Four Things to Consider Before Doing Swimming Pool Excavation in Your Backyard

Construction & Contractors Blog

The average Australian probably has an extremely busy daily schedule, leaving them with only a few hours for enjoyment. For a healthy and active lifestyle, a backyard swimming pool can be an invaluable water feature to a family. An in-ground pool can raise the market value of a home, especially if you live in a predominately warm climate. The pool can also improve the landscape of your home by offering a feature which generates an aesthetically appealing view from different angles. Few homeowners know what they should consider before embarking on the pool excavation process. Here are a few considerations when doing pool excavation in your backyard.

Nature of the Soil – When digging a pool, you never know what you will hit if a soil test was not done before excavation. The condition of the backyard soil can compromise the structural strength of the swimming pool. Also, it may cost you more to install the pool due to the added cost of removing rocks and underground water. Test the area for signs of water or rocks before excavating. If rocks are found, you will have to incur labor costs for the contractor to blast them. 

Ground Water – When you hit ground water, your contractor will have to install a deteriorating mechanism to drain the water from the pool. When your backyard has a high water table, coupled with sandy soils, debris may cave in when excavating. To deal with this situation, the contractor will have to use more gravel back-fill around the pool for maximum stability. Since you will be the one incurring the cost of extra gravel, discuss with the contractor about other alternatives.

Zoning Regulations and Building Codes – Just like any other residential project, in-ground pool installation will require you to get the right permits from your local building authority. Zoning and building regulations require that you meet minimum setback distances from your property line. You should also get approval regarding the setback distances from wetlands, sewer pipes, and underground tanks. The local building department will also clarify issues related to pool barriers and gates. If you have young children, set up an automatic pool safety cover and an alarm system on all entrances leading to the pool.  

Pool Placement – You should consider several factors when picking a spot for excavating a pool. The area should be away from any tree cover and open to the sun. As a result, you do not have to worry about cleaning leaves from the pool or the added costs of warming the pool regularly. The location of the pool should have adequate room for installing pool accessories, such as slides, utility sheds, and a whirlpool spa. Also, locate the pool where there are no overhead or underground utility lines like electricity cables.  

20 July 2016