Norman, being aware of these features, was comfortable in suggesting this option to his longstanding client who wanted to incorporate a natural stone feature on the new pool.
Unlike natural stone, these component systems are, in effect, a kit that allows builders to show their customers a brochure of what the final product will look like at the time they sell the job. When a builder orders a prefabricated kit, it comes complete with all the parts. Each system is built by assembling and fitting the parts together. From a builder’s perspective, the advantage of installing prefabricated grotto and cave water features is they are designed to ensure proper water flow and weight distribution. They are also reinforced with steel, which makes them structurally sound.
Not only is it important the finished look of the cave or grotto be predicable, but it is also critical the flowing water makes its way back into the pool. If the water does not return to the pool properly, it can get underneath the pool and cause problems. Water seepage through mortar joints and white calcium deposits are the most common problems that occur when water leaves the pool through a water feature. Water loss out of the backside of the feature can also occur, which is generally not acceptable to pool owners. This is one of the benefits of a component system, as they are designed to ensure water remains in the pool.
Once a natural waterfall leaks, it usually accelerates with time. In freeze-thaw regions, they will break apart and leak faster. Further, calcium deposits occur when water moves through the concrete and pushes out mineral deposits.
Creating a dramatic waterfall with rounded boulders can be difficult. In nature, one is used to seeing cascades with hundreds of thousands of gallons per minute (gpm) of water flow. In pool situations, however, the challenge is to make the most of a water feature using a flowrate under 378 litres per minute (lpm) (100 gpm).
Integrating the main features
For this project, the client wanted to incorporate a mini cave/grotto on the 7.3- x 9.1- x 11-m (24- x 30- x 36-ft) freeform pool. After seeing several photos in product catalogues, the client also wanted a 4.5-m (15-ft) garden-ride slide integrated into the rock feature.
After these features were defined, it became easier for Norman to offer additional options to meet the client’s goals. For instance, since the grotto and slide were to be the primary eye-catching elements on the pool, it was important they were strategically located in a spot where they could be seen from the home. To accomplish this, Norman took cues from the home and its doors to the backyard to maximize the visual impact of this feature, which was installed at the far end of the pool.
To ensure the slide and grotto could be enjoyed to the fullest, the pool was designed to be 2.4 m (8 ft) deep, which would allow kids to jump off safely from the grotto in addition to landing safely from the slide. When incorporating a slide into a grotto feature, Norman prefers to use a prefabricated slide, opposed to building one, as the sliding is safe and there are no rough areas to worry about. Pre-fabricated slides also come with a built-in water delivery system to ensure the surface remains lubricated for consistent, fun sliding. Beneath the slide is a stainless steel support structure, which makes it easy to build a composite rock feature around. The colour of the slide, which also has a granite texture to make it look like real stone, was selected to blend into the rock feature.
For hydraulics, Norman installed a single-speed, 2-hp pump with a three-way valve to divert pool water to the slide and water feature.
The addition of the slide also required the construction of a staircase for access. Manufacturers of component water features also offer systems that make it easy to build rock staircases. As was the case with this pool, building a modular staircase to access the slide can be completed in one day. The speed of installation is much faster than building a staircase system from scratch, which would generally take at least three to four days. Further, the labour savings alone make component systems extremely price competitive in the marketplace, not to mention attractive to builders as they enable them to stay on schedule and maximize their building season.
Creating water features with natural stone can often be unpredictable. Builders can spend all day arranging boulders only to have the client come home and ask to see the stones arranged in a different pattern.
Component water features offer the ability to control the cost of rock structures. Custom rockwork can easily go beyond the builder’s original quote because of the unpredictable nature of using natural stone.
