If you are considering installing an in-ground vinyl liner pool, in order to better plan you should look at the length of time it takes to install from start to finish. You will need to know the timeframe so you can be sure to start the project with enough time to have it done when you need it. Most people underestimate the actual time required from the initial design and consultation to the finished installation. If you don’t take the total construction process into account, you may not have the pool ready when you want to be using it during the peak season.
The amount of time required for your pool construction depends on the type of pool you are thinking about purchasing and several other factors. Our professional team at Prestige Pools of NC can give you guidance about the pool building process and help you schedule the vinyl-lined pool installation. To get you started, we are providing some general timeframes in this article.
Vinyl Liner Pools
Vinyl liner pools are constructed onsite. Installing a liner pool requires less time than constructing other types of pools, for example a concrete pool. With a vinyl liner pool, the process usually takes a few weeks from the time the hole is dug until the liner swimming pool has water in it. Bear in mind that you can experience delays in getting the proper permits and/or have to wait for the installer to get you on their calendar. This being said, we encourage you to get started now in the design and planning phase in order to have the pool operational this summer.
Step 1. Contact the Pool Company to Start the Design and Get on the Schedule
The first step is to contact your vinyl liner pool installer for an initial meeting. They will help take what is in your mind and put it into a design in order to start making plans for the pool you want. An experienced pool construction company can help you determine the size and pool shape. In addition to the actual pool design, you’ll also want to include the surrounding area of the pool and landscaping in the plan. All of this can be accomplished in this first meeting.
Step 2. Get Permits from the Local Municipality
The second step is obtaining the permits that are needed. Many pool contractors will handle this step themselves to save you the time. It is hard to know how long permitting might take. Some municipalities have a fast turnaround while others don’t. Prestige Pools of NC works with many of the local towns and counties so we have a pretty good idea of the time it may take to get permits.
Step 3. Layout the Design
After obtaining the required permits, the construction company can outline the shape and placement of your pool in the backyard. This is typically done with wooden stakes or spray paint. At this point in the process, the installer will calculate the pool elevation and explain the rest of the construction process with you in detail.
Step 4. Excavate the Area for Your Pool
Next, the excavation is done using heavy machinery to remove the dirt, bushes, and trees where the new pool will be. Excavation sets in place the footprint for the pool structure. Excess dirt for the backfill is placed around the perimeter. On average, this only takes a few hours however it may take a little longer if the following become a hindrance:
- Physical aspects of the yard such as topography and terrain
- Accessibility of the area
- Utility lines
- Natural obstructions like boulders and trees
- Weather
- Soil condition
Even though there may be obstacles to a simple excavation, an experienced pool construction company is prepared for the job after the layout.
Step 5. Installing the Wall
After the excavation, a pool component kit is delivered that includes the wall. A vinyl pool wall comprises a set of galvanized steel panels that are bolted together, leveled, and braced in order to create the perimeter structure of the pool. This step usually takes one day.
Step 6. Plumbing
During the construction of the pool walls, the plumbing and electrical are being done as well. Underground PVC plumbing is needed to provide the circulation and filtration of the pool water. An equipment pad is set up near the pool that consists of the pool’s pump, filter, and electrical controls. If other underground lines are required for different features of the pool, they are either roughed in or installed at this time.
Step 7. Pouring the Collar and the Bottom
Typically, the installers can have the concrete delivered to pour the wall collar on the same day as the wall installation. The wall collar creates the necessary structural strength for the pool by locking the wall and bracing it in a complete underground ring of concrete. The average time required for this step is ½ day.
Step 8. Backfilling, Grading, and Settling
After the pool wall, collar, and plumbing lines are in place, dirt is backfilled up to the pool’s wall structure. A rough grade around the entire pool area is done in order to work excess dirt into the overall landscape grade. This provides for any changes in drainage in the yard. The backfill dirt is not heavily compacted so it can settle.
When the pool’s structure is completed and backfilled, there is a waiting period. This period of time allows the dirt to naturally settle in order to provide a solid foundation for the pool decking that is poured over the dirt in the next step. Average time required is 2 to 3 weeks and this is when your vinyl liner is ordered.
Step 9. Electrical Installation is Completed
Your inground pool requires electrical to be installed for proper operation. Components such as the following allow for the pool to be fully operational:
- Pool pump
- Salt water chlorinator
- Pool heat pump
- Pool heater
- Pool lights
This work can be done while the settling phase is taking place.
Step 10. Vinyl Liner Installation and Finishing
The pool bottom is troweled with a vermiculite bottom to create the base on which the vinyl liner is placed. The liner is then set in place and fitted. At this point the pool is filled with water and final accessories can be installed. This will all take an average of 1 to 2 days.
Step 11. The Decking
After the backfill dirt has settled, preparations for the pool decking can begin. The time this takes depends on the type of deck and coping as well as if there is any rock work involved.
Pool decking may require any or all of these:
- Additional grading
- Setting concrete forms to create the shape of the deck
- Installing rebar reinforcement and bonding grid
- Setting deck hardware such as a diving board, pool ladder, and handrails
Next, the concrete deck is poured. Commonly, decks are a natural gray concrete with a brush-textured finish. However, decks can be done in different colors and textures that may involve more installation time. The average time for forming and pouring the deck is 2 to 3 days.
Now, you can start to enjoy your pool!
Contact Us Today to Start the Process of Building a Vinyl Lined Pool
Call Prestige Pools of NC to begin planning and scheduling your inground vinyl-lined pool so you can enjoy it this summer! Our experienced team can install a customized pool for your backyard in Clayton, Raleigh, Coats, Garner, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Middlesex, Wendell, Zebulon, or the surrounding areas. Call us at 919-779-1003 or contact us through our easy-to-use form below.
