If you’ve ever wondered how to build a pool, this post is for you.  We hear it all the time. Customers come to us asking if they absolutely need to hire a professional pool builder.  The truth is – not for everything.  You don’t need a professional pool builder to manage the project, but it’s highly recommended due to the number of things involved. Subcontractors will be needed for all the key elements like structural engineering, electrical, and so on.  And, you should expect to spend a minimum of $40,000, so budget accordingly.

Steps to Build Your Own Pool

1. Decide on the shape.  Don’t go crazy with this, especially if you’re brand new to construction work.  Keep the pool layout simple.  Keep in mind that a rectangle is the simplest design, while something like a figure-8 becomes more of a challenge.  The more complexity you add, the more prep work (and expense) you’ll need to endure.
2. Choose the size.  How much room can you afford to take up in your yard?  There needs to be enough space for the pool and for the deck around it, unless of course you want dirt and grass getting in the pool it all the time.
3. Determine the depth.  For DIY pool building, 4 feet seems to be the average depth.  That’s enough for you to hop in the water on a hot, sunny day and cool off, but not quite enough for diving.  If you need to be able to dive in, you’re going to have to dig a bit deeper; aim for 8 feet or more.
4. Contact a pool company.  You’ll need subcontractors for every element of the pool from design to electrical to plumbing to concrete, so it’s best to simply hire a qualified pool builder.  Submit bids and talk with each potential person.  You can share what you’re thinking for the design and they can help model your pool in a program like Adobe to make sure you’re on the right track.
5. Get a permit.  It’s up to you whether you do it yourself or ask for help, but you need approval from the city before building your pool because of building and zoning laws.  These requirements are things like: a fence, maintaining a specific distance from the property line, staying away from sewer piping and septic tanks, etc.
6. Keep communication strong. Once the project begins, keep in constant communication with the project manager assigned to the job.  He can inform you of the work being performed by each of the subcontractors and whether they’re on schedule for final delivery.
7. Decide on a pool deck. Prior to the completion of the pool build, decide on the type of pool deck you’d like to install.  Concrete is a common surface, but there are a host of other pool deck materials that can be used as well.  It all depends on the look you’d like to achieve.  Some homeowners choose stamped pavers, while others prefer a standard concrete surface with Kool Deck on top to maintain grip and added safety. Visit www.jacksonvillepooldecks.com for more information on pool deck installation.  That project can start right after the pool build ends.
8. Review the pool build. Before signing off on the pool build, set a time to review the work with the general contractor or project manager that’s in charge.  Now is the time to make sure all the final touches are in place.
9. Pay for the pool. If you’re satisfied with the work that’s been done, make your payment for the pool build and end the contract by signing on the dotted line.
10. Fill and maintain it. Once the pool is complete, fill it up with water.  Keep in mind that from here on out, you’ll need to ensure proper pool maintenance to make it last a long time.

An inground swimming pool offers utter entertainment and ample opportunities for luxury & workout sessions. As luxurious as it might sound, maintaining a home swimming pool is an equally challenging task. Right from keeping a record of the pool’s circulation to water temperature, chemistry, and so more –you have to consider a lot of factors when you wish to ensure the best condition for your swimming pool.

A typical swimming pool would require a few weekly or monthly maintenance tasks in addition to several daily tricks to keep it in the best possible condition. In this post, we will help you understand some of the basic tips to take care of your home’s inground swimming pool.

In-season Care

• Check the chlorine & pH levels of the pool’s water every week at least twice. The pool water should maintain the pH level of around 7.4 to 7.6. Similarly, the chlorine level in the pool’s water should be around 1.0 to 3.0 ppm (parts per million). You should check the level of water in your pool at dusk –at least 4 hours after all the swimmers have left the pool. If it is required, you can add products to re-balance the standard levels of the pool.

• Try cleaning your pool area at least once a week. For ensuring a thorough cleaning, you should empty the skimmer baskets and skim all the leaves & debris from the pool water. If there is dust & debris collected at the bottom of the inground pool, you should make use of a vacuum cleaner for cleaning it properly. Skim the pool’s surface with the help of a cleaning net.

• Make use of the pool surface cleaner on the walls of the pool. These cleaners will help in eliminating all the waterline stains from the walls & sides. As such, your swimming pool will appear fresh & clean.

• Shock the water in the pool at least once a week. Shocking of the pool water involves the addition of a slightly larger dose of chlorine to the pool water. This will help in removing all the algae & other contaminants present in the pool area. Perform pool shocking during dusk. At the same time, you should allow the filter & pump to run overnight. At such moments, you should avoid swimming in the pool for at least 24 hours.

Off-Season Care

• Before closing your swimming pool for the season, you must inspect it properly. Look out for any cracks, damage or leaks that need immediate addressing.

• Test the chemical levels of the pool’s water and try adjusting accordingly. Cleaning & shocking the pool will help in eliminating all the algae and other contaminants from the water.

• Drain out all the water from the filter, heater, and pump of the pool before drying it out.

• Try lowering the water level in the pool by draining the excess water into the local sewer lines.

Ensure the best care for your swimming pool!

Buying your first home is an exciting experience that everyone should try at least once.  If you start from scratch, you can build anything you desire.  However, most people purchase a “starter” home.  Consequently, they often choose remodel at least one area of the house – the pool or the kitchen.  These types of home remodeling projects require experienced contractors.  We have relationships with many of them, which allows us to deliver a more complete package of services to our clients.

#1 Most Popular Home Remodeling Project – The Pool

During the summer, the most common home remodeling project is a new pool installation.  This process typically takes a couple weeks.  First, our contractors drive to your home to learn what you envision.  Shortly thereafter, we analyze your backyard to determine space requirements and estimate the potential cost to install your ideal pool.  Once we’ve agreed on a date and you’ve signed the contract, we proceed to purchase the required raw materials and plan for the project.  There are a plethora of details to consider, which is why we partner with other contractors to complete the work; each contractor specializes in a different area of home remodeling.

The first step in the process is digging the hole and removing dirt, which needs to be done by a certified excavator, by law.  The hole is dug in the shape of the pool, and it can take anywhere from 1-3 days depending on the amount of rock in the ground.  If rock is present, jackhammers are used to break it up and then it’s removed with bulldozers.

The next step is to shape the depression by hand with a trowel or other small tool.  After that, we prep the ground by laying a base, such as sand or gravel.  While this occurs, our metal fabricators weld together a steel frame for the shell of the pool.  The prefabricated structure is then lowered into the ground and outfitted with water pressure, heating, and filtration piping by a qualified plumber.  Then, our electricians set up pool lighting.  Finally, all utilities are connected and the concrete is poured into the hole or sprayed on and shaped.

Contact us for More Information

If you have any home remodeling ideas you’d like our team to review, please give us a call.  We also welcome any questions, concerns, or feedback.  We look forward to serving you and your family.