Fiberglass Pool Installation - Bella Gets A Swimming Pool
Posted by Michelle Forchetti on Tue, May 12, 2009 @ 11:41 AM
I can remember the first time I swam the length of our neighborhood pool. I was 6 years old and it is indelibly etched in my mind. There's something magical about being a kid, the summer and a swimming pool.
Bella Gets a Pool (but Casper the cat is not so excited. . .LOL!)
Call Before You Dig!
The local power company told us that you can just call 811 to have someone come out and mark the lines. . .that's easy enough (don't slip up & call 911!!)
Prep Time
An unhealthy Pecan tree is removed from the site. Did you know that a Pecan tree won't produce, unless it has a mate nearby? ((See all random facts you can learn just by being on a jobsite?!))
Find Final Grade
The yard looked really level, but when we shot grade. . .the grade pole said otherwise! Eventually a spot was found. 2 retaining walls to be built on either side. We marked our grade point on the house gutter so we wouldn't lose it!
Orange Paint Marks the Spot - Let the Digging Begin!
We mapped out the pool placement with orange marking paint (according to the dig specifications). . .and started digging out where the shallow end of the pool is going.
Sometimes Sacrifices Must be Made!
Free bushes anyone?
Square and String the Hole
By setting the string to the right level, we get the hole ready for our base - what the fiberglass pool sits on.
This is the start of the most important part to a good fiberglass swimming pool installation. Making sure the hole is primed and ready. Follow the instructions! If you do this right. . .the rest of the install will be a walk in the park (or a jump in the pool!)
Gravel Base - BRING IT ON!!
Gravel is a great base for fiberglass pools. It's easy to drop in the hole. Easy to move. It compacts almost completely on impact. It allows for great drainage. . .actually-let's save the benefits of gravel for another blog ;o)
Here we bring the gravel up to the level strings.
Then we tamp for extra measure.
Then we Screed to be perfectly level with the strings
Viola. . .It's Pool Time!
This is the condensed version. Suffice it to say. . .make sure you check out clearances, power lines, etc. For this pool, we had to set up the crane 3 different times. 1. To get the shell off the truck. ..UNDER THE POWER LINES! 2. Move the pool closer to the hole. 3. To set the pool.
Set this Puppy Down!We want to make sure that we crane the pool down gently and not disturb the gravel. Luckily, our crane operator had a steady hand and the pool set down well.
Checking Level
Because we spent quality time prepping the gravel base for the pool shell, we shouldn't really have to lift and set this model more than a couple of times. ((The Utopia, pictured here IS probably the most challenging pool to set in the Trilogy Fiberglass Pools Line))
Write it Down!
Don't just guess on the level. . .write it down silly! We have pool grade forms that make it easy to mark spots on the pool and record data.
After recording your measurements, find the highest and the lowest spots. If you're +/- 1/2 inch. . .Release the Ropes and let the fun part begin! If you're more than an inch out of level, well. . .you need to diagnose the problem first. Then mark the footprint of the pool with orange spray paint. Lift the pool carefully. . .either adjust the pool location, or adjust the base accordingly. Make sense?
This is all happening real time! When we get some more photos and video, we'll take you on a journey from cutting holes to completion. Need more detail? Have Questions or Comments? Let us Know - We're happy to oblige!!
Team Trilogy