Before installing a home pool, confirm four specifications: (1) property size and setback distance from utility lines, (2) electrical panel capacity for the pump and heater, (3) plumbing and drainage access to water and sewer lines, and (4) local work permits, including a soil assessment if drainage is poor.
Installing a pool in your backyard allows you to enjoy the cool and refreshing experience any time you want. A backyard pool is also a wonderful place to exercise and relax on a hot day. It will be a natural gathering place for your friends and family, too. Before work begins, make sure you have these four specifications to keep your project running smoothly.
Measure The Size And Dimensions Of The Property Or Lot
You might have an idea to install a large, deep pool that allows you to dive and swim long laps back and forth, but your backyard might not be big enough for it. Before you start planning your backyard swimming pool, it is important to find out the exact location of your property line. You will also need to know the size and dimensions of your backyard. The city code where you live might require any above-ground or below-ground pool to be a minimum distance away from buried electrical lines, telephone or internet cables, gas pipes, overhead power lines, and the neighbor’s property.
Determine The Capacity Of The Electrical Panel And Circuit Breaker
Swimming pools require a pump to move the water through the filter. Many custom swimming pools also have pool heating devices to keep the water at a comfortable temperature. You will need to have your home’s electrical panel and circuit breaker specifications before you go about pooling connected to your electrical grid. It is best to have a licensed and bonded electrician do the installation for you. If your electrical panel cannot handle a pool pump and pool heater on their circuits, you may need to have the electrician upgrade your panel.
Find Out The Requirements For Plumbing And Drainage
Another specification that you will need to have in hand before installing a pool at home is the location of your plumbing and drainage lines. The pool will need to have its connection to your potable water supply. This might require digging to make a connection between the main water line and the pool. The pool will also need to be drained into your main sewer line. When you decide to empty the pool, the drain will need to handle a certain rate of water flow. Keep in mind that while filling or draining the pool, you may not be able to use large quantities of water within your home.
Obtain Work Permits From The Correct Local Authority
You will also need to have specific work permits from the local building authority. This is required before any digging can take place. If you have heavy clay soil or sandy soil with poor drainage, you may also need to have a civil engineer inspect the site and perform an assessment. A leak from your pool into poorly draining soil could flood your basement or your neighbors’ basements. Be sure to have the electric, natural gas, and phone companies come out and mark the locations of utility lines. When making new plumbing connections, some municipalities require that a representative of the water utility be on-site throughout the work.
Installing a backyard pool is a big project. By getting the right inspections, surveys, and permits in advance, you can help to ensure that there will be no unexpected problems when the work begins. It is also important that you work with a licensed, bonded, and insured pool installation service to protect yourself. Contact your homeowner’s insurance to ensure the pool is under coverage.
FAQs: What Specifications Are Needed When Installing a Pool at Home?
What is the first specification I need before installing a pool?
Start by measuring your property’s size and dimensions and confirming the exact location of your property line. Local city codes often require a minimum distance between the pool and buried electrical lines, gas pipes, and neighboring property.
Does my electrical panel need to be upgraded for a pool?
It depends on your panel’s existing capacity. Pool pumps and heaters draw significant power, so a licensed electrician should assess your circuit breaker before installation and upgrade the panel if it can’t support the added load.
What plumbing requirements should I check before installing a pool?
You’ll need a connection to your potable water supply and access to your main sewer line for draining. Confirm the drain can handle your pool’s water flow rate, since filling or emptying may limit water use elsewhere in the home.
Do I need permits to install a backyard pool?
Yes, work permits from your local building authority are required before digging starts. If your soil is heavy clay or sandy with poor drainage, a civil engineer may also need to inspect the site to prevent flooding risks.
Should I hire a licensed contractor for pool installation?
Yes, working with a licensed, bonded, and insured pool installer protects you from liability. It’s also worth contacting your homeowner’s insurance provider in advance to confirm that your policy covers the new pool.
