Fibreglass Pool DIY Installation

Fibreglass pool diy installation with Premier Pools can be easy.

Did you know you can get a swimming pool installed in less than a week?
Premier Pools can help you install a fiberglass pool with their easy-to-follow guide.
This can provide your family with fun and good memories.
Buying a pool has been a dream for many families and can now be a reality with guidance from Premier Pools.
If you’re someone who is handy or works in building, then you can save money installing your own pool with the help of Premier Pools’ quality pool kits and instructions.
Extra products like heating panels, chlorine systems, and safety nets can also be supplied by Premier Pools. Contact Premier Pools if you’re interested in getting a pool for your family.

Step 1 –Plans and Municipal Approval

Before installing a pool, it’s important to know the building restrictions and planning permissions required in your area.
Check your existing building plans to see if any essential services like water, electrical, or sewage run under the location where you want to install your pool, and make sure they will not interfere.
If there are no existing plans, look for inspection eyes or manholes to figure out where services are located. Talk to an architect or draughtsman if you need a plan submission to your local council or a minor works permit.
Plan where to place the pool pump and filter, as this can impact the size you need. Note:
Premier Pools requires you to provide labor to offload the pool upon delivery, so ensure there is sufficient help available.

Step 2 – Assessing the Site

A fibreglass pool is a big thing. It’s important to have a clear path for delivery, excavation, and debris removal.

Step 3 – Laying Out the Fibreglass Swimming Pool

Dig a hole according to the suggested size for the pool.
Measure the exact dimensions of the pool and mark its shape on the ground.
Leave an excess of 300-400mm around the pool for backfilling. In case of clay conditions, allow more space for possible movement.
Mark the position of the weir/skimmer as well.
Once you determine the layout, string a line through the center of the pool to measure from each side.
The final grade of your pool should be below the surrounding paving level by the thickness of the paving. This will allow room for the coping stone to be fastened to the top of the fibreglass lip, while providing a slight fall from the pool.
Use a water level to determine all levels.

Step 3 – Excavating the pool

If you have access to an excavator, you’ll enjoy digging the hole for the pool. If not, you will have to dig the hole by hand. Make the walls of the hole as straight as you can.

Make the hole at least 100mm deeper than the pool itself so you can put a sand and dust layer on the bottom.

If the pool is 1.10m to 1.75m deep, make the shallow end of the hole 1.2m deep and the deep end 1.85m deep. Measure from the middle.

Use a string to measure the depth of the hole before you put things in it. This is important so your pool is level.

Dig carefully, or you’ll have to spend more time and money to fix mistakes. Put bricks in the shallow and deep ends of the pool based on the depth measurements.

Step 4 – Setting the base

This is the most important part of the fibreglass swimming pool installation.
The excavation can be close but the base needs to be perfect!
You will often see builders achieve this through the construction of a “rail system”.
To do this, they will often build two long rails using 75×50’s and lay one on each side of the excavation. Then they fasten the rails to vertical 50x50mm stakes, and as per dig sheet specifications, tap them into position while using the water pipe level to ensure accuracy.
String a line between the left side deep and shallow ends base pegs and then the right side.
Throw a bed of river sand or crusher dust that just exceeds the required depth.
Thoroughly compact the sand with a heavy batten plate or boots and make sure you wet the sand so that it is easy to screed and compacts easier.
Check all datum and pool depths and inspect for any protruding rocks or stones in the bedding.
Should you have any doubts, rather repeat these tasks until you are 100% satisfied.
Again – this is the most important part of the fibreglass swimming pool installation, take time to make sure it is perfect.

Step 5 – Delivering and Setting the Swimming Pool

This for most customers is the most exciting part of their DIY fibreglass swimming pool project.
Whether through the air, over a house or just through the yard this is often where the oooh’s and aaaah’s of the neighbours come into play.
Before lowering the fibreglass pool shell into the excavated hole, it is advised that all fittings eg: weir, aimflows, lights and jets be fitted / checked and ensure that they are properly sealed.
When lifting the pool shell, avoid lifting on any fittings eg; light, weir, aimflow, jets or piping as well as any bay areas.
Only once enough hands are available, gently move the pool over the edge of the hole. (Injuries could occur if not enough hands available)
Lower the pool onto the prepared surface bed and place as gently as possible.
Once the pool has been lowered into the excavation area, it should be pretty close to being level.
However, should minor adjustments be necessary, they can be made easily at this time.
Once satisfied the pool is perfectly level, you can proceed with backfilling.

Step 6 – Backfilling

Simultaneously fill the fibreglass swimming pool with water while the backfilling occurs.
This is done to ensure equal pressure and maintain stability during the backfilling process.
Special attention should be given to all stair and seating areas.
Backfill using 1:7 river sand cement mix and in clay areas, crusher dust.

Step 7 – Plumbing the pool

Although plumbing the swimming pool is not difficult, the task is always done with attention to detail.
There are few things worse than to discover a leak after the paving and landscaping has been completed.
Position the pump and filter as near as possible to the pool and as close as possible to the same level as the pool.
Connect the pipes using a quality PVC cement and ensure that PTFE tape is used on all threaded pump and filter connections.
Tighten by hand and gently use water pump pliers to tighten with one more quarter turn.
Do not insert any jets until you have rinsed the pool piping on the multiport valve.

Step 8 – Electrical Connection

Always use a qualified electrician and ask him to issue a COC (certificate of compliance).
Run the cable back to the distribution box and ensure it is earthed.
Where the pool light is connected to twin and earth, make sure the electrician uses a resin box with two connectors to ensure the connection is waterproof.

Step 8 – Ring beam and Coping

- At a 100mm from the top of the pool cease backfilling and lay a ring beam of concrete. This is to secure your pool edge in position and give you a secure coping.
- The ring beam should be as wide as the coping. The coping overhang should be 30mm on bull nose coping.
- The ring beam should be a 1:3:6 mix of cement, stone and sand.
- Many installers would attach the pool to the ring beam with ties, drilling holes in the flange and concreting pegs into the ring beam

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You have completed your first fibreglass swimming pool installation.