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Fiberglass Swimming Pool Installation Process

With any swimming pool installation, your backyard will become a construction zone.  Dirt will need to be excavated and removed so that the swimming pool can be installed. In order to remove the dirt, excavation equipment such as an excavator, backhoe, or skid steer will be used.  Unless the dirt is to be left on site for retaining, the dirt will need to be loaded into a truck and hauled away. All of this backward and forward of excavating the dirt and moving the dirt is going to cause short-term damage to your grass and gardens. The good thing with a fiberglass swimming pool is that this process is very quick. Some excavations for a fiberglass swimming pool can be done in as little as a day.

The fiberglass swimming pool is then lowered into position in the excavated hole and then backfilled with crushed stone while water is being added.  After that, a concrete bond beam will be poured, and any decking or paving will be laid down.  At that point, it is down to the final landscaping that you wish to undertake. We have seen fiberglass swimming pools installed and fully operational in as little as 3 days, and in general, are completed from start to finish within 10 days subject to the amount of decking or type of decking to be completed and weather.  Some hardscape installations take several months to complete.

Step 1 – Assessing the Site

Prior to installation, the location of the pool must be determined.  Property setbacks and zoning regulations will need to be checked, and DigSafe will need to be called to locate buried public utility lines and pipes.

A fiberglass swimming pool is large. Last-minute discoveries that the pool is not capable of being craned over the house due to obstructions can cause significant setbacks.  Things such as overhead wires, branches (which may need permits to cut), or the driveway not being able to withstand the crane’s weight can all cause issues with moving the pool into place.  Our crane company will gladly perform a site visit upon request if it seems there may be issues with access.

Site access is also important when it comes time for excavation. Therefore, it is important to take the space between the two houses into consideration when sizing the necessary equipment for excavation and fill removal. If necessary, you will need to make sure your neighbor is okay with Leisure World using their property with the understanding that there may be damage to their lawn which Leisure World will not be held responsible for, per your contract.

Step 2 – Laying Out the Swimming Pool

The swimming pool layout is done by way of a dig sheet, which comprises a formulation of measurements describing a pool’s shape in 3-D. Once the layout is determined, a string line is normally run down the center where the pool is to be placed and measured off from each side.

The final grade of the fiberglass swimming pool is very important.  It is crucial to confirm the project’s final grade and place a benchmark that can be easily identified later to eliminate any discrepancies while the pool is being installed.

Step 3 – Excavating the Pool

The next step is excavation.  A hole will be dug to accommodate a stone bed for the pool as well as a stone fill around the pool, and a trench to run the plumbing lines over to where the equipment pad will be.  This is generally the messiest part of the project and is where a significant portion of the lawn damage will come from.

Step 4 – Setting the Base

This is the most important part of the fiberglass swimming pool installation.  Leisure World will use screed rails or string lines to provide a reference point for where the final grade for the base needs to be.  Stone will be placed in the hole and raked, shoveled, and screeded until the final grade is established.  Once the base is all graded out, a compactor is used to create a firm base of stone for the pool to sit on.

Step 5 – Craning and Setting the Swimming Pool

For most new pool owners this is the most exciting part of their fiberglass swimming pool installation. Leisure World will often consult (and possibly pre-visit) your site with a crane company to ensure that the proper machinery is being used. If access or height is ever in question, you will often see an upsized piece of equipment in your yard.

The fiberglass swimming pool is then lifted off the delivery truck by the crane or excavator and moved into position over the hole. The pool will then be lowered into the excavation area and, it should be pretty close to being level. Should minor adjustments be necessary, they can be made easily at this time. Once satisfied the pool is level, we will proceed with backfilling.

Step 6 – Backfilling

The pool will be filled with water and backfilled with stone simultaneously. This is done to ensure equal pressure and maintain stability.  You will notice that your installer will give special attention to the stair and seating area. Once the pool is backfilled to approximately 2 feet from the top, this provides a good opportunity to cut in the returns, lights, therapy jets, and skimmer.

Step 7 – Plumbing the pool

Plumbing the swimming pool for correct flow is always done with attention to detail. There are few things worse in this business than to discover a leak after the deck and landscaping has been completed. We will smooth the backside of the pool and use a high-quality marine adhesive on the fittings to provide an excellent seal.  Pipe will also be run to the location of the equipment pad, and the pump, filter, and any other pieces of pool equipment will be plumbed up and left ready for your electrician or gas contractor to finish their hook up.

For fiberglass swimming pools with bench areas, therapy jets are a nice addition. It is important to note and discuss any additions or upgrades you may want to make to your fiberglass swimming pool prior to installation.

Step 8 – Locking Collar and Hardscape

The final step in the pool installation process is to pour a concrete collar all the way around the top of the fiberglass pool to give it structural support and lock it into place.  The concrete can either be the deck around the pool itself, or it can be a subsurface that your hardscape can lay pavers or stone on top of.  Once all of this is complete, the last thing left is to have your landscaper finish up.

Step 9 – Fencing

If included in the contract, Leisure World will layout and install Armor Clad fencing around the pool.  Armor Clad is powder-coated, aluminum fencing that comes in many different styles with self-latching gates.  All of our fences meets federal, state, and insurance codes, as well as ANSI/APSP/ICC-8.  It is a fair-priced and convenient option for you as a new pool owner!

Step 10 – Water Chemistry & Overall Care

Leisure World will get the right fit for your water.  You will have a choice of sanitization systems, whether it is BioGuard Smart Sticks, Soft Swim, Frog Leap Mineral Purification, or a Salt & UV system.  We will teach and explain carefully to ensure the pool care product is the right fit for you.  We will give you a 30% discount off of your first chemical balance, as well as a 10% discount for as long as you own your pool.  Free water testing and pool school will also be included to make sure that you have all the information you need to care for your pool for years to come!