Fiberglass Pool builds/Replacements

Fiberglass pools first came out in the 1960's, and got big in the 1970's and early 80's. They were marketed as a better and more cost effective alternative to traditional concrete pools. As materials and design technology advanced since then, so have fiberglass pool shells. To provide the absolute best product for our customers, we ONLY deal with the largest and most reputable fiberglass shell manufacturer in the WORLD, which are proudly made here in the United States of America! Latham Pools. They offer a top of the line, quality product and a variety of shell sizes, shapes and features with second to none service and warranty! Fiberglass pools are a fantastic option in todays day and age, for a smooth surfaced, long lasting in ground pool. 

Here at 4074 Pools and Spas, we understand the decision to build or replace your fiberglass pool is big one, not only financially, but in achieving your outdoor living goals, as well.  Therefore, we are committed to doing everything in our power to achieve your ultimate swimming pool/spa build and not only have it be aesthetically pleasing, but built to meet or exceed safety standards,  and built with the best quality components, engineered for maximum efficiency, longevity and serviceability in the future. One example of how we go above and beyond, when designing ANY fiberglass pool build is installing hydrostatic relief valves in every fiberglass pool's main drains. These valves are specially designed 1 way spring loaded, pressure relief valves which allow ground water from under the pool shell to release up into the main drains where it will be drawn through the filter system and be returned into the pool as clean water and ultimately lower the (hydrostatic) water pressure from beneath the pool which helps prevent bowing and putting stress on the fiberglass as it gets older as well as possibly causing the pool to "pop out" of the ground, in situations with severe hydrostatic pressure. It can also prevent flexing, cracking, or other kinds of damage to the shell, especially during servicing, if there is a need to drain down the water level. Another example occurs, because of a problem that was being observed where leaks were developing between the pool shell and Main Drain as the fiberglass ages and begins to break down,  at the point of attachment. To reinforce this area and correct the issue before it starts, we now have a custom plexi-glass base ring produced, which mounts between the pool shell and the main drain assembly, to give a more robust and long lasting mounting point and prevents leaks from forming around the main drains. Rather than focusing on the cost of a given component in the construction of your project, we focus on the overall value provided by it. Not only the effective service life, but the quality and design of the product, future maintenance costs and problems avoided or associated, as well as the specific application and future ability to repair/replace it conveniently. Some companies are ok with using whatever they have the most of or need to get rid of in the shop or on the truck for your project. But at 4074 Pools and Spas, we buy the specific components, new,  that will give us the best result for your job and application, every time! The end result is the best possible pool that meets and exceeds all of your dreams and lasts for the next quarter of century or longer! 

Fiberglass pools offer all kinds of design features, depending on how you prefer to enjoy your pool. Do you enjoy swimming laps? How about putting a chair on a sun shelf in the water, so you can stay cool while you enjoy the sun and  read a book? Maybe you have kids/grand kids, and want to have ample unobstructed space for playing pool games with some built in seating along the edges for the adults. Or maybe you want some tile mosaic laid into the pool shell for that 1 of a kind design! It's important to know what features are important to you and how you plan on using your pool prior to looking at shell designs, in order to maximize our ability to provide you with a design which best suits your desired uses. 

     The process for building a fiber glass pool start to finish is a complex one with many moving parts. The first thing we do, is mark out our measurements for the foot print of the pool, as well as the "overage" which gives us additional clearance on all sides of the pool to allow for the skimmers and returns to be mounted and plumbed in, once the pool has been set in final position. The measurements/markings are the guide we use as we excavate the hole where the pool will eventually sit. Periodically throughout the dig we recheck measurements to ensure we are removing just the right amount of dirt so when the pool is placed in, it is level both side to side, as well as front to back, and the top edge of the pool should be level with the "final grade height" of the concrete deck that will border it.

     Once the hole is excavated, the next step is to compact the loose soil in the bottom of the pool, to give a solid base, for adding a layer of  concrete sand bedding on the floor for the shell to sit on. Sand provides an excellent supportive base for the pool shell along with the added feature of allowing for proper drainage from around the pool. It is also good for leveling and grading the base to the exact specification required, and can easily be added or removed in specific areas as needed to fill support for the shell. Simultaneously, the equipment pad install will take place, as well as the above ground plumbing between equipment. 

     Once the sand base has been added, leveled and graded, it is now ready to receive the pool shell! The pool shell usually takes around 6-8 weeks on average from the time it is ordered, until the time it is ready to be placed on a truck and shipped to your location. Shipping can take up to an additional 2 weeks, depending on which facility the shell is manufactured at, how far the trip is, what other shells are being delivered on that truck and where. Shipping can become complicated as it requires permits, escort vehicles, restricted routes, weather etc. for oversized loads such as pool shells. To complicate things further, there needs to be a crane scheduled for the estimated date and time of delivery as well, so when the delivery truck arrives, the crane is hopefully setup, and ready to execute the lift in a timely manner. When the pool shell arrives, The shell will be inspected for any damage or major imperfections from the manufacturer. Upon confirming its condition, the holes for the main drains will be cut into the deep end, and the main drains will be installed and sealed into position, while the crane rigger, attaches the proper lifting straps to the pool shell's factory installed lift points. Once the main drains are secure, the lift from the trailer to its final resting place can take place. The final position will be checked one final time  for level across both length, width and depth with a precision laser level at all 4 corners of the pool, before the shell is finally  disconnected from the crane.

      Once the pool is in place, it is immediately time to start filling it with water, while the returns and skimmers are installed, and plumbed back and connected to the equipment pad. The sides of the pool must be backfilled with sand at an equal rate to the water rising for the first 3' or so, and then backfilled the rest of the way to grade with "Class 6 compactible back fill" also known as "road base". This helps anchor the pool in place, as well as support the walls of the pool, as it fills. If the pool fills with water too quickly and the compacted back fill does not keep up on the outside, the pool walls can bow outward from the weight of the water inside. Conversely if compacted backfill is added faster on the outside than the water fills on the inside, it can cause the walls to bow inward. This is done up to the level of the plumbing for the returns and skimmers. Once the plumbing has been pressure tested for leaks, the walls can finish being back filled, and the coping / concrete deck can be poured/installed, equipment started, and chemicals balanced, completing the project! Typical completion time from ordering the shell to leaving the site is typically 8-12  weeks (pending permits and the production/shipping of the shell.) 4074 Pools and Spas LLC does NOT install pools that fall under the jurisdiction of the city of Denver Building Department.