Installing an award-winning fibreglass pool in an irregular backyard

by jason_cramp | June 19, 2016 2:30 pm

By Josh Savile and Mike Fox

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Fibreglass pools are one of the fastest growing segments of the industry, comprising an estimated 15 per cent of the overall inground pool construction market in North America. Further, it is anticipated this market share will continue its rapid growth over the next several years as consumers are becoming more aware and educated about the different types of pools and their various benefits.

One particular advantage of fibreglass pools is their one-piece construction, which results in a much shorter installation time and less disruption to the homeowner. Another reason is the high quality materials used in today’s fibreglass products, which allow these pools to withstand Canada’s harsh winter environments, as their flexural strength helps to prevent the structure from cracking during freeze-thaw cycles. Additionally, these pools do not need to be acid washed or replastered, and there is no vinyl liner that will eventually need to be replaced.

In these authors’ findings, the cost/time of maintenance is frequently the number one objection homeowners have with respect to pool ownership. However, by comparison, fibreglass pools require the least amount of maintenance when it comes to water chemistry and surface maintenance. As fibreglass is non-porous, algae buildup—and the cost of controlling it—are much less of a problem. Over the course of a decade, the estimated cost of maintaining a fibreglass pool is less than one quarter of other pools.

The evolution of fibreglass pool installation in Canada

Savile Pool & Spa, a Stratford, Ont.-based pool builder with more than 45 years’ experience, is one company that has witnessed a lot of changes in the industry. While the company continues to install vinyl-lined pools, one of the most significant changes it has seen in recent years is the growth in popularity of fibreglass.

That said, to accommodate a growing customer base who is inquiring about these pools—especially those with smaller backyards and limited site access—Savile has had to come up with some innovative techniques for completing fibreglass pool projects in some increasingly challenging environments and terrain. In fact, one of these difficult projects earned the company a Design & Construction Award from the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC). This article will take readers through the design and construction challenges Savile Pool & Spa faced and how its installation team was able to overcome them.

Dealing with a tough grade

In this case, the homeowner was a previous client; the company had installed a vinyl-lined pool at their previous residence many years ago. This time, however, the side of the street the client lived on presented a highly unusual challenge—the backyard had a 2.3-m (7.5-ft) downward slope and the grade was virtually a 45-degree angle.

Beyond the extreme grade, the client’s backyard presented a number of additional challenges. The first was a walk-out basement that exited to the backyard 1.2 m (4 ft) below grade. The second was fairly extreme space limitations that would affect the ability to get equipment and materials to the jobsite, thus limit working space during the installation.

Considering these challenges, the first task was to consult with the client to determine what they envisioned for their pool and backyard environment. As a result of this discussion, the homeowner selected a 4.8- x 9.7-m (16- x 32-ft) freeform fibreglass pool.

It starts with a plan

Due to the circumstances, the design and construction process was carefully planned to comply with all local building codes, and to get the homeowner’s approval, to ensure the successful completion of the project. Managing the customer’s expectations is often the builder’s most important task. In estimating the one-month timeframe for completion it was also important to ensure all of the procedures were understood by, and agreeable with, the client.

Once all of the formalities were agreed upon, site elevations were recorded and 2D and 3D mockups of the installation were created. To accommodate the layout and space limitations, the pool’s location had to be adjusted on paper several times. As the project progressed, other questions came into play. For instance, given the extreme change of grade and location of the fencing, it was realized privacy issues could become a concern. To address this, the grade was lowered even further to provide the client more privacy.

Given the grade, a necessity for this installation was erecting a retaining wall to support the pool. With the additional grade adjustment required, it was determined a 2.3-m (7.5-ft) high retaining wall would be required. The wall was built using armour stone (large quarried blocks of uncut natural stone) as this material is resistant to wear and erosion. Finally, to allow access to the pool from all areas of the property, a wall was built by stacking the stones in receding levels, which provided a staircase around the entire pool perimeter.

Squeezed for space

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The sequence of installing the various elements of the project was also affected by the limited space the jobsite provided. For instance, the perimeter fencing for the pool was installed first. Then, a portion of the retaining wall was constructed to provide support for the pool. Once this was completed, the excavation process could commence. During this stage of the project, the standard guidelines for fibreglass pool installation, which require excavating very close to the actual pool size, were followed. Most manufacturers recommend no more than a 76- to 105-mm (3- to 4-in.) over dig for the floor and 152 mm (6 in.) for the walls.

At this point, for most fibreglass installations, a permanent sump line would typically be installed. This provides a means of checking for groundwater around the pool and evacuating it in the event the water table rises in the future. The water table needs to be taken into account because excess hydrostatic pressure from outside the pool wall can cause pool damage. One of the key principles of fibreglass pool construction is to consistently maintain equal pressure inside and outside the pool.

However, given the grade of this installation, groundwater was not deemed to be an issue. Even if the water table should rise in the future, it will always flow away from the pool due to the grade.
As a result, this saved time with respect to the pool’s installation and also reduced costs for the client.

Once the site was excavated, the bottom of the excavation—where the pool would rest—was prepped following standard protocol for proper compaction free of undulations.

Innovative approaches

Different techniques were required to deal with the size and layout of the jobsite, which presented challenges with respect to crane, equipment, and material access, not to mention limited storage space. To overcome these issues, a conveyor belt was used to transport gravel into the backyard, while concrete was pumped over the client’s house using a boom pump. As the use of heavy equipment in the backyard was simply not an option, a 50-ton crane was used to lift the fibreglass pool shell over the house, and lowered into the prepared excavation from the street.

Once the pool was set in place, the armour stone retaining wall around the pool perimeter could be completed and the pool could be backfilled. This is the process of ‘locking in’ the pool by placing and tamping backfill around the pool’s radius, which keeps it firmly in place during the remainder of the installation.

Water was then added to the pool—approximately 102 to 152 mm (4 to 6 in.)—to give it weight to hold the floor in position. During this stage, additional compaction material was added around the pool perimeter, making adjustments as needed, while taking readings with a transit level to ensure the pool remained level.

This is an important process and should not be rushed. If too much water and/or backfill is added too fast, the pool can be forced out of level. During this process, the transit level was used to check for any movement in areas that have been locked in, as well as to see what adjustments still need to be made. Once this was completed, the pool’s plumbing was installed and the concrete deck was poured, again using the boom pump.

A world of features

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Today, fibreglass pools can include an array of features and options—some of which were previously available only in high-end custom pools. These include add-ons to the basic pool shape (e.g. spa or tanning ledge), built-in water features (e.g. fountains, spillways, cascades, or streams), and in-floor cleaning systems.

This client selected the latter option, which comprises a built-in system of jets installed in the pool walls. When activated, they deliver a high-pressure stream of water that sweeps debris away from walls, steps, and benches toward the main drain to help reduce the amount of time the homeowner needs to spend cleaning the pool.

Customer education

It is important to note, however, despite the installation being complete, the job was not finished. The last step of the project is always educating the client about fibreglass pool ownership.

Here, the most important message to convey is that a fibreglass pool must always be kept full of water. If the water level is allowed to drop below the skimmer, outside pressure can damage the pool shell. The pool should not be allowed to overflow, either. If heavy water drainage is allowed to overrun the deck, the shell could be damaged or even separate from the concrete. For proper maintenance, the water level should be kept in the middle of the skimmer.

Further, if the client plans to winterize their own pool, they should adhere to the following guidelines:

• Never drain the pool below the skimmer opening;
• Never let the pool overflow;
• Remove the pool water from all equipment and plumbing lines that are at or above the frost line;
• Do not remove water from a pool cover without simultaneously adding the same amount of water to the pool; and
• Never allow exterior water to overflow into the pool.

Going above and beyond

The authors are proud the month-long project resulted in an award-winning installation and a satisfied client. The message to other pool builders, however, is not to shy away from challenging projects. With careful planning, smart design, and the right equipment, an extreme grade, limited access, or other jobsite challenge should not prevent a builder from fulfilling their client’s dream of pool ownership.

[4]Josh Savile is the third generation to work in his family’s pool business, which is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. He learned each aspect of the business working summers during school on the construction crew, in the service department, and in the company’s retail store. He took over sales and project management for Savile Pool & Spa 11 years ago and today is a co-owner of the company. He can be reached via e-mail at joshsavile@savilepools.com[5].

 

 

 

[6]Mike Fox came to Latham Pool Products 10 years ago with an extensive background in business and finance. He has served as the company’s director of financial planning and analysis, controller for its package pool division, and acting CFO, before taking over as fibreglass pool products director in 2016. He can be reached via e-mail at michaelfox@lathampool.com[7].

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