poolnerd

A lot of people, even some who sell and build pools, don’t really understand how a pool wall works. Well, in this post we’ll cover that, which will require learning a little about the construction properties of concrete and rebar, illuminating the principle behind retaining walls, and some other fun stuff.

A standard pool wall is just a retaining wall. It’s meant to hold the dirt out of the pool. When the pool is full, that’s not usually a problem, but when it’s drained, the soil can push on the wall, sometimes causing it to crack. That’s not good. If it’s designed right, with the right amount of rebar and concrete in specific places, it can resist the push of the dirt so that it won’t crack.

Notice that verbal gymnastics in the last sentence? All that “If it’s designed right,” and “with the right amount . . . in specific places.” That pretty much describes what an engineer does. And if there’s something I’ve learned in the pool business, it’s this: let the experts do their jobs. Lawyers make sure everything’s legal, accountants watch your money, and engineers make sure your pool won’t fail. Build the pool the way your engineer specifies. Don’t cut corners, don’t do stuff on your own (this includes things like upgrading to #4 bars where #3’s are specified, or guessing how a waterfall footing should be done). Do it the right way. Believe me, you don’t want a cracked pool.

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Anyone building a new pool should seriously consider adding some sort of waterfeature. It is often the single element that visitors to your backyard will remember most. Also, it’s the sound and look of falling water that speaks to some ancient part of our souls, which is why so many find it so relaxing, so peaceful. And isn’t bringing a bit more peacefulness into your life one of the reasons you’re getting a pool, anyway?

A waterfeature in this context means some sort of moving water. Running, falling, cascading, squirting, spraying. Anything from a natural stone cascade waterfall, to a contemporary sheet waterfall; from a simple pottery spill-pot or hammered copper bowl, to illuminated laminar-flow deck jets. They come in many different styles, sounds and looks, but they all have one thing in common: that visual and auditory element that is so memorable to guests, so relaxing to residents.

In this post we’ll examine some readily available waterfeatures, as well as looking at some site-built alternatives. All have differing construction and flow requirements, some are suitable to a particular style of pool and backyard, while others aren’t. While reading about all these waterfeatures, start envisioning what you want your backyard to be like. Maybe visualize yourself in a lounge chair by the pool some quiet summer evening. Think about what style of waterfeature, visual as well as auditory, you’d like. But please, just get some falling water into your life.

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