You have purchased an inground swimming pool whether it is steel wall, fiberglass, gunite, or a radiant pool the process starts with excavation. A hole has to be dug in the ground to make way for the pool.
#1 Ground Water:
The pool is being dug and water starts to fill the excavation site. What do we do? We
remove approximately 12” – 16” of material and replace it with 12” – 16” of 34” stones. The stones provide us with drainage and a solid base upon which to build a pool. It’s more common to find water in the deep end of the pool as opposed to the shallow end of the pool. Once the stones are installed we put in an underdrain or some may call it a French drain. A pipe is placed in the stone bed and runs to the outside of the pool. A swimming pool pump is attached and when the pump is running water is pumped away from the pool to the outside area. Groundwater has to be controlled in order for a successful build to take place.
#2 Removal of Job Material:
Once the pool hole is being dug often time there is extra fill or no room in the yard to spread it or use. It has to be removed from the site. Usually, a tri-axle dump truck is used which removes approximately 16 yards at a time.
Note: Loam should never be used around the immediate pool area. As it absorbs water. Which when frozen expands and heaves.
#3 Ledge or Large Rocks:
When excavating for a swimming pool ledge and/or large rocks may prove to be an obstacle.
Sometimes requiring a blasting contracting company. Other times a ram hoe is used to break up the ledge and to continue the install.
#4 Material to Backfill Pool:
Many times when backfilling the new pool the existing materials are not suitable for backfill. When backfilling a radiant pool or a steel walled pool bank and/or septic sand issued. Often we will put the material on the pipes to assure they are protected. When backfilling a fiberglass pool we used crushed stone.
#5 The Grade or Height of the pool:
Good Communication between the builder and the homeowner is vital. Remember the swimming pool has to be level and we are installing a level pool into a non-level backyard. The height of the pool in the yard determines if retaining walls are needed on the project. Sometimes surface drains may need to be installed to route water around the pool. The swimming pool should never be positioned to act as a dam. We have to make provisions to make sure the pool has been positioned at the correct height given the challenges of the landscape in the yard.
