New Swimming Pool Installation Tips
SwimmingPoolSteve.com is user-supported. In order to keep this resource about pools and spas available for free to all readers I earn commissions for purchases made through links on this page. For more information see the full disclaimer page. By using this website you are agreeing to the terms and conditions.
You are having a new swimming pool installed and you want to make smart decisions about your design and the peripheral items that your pool has to make it efficient, fun, capable...the only problem is you have no idea how to actually accomplish this. First things first, you can not trust the pool company to deliver you a default offering that is all of these things. This is not to say that a pool company is not capable of building an efficient, fun and capable pool, but more so that the costs of doing so are higher than a "base level" or cookie cutter pool design, and this introduces a potential problem. If an estimate for a new pool installation is too high then a company might lose a lot of business just based on sticker shock alone, or customers who do not delve too deeply into the details of the overall estimate.
It is up to you, the home owner, to dig into the details of your new pool installation quotes to attempt to make an apples to apples comparison. Building a swimming pool is an intensely technical process with no less than hundreds of opportunities for one quote to be inferior to another. So in this way pool companies tend to customize their pool quotes to have a lot of eye appeal. All pool owners look directly to the final number on the quote. Too high and you lose the business no matter how justified the extra expenses are. Of course not all home owners shop like this for a pool but enough do that it changes the way that pool companies estimate projects. When you ask for a quote for a pool you are essentially asking for their best price and not necessarily their best pool. Much like other areas of life you need to be well researched and advocate for yourself to get the things you want for your pool. Look at some of these quality upgrades to new pool installations that might be buried (or not included) on your estimate.
Variable Speed Pumps
A single speed pump, which has been the default option for swimming pools for most of the past four or five decades, is about half the price of a variable speed pump. Maybe even less than half in some of the cases. This can put a capable name brand single speed pump in the $400 to $500 range for the sake of this example. A variable speed pump also of a name brand might be in the $1000 to $1500 range depending on the model. That is quite a lot more money. Taking this one step further a cartridge pool filter might cost two to three times as much as a silica sand filter. Sand filters are the entry level filter option and cartridge filters are what you find on most super expensive and luxury pools. An entry level sand filter might again be $500 with a more capable cartridge filter being in the $1000 or more range. The point of this is that a single speed pump and a sand filter are nowhere near as good as a variable speed pump and a cartridge filter...but if your builder includes these now your build price is $1500 more than the next guy offering (or not even specifying) lesser equipment. Of course you can just look for this and ask for whatever kind of equipment you would like to see, but this example is an easy to spot, major component. Pretty much every other technical comparison you will need to make will be harder to identify (or quantify) than this one.
This is just one obvious example where it will be easy for you to look at the details of your quote to make a more even comparison, and how a lower price is definitely not better. Pool companies have to "play the game" and be able to offer extremely competitive pool package pricing for budget shoppers and to help make compelling marketing and advertising materials. Just because they can offer a pool package for a spectacularly low price does not mean this is the pool that you want to buy. For more information about how you are throwing your money away if you buy a single speed pump take a look at this $4300 return on investment with this variable speed pump.
Isolated Plumbing Lines
Stepping up the technical complexity a little bit from the previous example let's talk about plumbing configurations for your new pool. What you want to know is the type of plumbing material that will be used (rigid PVC, flexible PVC, poly pipe) as well as the size of the pipe that will be used. In addition to this you will also want to know the configuration of the plumbing. For example, if you have two skimmers in the pool will there be a tee underground and one suction pipe sucking from both skimmers at the same time, or will each skimmer have its own pipe? This is a pretty important detail as the answers to these questions will determine how much flow your system is capable of, as well as what level of efficiency your pool filtration will be able to operate with. Pipe sizing and orientation is usually the first change that I make to swimming pool design plans when home owners sign up for my new pool installation consulting service. A few simple and relatively low cost changes to the plumbing system and pipe sizes can usually result in massive efficiency improvements to the pool system.
As a pool builder I am a big fan of isolated pipe runs to every point in the pool (except active main drains or underwater suction points which must be split into dual suction points) as this allows maximum flow control to and from every single port in the pool, as well as substantially increasing the total flow potential of the system. If you have four returns in your pool the cheapest way to build would be one return pipe leaving the equipment pad which tees out to all four returns. I much prefer a system where if there are four returns, then there are four individual return pipes leaving the equipment pad, each with a manual isolation valve for individual flow control. This is far superior from an operational standpoint. Plus one day long in the future when disaster strikes and you have a leak somewhere in a return line, you can simply plug the offending port, close that one valve, and now your pool operates on three returns and the leak is isolated. Fix at your convenience and your pool never even needs to shut down. If you have one pipe feeding four underground returns you will be doing a lot of digging before your pool can operate again. Isolated plumbing lines are worth the extra cost, and evaluating pipe size for optimal flow dynamics is definitely something you should consult with an expert about. Take a look at these compelling numbers behind pipe size and flow rates for swimming pools.
Sump Well For Ground Water Control
The need to control ground water around a swimming pool is not a universal requirement. Not all pools need this and not all areas need this, but if you live in an area with high ground water levels then it would be a massive advantage for you to have some way to attempt to interact with the ground water around your pool. In some cases it might not be possible to drain your pool without damaging it without first having some method to lower or control ground water immediately around your pool. With a vinyl liner pool the weight of the water in the pool is actually what holds the liner firmly in place. When you have high ground water the liner can float, which results in wrinkles and displacement of the liner. With concrete pools and fiberglass pools high ground water can have even greater consequences. If the force of ground water is strong enough it can actually lift your pool out of the ground, or "pop" your pool. Sometimes you need to drain your pool for service, repairs or renovations but without a method to control ground water you have no way to limit the risk of your pool popping out of the ground. This is why pool draining should always be left to the professionals, as it seems very straight forward right up until the point that it is not...and your pool is broken permanently. Read more about the risks of draining a pool.
Most bare bones pool packages will not include a sump well for controlling ground water around your pool unless absolutely necessary. A sump well can be installed when the pool is under construction that extends down into a gravel bed below the floor of the pool. A sump pump with a float valve can be used, or you can lower a submersible pump into the sump well any time you need to control the ground water around your pool. You can not stop ground water or make and permanent changes to the height of your ground water table, but letting a submersible pump that is lower than the floor of your pool run for a week is going to make a substantial difference on the local water table height and amount of hydrostatic force that is pushing upwards on your pool. Since it is a real pain to try to solve high ground water issues after the fact it would be prudent to include a provision for this from the installation phase if there is any concern for high ground water tables. It is also worth noting that ground water tables change over time with development both locally and not-so-locally. Development can significantly change ground water tables over time which can result in pools having chronic problems with ground water limiting the ability to operate, drain and renovate existing pools in areas where ground water was once not a concern. If I were building a pool today and I intended to stay in the home for the foreseeable future, then I would request an estimate to include a sump well provision with the pool. It should not be much at all since it is a piece of pipe, some gravel, a lockable skimmer lid and a submersible pump. Very affordable protection if you ask me no matter what kind of pool you are having installed.
Automatic Pool Covers
Of every possible upgrade or option that a swimming pool could have I endorse automatic pool covers over everything else. This is a fairly expensive option to add to a pool but one that absolutely increases the safety of your pool area which I think we can all agree that you can not place a price tag on. Additionally the cover will help to improve the efficiency of your pool. About 95% of the heat energy losses in your swimming pool will happen through evaporation at the pool surface. This leaves less than 5% of total heat loss through conduction, convection and radiation with the pool walls and floor. Less evaporation also means less chemical loss so you will need to add less chemicals, or restated the chemicals that you use will go a lot further. An automatic pool cover is not the only way to improve the thermal efficiency of your pool as a solar blanket on the pool every night will have a very similar effect for heat retention and limiting evaporation, but there is no safety benefit from a solar blanket whatsoever. Also, as an experienced pool owner and builder I can assure you that the monotony of putting the solar blanket on and off the pool will wear thin, and solar blankets do not work while rolled up and covered in dust at the end of your pool.
An automatic pool cover takes all of the work of covering your pool away, plus the cover is designed to restrict access to the water, which is something that solar blankets are not designed to do. So there is never an excuse to forget to cover your pool, and your pool will have chemical and heat efficiency up to 95% better than your neighbors uncovered pool. Plus your pool is safe and guarded against access from both people and pets that should not have access. The thing about automatic pool covers is that you can add them to an existing pool usually, but the best automatic covers are the ones that are built into the pool design. A rectangle pool with an automatic safety cover can have both the cover track system hidden on the underside of the coping cantilever, but also the cover roller and motor assembly pit recessed below grade for a seamless and obstruction free area around your pool deck. When asked what kind of pool would I build for myself tomorrow the answer is easily a rectangle pool with an automatic cover, hands down. Everything else is a negotiable point.
Pool Automation
Beyond a shadow of a doubt we have entered a golden age for swimming pool automation. The most advanced pool automation systems that money could buy only 15 or 20 years ago were almost entirely analogue. Something like turning on your spa booster pump might be accomplished with an air button contactor switch. Literally a big rubber button attached to a hose that sends a puff of air through the hose to a contactor with a pressure switch. The puff of air pushes the pressure switch and activates the contactor control circuit which energizes the heavy draw pump circuit contactor and your pump roars to life and your spa jets turn on. Now you just tell Alexa to turn the spa jets on and then get annoyed that it takes nine seconds for your request to beam to space and bounce off of a communications satellite and then back down to your pump on earth. A satellite outage or problem with your WIFI might prevent you from turning on your spa jets now, but do you know what used to prevent you from turning on your spa jets? Moisture. If you get condensation in the hose for your air pressure switch (which you can't not get) then the button for your booster pump would stop working. This is just one anecdotal example but the point remains that we are in a golden age for swimming pool automation from monitoring systems like the Hayward pHin systems which monitor chemical levels to things like Sense & Dispense which actively adds acid to the pool to lower pH levels. These are just two examples but the reality is that every pool equipment manufacturer offers automation systems from basic entry level systems for controlling your pump or your pool lights, up to super-robust backyard automation systems that control everything from lights to sounds to waterfalls and water features...and of course also the normal pool and spa operation.
You can have a basic automation system that uses a salt chlorinator to keep your sanitizer levels up or you can add a stenner pump and acid tank system to control rising pH in your water. There is no limit to what you can do with swimming pool automation now but you can bet your entry level price for your new pool installation does not include any of this cool stuff. Sure you can add automation to a swimming pool after it is built, at least to a certain degree, but the "right" time to add automation provisions to a pool system is from the design stage where it can be incorporated most completely and most seamlessly into your pool and backyard control. Even if your pool installation package comes with automation it warrants further investigation since there are a wide range of automation systems with a range of capabilities and limitations. So much so that it might even be worth a call to the manufacturer themselves to inquire about their products, what they have that is new, and what they recommend you look at for pool automation options for your new pool installation.
A modern day swimming pool can take months to plan and execute and can cost literally hundreds of thousands of dollars if you want all the bells and whistles included with yours. Something like this should take weeks of back and forth discussion with your designer and builder, and many pool installers offer service just like this. However many times, especially in busy climates and in boom periods the contractor does not need to work as hard to earn business, and pool owners can be left with little in the way of options to improve or customize their pools. If you understand the costs associated with having a new swimming pool built and you are not able to get the time or answers that you want to be comfortable with your decisions, you should consider signing up for the Swimming Pool Steve new pool installation consulting service where you can have accees to more in depth conversations and information about smart and efficient pool designs. Either way having a new pool installed is a huge deal and you need to protect your interests. When you get a quote for a new pool build be sure to read it line by line to develop an understanding for the details of how the pool will be built and what you will be getting for your money. If you want some help in learning how to interview potential pool builders, how to request upgrades like the ones talked about here in this article, and how to get the most value for your money with your pool installation then you should definitely check out the Swimming Pool Steve Pool Plan Guide.
Top content from www.SwimmingPoolSteve.com
Pool and spa chemistry crash course
New pool owner guide
The Swimming Pool Steve blog
Have a question - ask Steve
Swimming Pool Steve is an award winning, second generation swimming pool and spa specialist from Ontario Canada. With over 10,000,000 views on the Swimming Pool Steve YouTube Channel, winner of the 2018 Pool & Spa Industry Leadership award and author of hundreds of pool and spa articles both online and in print Steve is committed to helping pool and spa owners as well as pool and spa industry workers learn more about the technical side of building, renovating, repairing and maintaining all types of swimming pools and spas. Follow Swimming Pool Steve on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Endorsed Brands From Swimming Pool Steve
The following links and products are to affiliates of the Swimming Pool Steve website. These are brands, products and services hand selected by Steve for endorsement. Please note that these endorsements can include monetary compensation, affiliate links and referral fees to Swimming Pool Steve, however there is zero additional cost to you should you use one of these products or services. Income generated from these links helps to keep this pool and spa resource available for everyone. To have your product or service considered for listing here as an endorsed brand email SwimmingPoolSteve@gmail.com.
Amazon Disclosure Statement - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
www.ClearComfort.com
Clear Comfort's patented hydroxyl-based advanced oxidation systems (AOP) represent the pinnacle of water care technology available to pool and spa owners. To put a complex technology simply, if you are looking for the best possible water care system for your pool or spa then you are looking for a Clear Comfort AOP system.
- Swimming Pool Steve
www.PoolPartsToGo.com
New Black + Decker variable speed pumps are available online from www.PoolPartsToGo.com and they are a drop in replacement for many popular pump models including Pentair Superflo and Hayward Super Pumps. With an adjustable platform base, union connections included and a very strong warranty these pumps offer an impressive value to pool owners.
- Swimming Pool Steve
www.PoolSupplyWarehouse.com
Pool Supply Warehouse has a large stock of swimming pool equipment, chemicals, maintenance items and consumables needed for caring for your swimming pool. They offer fast shipping and by shopping with this retailer you are helping to support Swimming Pool Steve directly.
- Swimming Pool Steve
www.PoolSuppliesCanada.ca
When it comes to ordering pool and spa supplies online in Canada www.PoolSuppliesCanada.ca is by far the best option. They carry everything from chemicals to replacement pumps to entire pool kits, with free shipping options and more "in stock" items than any other Canadian online retailer.
- Swimming Pool Steve