Is It Difficult To Install A Fiberglass Pool?

Installing a fiberglass pool at home could sound much easier said than done. Although it is supposedly the most convenient and economical type of personal swimming pool, the installation needs proper care through all the stages. But simple things could prove tough for you in fiberglass pool installation if you miss out on the tricks of the trade. Here we discuss every stage of pool installation with a focus on the basics to avoid complexities. Inground pool installation becomes easier with experience.

 

Pool Layout

 

Your fiberglass pool installation starts with the layout for the different components of the system. Your pool installer gets a dig sheet for the pool with accurate measurements, including landscaping wishes you might have. The installer would mark the exact placements before the next step and include hole markings for the pool according to the specific model for installation.

 

Excavation For The Pool

 

The installer next uses excavators and backhoes to actually dig out the marked space for pool installation. The level of dig needs to be checked periodically for proper excavation as per the dig sheet. Excavation for the fiberglass pool usually is done with adequate over dig from the map measurements. This over dig is done to provide other necessary plumbing and accessory installation for the pool setup. 

 

Setting and Levelling The Pool Floor

 

A precisely leveled floor could be the most important aspect of fiberglass pool installation. It could increase the lifespan of the pool and minimize yearly maintenance costs. The base for the pool bed is usually created using gravel. This gravel is compacted using pressure to ensure floor stability. A check for the firmness of the base could be done by simply walking the pool floor. Accepted tolerance for pool floor level stands at around an inch in 40 feet as standard. This needs to be maintained for all the rigid parts of the pool and as close as possible for the rest of the flexible parts. Adjustment to the pool placement could be required for proper leveling too. Screeding process for a smooth finish to the floor is essential. This is commonly done using screed bars to guide the floor slopings. 

 

Placement Of The Pool

 

Your fiberglass pool shell should get delivered to your place by now. They usually use low trailers for transporting swimming pool shells, along with accompanying filtration equipment. This pool shell is carefully lowered and placed within the marked area by the use of a crane. Your installer needs to ensure proper leveling for the pool at this point.

 

Plumbing and Backfilling Of The Pool

 

Plumbing could be one of the most crucial parts of fiberglass pool installation. It involves installing the water pump, filtration system, and any additional salt system included in the list. Plumbing for the pool usually starts with skimmer box fitting and installation of deep-end suctions. Connections are to be completed between these and the pump and filtration system using PVC pipes. Upon completion of plumbing work, the backfilling process could be started using gravel or alternate flowable backfill. The material used for backfilling should be per the soil condition of the site. Wrong material selection could lead to problems like wall bulges later. Equal pressure build-up on all walls of the fiberglass pool is needed during backfilling for stability. This could be maintained by simultaneous filling of the pool shell with controlled water flow. 

 

Reinforcement For Pool Perimeter

 

The perimeter of the installed fiberglass pool needs further strengthening for longevity. This could be achieved using reinforcing rebar attachment along the perimeter. The rebar is grounded and fixed along the pool circumference. A pour of concrete mix about 8” thick over the reinforcing structure completes the process. This helps create a lock around the pool sides and increases overall strength and stability for the entire construction.

 

Coping Of The Pool

 

The final step to complete the installation of your fiberglass pool includes paver coping and decking. Any landscaping work that you might have insisted upon would be completed by the installer thereafter. Coping is usually done by fixing pavers covering the pool to the top and the rebar reinforcement setup. This is basically the beautification part for your new pool. Creating your pool deck around is also supposed to be completed in this stage. The pool deck is the larger area around the pool shell where you could accommodate furniture and could be built with paver, tile, concrete, wood, or stone.