Finding A Pool Contractor | Installation & Construction | Patio and Coping | Retaining Walls, Fence, and Landscaping
If you want a crash course on the finer details of a fiberglass pool installation, then you've come to the right place. Contained in this article are points of a fiberglass pool project that are NOT frequently covered on the internet, or possibly even in your backyard with your contractor, but are absolutely essential to a successful installation. These are the things you absolutely should know before the first piece of equipment shows up.
These points are in random order. Get ready for a Fiberglass Pool Feeding Frenzy!
1. If electrical hook-up is not included in the contractor's standard package keep this in mind:
The further your filter system is from the house (or an existing sub-panel) the more the initial electrical hook-up cost will be. In our area, placing the filter system in the yard as opposed to being adjacent to the house will increase the price $500–$1000.
2. The filter system does not need to be enclosed to protect it from the weather. It's made to be outside already!
3. The filter system does not need to be located directly beside the pool. On most occasions and as long as it is within 5-60 feet of the pool, it's fine...and it can be much, much further away if needed. You can read more about filter system location here.
4. Most contractors do not pour a concrete pad for the pump and filter system to sit on. They usually bring out one of those plastic deals like the ones used for your house HVAC units.
5. You need to become familiar with the term bonding because many regions have not adopted the latest bonding requirements for fiberglass pools (which are necessary) and therefore some local contractors may not be bonding their pools properly.
6. Bonding is essentially a means of making all components around the pool that bathers come in contact with the same voltage potential. In non-pool guy terms, it's a way to ensure swimmers do not get shocked by the stuff around the pool.
This is accomplished by connecting these components together with a bare copper wire. The things that need to be bonded around the pool include but are not limited to handrails, ladders, slides, metal pool lights, the pool deck, and the water in the pool.
I can't emphasize the importance of proper bonding enough, so please research it and ask your pool guy how he bonds his pools. Getting zapped by a handrail can be a traumatizing experience.
Read more: Pool Bonding 101: Why Handrails, Coping, and Water Could Shock You
7. Most areas require a plug-in service receptacle between 10 and 20 ft. of the water's edge of the pool, so plan accordingly. Everyone asks the same question..."why?" Best I can figure is because at 10' a standard cord on an appliance will not reach pool-side, and at 20' folks will break out the extension cord in order to reach the pool area...in which case it may get a little too close to the pool, Ouch!
8. Regarding pool decks: if you are considering concrete as your material of choice, you need to understand that IT CRACKS! It is a guarantee that concrete will crack every 12-15 feet throughout a pool deck.
Contractors understand this and install control joints (cuts, groves, or pieces of material) in the concrete to attempt to force the crack to occur within the pretty straight line of their joint. The problem is that sometimes concrete decides to crack where it wants despite the intentions of the contractor. These "shrinkage cracks" are not structural in nature and are not indicative of unsuitable concrete, an unstable base, or poor workmanship.
There is no guarantee that you will get a shrinkage crack on your patio, but if the chance of it occurring makes you shudder, you might want to consider another option...like pavers or natural stone.
Read more: Concrete Pool Deck Pros and Cons
9. Pool coping is the material that borders the inside of the pool and provides the transition between the pool and the patio. 90% of all fiberglass pools installed in the United States have what's known as cantilevered concrete coping. This is a poured-in-place concrete coping that's affordable, looks great, and lasts a long, long time.
However, most fiberglass pool installers will tell you that it is also the most difficult portion of the project. Make sure your concrete finisher is a well seasoned cantilevered concrete installing machine!....otherwise it may not be pretty. To see how this product is installed check out our cantilevered concrete video.
10. If you're considering pavers for your fiberglass pool patio, a popular way to do this is to pour a concrete border around the pool (we like 18") then butt the pavers to this concrete coping. This method is budget friendly because paver coping can get pricey, it is structurally sound because the concrete supports the pool, and it looks awesome! (Check out some more affordable ways to upgrade your pool project here.)
11. If you're considering stamped concrete around your fiberglass pool, you need to be aware that if your patio is large enough to require multiple truckloads of concrete, the color between the different trucks may not match. These differences in color, if they even occur, are usually very mild, but keep in mind that the darker the concrete color the higher the probability of this occurring.
12. Stamped concrete can be very slippery around a pool unless a skid-resistant additive is incorporated into the sealer as it is applied. This will make the surface safe and you should not have any concerns about ‘slippery-ness' if this product is used correctly. But if not, get ready for a backyard version of Disney's swimmers on ice.
13. Keep in mind that the lighter the color of the patio, the cooler it stays on your feet. Gotta keep your feet happy! (Watch our video on paver color and temperature to see what we mean.)
14. Let's talk about your site: First, access lane....How's the builder getting in and out? Chances are that they do not take down or re-install fences or other barriers. Check with them up front.....no surprises!
15. Warning, disturbing comment to follow: Your yard will get destroyed! Sorry, but you're going to find out sooner or later, so I might as well tell you right now. The great thing is that when God created grass, he made it so it grows back...cool huh?
16. What are you going to do with the dirt? If you have a flat yard with a few ‘low areas', you may be able to use about 1% of the dirt filling them in...so plan on your pool guy getting the stuff out of there so you're not stuck with it. To give you an idea of how much dirt we're talking about, look at the shed out in your back yard...we're talking a pile of dirt about the size of 5 of those. Yep, it's a lot! Be sure to discuss hauling and dump fees before the project begins.
17. Don't assume your yard is level. In fact, make dang sure someone shoots some elevations in your yard before the project begins. Pool guys are famous for installing a pool then saying, "Oops, I had no idea your yard had a 3 foot slope...I guess you'll need a $5k retaining wall."
18. Don't allow a pool guy to install flexible PVC around your pool...it's a no-no in our book (along with dozens of folks who've contacted us with flex pipe problems since we began writing about this). Heat bending rigid PVC is the only way to fly. Check out our video to see the heat bending process in action and read about it in our article Rigid vs. Flex pvc pipe: Which is Better?
19. Let's talk fence, but first a disclaimer. River Pools and Spas does not claim to know any barrier requirements (fence code) for any specific areas and the following are only suggestions. So, there are several fence facts that may apply in your area that you need to check on.
First, gates normally have to swing out away from the pool, have to self-close, and self-latch. There are also restrictions on the following specifications of a pool fence such as: distance from bottom of the fence to the ground, spacing between pickets, types of gate latches, etc. Also, many areas require door alarms on any doors from the house if they open directly into the pool area.
20. Remember bonding? It applies to metal fencing as well. If any metal fence, including aluminum, is within 5 feet of the water's edge of the pool, it will need to be bonded....which is a major pain in the butt. So, to avoid the hassle, make sure your fence is at least 5 feet away from the pool. (Here are some non-metal pool fencing ideas to consider.)
21. Make sure your pool contractor pressure tests his plumbing. Leaks are bad....avoidable leaks are worse.
22. You must have a dewatering system installed on your fiberglass pool! This is simply a way to access and drain the ground water around the pool if needed. The objective of this system is not to constantly remove the ground water around the pool - it will be fine so long as the pool remains full of water.
However, when your pool needs to be drained (even if it is 50 years from now), the ground water around the pool must be removed or less-than-fun things tend to happen. We simply install an 8" PVC pipe off the deep end of the pool and place a skimmer lid on top and leave it. It costs $50....make sure your contractor installs one for Pete's sake!
23. We are huge proponents of using gravel to backfill around fiberglass pools as opposed to sand, which is the industry standard. There are many reasons why.
24. If concrete or asphalt driveways will be used for access, be aware that they may incur damage. Use an alternative access lane if available. Grass is cheaper to replace than concrete.
25. Any reputable pool contractor will secure a building permit with local authorities as well as call in to have the utilities in your yard located.
26. The average fiberglass pool holds 10,000 gallons of water. There is a lesson for you contained in each and every gallon: have fun!
Comments and questions? Please leave them for us below and we will get back to you ASAP!
At River Pools, we manufacture world class fiberglass swimming pools for customers across North America. Feel free to take a look at our catalog of models while you're here, try out our free pool pricing calculator, or request custom pricing and information using the button below.
Want to learn more about inground pools in general? You can visit our learning center today, browse our educational video library, or download your free ebook to get the best fiberglass pool buying tips. Happy swimming!
Up Next:
What’s the Best Small Fiberglass Pool for Your Needs? Costs, Sizes, Features
Should You Buy a Fiberglass Pool? (Infographic)
How Much Is My Fiberglass Pool Really Going to Cost?
Editor's note (5/17/24):
This article was originally written by Jason Hughes, (Founder, River Pools Virginia, Genesis Course Instructor). Any opinions expressed are those of the author. Any prices referenced were based on information that was readily available at the time.
River Pools is a brand of inground fiberglass pools produced via the River Pools division of the manufacturing facility in Fortville, IN. While our expertise is in fiberglass pool manufacturing, we have a network of expertise relating to all things inground pools. Our own collective experience from over the years spans manufacturing, project design, installation, and pool service. We often tap into this knowledge base and share information freely with homeowners, just like you, who are considering having a swimming pool installed in your backyard.