Construction
Thornbury Clear Choice Pool & Spa is an experienced steel pool-kit builder and like all of the vinyl pools the company installs, this pool was built using steel panels.
The steel panels used to build this pool are self-supporting—there is no need to worry about any internal or external pressures on the pool walls—and they allow the pool deck to be poured immediately without having to wait for the ground to settle. The panels also eliminate frost upheaval and allow the pool to be drained without worry of the walls caving in.
Groundwater challenge
The climate and high water table in Thornbury has often led the company to installing a two-stage bottom for its pools. This involves laying gravel first, then concrete, then vermiculate.
Installing gravel as a first stage ensures groundwater does not come in contact with the first level of concrete.
“We also bring in 3 ton overage (i.e. over dig with gravel from pool wall for drainage from pool) with our own gravel rather than use the same dirt from the excavation,” says Owen. “All of this extra preparation is done to ensure there is never the possibility for the pool structure to ‘pop out’ of the ground or for the vinyl liner to float.”
That said, it was no shock when the construction team struck groundwater during the installation of this pool.
“We have a high water table in our area so we weren’t surprised. As this is a regular occurrence for us, we include a clause in all of our contracts which covers instances such as this (e.g. groundwater, quick sand, or rock).
“The clause is there mostly to help with timing as these physical challenges can change the construction and project completion schedule,” says Owen.
To resolve the issue, a groundwater pump was installed and an 18.2-m (60-ft) long French drain (i.e. weeping tile) was constructed to redirect the groundwater to flow out to the lowest point of the property. By doing this, it also ensures the pool’s vinyl liner will never ‘float.’ The pump was setup with a separate switch in the pump room to allow the homeowner to turn it on when required.
“Generally, this remediation system only adds one day to the overall project timeline,” says Owen.
