Swimming Pool - Hardcover

Griffiths, Tom

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0671882929 ISBN 13: 9780671882921

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 1995

Synopsis

The ultimate resource for prospective and current pool owners alike, this beautifully illustrated, comprehensive yet accessible volume examines the wide variety of pools available today. Written by Tom Griffiths, a well-known expert in pool and safety issues, The Swimming Pool offers invaluable detailed advice on a complete range of relevant topics such as the essentials of designing and constructing a pool, appropriate plantings and landscaping, proper filtration, water chemistry, and safety tips. Also included is a chapter exploring numerous case studies covering a range of budgets and uses, so that you can consider the many available options, make informed decisions, and choose the right pool for you. Part one of The Swimming Pool is devoted to helping you select an appropriate pool for your needs, budget, and available space. Chapter one provides a step-by-step plan for selecting the proper site, and includes considerations such as local zoning restrictions, slope, soil drainage, location of underground utilities, shade, wind, privacy, and the surrounding landscape. Chapters two and three discuss the full range of swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas in today's market, whether you wish to install a relatively inexpensive aboveground pool, an indoor hot tub for therapeutic purposes, an intricately tiled kidney-shaped pool with an ample deck for entertaining, a lap pool, or a vanishing-edge pool that highlights a spectacular view. Chapter four presents fully illustrated case studies that enable you to examine a range of pool plans -- from the simple to the ornate. Filled with creative ideas and practical advice, this chapter lays out a variety of options so that you can evaluate and prioritize your needs, then select the pool that meets them beautifully and affordably. Part two of The Swimming Pool is every pool owner's dream come true: an easy-to-use handbook that takes all the worry out of pool upkeep. Chapter five focuses on the importance of good water circulation, chemistry, and maintenance, making these concepts readily understandable, demonstrating how to achieve clear, clean water, and providing charts and sidebars that offer important safety tips and troubleshooting advice. Also included is a discussion of essential pool-keeping equipment and daily and weekly maintenance chores that will help protect your investment. Chapter six demonstrates the importance of barriers for safety, privacy, and aesthetics, and describes the many types of fencing available. Chapter seven contains vital information that will assist in ensuring pool safety, giving a complete list of "pool rules" and necessary safety and rescue equipment, plus tips on supervising children and adults, teaching youngsters to swim, and much more. The Swimming Pool concludes with an extensive list of pool plantings, and a listing of pool publications worldwide. Filled with expert advice, helpful ideas, charts, sidebars, pool plans, and gorgeous and inspiring color photographs, The Swimming Pool is the ideal sourcebook, as it contains everything you'll need to know, from planning to maintenance.

About this title

About the Author:

Tom Griffiths, Ed.D., is the director of aquatics and the safety officer for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Penn State University. He has served as a swimming pool and safety consultant for more than twenty years, and currently oversees five large pools and a fitness center and teaches a certified pool operator's course worldwide. The author of Sport Scuba Diving, In-Depth, and The Complete Swimming Pool Reference, he lives in State College, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two daughters.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Chapter One

The Site

There are many factors to consider before installing a pool. Although developing the pool site is a comprehensive task, there's no need to feel intimidated by it; many professionals are available to assist you in the process. The principles set out in this chapter are meant to help you to understand and overcome common obstacles, although professional guidance will be necessary as well.

Proper Pool Placement

The major pool-site considerations are as follows: legal restrictions: subsoil conditions and obstructions; sun, shade, and wind exposure; access to the pool and pool area; and views of and from the pool.

Dealing with Restrictions and Obstructions Regardless of its size, shape, or slope, just about any yard can be fitted with a beautiful swimming pool. But successfully integrating the pool with the architecture of your home and landscape is extremely important and can be difficult to do.

First and foremost, you must be aware of any land-use restrictions that might apply to your property. Before even thinking of building a pool, study the zoning laws, deed restrictions, and building codes of your area. This way you will know the allowable size, type, and location of a pool for your property. Zoning laws, for example, often dictate front, side, and rear-yard setbacks, that is, how much space must remain between property lines and other buildings. There are often laws that determine how much of a yard may be covered with an impervious surface or structure. Height restrictions for fences and buildings are other considerations. Some home-owners associations also mandate that utility easements are not interfered with. Your local government should have this information.

Do yourself a favor and take the following first step; take a look at a minimum of six other pool sites in your town or city. This is an enjoyable exercise and you'll learn a lot, especially if you take the time to converse with other pool owners. Find out about the land restrictions and zoning ordinances that affected their sites, then follow up by getting these regulations in writing from your local government. Although neighbors or friends can supply you with advice, never rely on this information regarding such matters as if it really were the law.

If you intend to install a permanent pool structure, you'll need a building permit before construction begins, and once it does, you'll need to be certain that all building codes are followed strictly. There may also be other local municipal restrictions and regulations that govern swimming pools. The use of water for filling pools and the discharging of that water, for example, may be severely restricted in your area. You may also need written approval of your fencing, pool cover, and pool type from your local government. Not until you clearly understand all applicable restrictive and regulatory guidelines for pools in your area can you seriously consider placing one in your yard.

Secondly, make every attempt to discover subsoil conditions and any obstructions in your yard before attempting to place your pool in the ground. Changing the size, shape, or layout of a pool after excavation begins is both time-consuming and expensive. If at all possible, drill test bores into the ground to help determine the condition of the soil, Rock, clay, a high water table, and other subsoil conditions can cause major excavation problems. Many pool builders include a subsoil clause in their contracts that explains additional costs that may be incurred should excavation efforts be hindered by rock, water or unstable soil.

Other underground obstructions include septic tanks, dry-well systems, and plumbing. Overhead obstructions include overhead power lines that could fall into your pool or onto your deck. All structures -- including storage sheds, garages, fences, walls, and the house itself -- should be a minimum of 15 feet (4.6m) away from the pool's edge. If not, these structures can become inviting diving platforms for trespassers. If all these factors are considered prior to excavation, you'll save considerable time and money. Remember, it's far easier to move a pool on paper than it is to move it once excavation has begun. Moving a pool even a few feet in one direction can avoid many obstructions.

When excavation takes place, a large back hoe, loader, bobcat, and dump truck may be used to avoid the unnecessary handling of dirt. This heavy construction equipment needs a way to gain access to the backyard safely and easily: a cartway of 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3m) wide is needed to move heavy equipment in and out of a yard. If less than an 8-foot width is available, earth removal with shovels and wheelbarrows may be required, resulting in a lengthy and expensive excavation project. Construction access may even have to come through a neighbor's yard. Earth disturbance can be surprising and scary, as a major construction job will look like a war zone before it is finished. Make sure to discuss the amount of earth disturbance with your pool builder early on, so you won't be surprised, financially or visually.

Soil conditions can also potentially damage a pool shell. Loam, sandy soil, wet soil, expansive soil, rock, and filled ground have special concerns associated with them, all of which should be fully analyzed by the builder.

If you have a flat lot, you can recycle the earth removed from the pool site to create mounds. Elevated mounds are a common technique that can provide privacy and creative landscaping of waterfalls or ornamental plantings. Earth mounding can do wonders for a flat lot by adding variety via customized slopes and hills, and at the same time, it can save money in removal costs.

Pools constructed on hillside lots are especially challenging projects, requiring expert advice. The cost of building a pool on a steep lot can be tremendous, but the rewards can also be great. Pools on hillside lots render once unusable land usable. In addition, the views from these pools can be spectacular. Steep-lot pools are often built on stilts, and many creative pool builders utilize slopes above these pools to create waterfalls. So if your home is on a hillside lot, you really needn't be discouraged from investigating the possibilities of installing a pool.

Another vital consideration in choosing the proper site for a pool is the location of existing utilities. A few calls to your local utility companies will take much of the guesswork out of this process. Utility company employees can quickly mark all underground lines and cables and explain appropriate setbacks to you for both above- and underground wires and cables. Furthermore, every pool site requires the accessibility of these utilities: water, electricity, sewer or other acceptable drainage, and fuel for the heater (gas, propane, oil).

Along those lines, many naturalistic pool designs can "hide" filtration equipment in caves, alcoves, and shrubs. The filter and pump should be placed on a concrete slab that is specifically poured for the site. Precast concrete slabs are not recommended because as the ground settles, the slab may shift and damage the pool plumbing. The poured slab should be large enough to add equipment, like a pool heater, in the future.

Although weatherproof enclosures were once recommended for pool equipment, today's equipment can withstand just about any type of weather. Regardless of where the pool equipment is placed, there must be sufficient room to backwash and make repairs. For optimum performance, the filter and pump should not be located more than 50 feet (15.2m) away from the pool. If the pool pump is placed 2 feet (0.6m) higher than the pool grade, pump priming problems could result, making it difficult to maintain circulation. And don't hide pool recirculation equipment in your basement: the basement is an inconvenient location, and the equipment is loud and may cause flooding should it malfunction.

As just explained, there are many factors to consider regarding swimming pool placement and construction. But if you review and discuss these considerations with prospective pool builders, other pool owners, and your family, you will be better informed and will likely have eliminated any obstacles to installing a safe, enjoyable, and long-lasting pool.

Sun, Shade, and Wind When attempting to place a pool properly on a lot, the elements of sun, shade, and wind must be considered to keep the water warm and swimmers comfortable in and around the pool.

The location of the swimming pool in relation to the sun is of paramount importance. Although direct sunlight on the pool is vital, the sunlight must not impair the view of the pool. In other words, the pool with its decking must be laid out so that the supervision of pool activities can be accomplished easily, and that means without excessive glare. In addition, extended sunlight throughout the day will not only keep swimmers more comfortable but will also decrease heating costs significantly. Except for pools that are built in desert or tropical climates where midday shade might be desirable, most pools are designed to maximize the sun and minimize the shade. As a rule, pools with southern and western exposures stay warmer than pools with northern and eastern exposures. Pools with dark bottoms absorb heat, keeping the water warmer, while pools with white bottoms reflect heat, keeping the water cooler.

While much attention should be given to sun exposure when positioning the pool, shady areas must be considered as well. Shade from trees and the house can offer a cool reprieve from the sun on hot days. Shade is an important consideration for adults as well, particularly grandparents or nannies who want to supervise children but must stay out of the sun. However, large trees that provide ample shade will also provide litter, dropping pods, blossoms, berries, and leaves into the pool, creating a poolkeeping nightmare. If shade is a priority for your pool surroundings, you may wish to obtain it by installing awnings, umbrellas, and similar structures located above and away from the pool deck. An overhead wooden trellis or gazebo can be strategically placed to provide shade and can also serve as a center for other recreational activities and for the supervision of the pool. Shade can also be produced by installing an entire system of decks and trellises used to connect the house, backyard, and pool. But if you're going to manufacture shady areas in the yard, place them above the pool level to create a bird's-eye view of the pool for safety, supervision, and aesthetics.

Many naturalistic pools, particularly those that are designed to look like mountain lakes, do very well on shady lots. A little bit of debris on the surface only makes the pool look more natural, and extra cleaning equipment can be purchased to automatically clean the pool whenever it is not in use. (I prefer meticulously clean pools, without a trace of dirt or algae. My naturalistic pool would have a wider deck to keep debris away from the water.) A pool placed in the shade will have colder water than one placed in the sun. Moreover, swimmers may become cold when swimming or lounging in a shady pool environment. If a pool is to be placed in the shade, it's a good idea to turn up the pool heater a few degrees or even place heating coils in the pool deck.

In addition to sun and shade, wind is another important consideration. Blocking strong winds from blowing across the pool and its decking is just about as important as placing the pool in sunlight. A gentle breeze can have a positive cooling effect on loungers around the pool, but strong winds tend to be detrimental to the pool and bothersome for guests. Decreasing wind velocity is important because it keeps swimmers warmer and eliminates much of the evaporation and cooling of pool water, thereby saving you money. When swimming pool water evaporates, more than just water is lost: chemicals and heating costs are lost, too. Whenever possible, then, windbreaks should be placed on the perimeter of the property, particularly in the area from which the wind is traveling. Windbreaks can be achieved with plants, trees, fencing, screens, walls, and other structures.

Access A pool must be easily accessible from your house. Otherwise, much of the pleasure derived from using the pool will be overshadowed by the nuisance of getting to and from it. Changing facilities, whether in your home or in a bathhouse, should be conveniently linked to the pool by decks or walkways. Whenever possible, avoid constructing steps and other barriers to the pool: ramps are a better alternative, and are becoming a popular way of joining pool areas on different levels. Ample ramps and rails, along with some small steps, make entry easier for children and older adults. If small children are going to use the pool, be sure the shallow end is installed closest to where they will enter it, that is, closest to the exit from your home or bathhouse.

Generous poolside space should make it easy to get in and out of the pool and allow for activities like reading or sunbathing. It is also a good idea to create a space that will allow for as many activities as possible near the pool, including cooking and entertaining, so that trips back and forth to the house are minimal. Access to the pool should be such that swimmers are prevented from traveling across grass or dirt prior to entering the pool: otherwise, debris will enter the pool with each swimmer. If the access to your pool area and to the pool itself is not properly planned with these recommendations in mind, driving to a public pool might be a more convenient and far less expensive option.

Views Generally speaking, the pool should be in complete view of the house yet laid out in harmony with it. The size of a pool should also be proportionate to the size and scale of a home. Several pictures of your existing home and yard should be analyzed to determine if the pool should be placed parallel, perpendicular or at another angle to the house. You and the builder should jointly decide the angle at which the pool should be placed.

After evaluating all of the previously discussed logistics, it's time to select the exact location of the pool. This decision can only be reached after considering aesthetics, safety, and privacy. Many creative pool designers believe that aesthetics is the key factor in deciding location, particularly when building naturalistic pools and waterscapes. Some designers claim that if sun, shade, wind, and other factors are too heavily considered, the pool will not be as attractive in the yard. So if a pool that is aesthetically pleasing is a priority, don't let drawbacks like leaves hamper your creativity. It's also a good idea to try to highlight views both of and from the pool. The pool and decks should be oriented so that they can enhance the surrounding landscape. Vanishing-edge pools, for example, are tremendously popular because the view of these pools highlights vistas beyond them.

If small children will be using your pool, an unobstructed view from the house and yard is not only essential for safety reasons, but comforting to parents and other family members. You...

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0671882929
• ISBN 13: 9780671882921
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 144