A Comprehensive Guide to Steel Wall Pool Inground Installation

Posted on August 5, 2024August 8, 2024 by Jason Somers

Installing a swimming pool in your backyard is a great way to make your home more comfortable and increase its value. While above-ground pools are affordable and easy to install, they can damage your home’s curb appeal and may require a lot of maintenance. Inground pools offer superior aesthetics, ample durability, and many customization options.

These swimming pools are often made with steel walls or polymer materials. While polymer walls are strong and resistant to UV rays, steel walls are highly durable, long-lasting, and easy to install. These pools are built with 14-gauge galvanized steel panels that serve as the base of the pool.

The installation process for a steel wall pool begins with in-depth planning and involves everything from preparing the site to adding plumbing and electrical connections. You’ll also be tasked with installing a pool liner and backfilling the site. This guide offers a comprehensive look at the steel wall pool inground installation process.

Planning Your Steel Wall Pool Installation

Before you start installing your inground steel wall pool, you’ll first want to plan the project. The installation process is complex and time-consuming, which means that a single mistake can be costly. You can avoid errors by planning the installation ahead of time. First, assess your backyard space to determine if you have enough room for the inground pool. Make sure there aren’t any features in your yard that might impact the layout.

Research local building codes as well. You’ll need to follow these codes while installing an inground pool. Keep in mind that the installation of an inground pool requires a building permit. To obtain a permit, you must submit an application to your local building department. County officials will examine the plans for your pool installation to determine if they adhere to building codes. Once your application is approved, a permit will be sent to you through the mail, which means that you can start your project.

It’s also a good idea to create a budget for your project. Installing an inground pool can cost anywhere from $25,000-$100,000. If you have a specific price that you don’t want the project to exceed, creating a comprehensive budget should help you avoid spending too much on certain materials or appliances.

It’s also important that you choose the right pool design and size. Depending on the size of your yard, your inground pool can differ from the traditional rectangular and oval designs. Once you set the pool dimensions, make sure you pick the right location. For example, the pool should be near your home.

Preparing the Site

The next step of the installation process involves performing site excavation, which means that you’ll need to dig into the ground to a depth that’s far enough to support your entire pool. The specific depth depends on the size of your pool. For example, a 14′ x 28′ pool will require an excavation of around 16.5′ x 26.5′. You may need to use an excavator to simplify this process. Once you get to the bottom of the excavation, make sure that it’s completely level. If the ground is uneven, it won’t support a steel wall pool.

To ensure proper drainage, add a layer of gravel that’s around 10 inches thick. Once you compact the gravel, the layer should be around eight inches thick. After placing a layer of gravel, create a solid foundation for the pool. Your best option is a reinforced concrete slab, which will protect against changing weather conditions and tree root damage. A slab will also make it easier for you to achieve a flat base for the floor of your pool.

Assembling the Steel Wall Panels

Now that the foundation is set, you can assemble the steel wall panels. These panels should come with instructions from the manufacturer. In many cases, you can interlock them to create a circular or rectangular structure. As you install them around your pool, make sure that the panels remain level.

Keep in mind that the steel panels can only be installed after you set up the wall braces. You must place these braces at each panel joint with thru-bolts. After installing the braces, you’ll be tasked with securing the panels, which can be challenging because of how sensitive they are to the wind.

It’s highly recommended that you have someone on hand who can help you hold the panels and shape them. Each panel can be attached to the wall braces with “C” clamps. To level and align the walls in a manner that adheres to your initial design, you’ll need to check the panels to ensure that they’re flush.

Plumbing and Electrical Considerations

When constructing an inground pool, dig trenches to support the underground electrical conduit and plumbing. Pool plumbing typically consists of a 2″ Schedule 40 pipe, which is the type of pipe that’s used in household plumbing. The pieces of equipment that you need to attach to the pipes include a pump, heater, filter, skimmer, and valves. Make sure you set and pressurize these items.

When installing a drain, dig a hole that’s around 1′ wide and 18″ deep. Once the drains have been installed, level them and fill the surrounding holes with concrete. Tape off the surface of drains to ensure debris doesn’t get into them while the bottom of the pool is being installed. Any return fittings you install can be positioned along the pool wall. Return fitting holes need to be 3″ wide and 12″-15″ deep.

The electrical connections must be properly set up as well, which might require assistance from a reputable electrician. The electrical system that’s installed in and around your pool must follow the guidelines in the National Electrical Code. For example, pool walls need to be taken through the bonding process, which is similar to grounding. According to the National Electrical Code, pool walls must be bonded with #8 solid copper wire, which ensures that electricity has a path to follow away from your pool if an issue occurs.

Installing the Pool Liner

Inground pools can be paired with several liner materials, which include everything from fiberglass to vinyl. Steel wall inground pools pair well with vinyl liners. These liners can last for more than 10 years when correctly installed and maintained. They require much less maintenance than fiberglass and concrete materials.

To cut the liner to the right dimensions, you’ll need to measure the pool’s width and length as well as the floor and corners. Your pool corners will either be cut, square, or rounded. If they are square, you don’t need to make any additional measurements. Rounded corners need to be squared off before you measure them. Once you have the proper measurements, you can use a standard utility knife to cut the liner.

Before you secure the liner to your pool, lay it out. Begin at the deep end. The liner bead must then be connected to the bead receiver at the deep end. Once you connect all deep-end corners, you can go around the pool in a counterclockwise or clockwise motion. You can smooth out air wrinkles and bubbles with a wet-dry vacuum.

Place the hose of this vacuum close to the bottom of the pool. You’ll need to secure the hose and the top portion of the skimmer with duct tape. After turning on the wet dry vacuum, the air between the liner and your pool wall should be removed. This entire process can take 30 minutes.

Backfilling and Compacting

Once you’ve installed your pool walls and liner, you’ll be tasked with backfilling the area surrounding your inground pool. To begin, add a Styrofoam layer that’s around two inches thick to the walls. The spaces around your steel walls should be filled with lean concrete. Make sure that the water level of your pool is higher than the concrete fill.

The main backfill material is often sand. Make sure to place this material around the pool to provide the steel walls with more support. It’s also crucial that you compact the backfill to ensure settling doesn’t occur. Consider using a trench roller or other vibratory soil compactor for maximum compaction.

Before you set up the decking, add some drainage around the inground pool. There needs to be enough drainage to move excess rainwater away from your pool. While there are many options at your disposal, consider permeable paving, deck drains, or catch basin drainage systems.

Setting Up the Pool Deck and Surroundings

A high-quality inground pool should be paired with a beautiful pool deck. A pool deck can be made with many materials, which include the following:

• Concrete
• Pavers
• Natural stone
• Wood
• Unglazed tile

While pavers and concrete add considerable durability to a pool deck, natural stone is the most aesthetically pleasing option. The best aspect of concrete is that you can texture it to prevent slipping. The material also has low maintenance requirements.

When crafting your pool surroundings, think about how the rest of your home is designed. You can enhance your backyard by adding upscale amenities and features that bolster the pool’s appearance. Consider adding landscaping in the form of ornamental grasses, tropical plants, or daylilies.

Filling and Balancing the Pool Water

You can now fill your pool with water, which should be the easiest part of the installation process. Monitor the water level to ensure it remains even. You may need to balance the water chemistry levels with additional chemicals.

Use a pH sensor to measure the water chemistry. The ideal pH for a swimming pool is anywhere from 7.0-7.6. If the pH level is lower than 7.0, there may be too many contaminants in the water.

It’s a good idea to test and balance chemical levels around two to three times every week. You can sanitize pool water with sodium di-chlor or calcium hypochlorite. Set up a regular maintenance routine that involves cleaning the pool of debris, testing the water chemistry, and inspecting the filter and pump system.

Final Inspections and Safety Checks

After you’ve filled the pool, conduct a thorough inspection of the decking and all pool equipment. Look for signs that pool components haven’t been installed correctly. It’s also important that all safety measures are in place to keep yourself and other swimmers safe. Finalize the installation process by covering the pool until you use it.

Conclusion

Steel wall inground pools come with lengthy installation processes that require excavating your yard, installing steel panels, adding a pool liner, and backfilling the surrounding area. Consider hiring a professional pool installation company to avoid issues with this process.

A well-maintained inground pool should last anywhere from 20-70 years. Inspect the pool regularly to look for cracks or any other problems that need to be addressed. Now that you’ve installed your pool, you can enjoy taking a swim, inviting friends over, and basking in the sun.