Pools

Your Backyard Haven is a Latham Grand Dealer

Your Backyard Haven specializes in the installation of Vinyl Liner Inground Pools. As the leading Vinyl Liner Pool Installation company in Ontario, we provide a professional expert installation of your Vinyl Liner Pool. Our experts will work with you to pick the best Fiberglass Pool design to compliment your backyard.

• Vinyl Liner Pool Installation
• Pool Builders & Pool Design Experts
• Many vinyl liner pool shapes to choose from

Highest rated for hundreds of Vinyl Liner Pool construction projects in Ontario. Schedule a free consultation today.

As an experienced pool builder that has been installing vinyl liner swimming pools for decades, we have the experience and know-how to perform every aspect of your pool installation. Schedule a free pool design consultation with a Vinyl Liner inground pool specialist today to discuss all the options and features about your pool and learn more about Vinyl Liner inground pools.

Almost every home owner has taken on a renovation project, whether it was redoing a kitchen, replacing fixtures or appliances, installing new flooring, or revamping decor. Installing a pool in your backyard is just another renovation project where planning ahead will make sure everything goes smoothly.

A fiberglass swimming pool installation complete with landscaping usually takes about 2-3 weeks to complete.  The size of the pool, the access to the backyard for machinery and the scope of the landscaping are the three largest factors that will determine your timeline. Let’s go over the various stages of an installation to help you determine how long your project might take.

Step 1 – Introduction & Orientation Meeting

Once the pool permit has been issued it is time to schedule the installation and book a pre-construction meeting. During this meeting we will discuss our plan to complete your project in the most efficient way possible. We review the general construction process with you so you are aware of the general activities that will take place. A crew with specialized tradespeople is assigned to your project. At certain times during before and during the project permit requirements must be met such as meeting with the bylaw officer. We care about your property throughout the entire project and leave a tidy work site at the end of each day.

Step 2 – Preparing the site 

A clear path for machinery to access the backyard must be prepared in advance of the excavation. This might require removing fence posts and/or panels, taking down an air conditioner, or removing structures. An access path at least 6′ wide is required for most excavation machinery. Trees, structures, and other backyard items also need to be cleared from the area where the pool is to be installed prior to the start of the project.

Step 2 – Excavation 

Once machinery can access the yard the excavation can begin. If a retaining wall is required, this may be installed first and can take a day or two of groundwork. The pool excavation can take as little as a half day for a small, flat bottom pool, or up to two days for a large, slope-bottom pool – weather and ground conditions can obviously influence the schedule. Having access for larger machinery and being able to leave the excavated material on site or at a nearby fill site can reduce the excavation time and save you money.

• Fiberglass Pool Installation
• Pool Construction & Pool Excavation Experts
• Many fiberglass pool shells to choose from

Top rated for hundreds of Fiberglass Pool installation projects in the Ontario area. Schedule a free estimate today.

As an experienced pool contractor that has been installing fiberglass pools for many years, we have the know how and expertise to perform your pool excavation and installation of your plumbing, electrical, and other add-ons and outdoor amenities. Our expertise in outdoor living and design uses your Fiberglass Pool as the focal point and showpiece of the backyard.

If you want to put in a swimming pool or hot tub on your property, you need to get a pool enclosure permit. The purpose of the permit is to ensure that you meet the proper enclosure and protection requirements that are outlined in the local municipality’s Bylaws.

Swimming Pool Enclosure By-law

If you protect your pool, you protect your family. Your local municipality has specific regulations regarding the installation of a new swimming pool. These are typically related to the placement of the pool on the property and the type of enclosure that will restrict access to the pool area (fences, walls, structures, etc.) A permit is typically required before installing a pool. Obtaining a permit requires a drawing of the property showing the pool location as well as details about the enclosure. Septic systems, infiltration galleries and easements also need to be considered when planning for a pool installation. Some properties in Southwestern Ontario also fall under the jurisdiction of the Grand River Conservation Authority and require additional permissions before a pool can be installed.

Each municipality can have slightly different regulations, but here I will point out some of the general points to consider.

Pool Enclosure: When applying for a permit, the building department essentially wants to know how you plan to restrict access to the pool area. Fences, walls, buildings and other structures may be a part of that plan, where fences need to be at least a certain height (typically 5′) and considered to be not easily climbable from the exterior. Your pool does not usually require separate fencing if the backyard is already fully fenced and meets the code requirements. Items like low branches, landscaping stones, storage boxes or adjoining fences that are easily climbed are all things you should look out for when determining if your enclosure will meet code. Typically, the existing grade of the property must not be altered and retaining walls if required must be indicated on the pool enclosure permit drawing. You cannot place a pool on an easement.

Some municipalities also require locks, alarms or other precautions be used on doors and windows that provide access to the pool area from the home. While not always a municipal requirement, we do highly recommend using door alarms, child proof locks and/or other safety measures, even if you do not have any young children living in your home.

Setbacks: Most municipalities require a 1 to 1.5 m set back between the property line and pool. It is also beneficial to have space between your pool and fence/property line so that you can easily access all areas of the pool quickly and easily.

General requirements for a pool fence enclosure permit.

The following documents are typical along with the permit application but depending on the municipality their may be additional requirements:

A site plan showing:

• Pool and property dimensions
• Distances to the house and lot lines including setbacks from the side yard and rear lot lines.
• Location and dimensions of any doors and windows in the house adjacent to the pool area
• Location, height and material of proposed fence (self closer and lockable in most municipalities)
• Percentage of hard versus soft landscaping.
• A completed Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish form or similar form (In most municipalities)
• A completed Tree Declaration form. (Required for many municipalities)
• A grading plan. (Required for many municipalities)

For hot tubs, you need to include:

• Details about what the hot tub will be placed on
• A copy of your hydro permit (contact the Electrical Safety Authority for a hydro permit)

Fees will vary depending on municipality. The permit fee is $150.00 for above ground pools, and $300.00 for inground pools.

If you are installing an inground pool, there is a minimum damage deposit of $500.00 -$3,000.00 required or more in some municipalities.

Get an inspection

You will need to get a variety of inspections done during the construction phase. The following inspections are required with a pool enclosure permit:

• Stakeout – mark location of the pool and/or in some municipalities there may be a site meeting with a bylaw officer
• Fencing – to conform to the Swimming Pool Enclosure By-law
• Final – prior to filling your pool

Pool cabana/sheds/accessory structures can be submitted with the same permit in select municipalities and may have different requirements.

There are now several options for submitting the completed pool enclosure permits and other information required for a pool including online-portals, cloud permit services and in-person (where and if available).

Your Backyard Haven is a Toronto Pool Builder many years of experience and will provide the pool permit enclosure drawing as part of our service.

Getting serious about a swimming pool? Great! However, don’t ignore the fence around the pool and pool area–particularly in the case of young children who are curious and are intrigued by water, and will undoubtedly want to investigate the area where all the fun happens.

Getting The Right Pool Fence Makes All The Difference

The right fence and mesh products are an indisputable protection and, in most municipalities, required by law. Vigilance is naturally the key, but it’s advised mandatory to have solid backup—meaning a reliable fence/barrier that help in our struggle to keep our pool environments a safe place–reserved for refreshment, relaxation, and fun.

No doubt you have put a lot of thought into the plans for the pool and its surrounds–the shape, depth, and position of the pool, outdoor living areas, and the appropriate (and beautiful) landscaping, and all the details that will bring your ideas to fruition. Here are some thoughts about some necessities to check off your list.

Consulting the town building inspector is one of your first stops. Requirements and restrictions are an important key to your pool project. If this is a DIY project, familiarizing yourself with your local pool safety laws concerning your fence and various specifications is vital. Self-closing gates are a good example: a child is not necessarily going to close a gate, particularly if the goal of being in the pool is tantamount! So a self-closing gate is really a universal requirement.

If you are having the fence installed by a reputable fence company any questions you may have can be answered by them. Still, understanding the codes ahead of time will help you anticipate these obligations.

Step 1 – Introduction & Orientation Meeting

Once the pool permit has been issued it is time to schedule the installation and book a pre-construction meeting. During this meeting we will discuss our plan to complete your project in the most efficient way possible. We review the general construction process with you so you are aware of the general activities that will take place. A crew with specialized tradespeople is assigned to your project. At certain times during before and during the project permit requirements must be met such as meeting with the bylaw officer. We care about your property throughout the entire project and leave a tidy work site at the end of each day.

Step 2 – Preparing the site 

A clear path for machinery to access the backyard must be prepared in advance of the excavation. This might require removing fence posts and/or panels, taking down an air conditioner, or removing structures. An access path at least 6′ wide is required for most excavation machinery. Trees, structures and other backyard items also need to be cleared from the area where the pool is to be installed prior to the start of the project.

Step 3 – Dig Day (1-2days)

Dig day is the loudest and most hectic day of construction, but a well-organized crew can usually complete this process within one to two day given the weather conditions and access to your yard. Usually on this same day your swimming pool kit containing all contents of your pool will be delivered and stored on site in your garage or yard.

Step 4 – Pool Assembly & Rough Concrete Coat (1-2 days)

Once the hole is dug and completed, we proceed into installing the walls of the pool and adding our a-frame supports. In this step, we also install a layer of concrete over the bottom of the pool and a complete ring of concrete around the perimeter, as well we fill son tubes placed every 6′ around the perimeter of the pool for further deck support.

Step 5 – Plumbing & Electrical

Once the pool walls are set, we begin installing the pool lights, plumbing and necessary grounding. Once complete all underground plumbing is pressure tested to ensure that there are no leaks. Installation of dry well where required.

Step 6 – Back Fill

Once all the underground work is complete, we begin the backfill process. We believe the best product for this is 3/4 clear gravel or HPB because it helps with drainage around and away from the pool. The gravel is filled around the entire perimeter of the pool to all necessary levels and compacted along the way at different intervals, as necessary.

Step 7 – Forming & Concrete

Install the top concrete bond beam for structural purposes in order to install the pool coping. In most cases we allow for a 3/4″ drop from coping to concrete form to allow sufficient drainage away from the pool. The forms will follow the exact shape of the pool at approximately 1.25 feet from the water’s edge unless otherwise stated. Once complete we pour the concrete bond beam.

Step 8 – Pool Coping & Surround

Now that most of the pool is installed, the project is turned over to out landscape crew to install the pool coping and interlocking stone. This part of the project can vary in timeline depending on the scope of the project, but may include fencing, pool cabanas, outdoor kitchens, or other structures as per the pool and landscape design.

Step 9 – Pool Bottom Grout

Once the pool coping and pool surround has been completed, we begin the grouting process for the bottom of the pool. The grout is a Portland cement and sand mix that is installed over the concrete to provide the liner a smooth place to rest on.

Step 10 -Liner Install

Probably one of the most exciting days of the whole process is the day that the liner is installed. Assuming that the yard is fully fenced and has been inspected and approved we go ahead and install the liner. The pool bottom is cleaned and completely prepared for the 30mill vinyl liner to be installed over top. Once the liner is fitted in, and in its final place we fill the pool.

Step 11 -Final Hook-up & Pool School

Once the pool is full, we can now do all the final plumbing and electrical hookups. If all power and natural gas has been supplied to the equipment, we can do the initial start up and get the pool running so that you and your family can enjoy the pool immediately. Pool school should be done within a day or two of start-up.