The process of installing a new swimming pool is detailed below.
Step 1: Layout
We will mark the site for the new pool. You should think about sun exposure, access to a bathroom, areas for guest to gather (and to retreat from the afternoon sun), and access to the site. In general, people will gather on the side closest to the house at the shallow end of the pool.
The Digger operator will do most of the work, but DIYers must ensure the hole accurately matches the dig specs.
You will have very large equipment in your back yard. It is going to be messy. Before trying to save that wonderful shrub you planted last year..or that sod that was looking perfect, keep in mind how much time it is going to take to work around them vs. just planting new. Most of the time, you will be better off to just replace anything in the way. Installation of a pool is the perfect opportunity to re work the landscape as you have always planned...
Step 2: Excavation
The next step will be to dig the hole according to the pool's dig specs. This step will take 3-6 hours and varies in complexity with the size and shape of the pool. Pools with flat bottoms are the easiest to dig. Deep well pools are the most difficult. The key to a good hole is to measure frequently. You will use a builders level (transit) to measure as you go.
Today, laser levels can be rented, that take the guesswork out of measurement.
Once the hole is complete, string will be used to set the exact grade for the pool. This string will act as a guide when you line the hole with sand or gravel.
Step 3: Delivery
The pool will arrive on a truck at your home, ready to install. Now is this is where the real fun begins... The pool will be lifted off of the truck using a boom truck or, in the case of smaller pools, the Digger itself. We will now need to level the pool to less than an 2.5 cms. This can become a little monotonous for a first time installer. Raise that end up, now this end is too low, you get the drill. You should get this done in well under the typical 3 hour minimum typical for the crane.
The water will seek its own level once the pool is filled. For this reason, you need to pay close attention now. Keep in mind that nice cool plunge after mowing the lawn. Once level, you can disconnect the crane, and start filling it with water.
Step 4: Plumbing
It is now time to plumb the pool and ready it for back-filling the hole around it. We will drill 50mm holes for the returns, and optional light or automatic cleaner. If you ever plan on installing an automatic cleaner, go ahead and plumb for it now. It can always be added later.
Plumbing is as simple as gluing any PVC pipe. Material to connect the pool and power to the filter for both the electrical and plumbing.
We will also start filling the pool. Each pool has a level to which it can be filled with water with no backfill around it. The water must remain about 12" higher than the surrounding backfill. This helps maintain the shape of the pool. Generation Pools have extra strength because they are built using a honeycomb structure with multiple layers. This significantly reduces the task of putting in the pool.
Step 5: Final Connections
How easy is it to plumb a pool? Really the filter system for a pool is pretty simple if you understand the basic principles. A DIY project doesn't get a whole lot easier than gluing PVC pipe. Let's take a look at the basics.
The water exits from a skimmer and goes through a basket that catches big debris (leaves, bark, etc..) and the water moves to the pump.
The pump has a hair strainer that gets smaller debris that might clog the pump. The water is next past on to the filter, where very small particles are filtered out - this is where the pool water is polished crystal clear. Next, the water will pass through the heater (if you have one) and on to the automatic chlorinator or ionization system. Sanitizing the water is the last thing that occurs before the water returns to the pool.
Once you have plumbed the pool and backfilled, is time for clean up of the site and the pool itself.
Step 6: Grading
Rough grade is easily done with the right tools. You can either rent a small Bobcat with a landscape box, or hire someone to prepare your yard. In either case, you will want to be sure that the pool is at a local high point in the yard. Be sure that all of the ground around your pool slopes away from the pool. Typically you want 2"-6" of rise at the pool edge, relative to the surrounding area. This allows rain water to drain away from the pool.
Step 7: Concrete Beam
The concrete come up to the edge of the pool, leaving an exposed band of fiberglass around the pool. The Margells/coping stones are then layed on and aroound the pool.