Pool construction varies from one homeowner to the next. It all depends on their preferences and how they intend to use the pool. Some find shallow waters work best, especially because there are restrictions on how deep a pool can be in California. Keep reading to learn about the different options a Los Angeles, CA pool contractor can offer you.
Safety regulations
The rules on how deep a pool can be in California are pretty cut and dry. The city ordinances of Los Angeles, CA specify the dimensions for both public and residential pools. Although you might see public swimming pools as deep as 12 feet, the regulations for homeowners are much stricter. Most contractors install pools with a maximum depth of eight feet, with an average closer to six.
It’s important to keep in mind there are different depth restrictions depending on the section of the pool. While eight feet is acceptable in the deep end, what’s considered the shallow end can’t exceed three and a half feet. Water flowing over the steps also shares this maximum depth. City officials enforce these restrictions so people with underdeveloped swimming skills can touch the bottom of the pool.
Pool activities
Think carefully about how deep you want the pool to be. Just because contractors in Los Angeles, CA are capable of digging an eight-foot hole doesn’t necessarily mean it should go that deep. The depth of your swimming pool depends on your preferred activities and the swimming skills of your family members. For instance, those simply looking to cool off and relax can make do with a pool that’s only about five feet deep. Shallow pools are also more ideal for playing water sports and for children who are learning to swim.
However, building codes state a pool must be at least eight feet deep in order to install a diving board. That’s why it’s so important to envision how your family will use the pool. Once your kids grow and become more confident in their swimming abilities, they might like a diving board in their backyard pool. Better to plan for the future than outgrow your original swimming pool.
Shallow vs. deep pools
As a homeowner, you have the freedom to customize the pool’s dimensions. When doing so, consider all your options and pick what best aligns with your family’s lifestyle. Shallower pools are most suitable for hosting large outdoor parties because you won’t know who’s a strong swimmer and who isn’t. That way, everyone can join in the fun.
The main downside to shallow pools is that they limit your activities. People who ask how deep a pool can be in California will likely need one that can accommodate a diving board and lots of room to swim around. However, deep pools can seem to exclude anyone who’s less active, which is the reason why shallower ones have become more popular among homeowners.
Determining the depth of your pool is a big decision, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. The contractors at Avanti Pools, Inc. are your go-to source of knowledge about pool depth, construction, special features and more. Send a quick message and one of our Los Angeles, CA pool experts can show you how we’ll bring your dream pool to life.
Pools are an ideal feature for any home in Southern California. Of course, building a new pool comes with a variety of expenses. Beyond the initial cost of construction, there are costs to heat and maintain the pool as well. Building these expenses into your budget is a smart idea.
If you’ve arrived here, you may be wondering: How much does it cost to heat a pool in Los Angeles, CA? Read on to find out what the expense is and how to best manage it.
Average costs
The cost of heating a pool from May 1 to September 30 ranges between $1,500 and $3,000. The variability in the cost is based on where you set the water temperature. Typically, most pool owners keep the water temperature between 78 and 82 degrees.
You have a few options when it comes to pool heaters. Let’s take a look at each.
Gas heaters
These typically use natural gas or propane. The pump circulates the pool’s water, which goes through a heat exchanger, transferring the heat through the heater’s flame into the pool’s water. These are best used for short periods of time and can quickly heat pools.
An advantage of gas heaters is that they cost less money up front. If your plan is to use the pool infrequently, this could be a good choice. It’s also a smart choice if you want to use your pool even when the air temperature is cool.
Electric heat pumps
These efficiently heat water, using less energy overall than their gas counterparts. Even when it’s cool outside, an electric heat pump is able to find and pull heat from the air and transfer it to the water. If your plan is to use the pool often, this could be a good choice, as the cost savings for operation are considerable.
Geothermal and solar heating
Solar heating works through collecting pool water in a filter and delivering it to solar collectors, then returning the water to a pool. Geothermal heating uses heat from the ground through an insulated plumbing line that runs to a heat exchanger and then into the pool. Whether these options are available—and affordable—depends on your home’s location.
If you’re wondering how much it costs to heat a pool in Los Angeles, CA, you may already have a pool of your own, or you might be considering investing in one to enjoy for years to come. No matter if you want a pool or spa for relaxing by yourself or for having fun with friends and family, you need pool contractors you can trust. Our team at Avanti Pools, Inc. is experienced, highly capable and dedicated to delivering on your vision.
If you would like to learn more about the design and construction services offered by Avanti Pools, Inc., we hope you will get in touch by calling us at 818-501-3759, or by visiting our Contact Us page. We look forward to hearing from you soon to discuss your pool project!
You have a beautiful pool that your whole family loves to use. You’ve put countless hours into making sure your pool is perfect and enjoyable for everyone. What goes around the pool can be just as important, including the deck, the pool furniture and even the trees. Trees provide shade and can make this key outdoor space even more attractive.
That said, there are several factors you’ll want to consider before adding trees around your pool. For example, you don’t want a tree that will drop too many leaves, has roots that will clog plumbing or doesn’t match your style. Read on to find out about recommended trees for landscaping around pools in Los Angeles, CA.
Japanese maple
These trees are native to Japan and Korea and are considered to be large shrubs or small trees. These slow-growing trees do not often reach higher than 20 feet. People love their bright colors, hanging leaves and delicate shape. These grow best when planted in sheltered conditions and do not respond well to wind. They do need plenty of water that will help with keeping the soil moist.
Palms
For tropical and sub-tropical climates, palms are an ideal choice because their roots grow straight down into the ground. They’re also a good fit for those looking for a privacy screen, and they come in a number of varieties. They only need to be watered rarely, which can be a benefit in California.
Citrus trees
These trees come in varieties like tangerine, lime, lemon, orange and grapefruit. These are bound to add a welcome pop of color and uniqueness to any pool or patio space. Plus, you can enjoy the fruit that grows on these trees! They prefer full sun and are able to tolerate many different soil conditions.
Hinoki cypress
These dark evergreen trees are also called false cypresses, and may grow up to 75 feet tall. Those used in landscaping may range anywhere from as short as two feet to as tall as 25 feet. They prefer slightly acidic soil, so you may need to add acid fertilizer.
Fruitless olive trees
These trees are native to the Mediterranean region and have soft foliage similar to a willow tree. Olive trees will grow slowly to 25 or 30 feet in full sun. These trees have the ability to grow in droughts once established, though they require plenty of water in their first year.
We hope you found this guide to recommended trees for landscaping around pools in Los Angeles, CA helpful. For more than two decades, Avanti Pools, Inc. has proudly been your locally owned and operated source for premier custom-designed pools and spas, serving Los Angeles and the surrounding areas with unparalleled quality and service.
Our expert staff members are all A.P.S.I. certified professional pool builders and hold over 60 years of combined experience, specializing in swimming pool and spa design and construction, automatic pool and spa covers, solar heating, self-cleaning pools and much more. Get in touch by calling us at 818-501-3759, or by visiting our Contact Us page.
Not all backyards are perfectly level, especially if you live on a hill. Can you still build a pool on a slope in Los Angeles, CA? Luckily, the answer is a resounding yes: although there are some challenges involved, it’s completely possible. Here are some of the solutions that make it possible to build a pool on a slope or hill—and some of the features you can build to make it a truly spectacular backyard space.
Slope solutions
There are two main ways to build a pool on a slope: adding terracing or retaining walls. Terracing involves adding several retaining walls down the hill, leveling off each area for a flat surface. This creates an effect like giant steps, which you can fill with different garden sections as well as your brand-new pool. It’s an excellent way to clear space for a pool and create visual interest, but it’s also a practical solution. Each of these “steps” helps prevent erosion and runoff.
When you use terracing, you can place your pool on any of the levels. The retaining walls help capture any rain and direct it to the garden levels, although proper drainage is key to achieving that goal.
You can also opt to add just one retaining wall, which offers similar grading results. Depending on where the retaining wall is, it can serve as a way to protect your pool from runoff and erosion and provide extra seating areas. This doesn’t have quite the same dramatic visual effect as terracing, but it’s an effective way to prepare a sloping backyard for a pool.
When it comes to drainage, you’ll need to ensure that water runoff is directed far away from your pool. Your pool contractor will help you design a solution that protects your pool and backyard while being as visually unobtrusive as possible.
Take advantage of your slope by adding these unique features
Now that you know it’s possible to build a pool on a slope in Los Angeles, CA, you can start thinking about how to take advantage of your natural backyard features. Slopes provide some unique opportunities for a variety of features.
First, you can make your pool an infinity pool. This gives the appearance that the pool just drops off at the edge—the water runs over a glass wall into a collection area below. This type of pool is especially popular if your slope provides a beautiful view.
Multi-level patios are another great solution made possible by slopes. Instead of a terraced garden, you can create the ultimate entertaining space—or add both for even more incredible impact.
Finally, you might consider adding a swim-up bar, especially if you plan to do a lot of entertaining in your backyard. Your guests will love the novelty and relaxation that comes with this particular feature.
Whatever you choose, working with a great pool contractor is a must. Get in touch with Avanti Pools, Inc. to discuss your options today. We’d love to schedule a consultation to talk about your pool ideas!
If you have a pool, keeping your family and guests safe should be your top priority. Pools are a great way to relax, exercise, entertain and more, but you can’t keep an eye on everyone all the time. Each year, hundreds of children drown or have to visit the emergency room due to pool accidents. That’s why the California Health and Safety Code has specific provisions for pool fencing in Los Angeles, CA. When you plan to build a pool, or buy a home with one, it’s important to make sure it has the appropriate safety features.
California pool safety laws
California Health and Safety Code 115920-115929, also known as the Swimming Pool Safety Act, provides that if you have a pool (defined as a structure for swimming or recreational bathing with water more than 18 inches deep), it needs certain safety features. The laws apply to pools, hot tubs, spas and non-portable wading pools.
Section 11592 dictates that when you get a building permit to build or renovate a pool for a single-family home, you need to protect the pool. That includes the following:
“An enclosure that meets the requirements of Section 115923 and isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home.”
Removable mesh fencing, which meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications F2286. It also needs a self-closing, self-latching gate with a key lockable device.
An approved safety pool cover.
Exit alarms on the home doors if they provide direct access to the pool or spa. They can either use an alarm noise or a verbal warning.
“A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor” on any doors that lead directly to the pool or spa.
An alarm inside the pool that will sound if someone accidentally falls in (or goes in without your authorization). It needs to conform to “ASTM Standard F2208 “Standard Safety Specification for Residential Pool Alarms,” which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser and infrared type alarms.”
Another way to protect the pool, if the protection is equal to or greater than those above and meets the appropriate safety testing standards.
If your plans include safety features that meet the standards above, your permit will be approved.
The Act also guides homeowners about the type of enclosures that are permitted. For example, they need to be at least 60 inches (five feet) tall, and can’t have any sort of gaps or footholds that make it easy for children to slip through or climb over. If there are any gaps in the fence (such as between slats), they can’t be more than four inches in diameter, and the fence can only be two inches above the ground.
It might seem like a lot of rules, but when you break it down, it’s just codified common sense.
When you’re ready to build a pool (complete with pool fencing and safety features) in Los Angeles, CA, call Avanti Pools, Inc.
