18 x 33 x 56" Semi-In Ground NJ

[Mdragger88]

So equipment is picked out, we will be adding an additional skimmer and return to the pool since you need to buy the extra slats from Wilbar when you order the pool.

Next thing is padding, I know there is very mixed opinions on wall foam, foam cove, and floor padding.
Foam cove is foam cove so I'm not really worried where I'll get that. I'm more so looking at the different liner floor pads. Happy bottom, gorilla pad, rubber/foam mats?

The world is your oyster- personally I’d want a 1 piece floor liner. Whichever is cheapest & easiest to purchase (you may find a bundle with foam cove)
Many people do the foam boards or mats and tape them but the joints will eventually show. Its very common to use these with the intex pools but those liners are a different thicker material.
Wall foam simply provides some cushion and protects the liner from a rough wall which you shouldn’t have with a brand new pool. there’s virtually no other advantage (even if they claim it retains heat). This cushion can actually make it easier to poke through the liner. In most cases I say save your $. It would be different if you were replacing a liner in an old pool that may have imperfections or repairs done to the wall.
I assume the insides of your walls will be smooth not corrugated?

Note*
Be sure to treat the ground with granular nutsedge herbicide and a granular pesticide for ants & termites. Be sure to ask if that’s included in the install (some include the nutsedge stuff but not the pesticide or vice versa) so you can get some ordered if needed.
Also treat around the pool perimeter seasonally for these things just as you do your house.

 

[Newdude]

I assume the insides of your walls will be smooth not corrugated?

Both actually. Smooth/rounded with tight gaps on the straightaway but with larger gaps on the curves.

 

[dleonard1122]

I'll say that I didn't do wall foam for my inground pool and I slightly regret it. I know inground and above ground are different beasts, but I do wish I had the tolerance of imperfections that foam provides.

 

[phonedave]

I'll say that I didn't do wall foam for my inground pool and I slightly regret it. I know inground and above ground are different beasts, but I do wish I had the tolerance of imperfections that foam provides.

In my experience, it does not do much. The pressure of the water against the foam compresses it a LOT. It might still have enough volume to cover a 1/16" defect in the wall, but anything larger is still going to telegraph through. In fact, the foam made it WORSE because there was some defects, bubbles, wrinkles in the foam itself that cause defects. In my experience the foam is very difficult to install smooth and level, especially on a larger pool.

 

[dleonard1122]

In my experience, it does not do much. The pressure of the water against the foam compresses it a LOT. It might still have enough volume to cover a 1/16" defect in the wall, but anything larger is still going to telegraph through. In fact, the foam made it WORSE because there was some defects, bubbles, wrinkles in the foam itself that cause defects. In my experience the foam is very difficult to install smooth and level, especially on a larger pool.

I trust your experience with it then. I'm probably just in a "grass is always greener on the other side" situation where I only have experience with non-foamed walls.

 

[phonedave]

I trust your experience with it then. I'm probably just in a "grass is always greener on the other side" situation where I only have experience with non-foamed walls.

I had a pool with no foam. I changed my liner out myself and put in wall foam myself. I was hoping that it would extend my swim season by insulating the pool.

Now I am pretty handy if I do say so. Built a number of sheds, jacked up and underpinned the foundation of an other, gutted and rebuilt 2 kitchens and 5 or 6 bathrooms over the years, Changed out all of the windows in my house, not with replacements but full new construction swap outs, etc.

The wall foam was a royal pain in the rear to install. I fought with it for like an hour. It does not like to lay smooth. Anyway, I got it it, with a few minor imperfections. The walls looked good and felt nice a cushiony when the liner was on and the pool was empty. Once I filled it, you could tell there was foam if you pushed on the wall, but that was about it. It also did nothing to extend my swim season.

When I replaced my pool, I contracted somebody to do it. I mentioned I had foam cove and he said "oh, if you have wall foam that is $75 extra to install. That stuff takes forever to put in." When I said it was just foam cove, he said "oh cove, that stuff is great, there is no charge for that"

I at least felt vindicated that the guy who installs ABGs for a living thought the wall foam was a pain as well.

 

[Brian.O1484]

Both actually. Smooth/rounded with tight gaps on the straightaway but with larger gaps on the curves.

View attachment 629487

So that was my main thought with the foam with this style pool. I know it wont do for insulation it was more for that tiny bit of cushion and more importantly (for my sake) I wouldn't be able to the corrugation or gaps in the aluminum panels lol.

 

[Mdragger88]

So that was my main thought with the foam with this style pool. I know it wont do for insulation it was more for that tiny bit of cushion and more importantly (for my sake) I wouldn't be able to the corrugation or gaps in the aluminum panels lol.

It may be helpful for that or it may be a wash. Just one of those things. If its an expense/project you don’t mind taking on it won’t hurt but it just may not help like you’re hoping. On the videos they make it look super easy of course. Maybe its their spray adhesive? Pool warehouse has some good install videos - here’s a wall foam one.

 

[Brian.O1484]

Yeah, again I'm kind of skeptical how much of a thermal barrier it will be, more so for the visual . Got the numbers from the installer today and an install date of April 29th!

JRL Pool Installers is the company used by Niagra Pools

• $3,200 price for the below
  • Pool install = $2900
  • Wall foam install = $200
  • Foam cove install = $100
  • Floor pad install= $100

With the rest of the breakdown bringing the total to $27,122.42 if everything were to be included with the extras, and the pre filter which I probably won't put on right now

Pool excavation MVA contracting

• $3,000

Niagara pool components and pricing

• $16,607
  • Pool, liner, solar cover, winter cover, pool steps, 2 skimmers, 2 returns

Pool equipment:

• Total cost with tax/ free shipping = $3,511.79
  • Total cost without pre-filter = $3,270.60
  • Cartridge/Salt Package
  • www.discountsaltpool.com
  • Circupool RJ-45 PLUS SCG *upgraded* $1,319
  • Waterco Fulflo Tri-Cartriage Filter-500SF $1,098
    • Assuming it comes with the 3 cartridges?
  • Circupool TJ-16 Typhoon Centrifugal Pre-Filer $227
• Pool Pump
  • www.poolsupplyunlimited.com
  • CaliMar® Variable Speed Pool Pump | 3HP | CMARVSP3.0 w/3yr extended warranty
  • $702.54 total with tax/shipping est.

Pool install extras:

• Pool Supplies . com
  • $803.63 with tax and shipping
    • 100' Roll w/ Spray Adhesive Kit SmartLine® 100' Roll w/ Spray Adhesive Kit
    • Item #: 900193 $124.99 (x1)
    • Gladon Cove Molding - 48" Blue
      • Item #: 177044 $8.99 (x22) $197.78
    • Pool Pad - 100 Feet with Tape
      • Item #: 177100 $159.99 (x1) $159.99
  • Pool Pad - 75 Feet with Tape
    • Item #: 177075 $129.99 (x1) $129.99
  • Rhino Pad; for 18' x 33' Oval Swimming Pools
    • Item #: 187233 $129.99 (x1) $129.99

Working on my plumbing list when I get home today which I'm just throwing $1,000 out for a number on that for ballpark. And we are doing very minimal exterior entry steps and landscaping this year due to the cost of electrical; we are doing the garage and the pool all at once.

Overall I'm happy with what the cost is going to be. Considering for Niagra to do all the work, with a 1.5 hp pump and sand filter was almost $34,000+/-, being able to save $5k AND get a way better pump/filter setup is the way to go.

 

[Newdude]

And we are doing very minimal exterior entry steps

We inherited this but I loved it for function and simplicity. Plenty of room to sit no matter how many are over, and the confer 1/2 ladder was sturdy as all get out. (Am big dude and it matters for me)

 

[Brian.O1484]

@Newdude believe me I already saved that picture for ideas when I first started this thread!!. Simple and low cost

 

[Newdude]

Sorry, i can't remember what I did 25 mins ago and will likely double post again. Just ignore me when that happens.

Its hard to keep track of who we told what.

 

[Brian.O1484]

Sorry, i can't remember what I did 25 mins ago and will likely double post again.

I suffer from the same issue so no worries

 

[Brian.O1484]

Alrighty so I didn't quite make my plumbing list last night since I was fooling around with layouts on the plumbing. Originally, I had everything at the back of the yard but then I realized I would have to do all of that after pool construction since the gate (in between the black lines) is getting removed to allow access for excavation and so on. A solid fence is being built in place of the gates, pickets will be added as well to eliminate any footholds on the fence, and it is already above the minimum height of 42".

F/P are the Filter and pump assemblies, The equipment pad is 3' x 5' in the plan but I think I may go 3x6 and will more than likely make a hinged roof off the fence to keep the sun off the equipment; more on that when I get to it .

Anyway, plumbing thoughts; as usual, add anything you think would be beneficial to do now

• All 2" plumbing, the skimmers say 1.5" but I believe you can get a 2" coupler on the outside of them, will verify the skimmer/return models with the pool peeps
• Unions at the pump and filter intake/discharge
• 3-way valves after the unions
• 2" tee's going to returns and skimmers
• 4- flow valves after the tee's to allow for adjustment
• Runs to returns/skimmers 12" below grade
• Unions
• Shutoff valves below returns and skimmers
• 
  
  • I may put and extra Tee and valve in the "top" return line (looking at the picture) for a fountain/water feature to help cool in summer
  • I may also put in a bypass for a WOOD FIRED HEATER down the line, I am holding my ground on not getting an electric or gas heater my PSE&GH bills are high enough and I'm sure they will be more with just the pump lmao.

*The red and yellow are electrical before anyone asks lol, outlets at the patio will probably come next year when we do everything else.

 

[sande005]

I may not have followed it all, but if a sand filter, there will be a waste outlet for backwashing or pumping water out of the pool. You may want to plan where that water will end up (I have an area in my yard I can safely flood, with a small sump pit the discharge pipe goes to). If going with a cartridge filter, you will want to plumb in a similar discharge line between the pump and the filter.
Note that the amount of water pumped out when lowering levels in the fall may be a significant amount more than normal, so you may want to anticipate where else you will need to direct using a temporary discharge hose, if your main area can't handle the much greater volume.

 

[Brian.O1484]

@sande005 Cartridge set up! Copy that, the way my yard is graded I don't think that is a huge issue but something to add an outlet for in addition to the 3 way valves at the pump filter for sure. A buddy of mine has an in ground and he uses one of those 100' "lay flat" hoses when he drains down for winter. As you can see our grass doest grow for in our yard so I don't need to make it any worse flooding the yard with pool water .

 

[phonedave]

It may be helpful for that or it may be a wash. Just one of those things. If its an expense/project you don’t mind taking on it won’t hurt but it just may not help like you’re hoping. On the videos they make it look super easy of course. Maybe its their spray adhesive? Pool warehouse has some good install videos - here’s a wall foam one.

It is kind of like hanging wallpaper, but horizontally and not able to reposition it. A 20 food diameter pool is about 62 feet of wall. If you don't get the foam started exactly horizontal, by the time you get to the end, you are off by 4- 5 inches, at least. And you cannot reposition it. It sticks into the spray adhesive. It does not slide around like wallpaper. It is also very lightweight. A slight breeze blows it all over the place. And if you have a sand bottom with no pad, sand gets all up into the adhesive. It makes for a fun day. If I had to do it again I would use 3 people. I would snap a line all around the top edge and then spray about 25 feet of wall, have one person hold the foam up to the line on each end, and the 3 person smoothing it into the adhesive between the two.

It sounds like it should be easy - just glue up some foam, but there is a reason they are charging $200 to do it.

 

[Mdragger88]

It is kind of like hanging wallpaper, but horizontally and not able to reposition it. A 20 food diameter pool is about 62 feet of wall. If you don't get the foam started exactly horizontal, by the time you get to the end, you are off by 4- 5 inches, at least. And you cannot reposition it. It sticks into the spray adhesive. It does not slide around like wallpaper. It is also very lightweight. A slight breeze blows it all over the place. And if you have a sand bottom with no pad, sand gets all up into the adhesive. It makes for a fun day. If I had to do it again I would use 3 people. I would snap a line all around the top edge and then spray about 25 feet of wall, have one person hold the foam up to the line on each end, and the 3 person smoothing it into the adhesive between the two.

It sounds like it should be easy - just glue up some foam, but there is a reason they are charging $200 to do it.

Great tips! I’m imagining it like how gregarious contact paper behaves in a similar fashion when it is more than just a small piece. I agree to let them install that if you can. Some things are worth paying for.

 

[Brian.O1484]

Note*
Be sure to treat the ground with granular nutsedge herbicide and a granular pesticide for ants & termites. Be sure to ask if that’s included in the install (some include the nutsedge stuff but not the pesticide or vice versa) so you can get some ordered if needed.
Also treat around the pool perimeter seasonally for these things just as you do your house.

Glad you mentioned this! not included in the install. Luckily with the hole being dug a few days before install I can treat it myself

 

[Brian.O1484]

It sounds like it should be easy - just glue up some foam, but there is a reason they are charging $200 to do it.

I believe it! I had no complaints on the $200 lol, I’m doing enough work and I really wanted to be hands free in regard to the actuall pool install. Moving dirt, running plumbing, and electrical are enough for me in this project!