As you prepare to have a pool installed at your home, you should be aware of everything involved with the process. All in-ground pool constructions have several phases of construction, and each must be completed before construction can proceed to the next phase. Each one of these phases can take anywhere from a single day to a week to finish.
Here’s a general overview of the process you can expect during pool construction in Los Angeles, CA.
Design
As the first step of your pool construction project, a pool designer will come to your property and perform some measurements, while also considering your property line, easements, underground utilities, setbacks and the topography of the area, in addition to your budget and any requested design features you have submitted.
After you and the designer have reached an agreement on the shape, style and size of the pool, you can then talk about add-ons such as rock formations, water features, spas, planter beds and more. Some people like to request infinity edges, built-in benches in the shallow section and tanning platforms. You will also select other pool equipment, such as diving boards and slides.
When all of this is complete, your designer will begin drawing up the final plans. You will meet for a final confirmation before these plans are submitted to the city for the proper permits. If you live in an area with a homeowners association, the HOA may need to issue approval as well.
Excavation
The concept of the excavation phase is simple—diggers come in to excavate your pool area. They will first stake and paint an outline of the pool’s shape. You might need to remove vegetation and fences to clear the area for the pool. You will also have to decide what you are going to do with the excess dirt: keep it, or have it hauled away.
Plumbing and framing
Actual construction begins once excavation is complete. Steel rebar is used to reinforce the hole. It gets bent into the shape of your pool, and the initial plumbing infrastructure is installed among and around it.
Concrete
Construction teams use gunite (a type of concrete shot out of a forced air gun), which gets pumped out of a hopper truck and onto the rebar surface. A finishing team then comes into sculpt that concrete into your pool’s finished shape. At this stage, the project really begins to look like a pool.
Tile
The perimeter tile is usually placed while the concrete of the actual pool is curing. The pool tile around the perimeter of the pool itself provides an easy-to-clean surface. The deck can also be built during this phase.
Electrical work
At this point, the electrician comes in to install the breaker box for the pool. It is installed where the pool equipment, including the pump, filter and heater, will be placed. The electrician will also connect the pool lights to junction boxes placed outside the pool deck. Upon completion of this step, he or she runs a conduit from the junction boxes to the breaker box.
Plastering
The final phase of pool construction is plastering, which gives your pool the waterproof layer it needs to protect the steel and shell while also giving it a smoother surface that is easily cleaned. Once this process is finished, you can begin filling the pool up with water!
This is a very general overview of the process of pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, but if you have any questions about any of these elements, we encourage you to contact us today.
Have you made the decision to install a pool at your home? Congratulations! A swimming pool on your property is one of the best ways to take advantage of the sunshine and pleasant weather we get in Southern California.
So if you’ve already made the decision, why wait any longer? Winter is one of the best times of year to get your pool installed in Los Angeles. It never gets cold enough for the water to freeze over or even for your pool to need protection from winter weather. If you know you’re going to install a pool and have the money to do so, now’s the time to do it.
Here are a few of the main reasons why winter is the best time for pool construction in Los Angeles, CA.
Beat the rush!
Perhaps the biggest benefit of putting in your pool during the winter months is that the rush for pool installation begins in the spring, meaning right now you will be able to choose from any of the top pool experts in the area. You might also even be able to benefit from some savings, as some providers offer discounts in the winter months.
Most people spend the vast majority of their time by the pool in the late spring and throughout the summer. Therefore, a lot of people won’t consider installing a pool until they’re ready to use it almost immediately. By beginning construction during the winter, you can benefit from more flexibility with your company choice. If you wait too long, you’ll find that you will be at the mercy of the pool companies’ schedules, which begin to really pick up in April and beyond.
Get more individual attention from your builder
Another benefit of installing your pool during the off season is that your chosen builder will not have to be in as much of a hurry to get the job done so they can move on to other clients. With more time at their disposal, builders can pay more attention to your specific job. This is especially helpful if you have a special custom design you would like the builder to complete for you, or if you have special requests for materials or building processes.
Be ready for the warm weather
By getting your pool installed during the winter weather, you’ll be able to dive in whenever you want, even before spring fully hits. If you decide to wait on your installation until spring or summer, you will likely miss out on some prime swimming weather. You’ll have to wait on your installation while your friends and neighbors are splashing around in pools of their own.
Need more reasons why winter is the best time of year for pool construction in Los Angeles, CA? Our team at Avanti Pools, Inc. is happy to answer any questions you have about the installation process or how you can save money on your upcoming project. Contact us today to get started with a consultation with one of our experts!
Making the decision to install an in-ground pool on your property is a big one. It’ll take no small sum of money, combined with construction phases and some serious planning to ensure you end up with exactly what you envision. And while many homeowners are stuck worrying about the cost or the construction-related disruption, it’s also important to consider the type of pool you want before everything gets set in motion.
Most don’t realize it, but there is no “regular” type of pool. The variables are broad and diverse when it comes to what you might need or want from your pool. And when you start speaking one-on-one with a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA, they’re going to ask you questions you might never have even considered about your family’s dream pool—starting with what type of pool you want.
Understanding Your Options
The “type” of pool you want refers to how the pool itself is constructed. You might know that you want a 12’ x 20’ rectangular pool or that you want an attached hot tub, but do you know what type of liner material you want or what construction material is right?
Choosing the ideal “type” of pool for you and your family means knowing the options and understanding each. Let’s take a look at the common three types of pools and which you might end up leaning towards:
Vinyl liner pools
These pools are the value pick. They cost the least amount of money to install and maintain, lasting a moderate amount of time to give you a simple, smart investment. Best of all, vinyl won’t limit your pool design. If you want curves or accents, vinyl can be conformed to them, for a seamless pool design that’s beautiful and effective.
The downfall? Vinyl liners need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years or they’ll deteriorate away. Vinyl can also look “cheaper” in comparison to other pool options.
Concrete pools
Also called “gunite” pools, concrete pools are strong, sturdy and value-additive to your property. They’re a great middle-of-the-road option because they cost more than vinyl, yet will stand the test of time. They’re also very diverse and easily customized.
The drawback of concrete, as any pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA will tell you, is the resurfacing process that’s needed every 8 to 10 years and the rough surface of the pool itself. They also take a long time to build!
Fiberglass pools
Fiberglass is a top-tier choice with a price to match. These pools require the least amount of maintenance and last for years without major service requirements. They can also be installed in a flash compared to other options. They look crisp and luxurious, and are absolutely a value-add for your property.
The chief downfall of fiberglass pools is that they’re premanufactured, meaning the entire pool needs to be transported to your property for installation! This can get tricky if there’s not a lot of space to maneuver in your yard. Cost is also a setback—expect to pay top dollar. Finally, you’re limited by design to what a manufacturer already creates.
Bring Home the Right Option
When you’re planning a swimming pool investment, look beyond the shape or size you want and think instead about the value you’re going to get for your investment. Consider the above three options for your family’s pool, so when the time comes to meet with a contractor, you’ll already have an idea of where you stand.
When you make an investment in something as grand as a pool, you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. This doesn’t just mean negotiating for the lowest price or getting a great value for that price—it also means investing in something that’s going to be easy to care for, sustainable and enjoyable for years to come. There’s a lot to think about.
One decision many homeowners must make when they consider new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA is whether or not to invest in a solar heated option. This technology has been around for a while, but thanks to modern innovations, it has become a more than viable option for pool owners seeking the best possible value. Navigating the costs vs. benefits of a solar heated pool is definitely worth your while when it comes to getting the most out of your investment.
Why choose solar?
Solar heated pools offer you the best of many worlds when it comes to optimizing your in-ground residential pool. They touch on several valuable aspects of pool ownership, including:
The benefit of having a pool that’s heated
Lower cost of ownership thanks to natural heating
Sustainability that comes from solar
Easy maintenance that comes from not having a conventional heater
Ease-of-use in navigating heating controls
All of these facets combine to give pool owners a great option in getting everything they want from their pool: comfort, value, ease and, above all, peace of mind.
The chief aspect of solar heating that keeps most pool owners at bay is the upfront cost of solar. And while there’s a barrier in terms of the upfront cost of panels, wiring and setup, this cost is almost always justified by the long-term recoup of utility costs and longevity. There’s actually a return on investment with solar heating—not just a monthly money drain in the cost it takes to heat your pool!
A greener home
Something you might not be considering when thinking about new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA is how solar heating can add to your “green home.” This is, after all, a solar addition to your property, which means you’re using off-the-grid energy to heat your pool, thereby lowering energy consumption for your home overall.
Not only is this a great way to treat the environment, it’s also a lucrative option when tax season rolls around. Most states have tax rebates or energy credits that can be awarded to homeowners who make an investment in green technologies—solar heaters included! So, while you may pay $X upfront to install your solar pool heater, you may also be setting yourself up to reclaim $Y on your taxes, offsetting at least some of the cost.
A lot to love about solar
Solar heated pools are more than just a trend: they’re accessible future tech that makes owning and maintaining a pool easier and more efficient than ever before. Instead of having to worry about rising energy costs while you go for a dip, you can float around for hours knowing your heated pool isn’t costing you a thing.
Many pool owners choose chlorine to sanitize their pool to keep contaminants from spreading in the water and to keep the water clean and clear. But is chlorine really the best option? If too much of this chemical is used, it can cause skin and eye irritation in swimmers. Use too little, though, and it won’t treat the water properly. Luckily, there are several options available to pool owners who want a different pool water treatment system. Because not all systems have the same features, it’s important to read up on the maintenance, water quality, cost and health benefits of each.
Are you looking for a pool sanitation system that does not require chlorine? The following information from a professional pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA can help you choose between popular chlorine alternatives.
Salt water systems
Salt is the most popular alternative to using straight chlorine for your pool’s sanitation. This type of system was introduced in the 1980s and gradually gained popularity in the pool industry before pool owners discovered that salt made the water feel soft. A great thing about saltwater swimming pools is that they actually use salt to generate chlorine in such a way that the solution does not irritate swimmers’ eyes, dry out skin or give off an unpleasant odor.
When compared to chlorine systems, salt systems require less maintenance and have less harmful effects. But keep in mind that, although it’s a more powerful sanitation system, it can be a pricy investment.
Ozone
Ozone generators are designed to aid in the breakdown of organic contaminants that find their way into swimming pool water. Taking this route may lower chemical usage by as much as 60 to 90 percent, but an ozone generator cannot sanitize a pool by itself. It does reduce the amount of chlorine that’s needed and can be 10 times stronger than traditional chlorine systems, but to provide continuous sanitation, it also requires a residual sanitizer—like chlorine—to be in the water all the time.
An ozone system is a good but often expensive investment. Get it and you’ll enjoy soft, clean water to swim in, and little to no calcium scaling.
Non-chlorine shock
If you want a pool water sanitation system that is great for oxidizing organic pollutants—like sunscreen, body oil and urine—then non-chlorine shock is for you. But like ozone generators, a non-chlorine shock system cannot sanitize a pool on its own. It too needs an additional sanitation method like chlorine to sanitize your swimming pool.
Because sunlight naturally oxidizes organic pollutants and there is little sunlight indoors, non-chlorine shock is a great option for indoor pools and spas. Also, you can swim in it immediately after application.
Choosing the best water sanitation system for your swimming pool doesn’t have to be hard or confusing. Call us at Avanti Pools, Inc. to speak with an experienced pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA. We offer a wide range of sanitation options—including ozone systems and salt systems—and will be more than happy to answer all your questions!
(818) 501-3759