Pool Planning: What You Need to Know Before You Take the Plunge
By Ann Evankovich
You may be dreaming about executing swan dives into your own inground pool or firing up the barbecue as the kids splash and frolic. Who cares that it’s February and the ground is frozen solid? Now is the perfect time to begin planning—pool design has never been more creative than it is today. Options abound—infinity pools with spas and fountains, family pools with large shallow ends just for playing, elegant free forms designed to inspire gazing, and more.
First, examine your property’s plat. This all-important document shows where your property lines are and where you can dig. It also indicates whether portions of your property are protected from development by land trusts or designated forest or wetland and what restrictions therefore apply. Though aesthetics are important for maximum enjoyment of your pool, these factors also help you decide where to situate it.
Once you have examined your plat, sit down with an experienced pool company. Professionals can take care of tedious but necessary business such as applying for and obtaining permits. “Every homeowner has different variables,” says one Millersville owner of a pool design-build company. He says the process may be time consuming or very short.“It can take one day, one week, or possibly one year. Applying for a permit in February will ensure you have time, enough to spare.”
Your savvy pool designer will be up to date on the latest government regulations and changes in codes. This is especially important if you’re building a pool on the waterfront. Most likely, you will need at least three feet of “hardscape” around your pool. This can be a design opportunity; many choose decorative tile or teak decking. Also, this stage is the time to plan for landscaping.The ground may be left in a state called rough grade, in which bare soil has been pushed into place to provide the correct contours and drainage. Raking the rough soil and adding topsoil may be necessary. Planting grass, trees, and flowers will never be easier.
You will need some kind of fencing for safety—and your municipality may require it. Pool enclosures must be self-latching and out of the reach of little hands. A good pool designer can help you choose a fence to complement your home’s architecture with decorative gates and newel posts. If you already have a fence, you are ahead of the game. However, to be on the safe side, check with your insurance agent. Don’t forget to inquire how installing a pool affects your homeowner’s coverage.
Once your permits are in place, your pool contractors can help you determine the best place to build your pool. They will examine the contours of your land as well as its soil and slope and then make recommendations. An Eastern Shore pool company that has built more than 1,000 pools affirms that a creative designer can plan around natural limitations, such as septic systems, underground cables, nearby wells, and proximity to natural water sources.
Technically, you can build a pool all year round, and many people do, says a Davidsonville-based pool company owner. However, some months are better for digging than others. “Don’t dig in February, unless you have to,” says the Eastern Shore pool expert. “The rains, snow, and slush can slow everything down. And the drier the conditions are, the better.” He adds “Dig as soon as the ground is thawed and any time after that, it’s just the contractor’s schedule you have to worry about, they tend to fill up in early spring.”
Once you have determined where to situate your pool you can decide on its shape: Do you want a classic geometric look or a free-form design that echoes your landscape’s curves? Take your time and enjoy this part of the planning. After all, your pool will be a permanent addition to your home.
Keep the big picture in mind. The shape you choose should leave plenty of space for necessities as well as extras. Do you have room for features such as a spa, baby pool, fire pit, fireplace, patio, or outdoor kitchen? How about a cabana, tiki bar, or changing room?
You will get more out of your conversations with pool professionals if you already know exactly what you plan to use the pool for. What are your family’s needs? What are your own needs? Do you like to swim laps? Do high dives? Tan? Read and listen to music? If fun for the kids is the ultimate goal, you may want to build close to the house so you can watch over the activities. However, make sure the pool is not too close to the roof. One pool veteran chuckles, “Kids will jump off of it. And if there’s a deck there, look out . . . that’s fair game, too.” On the other hand, if big kids (including you and your friends) plan to party, then building the pool out of earshot may be wise. If it’s privacy you crave, then building as far away from the house and even out of sight makes sense.
Keep in mind that having a pool will affect the traffic flow in your home during the summer months. Wet feet and dripping bathing suits need not be nuisances if you situate your pool near a door leading to a bathroom or changing area. For indoor entryways and outdoor walkways, choose textured tile, river rock, or pebbles to help absorb water and deter slipping.
Most professionals agree that when planning for a pool you should also look ahead five to 10 years. Think carefully. As years pass, many people tend to expand their poolside recreation space, viewing their personal “oasis” as an extension of their home.
Once you’ve finished all this planning don’t forget to pause and congratulate yourself. Taking the time to plan ahead for your pool now will ensure that you don’t drown in the details.
Ann Evankovich, a freelance writer for What’s Up? Magazines,
has survived her own pool installation.
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