Signature Fiberglass Pools Chicago Swimming Pool Builder Illinois

Fiberglass Swimming Pool Builder serving Chicago and Illinois

Installation

Can I install an in ground pool with a septic system or well? 3 things to consider

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This is a great question we get from time to time!  The short answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind when installing an in-ground pool if you have an existing septic system  or private well on your property.

1.  Location, Location, Location:

Before you can determine where an in-ground pool can go, you will first need to determine where the existing septic tank and field is located, along with the well head (if applicable).  Your local municipality or county health department may be able to help by looking up the building records for your property.  They may find a septic survey, which will show the septic and well locations as build with the home.  If not, a local septic service company can be contacted to survey and locate the system on your property.

2. Septic Tank and Lines:

Many times customers will peer into the vastness of their yard and think “I’ve got PLENTY of room for a pool!”  While this can be the case, there are many instances when a septic field or tank will limit the available space and exact location of your new swimming pool.  As a general rule, (at least in Illinois)  the closest portion of the water’s edge cannot be any closer than 25′ to an existing septic line and 25′ to the septic tank.

2. Well Water:

In many cases a home with a septic system also has a private well on the property.  Generally speaking, in Illinois the swimming pool must be located a minimum distance to the well head.  This is usually not a problem, as most well heads are located in front yards, far away from the septic field or potential pool location, but keep this in mind when planning out your swimming pool project.  Contact your local health department for specific regulations in your area.

3. Relocating or Eliminating a Line:

Occasionally a customer will need a line to their septic field moved in order to accommodate the desired location of the pool.  Although this is not as common, it IS a possibility.  Alternatively, a line may be able to be eliminated all together, giving enough room to maintain the required distance from the septic field.  Contact your local septic installer for further information about this process.

With a little careful planning and consideration, there is no problem with installing an in-ground swimming pool if you have a septic system or private well on your property.  Many of our existing customers have wrestled and won this battle, and the proof is now in their beautiful backyard swimming pool!  If you have further questions about septic tanks, lines, private wells and how they all relate to your swimming pool, please feel free to contact us directly at 630.845.1145

Top 10 Reasons a Fiberglass Swimming Pool is the Right Choice for You

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It’s easy for a swimming pool builder to say that their product or type of pool is the best in the market, but rare to hear definitive and concrete reasons why.  We at Signature Pools strive to back up our statements with facts and the below list represents just a few of the great reasons a fiberglass swimming pool is the right choice for you, your family and your backyard.  Take a look at some of the reasons our customers choose to install a fiberglass pool over any other type of swimming pool for their backyard.

1. Latest Technology- The fiberglass swimming pool industry has an established and competitive manufacturing base that strives to bring the best materials and manufacturing techniques to customers.  This competitive environment pushes manufacturers to be the most innovative and bring the highest quality to the swimming pool market.  With over a dozen fiberglass pool manufacturers in the United States, the best products and manufacturers naturally rise to the top.

2. Innovative Designs- With hundreds of shapes, sizes and colors to choose from, fiberglass pools offer an astounding array of stylish designs for homeowners at many price points.  Whether you are looking for a simple place to cool off in the summer, a backyard oasis or a family fun pool, there is a fiberglass pool for you.

3. Warranty- Fiberglass pool manufacturers offer some of the best structural warranties in the industry. As we all know by now, the liner of a vinyl pool needs to be replaced over time and concrete pools have to be re-plastered and will eventually crack. In ground fiberglass pool manufacturers can offer such a great warranty because they know their product never needs resurfacing or replacing.

4. Low Maintenance- The last thing a pool owner wants to do is spend their weekends cleaning and balancing the water chemistry of their new pool. Spend more time enjoying your in ground pool when you choose a fiberglass swimming pool. The non-porous surface of the pool does not allow algae to stick to the walls and floor, and chemical balancing is a breeze with an inert surface that does not affect water chemistry.

5. Faster Installation- Fiberglass pools are a fantastic choice if you are concerned about construction time in your backyard. Because the pool shell is pre-manufactured in an environmentally controlled setting, you not only get a quality product but spend less time looking at a construction mess and more time enjoying your beautiful backyard.  Typical fiberglass pool installation takes between 2-4 weeks compared to vinyl and concrete  pool construction that can last months!

6. Pool Surface- No more skinned knees, torn or stained bathing suits when you choose a fiberglass pool. The surface of the pool is smooth to the touch and won’t scuff your feet or hands as you swim. Additionally, you will never have to deal with a wrinkled pool liner.

7. Beautiful Finishes– Not only is the pool surface smooth, but the color finishes are fantastic! Gone are the days of plain white pool finishes. With a fiberglass pool finish you can choose a color that fits the overall design of your yard. From a refreshing bright blue to a deep, calming aqua color, there is a pool finish for you.

8. Lowest Maintenance Cost– As we have mentioned, maintaining a fiberglass pool is the easiest option available today, and chemical costs are significantly less than a vinyl or concrete pool. But the most significant savings is the long-term renovation costs associated with replacing a vinyl liner, or re-plastering a concrete pool surface. Choosing a fiberglass pool eliminates the need for any of this work and gives you the best cost savings over time.

9. Water Features- Fiberglass pools are compatible with a countless number of water features including slides, jets, fountains, and waterfalls. These options can be added to almost any fiberglass pool, allowing you to truly customize the look, design and feel of your backyard.

10. Longevity- Since fiberglass pools don’t need to be re-surfaced, you can be assured that the finish of your pool will look the same in 5, 10, or 20 years as it does today. The finish of the pool is stain and fade resistant from the sun and will look beautiful for years to come. Vinyl and concrete pools are susceptible to staining, fading, wrinkles in vinyl and etching in concrete. These materials will fade over time and start to deteriorate as right away. Fiberglass pools have a proven record of maintaining their look and feel for years.

Will an in ground pool fit in my yard? 3 Quick Tips

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Are you thinking about building an in ground pool in your backyard?  Are you planning on purchasing a new home and would like a new in ground pool when you move in?  Unfortunately, every season we meet prospective clients who are unable to put an in ground swimming pool in their yard due to a number of restrictions.  Here are a few things to consider when thinking about your backyard project:

 

 

1.  Property Lines-  Many municipalities require a swimming pool to be located a certain distance from a side or rear property line.  Make sure you mark out the property lines at your home to make sure a pool will fit. 

2. Utility and Drainage Easements-  Similar to property lines, easements are areas of your yard that you cannot build permanent structures within.  Utility companies can use this part of your yard to run underground electrical, phone, gas, and telephone lines for your home and the neighborhood.  Check your plat of survey to see where the easements are located on your property.  A swimming pool, deck, patio or equipment cannot be located in this area.  Contact your local municipality for more information on building restrictions and easements.

3. Impervious Lot Coverage-  Another restriction to consider is impervious lot coverage of your property.  Several cities, towns and counties in the Chicago land area and across the Midwest are imposing restrictions on the buildable area of your lot.  This restriction is in place to ensure rainwater and natural drainage is not disturbed or adversely effected by a construction project.  Contact your local building department to find out if impervious lot coverage is an issue in your town.

As you can see, there are a few things to consider when planning out the design and location of your swimming pool.  We at Signature Pools have helped hundreds of clients build their very own backyard escape, and we’ve see yards of all shapes and sizes.  Many customers are surprised to see what can fit in even the most limited space.  If you have questions about your specific property please feel free to contact us or give us a call at 630.845.1145

Do I Need A Building Permit For My Fiberglass Pool?

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Yes!

We get this question a lot, and there are a few reasons that a building permit is not only required, but a benefit to homeowners:

1. Liability- Having a building permit in place protects you as the homeowner from a number of liabilities throughout the project. What happens if someone gets hurt while working on your property? A building permit requires contractors to be licenced, insured, and bonded in many cases. If an injury or property damage were to occur, your pool builder’s insurance will cover the costs.

2. Inspections- Most municipal building departments have an inspector visit your home during the construction of your pool project. The inspector’s role is to examine and verify that your pool is being built to national and local safety standards. Some of the inspections include: underground plumbing, electric, and gas line, electrical bonding, and final pool/barrier.

3. Piece of Mind- Working with a reputable pool installer who is licenced, insured, and bonded can be a great step towards knowing you are getting the best possible installation of your new swimming pool. Stay away from contractors who insist that you don’t need a permit, or ask you to apply for the permit yourself. Many times these companies are not willing to comply with industry standards of construction or do not have proper liability insurance.

If you have questions about building permits for your new fiberglass pool project feel free to contact us or give Signature Pools a call at 630.845.1145

Where should I put my pool equipment? 5 things to consider

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pentair equipment padSo you’ve decided to get an in ground pool. Great! Now the fun part begins: Picking all the fun stuff to go with your pool. Slides, water falls, fountains, and jets are just some of the options available with your pool. But before any of that gets picked out, consider the location of pool equipment needed to circulate, filter, and sanitize the water. Many homeowners have a set vision in mind. They can already see where the pool is going long before considering the limitations of their property and municipal codes. Here are several things to consider when deciding where to place your pool equipment.  Keep in mind that a basic equipment pad requires an area of approximatly 4′ x 8′ to accommodate a pump, filter, and heater.

1. Take a look at your Plat of Survey

The plat of survey is a document showing the exact location of your home, property lines, building setback lines, utility easements, flood plains, or any other special feature unique to your property. In general, you cannot install your pool equipment beyond any of these setback lines.  If you’re currently in the research phase of buying a new pool it is essential that you have a copy of your plat of survey to give to your sales representative. 

 2.  City, Village, or County Building Codes

As a general rule your pool equipment must be a minimum of 10’ from the water’s edge of the pool.  If you’re installing a heater with your pool (98% of our clients in Illinois do) you need to consider the distance between any windows and the exhaust vent on the heater.  Most municipalities require a 4’ minimum distance between the pool heater exhaust vent and any windows or window wells on the home.  For any other specific codes regarding pool equipment location you can contact your sales representative or your local governing municipality.

 3.  Association Requirements

These days many home owners associations have specific requirements as to the location of the pool equipment.  For instance, some associations won’t allow it on the side of your house.  Other associations want to make sure it is a certain number of feet off of your property line.  If you’re currently in the research phase of buying a new pool we highly recommend getting a copy of any association requirements prior to meeting with any sales representative. 

4.  Ease of Access

 Make sure the equipment will be located in a place with easy access as well.  If you purchase a remote with your pool you won’t be spending as much time at your equipment pad, but you will still want it to be in a reasonable place for maintenance and service.  If possible we recommend keeping your equipment within the fenced area of the pool.  This too will make it much easier to access your pool equipment.  If it’s not possible for the equipment to be installed within the fence area we highly recommend adding a gate close to the pool equipment.

 5.  Think About Noise

When you are deciding where to place the pool equipment, keep in mind the noise factor! Even with new variable speed pumps or 2 speed pumps the pump noise can be a nuisance if you’re equipment is too close your pool or any entertaining area around you pool.  If possible you also want to avoid installing the pool equipment right outside of a bedroom or any room of the house that is often used.

 I know this information seems a bit overwhelming- but here’s the good news: Signature Pools and Spas has installed over 400 swimming pools in the Midwest and we are familiar with what works and what doesn’t…in all types of backyards! We are also familiar with local code requirements and municipal regulations and can help you determine the best location for your swimming pool and equipment. If you have questions or would like further information about pool locations, please feel free to contact Signature Pools and Spas at 630.845.1145