Comprehensive Guide to Installing Your New Fiberglass Pool

Installing a fiberglass pool is a significant and exciting investment for your backyard. This guide provides an in-depth look at the entire process from planning to final inspection, ensuring you know what to expect every step of the way.

Pre-Construction Preparation

1. Initial Meeting and Design Planning

• Consultation: Your journey begins with a meeting with a Solid Structures Outdoor Living Guide to discuss your vision, finalize the pool design, and determine the best elevation for proper drainage. This step ensures that your pool will blend seamlessly into your landscape.
• Utility Marking: Before any digging begins, Virginia 811 and Solid Structures will mark the utilities on your property. This involves placing colored flags to indicate the location of various underground utilities like water, gas, and electricity, ensuring a safe excavation process.

2. Site Preparation

• Excavation Marking: The area where your pool will be installed is clearly marked to guide the excavation process.
• Material Delivery: Essential materials such as gravel and stone for the pool foundation and backfill are delivered to your site.

Excavation

3. Digging the Pool Hole

• Excavation: Heavy machinery will dig the precise shape and depth required for your pool. This process typically takes 1-2 days, during which the soil is carefully removed and transported off-site if necessary.

Pool Installation

4. Delivery and Placement of the Pool

• Transporting the Pool: Your fiberglass pool arrives in one piece and may require an escort due to its size.
• Craning the Pool: A crane or similar equipment carefully lifts and places the pool into the excavated hole, ensuring it fits perfectly.

Plumbing and Backfilling

5. Setting Up the Pool’s Circulation System

• Plumbing Installation: Skimmer boxes, return fittings, and main drains are installed. These components are crucial for the pool’s circulation system, helping to keep the water clean and balanced.
• Plumbing Connections: Using 2-inch rigid PVC pipes, all the necessary plumbing connections are made, ensuring a robust and efficient system.

6. Backfilling

• Layering: The pool is stabilized using alternating layers of clean stone and water. This method prevents the pool from bowing or shifting, providing a stable foundation.

Finalizing the Installation

7. Concrete Ring and Coping

• Pouring the Concrete Ring: A concrete ring is poured around the pool, serving as a base for the coping. This step is vital for both stability and aesthetics.
• Coping and Patio: Choose from various options for your pool surround, such as paver patios, artificial turf, sod, or seed. These choices will enhance the beauty and functionality of your pool area.

Inspections and Finishing Touches

8. Safety and Compliance Inspections

• Bonding Inspection: Ensures all metal components are properly bonded to prevent electrical hazards.
• Trench Inspection: Confirms the integrity of the plumbing and electrical trenches.
• Electrical and Gas Inspections: Verify that all electrical and gas connections comply with safety standards.

9. Final Pool Orientation

• Pool Orientation: Once the installation is complete, you will receive a comprehensive orientation on pool maintenance, cleaning procedures, and how to use the iAquaLink app for controlling your pool equipment.
• Final Inspection: A thorough final inspection ensures all safety features and city requirements are met, including proper fencing and pool alarms. This step is crucial for the safety and legality of your new pool.

Enjoying Your New Pool

After all these steps are completed, your pool is ready for use. This guide aims to provide you with a clear understanding of what to expect during the installation process, ensuring a smooth and successful project. For a more detailed visual explanation, watch our full video here.