For most inground pool builders the equipment pad is almost a work of art. All the pipes are nice and straight, the valves are all aligned in a row, and every piece to the puzzle is easily accessible. Then there are the those that are just a total nightmare, with pipes leading in all directions, in all different angles – leaving the homeowner wondering what valve controls what.
When you build your own inground pool, designing your pump and filter layout is a small but significant task. The first thing to do is figure out where the equipment pad should be. Take into consideration the noise factor. When you are outside enjoying your pool you do not want to listen to the constant humming of the pool pump. Then think about being in the house with the windows open, again – silence is golden.
When you build your own inground pool, designing your pump and filter layout is a small but significant task. The first thing to do is figure out where the equipment pad should be. Take into consideration the noise factor. When you are outside enjoying your pool you do not want to listen to the constant humming of the pool pump. Using the Terrain Feature Tools, Polyline Solids and 3D Molding Polylines, you can create a custom ground level swimming pool. To create a hole for the pool Select Terrain Create Terrain Perimeter from the menu to create terrain in which the pool can be designed. You can skip this step if you have a terrain perimeter already drawn.
- Finding the perfect diy swimming pool ideas for your backyard can be a costly and long term investment for your home. Instead of hiring an architect pool designer, we are happy to share the free online pool designer software to help you find ideas and design small inground pools.With an online 3D user-friendly backyard design tool like pool template drawing software you can see exactly how.
- Depending on location, you can install an inground or an above-ground plunge pool, or even integrate it into the design of the garden, somehow making it double as a garden water feature. This small pool area is accessible directly from the bedrooms and visible from the terraces, making it a great common area for lounging and relaxing.
Inground Pool Designs
However, you do not want to put it too far away, so that it’s inconvenient to check on it regularly. And, you will need to run power and pipes to the pad and the longer the distance from the main house electrical panel to your pool equipment sub-panel, the higher the electrician’s cost. It also costs more to dig longer trenches and run extra plumbing to a distant location.
As for equipment pad size, generally you would want a 4 x 8 ft pad size. That would fit a pump, filter, heater, salt system and whatever else you may be using. If you are not using a heater or heat pump the pad could be smaller, say 3 x 5 ft.
When placing your pool equipment on the pad keep in mind that you will need to be able to access all of the items for general maintenance. do not squeeze everything into a small area that is impossible to access. Each piece of equipment will list recommended clearances in the installation guide. Pumps and heaters also need adequate ventilation, with large air space all around, and they do better without overhanging plants, trees or bushes.
Also, think about the possibility for flooding. Choose a spot, or construct a high enough pad that prevents this possibility. Rain and snow won’t harm your equipment, but do not have a roof eave that drains directly onto the equipment. You can build a roof or structure over the equipment, although it’s not usually necessary. Bob wrote a post all about building pool equipment sheds.
When you are running your plumbing lines from the pool to the pad try to keep the suction lines, (skimmer and main drain) on the pump side of your pad and bring up the return line(s) to the filter or heater side of the pad. This will make it much easier to line up your plumbing, for a better appearance.
Keep in mind when you’re connecting your pool equipment – the fewer 90 degree elbows you use the better your flow will be. Plan out your arrangements to make the most direct route from the pump, to the filter, through the heater, and back to the return lines. Instead of using a lot of 90’s, you could substitute sweep L’s or use two 45 degree fittings. That is one of the benefits of using flex pipe underground; fittings aren’t usually necessary when you have to make a turn in the lines. Above the ground however, on the equipment pad – rigid pipe is used for a cleaner look and a stronger structure.
Valves or connections at the equipment should have some type of union connections. Two reasons for that is if you have to replace any equipment and also for winterizing your pool and blowing out the lines for winter.
For the electrical, you’ll want a timer or an outdoor switch at the equipment pad to turn on and off the equipment for maintenance. This is useful when you have to empty the pump basket, backwash the filter and for other normal operations.
A separate switch for the pool light is also useful. Make sure you bring enough power to the pad to run all of your equipment. A 50 amp circuit would be enough for a pump, heater and pool light. If you have a booster pump, waterfall pump or heat pump, you’ll need a 100 amp service panel.
When gluing pipes and fittings, use a separate cleaner for the pipe and then apply your PVC glue. I feel it works much better than a combo glue and cleaner. The same holds true for the PVC electrical conduit for the pool lights. For threaded fittings, I like to spread some pipe dope over the threads and then wrap the threads 3 times with Teflon tape, in a clockwise direction.
Spend a little extra time on your plumbing and your equipment pad, make it look good and have the ease to access all the equipment – you’ll be glad you did. You do not want to end up with a mess that you have to hide or have a layout that makes it hard to service or repair your pool equipment down the road.
Larry Weinberg
SPP Pool Expert
We Can Show You How Your Pool Will Look
If you have a good imagination, it’s probably easy for you to picture your ideal backyard with all the features you want, such as a fire pit surrounded by benches and an outdoor kitchen for summer parties. However, turning your ideas into reality can be a little tough if you have to rely on words to convey your vision, even for the best backyard builders. Today, we can utilize 3-D computer modeling software to help you plan your ideal outdoor living space.
Visualize your pool design dreams right now. We think creating 3D swimming pool designs should be easy and fun for you! 3D computerized technology will allow you to have the fast, convenient way to create rich dimensional 3D swimming pool designs for your dream oasis in the backyard. If you can imagine it, we can design and build it!
We understand that you have better things to do than look over complex 2D pool drawings, building plans and deck layouts, so we offer one of the most advanced 3D pool design tool for our clients. No experience with 3D design necessary – if you know how to use a computer, you’ll know how to plan with our 3D design tool and one of our team members will help you in the design process too. In fact, we encourage you to have fun with it. Visualize your dream backyard.
How Do 3D Swimming Pool Designs Work?
Bartender ultralite 9.2 crack. Our 3-D design software allows you to completely create a backyard paradise from the ground up. With simple mouse clicks and tool selections, you can redraw a patio, place a fire pit or create an outdoor kitchen. We start by recreating your existing backyard so that we can create a plan that will reflect the actual dimensions of your yard.
3D Swimming Pool Designs Offer Many Advantages:
- Not all pool designs are the same. But with American Pools and Spas 3D design, you’ll express your creativity, find inspiration and make smarter pool design choices, faster.
- A 3D model is a real, life-sized pool plan built inside of the computer and offers a far more realistic view of your new pool than 2D drawings. Experiment with options in 3D and you can save time and money by using a computerized model to try out different design ideas.
- Easily share your 3D design with friends and family to help in the decision making process – and to build the excitement about your new dream pool!
- Plot out the landscape around your pool deck and a lot more. With 3D design, it’s never been easier to add beauty, shade, and color to your pool and deck areas.
- All swimming pool construction and shop fabrication drawings are created from the 3D model ensuring accuracy BEFORE even beginning construction.
What Are the Benefits of 3-D Design?
With our 3-D design software, we can edit and adjust plans on the fly while you work with us. You don’t need to rely on extrapolations from 2-D drawings to visualize how your backyard will look after your project is completed. Instead, you’ll be able to look at realistic renderings that can be adjusted instantly.
Using 3-D software also enhances the accuracy of the designs for your outdoor living space. 3-D designs are excellent for outdoor areas that aren’t a simple square. A backyard with uneven elevation, for example, can be difficult to visualize on a flat piece of paper unless you’re intimately familiar with topographical maps. With a 3-D design, however, you can have a visualization that will intuitively reflect the final look of your project.
The final drawings for fabrication come directly from the software, ensuring that measurements are accurate and that everything will fit together. This saves you both time and money on the final project.
Get inspired in our 3D Design Gallery! Jump in and explore the American Pools and Spas Design Gallery to find inspirations from other dream pool plans. Copy designs you like, then customize those design plans to make them your own.
If you want to build a pool, make sure to hire the market leader in the Central Florida Pool and Spa industry. We provide exemplary customer service while building your swimming pool. Our team of swimming pool building professionals take pride in delivering products and services of only the highest quality to completely satisfy our customers.
Inground Pool Designs And Prices
Let us make your dream of building a swimming pool a reality. Request a free design consultation today or call us at 407-847-9322.
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will schedule an appointment with you to make your dreams a reality.