Mastering Fibreglass Pool Installations

In addition to keeping the pool filled, there are other steps for proper winterization that should be communicated to the homeowner. These include:

• Never drain the pool below the skimmer opening;
• Never let the pool overflow;
• Remove pool water from all equipment and plumbing lines that are 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.

Popping out

One concern heard from time to time about fibreglass pools is they can ‘pop out’ of the ground. In response to this, like everything else on earth, fibreglass pools follow the laws of physics. Therefore, yes, fibreglass pools can float. If the pool is not filled and there is more water pressure outside than inside the vessel, it will act like a boat. (After all, a fibreglass pool is essentially an inside-out boat. They are designed to hold water in, while boats hold water out.) In fact, a steel, polymer, or concrete pool will float, too if there is more water around it than inside it.

That said, should the builder and homeowner follow the guidelines described in this article, the chance of this happening is unlikely. Both authors have more than 40 years of experience in the manufacture and installation of fibreglass pools. During this period, both authors have never seen or heard of any documented cases where a fibreglass pool spontaneously ‘popped’ out of the ground that was not the result of homeowner error or negligence.

Common errors that lead to problems

1. The homeowner takes the cover off his/her pool in the spring and sees dirty, algae-filled water. As a result, he/she makes the disastrous decision to drain the pool in attempt to clean it. By the time he/she realizes outside groundwater exists, it is too late as hydrostatic pressure has created problems.
2. A more seemingly benign type of neglect is ignoring evaporation. Homeowners should be educated that as water evaporates from the pool they must continually add water to maintain the proper level and to ensure pressure on the pool shell’s side walls remains constant. Doing so will also help prevent hydrostatic pressure problems that can be caused by high groundwater conditions.

Case in point

In terms of hydrostatic pressure and proper pool installation, both authors witnessed a case in which a homeowner with a fibreglass pool experienced flooding throughout their entire backyard. In fact, the water level spilled over the entire pool and onto the deck and the pool did not budge. Why? Because the ground was completely saturated and there was no hydrostatic pressure due to differences in water level.

As the flood waters receded, the pool remained full and the homeowner removed groundwater from around the pool with the builder-installed sump system. Further, because the earth around the pool shell was not disturbed, the pool stayed in place. The only maintenance that was required was several back-to-back routine cleanings to remove the flood debris.

As mentioned previously, every installation is different and no one can control future conditions at the installation site. However, following these best practices can go a long way to ensuring a successful installation, while also preventing problems down the road.

Ted Baudendistel is the general manager of Trilogy Pools, Latham Pool Products’ fibreglass division, and has more than 15 years’ experience in the pool business. He can be reached via e-mail ted@trilogypools.com.

Dave Throckmorton is the business development manager for the Latham Pool Products’ fibreglass division. He has more than 25 years’ experience in the pool business. He can be reached via e-mail at dthrockmorton@vikingpools.net.