If you have a hillside or a slope in your backyard, installing a pool can be challenging. However, it is possible with careful planning and a little bit of creativity. Here are 5 common things to consider when building a pool on a hillside or a slope.
• Geotechnical Issues
There are a number of geotechnical issues to consider when building a pool on a hillside or a slope. These include soil gradation, bearing capacity, shrink and swell potential, lateral earth pressure and groundwater conditions.
Soil gradation can alter the stability of a foundation structure, potentially resulting in cracking of the pool shell or uneven heaving or settlement of the bottom if the soil swells and shrinks with moisture content change. This can result in significant damage to a pool shell or below grade piping systems. A qualified geotechnical engineer can conduct a study of the site to provide data on these soil properties and recommendations for the structural design of the pool shell. The study involves analyzing soil samples taken from borings drilled on the site.
• Terracing
Terraces are ridges and channels constructed across-the-slope, usually at regular intervals to regulate water flow and storage. This is a soil conservation practice that helps prevent rainfall runoff from accumulating on a steep sloping land surface and causing severe erosion.
Even though terracing is typically used for crop irrigation, when you’re building a pool on a hillside or a slope, you will need to consider terracing issues as well. If you have a significant slope, terracing can be a very effective solution to help keep your pool level while making it look intentional and beautiful. The best pool builders will be able to design and build a series of retaining walls that divide the slope into multiple levels, creating a gradual step-down effect.
• Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are a great way to ensure proper drainage and protect your pool from erosion. They are also a very attractive design feature that can be used to create a more distinctive and pleasant space around your swimming pool. Retaining walls can be made from masonry, poured concrete, or stacked stones.
• Infinity Edges
One of the most dramatic and striking features to consider when building a pool on a hillside or slope is the infinity edge. Infinity-edge pools feature a wall that slopes downward to allow water to fall into a lower catch pool, which is hidden from view. This water is then pumped back into the main pool, creating the waterfall effect. However, do note that they are not for every backyard. If your property has a very steep slope for example, you’ll need serious engineering and support to accommodate the pool, which can add to the cost.
• Drainage
Drainage is an important element in the construction of any swimming pool and outdoor area. It can prevent water from causing damage to landscaping, decks, patios, and home exteriors. When you’re building a pool on a hillside or slope, it’s a good idea to work with a professional contractor who knows what drainage solutions can best keep your property safe from the hazards of uncontrolled water. There are a number of drainage solutions to consider, including permeable paving, French drains, and catch basin drainage systems. Each system works differently, but all three can keep unwanted runoff water away from your yard, deck, and pool.
When you do business with Avanti Pools Inc., you will know for certain that you are getting the best possible information about custom pool designs and anything else you might want to know about from our team of experts.
We want to be your swimming pool contractor, and that is why we are so adamant about making sure you get the best possible information directly from the source (that’s us). Today, we will look at some of the best custom pool designs of 2022.
Edible Poolside Garden
An edible poolside garden is a design choice enjoyed by many. Place a garden near the pool and use it as a great place to grab some snacks straight from the plants. Besides the utility of the garden, it is also a nice design feature because of the look of the edible garden as well. It basically has everything in one package.
It is easy to move around in the garden because you can set things up in such a way that you, your family, or friends can take a brisk walk through the garden at leisure. Thus, it is the ideal design for a pool setup, and it is a great place to escape to and check out the garden all at the same time. You truly cannot beat that when it comes to getting an all-in-one package of everything that you want to see out of a beautiful garden and pool combination.
Sunny and Sleek
Building something into a home that works with its mid-century design and yet keeping things modern and unique-looking is not easy to do. However, going with the sunny and sleek look that some pools have now is a great way to make it happen. Focusing on making the pool a simple part of the background picture of everything else that is happening in the backyard is an excellent way to get even more value out of it and keep it sleek. That is what some property owners are turning to today.
Imagine a dark green/blue bottom on this pool, making the design quite unique. It is truly something that speaks to people with a modern sensibility and desire to enjoy a pool in a modern home such as this.
Ranch Revival
The Ranch Revival option is something that has dazzled many people already, and it seems likely that many others will continue to use this pool as their inspiration for designing their own pools in the future.
Features such as tubular rocks from the 1940s add a splash of elegance and interest to a pool that deserves it. Those are just a nice finishing touch on a pool that has a lot of ranch-style features going for it. You won’t want to miss out on the throwback design of this pool, but keep in mind that it also has a lot of modern appeal to it as well. You can have it all when you go with the Ranch Revival style.
A heated pool is a wonderful luxury to have. You can enjoy a swim at night or in the cooler months without getting too cold. However, when it comes to actually heating your pool, there are a number of options you will have to choose from. Installing a heater for an existing pool or adding one to your planned pool can be expensive, and you want to make sure that your money is well spent. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to consider whether a solar pool heater is the right choice for you. Here are some considerations your pool designer in Los Angeles, CA recommends you take into account:
- Environmental friendliness: Solar energy is a sustainable resource that doesn’t use up finite natural resources like coal and gas. Another great thing about solar energy is the fact that it doesn’t produce any harmful byproducts or emissions. As an added bonus, this kind of eco-friendly feature may appeal to potential buyers should you choose to sell your home down the road.
- Energy efficiency: Lots of people are hesitant to install or use pool heaters because of the amount of energy that’s required to run them, but solar pool heaters are an affordable option that saves you money. While you will probably pay between $3,000 and $4,000 to purchase and install a solar pool heater, it will only take 2 to 7 years for your heater to pay for itself in the form of energy savings.
- Easy maintenance: Traditional pool heaters can be a challenge to maintain, and often require significant repairs and routine service to keep them running over several years. A standard pool heater lasts about 10 years, but a solar pool heater lasts between 15 and 20 years, and the solar panels themselves can last up to 30 years. Solar heaters also require less maintenance and don’t need to be repaired as frequently as standard pool heaters. You can ask your pool designer in Los Angeles, CA about the specific things you should do to keep your solar pool heater working as effectively and efficiently as possible.
- Quiet operation: Solar heaters don’t generate the same level of noise as other pool heaters do. They run quietly, which means that you don’t have to deal with the annoying hum of traditional pool heaters. This allows you to focus on enjoying your pool without any of the irritating background noise.
No matter which special features or designs you have in mind for your pool, Avanti Pools, Inc. is here to help make your vision a reality. We are experienced in working with our clients to build pools that work for their space, needs, family size and budget. Regardless of whether you want a small hot tub or a large swimming pool with one-of-a-kind design features, we are confident that we can deliver exactly what you’re looking for. We’ve been in business since 1999 and continue to be committed to the quality of our work. Give us a call to get started with a consultation.
