Installing a semi-inground pool to create a natural backyard oasis

by jason_cramp | September 6, 2016 9:58 am

By Matt Remington

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Late last fall, this author visited with a client at their home in the greater Moncton area to discuss the possibility of a pool installation. Knowing the area well, as the neighbourhood and client’s home are located on the side of a mountain, it was predetermined that any type of pool installation would likely present some challenges.

Upon arrival, the area where the client was thinking about installing an inground pool was inspected. The issue with the location, however, was grading. The property had a slope across the 11 m (36 ft) area of more than 1.5 m (5 ft). Due to this drastic grade differential, it was explained to the client that a costly retaining wall would be required to install an inground pool.

Presenting an option

After discussing the issues regarding the property’s grading, a semi-inground pool was recommended for the client. This type of pool would allow one side of the vessel to be completely level with the ground (on the high side of the property), while on the low side the pool would protrude out of the ground by 1.2 m (4 ft). Once the client accepted this compromised pool installation, detailed project planning began.

Planning a project like this can be challenging, as the grade will affect all aspects of the installation to some degree. In addition to grading, there was limited space in some areas, along with some foliage with which the base prep crew had to deal. Further, just as the installation team started to break ground, the client inquired about the possibility of a deep end. This meant going back to the office to revise the plans.

Adding a few items or accessories while the pool installation is taking place is not necessarily a big deal; however, in meeting with the client at the office to finalize the details, it was explained how it is not only preferred, but also much more efficient to plan all elements of the project at the beginning. Knowing all of the options and equipment the client wants prior to starting the construction process allows the installation crew to operate more efficiently and can help eliminate project delays.

After discussing the details with the client, the following pool package and equipment were selected:

• 5.5- x 9.75-m (18- x 32-ft) freeform lagoon-shape pool with a 1.8-m (6-ft) deep end;
• 1.5-horsepower (hp) pump with two-speeds and a timer;
• 18.5-m² (200-sf) cartridge filter;
• automatic chlorine generation system;
• 4.5-ton heat pump;
• 610-mm (2-ft) custom rock sheer waterfall; and
• colour changing light-emitting diode (LED) system.

Breaking ground

Once the client signed off on the project, excavation started, and a custom vinyl liner was ordered for the pool. That said, the first challenge was digging the base of the pool properly, if the details of the excavation plan are not followed precisely, it could cause a lot of extra, unnecessary work. Therefore, having a skilled excavator operator on staff worked in favour for Remington Home Leisure’s installation team. On this project, for instance, when the installation team arrived with the pool and all of its components, the base was prepared so accurately it allowed the pool walls and side supports to be installed and ready for concrete in less than two hours.

This particular pool comprises 51-mm (2-in.) thick wall panels constructed of an expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam insulation core that is bonded between two sheets of acrylic-coated aluminum. Each panel was easily assembled (sometimes with the help of cooking spray) via the panel’s proprietary compression seams (i.e. spline), which locks them together.

Set in concrete

Once the pool walls were in place, the concrete footings were installed. This was accomplished using 6 m² (64.5 sf) of concrete with two crew members transporting it to the pool area via wheelbarrow, while another two workers shovelled and spread the concrete where it was needed.

It was known from the start that site access was going to be an issue, as the pool was being installed on the far side of the property and the entrance side was separated by a septic bed. Therefore, heavy equipment could not be operated on this part of the lawn. As a result, the concrete pour took approximately four hours to get it all to the pool and another hour or so to trowel it in place, giving it a fairly smooth finish. That said, a perfect finish was not needed at this time as the entire base would be grouted at a later stage. The concrete is typically given 12 to 24 hours to cure—depending on weather conditions—before proceeding to grout the pool base and starting work on other project components.

Due to some inclement weather during this project, the concrete had to be covered and the installation team returned two days later to perform the grout work. It took approximately three hours to grout the pool using the same method that was used to pour the concrete footings—two team members hauled concrete to the pool via wheelbarrow while two others grouted the pool base. While this took place, the coping and other pool fittings (e.g. skimmer, returns, and lights) were installed.

A progressive pad

The equipment pad was straightforward and comprised a typical pump, filter, heater, and salt system. There was one additional component, however. A three-way valve was installed to allow varying degrees of water flow to be sent to the waterfall. The client requested the use of a specific proprietary three-way valve so it would function with a particular automation system should the client decide to purchase this equipment in the future. By installing an automation system, the client could, in fact, control the pool’s water feature from inside the home, or from their smartphone. This feature was discussed during the initial planning session; however, the client opted to pass for now. Budgets do matter after all, and with some of the additions already made on this project, the client was slightly over their original limit.

Fit to drop

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With the grouting completed and most of the detail work done—with the exception of the waterfall, which has to wait until the landscapers finish building up that area—it was time to drop in the vinyl liner.

Due to the pool’s shape, attention to detail was imperative to ensure the first floor seams of the liner were aligned properly with respect to the pool wall. As there is not one straight wall in this pool to take a measurement from, this process took a few minutes to complete. If this step was skipped, in some cases, it could mean removing the liner and starting all over again.

Once the liner was in place, the returns and light housing were taped off and a blower was installed on the skimmer. Set to suction, the blower was used to remove all of the air behind the liner to form it to the shape of the pool, while a truck emptied 27,255 L (7200 gal) of water to help set the liner quickly.

While this author can see the pool perfectly once the ground has been excavated, for most consumers, the liner installation, and the filling of the pool with water, is really the first time they can see what their new backyard will look like. The client’s excitement is a morale booster and one of the reasons Remington Home Leisure’s crew enjoys the line of work they are in.

In the making

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Although the pool was taking shape, there was still much more work to be done. Even after filling the pool using the water truck, the water level was still 0.3 m (1 ft) shy from being able to cut-out the liner for the returns and skimmer. Because the project was located outside of city limits, it was quite costly for the client to order water; therefore, they opted to run their hose to top off the pool, which meant returning the next morning to trim the liner.

This is not the typical procedure for an out of town project; however, as the electrical was not being completed until the following day, the author returned to the site to cut the liner, install the final fittings, and show the client how to operate their new pool—with the exception of the waterfall feature. As this part of the project is awaiting the completion of landscaping, it currently comprises a 38-mm (1.5-in.) pipe sticking out of the ground in the chosen location.

Aside from deck work in the form of finished concrete on the high side, and cedar deck on the low side, the client’s pool and heater are now operating, which meant Remington Home Leisure’s job was complete.

A little give-and-take

The unique challenges of this project meant the customer had to compromise on the type of pool they wanted—from an inground pool with a costly retaining wall (estimated at more than $18,000) to a semi-inground model. Once the project is completed, it will look like an inground pool, with the pool wall itself acting as the retaining wall. By saving the client the cost of installing a retaining wall it allowed them to add a deep end as well as a water feature element to the project, which still cost less than installing an inground pool.

The pool’s location relative to the client’s home is ideal; however, from an installer’s point of view, it had its disadvantages. The project nonetheless came together as planned with only a few hiccups along the way, which were primarily weather related.

[4]Matt Remington has 17 years’ experience in the pool and hot tub industry and operates Remington Home Leisure, a family owned pool and hot tub business in Moncton, N.B. The company has a 1356-m² (14,600-sf) showroom and specializes in fibreglass inground pool, vinyl liner, on-ground, and above-ground pool installation. He can be reached via e-mail at mlrem@rogers.com[5].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/installing-a-semi-inground-pool-to-create-a-natural-backyard-oasis/

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