| In principle, Fiberglass Pools may seem to be the | | | | They state this because the material is susceptible to |
| easiest type of pool to install. Just dig a hole and | | | | damage from termites. We have also found that the |
| drop it in...right? In theory that's correct, but it's not | | | | pipe is prone to collapse under pressure and that the |
| quite that simple. In fact, installers make mistakes all | | | | glue joints do not hold as well. Rigid pipe on the other |
| the time, and a poorly installed pool makes for an | | | | hand, is much more durable and can also be |
| unhappy pool customer. So if you are considering the | | | | contoured to follow the pool shell by a process called |
| purchase of a fiberglass pool you're in luck. We're | | | | heat bending that we teach via video. This gives you |
| about to discuss the 5 Keys to a successful | | | | all of the flexible advantages of flex pipe with the |
| fiberglass pool installation. Let's jump right in! | | | | durability of rigid pipe. You simply have to be willing to |
| Key #1: A Solid Foundation | | | | invest the time to get it done.o Pressure Testing- |
| This may seem like a no-brainer but it is the culprit | | | | This should never be neglected. It's better to find a |
| behind the failure of many pool installations. Here are | | | | leak now than later, especially if later is after the |
| a couple things to watch out for:o Setting the pool | | | | concrete patio is poured! This is pool install 101, but |
| shell on disturbed soil- When the hole is being dug, if | | | | there are many contractors who still don't pressure |
| the excavator accidentally digs too deep there is a | | | | test their plumbing. |
| tendency to build that area back up with the same | | | | Key #4: Good Backfill Procedure |
| soil. That's a big no no! The area must be brought up | | | | Backfilling the pool shell is a process that can have |
| to grade with a compactable base material. If this is | | | | serious consequences if done improperly. Here are |
| not done correctly, the ground will eventually settle | | | | some backfilling guidelines:o Bring the backfill material |
| and so will the pool. It doesn't take a brain surgeon | | | | up on the outside of the pool with the water level on |
| to know that means trouble.o Uncompacted base | | | | the inside of the pool. This keeps relatively equal |
| material- After the hole is excavated a leveling | | | | pressure on the walls of the pool.o Compact the |
| material such as sand or gravel is dumped in the hole | | | | backfill material to insure minimal settlement. Sand |
| and is leveled as a base for the pool shell to rest on. | | | | backfill requires saturation with water every six to |
| If this material is not properly compacted the pool will | | | | twelve inches of lift. Clean gravel backfill compacts on |
| settle over time. | | | | placement and requires no additional compaction |
| These problems can be easily avoided by the | | | | methods.o Pack the steps and seats with backfill |
| contractor by taking the necessary time to insure | | | | material to eliminate voids as much as possible. This is |
| the pool rests on a solid foundation. We have written | | | | done by literally crawling under the pool and stuffing |
| extensively on this topic and are proponents of clean | | | | backfill material into the area with a board or other |
| crushed gravel as a base material. | | | | tool. It's important to make sure there is at least a |
| Key #2: Sound Pool Leveling Methods | | | | foot of water in the pool before beginning this |
| Because a fiberglass pool is a one piece unit it is not | | | | process so the entire pool is not lifted from the |
| realistic to expect that it will be perfectly level. The | | | | ground.o Brace large steps and benches with block to |
| industry standard states that the pool can be up to | | | | protect against sagging. |
| one inch out of level in forty feet. We shoot to get | | | | If backfilling is done improperly excessive settlement, |
| the pool within a quarter but will settle for a half-inch. | | | | bulged and crooked walls, or sagging steps and |
| I have seen installers will use any means under the | | | | benches are some of the consequences. We are also |
| sun to get the pool shell level and some methods are | | | | huge proponents of clean crushed gravel as a backfill |
| perfectly fine, and others are frankly kind of scary. | | | | material. |
| We teach that the best method to level a fiberglass | | | | Key #5: Quality Cantilevered Coping |
| pool is to completely lift the pool out of the hole and | | | | A perfect pool installation can all be for naught if the |
| either add or take away material to get the pool to | | | | coping of the pool is of poor quality. In many |
| the desired level. We also teach to walk the pool | | | | respects the coping can either make or break the |
| floor after the shell is set to insure the entire pool is | | | | entire job. Cantilevered concrete coping is poured in |
| resting on base material without voids. These two | | | | place on top of the pool and is a skill that requires |
| techniques will insure that the pool is not only level, | | | | significant experience to master. The two primary |
| but resting in its natural state and free of | | | | steps to producing successful cantilevered concrete |
| disproportionate stress at any point. | | | | are: |
| Key # 3: Sound Plumbing | | | | 1. Proper form installation- Because the forms must |
| What we're really talking about here is the "L" word: | | | | contour with the pool, Styrofoam is the material of |
| leaks! Yes it is a dirty word, especially in the pool | | | | choice. The forms must be installed so they are |
| business. There are 3 things an installer should do to | | | | secure enough to withstand the pressures exerted |
| protect against leaks:o Secure the plumbing- Because | | | | by the concrete and true enough to maintain their |
| fiberglass pools have a tremendous amount of backfill | | | | desired shape. |
| material that can settle over time, it's necessary to | | | | 2. Proper concrete placement- As the concrete is |
| secure the plumbing to insure that it doesn't move. | | | | placed against the form it is necessary to remove air |
| Plumbing settlement results in leaky fittings in the | | | | pockets by tapping vigorously against the outside of |
| pool and is a major pain to repair. We tie our | | | | the form. |
| plumbing up with cable to protect against any | | | | A good cantilevered coping job will be free of |
| settlement.o Use rigid PVC pipe- There are two | | | | significant air pockets and exposed gravel and the |
| predominant types of PVC used around inground | | | | surface will be uniform and relatively smooth. |
| pools, flex pipe and rigid pipe. Flexible PVC, as its | | | | Well there's some food for thought for those of you |
| name implies, will easily contour with the shape of the | | | | considering the purchase of a fiberglass pool. Based |
| pool and make for a quicker installation. The problem | | | | on my experience it would be wise to devote as |
| with flex pipe is that it is not suitable for underground | | | | much energy to finding the right pool contractor as |
| use according to the manufacturers of the product. | | | | the right pool manufacturer. |