How to Supervise and Manage Your Pool Contractor

Pool contractors have a bit of a bad wrap. As a builder, you won't catch me coming to their defense. It's prudent to be proactive in managing and observing your pool build out. This article is meant to be a guideline to the critical details of the pool construction process. You need to make sure they get done properly.

Have a surveyor from a civil engineering company layout the pool location and size based on the engineered drawings. The surveyor will ensure that your pool is within any property set backs as well as creating an exact replica of the pool shape shown in the plans.

You should understand if any soils mitigation measures are required. Meaning, if you have poor soil in the location of the pool, there is sure to be a specific engineering method to compensate for it. Check with the engineer who specified the pool construction details and verify if or if not any soil compaction or concrete piers are necessary. Be proactive and point this out to your contractor, he may have missed it upon review of the drawings.

The first question the pool contractor will ask is, "where do you want me to place the top of the bond beam".  The top of the pool walls have a thickened foot, which basically anchors the pool, it's called the bond beam. Atop this bond beam is also where your finished coping tile will be installed, so the elevations are important. Review the elevations of the pool rim and patio with the civil engineer, so you understand the height of the pool and finish grade of the patio in relation to the elevation of your house. You can then relay this to your pool contractor, if he asks.

The drawings will clearly show the layout for the plumbing lines and skimmers that are to be installed around the perimeter. Double check the sizing of the skimmer lines, return lines and main drain lines. Lines vary from anywhere between 2" to 6". Workers can make mistakes when laying out these lines. You will save everyone a headache by paying attention to this work as it is being installed.

Review the lighting plan and make sure you are happy with the lighting locations. Walk through it with your contractor on site and you may very well end up adjusting the size of lights and locations based on that conversation. It is a good idea that you never have pool lights shining toward the house as that can be a visual annoyance.

Electrical bonding is a critical life safety detail.  Bonding is not the same as grounding, bonding creates a common voltage between the surrounding earth and pool equipment, which eliminates the chance for electrical shock to a human body in the pool. The building inspector will be checking for this, however, many times this work is not completely finished when the inspector shows up and he signs off anyway. Make sure this done right.

Every component installed within the pool has to be bonded. Rebar, skimmers, water inlets, drains, diving board supports, ladders, pool junction boxes, filters, pumps and heaters. Check them all. A copper grounding wire should be running out from all these fixtures and into the rebar with AWG bonding connectors.

Make sure a pressure test is done on ALL plumbing lines. A pressure test will expose any problems with the walls and/or joints of the plumbing pipes. It is recommended that the lines be filled with 15-20 psi of pressure. A leak will register on the gauge in a matter of minutes, but ask the contractor to keep the gauges in place until after gunite is complete. This will allow you to see if any pipes were punctured or damaged before you apply finish plaster and tile.

There will be a final inspection prior to gunite. Try to show up for this inspection with your contractor and perhaps call the inspector the day before and ask that he take a very critical look on your behalf; explain any challenges you have had with your pool contractor. The inspector will be more than happy to assert his authority, trust me.

Once gunite is finished, you are through the woods as far as critical details are concerned. However, you will have to remain on top of your pool contractor to complete the railings, ladders, plaster, tile and pool equipment set up. This is a big scope of work, so stay on it. Pools are wonderful, but the construction process is not.

Oh yes, if you have to run a gas line for you pool heater, consider extending a branch off that line to feed a fire pit. It will not cost much more since the guys are already out there with all the equipment to get it done. It's a great addition to the backyard.