Aspects to Consider When Planning Swimming Pools

Have your pool created by a custom designer for the ideal pool for your needs and lifestyle. Your pool builder will ask you plenty of questions to design the perfect pool for your yard. Come prepared with your ideas and thoughts, and listen to the pool builder's professional input to determine whether the pool you want will work in your yard. If you can't have the pool you want, are you willing to settle for a smaller or differently-shaped or constructed pool than the one you had originally envisioned?

Is the ground solid enough to build the size of pool you want? Are there large roots or boulders in the ground which may need to be removed first, adding to your construction costs? If your land is uneven, you may need to have it leveled before the pool construction can begin. The pool builder will be able to help you choose an optimum location that will require the least amount of significant landscaping. To keep pool construction prices as low as possible, begin with as flat a surface as possible, ideally one without any underground pipes or cables that would need to be moved.

Even if your plot of land is physically large enough to contain the pool you want, the ground may not be optimum for building an in-ground pool. Each cubic foot of water in your pool weighs 62.4 pounds; cumulatively, this means that a lot of weight will be pressing against the ground in your backyard. All in-ground pools are greatly affected by soil issues, ranging from the amount of groundwater, the type of soil, and the depth of bedrock. For example, if the soil has a lot of organic matter, your pool will settle as the organic matter decays. It will sink into the ground, and may develop cracks or other problems. Additional support, such as pilings, can be added during the building process to prevent this occurrence.

What lies beneath the surface of your land can affect which type of pool would be appropriate. For example, whether you have sandy soil or clay soil can determine whether a fiberglass pool or a concrete one would be the optimum choice. If your soil is very sandy, with a high water table, the excavation could collapse in on itself during the building process unless you have selected an experienced builder who knows how to handle such issues. Be sure to deal with these issues before the start of construction.

Your pool builder should be up-to-date on local building codes governing pools in your area, but it's always a good idea to double-check before construction begins. Local building codes may even regulate the size or placement of the pool. You may need to build a fence of a certain height around the pool, or get a permit before the work begins. If permits are required, who is responsible for applying for and obtaining the permits? Discuss these issues with your selected pool builder early, since the process can take several months. You may also need an approval from the local building or safety department when your pool is completed.Have your pool created by a custom designer for the ideal pool for your needs and lifestyle. Your pool builder will ask you plenty of questions to design the perfect pool for your yard. Come prepared with your ideas and thoughts, and listen to the pool builder's professional input to determine whether the pool you want will work in your yard. If you can't have the pool you want, are you willing to settle for a smaller or differently-shaped or constructed pool than the one you had originally envisioned?

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