities require pool permits and inspections — don’t skip this!
Utility locates: Call Diggers Hotline before excavation to locate underground utilities.
Design choices: Now is the time to pick your pool size, shape, color, features, and the layout of your pool in your yard.
Once these choices are wrapped up and you sign a contract, our Sales Staff pass the project along to our production crew (installers).
@ Pool Pros we emphasize preparation to minimize surprises later in the build. No one wants last minute change orders that may delay your project or increase the price so be sure you have everything you want added to the contract initially for no surprises.
Now the project is ready to move into the production phase and that starts with scheduling your project. Once your contract is recieved your project immediately goes on our calendar. There are a few factors that may affect the schedule though. Number one being availability of the pool shell. It typically takes 4 weeks from the time a pool shell is ordered from River Pools to the time they can deliver it to our shop. To help reduce costly delays we (Pool Pros) stock or have inventory of our best selling fiberglass pools throughout most of the season. So if you prefer a pool we have in stock we can and may be able to get to your project sooner than waiting for it to be made and delivered. Regardless, once your pool arrives at our shop it is ready to for installation. Without further ado lets dig into our fiberglass pool installation process for Wisconsin.
2 — Site Prep Day:
On what we call Site Prep Day we arrive on site with our Job Trailer and excavation equipment. We offload the equipment and begin prepping the site for the pool excavation. That sometimes includes removing plants, trees, fences, stumps, swing sets etc. We also set up our laser level system which will remain in place for the duration of the project at this time. We then confirm the design orientation and finished pool elevation with the client. From there we stake out and mark out the pool location per the River Pools Dig specs. We then shoot elevations with our laser level and calculate the numbers needed for both the dig depth and the top of the clean stone base depth. Also in some cases we strip sod out of the area that is to have a pool deck covering it. This is all dependent on the size of the site and if there is room to maneuver to do this after the pool is excavated.
Site Prep: 1 - 6 hours
3-Pool Excavation: Precision Matters
On excavation day we do just that. We excavate the pool to the specifications provided by the River Pools Dig Sheet and the clients requested pool elevations. In most cases we haul out the excavated material at this time unless a homeowner wants to keep the material on site. Either way there is a lot more dirt that comes out of the ground than most people realize so if you choose to leave the dirt on site be prepared to have a plan to move it. A wheelbarrow and shovel wont cut it.
Pool Dig: 4-5 hours
4 — Pool Base Installation: Clean Crushed Stone & Laser Leveling
Now that the pool is dug we move on to installing the pool base. At Pool Pros start with laying out sheets of geotextile that cover the floor of the pool dig. By adding the geotextile at this point it will prevent the base material from migrating into the soil beneath it. Creatin a more solid long lasting foundation for your fiberglass pool. After we install the geotextile fabric we install a 4" thick layer of clean fractured stone. The use of fractured clean stone is imperative to the long term quality of your project. Fractured stone locks into each other does not move or roll like pea gravel and is 97% compacted on placement. The other benefit is that the fractured clean stone allows ground water to move freely through it. This gives pool owners the ability to pump ground water out from around the pool at any time. Something that cant be said with any stone that contains fines.
Pool Base Installation: 2 hours
5 — Setting the Fiberglass Pool Shell
Now we are ready to set the pool. First we load the pool at our shop then we deliver the pool to your home where we typically use a crane to pick the pool off the trailer and set it gently into the excavated hole. At this time we shoot the top of the pool for proper elevation and adjust the pool base as needed and ensure the pool is squared off to the house. This process usually takes about 2 hours from start to finish.
Setting Pool: 2 hours
6 — Plumbing Installed the Pool Pros Way
River Pools and Pool Pros install plumbing with extra care:
Hydraulic Design: Pool Pros hydraulically designs the plumbing of your pool to ensure your pool operates as efficiently as possible. Something most other pool builders don't know how to do.
Larger PVC: Pool Pros uses 2.5" pvc on suction lines and uses sweep elbow throughout the plumbing system to further increase efficiency.
Rigid PVC pipe — no unwanted flexing underground. Flex pipe is for amatures and will cost you in the long run.
Strapped to the shell: By strapping the plumbing to the pool shell we eliminate the potential for settling plumbing and damage to wall fittings.
Encased in stone: By encasing the plumbing in clean stone it encourages drainage and prevents settling issues.This prevents plumbing distress long term — a frequent pain point on lesser installs.
Pool Fittings: Pool Lights and bublers are installed at this point as well.
Pool Plumbing and Lights: 1/2 day
7 — Stand Pipe Installation
This is a must have for any pool, not just fiberglass pools.
At this point in the process we install an 8" stand pipe between the pool shell and the excavated area and extend it beneath the bottom of the pool in the deep end. By adding this stand pipe it allows pool owners to pump out ground water at any time under the pool. Without a stand pipe a pool will run the risk of building up hydrostatic pressure under and around the pool and potentially damaging it. No matter what type of pool you purchase make sure it has one of these.
Stand Pipe Installation: 1 hour
8 — Backfill + Water Fill: Balanced Every Step of the Way
At this point we are now ready to fill and backfill your pool. This must be done at equal rates to prevent bowing in or out of the pool shell. The aid of a simple string line allows us to monitor the straightness of the pool wall during this process.
Fill and Backfill: 1/2 day
8 — Tanning Ledges
Prior to the invention of the Z Ledge System by River Pools, fiberglass pools with tanning ledges required a special process including concrete block piers and flowable concrete to be installed under them to hold them level and firm up the under side.
Now none of that is needed with the new River Pools Z Ledge. The Z Ledge allows you to set the pools tanning ledge on a base of clean stone just like the rest of the pool. Easy peezy lemon squeezy! So nothing special here anymore.
9 — Automatic Pool Cover
At this point in our installation process we will be installing what is referred to as the pre
pour portion of the automatic pool cover. The pre pour consists of the polymer box that houses the automatic pool cover and the encapsulation that mounts on top of the fiberglass pool. This portion of the pool cover system then gets locked into the pool when the concrete collar is added around the pool. The remainder of the pool cover system is installed after pool deck and electrical is completed.
Automatic Pool Cover and Bonding: 1 Day
10 — Concrete Collar
At this point in our installation process we grade out, form and pour a 12" thick concrete collar around the outside of the pool. With the aid of rhino rods the concrete locks into the top of the fiberglass pool giving it added strength and a place to install pool coping in the next step. We also pour the concrete pad for the pool equipment at this time.
Concrete Collar Form and Pour: 1 Day
11- Pool Coping
Now that we have the pool collar poured it is time to move onto installing the pool coping. At Pool Pros we prefer to use pool coping on each pool if its feasible for the clients. Pool coping gives a beautiful smooth uniform edge to your pool that cant be replicated with cantilevered concrete.
While our crew is installing the coping we are also putting the finishing touches on the pool s filtration equipment and getting it ready for the electricians and gas tech to install both the gas line and the electrical to all of the pool equipment.
Pool Coping and Equipment Setup: 1 Day
12 — Grading, Decking & Clean up
Now we are ready to do the final grading and forming for the pool deck. Once the pool deck is formed, reinforced, and bonded we are ready to pour the concrete. It takes 28 days to cure concrete so for the first 2 days we recommend no foot traffic and at least 1 week until you set out patio furniture. Once the pool deck is set we remove the forms and any site clean up and landscaping can be completed. We also start up the pool equipment for the first time to get the pool circulating.
Grading and Forming: 1 day
Pouring Concrete: 1 day
Site Clean Up: 1 day or more pending the extent of the project.
13 — Startup, Chemistry & Handoff
Once we have the pool cleaned and the water balanced we provide all pool owners with a final walkthrough where we spend time teaching you how your pool works and how to care for it moving forward. This usually takes about 1 hour from start to finish.
12 — Wisconsin-Focused Considerations
Wisconsin’s climate adds challenges — and we address them:
Frost and freeze cycles: Good drainage and proper clean stone help prevent frost heave.
High water table: Proper backfill and stand pipe protects your pool shell.
Winterizing: Pool Pros offers professional pool closings for all of its clients.
How Long Does It Take to install a fiberglass pool?
From excavation to filled water, most installs take about 3–6 weeks, depending on weather, permitting, and site specifics — and you can often have water in the pool in just a few days once the shell is set.
Wrap Up — Why This Method Matters
Choosing The Pool Pros Way means:
✔ Reduced risk of plumbing stress and settlement✔ Better drainage and frost protection✔ A faster, smarter build process✔ Peace of mind for your investment
Pool Pros installs every pool this way — because quality counts.
Call to Action
Ready to bring your backyard dreams to life with a River Pools fiberglass pool installed in Wisconsin the right way? Take the plunge into pool ownership and use our new pool pricing calculator to get instant pricing on all of our fiberglass pools. If you are comfortable with the instant quote, give us a call to set up a site consultation to get your own personalized quote for the backyard you have been dreaming of.
For more information on our fiberglass pool installation process check out our fiberglass pool installation page https://www.poolproswi.com/fiberglass-installation-process
