Preparing Your Yard for In-Ground Pool Construction

If you are planning to get yourself an in-ground pool in the near future, there are a few things you can do to prepare your yard.

Trees

The first thing after deciding where you want to put the pool is to look at the existing landscaping. You will want to remove any trees that are very close to the pool. There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, trees close to the pool will be dropping debris into the pool all the time. Second, even if you prune back branches, when the pool is excavated, there could be significant damage to the root system which may kill the tree anyway. The simplest solution is to remove the tree beforehand, and cut the stump down low. You do not have to worry about stump removal, large excavating equipment will make short work of removing whatever is left.

Tree Relocation

For smaller trees, under 10-15 feet, you can try to dig them up and replant them elsewhere. Summer is not the best time to move a tree, but it can be done and is worth a try. Dig up as much of the root ball as possible and water the tree thoroughly in its new location. For larger trees, an excavator will dig more efficiently than someone with a shovel.

Utilities

If you have any utilities like water, gas, or electrical lines that need to be rerouted, now would be a good time to do that. You may also want to call and find out exactly where these lines are buried if you are not sure. Think about what is buried where you will need to be excavating. For example, an underground sprinkler system may need to be changed.

Fencing

Examine your fencing situation. Existing fence may need to come down or be rebuilt elsewhere. Depending on your zoning and jurisdiction, you may need a special fence just around the pool. Your pool contractor can advise you on that, and in any case, that would not be added until the end.

You will save yourself a little time by considering your tree situation, your underground utilities, and anything else that is buried where you will want to dig. Look carefully at your yard. Do you have a jungle gym that needs to be moved? A bed of roses that you cherish? All of those things can be addressed while you are waiting to start construction of the pool.

Sunshine Coast Pools, a division of Taylor Made Pools, designs, builds, and repairs vinyl-liner swimming pools on the Sunshine Coast and throughout Vancouver Island.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about vinyl pools, please call us at (778) 537-2003.