DIY Fiberglass in Ground Swimming Pools
- First, every pool, whether it's fiberglass or concrete, requires a lot of planning. Before you break ground, get a city permit. A project of this scale must first be approved by your municipality. Also, obtain a survey map of your yard. This will help locate any underground utilities that may be in the way. You don't want to break ground and find that a main sewer or gas pipe is in the desired location of your pool.
With any in-ground pool installation, there is a lot of excavation. The contractor hired to do the work will need to bring in heavy machinery to clear the area and dig the hole for the pool. In order to get a gravel hauler or backhoe into your yard, you may need to take down fences or clear trees and plants. Once the fiberglass pool is delivered, it will be lifted off a truck and lowered into your yard by a crane. Consider if there is anything in the way that could make this process more difficult. - When it comes to digging the hole for the pool, fiberglass is going to be easier. Concrete pools require the creation of a very precise hole. Contractors will actually dig a smaller home for a concrete pool and then use shovels and hand tools to sculpt the inside of the hole to a very particular shape. Next, reinforcement rods, or rebar, is installed all the way around the inside of the pool. These rods look like steel fencing and give the pool its shape. Concrete is later sprayed over the rods.
On the other hand, the installation of a fiberglass pool is much easier. The hole for the pool is dug out so that it is larger than the fiberglass shell. Next, the shell is lowered into the hole. Any space between the fiberglass pool and the hole is filled with sand and dirt.
All pools need mechanical and plumbing systems. With a fiberglass pool, it is easier to create the openings for any piping. For concrete pools, the piping needs to be in place during the installation of the reinforcement rods, then the concrete is poured around these openings, which creates one further challenge during the installation process. - At the end of the day, installing a fiberglass pool may seem more economical, but this isn't always the case. Do some research on the cost. While the installation of a fiberglass pool may not be as expensive as a concrete pool, there are other charges that can drive up the cost. Some types of fiberglass pools can be quite pricey. You also need to consider how much it will cost to have the fiberglass pool delivered and lifted into your yard.
While some concrete pools can be more expensive and time-consuming to install, the chances of it cracking are minimal. The extra cash spent on a concrete pool could provide piece of mind regarding cracks or damages. Some concrete pools can crack, but only if it's installed with a major defect.
Fiberglass pools do not allow for a lot of creativity. If you are looking for a very unique design or dimension for your pool, it may be hard to find. Fiberglass pools come in only so many lengths, widths and dimensions. Concrete can allow you to customize your pool, even add tiling if you wish.