Since my pool got built and I'm coming up on the second summer, I'm cleaning up (deleting) all the material I used to figure out building it myself and building a 20' X 12' elevated deck as well.
I found my 'master' list of all things I wanted to accomplish or needed to do and I can't believe all the work involved pre/post construction, so much of this list was formulated via reading here.
Anyways, hopefully some DIY'ers in the future could find some value in this list, at least it indicates alot of the things that need to be done. All in all I know I skipped/changed a couple of things but probably 98% of this list did actually happen.
Pool Steps – In order
- Measure out 15’ and 18 ‘ pool location with spray paint
o Choose a size and location
o Stick something in the ground to stake center point
o Paint new pool line and redraw deck line so can figure out placement of deck blocks per building specs, need to do this in order to plan deck
- Decide if trees need to be cut down
- Call electrician to confirm pump location and what needs to be upgraded
o 20 amp breaker in box
o Measure amount of wire needed
o Wire: #12/2 rated for outdoor – drill hole thru air conditioner section
o GFCI box
o 15 amp GFCI
- Draw up site plan
- Call pool installer for estimate
- Document all the pool and parts needed
o Spreadsheet on the different company, offerings, and price
- Compare pool pkg’s and decide where to buy
o Confirm with Weirs for shipping, if bought from USA
- Cut trees if required
- Visit rent-all and confirm equipment:
o Sod remover – how much and how to deliver/pick up
- Probe tree line area for roots and assess situation
- Confirm sand is available
o Determine volume for 21’ diameter pool
• Sand Material – 21’ Diameter X 2†deep
o = 2.5 cubic yards (2.1 plus some extra for steps base, cover, filter base and misc, ie: sandbox)
- Confirm site plan with City
o Confirm 21’ proximity to garage
o Make new deck plans
- Order pool
o With Northwest Pools, confirm the pattern of liner and thickness.
- Make a list of pool tools needed so I can get them all ready ahead of time
- Make a list of deck materials needed so I can buy them when on sale
- Make a list of deck tools needed so I can get them ready ahead of time
- Order water sample kit
o Sample home water and figure out BBB plan
- Paint final lines on grass – orange paint
- Pick up pool
- Rent sod cutter and remove sod
- Get permits
- Pool Build
o Remove sod
o Level soil
o Repaint pool line
o Measure deck blocks to pool edge
o Check level at true pool line: re-level as needed
o Assemble lower rails, measure for round
o Cut in patio stones under rail housing
o Check patio stones for level
o Measure rails and stake
o Dump 2.5 yards of sand
o Level out sand and initial compact
o Put up walls
o Cove, second compact
o Liner
o Initial water fill and liner adjust
o Continue water fill, cut skimmer at just below skimmer
o Assemble skimmer, pump, filter
o Top water will
o Top rails and caps
Build deck
o Misc deck stuff to buy:
 New electric drill, good one
 4’ level
 New circular saw blade
 Reciprocating saw
 New set of work gloves
Misc Equipment to Buy:
 shovel for leveling ground
 rake for smoothing sand – 2 pieces of wood on old rake?
 broom
 tamper
 ladder
 tape measure
 duct tape
 clamps
 tent stakes
 hammer
 spray paint
 twine
 utility knife
 4’ level
 12’ board for leveling
 2â€x8â€x16†patio blocks - 15
 Ground lug
 #8 bare copper (enough to reach from pool wall seam to pump, lug can be installed first and then final amount of cable bought after pool is up)
 Pool timer (Canadian tire)
 GFCI cap for garage – has to be for square outlet, not rounded
 2 regular patio stones for pump/filter, stair steps
 Price out bleach at walmart – val can hunt around for bargains
I found my 'master' list of all things I wanted to accomplish or needed to do and I can't believe all the work involved pre/post construction, so much of this list was formulated via reading here.
Anyways, hopefully some DIY'ers in the future could find some value in this list, at least it indicates alot of the things that need to be done. All in all I know I skipped/changed a couple of things but probably 98% of this list did actually happen.
Pool Steps – In order
- Measure out 15’ and 18 ‘ pool location with spray paint
o Choose a size and location
o Stick something in the ground to stake center point
o Paint new pool line and redraw deck line so can figure out placement of deck blocks per building specs, need to do this in order to plan deck
- Decide if trees need to be cut down
- Call electrician to confirm pump location and what needs to be upgraded
o 20 amp breaker in box
o Measure amount of wire needed
o Wire: #12/2 rated for outdoor – drill hole thru air conditioner section
o GFCI box
o 15 amp GFCI
- Draw up site plan
- Call pool installer for estimate
- Document all the pool and parts needed
o Spreadsheet on the different company, offerings, and price
- Compare pool pkg’s and decide where to buy
o Confirm with Weirs for shipping, if bought from USA
- Cut trees if required
- Visit rent-all and confirm equipment:
o Sod remover – how much and how to deliver/pick up
- Probe tree line area for roots and assess situation
- Confirm sand is available
o Determine volume for 21’ diameter pool
• Sand Material – 21’ Diameter X 2†deep
o = 2.5 cubic yards (2.1 plus some extra for steps base, cover, filter base and misc, ie: sandbox)
- Confirm site plan with City
o Confirm 21’ proximity to garage
o Make new deck plans
- Order pool
o With Northwest Pools, confirm the pattern of liner and thickness.
- Make a list of pool tools needed so I can get them all ready ahead of time
- Make a list of deck materials needed so I can buy them when on sale
- Make a list of deck tools needed so I can get them ready ahead of time
- Order water sample kit
o Sample home water and figure out BBB plan
- Paint final lines on grass – orange paint
- Pick up pool
- Rent sod cutter and remove sod
- Get permits
- Pool Build
o Remove sod
o Level soil
o Repaint pool line
o Measure deck blocks to pool edge
o Check level at true pool line: re-level as needed
o Assemble lower rails, measure for round
o Cut in patio stones under rail housing
o Check patio stones for level
o Measure rails and stake
o Dump 2.5 yards of sand
o Level out sand and initial compact
o Put up walls
o Cove, second compact
o Liner
o Initial water fill and liner adjust
o Continue water fill, cut skimmer at just below skimmer
o Assemble skimmer, pump, filter
o Top water will
o Top rails and caps
Build deck
o Misc deck stuff to buy:
 New electric drill, good one
 4’ level
 New circular saw blade
 Reciprocating saw
 New set of work gloves
Misc Equipment to Buy:
 shovel for leveling ground
 rake for smoothing sand – 2 pieces of wood on old rake?
 broom
 tamper
 ladder
 tape measure
 duct tape
 clamps
 tent stakes
 hammer
 spray paint
 twine
 utility knife
 4’ level
 12’ board for leveling
 2â€x8â€x16†patio blocks - 15
 Ground lug
 #8 bare copper (enough to reach from pool wall seam to pump, lug can be installed first and then final amount of cable bought after pool is up)
 Pool timer (Canadian tire)
 GFCI cap for garage – has to be for square outlet, not rounded
 2 regular patio stones for pump/filter, stair steps
 Price out bleach at walmart – val can hunt around for bargains
