Proposed Installation of a Swimming Pool - Essay Example

Feasibility Study of the Proposed Installation of a Swimming Pool for The Family of Thomas Pepper Atlanta, Georgia Prepared by William De FoeEnvironmental Services Group, Inc. Lawrenceville, Georgia (678) 344-9119 Prepared on April 30, 2007 Pepper 1 Background Situation The Environmental Services Group appreciates that you asked us to help you with planning for a proposed swimming pool in your large lawn area. As there are many factors to be considered in making such a significant investment, we have done exhaustive research and are including our methods, our findings and our recommendations in this report. Research Objectives You provided us with many areas to be researched so that you can make a reasonable final decision in building a swimming pool for your family. One of your major concerns was whether to plan on building an in-ground, an on-ground or an above-ground pool. As you can imagine, the costs vary quite a lot depending on which type of pool you choose. You asked us to investigate the materials which are normally used to build swimming pools in the Atlanta area. Since some pools are easily removed while others become a permanent part of a property, this is an important consideration. Related to this concept is the type of coating or painting which should be used for a newly constructed pool. Another of your concerns was the safety features and insurance liability coverage you should carry, not only for your own family's security but also for visitors' coverage or for incidental pollution considerations. Electricity for pumps and filtering devices, accidental misuse of chemicals in the water and a host of other issues are involved here. While you did not ask us about enclosures or pool covers, we are including some information about these in this report. Since Atlanta is not actually in the semi-tropical areas of the USA, we felt you would appreciate some ideas for safe storage of the pool area in cooler weather. Pepper 2 Methods of Investigation We did some interview research about the cost and life expectancy of both on-ground and in-ground pools. (Answers.yahoo). This was part of our research as to which of the three pool types to recommend to you and to provide you with the rationale for your decision. Our staff checked online sites for prices as well as the pros and cons of each of the three pool types. Of course, size influences price as surely as whether to build into the ground or on top of the ground. We looked at various building materials for the pool types. These include fiberglass, concrete, steel, aluminum and resin. We felt sure that you did not intend to be building an air-filled rubber pool so we did not check into that material. We have information on ground preparation for the pool types. The red clay of Georgia will not give you much problem for whichever type of pool you build. Lastly, we investigated liability insurance, pool covers and enclosures as well as cleaning and painting materials. In the next section of this report, we will break down our findings to aid in making an informed decision. Findings of Investigation Let us first consider the three possible pool types. They are above ground pools, on ground pools and in ground pools. There are descriptions and photos available online (Propools). The above ground pools are easily moved since they are made to be rather easily put together and taken apart. Within a few hours, the owner can put up the pool and fill it with water and begin using it. These pools sit on top of the ground. Just as easily, the pool can be disassembled for storage or removal to another spot. These pools can be made of aluminum, steel or resin. (sharkline). Pepper 3 The on ground pools are better for sloping ground and are similar to in ground pools in that they are more permanent. Their prices are a bit higher than the prices of the above ground pools since these pools are not easily removed. The third type of pool is the in ground pool. It becomes a part of the property since it would be quite difficult to take out. This tends to be the most expensive of the pool types. This is the type of pool that people usually think of when they consider a backyard swimming pool. The in ground pool is often made of concrete with a vinyl liner between the pool wall and the ground although some of them are preformed fiberglass which is inserted into the hole that is dug into the ground with a backhoe. Fiberglass in ground pools are cheaper than concrete pools and more quickly installed. (bluehavenpools). As mentioned above, we looked at enclosures and covers for pools. No matter how much one tries to keep the pool clean, debris and dust will gather on the water. During times when the pool is not being used, it is wise to protect the water from such foreign substances. At the same time, you need to be sure than no animals or children could fall into the pool when it is unattended. There are many sources on the Internet which supply safety fences and pool covers. You can also find them in many stores in Atlanta. A related item is the storage of your pool during cold or rainy weather. Since you are not planning on building an inside pool, there is still a way to use the pool in such bad weather. We found this website in our research and felt it worth recommending to you. (retractable). It features a pool enclosure which can be in place over your pool during bad weather so that you can use it, even on a cold day. In warm weather, simply retract the enclosure to enjoy the pool in the sunshine. On a bad weather day, keep the enclosure over the pool. This is only for outside, in ground pools. "Pool-related accidents are the second leading cause of death for children under age14" (chaliklaw). As a prospective swimming pool owner, you were wise to ask us to look into liability protection, not only for your own family but for visitors or people who enter your property and could be involved in a pool accident. This company's website is worth looking into for coverage. Pepper 4 Discussion of Our Findings To begin preparing our study, we sent a team to your property in Atlanta to do some soil samples. Given the age of the subdivision in which your house is located, we felt sure that the soil was compacted enough to support the weight of a pool with no further settling of the soil likely to take place. Our team did some tests and took soil samples which we analyzed here at our Lawrenceville facility. We assure you that the ground around your house is quite suitable for the addition of a pool. Since you asked for a feasibility study and recommendations for the type and size of pool that you should install, we measured larger areas of your lawn and even took photographs of the slightly rolling terrain of your lawn. You did not give us an estimate of your budget for this project so we assume that you are prepared for even the more expensive pool types. If this is not correct, our information will enable you to choose that which fits your budget. Considering pool size, the above ground pools begin at around fifty-two inches and are available either as round or oval pool areas. These pools are considered fifteen foot pools. These are easy to set up and easy to remove. They do not require nearly as much water as the more permanent styles of pools. They are not as rigid as pools made of other materials since concrete is not their basic material. Thus, they are more prone to damage than other pool types. Since your ground is slightly rolling, at least toward the back of your lawn, on ground pools could be acceptable to you. They are much more permanent than above ground pools. The following photo is from http://www.propools.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/products/on_ground/ongroundswimmingpools.htmL+scstore+xtsr2609ffad98ad+1177696110. Notice that there is a drop-off at the back side of the pool. This could be dangerous unless you fence it to prevent anyone from falling. This type of pool should be considered a part of the property on which it is located since it would be very difficult to remove it. Pepper 5 The in ground swimming pool is considered the ultimate in backyard pools. It is the most expensive, also. Using a competent contractor, you can design it in many sizes and shapes. These pools are either made of concrete or preformed fiberglass. This style would be suitable for nearer the front of your lawn where the ground is more level. Summary and Our Recommendations Because you did not share your budgeted allowance for this project, we cannot make hard-and-fast recommendations. We are suggesting several options for you to consider. Seeing that a few of the neighbors in your subdivision have home swimming pools, we noticed that only one of them is using the above ground pool idea. It is a rather small pool and does not project a well-kept image. Pepper 6 We saw one of your neighbors whose property has a slope. He used the on ground pool approach. It has a nice appearance, and he has it fenced in such a way as to prevent anyone falling from the elevated back edge. Although we did not measure the pool, it is a nice size for his property. His landscape ideas add to the attractiveness of the pool. Also, the pool is near the back door of his house; this provides a degree of privacy. The other pools in your neighborhood are in ground. Some of them have good landscaping and appear inviting. Some of them do seem to be simply holes in the lawn, lacking in attractiveness. Sizes vary from those that seem too small to those which seem well suited to their environment. None appear to be too large for the lawns in which they are located. Our suggestions for your pool project follow: A. We suggest either an on ground pool toward the sloping back yard of your property or an in ground pool located near the front of your lawn. Both of these are more costly to build than an above ground pool. The slope on the southeast area of your lawn is steep enough that only an on ground pool will be acceptable there. This would be our preferred recommendation. B. If your budget does not allow this much expense, we suggest that you consider a larger above ground pool. We suggest that you consider resin if you go with such pool. They have a better appearance. C. If you choose an above ground pool, we suggest that you move it often as the grass will not survive if covered for a long period of being covered by a pool. This will involve a lot of work but will be beneficial to your lawn itself. D. We suggest that you consider a very comprehensive liability insurance plan to cover any incidents both with your own family and with visitors who use your pool. While looking at insurance, we suggest that you insure the pool itself, especially if you invest in either an in ground or an on ground pool.. E. We suggest you consider the retractable pool enclosure as well. Pepper Works Cited http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index.phpqid=20070420160735AABB4yg http://www.bluehavenpools.com.au/pools.asp http://www.chaliklaw.com/premises_liability.html http://www.contractors.com/trade/retractable_pool_enclosures_can_make_swimming_a_daily_routine_even_when_it_s_r.html http://www.propools.com/ http://www.propools.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/products/on_ground/ongroundswimmingpools.htmL+scstore+xtsr2609ffad98ad+1177696110 http://www.sharkline.com/about.html Read More