Thoughts and recommendations on new vinyl liner pool install

[roughnight87]

Hi all,

I've been lurking for a while now and have learned a great deal during this time, so I'm forever grateful to you all. I'll try to be as succinct as possible. I’m based in the Northeast and have never owned a pool.

I'm in the early phase of a new pool construction. I've chosen a company, and we're currently going through the permitting process. This process has been quite frustrating; I’ve been told I need to get a survey and install a stormwater management system.

Pool details:

• Size: 18x36
• Depth: 3'7" - 7'
• Shape: Rectangular
• Patio: Stamped concrete, approximately 400 sqft. I would have preferred a larger patio, but I have some zoning restrictions. The maximum pool area can only be around 1,100 sqft.
• Filter: Hayward EC 65 DE Filter
• Pump: Hayward 1.65 Variable Speed Pump
• Saline System: Hayward Aquarite S325
• Heater: Aquacomfort MBP-125
• Lights: Pal LED

Questions:

• Any thoughts on the pool equipment? I was told the pool will have around 19,500 gallons of water.
• I’ve seen 4' minimum depth as a common suggestion here, but I have two toddlers. Is the 4-foot suggestion mostly for aesthetic reasons?
• I haven't been provided with a site plan/drawing from my pool builder (PB). Is this something they will provide later? Or is this something I can do on my own? If so, is there software you would recommend?
• Is there anything else I should be asking my PB at this point? They did mention they would include a vacuum robot for free.

Please let me know if you need any further details.

Thank you!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Survey, storm water management, site plan all cover the same ground. If your pool builder will not be doing your pre-build engineering for your town permits then you need to hire a local engineering company to create the plans.

I would upgrade all your equipment with a larger filter, 3HP TriStar VS pump, and 40K SWG system.

Your toddlers will grow up quickly. You are not building an expensive kiddie pool. Make the pool 4’ deep.

 

[Newdude]

*4ft water depth. I have 4 ft wall depth, 3.5 ft water depth and it's uncomfortably low.

 

[roughnight87]

Welcome to TFP.

Survey, storm water management, site plan all cover the same ground. If your pool builder will not be doing your pre-build engineering for your town permits then you need to hire a local engineering company to create the plans.

I would upgrade all your equipment with a larger filter, 3HP TriStar VS pump, and 40K SWG system.

Your toddlers will grow up quickly. You are not building an expensive kiddie pool. Make the pool 4’ deep.

Thank you! This is very helpful. I will check with a few other companies.

 

[roughnight87]

*4ft water depth. I have 4 ft wall depth, 3.5 ft water depth and it's uncomfortably low.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[TinFoilHat]

I would recommend playpool depths which are tons of fun for kids and adults alike. If you aren't planning on diving then good depths would be like mine - 4' to 5'6" to 4' 6". Our children and now grandchildren have all grown up in our pool and the two year old is learning now. Our 5" bathing step is great for splashing before they get brave then the three steps into the pool are great for as they get braver. The now 10 yo was ecstatic when she could stand in the 4' depth. They all learn to swim like fishes (we love teaching them as their parents have no pools) and the playpool depth allow us to follow them with our heads above water so we can respond if needed. The kids enjoy running across the lawn and doing cannonballs into the deep part. We have a water fall on the end that they love to jump off of too. Our son still is angry that we never let him do that. LOL We can stretch a volleyball net across with adults at the net in the deep part and the kids behind us. A deeper pool will prevent some of this fun but give more room for edge divers if that's what you want. You can certainly look forward to years of children's enjoyment as we have. Just yesterday we remarked to each other as we cooled off after 2 hours of mowing the lawn that we sure have gotten our money's worth out of the pool.